IT 123

DVD Recording and Procedures

2008-01-31T22:21:00.000-08:00

[ DVD RECORDING PROCEDURE ]

1. DVD recorders in the closet should be on already and should not be turned off. If the power happens to be off, press the power button to turn the machine on, but there is a time lag of 5-10 minutes before the machine is ready to record.
2. Press the [OPEN/CLOSE] button to open the DVD drive bay and insert the DVD-Ram disk. Do not use DVD-R, DVD-RW, or CD-RW disks.
3. Press the [OPEN/CLOSE] button again to close the drive.
4. Press the [CHANNEL UP / DOWN] button to set the recorder to your office channel.
5. Press the [RECORD] button to begin recording.
6. Flip the camera switch in your office to [ON] after the client gives their consent to be recorded.
7. When recording is finished, press the [STOP] button.
8. Press the [OPEN/ CLOSE] button to open the drive door and remove the disk from the drive. Press the [OPEN/ CLOSE] button again to close the drive.

CPU package

2008-01-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

CPU

socket or CPU slot is a connector on a computer's motherboard that accepts a CPU and forms an electrical interface with it. As of 2007, most desktop and server computers, particularly those based on the Intel x86 architecture, include socketed processors.
Most CPU-sockets interfaces are based on the pin grid array (PGA) architecture, in which short, stiff pins on the underside of the processor package mate with holes in the socket. To minimize the risk of bent pins, zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets allow the processor to be inserted without any resistance, then grip the pins firmly to ensure a reliable contact after a lever is flipped.
As of 2007, several current and upcoming socket designs use land grid array (LGA) technology instead. In this design, it is the socket which contains pins. The pins contact pads or lands on the bottom of the processor package.
In the late 1990s, many x86 processors fit into slots, rather than sockets. CPU slots are single-edged connectors similar to expansion slots, into which a PCB holding a processor is inserted. Slotted CPU packages offered two advantages: L2 cache memory could be upgraded by installing an additional chip onto the processor PCB, and processor insertion and removal was often easier. However, slotted packages require longer traces between the CPU and chipset, and therefore became unsuitable as clock speeds passed 500 MHz. Slots were abandoned with the introduction of AMD's Socket A and Intel's Socket 370.
Socket 563 is a microPGA CPU socket used exclusively for low-power (16 W and 25 W TDP) Athlon XP-M processors (Models 8 & 10).
This socket can usually be found on laptops and requires a low-power mobile part in a special 563-pin µPGA package which is different from the Socket A (453 pin) package used for other Athlon processors.
There exists desktop computer motherboards equipped with socket 563. PCChips is known to have marketed such a board, the M863G Ver3 (actually made by ECS), bundled with a socket 563 processor and a heatsink.Socket 563 is a microPGA CPU socket used exclusively for low-power (16 W and 25 W TDP) Athlon XP-M processors (Models 8 & 10).
This socket can usually be found on laptops and requires a low-power mobile part in a special 563-pin µPGA package which is different from the Socket A (453 pin) package used for other Athlon processors.
There exists desktop computer motherboards equipped with socket 563. PCChips is known to have marketed such a board, the M863G Ver3 (actually made by ECS), bundled with a socket 563 processor and a heatsink.

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Socket 754

was the original socket for AMD's Athlon 64 desktop processors. Due to the recent introduction of newer socket layouts i.e. Socket 939 and AM2, Socket 754 has become the more "budget-minded" socket for use with AMD Athlon 64 or Sempron processors. In comparison, it differs from Socket 939 in several areas:
support for a single channel memory controller (64-bits wide) with maximum of 3 DIMMs (no dual channel support)
lower HyperTransport speed (800 MHz Bi-Directional, 16 bit data path, up and downstream)
lower effective data bandwidth (9.6 GB/s)
lower motherboard manufacturing costs
Although AMD has promoted Socket 754 as a budget platform on the desktop and encouraged mid and high end users to use Socket 939 (and recently Socket AM2) instead, Socket 754 remained for some time as AMD's high end solution for mobile applications i.e. no Socket 939 Athlon 64 CPUs have ever been marketed as a mobile processor, aside from at least the HP zv6000 series. Recently however, Socket S1 has been released and is slated to supersede Socket 754 in the mobile market through its support for dual core CPUs and DDR2 RAM.

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Socket 939

is a CPU socket released by AMD in June 2004 to supersede the previous Socket 754 for Athlon 64 processors. Socket 939 has been succeeded by Socket AM2, although Socket 939 is still popular. It is the second socket designed for AMD's AMD64 range of processors
It was made available in June 2004 and replaced by Socket AM2 in May 2006. AMD has reduced the production of this socket to focus on current and future platforms although demand is still high. When Socket AM2 chips debuted many people were still using 939 PIN sockets with no intention to immediately upgrade, therefore increasing demand for Socket 939 processors. Recently, the Athlon 64 X2 4200+ model (90 nm process, 2x512 KB L2 cache, 89W, E4 and E6 steppings) was the highest speed processor available in the Socket 939 package. [1].
Both single and dual-core processors were manufactured for this socket under the Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 X2, Sempron and Opteron names. The Opteron 185 and Athlon 64 FX-60, both featuring a 2.6 GHz clock speed and 1 MB of Level 2 cache per core, were the fastest processors manufactured for this socket.
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Socket 940

is a 940-pin socket for 64-bit AMD server processors. The socket is entirely covered with leads, except for four key pins used to align the processor. AMD Opterons and the older AMD Athlon 64 FX (FX-51) use Socket 940. Being an intended server platform, processors using this socket only accept registered memory, because, in servers, memory errors are less acceptable and cause more damage.[1]
The more common use of Socket 940 is in the Server market. Dual Socket 940 boards use the 200-series Opterons. Four(Common) or Eight(Rare) socketed boards use the 800-series Opterons. The Socket 940 platform is designed for raw power and professional accuracy, not bleeding-edge gaming performance.
There is a new 940-pin socket called AM2. Though the current Socket 940 and the AM2 both share the same number of pins, they are not pin-compatible. That is, a Socket 940 processor will not fit in a AM2 socket. The same is true in reverse; a Socket AM2 processor will not fit in Socket 940. The reason for this is because all 64-bit AMD processors, unlike all current Intel processors, include the memory management functionality not as a discrete chip on the motherboard, but rather on the CPU die itself.[2] That means that, if someone wishes to utilize a newer type of memory (e. g. DDR2 vs. DDR), then AMD would need to manufacture an entirely new microprocessor with entirely new memory management electronics built into the chip in order for that newer memory to be usable. This is exactly the situation here; Socket AM2 is designed for DDR2 memory, whereas Socket 940 is designed for DDR (occasionally called "DDR1") memory. This issue highlights one of the disadvantages of including the memory management functions on the CPU die itself. However, performance benchmarks suggest a significant performance increase by doing so, hence AMD's decision to take this design route.
For somewhat related reasons, Socket 939 processors cannot be used in Socket 940 motherboards, even though both Socket 939 and Socket 940 CPUs support the same DDR (aka "DDR1") memory. The distinction here is that Socket 940 requires more expensive registered memory, whereas Socket 939 uses less expensive unbuffered memory. There are also issues of electrical capacitance which lead to four-layer vs. six-layer motherboards (the latter are slightly more expensive to manufacture), which was the reason for the genesis of Socket 939; Socket 940 requires six-layer motherboards. This pin-incompatibility was known to cause some frustration when AMD moved the Athlon 64 FX processor, their premier gaming platform, from a Socket 940 (Opteron 1xx) basis to Socket 939; users who wanted more speed needed to purchase and install an entirely new motherboard. AMD's motivation for Socket 939 was entirely driven by perceived total system cost. However, even after this socket change, the Athlon 64 FX series remained a relatively high cost option, even at times slightly higher than a comparable Socket 940 Opteron.[citation needed] Given the Opteron's excellent performance, it was not unheard of for Socket 940 Opteron 1xx sales to actually cannibalize Athlon 64 FX sales, even at times among the FX's target market, gamers.
Given AMD's recent proliferation of CPU socket platforms, questions about Socket 940's longevity abound on the Internet. Socket 940 was, from the start, primarily geared toward server and higher-end workstation markets, where purchasing decisions are traditionally conservative and customers are known to depreciate (and thus use) their existing gear over at least a five-year cycle. Thus, AMD's plans for Socket 940 stretch out several years into the future, and longevity for this platform is expected to be relatively long. As an example, Socket 5, made famous by the Intel Pentium processor, was in active manufacture, in various backwards-compatible forms including Super Socket 7, for over five years. Socket 370, championed by Intel's Pentium III and Celeron lines, lasted for a similar time frame.[citation needed]
Note that, regardless of the socket form factor, all 64-bit AMD processors will run all of the same software; they are all fully binary-compatible.

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Socket A (also known as Socket 462)

is the CPU socket used for AMD processors ranging from the Athlon Thunderbird to the Athlon XP/MP 3200+, and AMD budget processors including the Duron and Sempron. Socket A also supports the recent AMD Geode NX embedded processors (derived from the Mobile Athlon XP). The socket is a zero insertion force pin grid array type with 453 pins (nine pins are blocked in the socket to prevent accidental insertion of Socket 370 CPUs, hence the number 462). The front side bus frequencies supported for the AMD Athlon XP and Sempron are 133 MHz, 166 MHz, and 200 MHz.
AMD recommends that the mass of a Socket A CPU cooler not exceed 300 grams (10.6 ounces). Heavier coolers may result in damage to the die when the system is not properly handled.
Socket A has been discontinued in favor of Socket 754, Socket 939, and recently Socket AM2, except for its use with Geode NX processors. However, microprocessors and motherboards from many vendors are still available.
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The Socket AM2,

renamed from Socket M2 (to prevent using the same name as Cyrix MII processors), is a CPU socket designed by AMD for desktop processors, including the performance, mainstream and value segments. It was released on May 23, 2006, as a replacement for Socket 939 & Socket 754.
AM2 processors are incompatible with 939 motherboards and vice versa, and although it has 940 pins, it is incompatible with Socket 940 [1]. DDR2 can transfer more data per clock cycle, but suffers from higher latencies, while drawing less power than DDR memory, which the previous Socket 939 supported. AnandTech reported that Socket AM2 system performance was 0-7% faster than Socket 939 equivalents, with most applications about 2% faster [2][3], despite having over 30% greater memory bandwidth due to DDR2 support.
The first processor cores to support socket AM2 are the single-core Orleans (Athlon 64) and Manila (Sempron), and the dual-core Windsor (Athlon 64 X2 and Athlon 64 FX). Most processors on Socket AM2 include SSE3 instructions and were developed with 90 nanometer technology. Recent models feature 65 nanometer technology (to compete with Intel and their 65nm cpus).
Socket AM2 will support AMD Phenom processors.
Socket AM2 is a part of AMD's next generation of CPU sockets, along with Socket F for servers and Socket S1 for mobile computing.
There are also single-socket Opteron processors available for AM2.[4]

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The Socket AM3,

is a CPU socket designed by AMD for desktop processors, including the performance, mainstream and value segments. It has an expected release in late 2008, as a replacement for Socket AM2/AM2+. AM3 should be able to run either DDR2 or DDR3 SDRAM memory, but not on the same motherboard; DDR3 runs at higher clock frequencies while drawing less power than DDR2 memory, however it has higher latency and is currently much more expensive.
Socket AM3 is a part of AMD's next generation of CPU sockets.
AMD has confirmed that AM3 processors will work in AM2 motherboards; however, AM2 processors will not be compatible with AM3 motherboards. This is because AM2 chips lack the proper memory controller for DDR3 memory (since AMD chips have the memory controller directly on the processor itself, instead of on the Northbridge), and AM3 processors will have a memory controller that supports both DDR2 and DDR3 (though it lacks the capability of running both at the same time). This has the benefit that buyers of current Socket AM2 motherboards will be able to freely upgrade to AM3 processors. They will not enjoy DDR3 memory without a AM3/DDR3 board, but they can take advantage of other features of faster processors, ensuring AM2 boards a longer life than without the compatibility. Revealed from official presentations [1], Socket AM3 will also include DDR2 SDRAM support, and, depending on the adoption rate of DDR3 SDRAM, there is also the possibility to support both SDRAM standards.
Socket AM3 is assumed to be introduced with AMD's next generation processors based on the new microarchitecture.

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Socket F is a CPU socket designed by AMD for its Opteron line of CPUs. The socket has 1207 pins, and was released on August 15, 2006 [1].
Socket F is primarily for use in AMD's server line, and will be considered to be in the same socket generation as Socket AM2, which will be used for the Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2; as well as Socket S1, to be used for Turion 64 and Turion 64 X2 microprocessors. Such socket generations are intended for DDR2 support.
Socket F does not support Fully Buffered DIMM. Processors planned for Socket F will also likely support DDR3 and other technologies, like XDR-DRAM. But when such RAM is used on an FB-DIMM, no motherboard or CPU change is necessary to support the new RAM, as all FB-DIMMs use the same DRAM slots regardless of the RAM employed. This overcomes the old drawback of the Hammer architecture, with its integrated memory controller necessitating the replacement of the (potentially very expensive) CPU to support a new memory type. However, AMD has removed FB-DIMM from its roadmap recently.

[edit] AMD Quad FX platform
Main article: AMD Quad FX platform
Socket F is the base for the AMD Quad FX Platform (referred to as "4x4" or "QuadFather" prior to release), unveiled by AMD on November 30, 2006. This modified version of Socket F, named Socket 1207 FX by AMD, and Socket L1 by NVIDIA, allows for dual-socket, dual-core (four effective cores and eight effective cores in the future) processors in desktop PCs for home enthusiasts.

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Socket S1

is the CPU socket type used by AMD for their Turion 64, Athlon 64 Mobile and later Sempron processors, which debuted with the dual core Turion 64 X2 CPUs on May 17, 2006. Socket S1 has 638 pins, and replaces the existing Socket 754 for laptops. It has been expected that desktop motherboards will appear using Socket S1, much as boards using the Pentium M's Socket 479 are on the market.
Socket S1 includes support for dual-channel DDR2 SDRAM, dual-core mobile CPUs, and virtualization technology, to compete with the mobile Intel Core 2 processor series.
Socket S1 is a part of AMD's next generation of CPU sockets, along with Socket F (servers) and Socket AM2 (desktop).

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eNd

FORM COMPONENTS

2008-01-17T21:59:00.000-08:00

From AT to BTX: Motherboard Form Factors

You've probably heard the term motherboard a thousand times, but do you know what it really means and how it relates to the rest of your computer?

The form factor of a motherboard determines the specifications for its general shape and size. It also specifies what type of case and power supply will be supported, the placement of mounting holes, and the physical layout and organization of the board. Form factor is especially important if you build your own computer systems and need to ensure that you purchase the correct case and components.

The Succession of Motherboard Form Factors
AT & Baby ATPrior to 1997, IBM computers used large motherboards. After that, however, the size of the motherboard was reduced and boards using the AT (Advanced Technology) form factor was released. The AT form factor is found in older computers (386 class or earlier). Some of the problems with this form factor mainly arose from the physical size of the board, which is 12" wide, often causing the board to overlap with space required for the drive bays.
Following the AT form factor, the Baby AT form factor was introduced. With the Baby AT form factor the width of the motherboard was decreased from 12" to 8.5", limiting problems associated with overlapping on the drive bays' turf. Baby AT became popular and was designed for peripheral devices — such as the keyboard, mouse, and video — to be contained on circuit boards that were connected by way of expansion slots on the motherboard.
Baby AT was not without problems however. Computer memory itself advanced, and the Baby AT form factor had memory sockets at the front of the motherboard. As processors became larger, the Baby AT form factor did not allow for space to use a combination of processor, heatsink, and fan. The ATX form factor was then designed to overcome these issues.

ATX

With the need for a more integrated form factor which defined standard locations for the keyboard, mouse, I/O, and video connectors, in the mid 1990's the ATX form factor was introduced. The ATX form factor brought about many chances in the computer. Since the expansion slots were put onto separate riser cards that plugged into the motherboard, the overall size of the computer and its case was reduced. The ATX form factor specified changes to the motherboard, along with the case and power supply. Some of the design specification improvements of the ATX form factor included a single 20-pin connector for the power supply, a power supply to blow air into the case instead of out for better air flow, less overlap between the motherboard and drive bays, and integrated I/O Port connectors soldered directly onto the motherboard. The ATX form factor was an overall better design for upgrading.

micro-ATX

MicroATX followed the ATX form factor and offered the same benefits but improved the overall system design costs through a reduction in the physical size of the motherboard. This was done by reducing the number of I/O slots supported on the board. The microATX form factor also provided more I/O space at the rear and reduced emissions from using integrated I/O connectors.

LPX

White ATX is the most well-known and used form factor, there is also a non-standard proprietary form factor which falls under the name of LPX, and Mini-LPX. The LPX form factor is found in low-profile cases (desktop model as opposed to a tower or mini-tower) with a riser card arrangement for expansion cards where expansion boards run parallel to the motherboard. While this allows for smaller cases it also limits the number of expansion slots available. Most LPX motherboards have sound and video integrated onto the motherboard. While this can make for a low-cost and space saving product they are generally difficult to repair due to a lack of space and overall non-standardization. The LPX form factor is not suited to upgrading and offer poor cooling.

NLX

Boards based on the NLX form factor hit the market in the late 1990's. This "updated LPX" form factor offered support for larger memory modules, tower cases, AGP video support and reduced cable length. In addition, motherboards are easier to remove. The NLX form factor, unlike LPX is an actual standard which means there is more component options for upgrading and repair.
Many systems that were formerly designed to fit the LPX form factor are moving over to NLX. The NLX form factor is well-suited to mass-market retail PCs.

BTX

The BTX, or Balanced Technology Extended form factor, unlike its predecessors is not an evolution of a previous form factor but a total break away from the popular and dominating ATX form factor. BTX was developed to take advantage of technologies such as Serial ATA, USB 2.0, and PCI Express. Changes to the layout with the BTX form factor include better component placement for back panel I/O controllers and it is smaller than microATX systems. The BTX form factor provides the industry push to tower size systems with an increased number of system slots.
One of the most talked about features of the BTX form factor is that it uses in-line airflow. In the BTX form factor the memory slots and expansion slots have switched places, allowing the main components (processor, chipset, and graphics controller) to use the same airflow which reduces the number of fans needed in the system; thereby reducing noise. To assist in noise reduction BTX system level acoustics have been improved by a reduced air turbulence within the in-line airflow system.
Initially there will be three motherboards offered in BTX form factor. The first, picoBTX will offer four mounting holes and one expansion slot, while microBTX will hold seven mounting holes and four expansion slots, and lastly, regularBTX will offer 10 mounting holes and seven expansion slots. The new BTX form factor design is incompatible with ATX, with the exception of being able to use an ATX power supply with BTX boards.
Today the industry accepts the ATX form factor as the standard, however legacy AT systems are still widely in use. Since the BTX form factor design is incompatible with ATX, only time will tell if it will overtake ATX as the industry standard.

windows XP installation and procedures

2007-12-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

Install Windows XP

Most new computers come with Windows XP installed, so many people never have to install it. However, you may need to install Windows XP if:

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You replaced your hard disk drive with a new hard disk drive that does not have Windows XP installed.
•
You are reinstalling Windows XP on a computer because you want to clean off your hard drive and remove any unwanted programs, such as spyware.
•
You purchased a computer without an operating system.
Fortunately, you do not need to be a computer expert to install Windows XP. Installing Windows XP is a straightforward process that takes between one to two hours. Of that time, you need to be present for only about 30 minutes.
•
Pre-installation checklist
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Install Windows XP
Note: If you have a computer with an older operating system, such as Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows 2000, you should upgrade to Windows XP instead of performing a clean installation.

Pre-installation checklist
Before you begin the installation process, use this checklist to make sure that you are prepared:
You have the Windows XP CD.
You have the product key available. The product key is located on your Windows XP CD case and is required to install and activate Windows XP.
Your computer hardware is set up. At a minimum, you should connect your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and CD drive. If available, you should connect your computer to a wired network.
You have Windows XP drivers available. Drivers are software that Windows XP uses to communicate with your computer’s hardware. Most new computers include a CD containing drivers. If you do not have drivers available, Windows XP may already include drivers for your hardware. If not, you should be able to download them from your hardware manufacturer’s Web site after you set up Windows XP.
If you are reinstalling Windows XP on an existing computer, you need a backup copy of your files and settings. The installation process will delete all of your files. You can use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to store your files and settings on removable media and then restore them after installation is complete.
Top of page
Installation process
Installing Windows XP can take up to two hours. To make the process more manageable, it has been broken up into several sections. When you are ready, install Windows XP:
•
Part 1: Begin the installation
•
Part 2: Continue the installation
•
Part 3: Complete the installation
Part 1: Begin the installation
1.
Insert the Windows XP CD into your computer and restart your computer.
2.
If prompted to start from the CD, press SPACEBAR. If you miss the prompt (it only appears for a few seconds), restart your computer to try again.
3.
Windows XP Setup begins. During this portion of setup, your mouse will not work, so you must use the keyboard. On the Welcome to Setup page, press ENTER.
4.
On the Windows XP Licensing Agreement page, read the licensing agreement. Press the PAGE DOWN key to scroll to the bottom of the agreement. Then press F8.
5.
This page enables you to select the hard disk drive on which Windows XP will be installed. Once you complete this step, all data on your hard disk drive will be removed and cannot be recovered. It is extremely important that you have a recent backup copy of your files before continuing. When you have a backup copy, press D, and then press L when prompted. This deletes your existing data.
6.
Press ENTER to select Unpartitioned space, which appears by default.
7.
Press ENTER again to select Format the partition using the NTFS file system, which appears by default.
8.
Windows XP erases your hard disk drive using a process called formatting and then copies the setup files. You can leave your computer and return in 20 to 30 minutes.
Part 2: Continue the installation
9.
Windows XP restarts and then continues with the installation process. From this point forward, you can use your mouse. Eventually, the Regional and Language Options page appears. Click Next to accept the default settings. If you are multilingual or prefer a language other than English, you can change language settings after setup is complete.
10.
On the Personalize Your Software page, type your name and your organization name. Some programs use this information to automatically fill in your name when required. Then, click Next.
11.
On the Your Product Key page, type your product key as it appears on your Windows XP CD case. The product key is unique for every Windows XP installation. Then, click Next.
12.
On the Computer Name and Administrator Password page, in the Computer name box, type a name that uniquely identifies your computer in your house, such as FAMILYROOM or TOMS. You cannot use spaces or punctuation. If you connect your computer to a network, you will use this computer name to find shared files and printers. Type a strong password that you can remember in the Administrator password box, and then retype it in the Confirm password box. Write the password down and store it in a secure place. Click Next.
13.
On the Date and Time Settings page, set your computer’s clock. Then, click the Time Zone down arrow, and select your time zone. Click Next.
14.
Windows XP will spend about a minute configuring your computer. On the Networking Settings page, click Next.
15.
On the Workgroup or Computer Domain page, click Next.
Part 3: Complete the installation
16.
Windows XP will spend 20 or 30 minutes configuring your computer and will automatically restart when finished. When the Display Settings dialog appears, click OK.
17.
When the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, click OK.
18.
The final stage of setup begins. On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows page, click Next.
19.
On the Help protect your PC page, click Help protect my PC by turning on Automatic Updates now. Then, click Next.
20.
Windows XP will then check if you are connected to the Internet:
•
If you are connected to the Internet, select the choice that describes your network connection on the Will this computer connect to the Internet directly, or through a network? page. If you’re not sure, accept the default selection, and click Next.
•
If you use dial-up Internet access, or if Windows XP cannot connect to the Internet, you can connect to the Internet after setup is complete. On the How will this computer connect to the Internet? page, click Skip.
21.
Windows XP Setup displays the Ready to activate Windows? page. If you are connected to the Internet, click Yes, and then click Next. If you are not yet connected to the Internet, click No, click Next, and then skip to step 24. After setup is complete, Windows XP will automatically remind you to activate and register your copy of Windows XP.
22.
On the Ready to register with Microsoft? page, click Yes, and then click Next.
23.
On the Collecting Registration Information page, complete the form. Then, click Next.
24.
On the Who will use this computer? page, type the name of each person who will use the computer. You can use first names only, nicknames, or full names. Then click Next. To add users after setup is complete or to specify a password to keep your account private, read Create and customize user accounts.
25.
On the Thank you! page, click Finish.

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Congratulations! Windows XP setup is complete. You can log on by clicking your name on the logon screen. If you’ve installed Windows XP on a new computer or new hard disk drive, you can now use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to copy your important data to your computer or hard disk drive.
After logon, take a few minutes to validate your copy of Windows. Validation gives you access to hundreds of free downloads from the Microsoft Download Center. To learn about the new features Windows XP provides, click the Start button, click All Programs, click Accessories, and then click Tour Windows XP

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vista installation

SUMMARY
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This article describes how to upgrade to Microsoft Windows Vista from an earlier version of Microsoft Windows and how to perform a clean installation of Microsoft Windows Vista. To upgrade to Windows Vista, the operating system that is currently installed on the computer must be supported in the upgrade path to Windows Vista. This article lists the operating system requirements to upgrade to Windows Vista. This article also lists some methods that you can use to troubleshoot scenarios where you receive an "Upgrade has been disabled" message when you try to upgrade to Windows Vista. Additionally, this article describes two methods that you can use to start the Setup program to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista.
Back to the top
INTRODUCTION
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This article contains information about how to upgrade to Windows Vista from an earlier version of Windows and how to perform a clean installation of Windows Vista.
Back to the top
MORE INFORMATION
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Upgrade to Windows Vista
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Important To make sure that you have the best possible experience when you upgrade to Windows Vista, follow these steps:
1.
Exit all applications that are open before you upgrade to Windows Vista. This includes browsers and media players.
2.
Make sure that you are connected to the Internet when you start the upgrade process.
3.
When you are prompted, Get important updates for installation, click Go Online.
Recommended minimum hardware requirements for Windows Vista
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To view a list of recommended minimum hardware requirements, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
919183 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919183/) System requirements for Windows Vista
Operating system requirements to upgrade to Windows Vista
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To view a list of Windows versions that can be upgraded to Windows Vista editions, see the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradepaths.mspx)
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor
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Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor provides information about hardware and application compatibility issues and makes performance recommendations. To obtain Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx)
Upgrade procedure
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To upgrade your computer to Windows Vista, follow these steps:
1.
Start the computer by using the current operating system. Verify that the Microsoft Windows operating system that is currently installed on the computer is eligible for upgrade to Windows Vista.
2.
Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive.
3.
Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate:
•
If Windows automatically detects the DVD, the Install now screen appears. Click Install now.
•
If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:
a.
Click Start, click Run, type Drive:\setup.exe, and then click OK.Note Drive is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive.
b.
Click Install now.
4.
When you reach the Which type of installation to you want? screen, click Upgrade to upgrade the current operating system to Windows Vista.
The Upgrade option is unavailable, and you receive an "Upgrade has been disabled" message
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When you try to upgrade to Windows Vista, the Upgrade option is unavailable. Additionally, you receive the following message:
Upgrade has been disabledThis issue may occur if one of the following conditions is true:
•
The operating system that is currently installed on the computer is not supported in the upgrade path to Windows Vista.
•
You did not start the computer by using the current operating system. Instead, you started the computer from the Windows Vista DVD. To resolve this issue, start the computer by using the current operating system, and then run the Setup program from the current operating system.
•
The operating system is installed to a partition that uses the FAT32 file system. To resolve this issue, convert the file system on the partition to use the NTFS file system. For more information about how to resolve this issue, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307881 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881/) How to convert a FAT16 volume or a FAT32 volume to an NTFS file system in Windows XP
•
The partition on which you want to upgrade to Windows Vista has insufficient free hard disk space. To resolve this issue, free additional space on the hard disk. For more information about how to use the Disk Cleanup tool to free hard disk space, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310312 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312/) Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
Back to the top
Perform a clean installation of Windows Vista
loadTOCNode(2, 'summary');
Warning In a clean installation, existing data is removed. This data includes personal data and settings. After you install the operating system, you must also reinstall all programs. Make sure that you back up personal data before you perform a clean installation. To perform a clean installation of Windows Vista, use one of the following methods.
Back to the top
Method 1: Run the Setup program after you start the computer by using the current operating system
loadTOCNode(2, 'summary');

====================================================================

windows 2000
1.
Start the computer by using the current operating system.
2.
Insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive.
3.
Use one of the following procedures, as appropriate:
•
If Windows automatically detects the DVD, the Install now screen appears. Click Install now.
•
If Windows does not automatically detect the DVD, follow these steps:
a.
Click Start, click Run, type Drive:\setup.exe, and then click OK. Note Drive is the drive letter of the computer's DVD drive.
b.
Click Install now.
4.
When you reach the Which type of installation do you want? screen, click Custom (advanced), and then follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to install Windows Vista.
Back to the top
Method 2: Run the Setup program after you start the computer by using the Windows Vista DVD
loadTOCNode(2, 'summary');
1.
Start the computer by using the Windows Vista DVD. To do this, insert the Windows Vista DVD in the computer's DVD drive, and then restart the computer. Note To start the computer from the Windows Vista DVD, the computer must be configured to start from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure the computer to start from the DVD drive, see the documentation that is included with the computer, or contact the computer manufacturer.
2.
When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message is displayed on the screen, press a key.
3.
Follow the instructions that are displayed on the screen to install Windows Vista.

Installing Windows 2000 Professional
loadTOCNode(2, 'summary');
To install Windows 2000 Professional, follow these steps:
1.
Start the installation by using one of the following methods:
•
Start from the Windows 2000 Professional installation CD-ROM. Make sure that the CD-ROM is set to start before the hard disk starts. Insert the CD-ROM, and then when you are prompted, press any key to start the Windows 2000 Professional Setup program.
•
Start from boot disks. Insert Disk 1, and then insert each of the remaining three floppy disks when you are prompted to do so. For additional information about creating boot disks for Windows 2000, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
197063 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197063/EN-US/) How to Create Setup Boot Disks for Windows 2000
•
Start from within a current operating system. Insert the CD-ROM, and then, at a command prompt, type drive:\i386\winnt32.exe and then press ENTER, or if this is an installation on a computer that has no previous installation of Windows, type drive:\i386\winnt.exe and then press ENTER, where drive is the letter of the CD-ROM drive.
2.
Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to install the Setup and driver files. When the Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional.
3.
Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of the license agreement and continue the installation.
4.
When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, either press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional on the selected partition, or press C to create a partition in the unpartitioned space.
5.
If you choose to install Windows 2000 Professional on a file allocation table (FAT) partition, specify whether you want to:
•
Leave the current file system intact.
•
Format the partition as FAT16.
•
Convert the existing file system to the NTFS file system.
•
Format the partition by using the NTFS file system.Press ENTER after you make your selection. Setup examines the existing hard disks and then copies the files that are needed to complete the installation of Windows 2000 Professional. After the files are copied, the computer restarts.Important Do not press a key to boot from your CD-ROM drive when your computer restarts.
6.
When the Windows 2000 GUI Mode Setup Wizard appears, click Next to start the wizard. Setup detects and installs such devices as a specialized mouse or keyboard.
7.
When the Regional Options dialog box appears, customize your installation of Windows 2000 Professional for locale, number format, currency, time, date, and language, if necessary. Click Next.
8.
In the Personalize Your Software dialog box, type your name and the name of your organization, and then click Next.
9.
In the Product ID dialog box, type the 25-character product key, and then click Next.
10.
In the Computer Name and Password dialog box, either accept the default name that Setup generates or assign a different name for the computer. When you are prompted for an administrative password, type a password for the Administrator account. (You can leave the box blank; however, this is not recommended.) Click Next.
11.
In the Date and Time Settings dialog box, set the correct date and time for your computer. You can also specify which time zone you are in and set the computer to automatically adjust the clock for daylight saving time. Click Next.
12.
Setup installs the networking software and detects your network settings. When the Network Settings dialog box appears, click either
•
Typical to set default network settings such as File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks, Client for Microsoft Networks, and TCP/IP protocol that uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), or
•
Custom to specify the network components that you require for your network environment,and then click Next.
13.
In the Workgroup or Computer Domain dialog box, specify the workgroup or the domain to join. If you indicate that you are part of a domain, specify your domain user name and password. Click Next.Setup installs the networking components.
14.
During the final stage of installation, Setup installs Start menu items, registers components, saves settings, and removes temporary files. When the Completing the Windows 2000 Setup Wizard dialog box prompts you to do so, remove the Windows 2000 CD-ROM, and then click Finish to restart the computer.
15.
After the computer restarts, click Next in the Welcome to the Network Identification Wizard dialog box.
16.
In the Users of This Computer dialog box, specify either that users must enter a user name and password or that you want Windows 2000 to automatically log on a specific user when the computer starts. Click Finish.When the Windows 2000 Professional desktop appears, the installation is complete.

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windows 98

Before Purchasing Windows 98
loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation');
Before you purchase Windows 98, make sure that your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements for running Windows 98. The minimum hardware requirements include:
•
486DX 66 megahertz (MHz) or faster processor (Pentium recommended)
•
16 megabytes (MBs) of memory (24 MB recommended)
•
120 MB of free hard disk space (typical installation requires approximately 195 MB of free hard disk space, but the required space may vary from 120 MB to 295 MB, depending on your computer's configuration and the options that you choose to install)
•
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
•
3.5-inch high-density floppy disk drive
•
Video adapter and monitor that support video graphics adapter (VGA) or higher resolution
•
Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device For additional information about the minimum hardware requirements forWindows 98, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
182751 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/182751/EN-US/) Minimum Hardware Requirements for Windows 98 Installation Although Windows 98 includes more than 1,200 new drivers, not all third-party manufacturers' hardware drivers are compatible with Windows 98. Some older computers or devices may require an updated basic input/output system (BIOS) or device driver to fully support Windows 98. For information about compatibility with specific hardware, contact the manufacturer of your specific hardware, or click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
131900 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/131900/EN-US/) Windows Hardware Compatibility List The Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) contains a list of computer systems and peripherals that have been tested and found to run Windows. For additional information about your specific computer or device, or to identify known incompatibilities or possible workarounds, please check with the manufacturer of your computer or device. You can use the Windows 98 Upgrade version to upgrade Microsoft Windows version 3.1x, Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.1x, or Microsoft Windows 95 or later to Windows 98. If Windows 3.1x, Windows for Workgroups 3.1x, or Windows 95 is not currently installed, you can use the Windows 98 Upgrade Setup program to install Windows 98 if you can provide the disks or CD-ROM from an earlier version of Windows to confirm your eligibility for the upgrade. Because the Windows 98 Upgrade version does not include a Startup disk, you must be able to start from the computer's hard disk to install the Windows 98 Upgrade. To install the non-upgrade version of Windows 98, you do not need an earlier version of Windows or MS-DOS. Because the non-upgrade version of Windows 98 includes a Startup disk, you do not need to be able to start from the computer's hard disk.
Back to the top
Before Installing Windows 98
loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation');
Before you upgrade your existing version of Windows to Windows 98, perform the following steps:
•
Read the Setup.txt file in the Win98 folder on the Windows 98 CD-ROM, and perform any additional preinstallation steps as suggested. To read the Windows 98 Setup.txt file online, click Windows 98 Setup.txt on the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880)
•
Make sure that your computer is not infected with a virus. To do so, run an antivirus program that has the latest virus signatures and allow the program to remove any viruses that it finds.
•
Disable any programs that run automatically, including antivirus programs, screen savers, and system utilities. After Setup is finished, you can re-enable these programs.
•
Uninstall any utilities or tools that protect or encrypt the master boot record (MBR) or partition table (for example, uninstall the Bootlock utility that is included with Symantec Norton Your Eyes Only). Make sure that you check with the software manufacturer before you reinstall the program to make sure that the version that you want to install is compatible with Windows 98.
•
Back up all critical data on your hard disk. Although it is unlikely that you will encounter a serious problem when you install Windows 98, it is always a good idea to perform a complete system backup before you install a new operating system. When you upgrade your computer's operating system, an error might occur (such as a problem that is the result of incompatible hardware or a power failure) that could temporarily or permanently prevent you from gaining access to the data on your hard disk.
Back to the top
Installing Windows 98
loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation');
If you want to install Windows 98 on a computer that does not have an installed operating system, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
221829 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/221829/EN-US/) How to Install Windows 98 on a Computer with No Operating System If you are upgrading Windows 95, start Windows 95, and then insert the Windows 98 CD-ROM. Follow the instructions on your screen to install Windows 98. If you are not upgrading Windows 95, see the appropriate section of the Windows 98 Setup.txt file for specific installation instructions. To read the Windows 98 Setup.txt file online, click Windows 98 Setup.txt on the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880)NOTE: When Setup prompts you to make a new Startup disk for Windows 98, be sure to do so. See the Setup.txt file for additional information about creating a Windows 98 Startup disk.
Back to the top
Common Windows 98 Setup Issues
loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation');
For information about known Setup issues, please view the Setup.txt file, or click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
232142 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/232142/EN-US/) Troubleshooting 'Invalid Product Key' Error Message During Setup
225252 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/225252/EN-US/) Error Message: Your Computer Already Has an Operating System Installed, Which Cannot Be Upgraded by...
140901 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/140901/EN-US/) Err Msg: Could Not Decode This Setup (.cab) File...
128730 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/128730/EN-US/) Error Message 'Invalid System Disk' After Setup Reboots
129971 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/129971/EN-US/) "SU" Error Message List for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me Setup
162453 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/162453/EN-US/) OEM Product ID Not Accepted During Reinstallation For information about running Setup from a command prompt, please see the "Installing Windows 98 from MS-DOS" section of the Windows 98 Setup.txt file on the following Microsoft Web site:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;234880)

...windows installations and procedures...

2007-12-02T22:10:00.000-08:00

How to install the Recovery ConsoleloadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation');

You can install the Recovery Console on your computer to make it available if you cannot restart Windows. You can then select the Recovery Console option from the list of available operating systems during startup. Install the Recovery Console on important servers and on the workstations of IT personnel. This article describes how to install the Recovery Console to your Microsoft Windows XP-based computer. To install the Recovery Console, you must be logged on as an administrator.Although you can run the Recovery Console by starting directly from the Windows XP CD, it is generally more convenient to set it up as a startup option on your startup menu. To run the Recover Console directly from the CD, see the "How to use the Recovery Console" section.To install the Recovery Console, follow these steps:
1.
Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive.
2.
Click Start, and then click Run.
3.
In the Open box, type d:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons where d is the drive letter for the CD-ROM drive.
4.
A Windows Setup Dialog Box appears. The Windows Setup Dialog Box describes the Recovery Console option. To confirm the installation, click Yes.
5.
Restart the computer. The next time that you start your computer, "Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" appears on the startup menu.Alternatively, you can use a Universal Naming Convention (UNC)-established connection to install the Recovery Console from a network share point. Note You may receive an error message that is similar the following:
Setup cannot continue because the version of Windows on your computer is newer than the version on the CD.If this problem occurs, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
898594 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/898594/) You receive an error message if you try to install the Recovery Console on a Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2-based computer

How to use the Recovery

You can enable and disable services, format drives, read and write data on a local drive (including drives that are formatted to use the NTFS file system), and perform many other administrative tasks. The Recovery Console is particularly useful if you have to repair your computer by copying a file from a disk or CD-ROM to your hard disk, or if you have to reconfigure a service that is preventing your computer from starting correctly. If you cannot start your computer, you can run the Recovery Console from the Microsoft Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM. This article describes how to perform this task. After Windows XP is installed on your computer, to start the computer and use the Recovery Console you require the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM.For more information about how to create Startup disks for Windows XP (they are not included with Windows XP), click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310994 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/) Obtaining Windows XP Setup boot disks Note To start the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, you must configure the basic input/output system (BIOS) of the computer to start from your CD-ROM drive. To run the Recovery Console from the Windows XP startup disks or the Windows XP CD-ROM, follow these steps:
1.
Insert the Windows XP startup disk into the floppy disk drive, or insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer. Click to select any options that are required to start the computer from the CD-ROM drive if you are prompted.
2.
When the "Welcome to Setup" screen appears, press R to start the Recovery Console.
3.
If you have a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select the installation that you must access from the Recovery Console.
4.
When you are prompted, type the Administrator password. If the administrator password is blank, just press ENTER.
5.
At the command prompt, type the appropriate commands to diagnose and repair your Windows XP installation. For a list of commands that are available in Recovery Console, type recovery console commands or help at the command prompt, and then press ENTER. For information about a specific command, type help commandname at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.
6.
To exit the Recovery Console and restart the computer, type exit at the command prompt, and then press ENTER.

How to use the Recovery Console command prompt
loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation');

When you use the Recovery Console, you are working at a special command prompt instead of the ordinary Windows command prompt. The Recovery Console has its own command interpreter. To enter this command interpreter, you are prompted by Recovery Console to type the local Administrator password.When the Recovery Console starts, you can press F6 to install a third-party SCSI or RAID driver, in case you need such a driver to access the hard disk. This prompt works the same as it does during installation of the operating system.The Recovery Console takes several seconds to start. When the Recovery Console menu appears, a numbered list of the Windows installations on the computer appears. (Generally, only c:\Windows exists.) Press a number before you press ENTER, even when only one entry appears. If you press ENTER without selecting a number, the computer restarts and begins the process again.When you see the prompt for %SystemRoot% (generally C:\Windows), you can start using the available commands for the Recovery Console.
Command actions

The following list describes the available commands for the Recovery Console:
•
Attrib changes attributes on one file or subdirectory.
•
Batch executes commands that you specify in the text file, Inputfile. Outputfile holds the output of the commands. If you omit the Outputfile parameter, output appears on the screen.
•
Bootcfg modifies the Boot.ini file for boot configuration and recovery.
•
CD (Chdir) operates only in the system directories of the current Windows installation, removable media, the root directory of any hard disk partition, or the local installation sources.
•
Chkdsk The /p switch runs Chkdsk even if the drive is not flagged as dirty. The /r switch locates bad sectors and recovers readable information. This switch implies /p. Chkdsk requires Autochk. Chkdsk automatically looks for Autochk.exe in the startup folder. If Chkdsk cannot find the file in the startup folder, it looks for the Windows 2000 Setup CD-ROM. If Chkdsk cannot find the installation CD-ROM, Chkdsk prompts the user for the location of Autochk.exe.
•
Cls clears the screen.
•
Copy copies one file to a target location. By default, the target cannot be removable media, and you cannot use wildcard characters. Copying a compressed file from the Windows 2000 Setup CD-ROM automatically decompresses the file.
•
Del (Delete) deletes one file. Operates within the system directories of the current Windows installation, removable media, the root directory of any hard disk partition, or the local installation sources. By default, you cannot use wildcard characters.
•
Dir displays a list of all files, including hidden and system files.
•
Disable disables a Windows system service or driver. The variable service_or_driver is the name of the service or driver that you want to disable. When you use this command to disable a service, the command displays the service's original startup type before it changes the type to SERVICE_DISABLED. Note the original startup type so that you can use the enable command to restart the service.
•
Diskpart manages partitions on hard disk volumes. The /add option creates a new partition. The /delete option deletes an existing partition. The variable device is the device name for a new partition (such as \device\harddisk0). The variable drive is the drive letter for a partition that you are deleting (for example, D). Partition is the partition-based name for a partition that you are deleting, (for example: \device\harddisk0\partition1) and can be used instead of the drive variable. The variable size is the size, in megabytes, of a new partition.
•
Enable enables a Windows system service or driver. The variable service_or_driver is the name of the service or driver that you want to enable, and start_type is the startup type for an enabled service. The startup type uses one of the following formats:
SERVICE_BOOT_STARTSERVICE_SYSTEM_STARTSERVICE_AUTO_STARTSERVICE_DEMAND_START
•
Exit quits the Recovery Console, and then restarts the computer.
•
Expand expands a compressed file. The variable source is the file that you want to expand. By default, you cannot use wildcard characters. The variable destination is the directory for the new file. By default, the destination cannot be removable media and cannot be read-only. You can use the attrib command to remove the read-only attribute from the destination directory. The option /f:filespec is required if the source contains more than one file. This option permits wildcard characters. The /y switch disables the overwrite confirmation prompt. The /d switch specifies that the files will not be expanded and displays a directory of the files in the source.
•
Fixboot writes a new startup sector on the system partition.
•
Fixmbr repairs the startup partition's master boot code. The variable device is an optional name that specifies the device that requires a new Master Boot Record. Omit this variable when the target is the startup device.
•
Format formats a disk. The /q switch performs a quick format. The /fs switch specifies the file system.
•
Help If you do not use the command variable to specify a command, help lists all the commands that the Recovery Console supports.
•
Listsvc displays all available services and drivers on the computer.
•
Logon displays detected installations of Windows and requests the local Administrator password for those installations. Use this command to move to another installation or subdirectory.
•
Map displays currently active device mappings. Include the arc option to specify the use of Advanced RISC Computing (ARC) paths (the format for Boot.ini) instead of Windows device paths.
•
MD (Mkdir) operates only within the system directories of the current Windows installation, removable media, the root directory of any hard disk partition, or the local installation sources.
•
More/Type displays the specified text file on screen.
•
Rd (Rmdir) operates only within the system directories of the current Windows installation, removable media, the root directory of any hard disk partition, or the local installation sources.
•
Ren (Rename) operates only within the system directories of the current Windows installation, removable media, the root directory of any hard disk partition, or the local installation sources. You cannot specify a new drive or path as the target.
•
Set displays and sets the Recovery Console environment variables.
•

Systemroot sets the current directory to %SystemRoot%.

Several environment rules are in effect while you are working in the Recovery Console. Type set to see the current environment. By default, these are the rules:
•
AllowAllPaths = FALSE prevents access to directories and subdirectories outside the system installation that you selected when you entered the Recovery Console.
•
AllowRemovableMedia = FALSE prevents access to removable media as a target for copied files.
•
AllowWildCards = FALSE prevents wildcard support for commands such as copy and del.
•
NoCopyPrompt = FALSE means that you are prompted by the Recovery Console for confirmation when overwriting an existing file.

How to delete the Recovery Console
To delete the Recovery Console:

1.
Restart your computer, click Start, click My Computer, and then double-click the hard disk where you installed the Recovery Console.
2.
On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, and then click the View tab.
3.
Click Show hidden files and folders, click to clear the Hide protected operating system files check box, and then click OK.
4.
At the root folder, delete the Cmdcons folder and the Cmldr file.
5.
At the root folder, right-click the Boot.ini file, and then click Properties.
6.
Click to clear the Read-only check box, and then click OK.Warning: Modifying the Boot.ini file incorrectly may prevent your computer from restarting. Make sure that you delete only the entry for the Recovery Console. Also, change the attribute for the Boot.ini file back to a read-only state after you finish this procedure. Open the Boot.ini file in Microsoft Windows Notepad, and remove the entry for the Recovery Console. It looks similar to this:
C:\cmdcons\bootsect.dat="Microsoft Windows Recovery Console" /cmdcons
7.
Save the file and close it.

How to install Recovery Console during an unattended installation

To install the Recovery Console during the unattended installation of Windows, you must use the [GuiRunOnce] section of the unattend.txt file.
Command1="path\winnt32 /cmdcons /unattend" For more information about how to use the Unattend.txt file, see the Deployment Planning Guide of the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit.

windows installations and procedures

2007-12-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

list of operating systems

2007-11-20T19:30:00.000-08:00

APPLE SOS

SOS /sɔːs/, which stands for the Sophisticated Operating System, was the computer operating system released in 1980 that was used by the ill-fated Apple III computer. Despite the failure of the Apple III, SOS was a very forward-thinking operating system in many ways and its features influenced the design of ProDOS that was later released for the Apple //e and later Apple II computers. The SOS file system also heavily influenced the design of the Macintosh Hierarchical File System.
The main interaction with SOS was through the Apple /// System Utilities program. The System Utilities program had three main sections: the Device handling commands section, the File handling commands section, and the System Configuration Program (SCP). The additional benefit of SOS over older Apple DOS versions was the ability to use device drivers to support devices such as hard disk drives and RAM drives in addition to 5.25-inch floppy disk drives.
In spite of SOS's advantages, it wasn't natively backward compatible with DOS 3.2 and DOS 3.3, which most Apple II software used at the time. Many average computer users also weren't ready in 1980 for an operating system with the capabilities and flexible configuration options that SOS offered, especially with the Apple III's bad reputation due to poor engineering and its high retail price near $4,000 (£2,420). The IBM PC, released in 1981 at a lower price than the Apple III, sealed the fate of both the computer and its SOS operating system.SOS /sɔːs/, which stands for the Sophisticated Operating System, was the computer operating system released in 1980 that was used by the ill-fated Apple III computer. Despite the failure of the Apple III, SOS was a very forward-thinking operating system in many ways and its features influenced the design of ProDOS that was later released for the Apple //e and later Apple II computers. The SOS file system also heavily influenced the design of the Macintosh Hierarchical File System.
The main interaction with SOS was through the Apple /// System Utilities program. The System Utilities program had three main sections: the Device handling commands section, the File handling commands section, and the System Configuration Program (SCP). The additional benefit of SOS over older Apple DOS versions was the ability to use device drivers to support devices such as hard disk drives and RAM drives in addition to 5.25-inch floppy disk drives.
In spite of SOS's advantages, it wasn't natively backward compatible with DOS 3.2 and DOS 3.3, which most Apple II software used at the time. Many average computer users also weren't ready in 1980 for an operating system with the capabilities and flexible configuration options that SOS offered, especially with the Apple III's bad reputation due to poor engineering and its high retail price near $4,000 (£2,420). The IBM PC, released in 1981 at a lower price than the Apple III, sealed the fate of both the computer and its SOS operating system.

list of operating system

2007-11-20T19:28:00.000-08:00

List of windows

2007-11-19T00:06:00.000-08:00

Windows Vista
(IPA: /ˈvɪs.tə/) is a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, Tablet PCs, and media centers. Prior to its announcement on July 22, 2005, Windows Vista was known by its codename "Longhorn".[1] Development was completed on November 8, 2006; over the following three months it was released in stages to computer hardware and software manufacturers, business customers, and retail channels. On January 30, 2007, it was released worldwide to the general public,[2] and was made available for purchase and downloading from Microsoft's web site.[3] The release of Windows Vista comes more than five years after the introduction of its predecessor, Windows XP, making it the longest time span between two releases of Microsoft Windows.
Windows Vista contains hundreds of new and reworked features; some of the most significant include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between machines on a home network using peer-to-peer technology, making it easier to share files and digital media between computers and devices. For developers, Vista includes version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, which aims to make it significantly easier for developers to write applications than with the traditional Windows API.
Microsoft's primary stated objective with Windows Vista, however, has been to improve the state of security in the Windows operating system.[4] One common criticism of Windows XP and its predecessors has been their commonly exploited security vulnerabilities and overall susceptibility to malware, viruses and buffer overflows. In light of this, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates announced in early 2002 a company-wide "Trustworthy Computing initiative" which aims to incorporate security work into every aspect of software development at the company. Microsoft stated that it prioritized improving the security of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 above finishing Windows Vista, thus delaying its completion.[5]
Windows Vista is the target of a number of negative assessments by various groups. Criticisms of Windows Vista include protracted development time, more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of new Digital Rights Management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected digital media, lack of device drivers for some hardware, and the usability of other new features such as User Account Control.

Windows Server 2003
is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. Introduced on April 24, 2003 as the successor to Windows 2000 Server, it is considered by Microsoft to be the cornerstone of their Windows Server System line of business server products.
According to Microsoft, Windows Server 2003 is more scalable and delivers better performance than its predecessor, Windows 2000.[1]Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft.
Introduced on April 24, 2003 as the successor to Windows 2000 Server, it is considered by Microsoft to be the cornerstone of their Windows Server System line of business server products.
According to Microsoft, Windows Server 2003 is more scalable and delivers better performance than its predecessor, Windows 2000.[1]
Windows XP Embedded, or XPe,
is the componentized version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional and the successor to Windows NT 4.0 Embedded. XPe is based on the same binaries as XP Professional, but XPe is marketed towards developers for OEMs, ISVs and IHVs that want the full Win32 API support of Windows but without the overhead of Professional. It runs existing Windows applications and device drivers off-the-shelf on devices with at least 32MB Compact Flash, 32MB RAM and a P-200 microprocessor. XPe was released on November 28, 2001. As of February 2007, the newest release is Windows XP Embedded SP2 Feature Pack 2007.
XPe is not related to Windows CE. They target different devices and they each have their pros and cons which make them attractive to different OEMs for different types of devices. For instance, XPe will never get down to the small footprint that CE works in. However, CE does not have the Win32 APIs XPe has (although CE has an API that is similar to the Win32 API), nor can it run the tens of thousands of drivers and applications that already exist.Windows XP Embedded, or XPe, is the componentized version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional and the successor to Windows NT 4.0 Embedded. XPe is based on the same binaries as XP Professional, but XPe is marketed towards developers for OEMs, ISVs and IHVs that want the full Win32 API support of Windows but without the overhead of Professional. It runs existing Windows applications and device drivers off-the-shelf on devices with at least 32MB Compact Flash, 32MB RAM and a P-200 microprocessor. XPe was released on November 28, 2001. As of February 2007, the newest release is Windows XP Embedded SP2 Feature Pack 2007.
XPe is not related to Windows CE. They target different devices and they each have their pros and cons which make them attractive to different OEMs for different types of devices. For instance, XPe will never get down to the small footprint that CE works in. However, CE does not have the Win32 APIs XPe has (although CE has an API that is similar to the Win32 API), nor can it run the tens of thousands of drivers and applications that already exist.

Windows XP

is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. The letters "XP" stand for eXPerience.[2] It was codenamed "Whistler", after Whistler, British Columbia, as many Microsoft employees skied at the Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort during its development. Windows XP is the successor to both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows Me, and is the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel and architecture. Windows XP was first released on October 25, 2001, and over 400 million copies were in use in January 2006, according to an estimate in that month by an IDC analyst.[3] It is succeeded by Windows Vista, which was released to volume license customers on November 8, 2006, and worldwide to the general public on January 30, 2007.
The most common editions of the operating system are Windows XP Home Edition, which is targeted at home users, and Windows XP Professional, which has additional features such as support for Windows Server domains and two physical processors, and is targeted at power users and business clients. Windows XP Media Center Edition has additional multimedia features enhancing the ability to record and watch TV shows, view DVD movies, and listen to music. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is designed to run the ink-aware Tablet PC platform. Two separate 64-bit versions of Windows XP were also released, Windows XP 64-bit Edition for IA-64 (Itanium) processors and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition for x86-64.
Windows XP is known for its improved stability and efficiency over the 9x versions of Microsoft Windows. It presents a significantly redesigned graphical user interface, a change Microsoft promoted as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows. New software management capabilities were introduced to avoid the "DLL hell" that plagued older consumer-oriented 9x versions of Windows. It is also the first version of Windows to use product activation to combat software piracy, a restriction that did not sit well with some users and privacy advocates. Windows XP has also been criticized by some users for security vulnerabilities, tight integration of applications such as Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, and for aspects of its default user interface.
Windows XP had been in development since early 1999, when Microsoft started working on Windows Neptune, an operating system intended to be the "Home Edition" equivalent to Windows 2000 Professional. It was eventually merged into the Whistler project, which later became Windows XP.Windows XP is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. The letters "XP" stand for eXPerience.[2] It was codenamed "Whistler", after Whistler, British Columbia, as many Microsoft employees skied at the Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort during its development. Windows XP is the successor to both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows Me, and is the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel and architecture. Windows XP was first released on October 25, 2001, and over 400 million copies were in use in January 2006, according to an estimate in that month by an IDC analyst.[3] It is succeeded by Windows Vista, which was released to volume license customers on November 8, 2006, and worldwide to the general public on January 30, 2007.
The most common editions of the operating system are Windows XP Home Edition, which is targeted at home users, and Windows XP Professional, which has additional features such as support for Windows Server domains and two physical processors, and is targeted at power users and business clients. Windows XP Media Center Edition has additional multimedia features enhancing the ability to record and watch TV shows, view DVD movies, and listen to music. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is designed to run the ink-aware Tablet PC platform. Two separate 64-bit versions of Windows XP were also released, Windows XP 64-bit Edition for IA-64 (Itanium) processors and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition for x86-64.
Windows XP is known for its improved stability and efficiency over the 9x versions of Microsoft Windows. It presents a significantly redesigned graphical user interface, a change Microsoft promoted as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows. New software management capabilities were introduced to avoid the "DLL hell" that plagued older consumer-oriented 9x versions of Windows. It is also the first version of Windows to use product activation to combat software piracy, a restriction that did not sit well with some users and privacy advocates. Windows XP has also been criticized by some users for security vulnerabilities, tight integration of applications such as Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player, and for aspects of its default user interface.
Windows XP had been in development since early 1999, when Microsoft started working on Windows Neptune, an operating system intended to be the "Home Edition" equivalent to Windows 2000 Professional. It was eventually merged into the Whistler project, which later became Windows XP.
Windows Home Server

is a home server operating system from Microsoft. Announced on January 7, 2007 at the Consumer Electronics Show by Bill Gates, Windows Home Server is intended to be a solution for homes with multiple connected PCs to offer file sharing, automated backups, and remote access.[1][2] It is based on Windows Server 2003 SP2.[3]
Windows Home Server was released to manufacturing on July 16, 2007.

Windows Server 2008

is the next server operating system from Microsoft. It is the successor to Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2008 introduces most of the new features from Windows Vista to Windows Server. This is a similar relationship to that between Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP.
It was known as Windows Server Codename "Longhorn" until May 16, 2007, when Bill Gates announced its official title during his keynote address at WinHEC.[1]
Beta 1 was released on July 27, 2005. Beta 2 was announced and released on May 23, 2006 at WinHEC 2006, Beta 3 was released publicly on April 25, 2007 [2] and Release Candidate 0 was released to the general public on September 24, 2007 [3]. Windows Server 2008 will be released to manufacturing in the first quarter of 2008 with the official launch taking place on February 27, 2008.[4]

Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs

("WinFLP") is an operating system from Microsoft, based on Windows XP, but optimized for older, less powerful hardware. It was released on July 8, 2006.Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs ("WinFLP") is an operating system from Microsoft, based on Windows XP, but optimized for older, less powerful hardware. It was released on July 8, 2006.

latest slots

2007-11-13T21:26:00.000-08:00

Gambling is about entertainment and firing the imagination. That's why the people who make slot machines and table games are always coming up with new ways to stimulate our interest. They've been pretty successful in the past with the likes of Wheel of Fortune, Double Diamonds, Three Card Poker, and Bejeweled. But they aren't resting on their laurels. New slots and table games variations are being introduced a fast clip. Keep up with the latest games here at ReadyBetGo.

latest mother board

2007-11-13T21:17:00.000-08:00

The main circuit board of a microcomputer. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards. Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard, and disk drive. Collectively, all these chips that reside on the motherboard are known as the motherboard's chipset.
On most PCs, it is possible to add memory chips directly to the motherboard. You may also be able to upgrade to a faster PC by replacing the CPU chip. To add additional core features, you may need to replace the motherboard entirely.

Motherboard is sometimes abbreviated as mobo.

latest cpu

2007-11-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

Abbreviation of central processing unit, and pronounced as separate letters. The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system.
On large machines, CPUs require one or more printed circuit boards. On personal computers and small workstations, the CPU is housed in a single chip called a microprocessor.
Two typical components of a CPU are:
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.
The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.

2007-11-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

Infineon unveil latest memory developments
Infineon Technologies has announced a number of successes from its memory development division that will see four high capacity, second generation additions to the company’s memory product stable.
Firstly, the company has released engineering samples of a 1 GB (gigabyte) DDR SO-DIMM intended for high-end notebook and laptop PCs. The module uses eight 1-Gb (gigabit) components that are built using dual 512-Mb (megabit) dies in a single package. Infineon claim the packaging enables the early adoption of 1-Gb DDR-I components compliant with the JEDEC PC2100 standard form factor. It uses a 200 pin connector, operates at 2.5 V and is organized in two 128-Mb by 64 banks.
The 512-Mb density extends to Infineon’s Mobile-RAM family, which also includes 128-Mb and 256-Mb components. With footprint and stand-by power consumption that are both 50 percent lower than conventional DRAM, Mobile-RAM is ideally suited for use as main memory in handheld electronics devices, such as PDAs, smart phones and digital cameras. Mobile-RAM operates at 2.5 V, rather than the 3.3 V of conventional SDRAM, and features reduced power consumption due to several integrated power management techniques.
Infineon has also begun qualification of 512-Mb DDR2 (second-generation Double-Data-Rate) SDRAM. Targeted for use in high-end servers, workstations and notebooks, DDR2 memory will initially offer data rates per pin of 400-Mbps (megabits per second), 533-Mbps and 667-Mbps. Modules designed using the 533-Mbps data rate, for example, would have a bandwidth of 4.3-GB/s (gigabytes per second). The JEDEC compliant, 512-Mb DDR2 chips, manufactured using Infineon’s 110 nm DRAM process technology, are configured as quad-bank DRAMs, and will be available in four-way, eight-way and 16-way organizations. Additional features of the new components include a pre-fetch size of 4-bits, differential strobe and variable data-output impedance adjustment.
And finally, with production volume of 256-Mb Reduced Latency DRAM (RLDRAM) now available, Infineon has claimed designers of networking equipment that support data rates of 10 to 40-Gbps can optimise systems for data packet buffering, IP address look-up and fast cache applications. RLDRAM allows what the company calls “ultra fast random access”, with row cycle times in the order of 25 ns, making it a potential reduced cost replacement for SRAM components.
Infineon expect the new devices to appear in end-user systems by 2004.

latest processor

2007-11-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

A processor is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic instructions that drive a computer.
The term processor has generally replaced the term central processing unit (CPU). The processor in a personal computer or embedded in small devices is often called a microprocessor.