A tool has been released which tests whether a user’s PC can handle the next Windows operating system from Microsoft which is currently called Windows 7.

In order to download the software, a user needs to have an account on Windows Sentinel. The software will collect data for a few hours. After it finished, the user should load the Windows 7 Compatibility Testing widget which would tell him or her whether his or her PC passed the test. If it failed, then there would be a note on why it did.

A lot of details has been written on what the widget does and users can read them by visiting the source link below.

Source: InfoWorld

Something I have noticed that prevents a lot of people from starting their own business is that they believe that they need to know it all before they start a business. Let me tell you a little secret, don’t need to know it all, you just need to know enough and make it look like you know what you are doing.
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A website called Heise Online has reported that a patch that was recently released was able to fix two problems. One is about Norton Internet Security and the other is about registry keys.

The Norton Internet Security problem is that network connections and devices would be empty in the device manager after a user has applied the third service pack for Windows XP. The company who made the software, Symantec,  released a patch to fix this problem and Microsoft also released a patch of their own. Microsoft released a statement which says, “Applying this fix could help resolve this problem”.

Heise Online notes that the user must apply the patch in safe mode.

Source: Heise Online

The next Windows operating system will be released on the first month of 2010 according to a letter company senior vice president Bill Veghte. The letter was sent to Microsoft customers.

He wrote, “You have told us you want a more regular, predictable Windows release schedule. You’ve also let us know you don’t want to face the kinds of incompatibility challenges with the next version of Windows you might have experienced early with Windows Vista. As a result, our approach with Windows 7 is to build off the same core architecture as Windows Vista so the investments you and our partners have made in Windows Vista will continue to pay off with Windows 7. Our goal is to ensure the migration process from Windows Vista to Windows 7 is straightforward.”

Source: PC World

A new server virtualization software has been released by Microsoft called Hyper-V.  The original schedule  for the release of the program is in six weeks so many were surprised that it was released this early.

“It’s been designed as a Windows feature, which our customers know, so those with Windows Server certification will be familiar with it; the people who have all the in-house skills on Windows Server will know how to use it,” said the general manager of Windows Server Marketing and Platform Strategy at Microsoft, Bill Hilf.

This software is expected to attract smaller businesses based on its cost because a virtualization software called VMware costs more due to its advance features.

Source: Vnunet

Monitor Tester is a portable, freeware application designed for testing a computer screen. Its a simple application, but effective. Monitor Tester tests the screen by allowing you to view a variety of patterns to make a screen fault obvious. It can also be used to help you calibrate working monitors.
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A report has been released by StopBadware.org that shows half of the websites that are pushing malware are hosted by just 10 networks. Six of these networks are internet service providers (ISPs) which are based in China and these networks hosted more than 41 percent of the malicious websites according to the article at The Register.

A separate report was released  and the results were similar. In that report, the results show that the three biggest offenders are Xinnet Bei Gong Da Software, Beijingnn, and Todaynic.

Source: The Register

If you have been in the onsite repair business for a while you have probably had someone ask you whether you do computer training. I get these a few times a month and I nearly always take these jobs. You can take these training jobs at your regular repair rate or create a new “teaching rate”. Personally, my teaching rate is a little cheaper just because this type of work is so incredibly easy.
In this article, we’ll cover a little bit about getting into computer training.
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The latest version of Microsoft’s Malicious Software Removal Tool help gamers secure their computers according to an article that was posted today at The Register.

This new version detects password stealing Trojans which are known for grabbing online gaming passwords. Some of the games that are targeted by these Trojans are World of Warcraft and Lineage Online. A malware known as Taterf infected more than 700,000 machines on the first day while 200,000 machines were infected by a different malware known as Frethog.

A security researcher points that part of the reason why there are high incidents of infection is because some gamers avoid running anti-virus softwares since these may impair their machines’ performace.

Source: The Register

Dell revised their strategy regarding Windows XP computers. Instead of allowing their buyers to choose the Vista to XP downgrade service, they can now purchase the full OEM Windows XP license. This offer lasts until June 26 at 5:59 CT according to Vista.Blorge.com

Between June 26, and June 30, consumers have the option to purchase the Vista Business or Vista Ultimate operating system with the XP downgrade option. Vista.Blorge.com notes that this option is only available on three computer models which are XPS 630, 720 H2C, and M1730.

The author of the article at Vista.Blorge.com wonders whether there will be another extension after June 26.

Source: Vista.Blorge.com