Tag: vista

Windows Defender Update and the Page Error in Development Web Server

Another of the strange, unexplained errors with a simple (yet unexpected) cause.

SYMPTOMS

You are developing an ASP.NET Site or Web Project in Visual Studio 2005/2008. You start the Debug process. Your browser window opens with a message:

Page Load Error

or

The page cannot be found.

Additionally, you have Windows Defender installed on your machine.

THE CAUSE

A flawed update of the Windows Defender removes the localhost entries from hosts file in windowssystem32devicesetc folder.

SOLUTION

Manually add the following entries back to the hosts file:

127.0.0.1 localhost

More details: http://www.h-online.com/security/Windows-Defender-False-alarm-triggered-by-hosts-file–/news/112814

WSS/MOSS Running on Vista

The good folks from Bamboo Solutions (these guys make tons of webparts, check them out) have made a setup bootstrapper called WssVista for WSS 3.0 / MOSS 2007 SP1 that enables it to be installed on Windows Vista SP1. You can download it here.

Yes, you are reading well….SharePoint running on Vista. I still can’t believe it…

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The tool bypasses the built-in setup condition that prompts for a server operating system, thus enabling the SharePoint files to be unpacked to your client machine. Later, the familiar sequence of Setup, Configure SharePoint Tools and Technologies, Central Administration, IISRESET, rinse, repeat…

The IIS 7 that ships with Vista Service Pack 1 is virtually identical to the one that comes in Windows Server 2008, albeit with minor performance downgrades. Toss in the SQL Server 2005 installation on your Vista, and you have the environment for SharePoint "Developer" Edition, hacked provided by Bamboo Solutions.

Of course, it’s TOTALLY UNSUPPORTED by Microsoft and it seems that it will be unsupported forever for a long time. So, install it only for testing purposes and not in a production environment.

More information

Bamboo Solutions Walkthrough for WssVista Tool
http://community.bamboosolutions.com/blogs/bambooteamblog/archive/2008/05/21/how-to-install-windows-sharepoint-services-3-0-sp1-on-vista-x64-x86.aspx

Microsoft semiofficial statement about SharePoint on Vista
http://blogs.msdn.com/cjohnson/archive/2008/05/23/wssv3-on-vista.aspx

How to Boost the Volume in Windows Media Player

I’m disappointed about how my stylish Sony VAIO built-in speakers sound so weak compared to my older HP laptop equipped with sleek Altec-Lansing built-in speakers. I used to get my neighbours to complaint when I was listening music, and now sometimes I can barely hear the movie dialogue, even in silence. Not to mention if I try to watch the movie in a crowded train, with headphones.

First I tried a Media Player add-on called DFX, but it’s volume booster was unnoticeable, although its modulating enhancers were good enough.

There’s a out-of-the-box option to boost the volume, too:

  • Right-click the WMP toolbar to show the menu
  • Choose View / Enhancements / Graphic Equalizer

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  • Turn on, if turned off
  • Move all the sliders to the top

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This will give you somewhat higher volume, but in some cases it may be too distorted to be usable. Works ok for me, most of the time.

Vista NetStumbler Alternative Tool

I’m a big fan of NetStumbler WiFi discovery tool, but I’m sadly disappointed that it’s not supported under Microsoft Vista. However, we can use a Vista network command prompt to find more technical details for the wireless networks around.

Instructions

Open a cmd command prompt from the Start button

Type netsh

Type wlan show networks mode=bssid

Here’s the information I see right now:

netsh command screen

More Information

NetSh Commands (from TechNet)

How to Replace Notepad in Windows Vista

I’m much fond of the Flo’s excellent Notepad2 editor. Replacing the simple built-in Notepad is one of the first things that I customize on my developer box.

After the Vista Service Pack 1 is applied, my Notepad2 replacement is rolled back. I have to do it again, and I leave this simple walkthrough for anyone in the same situation:

  • Rename the downloaded Notepad2 from Notepad2.exe into Notepad.exe
  • Locate Notepad.exe files in C:Windows and C:WindowsSystem32 folders
  • Edit the permissions for those files:
    • Properties / Security / Advanced / Owner tab: change to Administrators group
    • Properties / Security tab: give Administrators group Full Control on the file
  • Copy and paste the renamed Notepad2 file in those folders, confirming the UAC message box
  • That’s it! No more ugly Notepad….

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Vista Enterprise Volume Activation Error 0x8007232B

I’ve been trying to activate my corporate Vista Enterprise license, as I reinstalled Vista in 64 bits mode. I tried to activate online and I met this error message from Windows Activation utility:


Code:
0x8007232B

Description:
DNS name does not exist.

First I thought that my proxy or firewall settings were wrong. However, the reason for this error is that Vista volume license images ship with a generic Product Key. You have to change this product key to match your company’s MAK (Multiple Activation Key).

I changed it and Vista activation was a breeze. If only Microsoft would change the nondescript error message with something like “Your Product Key has not been set. Please enter your Volume MAK key“. Maybe in SP1?