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How To Install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Public Beta

Kevin Purcell — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:00:06 +0000

Microsoft has released Windows 7 Service Pack 1 as a public beta. Should you go get it and install it now? That will depend on a few factors.

The purpose of a service pack is traditionally to roll all the previous updates that you get from Windows Update into one installation to save time. After a version of Windows has been out for a while, they create one of these to help people install Windows more efficiently. Also, once the service pack, or SP for short, leaves beta, Microsoft usually distributes new versions of the OS with that SP already part of the install disc or on new computers. They are now testing it to make sure it will not cause significant problems with current installations of the OS.

This beta doesn’t offer any new functionality in Windows. Past SPs did make some changes, but most of the time they are like this one – just a roll-up of previous updates into one big update.

This is the point where we should see if you really should get this beta. Ask yourself the following:

Do you have a working version of Windows 7 running on a computer? If no, then stop.
Do I like to test out software knowing that it may mess my system up? If no, then stop.
Do I know how to restore a messed up copy of Windows that gets ruined by a beta that doesn’t work? If no, then stop.
Do I know how to burn an ISO image file and install it using the resulting disk? If no, then you likely don’t have the technical knowledge to beta test an operating system service pack and should stop.
Do I have an extra computer that can be lost due to a messed up beta and not keep me from getting mission critical work done? If no, then stop.
Do I mind reformatting and reinstalling Windows 7 once the beta expires? If you do mind, then stop.
Finally, do I meet the minimum system requirements below? If not, then stop.

The minimum system requirements for Windows 7 SP1 are as follows:

1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
1 GB of RAM (32-bit) / 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
16 GB available disk space (32-bit) / 20 GB (64-bit)
DirectX 9 graphics processor with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
DVD-compatible drive
Internet access (fees may apply)

If you are still reading, then chances are you can handle a service pack beta.

How to download and install the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Beta:

To download this beta of Windows 7 SP1, you will have to first register with Microsoft and then answer a simple question. “What occupation best describes you?” A tip: if you say Tech enthusiast you will not be allowed to download it. Nor will you be allowed if you answer with Student, Consumer, or Other. The other choices in the list do get you through the door. I am not at all suggesting you lie. I just wanted to warn you that if you are not an IT Manager, an IT Worker, a Developer or a Non IT Manager, you are not allowed to download it. Of course the last one puzzles me. I’m not technically an IT Manager. So does that one apply to me? And why does it let you in? I am guessing it means a manager of a tech company but you do not have the title IT director. That is the one I chose because it describes me since I’m the one who makes most of the tech decisions for my church, but I don’t carry that title.

Once you register and answer the occupation question, the next screen asks for your contact info and OS version. Hit continue and you get a list of reasons for downloading. I chose Evaluate Windows 7 SP1 Beta and that worked. You then have three options (see below). Download either the 32 or 64 bit version via Windows Update. That’s fine if only you have one computer that you want to install it on. The last option is for downloading an ISO image of the file to install on multiple computers. An ISO is a file that you can use to make a disc with an ISO burning utility like your CD/DVD burning file or Windows 7 built-in tool access via right clicking on the downloaded ISO.

So which of the three options mentioned above should you go with. The first part should be simple. Is the PC your plan to install it on a 32 bit install of Windows 7 or 64 bit. If you don’t know, then find the Computer Properties page. The easiest way is to click on the Start button and then type System. The resulting list will look something like this (see below). Find the System item in the resulting list and click it.

You should get a window that looks like the one below. Find System Type and it will say either 64 or 32-bit.

Now that you know which one you have, you can easily install via Windows Update. Click the download button below the one that matches your system and save the resulting file. After it finishes downloading, run it. It will be called WUSignUpTool_x64.exe (or x32.exe file for 32 bit). You can then go to Windows Update (Click start and type Update and you will see it on the list). Click Check for updates in the left hand column and it will find the Service Pack 1 update. You may have to update twice. I did. The first was an optional update for Windows 7 that needed to be done before it would find SP1. It will then download the SP and install it for you. You will have to reboot afterwards.

The other way to get SP1 is to burn the ISO and run the installation from the disc. This is the best option if you plan to update more than one computer or you have both a 32 and a 64 bit installation of Windows 7; both versions of SP1 are on the ISO. I would wait to update all your systems to see if the SP1 has any widespread issues. As I said in the questions above, you should have at least one PC that you can totally mess up without destroying your productivity. Or you can walk on the wild side, throw caution to the wind or do whatever other cliché you like that means do something that is very ill-advised.

A couple of final warnings: this beta will stop working in July 2011. Also, once the final version comes out in early 2011, you will not be able to just update your computer with the beta installed. You will have to start over with a fresh install of Windows 7.

Is it worth updating? I have not had any issues in the short hours since I downloaded and updated my PC. However, I have not really done much with that computer since. If I do have issues I will report back.

While I have not had any issues nor have I heard of any, there has been no real differences and there aren’t any new features to play with so most consumers should wait for the final version in 2011.

New Version of Windows 7 Released … For the TV?

Kevin Purcell — Sat, 01 May 2010 21:17:43 +0000

Do you have a PC hooked up to a TV in your house? I have one in my bedroom and my wife hates it, but tolerates it because it allows us to watch Hulu and other online TV shows that we may have missed. If Microsoft has its way, my wife may get hers too. Both of them want a better solution for the TV-computer connection. Microsoft’s solution is to embed Windows 7 Media Center in televisions. Very recently, they released a version of the embedded OS to manufacturers.

Besides the obvious media watching capability, there is a web browser and specialized apps developed in Silverlight. These can come from manufacturers or other sources. And, the manufacturer can customize the interface putting their branding on the Media Center OS. The basics of the interface will remain the same with the menus staying put. But things like font, backgrounds, and putting their logo can change, according to Irena Andonova, the director of product management for Windows Embedded 7 at Microsoft (via Betanews).

The reason a manufacturer can embed the OS is Microsoft is allowing them to specialize the installation for their hardware. There will not be a slew of drivers and included pieces of software. That way the manufacturer has just one video driver and one driver for their own input devices. And if they don’t think you need Notepad or Sticky Notes on your TV they can remove them as well. This sounds like something power users would love to have for their homebuilt PCs or their Notebooks leaving a lean and possibly fast version of Windows. See details check out the technical specs page at Microsoft.

The first manufacturer on board with the new OS is Reycom, a Swiss manufacturer. Below is their “movie library” page in the new OS.

Others that may want to use the OS are cable and satellite TV providers as well as phone companies that have multimedia services. They can create web apps on top of the OS which gives them a way to change quickly without having to change the embedded firmware. The apps will run on top of the extensible embedded OS. Like we have come to expect the OS has a long horrible name – Windows Embedded Standard 7. It will be interesting to see if any other manufacturers will include this in future TVs. Until then my wife will just have to put up with the PC hooked up to the bedroom TV so she can watch missed shows on hulu.

Update to Windows 7 battery issue

Amy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:40:39 +0000

Last week we covered the issue about Windows 7 users reporting their battery life has dropped from several hours to 30 minutes after upgrading to Windows 7.

Microsoft has issued a statement about this issue on their MSDN blog:

“To the very best of the collective ecosystem knowledge, Windows 7 is correctly warning batteries that are in fact failing and Windows 7 is neither incorrectly reporting on battery status nor in any way whatsoever causing batteries to reach this state. In every case we have been able to identify the battery being reported on was in fact in need of recommended replacement. …every single indication we have regarding the reports we’ve seen are simply Windows 7 reporting the state of the battery using this new feature and we’re simply seeing batteries that are not performing above the designated threshold. … We are as certain as we can be that we have addressed the root cause and concerns of this report, but we will continue to monitor the situation.”

Well, Microsoft is saying everything is working. But, the users are still reporting issues? How is this going to wind up? Is it really the fault of the PC manufacturers?Are we dealing with a bad battery manufacturer? What is next for this?

Increasing netbook resolution on Windows 7

Amy — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:43:53 +0000

We are all looking for that extra bit of screen real estate on our displays, whether its desktop, laptop, notebook or netbook.

The vast majority of 9 and 10 inch netbooks with Intel Atom chips and GMA 950 graphics have the same native screen resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels. This is usually more than enough space to surf the web or watch a video, but sometimes you need just a bit more. Well, now there is a way to increase the resolution on a netbook running Windows 7 and utilizing the Intel Atom/GMA 950 graphics combination.

There’s a new Windows 7 driver for netbooks with GMA 950 graphics that lets you adjust the screen resolution to 1182 x 864 pixels. The driver is the GMA 950 Windows 7 driver version 8.15.10.1912, available here.

Also, the folks at NetbookNews have a video of this new resolution in action.

Thanks to Liliputing and NetbookNews for the information.

Windows 7- the Netbook edition?

Amy — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:13:22 +0000

Windows 7 has been gaining in popularity since it came out late last year. Its all the good parts of Windows and Vista, without all the bulk. Its also the primary operating system that is installed on am majority of netbooks. Now, there is no Windows 7 netbook edition to load on the netbook. Its usually the Starter Edition or Home…until now.

The folks over at Liliputing have found a “Windows 7 Netbook edition” floating around the Internet.

From their post:

There appears to be a tweaked version of Windows 7 floating around called Windows 7 Netbook Edition. No, this isn’t the Windows 7 Starter Edition that’s been shipping on most netbooks introduced in the last month or two. Rather, it’s a customized version of Windows 7 Ultimate that has had a number of drivers, language packs, and other features ripped out of it. The end result is that Windows 7 Netbook Edition is said to run well on pretty much any netbook, including the original Asus Eee PC 701 with only 4GB of disk space.

This isnt a supported version of Windows by Microsoft. This appears to be a hack of an older pre-release version. Unless you have a legitimate Windows serial key, this edition will probably stop working after a certain time.

If you want it to play with, go for it. However, if you want Windows 7 on a netbook, we recommend using a registered version and a detachable DVD or the USB key installation.

How to Add Windows 7 Themes and Unlock Hidden Themes

Rajesh — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:25:58 +0000

Microsoft has added new utility add and change themes in Windows 7. If you’re not happy with what your Windows 7 desktop looks like out of the box you can benefit from this feature.

Windows 7 comes with several themes, but what’s available to you is different from what users half a world awya see. For example, ff you register your computer in the United States your default theme will be the same as the rest of the Windows 7 users in the U.S. Users in the United Kingdom will get something different however. The themes are included on every Windows 7 installer, but are only revealed to certain users depending on their locations.

In addition to the default themes that come on the Windows 7 disc, you can add free themes if you want to change the look and feel of your PC.

So how do you access these additional themes?

Activate hidden themes on your operating system:

Step1: First find out how many themes are available to you by right clicking on desktop and selecting Personalize option.

Step2: You can see themes available to you under personalize section.

Please note that Step 1 & 2 are not required to activate hidden themes it’s just for information.

Step3: Change folder settings to see hidden folder. Open the computer and click on Oragnize.

Step4: Under Organize menu select the ‘Folder and Search Option’.

Step 5: Click on View tab, Under the view tab scroll down till you see option ‘Show hidden files, folders and drive’. Select this option.

Step6: Under the same view tab menu, Uncheck ‘hide protected operating system files’.

Step7: You will get one warning as below. Select ‘Yes’ and close the organize folder setting.

Step8: Now go to ‘C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT’ folder and you will find hidden themes as below.

Step9: Alternatively of step3 to step8 you can type ‘C:\Windows\Globalization\MCT’ in window 7 search box and can press enter. You will be able to see the hidden themes

Step10: You can see the wallpapers available to them as below

Step 11: Go to theme folder and double click on the .theme which will automatically add the theme to your personalize option and will be available to use.

Adding new theme to your personalize option:

Step1: Go to the Microsoft Windows personalization page.

Step2: Download the themes which you like to your computer.

Step3: Double click on theme and it will add the theme to your personalize option and will be available to use.

How to Turn Your Notebook into a Hotspot with Window 7 and Connectify

Rajesh — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:44:43 +0000

If you ever wanted to share your internet connection or files, like photos, with family members or friends without routers then you are in luck. Windows 7, with help of Connectify software from Nomadio Inc, will have you sharing files wirelessly in less than 30 minutes.

You can use Connectify the same way as you use any other wireless router without compromising any security. The program uses WPA2 encryption, which uses very strong AES encryption algorithm and matches with strongest encryption standards available across wireless networking industry, to keep your files safe. If your wireless cards don’t support WPA2 security you should look for updated drivers from your computer’s manufacturer or purchase a new wireless adapter.

So if your notebook or desktop is running Windows 7 and has working wireless adapter (which supports WPA2) then you can throw the router in box and let your Windows 7 PC act as your wireless access point.

Downloading and installing Connectify:

Step1: Download Connectify Me from their website. Currently it’s in beta version and free to download. Before allowing you to download, it will ask you to fill the registration form which will take less than 30 seconds. After submitting your data you’ll be able to download the Connectify Me beta.

Step2: Run the installer, accept the license agreement and Connectify will be installed on your machine.

Step3: Start Connectify if it doesn’t start automatically (by default). You can start Connectify by looking into all programs or typing Connectify in search bar of window start menu.

Settings:

Step4: Once Connectify starts you have to create a SSID name for your wireless access point. This is the name other computers will see when they want to connect to your wireless network. By default Connectify will choose an SSID of “connectify”.

Step 5: Enter the passphrase value into passphrase field. You can enter whatever you want. Just make sure that it secure password and can’t be guess by anyone. Remember though; this passphrase will work as password to connect to wireless access point so make sure you can remember it or write it down somewhere safe. The limitation of passphrase field is that you must enter at least 8 characters for your passphrase and maximum will be 32 characters.

Step 6: As you can see in screen shot there is dropbox labeled Internet. Here you will configure your wireless access point. If you want to have more than one connection, select the connection to share from column pull-down menu bar; you can use this column to share a wired or wireless connection.

Step 7: Click the ‘Start hotspot’ button to turn on the Connectify access point.

Connecting to Connectify:

Step 8: On your other computers you can connect to the Connectify access point just like you would a traditional method wireless connection (how to connect to a wireless network). Just give the SSID name and passphrase and you will be connected to internet or network.

Please note that to access the Connectify access point you don’t need to have Window 7 installed on your machine. All other operating systems will be able to connect to the Connectify access point. So whether you have Ubuntu, Fedora, XP, Vista or OSX on a Mac you’re good to go.

Once other computers connected you can find out the lists of connected computers including the computer name and IP address.

Connectify is a great product and worth trying out especially since it is free. It’s very handy when you absolutely need to use router but don’t have it with you like when you are traveling, visiting family, want to share your laptop in conference room, etc.

Right now Connectify is in beta and free of charge but they might start charging for the software in the future.

For more info on Connectify you can watch this demo video.

Microsoft Releases Patch to Fix SD Card Corruption Flaw

Rajesh — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:38:27 +0000

Microsoft recently released a patch for those who are using secure digital cards (SD Cards) with Windows 7. If you are using windows 7 and SD Cards you should install this update immediately. Go to Microsoft page to download the patch.

Some users who are using SD cards (formatted in NTFS) with Windows 7 have run into unexpected problem. Even if you are not using SD cards formatted in NTFS, it is still recommended that you install the patch in case you start using SD Cards in the future.

Problem Overview: You have an NTFS formatted SD Card and a computer that is running Window 7 operating system and you use Advance Direct Memory Access (ADMA) to transfer data between the SD card and your PC. During an ADMA transfer process, the secure digital bus driver converts the DMA data structure of the operating system to the ADMA data structure of the SD Card. The DMA and ADMA data structure are also known as descriptor tables. When you transfer data from the computer to the SD card, the data on the SD card may be corrupted. This means unexpected problems may occur when you try to use the affected data again. What happens in background is that the data-length field is 16-bit and has a maximum size of 64K. However, during the data conversion process, the SD bus driver doesn’t check the buffer size in the system’s tables. Because of this, the driver may set an incorrect data length. So corruption in I/O occurs, which cause the data corrupton or data loss. Please visit Microsoft’s site for more details.

‘Restart Without Prompting for Password on Boot’ Option Would be Awesome

Ben — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:42:25 +0000

I’ve been wishing for this feature for quite some time. You know the routine: your notebook bugs you are needing to be restarted because updates have been installed, or perhaps you just want to restart it because it seems to be running slowly. You hit the restart button and walk away to use the bathroom or make a cup of coffee (knowing that, with many applications, your computer will take several minutes to fully boot up). You expect to leave the room an come back to a freshly restarted notebook (wouldn’t that be convenient?). But alas, when you do return, the computer is waiting for you to enter your password, and won’t really start booting up until you do so. This is such a frustrating process. One shouldn’t need to hold the computer’s hand while it boots up. It is a computer for crying out loud, it should be able to do this stuff automatically. Disabling one’s password isn’t a solution; people usually have passwords on their computers for a reason, whether it be security or privacy, and disabling the password is not an option.

A simple ‘reboot without prompting for password’ option when restarting would be an incredibly simple fix to this annoying issue, and would allow one to restart their notebook, walk away to do something else, then return to a fully booted computer – rather than come back, only to be required to enter their password, then wait several more minutes while the computers “all the way up” — if you will.

But wouldn’t this sacrifice security? In the unlikely situation that someone steals your computer while it is turned on, couldn’t they use this option to never be prompted for a password? Nope. An easy fix to this potential breach in security is to prompt for the password when the ‘restart without prompting for password on boot’ is selected. This way, the same security is retained by requiring the same credentials, only the order in which the boot/password prompt is rearranged to be more accommodating, when the user so chooses.

I wish that this feature would have been included in Windows 7, its inclusion alone would been a new feature that I’d actually use.

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional — $30 for Students

Ben — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:39:37 +0000

A few weeks ago we showed you that you could pre-order Windows 7 Home Premium for $30 if you were a university student. That deal is still available, but there is perhaps even a better one.

Over the Microsoft Ultimate Steal website that brings students a great discount on Microsoft Office 2007, you can get Windows 7 Professional – which includes all of the Home Premium features, and then some – for the same great price of $30. Just look toward the bottom of the page for the blue box.Windows 7 Professional is targeted toward businesses and offers additional features (over Home Premium) such as remote desktop management, location aware printing, Encrypting File System, Presentation mode, as well as a few others. The most compelling addition though is Windows XP Mode which will virtualize a Windows XP environment (as long as your hardware is capable of virtualization) to ensure compatibility with XP applications.

I see no reason not to go the Windows 7 Professional route over Home Premium if they are the same price, so have at it! But be warned, some people have had issues with the Home Premium student discount (Microsoft is working on it this). No word yet if the same issues still apply to the Professional student discount, but we have some articles that may help.