Archive for July, 2004

The Road to Windows “Longhorn”

What we know about the next version of Windows

If you’re a Net junkie like me, you’ve probably seen screenshots that reportedly expose upcoming user interfaces for the next two versions of Windows (code-named “Longhorn” and “Blackcomb”). You might have heard of internal alpha builds of either OS, and maybe, just maybe, you’ve seen the infamous Blackcomb movie that’s making the rounds as well. I’ve spent the past few months investigating all of these things, and after speaking with several Microsofties and uncovering the truth behind the wild stuff that’s available on the Internet, I thought I’d provide a little heads-up on what’s really going on with the next version of Windows.

Chances are, everything you know is wrong. But I do know this: As of this date–mid-January 2002–every single screenshot you’ve seen that purports to be Longhorn or Blackcomb is either fake or actually shows something other than those OSes. Every single one. And there are no builds of Blackcomb floating around, internal or otherwise.

Microsoft is indeed working on future versions of Windows and accompanying technologies such as Digital Media 9 (“Corona”), “Mira,” and “Freestyle” (see my related showcase about Freestyle and Mira). These technologies will all ship separately, while other technologies (such as the next version of Windows Movie Maker and DVD burning capabilities) won’t see the light of day until Longhorn ships in 2003. There are so many groups working on Windows-related technologies these days, in fact, that it’s hard to keep up.

So let’s start with an obvious target: That intriguing “Blackcomb” video and the screenshot fakes that appeared as a result.

Click here for more.

XP successor Longhorn goes SQL, P2P – Microsoft leaks

Sources close to Microsoft confirm that The Beast is set to include a new relational file store at the core of its next version of Windows. Some roadmap slippage has apparently occurred, too, as the database core will be introduced into Longhorn, and Blackcomb has been pushed further back. That leaves a gap for a point revision of XP next year, although there’s no sign of this on the roadmap just yet. Despite the annual revisions being named as users’ number one bugbear, Microsoft hasn’t let a year go by without releasing a new version of Windows since 1997, when it was fighting the browser wars.

The final feature set for Longhorn – the codename for the successor to Windows XP – hasn’t been nailed down yet, and the database core had been rumored for inclusion in Blackcomb, the next Windows after Longhorn.

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Windows XP Security Patch: Unchecked Buffer in UPnP can lead to system compromise

This update resolves the ?Unchecked Buffer in Universal Plug and Play Can Lead to System Compromise? security vulnerability in Windows XP. Download now to prevent a malicious user from compromising your computer, or using it to interfere with another computer’s operation. The vulnerability results because the Windows XP Universal Plug and Play feature does not correctly validate inputs before using them. The patch also eliminates the vulnerability discussed in Microsoft Security Bulletin MS01-054.

For More Information – Click here.

Introduction to WindowsXP and Windows .NET Server

Want to know the differences between Windows XP’s Consumer Edition and the Professional Edition? This session looks at the Windows XP product range with a view to revealing what is new in the system. It will also review the extensions on functionality from Windows 2000 and integration with the Windows family of operating systems.

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The Inside Scoop on WindowsXP

Browse the documentation to get a head start on WindowsXP. Be ready when your users, your clients, and your friends come to you with questions. Or find the real goods in the WindowsXP Professional Resource Kit: deployment guidance, networking advice, and troubleshooting information ? great info for folks supporting or deploying the product.

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Unlocking WinXP’s setupp.ini

WinXP’s setupp.ini controls how the CD acts. IE is it an OEM version or retail? First, find your setupp.ini file in the i386 directory on your WinXP CD. Open it up, it’ll look something like this:

ExtraData=707A667567736F696F697911AE7E05
Pid=55034000

The Pid value is what we’re interested in. What’s there now looks like a standard default. There are special numbers that determine if it’s a retail, oem, or volume license edition. First, we break down that number into two parts. The first five digits determines how the CD will behave, ie is it a retail cd that lets you clean install or upgrade, or an oem cd that only lets you perform a clean install? The last three digits determines what CD key it will accept. You are able to mix and match these values. For example you could make a WinXP cd that acted like a retail cd, yet accepted OEM keys. Now, for the actual values. Remember the first and last values are interchangable, but usually you’d keep them as a pair:

Retail = 51882 335
Volume License = 51883 270
OEM = 82503 OEM

So if you wanted a retail CD that took retail keys, the last line of your setupp.ini file would read:

Pid=51882335

And if you wanted a retail CD that took OEM keys, you’d use:

Pid=51882OEM

Use the On-Screen Keyboard

An on?screen keyboard is built into Windows XP. It can be useful if you have mobility impairments, if you are using a tablet PC, or if your keyboard goes down. To access the keyboard, go to Start, then click Run, and type osk. Now the keyboard opens on your computer screen, featuring three typing modes you can use to type data:

• Clicking mode, you click the on?screen keys
• Scanning mode, you press a hot key or use a switch?input device to type highlighted characters
• Hovering mode, you use a mouse or joystick to point to a key, which is then typed

To make a shortcut icon on your desktop to the on?screen keyboard:

1. Right?click the desktop.
2. Point to New, and then click Shortcut.
3. Type osk, click Next.
4. Type a name for the shortcut, and then click Finish.

That’s it! When you need it, the shortcut to the on?screen keyboard utility is right on your desktop.

Don’t Ignore the Windows Logo Key

The Windows logo key, located in the bottom row of most computer keyboards is a little-used treasure. Don’t ignore it. It is the shortcut anchor for the following commands:

• Windows: Display the Start menu
• Windows + D: Minimize or restore all windows
• Windows + E: Display Windows Explorer
• Windows + F: Display Search for files
• Windows + Ctrl + F: Display Search for computer
• Windows + F1: Display Help and Support Center
• Windows + R: Display Run dialog box
• Windows + break: Display System Properties dialog box
• Windows + shift + M: Undo minimize all windows
• Windows + L: Lock the workstation
• Windows + U: Open Utility Manager

Windows XP Upgrade Advisor Warning About the IrDA Protocol (Q308368)

When you upgrade from Windows Millennium Edition (Me) to Windows XP Home Edition or Windows XP Professional, Upgrade Advisor may display a warning message about the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) Infrared Communications protocol:

This version of IrDA Protocol will not work with Windows XP

This warning appears only on computers that have an installed infrared port. Laptop computers often have an infrared port.

In most cases, it is safe to ignore this warning. The Windows Me IrDA protocol stack is removed by Windows XP during the upgrade process; the IrDA protocol stack is replaced with a new version of the IrDA protocol stack automatically. There is no need to download or install any additional software or patches.

Some older, third-party, IrCOMM-protocol programs that were written for Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows Me may not run correctly on Windows XP. If this issue occurs, it does not prevent Windows XP from running properly, but the IrCOMM program will not work until you obtain a version of the program that is compatible with Windows XP.

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Get Rid of Unwanted Balloon Tips

Open up the Registry Editor and expand the tree to display the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Advanced

Then, created a new DWORD value named EnableBalloonTips and set it to 0×00000000.