Herleson Pontes - IT Professional : Windows XP

Windows 7 Release Candidate available for download!

herleson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:50:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

It´s with great happiness that I share with you, as break news, that Microsoft announced the release of the RC build of Windows 7 for download! This is a moment expected by many professionals and enthusiasts, who already test and use this new OS of Microsoft. The mainly change of this release is the solved of many bugs, including driver incompatibility.

So, let´s talk a little more about this new build of Windows 7, and some tips for those that already use it.

General Information and Download

From today (April 30th), Windows 7 RC is available for download in 32-bits (2.47GB Aprox.) and 64-bits (3.2GB Aprox.) versions. Professionals who has the Technet/MSDN Subscriptions or are registered as beta testers in Microsoft Connect site can already download the images and start to use it! For professionals who don´t have a subscription and aren´t registered in the beta program, Microsoft will provide the download of images in May 5th, in Microsoft Download Center site (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/).

An important note about this new build is about the Product Key: the PID used in Beta 1 of Windows 7 WON´T WORK in this new build. So, you must request new PIDs to install Windows 7.

In this build, we will still work only with the Ultimate edition. Only in July Microsoft should define the features of each edition and starts the regionalization of this version.

Windows 7 RC will expire in two phases. At March 1st 2010, the machine will start to reboot every two hours of use. At June 1st 2010, the system will stop completely. Since RCs always expire after the release of the final version (RTM), we can see that Microsoft maintain its schedule, which projects the release of Windows 7 to market in the ending of 2009/beginning of 2010.

OS Upgrade

Windows 7 RC allows the upgrade from Windows Vista to this new build. Users of Windows 7 Beta 1 must execute a clean installation to install the Release Candidate performing a boot from the DVD of from the OS.

ATTENTION WINDOWS XP USERS: Because many changes in the architecture made through the Beta 1 period, Windows 7 RC DON´T SUPPORT UPGRADE OF WINDOWS XP CLIENTS! Users who wish to upgrade from XP to 7 must perform a clean installation. Another way available is to upgrade Windows XP to Vista, then upgrade Vista to 7.

If you have files and setting in previous versions of Windows and want to transfer these to Windows 7, Microsoft provides a complete set of tools and guidances in Windows site (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/). Also, inside the DVD is available the Windows Easy Transfer software, tool which allow you to migrate files and settings.

Reporting Bugs

Windows 7 has improved, but there is still a long way to go. Bugs and Feedbacks should be reported to Microsoft, so they can improve this new OS. To send feedbacks, professionals must perform the Feedback Wizard by executing this command at Search box (or Run box):

Rundll32.exe FeedbackTool.dll ShowWizard

The Send Feedback links that appear in all windows of Beta 1 release (Figure below) are gone.

Since we´re now at Release Candidate phase, all features that Windows 7 will ship are defined. It means that the next step is to tune this features, removing the small bugs. Microsoft are looking for feedbacks that report:

Problems that blocks the install/upgrade of Windows
Problems that results in data loss
Security Issues
Features that works in Beta 1 and aren´t working now
Application and Drivers incompatibility
System crashes that may be reproduced

I submitted some feedbacks to Microsoft related to drivers and applications, and they returned after some days. That´s why you should continue to collaborate in the development of a better Windows for you and your daily tasks as a professional.

Conclusion (Well, ti´s only the beginning indeed…)

For more information about Windows 7, visit the site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows. For technical resources and guides, visit the Springboard site: http://www.microsoft.com/springboard/.

Well, that´s it! Now it´s time to you download the images and starts the diversion! This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Windows 7.

Regards,

MICROSOFT EVENT (Brazil) - Windows 7 Springboard Series

herleson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:43:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

It's with great happiness that I invite all IT Professionals from Ceará and beneath states to attend a presentation about the new Microsoft client OS: Windows 7 Springboard Series. This presentation will be in Portuguese, and will happen on May 8th, at Faculdade Evolução in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil).

Windows 7 proposes a new way to use the computer, and will be a mark in the OS world. In this presentation, the professionals will see many new features of Windows 7 and its impacts in usability, security and compatibility. We´ll see what changed from XP and Vista, and how this new version of Windows brings great benefits in many areas, since users to IT Pros.

This great event will happen on May 8th, at 06:00PM (GMT-3), at Faculdade Evolução (Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil). This is a Live presentation, and the language is Portuguese. But don´t worry: we will be holding English events soon.

Ah, it´s good to remember that all Microsoft events hosted by us are TOTALLY FREE! And, at the end of each presentation, we´ll draw some gifts among the participants. In other words, you keep your knowledge up to date, don´t pay anything, and you can still win prizes!

So, what are you waiting for? Don't lose time: register now and assure your seat! The registrations are made by using the following URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032414781&Culture=pt-BR

And don´t forget: today (Thursday) we will share great news! You wanna know what is it? Visit my blog later and see by yourself!

I wait you there! It will be a fantastic event!

Regards,

Windows 7 - News about the Beta Exam!

herleson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:12:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Let´s talk about some news related to the topic of the moment: Windows 7. I wish to share with you some news about the beta exam 70-680, available since April 27th.

The first news is that this exam is the MOST CONCURRED OF HISTORY. When the registrations were open, ALL the seats were filled in ONLY TWO HOURS! Since this fact affected negatively Brazil, US and Europe professionals, Microsoft opened more seats at the same day.

One of our readers (Alex) commented that the Promocode doesn´t work anymore. This means that all seats are filled, again. In this case, unfortunately, Microsoft won´t open registration for this exam. For those how lost this registration, the only thing that they can do now is wait for the final release of this exam, which must happen in June.

However, there is a hope for IT Professionals who are already certified in Windows Vista. For professionals who have the Enterprise Support Technician credentials, Microsoft should release in May or June an upgrade exam. In this case, probably, there will be a beta phase.

If you still aren´t certified in Windows Vista, you´d better run! For those who holds the MCDST credentials in Windows XP can upgrade their credentials to Vista with only one exam.

The second news is about a problem that I crossed when I schedule my exam, and another reader of this blog commented: the Retake Policy Notification message that appears every time you choose a test center at Prometric´s site. Since this message comes without any text describing the details, many professionals don´t understand what the real problem is.

The explanation is quite simple: The Windows 7 beta exam will be realized between days 05 and 18 of May. However, this is a bed time for test centers, because this is the last month of Second Shot promotion. Many professionals scheduled their exam to May months ago, filling up all seats available in the test centers. So, when you select a test center and Prometric´s site returns this message, without any additional text, it means that the test center´s schedule is FULL.

For those who scheduled the exam successfully, great news: Microsoft provides the topics that will be covered by the exam. Two of these topics called my attention: Image Management (WIN Files, ImageX, etc.) and VHD Support. These topics were covered only in Windows Vista 70-622 exam. So, beware: this won´t be an easy exam!

The URL with the details about this exam and its topics is: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-680.aspx.

For those who live in Fortaleza (Ceará, Brazil), we will held a Microsoft Event focused on Windows 7 at May 8th. The presentation starts at 06:00PM, at Faculdade Evolução. You can already register and learn a little more about the features of this new OS. More details in the next post.

To finish, today (Thursday) we will share great news! You wanna know what is it? Visit my blog later and see by yourself!

Regards,

March – Microsoft Events are BACK!

herleson — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:31:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

After a good break, it´s time to return to our work! And nothing is better than meet other IT Professionals to share knowledge and news about Microsoft products. That why I announce, with great happiness, that Microsoft Events are back!

After two great events in the city of Teresina (State of Piauí), which I´ll blog later, Salvador (State of Bahia) and Fortaleza (State of Ceará) are the next cities where we will present Microsoft events. For the month of March, we scheduled at least five presentations: four in Fortaleza and one in Salvador.

In Fortaleza and Salvador, we´ll have three events about the newest Microsoft´s operational system: Windows 7. For those who aren´t familiar with, Windows 7 proposes a new way to use the computer, and will be a mark in the OS world. In this presentation, the professionals will see many new features of Windows 7 and its impacts in usability, security and compatibility. We´ll see what changed from XP and Vista, and how this new version of Windows brings great benefits in many areas, since users to IT Pros.

Another great event will be about MED-V: the new software of MDOP. Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) eases the deployment and management of virtual machines in Windows Desktops, while it provides access to virtualized environments, regardless their PC configurations. Compatibility problems are minimized and migrations between OS are fastened. In this session, which will happen in Fortaleza, the professionals will see how MED-V provides all this functionalities, simplify administrative tasks, turn you business highly available and integrate heterogeneous IT environments.

And, to finish March with the gold key, we´ll have our traditional Microsoft Certification event. In this event, directed to all professionals in the area of information technology (from users and technicians until administrators and architects), participants learned all about Microsoft Certification. We saw what are the existing certifications, prerequisites, the careers and the benefits of becoming a certificated professional.

Below are the list of events with dates and locations. You can register by clicking on the title of the presentation that you wish to attend (Events hosted in Brazil: GMT-3).

March 03rd – Undefined (Salvador):

Windows 7 Springboard Series – Salvador (07:00 PM)

March 10th – FANOR (Fortaleza):

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (06:30 PM)
Windows 7 Springboard Series – Fortaleza (08:30 PM)

March 28th –Violeta School (Fortaleza):

Microsoft Certification - The road to success! (08:30 AM)
Windows 7 Springboard Series – Fortaleza (10:30 AM)

So? What are you waiting for? Register now and confirm your presence. Call your friends and learn more about Microsoft solutions.

We´re waiting for you!

Regards,

Windows Installer 4.5 - Available for Download

herleson — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:11:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Few professionals know it, but since the beginning of June Microsoft released the version 4.5 of Windows Installer for download. For those who don’t know, the Windows Installer allows the install of software and the configuration of services in Windows systems, using the *.msi files and its derivates (For example, the *.msu files allow the installation of HotFix).

The version 4.5 of Windows Installer brings some interesting functions, like:

Multiple Package Transaction: Now you can create a single transaction from multiple packages. In a multiple package transaction, a chainer is used to dynamically include packages in the transaction. If any of the packages do not install as expected, you can roll back the installation.
Embedded UI Handler: You can embed a custom user interface (UI) handler in the Windows Installer package. This makes a custom UI easier to integrate. You can also invoke an embedded UI handler from the Add or Remove item in Control Panel.

There are other interesting things, like the Shared Component Patching Resiliency During Uninstall and the Custom Action Execution On Update Uninstall.

But, the problem is that this version of Windows Installer is not installed automatic via Windows/Microsoft Update utilities. Users must download the installer according their version and language of Windows.

That why some users are experiencing problems in installing some standalone components of SQL Server 2008. When you start the SQL Server 2008 installation, the setup program installs the .NET Framework 3.5 and the Windows Installer 4.5, so no errors will arise. But, if you download and try to install a component, such as the Books Online, an error will appear, telling that the Windows Installer version is out of date.

To download the installer of this new version of Windows Installer, go to the URL http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=5a58b56f-60b6-4412-95b9-54d056d6f9f4 and download the file according to the version of your Windows system.

This version supports all editions of Windows XP SP2 and SP3, Windows Server 2003 SP1, Windows Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008.

Regards,

Daylight Saving Time (DST) patches for Windows available

herleson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:56:00 GMT

Hi Friends,

Some weeks ago, Microsoft announced a set of update packs very important for users from many countries. These packs alter the Date and Time system of Windows OS, updating in them the Daylight Saving Time (DST) support.

In countries like US, the DST has its period constants: it begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November. Meanwhile, in some countries like Brazil, the DST starts and ends in different dates every year.

For Windows knows when will be the day that DST starts, Microsoft releases yearly a set of patches, that tells to the system which dates the DST will start and end.

This year, the patches released are supported by the x86 and x64 versions of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

To download these patches, go to the URL http://support.microsoft.com/kb/951072/ and choose the correct patch, according to your OS version.

After applied the update, your Windows is ready to change the date and time setting automatically in the DST start date.

Regards,