Win Vista

Windows Vista's Backup and Restore Center

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:21:17 +0100

Computers can store a great deal of information, and over time your PC may hold

Computers can store a great deal of information, and over time your PC may hold a lot of important, private, irreplaceable data such as digital photogra phs and movies, financial documents, emails,

passwords and login details. It is of critical importance that you establish an appropriate method for regularly backing up this information, so that if your PC is stolen, damaged, or its data is corrupted or accidentally overwritten, that you do not lose all this valuable data permanently. Hence backing up is a vital and unavoidable part of sensible computing. In fact once you are sure that your system is completely free of malicious software, you should make at least one backup copy of all your important and irreplaceable documents before proceeding any further with this guide.

This chapter not only covers various backup strategies and tools, it also covers a range of useful data recovery methods you can use to regain valuable information which ha s been lost through forgetting passwords, accidental deletion of files, data corruption or damage to your Windows installation.

BACKUP AND RESTORE CENTER

Windows Vista's Backup and Restore Center allows you to either create backups of particular files, or create a complete backup image of your hard drive(s), as well as a means of restoring these backups at a later date.
To access the Backup and Restore Center, go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools, or to Start>Search Box and type "backup restore" (without quotes) and press Enter. The Backup and Restore Center dialog box will open, giving you two main options for backing up (or restoring) your data: either as a range of files, or as an entire image of your hard drive(s). Each option is covered below:

BACKING UP FILES

This option backs up only particular files from your system. This takes up far less space than the 'Back Up Computer' option, and also allows you to selectively back up and restore certain file types. However it is still much less precise than a manual backup, typically including a lot of files you don't wish to back up. This is because Vista does not allow you to select the specific files and folders you want to back up, only files of a certain type. For example, if you want to back up all Pictures and Music and select these categories, then aside from any pictures and music you've created, saved or downloaded, it will also back up all image and music files from other folders such as those under the \Program Files directory (e.g. game music and image
files). This can obviously take up a great deal of additional space to backup, so I only recommend using this
option if you prefer its automated nature and don't mind its lack of control. A manual backup is the preferred method of backing up specific files/folders in a more efficient manner (see further below).

When you select the 'Back Up Files' button, Vista first asks you where you wish to backup the files to, either a CD, DVD or hard drive. I recommend that you back up your files to a CD or DVD regularly, even if you also backup to another hard drive as well. I don't recommend only backing up the files to another partition on your main Vista drive for example, unless you also keep backups of the data elsewhere. This is because if your main Vista drive fails, all partitions on it will also be lost. So on balance another hard drive and/or CD/DVDs are recommended.

Once you've made your selection, you will be prompted as to which hard drive(s) you wish to backup files from. Your current Vista drive will be selected automatically and cannot be unselected; select other drives if you wish. The next screen shows the specific types of files you may want to back up. As noted, a major drawback is that Vista does not allow you to select specific directories or files to back up, merely the category of files. By clicking on the name of each file type here you can see the kinds of files which will be backed up from your chosen drive(s). Files which will not be backed up regardless of the categories you choose include:
System files - The files that Windows needs to run.
Program files - Mainly .EXE and .DLL files; other portions of program files will be backed up depending
on their type.
Files stored on hard disks that are formatted using the FAT file system.
Web-based e-ma il that is not stored on your hard disk.
Files that are in the Recycle Bin.
Temporary files.
User profile settings.
Files that have been encrypted using the Encrypting File System (EFS).

Once you've selected the file types you want to ba ck up, Vista will assume you want to automa tically do this on a regular basis, and asks you to schedule a regular time for automatic backups each day, week or month.
Note that scheduling automatic backups is not possible in Vista Home Basic, though it will periodically remind you to back up manually. To turn off automatic backups, or indeed alter any backup files settings, open the Backup and Restore Center, click the 'Change settings' link below the 'Back up files' button. Then you ca n click the 'Turn Off' button at the bottom of the next screen to disable automatic backups, and/or if you want to change the backup settings you can click the 'Change Backup Settings' option. Note, to get back to this configuration screen quickly at any time, you can type "backup status" (without quotes) in the Start>Search Box and press Enter. If you want to permanently disable scheduled backups altogether, see
Task Scheduler under the Administrative Tools section of the Control Panel chapter.

Once done with the configuration, the 'Crea te a new, full backup' option should be ticked, now click the 'Save settings and start backup' button. You will be prompted to insert/format any disks required until the backup is completed. If you need to manually format a CD, DVD or hard drive at this point, open Windows Explorer, right click on the relevant optical drive letter or hard disk letter, select Format or 'Erase this Disk'.
If you attempt to create a backup which requires more disk space than you have available on your target drive (e.g. the backup requires 5 DVDs and you only have 4), then you can resume the backup process at a later date by running the 'Back up files' option and it will continue from where it left off. If an automatic backup fails due to lack of disk(s), it too can be resumed the sa me way.

The first time the Backup Files function runs, it automatically creates a full backup of all your selected file categories, this may time quite some time. Vista then starts keeping track of which of your selected file types
across your chosen drive(s) have been modified or newly created, and in future when you return to the 'Back
up files' option you will be given the option of creating another full backup, or simply creating an incremental backup of new/modified files only. You can also choose this by clicking on the 'Change settings' link, and either selecting 'Back Up Now' to find new/updated files to add to your backup, or 'Change backup settings' to alter the settings and/or create a new full backup. Using the incremental method makes backing up much faster and easier, so it is recommended.

When using Windows backup features, backup files are saved in a special format on your target drive/disk, in the form Drive Letter:\\Backup Set \Backup Files . The actual files themselves are stored in a set of archived .ZIP files, which you can open and view/extract the contents of with an archival utility like WinZip. However to properly view and restore these backed up files you should use the option below.

RESTORING FILES

If at any time you want to restore or simply view any files and folders backed up via the 'Back up files' option, then you should go to the Backup and Restore Center and click the 'Restore Files' button. You can then select to restore the file(s) from the latest backup you made, or from an older backup. I recommend clicking the 'Advanced restore' link instead as this provides additional options, including the ability to restore a backup of files made on another PC. On the next screen, click the 'Advanced Restore' option. If your backups were made on another PC, select the 'Files from a backup made on a different computer' item; if you've made several backups of the files on this PC but you want to restore an older version of a file, select the 'Files from an older backup...' option. Finally the most common option is to restore the latest version of the files which you've backed up by selecting the 'Files from the latest backup...' item. Click Next when done.

On the next screen, if you chose to restore an older backup you can select the date of the backup made and insert the appropriate disk if required before proceeding. If the files were backed up on a different computer, connect or insert the disk(s) required and then continue. If you're using the latest backup, make sure you insert the appropriate disk(s) if required.

To restore particular files or folders, select the 'Add Files' or 'Add Folders' option as appropriate and browse to the 'Backup' folder in the file browser on the left side of the dialog box. You should see the backed up drive letter shown with a listing of the files and folders which have been backed up onto this particular hard drive/CD/DVD. Highlight each of the particular files/folders you want to restore and click the Add button at the bottom of the box. If you want to restore the entire backup, tick the 'Restore everything in this backup'
box at the top of the screen instead. Once done, click the Next button and nominate a location to restore the file to. You can either have the backed up version of the file overwrite the current version on your Vista drive (not recommended), or you can restore it to another location to prevent it overwriting the existing version - this is the option I recommend just to play it safe, in case you restore the wrong backup or the backup itself is somehow corrupt or infected. Restore it to another location, delete your current versions to the Recycle Bin, then move the newly restored files to their original location and see if they are fine.

BACKING UP THE ENTIRE COMPUTER

Backing up specific file types is a useful but not foolproof way of making sure you don't lose valuable documents in case of a hard drive failure or severe malware infestation. It prevents total data loss but it is still time consuming to have to reinstall Windows and reconfigure everything back to the way you want it after a major problem. There fore Vista allows you to make a backup image of your entire computer, backing up every file and detail such that you can restore your PC to the exact same state at any time. Unfortunately this method does not allow you to selectively choose particular files or folders to backup or restore - you will
be backing up/restoring your entire PC in every way. If you have a dual boot arrangement,this also includes
the other version of Windows you're using as well, which can take up quite a bit of space. Note tha t this function is not available in Vista Home Basic or Vista Home Premium.

To start the process click the 'Back up Computer' button in the Backup and Restore Center, and as recommended, select another hard drive/partition to back up to. If you don't have any other hard drives, you can select DVDs though this can obviously require quite a number of them. Regardless of where you choose, on the next screen you will be given a rough estimate of the amount of space required, the drive(s) to be backed up, and you can then commence the process by clicking 'Start Backup'. Depending on the size of your
current Window installation(s) and all programs installed, this could take quite a while.

This method is only recommended in conjunction with other automatic or manual backups of your specific valuable files. This is because if you wish to restore your computer backup, it will completely overwrite your
current Vista install, and if you have a dual boot, it will also completely overwrite your other version of Windows as well, with the version you backed up earlier. Clearly this is overkill just to restore a single lost file, and also may mean you lose other data which was created or modified after your previous entire computer backup. So on balance this method is recommended more for recovering from a catastrophic failure like a total drive failure/corruption, or a severe malware infestation, and also requires that you regularly maintain the entire computer backup to keep it up to date.

For details of how to recover using this backup, and also for alternatives to Vista's drive imaging method, see further below.

RESTORING THE ENTIRE COMPUTER

If you want to restore an entire computer backup image, click the 'Restore Computer' button and you will be given the instructions on how to do this. Basically restoring a computer image cannot be done while you are already running Vista or another version of Windows, so it needs to be done prior to the OS starting up. It requires that you reboot and get into the recovery options and select the 'Windows Complete PC Restore' option. For full details of how to get to your recovery options and how to use them, see the System Recovery

section further below.

Remember, you cannot restore particular files or folders using this type of a backup, it only allows you to restore your entire computer setup to the state it was in when you last backed it up using the 'Back up computer' option. All the hard drives you ma de a backup of will be completely reformatted, losing all existing data on them, and the backups are then restored over them. If you had a dual boot arrangement, this will be restored, however once again that means that any other operating system you were using along with Vista will also be deleted and returned to the state it was in when you last backed up your entire computer.

Clearly this method is only recommended if you either have no other ba ckups of important information, you have suffered a catastrophic failure such as hardware failure or total drive corruption, or a severe malware infestation which has compromised a great deal of your current data . If this not the case then I recommend attempting other forms of system repair or recovery first, as covered further below.

SYSTEM PROTECTION

Windows Vista attempts to ensure that you don't accidentally delete your files or have them unintentionally altered without some form of backup. To that end, Vista's System Protection features, enabled by default, automatically back up previous versions of your files regularly. These backups are known as Shadow Copies, and they are automatically created on a daily basis for files which have been altered, as well as being
created whenever you use the System Restore feature to create restore points, or when you use the automated Backup features of the Backup and Restore Center. To access the System Protection settings, go to Control Panel>System and click the System Protection link in the left pane, or go to Start>Search Box and type " systempropertiesprotection" (without quotes) and press Enter.

I recommend tha t all of these functions be enabled initially until you can get a better idea of the types of backup strategies you wish to use for your system. The use of these features primarily impacts on hard drive
space, and does not have a major performance impact. Given it may help prevent the loss of important documents and/or get you out of trouble if your have system issues, I believe on balance this makes them worth keeping enabled. There is some scope to customize these features, and we look at the various specific features of System Protection below.

SYSTEM RESTORE

System Restore is not a general backup and restore utility, and should not be mistaken as one. It does not back up or maintain any copies of your personal files, such as your emails, pictures, documents or music.
Instead it tries to track and save information specifically on system-level changes, such as Windows system files which are changed due to driver installations and alterations made to the Windows Registry by programs. It is thus most useful as a general system state backup and recovery tool. Enabled by default,
System Restore relies on 'Restore Points' which are a snapshot of your system state at a point in time. Restore points can be created manually by you, as well as being created automatically on a daily basis, and also just prior to major system events like the installation of drivers or Windows Update patches.

To open System Restore, go to System Protection and click the 'System Restore' button, or go to Start>Search Box and type "rstrui" (without quotes) and press Enter. On the main dialog box for the utility, you will be presented with an option to go to the System Protection screen if you want to manually create a restore point. I strongly recommend manually creating at least one restore point after you have installed Vista and prior to conducting any detailed tweaking. Go to System Protection and click the Create button, then give the restore point a suitable name and click Create.

To use a restore point to return your system state to the way it was when that point was created, follow these steps:

1. Open System Restore, and if any restore points exist, you will be able to click the Next button and view a
list of the restore points, and the date they were created.
2. Highlight the restore point and click Next. You will be shown the drive(s) to which the restore point applies, and you can then click Next, and on the next screen confirm that you wish to use that restore point.
3. Your system will restart and your system files will revert to the way they were at the time of the restore point. You will be notified if the restore was successful.
4. If you find that using the restore point was no help at all, or made things even worse, you can undo the use of the restore point by opening System Restore again, clicking Next to view the list of restore points, and selecting the 'Undo: Restore Operation' item, click Next and follow the prompts. Note that this option is not available if you use System Restore in safe mode.

If you wish to turn off System Restore, go to the System Protection screen and untick all the available drive(s) you wish to disable this functionality for, then click Apply. Note however that this also removes all existing restore points and turns off the general System Protection functionality. This is not recommended unless you are genuinely a very advanced user who does not experience system issues very often and you also regularly create backups of important files.

System Restore uses up to 15% of hard drive space on each hard drive it is enabled for, and requires a minimum of 300MB of free space to work properly. Over time System Restore will delete older restore points automatically so as not to exceed its size limit. However if you want to save disk space, you can manually delete all older restore points except the very latest one at any time by using the Disk Cleanup utility - see
the Cleaning Windows chapter for details.

PREVIOUS VERSIONS

Although System Restore does not restore copies of your personal files as part of a restore point, the System Protection feature ensures that Shadow Copies, also known as 'Previous Versions' are automatically created for most non-system files during the creation of restore points. As long as you keep System Protection enabled on a particular drive, then shadow copies will also be made of relevant files whenever they are altered. While shadow copies are not a substitute for taking proper backups of your important files, this is one of the added safety features in Vista to help prevent accidental deletion or alteration of important files,which is why it is again recommended that you do not disable System Protection on your main Vista drive.

Just to be clear: the main difference between System Restore and Previous Versions is that System Restore is used for backing up and restoring system-related files, while Previous Versions is for backing up and restoring personal and other non-system files. Previous Versions of Windows system files (e.g. those under the \Windows directories) are not kept.

To view and/or restore the existing Previous Versions of any file, do the following:

1. Open Windows Explorer and browse to the selected file.
2. Right-click on the file and select 'Restore previous versions', or alternatively right-click on the file, select
Properties and click on the 'Previous Versions' tab - both have the same effect.
3. Under the Previous Versions tab you will see all available previous versions listed in order of the date upon which the file was last modified, not the date it was saved. Note the Location field - if the file has been saved as part of a Shadow Copy on your drive, it will be listed as such; if it was backed up using the Backup and Restore Center, it will be listed as a Backup.
4. To restore a previous version, highlight the version you wish to restore and click the Restore button.
Shadow copies are stored on your main Vista drive and will be restored immediately, whereas Backup
copies will be stored on another medium such as CDs/DVDs or another hard drive and require you to have that particular medium connected or inserted in the drive before the restore can be completed.
5. If restoration is possible you will be asked to confirm the task, and if you agree, the file will be overwritten with the earlier version.

Again, while this is a very useful function, it is not a substitute for taking proper backups regularly of your irreplaceable personal files. Depending on the amount of drive space you have available and the number of files on your system, over time you will lose older previous versions.

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Windows Vista RTM Software Compatibility List: Part II

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:47:05 +0100

This entry shall enable all ieXwiki members to create a list of software, that will work with Vista RTM (Build 6000), or won't work, so that it's possible to check that even before installation. Feel free to contribute. Originally started by Jonathan Yaniv (jyaniv)

For our previous results, check out the Beta 1 listing or the Build 5219 listing or the Build 5270 listing or the Build 5308 listing or the Build 5342 listing or the Build 5365 listing or the Build 5381 listing or the Beta 2 (Build 5384) listing or the Build 5456 listing or the Build 5472 listing or the Build 5536 listing or the RC1 (Build 5600) listing or the Build 5728 listing or the RC2 (Build 5744) listing.

However, for our hardware compatibility results, please see this alternative listing.

You can also check out XCPUS Forums for a similar listing of compatible hardware & software.

Microsoft has now published a list of programs compatible with Windows Vista in their knowledge base, KB933305: Applications that have earned the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo or the "Works with Windows Vista" logo.

NOTES:

Entries are in alphabetical order.
Please mention the version/build number of the software and if it applies to the 32-bit and/or the 64-bit beta OS (e.g. "Software vX.XX.XXXX (32- and 64-bit)")!
On 32-bit Vista RTM, 16-bit or 32-bit Windows programs which uses 16-bit drivers or VxDs will not work anyway as on any NT systems. 16-bit fullscreen DOS programs do not work.

Benchmark

* Akella PT Boats: Knights of the Sea DX10 benchmark
* Codecult Codecreatures Benchmark Pro
* CrystalDiskMark (32/64-bit)
* Fraps 2.9 (32/64-bit)
* Futuremark
o 3DMark05 1.3.0, 3DMark06 1.1.0 (32-bit)
o PCMark05 1.2.0
o PCMark Vantage (32/64-bit)
* Geekbench 2.0.10 (32-bit and 64-bit versions)
* Lightsmark 2007 (32/64-bit)
* Maxon Cinebench R10 (32/64-bit)
* PC Wizard 2008.1.80 (32/64-bit)
* SciMark Standard Edition Graphics, Processors, Drives - (32/64-bit)
* SiSoftware Sandra XI SP2, XII 2008 (32/64-bit)
* Unigine v0.4 - Sanctuary benchmark (32-bit)

Backup

* Acronis True Image Home v10.0.4871 - May require Vista startup repair from Vista DVD after recovery.
* Acronis True Image WorkStation 9.1.3886 - May require Vista startup repair from Vista DVD after recovery.
* AIS Backup 2.3.1
* Allway Sync v5.5.8 Works fine on Vista Home Premium 32-bit
* Cobian Backup 8.2.0.186
* FileSafe Backup
* Genie Backup Manager v7
* Handy Backup Standard, DVD Edition, Professional, Full
* Karen's Replicator v3.3.5
* Seagate/Maxtor MaxBlast 5
* MOBackup 3.0
* MozBackup 1.4.2
* Mozy Remote Backup v1.8.2.3
* NovaStor NovaBackup Maintenance Release v7.5.2.1, v8 beta, v8.3 (32/64-bit)
* Novosoft Remote Backup
* NTI Shadow v3.7.1.37
* Paragon Drive Backup Personal v8.5
* steekUP v4.4
* Stratesave 6.0c (32-bit and 64-bit)
* ViceVersa PRO 2 (32-bit and 64-bit versions)
* Vision Backup Home, Pro, Server & Server w/MS SQL & Exchange
* Yellow Backup

Browsers

* Avant Browser 11 Build 46
* Browzar 1.2.0.1 (32-bit) (Do NOT use this! It´s a fraud, a SCAM!)
* Deepnet Explorer 1.53 beta (32-bit)
* Flock 0.78 (32-bit)
* Maxthon 1.5.9 build 30 and 2.0
* Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1
* Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.9 (32/64-bit)
* Netscape 8.1.2 (32/64 Bit) based on Firefox
* Off By One 3.5.d (32-bit)
* Opera 9.xx (32-bit)
* Portable FireFox 1.5 (32-bit)
* Safari 3 Public Beta
* SeaMonkey 1.1.1
* Torpark 1.5.0.7a (32/64 Bit)

CD/DVD Authoring

* #1 DVD Ripper 5.2.0
* Aimersoft DVD Creator 1.1.52.1 (32/64 Bit)
* Aimersoft DVD Ripper 1.1.55
* Alcohol-Soft Alcohol 120% 1.9.6.4719 (Works on 64 bit). (Potential to crash Vista described here: http://forum.alcohol-soft.com/index.php?showtopic=25452)
* Alcohol-Soft Alcohol 120% 1.9.5.4521
* AmoK CD/DVD Burning 1.01
* Ashampoo Burning Studio 6
* Astroburn v1.0.3 Free
* AVTLab (Rus) Small CD-DVD Writer 1.4 (32-bit)
* Burn4Free CD and DVD v2.6 - NOTE: upgrade to the latest version to solve compatibility.
* CDBurnerXP v4.0.022
* CyberLink PowerDVD Copy (may have problem during installation but if you keep trying it will run fine).
* CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra Deluxe v7.3 (32-bit) (Installs as 32-bit under Vista x64)
* Cyberlink Suite v.5 - Working great and no problems.
* DAEMON Tools 4.09 X86 and X64 versions
* DeepBurner 1.8 - (32 Bit)
* DVD2one 2.1.2
* DVD43 v2.5.0.192 and up - (32 Bit)
* DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0
* DVDLAB Pro 2.2
* DVDFab Platinum 3.0.9.8
* DVD Rebuilder Pro 1.20.5
* DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15
* DVD TO AVI AC3 RIPPER v1.0.0.0
* EASY RM RMVB To DVD Burner 1.3.6
* Express Burn
* ImgBurn 2.1.0.0 (32/64bit)
* ImgTool Classic 0.91.7
* InfraRecorder 0.44.1 (32-bit and 64-bit)
* IsoBuster 1.9.1, 2.0.0 (32 Bit)
* ISO Recorder v3 (32-bit and 64-bit)
* LG Software 1Click DVD Copy 5 - works completely with no issues
* LightScribe software (32-bit & 64-bit)
* MagicDisk 2.5 Build 074
* MagicISO 5.3.221 - 32/64 Bit
* Nero 7 Ultra Edition ENHANCED v7.8.5.0 Full Multilanguage - NOTE: Vista ships with DirectX 10. Will not install if you choose not to install the directX component. The software is compatible in all use. (32-bit) - NOTE: Version 7.7.5.1 is the minimum for Vista Compatibility (Installs as 32-bit under Vista x64)
* Nero 8 Ultra Edition v8.2.8.0 - (32bit, 64bit untested)
* NTI CD&DVD-Maker 7.7.0.1100
* ONES (Prassi) - Current update 2.1.358 - 30-days trial version available.
* Oront Burning Kit 2 v2.3.3 (32/64-bit)
* PowerISO 3.4, 3.5, 3.6
* PowerISO 3.6 (32/63-bit, Installs as 32-bit under Vista x64)
* PowerLaser Express v1.0
* PrimoDVD 2.1 for Disc Publisher (Bravo II CD/DVD Duplicator & Printer)
* RipIt4Me RipIt4Me 1.6.4.0
* Romeo Burner 2.2
* Roxio (Sonic) Easy Media Creator 9 - (32-bit),Roxio Media Creator 9.0.603 XE (64bit), only creator classic is installed
* Roxio (Sonic) Easy Media Creator 8 - (32-bit)
* Roxio Easy Media Creator 7
* SilentNight Microburner v5.0.0.26 (32-bit)
* Slysoft AnyDVD 6.1.0.4 - (32/64-bit) Tested, v6.1.3.3 works completely.
* Slysoft AnyDVD HD 6.1.3.3 - (32/64-bit) Tested, works completely.
* Slysoft CloneCD 5.2.91 - (32/64-bit) Tested, works completely
* Slysoft CloneDVD2 2.9.01 - (32-bit)
* Slysoft CloneDVD 3.9.4.0 - (32-bit)
* Sony DVD Architect 4.0a
* StarBurn (32/64-bit)
* Super Clone Dvd 5
* Ultimate CD/DVD Burner 2.0 - (32-bit)
* UltraISO 8.6.3.2056 (32/64-bit)
* Virtual CD 9 (32/64-bit)
* VOBEdit 0.6
* Vso-Software ConvertXtoDVD 2.1.5.173- 32/64 Bit
* Vso-Software CopytoDVD 4.0.3

Checksum Tools

* MKay-Software Release Check 1.2 (32-bit)

Codecs & Converters

* 3ivx
* AC3Filter 1.46
* Avi2Dvd 0.4.5 beta
* avi.NET v2.5.7.0
* Advanced Vista Codec Package 4.3.2 MSFN Forum
* Cinema Craft Encoder SP, SP2, Basic (32-bit)
* CodecInstaller
* Combined Community Codec Pack
* ConvertHQ V1.1.0.1
* DivX 6.6
* DivX Author 1.5
* DivX Converter 6.5 Beta for Vista
* Electronic Cosmo's MPEG Suite 1.5 (32bit)
* ffdshow (use Celtic Druid's (x64)
* FLV to AVI Converter Ver_3.1 (32-bit)
* K-Lite Codec Pack v3.01 / K-Lite Mega Codec Pack v2.01
* K-Lite Codec Pack 64-bit Add-On v0.4.0 Beta(64-bit)
* NirSoft InstalledCodec v1.00
* Quick Time Alternative [latest version]
* Real Alternative [latest version]
* StormCodec v6.10.00
* SWF Video Converter v_3.0.18 (32-bit)
* VISTA Codec Package 4.4.8 Homepage 32 and 64- bit filters. Works brilliantly with WMP and Media Center in both modes
* X Codec Pack v2.1.2 or newer
* XVid v1.1.3

Compression

* 7-Zip (7Zip/7 zip) (32/64-bit)
* Advanced RAR Password Recovery 1.53
* Flash Optimizer- compress SWF Ver_1.48 (32-bit)
* IZArc 3.81 (32-bit)
* jZip 1.1
* PowerArchiver 2006 Version 9.64
* TUGZip 3.4+
* Ultimatezip 2007 (ver 3.2) 32-bit
* WinAce 2.5, 2.65
* WinRAR 3.70 - Works perfectly. (Installs as 32-bit under Vista x64)
* WinRAR 3.71 (beta version,works perfectly with Vista x32 and Vistax64)
* WinRAR 3.4 (installs/runs fine as user, just asks for permission), 3.51, 3.60 and 3.62 (32-bit) (must be run as Administrator)
* WinZip Pro 10.0 (build 6685 and 7245) and 11.0 (build 7313) (32/64-bit) (WinZip 11.0 is 100% working)
* ZipGenius 6, ver 6.0.3.1130 (64-bit)

Corporate Records Management

* Metrosharp IMS Express 2007 (AKA Identity Management System for USC 2257) (32/64 bit)
* Metrosharp IMS Professional 2007 (AKA Identity Management System for USC 2257) (32/64 bit)
* Metrosharp IMS Small Business 2007 (AKA Identity Management System for USC 2257) (32/64 bit)
* Metrosharp IMS Enterprise 2007 (AKA Identity Management System for USC 2257) (32/64 bit)
* Metrosharp Migrate for IMS 2007 (32/64 bit)
* Metrosharp OpenIMF (AKA Open Identity Management Framework for USC 2257) (32/64 bit)
* Metrosharp Retroact for IMS 2007 (32/64 bit)
* Metrosharp SteelSafe 2007 (32/64 bit)

Customization

* allSnap (32-bit)
* Samurize v1.64.2 (to install, set compatibility to Windows XP SP2)

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02/06 – Argentina Discovery: North & Atacama

10/05 – Waterfalls and Samplands in the Northeast of Argentina

09/05 – Discovery Patagonia: the Patagonia is one of the Argentina regions with more beaties green and secrets to discover

04/03 – South America Warms the Open Source

01/03 – Fossils Found of a Big Bird Kermit Wouldn't Like in Argentina

01/03 – Patagonia, Nature at its Most Pristine & Solitary

Comments

Windows Vista RTM Software Compatibility List: Part I

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:01:12 +0100

However, for our hardware compatibility results, please see this alternative listing.

You can also check out XCPUS Forums for a similar listing of compatible hardware & software.

NOTES:

Entries are in alphabetical order.
Please mention the version/build number of the software and if it applies to the 32-bit and/or the 64-bit beta OS (e.g. "Software vX.XX.XXXX (32- and 64-bit)")!
On 32-bit Vista RTM, 16-bit or 32-bit Windows programs which uses 16-bit drivers or VxDs will not work anyway as on any NT systems. 16-bit fullscreen DOS programs do not work.

Academic

* Biacore 3000 Control Software 3.2
* BIAevaluation Software 3.2
* BioRad QuantityOne 2.6.3
* Electrical Troublshooting Training Software (32bit)
* Endnote X
* Enterprise Architect
* Vector NTI 6 (32-bit) [Install into a directory other than C:\Program Files]
* Vector NTI Advance 10.3
* Zeiss Axio Vision LE 4.6
* Zeiss Lsm Image Browser 4

AntiSpam & AntiSpyware

* Avast Avast Home and Professional v4.7.942(32/64-bit)
* CA eTrust PestPatrol Antispyware v4.4.4.81 (32-bit)
* EMSI Software a-squared Free v2.1
* ESET ESET Smart Security v3.0.563 or later (32-bit/64-bit)
* ESET NOD32 Antivirus v2.70.16 or later, v3.0.563 or later (32-bit/64-bit)
* FireTrust MailWasher Pro Ver. 5.3 (32-bit)
* Javacool Software SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 (32-bit/64-bit)
* Lavasoft Ad-aware SE Personal v1.06 (32-bit/64-bit), Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008 7.1.0.8 (32 and 64-bit)
* MailFrontier Anti-Spam
* PC Tools Spyware Doctor v5.1.0.272
* Pyrenean eDexter v1.42 (32-bit/64-bit)
* Spybot Search & Destroy v1.4 (32-bit)
* Spybot Search & Destroy v1.5
* Spyware Terminator v1.8.5.986 (32-bit)
* Sunbelt CounterSpy V2 (x86/x64)
* Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 (32-bit/64-bit) - NOTE: Get the latest version, more info here
* Webroot Spy Sweeper v5.5.7 (32-bit)
* WinPatrol WinPatrol v11.1.2007 or later (32-bit)

AntiVirus

* ALWIL Software
o avast! v4.7 Home Edition (32/64-bit) (28 language versions)
o avast! v4.7 Professional Edition (32/64-bit) (28 language versions)
o avast! Virus Cleaner Tool - version 1.0.209 (32-bit) (Czech)
* Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic (32-bit)
* Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Premium 7.00.04.13 (32-bit)
* BitDefender Antivirus 2008 (32/64-bit)
* BullGuard
o BullGuard Internet Security 7.0 (32-bit)
o BullGuard Internet Security 7.0 (64-bit beta)
* CA Etrust Etrust EZ CA Antivirus v8.2.0.13 (32-bit)
* ClamWin portable v0.88.5
* ESET
o ESET NOD32 Antivirus v2.70.16 or later, v3.0.563 or later (32-bit/64-bit)
o ESET Smart Security v3.0.563 or later (32-bit/64-bit)
* G DATA AntiVirus 2008 (32-bit), InternetSecurity 2008 (32/64-bit)
* Grisoft
o AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition v8.x.x (32-bit/64-bit)
o AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition v7.5.463 (32-bit/64-bit)
o AVG Anti-Virus Professional Edition v7.5.441 (64-bit)
* Hitman Pro (v2.6)
* Jetico Personal Firewall for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista v.2.0.0.35 (32/64-bit)
* Kaspersky
o Kaspersky AntiVirus 6.0.2.614 and newer (32/64-bit) (64 bits runs as 32 bits)
o Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0.2.614 and newer (32/64-bit) (64 bits run as 32 bits)
o Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0.0.125
* McAfee
o McAfee AntiVirus 8.5i (32-bit)
o McAfee Security Center 11.2 build 7.2.144 (32-bit only, 64-bit in development)
o McAfee Site Advisor for IE or Firefox (32-bit)
o McAfee VirusScan 11.2 build 7.2.144 (32-bit only, 64-bit in development)
o McAfee Total Protection 2008 (complete solution including SiteAdvisor)
o Stinger v2.60 (32-bit)
* Microsoft
o Windows Live OneCare 1.5 (32-bit) - NOTE: Have to open some ports to get Windows Mobile Device Center to work
o Windows Live OneCare 2.0.2500.10 (32/64-bit)
* Moon Secure AV free 1.0.0.132 (32-bit)
* Norman Virus Control
* Panda Antivirus 2007 (32-bit)
* Panda Antivirus + Firewall 2008 (64-bit)
* PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition 4.0
* Softwin Bitdefender Antivirus Plus 10 Build 247 (32-bit)
* Rising Antivirus 2008 (32/64-bit)
* Symantec
o Norton Antivirus 2007 - NOTE: Download the latest version, more info here (32-bit and 64-bit)
o Norton Antivirus 2008
o Norton Internet Security 2006/2007 - NOTE: Download the latest version, more info here (32-bit and 64-bit)
o Norton Internet Security 2008
o Norton 360360 is out and work great on my 64-bit vista ultimate
o Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition v10.2.224 - NOTE: Disabling Microsoft Windows Defender may help solve sluggish performance.
o Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition v10.2.276
* Steganos AntiVirus 2008 (32/64-bit)
* Trend Micro
o PC-cillin Internet Security 2006 v14.57 (32/64-bit)
o PC-cillin Internet Security 2007 - NOTE: Get the latest version, more info here
* ZoneAlarm Security Suite 7.1.013.000 Beta Version for Vista http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/beta/index.html

Audio and Music

* 1st MP3 tag editor
* Adobe Audition 1.5 (32 bit) Works perfectly. No compatibility issues.
* Adobe Audition 3.0 - works with Vista and releases in November 2007
* Adobe Soundbooth CS3
* Absolute MP3 Splitter & Converter 2.5.8
* Apollo Audio DVD Creator v1.24
* Apollo No1 DVD Audio Ripper v1.2.26
* Apple Quicktime v7.1.3 (32/64-bit) - installs as 32-bit app under 64-bit Vista
* Apple iTunes iTunes 7.6 (32-bit and 64-bit versions)
* Apple iTunes Library Updater 1.22
* ArKaos VJ 3.6.1
* AtomixMP3 DJ: Virtual DJ v2.0 and AtomixMP3 v2.3
* Audacity v1.3.2-beta (32-bit)
* Audioactive Production Studio 1.05
* Cakewalk
* CoolEdit Pro 2.0
* Creative Tools: Creative AudioHQ, Creative Recorder, Creative Mixer etc...
* dbPowerAmp Audio the website says that all their products are Vista compatible, doesn't specify 32 or 64 bit
* Digital Voice Editor 3 (Sony - comes with digital recorder, e.g. ICD-P520) (32-bit) [Installs and runs, not all features checked]
* Dimension Pro DXi and VSTi sampler synthesizer works great with updates and expansion packs, too
* Finale 2008, SongWriter 2007a (32-bit)
* Foobar2000 v0.8.3, v0.9.4.1 and v0.9.4.2 (During the installation, make sure Enable per-user settings is on)
* Free Easy HI-Q Recorder 2.0
* Fruity Loops 6.0.8 (32bit) - works great, performance slightly sub-par
* Floola v2.9.2 - it manages iPod or Motorola mobile phone
* FL Studio 7.0 XXL Producer Edition, works fine on Vista (32-bit) home Premium
* FXsound DFX Audio Enhancement v8.0 for Windows Media Player & Winamp
* GoldWave v5.17 (32-bit)
* Guitar Pro 5: (32-bit) Works fine! (Works with 64 bit)
* i-Sound WMA MP3 Recorder compatible since version 6.72
* LoopBe30 v1.5 - 30 Virtual MIDI Ports (32-bit and 64-bit)
* Jetaudio v6
* Magix Music Maker 5 a bit older version, but still, not the oldest (32bit) - Working Fine!
* MediaCoder
* Media Monkey latest Version (note old versions have not been tested)
* mp3tag v.2.37a (newly added Vista Support, v.2.36a and below simply crash)
* MP3 Tag Assistant 2,84 - NOT COMPATIBLE with Ultimate version
* mpTrim - Functions properly on Vista 32/64-bit systems (tested with version 2.13).
* Multi-channel Recording System v2.87
* musikCube v1.0 RC2 beta (32-bit)
* n-Track Studio 5 (32/64-bit)
* Native Instruments Absynth 3 and 4 works great too
* Native Instruments Battery 3
* Native Instruments Guitar Rig 2 (Works with 64 bit)
* Native Instruments Kontakt 2 (Works with 64 bit)
* Novation X-station drivers 1.1 (64 bit, must disable driver signing on startup (F8) )
* Orb MyCasting
* Power Tab Editor 1.7(No Problems!!!)
* Project5 Version 2.5, Rapture 1.1, Z3TA+ 1.5 (32 & 64 bit)
* Propellerheads Reason 3.0.4
* Propellerheads Reason 4.0
* Razer Barracuda AC-1 Driver v2.10b Currently 32 Bit only!
* Rhapsody v4.0.850
* Sibelius 5 (32-bit)
* Skype Recorder Extralabs Skype Recorder v.1.6 build 116
* Sonar 6 Updated 6.0.1 works great with VST and VSTi also (32 & 64 bit)
* SONAR Producer Edition 6.2, SONAR Studio Edition 6.2, SONAR Home Studio 6, SONAR Home Studio 6 XL, SONAR Power Studio (32 & 64 bit)
* Sonic Foundry Sound Forge 6.0
* Sony Acid Pro 6.0d
* Sonic Foundry ACID Pro 3.0g (works perfect)
* Sonic Foundry Batch Converter 5.0b
* Sony Cinescore 1.0b and 1.0c
* Sony SonicStage CP 4.3
* Sony Sound Forge 8.0d
* Spectrasonics Atmosphere and Trilogy VSTi works great without any problem
* Steinberg V-Stack works good - some problems with ASIO
* Steinberg Sequel, Cubase 4.0.1, WaveLab 6.0.1, HALion 3, The Grand 2, Groove Agent 3 - (Vista 32/64-bit)
* The GodFather 0.70 - MP3 tags editor
* Tuxguitar
* Ultra Tag Editor 2.4.3
* Voxengo Overtone GEQ v1.4 - 7-band harmonic graphic equalizer with multi-channel support (32-bit and 64-bit)
* Wavepad works with no compatibility issues.
* Winamp v2x and v5x (32bit) - DRM Problems, 5.32 Pro
* WinAmp 5.3 (32bit) - work perfect but when startup Winamp note error with PX.dll but audio and video files plays like on Win XP :D (To get rid of the PX.dll error, simply disable the CD ripping/burning features during install)
* Winamp 5.35 - No major problems (fixes PX.dll error). Doesn't display correctly in Alt+Tab or Flip3D though.

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Comments

10+ tweaks, tricks, and hacks to make Windows Vista fly

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:43:24 +0100

1: Add the Run command to the Start Menu

Beginning way back with the release of Windows 1.0, Microsoft has been all about the GUI interface (more or less effectively). But sometimes you just want to run a program without having to navigate the GUI maze of menus and folders. Windows Vista, by default,does not include the Run command on the Start Menu. This was a common and favorite feature of Windows XP.

To add the Run command back to the Vista Start Menu, follow these steps:

Right click the Taskbar in an open area
Click on Properties
Click on the Start Menu tab (See Figure A)

Figure A

Taskbar and Start Menu Properties

Click the Customize button to get to the Customize Start Menu
Scroll down the list until you find the Run command checkbox and check it (See Figure B).
Click OK and the Run command will now appear on the Start Menu.

Figure B

Customize Start Menu

2. Disable the Welcome Center and Sidebar

The Windows Vista default setting is to show the Welcome Center on startup. While the Welcome Center is mildly interesting the first time you see it, you will quickly tire of it appearing every time you boot your Vista PC. This behavior is easily changed by unchecking the Run a Startup button located at the bottom of the Welcome Center as shown in Figure C.

Figure C

Welcome Center

Similarly, the Vista Sidebar is also on by default. While some users will find the Sidebar and its widgets useful, many will desire the desktop real estate and underlying resources for other more productive uses. You can turn the Sidebar off by:

Right clicking the Windows Sidebar icon in the system tray
Click Properties
Uncheck the Start Sidebar when Windows starts checkbox (See Figure D)
Click OK

Figure D

Windows Sidebar Properties

3: Change the Product Key

A Windows Vista installation disk essentially has all of the various editions of Vista included on that one disk. Which version gets installed is dependent on what product key you enter during the installation process. At some point you may want to upgrade your current version to a version with more bells and whistles, which would require a new Product Key.

Or you may want to Activate your Windows Vista under a different Product Key for some reason. The easiest way to change your Product Key is through the System applet in the Control Panel. (See Figure E)

Figure E

System applet

Figure F

Windows Activation

Under the Windows Activation section there is a link: Change Product Key. Clicking that link brings up the screen shown in Figure F where you can enter in a different Product Key.

4: Start Windows Explorer at somewhere other than documents

Figure G

Windows Explorer Properties

While Windows Vista has desktop search that will theoretically allow you the option of merely typing in a location on your hard disk to get an Explorer view, some users will undoubtedly prefer to use Windows Explorer. By default, Windows Explorer in Vista shows you the files located in the user Documents folder. Follow these steps to have Windows Explorer start in a different folder:

Copy the Windows Explorer shortcut, usually found in the Start Menu under Accessories, to the Desktop.

Right click the shortcut and click properties.
Click on the Shortcut tab to get the window shown in Figure G.
Change the Target filed to the desired location.

For example, to have Windows Explorer start at C:\ type in"

C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n, /e, c:\

5: Privacy tweak

As a convenience, Windows Vista by default saves and displays a list of recently opened files and programs on the Start Menu.

Ostensibly, this is supposed to make it easier to find a file or program. However, many users would prefer that information to remain hidden. Here is how to turn it off:

Right click the Taskbar and click Properties on the resulting menu
Click the Start Menu tab
Uncheck the checkboxes under Privacy (See Figure H)
Click OK

Figure H

Privacy settings

6: Smaller icons on Start Menu

The icons located on the Windows Vista Start Menu default to large (Figure I).

Figure I

Large icons

For many users, the personal preference will be for those icons to be much smaller. Here is how:

Right click the Taskbar and click on Properties
Click the Start Menu tab
Click the Customize button
Scroll down to the bottom of the list (See Figure J)
Uncheck the Use large icons checkbox
Click OK twice

Figure J

No more large icons

7. Add Internet Explorer to the Vista Desktop

For some reason known only to the Windows Vista development team, there is no easy option to add the Windows Explorer icon to the Vista Desktop. You can add Computer, Recycle Bin, and the Control Panel --- perhaps someone can explain that to us. In the meantime, if you want to add Internet Explorer you can do it with a Registry hack. Before editing the Windows Registry it is always advisable to make a backup of the Registry file.

Click the Start button
Open the Run dialog box (or type regedit in to the search box on the Start Menu)
Type in regedit and press Enter
Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\HideDesktopIcons\NewStartPanel

Create a new DWORD 32-bit by right clicking in the key area (See Figure K)
Copy this as the key name including the brackets:

{871C5380-42A0-1069-A2EA-08002B30309D}

Close regedit
Right click on the Desktop and click the Refresh menu entry --- Internet Explorer should now appear.

Figure K

Regedit Internet Explorer

Figure L

Windows Security Center

8: Change Security Center notifications

One of the most often leveled criticisms of Windows has been its lack of security. To overcome that perception Microsoft had programmed Vista to complain loudly and often if it discovers your malware, firewall or virus protection software is off or requires

maintenance. For many users, the constant badgering to update your virus definitions is more annoying then effective. To calm Vista down a bit you can change the way you are notified of potential lax security.

Open the control panel and click the Windows Security Center as shown in Figure L.

Figure M

Choose you preference for notification

Click the link Change the way Security Center alerts me to reach the dialog box shown in Figure M.

9: Set Folder options

One of the first things experienced users change when they get a new Windows computer is change the Folder View options to a preferred setting. Windows Vista is no exception to this rule.

Open the Control Panel and click on the Folder Options icon
Click on the View tab (See Figure N)

Figure N

Folder options

Check or uncheck your folder preferences --- some suggestions:

a.Check show hidden files and folders

b.Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types

c.Uncheck protected operating system files

10: Adjust power settings

By default, Windows Vista sets the power options to what it calls a "Balanced" plan. While for many users this plan will be adequate, there are many who will want to make adjustments. For laptop users specifically, settings can vary greatly when operating on battery power versus plugged into an outlet. To adjust power settings:

Open the Control Panel and then click the Power Options icon (See Figure O)

Figure O

Power Options

Figure P

Power settings

Click on the Change Plan Settings under one of the default plans to make changes (See Figure P)

For additional fine tuning click Change advanced power settings (See Figure Q)

Figure Q

Advanced power settings

11: Reduce Desktop Icons

By default, the Windows Vista Aero GUI uses what it classifies as "Medium" icons on the Desktop. Medium in this case is really quite large. (There is also a Large icon setting, but we won't go there.) To bring the icons back to a less eye-popping size:

Right click on the Desktop
Choose the View menu item
Change to Classic Icons (Figure R)

Figure R

Classic

12 Add another time zone

For many of us working away from home offices at satellite offices, home or on the road, knowing the time across various time zones can be a necessary evil. Windows Vista will allow you to keep time in two additional time zones to the machine time.

Right click on the time display located in Taskbar System Tray
Select the Adjust Date/Time menu item
Click on the Additional Clocks tab (See Figure S)
Add clocks

Figure S

Choose a time zone

Click the checkbox next to Show this clock
Click OK

Now when you mouse over the time in the Taskbar System Tray you will get the time in your chosen time zones.