Scooopy – Scoops about Gadget, Mobile & Technology
Posts tagged Windows
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta is now Available
Aug 4th
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta includes previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms.
Overview
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta helps keep your PCs and servers on the latest support level, provides ongoing improvements to the Windows Operating System (OS), by including previous updates delivered over Windows Update as well as continuing incremental updates to the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 platforms based on customer and partner feedback, and is easy for organizations to deploy a single set of updates.
Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta will help you:
In order to download and install the Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta you must currently have a Release to Manufacturing (RTM) version of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 already installed.
To learn more about piloting, deploying and managing Windows 7, visit the Springboard Series on TechNet.
To learn more about SP1 Beta and Windows Server 2008 R2, visit the SP1 Details Page.
*Windows 7 Minimum System Requirements:
- 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)
Note: Some product features of Windows 7, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, BitLocker, or navigation through the use of “touch,” may require advanced or additional hardware. Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM and 15 GB of available disk space.
Each version is available in these languages: English, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.
For More Details
The Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Betas are concurrent releases that are in a single download for a more streamlined and cost effective deployment. Businesses can begin realizing the advancements of the Windows Server platform for virtualization through two key features: Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX.
- Read the Windows Server 2008 R2 Technical Whitepaper for a technical overview of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta release features and benefits.
- Download the Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta Reviewer’s Guide to evaluate the core features of Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Beta release in your environment.
Download SP1 Beta Software
The Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Beta is a joint release for both Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7. SP1 Beta for Windows Server 2008 R2 includes previously released updates and delivers a number of powerful new features for virtualization and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX.
By registering for the Service Pack 1 Beta, you will receive updates on new builds and beta expiration dates. You are encouraged to register but if you wish, you can opt out of registration and proceed directly to the download. If you choose to opt-out of registration, you will not be contacted further. To opt-out, please proceed to the download.
Opera 10.60 is now available
Aug 1st
Opera 10.60 is now available for download.
Opera 10.60 for Windows changelog
Release date: July 1, 2010
Opera 10.60 is a recommended upgrade offering new and improved features, plus security and stability enhancements. For your reference, please see the previous Opera 10.60 beta 1 for Windows changelog on the Opera changelogs website.
New features
Opera Presto 2.6 rendering engine
- Opera 10.60 final contains the Opera Presto 2.6 rendering engine, which improves stability and adds support for the following new Opera features.
Geolocation services
- User-enabled geolocation services are provided through Google Location Services (GLS).
- IP address and WiFi recognition are implemented.
- IP address recognition works with GLS by recognizing your IP address and telling you the cordinates based on it.
- WiFi recognition works with GLS by gathering and then sending a list of all nearby wireless networks including MAC (Media
Access Control) address, SSID (Service set identifier) name, and signal strength, which returns your coordinates.
- An address bar map pin icon indicates a Web page is accessing the Geolocation API.
- Opera geolocation services support the W3C Geolocation
API Specification (http://www.w3.org/TR/2008/WD-geolocation-API-20081222/).- A user decides to share or not share their device location with a Web site based on trust; see
section 4.2 (http://dev.w3.org/geo/api/spec-source.html#privacy_for_recipients) of the W3C Geolocation specification. - Further information is available at the Opera Desktop Team blog: “The
return of Geolocation” (http://my.opera.com/desktopteam/blog/2010/02/05/skin-fixes-unite-and-then-some).
- A user decides to share or not share their device location with a Web site based on trust; see
- See this Opera demo (http://html5demos.com/geo).
Offline Web Applications
- Support is added for Offline Web Applications (http://dev.w3.org/html5/spec/offline.html#offline)
implementing the user interface for caching. - This allows documents to communicate with each other regardless of their source domain, and is designed in a way which
does not enable cross-site scripting attacks. - See this Opera demo (http://html5demos.com/offlineapp).
Web Workers
- Web Workers (http://www.w3.org/TR/workers/) is an API for running scripts
in the background independently of any user interface scripts. This allows for long-running scripts that are not interrupted
by scripts that respond to clicks or other user interactions, and allows long tasks to be executed without yielding to keep
the page responsive. - See this Opera demo (http://html5demos.com/worker).
WebM
- The WebM format consists of the VP8 video and Vorbis audio
codecs wrapped inside a .webm container. It is based on the Matroska media container format, and offers high-quality
video with fast seeking. - WebM works together with the HTML5
<video>element supported in the Opera Presto rendering engine. - See these Opera articles:
- Welcome, WebM <video>! (http://labs.opera.com/news/2010/05/19/)
- Opera supports the WebM video format (http://dev.opera.com/articles/view/opera-supports-webm-video/)
Google Chrome Dev Channel has been updated to 5.0.342.3 for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms
Mar 14th
Google Chrome Dev Channel has been updated to 5.0.342.3 for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms
This release improves stability and fixes some known crashers (such as Issues: 37035, 37674, 37567)
Known Issues
- All: Form auto-fill is not enabled by default (Issue 37466) – Fixed on Trunk
- Windows: Browser crashes on quiting with Authentication dialog opened (Issue: 37698) – Fixed on Trunk
- Linux: Chromium Bookmark Sync Not Working (Issue: 36460)
More details about additional changes are available in the svn log of all revisions.You can find out about getting on the Dev channel here: http://dev.chromium.org/getting-involved/dev-channel.
If you find new issues, please let us know by filing a bug at http://code.google.com/p/chromium/issues/entry
Direct Download Link:
Using System Imaging and Restoral on Windows 7
Dec 5th
One of the claims of Windows 7 is making your everyday tasks easier. One of the areas that Microsoft has made much simpler to use is the backup feature in the OS itself.
For anyone who has ever lost data due a hard drive or computer crash and did not have a backup system in place, I am one of these folks myself, then you know how important that backup process is. Especially if it was your significant others computer and it resulted in the loss of irreplaceable files. Again, I am raising my hand right here!
Today I use Windows Home Server to back up my home computers and it takes care of business. However, not everyone has a Windows Home Server and may be looking for a different method of backing up those critical files on your home PC’s.
One way included in Windows 7 is the Backup Applet in the Control Panel. There are two types of backups available to you. The first is your file by file back up process which you can set to incrementally back up your system each day, week, month etc.
The second one is what I am going to cover today and that is creating a System Image of your Windows 7 installation that can be restored in case of a catastrophic failure of your hard drive which has Windows installed on it.
The process is quite simple, only has a few steps and takes about 30 minutes or so. I base that 30 minutes on my system which backed up 69GB to my extra internal hard drive. Your mileage will vary based on the size of your installation and whether you back up to hard drive or DVD (lots of DVD’s). I recommend an external or spare internal hard drive.
So to get started you need to bring up the backup/restore applet in the control panel which is located at Control Panel>System and Security>Backup and Restore. Easy way to get there is via the Start Menu search bar and just type in Backup.
Select the Create System Image link.
Select the media you want to store your back up on.
Once selected it summarizes what will be backed up. Start the back up.
System Image in the process of being created.
Once the image is created you will be prompted to create a system repair disc that will allow you to restore your system image as well as a few other things top repair your system.
Select the drive to use for creating your repair disc. Notice no hard drive options – that is on purpose.
System repair disc being created.
Final dialog showing the disc is created. Label it and store it in a safe place and hope you never have to pull it out 
There ya go – just a handful of steps to have a solid system image of your computer in case of a system crash. I think this process in combination with a daily file based back up will keep your data safe.
HP Breaks the 24-Hour Battery Life Barrier for Laptop & Notebook
Dec 3rd
While Dell was busy working on getting 19 hours of battery life, HP were putting the finishing touches on getting up to 24 hours. The HP EliteBook 6930p with Intel® Core™2 Duo processor and Ultra Capacity Battery2 outlasts the Dell Latitude E6400 by up to five hours.
Now get up to 24 hours of total battery life – only from HP!
Nobody wants to work all day and all night, but if you need to you can – but only with HP. With no need to access a power outlet. And in these tough economic times, being ultra productive is critical.
Here’s what you need and how you get it
Our new HP EliteBook 6930p notebook PC provides up to 24 hours of combined battery life. This solution will require a specific configuration including an 80 GB Solid State drive, an LED display and our Ultra Capacity Battery. So if you travel across the globe, or spend large chunks of time away from a power source, look to HP to keep you up, running and productive.
HP EliteBook – A tough notebook for tough times
Up to 24 hours of battery life is only available on our HP EliteBook 6930p notebook. This notebook is an excellent choice for mobile professionals needing a business-rugged notebook that will provide years of service and is a great “bang for your buck” in these challenging times.
HP offers choice:
Even if you don’t need up to 24 hours battery life, HP has many other options with impressive battery life, to suit your needs and budget.
Battery Run Times
HP Batteries – safer and more reliable, with the latest technology
When you’re considering batteries, you’re worried about more than just how long they last. You want to be assured that you, your home and your business are all highly secure from battery-related dangers.
HP was the only top notebook manufacturer in 2006 and 2007 to not have a battery recall, when other manufacturers experienced major safety issues and recalls. HP’s emphasis on reliability and innovation results in a much higher degree of safety.
HP Batteries meet the highest safety standards
HP batteries are designed to help prevent problems before they happen. HP notebook PC systems are designed to always be one step ahead of the game so that you don’t have to worry.
Minimize heat: HP notebook PCs are designed to minimize heat within the system. Each HP notebook thermal solution is designed to maintain the entire battery pack at a safe operating temperature and create a consistent temperature gradient across the pack.
Power management: The power load on the system is managed so that, in the unlikely event that battery over-heating was detected, the system would initially be throttled. If the over-heating were to continue, the system would be shut down. In the event of insufficient power to run the system, a controlled shutdown would occur to avoid the risk of data loss.
Diagnostic tools: HP Info Center provides a battery diagnostic utility that can verify battery functionality and health.
Minimize risk: HP battery charging technologies are designed to minimize risk by providing higher performance while meeting applicable battery cell manufacturer recommendations.
Here are a few of the ever-evolving safety measures included in HP batteries:
Flame-retardant plastics (rated V-0 by Underwriters Laboratories) exceed industry requirements.
Flexible circuit interconnects help prevent latent failures by eliminating discrete wires that could be pinched during assembly.
A barrier wall helps prevent short circuits and safety hazards by ensuring that, in the event an aging battery leaks, the battery fluid does not reach the circuit board.
A thin conformal coating on the printed circuit board (PCB) protects key components from contaminants that might be introduced during the assembly process.
Battery designs are continually improved and updated to take advantage of the latest industry developments.
HP Batteries offer enhanced battery life and quick recharge
HP batteries stand out for their long battery life as well as the HP Fast Charge and HP Enhanced Fast Charge® technologies that efficiently yet safely charge HP notebook PC batteries. These technologies offer:
Charge rates that comply with Lithium-ion battery cell manufacturer recommendations.
Proven, standards-based algorithms to control battery voltage and charging current.
Redundant safety mechanisms in both the battery pack and the notebook PC to help prevent over-charging.
HP Batteries undergo exhaustive testing
HP batteries go through an incredibly rigorous set of testing, including:
Fuel gauge accuracy and functionality testing for voltage, current, temperature, capacity, communications and status.
Protection circuit functionality testing for over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, short circuit.
Environmental testing for ElectoStatic Discharge (ESD) protection, drops, shock and vibration.
System integration testing for charging functionality, battery thermals, Inrush current tolerance, critical hibernation and non-operational thermal shock.
HP Batteries are designed for compact, comfortable use
HP secondary batteries are designed to not interfere with an optical drive bay. Instead, they connect underneath the system, providing for positive comfort and expanded usability.
Intel, the Intel logo, Intel Core, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and usage.
Up to 24 hours of battery life requires separately purchased Ultra Capacity Battery and customer download of the latest Intel graphics driver and HP BIOS. Notebook must be configured with optional Intel 80GB SSD drive and HP Illumi-Lite LED Display and requires XP operating system.
Windows Vista Business disk also included for future upgrade if desired. To qualify for this downgrade an end user must be a business (including governmental or educational institutions) and is expected to order at least 25 customer systems with the same custom image.
2533t and 2530p run times are based on 3 cell, 6 cell, and 9 cell batteries; 2530p run time is without the optical drive; 2133 run times are based on 3 cell and 6 cell batteries
This system may require upgraded and/or separately purchased hardware and/or a DVD drive to install the Windows 7 software and take full advantage of Windows 7 functionality. See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/ for details.
