The windows installer service cannot update one or more protected windows files.

sukaelan — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:06:40 +0000

A quick tidbit for those that have come across this issue or may run in to this in the near future. I did a re-image today on a system and was boggled for a few minutes when I received the following error while trying to install Office 2007 Enterprise:

“The windows installer service cannot update one or more protected windows files.”

hmm… ok let’s try that again… Nope.. same error…

Ok time to take a look at the Event Viewer:

“Product: Microsoft Software Update for Web Folders (English) 12 — Error 193 The Windows Installer service cannot update one or more protected Windows files. SFP Error: -536870654.
List of protected files: C:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\40\bin\fp4autl.dll”

Weird… After checking this directory there happened to be no such dll file.
Ok then… here’s the Quick Fix:
download fp4autl.dll here

Then place it into the c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\web server extensions\40\bin\ folder and then re-run the installation of office and you should be in business.

This has been a known issue since Office 2000 – you can check out the MS documentation here.

source

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7

sukaelan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:32:54 +0000

We highly recommend that you print this tutorial. Your PC will restart during the Windows 7 installation process, so having a printed copy will help you follow the steps if you’re unable to return to this webpage.

Download and install Windows Media Player Plugin

Watch this video to learn more about upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7. (3:07)

Introduction

To upgrade your PC from Windows XP to Windows 7, you’ll need to select the Custom option during Windows 7 installation. A custom installation doesn’t preserve your programs, files, or settings. It’s sometimes called a “clean” installation for that reason.

A custom installation is more complex, and it can sometimes take a couple of hours to complete. We created this five-step tutorial to help guide you through the entire process each step of the way.

What you need

An external hard disk. You’ll need to move your files off of your PC before you install Windows 7. To make this easier, we recommend a free download called Windows Easy Transfer, which will require an external hard disk. They’re readily available at electronics and office supply stores, and they provide an easy way to add additional storage space to your computer.
The original installation discs or setup files for the programs that you want to use with Windows 7. You’ll need to reinstall your programs by hand after installing Windows 7. When you run Windows Easy Transfer you will get a report that lists the programs that you are currently using with Windows XP.

32-bit or 64-bit: Which version of Windows 7 to install?

Both 32-bit and 64-bit installation discs are included in the Windows 7 package. 64-bit operating systems can handle large amounts of memory—typically 4 gigabytes (GB) of random access memory (RAM) or more—more efficiently than 32-bit operating systems. However, not all computers are 64-bit capable. For more information, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.

You’ll probably need the 32-bit version, but to make sure right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.

If you don’t see “x64 Edition” listed, then you’re running the 32-bit version of Windows XP. Step 1 of this tutorial will show you how to run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor, which can let you know if your comptuer is capable of running the 64-bit version of Windows 7.
If “x64 Edition” is listed under System, you’re running the 64-bit version of Windows XP and can run the 64-bit version of Windows 7.

Step 5: Reinstall your programs and update drivers

sukaelan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:31:33 +0000

After you’ve run Windows Easy Transfer and your files and settings are back on your computer, you can reinstall your programs and check for new or updated drivers.

Windows Easy Transfer provides a report detailing the programs you used in Windows XP that you might want to reinstall. To reinstall your programs, you’ll need to use the installation discs or setup files that you gathered earlier.

A report lists programs that you might want to reinstall.

If your computer came with several programs pre-installed, you might see programs listed in the report that you’ve never used before or rarely used. When you begin reinstalling programs, start with the ones that you know and use regularly, especially new antivirus software for your computer. If you don’t have new antivirus software for your PC running Windows 7, you can look for new programs at the Windows 7 Compatibility Center.

Note

Some programs such as Windows Mail and Outlook Express are no longer included in Windows 7. If you used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program, you’ll need to install a new e‑mail program to read your messages or to send and receive e‑mail. For more information about Windows Live Mail and instructions for importing your e‑mail, contacts, and calendar, see Importing your e‑mail, messages, contacts, and calendar into Windows Live Mail.

Update drivers

A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware or devices. Without drivers, the hardware you connect to your computer—for example, a video card or a printer—won’t work properly.

In most cases, drivers come with Windows, or you can find them by using Windows Update and checking for updates. To do so, click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.

If Windows Update doesn’t have the driver you need, check out the Windows 7 Compatibility Center, which has direct links to driver downloads and manufacturer support pages. For more information, see Update a driver for hardware that isn’t working properly.

Netbooks and drivers

Some netbooks and laptops that were running Windows XP might not have specific Windows 7 drivers for features such as function buttons. If Windows Update doesn’t find a driver, visit your computer manufacturer’s website and search for a download or support page where you can search for drivers for your PC.

You can try to install a driver made for Windows XP onto your PC running Windows 7. If the Windows XP driver won’t install, you can run the Program Compatibility troubleshooter to try and fix the problem.

Download or copy the driver installation file to your computer.
Right-click the file, and then click Troubleshoot compatibility.
Follow the steps in the Program Compatibility troubleshooter to change the compatibility settings for the driver.

Post-install clean-up (optional)

During Windows 7 installation, if you don’t format the partition, files that were used in Windows XP are stored in the Windows.old folder. The type of files in this folder depends on your computer.

After you’ve used Windows 7 for a while, for example one or two weeks, and you’re confident that your files and settings are back to where you want them to be, you can safely reclaim disk space and use Disk Cleanup to delete the Windows.old folder.

You can also delete the Windows.old folder if you receive an error during Step 4: Moving your files and settings back to your computer of this tutorial that indicates that you don’t have enough free disk space to transfer your files and settings back to your computer.

Warning

Before you use Disk Cleanup, make sure that all of your files and settings moved correctly to Windows 7 where you expected them to be. Deleting the Windows.old folder can’t be undone.

Click the Start button, and in the search box, type Disk Cleanup. In the list of results, click Disk Cleanup.
If you’re prompted to choose a drive, choose the drive you just installed Windows 7 on, and then click OK.
Click Clean up system files. If you’re prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
If you’re prompted again to choose a drive, choose the drive you just installed Windows 7 on, and then click OK.
Select Previous Windows installation(s) and any other categories of files you want to delete.
Click OK, and then click Delete Files.

Step 4: Moving your files and settings back to your computer

sukaelan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:29:12 +0000

After you’ve installed Windows 7, now you’re ready to run Windows Easy Transfer again and move your files and settings back to your computer.

Be sure you run Windows Easy Transfer before you reinstall your programs. That’s because Windows Easy Transfer moves your files back to where your old programs will expect them to be when you reinstall them.

User accounts from Windows XP are moved to Windows 7.

Move files and settings back using Windows Easy Transfer

Make sure your external hard disk or other storage device that contains your Windows Easy Transfer migration file is connected to your computer.
Click the Start button , click Computer, and under Hard Disk Drives, double-click your storage device.
Browse to the location where you saved the Easy Transfer file, called Windows Easy Transfer – Items from old computer, and double click the file.
If you gave the file a different name when you originally created it, browse to that file and double-click it.
If you entered a password when creating the Easy Transfer file, type the password, and then click Next.

Note

If you receive an error that you don’t have enough free disk space to migrate your files back to your computer using Windows Easy Transfer, you can use Disk Cleanup to delete temporary files left over from your Windows 7 installation and free up additional disk space. To learn how to do this, read the “Post-install clean up (optional)” section at the end of Step 5: Reinstall your programs and update drivers.
On the Choose what to transfer to this computer page, you can decide how the user accounts from Windows XP are transferred to Windows 7.
- To accept the current account mapping, click Transfer.
- To change how the Windows XP accounts are mapped in Windows 7, click Advanced Options.
On the Your transfer is complete page, click See what was transferred to view a list of the user accounts and files that were moved from Windows XP to Windows 7. Click See a list of programs you might want to install on your new computer to view what was previously installed on Windows XP.
Click Close. If you are prompted to restart your computer, click Restart now.

If you transferred more than one user account, you might be prompted to change the password the next time you log on. If you’re prompted to do so, click OK, and in the dialog box that appears, do one of the following:

If you want to give the user account a password (recommended), type a new password, retype it, and then press Enter. There’s no need to type the old password from Windows XP.
If you don’t want to give the user account a password, leave the boxes empty, and then press Enter.

Moving DRM‑protected content

Step 3: Installing Windows 7

sukaelan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:27:18 +0000

When you choose the Custom option during installation, you install a new copy of Windows on your PC.

The options for Windows 7 installation

Note

Formatting your hard disk during Windows 7 installation isn’t necessary. If you want to format your hard disk, and you’re using an upgrade version of Windows 7, don’t use a program from another software manufacturer to reformat your hard disk prior to installing Windows 7. Instead, start your PC using the Windows 7 upgrade DVD, click Custom (advanced), and then click Drive options (advanced).

Before you begin

Connect your PC to the Internet so you can get installation updates during the installation process. (If you don’t have an Internet connection, you can still install Windows 7.)
Update your antivirus program, run it, and then turn it off. After you install Windows 7, remember to turn the antivirus program back on, or install new antivirus software that works with Windows 7.
Select either the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 installation disc, depending on whether you want to install the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7. For more information, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.
Find your 25-character Windows product key. You can find it on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package—or in a confirmation e‑mail if you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online.

Perform a Custom installation of Windows 7

With your computer on and Windows XP running, do one of the following:
- If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, insert the disc into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn’t, click Start, click My Computer, open the Windows 7 installation disc on your DVD drive, and then double-click setup.exe.
- If you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online, open the installation file. Purchasing and downloading Windows 7 online is the easiest way to install Windows 7 on a netbook. For more information, see Installing Windows 7 on a netbook.
On the Install Windows page, click Install now.
On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation, and to help protect your computer against security threats. Your computer will need to be connected to the Internet during Windows 7 installation to get these updates.
On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Custom.
Choose the partition containing Windows XP (this is often the computer’s C: drive), and then click Next. (Do not select your external USB hard drive.)
In the Windows.old dialog box, click OK.
Continue to follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7, including naming your computer and setting up an initial user account. You can use the same names that you used in Windows XP, or choose new ones.

Step 2: Moving files and settings, and gathering your program discs

sukaelan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:24:47 +0000

We recommend using Windows Easy Transfer, a free download, to help you move your files and settings to another location before you install Windows 7. Then, you can use Windows Easy Transfer again to move your files and settings back to your PC after Windows installation is completed.

If you don’t use Windows Easy Transfer, you’ll need to copy your files manually to an external location, such as CDs, DVDs, an external hard disk, or a USB flash drive before installing Windows 7, and then move them back after Windows installation is completed.

Windows Easy Transfer helps simplify moving your files and settings.

Windows Easy Transfer creates a single file containing your files and settings. The file could be quite large depending on the amount of data you have, which is why we recommend using an external hard disk.

As you prepare to move your files off of your computer to an external storage device, remember the following:

Windows Easy Transfer doesn’t move your programs, only your files and settings. You’ll need to reinstall your programs by hand after Windows 7 installation is complete. Windows Easy Transfer will provide you with a list of programs that you are currently using with Windows XP.
Don’t use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard in Windows XP to move your files. It isn’t compatible with Windows 7, and if you use it, you won’t be able to restore your files in Windows 7. Use Windows Easy Transfer instead.
Windows Easy Transfer can’t transfer files from a 64-bit version of Windows to a 32-bit version of Windows. If you’re running a 64-bit version of Windows XP, but you plan to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7, you’ll need to copy your files manually to an external location before installing Windows 7, and then move them back after Windows installation is completed.
Windows Easy Transfer moves your music and video files, but doesn’t migrate the licenses for content protected by digital rights management (DRM). This means that you’ll need to re-obtain rights to DRM‑protected files from the online store that provided them after you finish installing Windows 7 and restoring these files to your computer. For more information, see Step 4: Moving your files and settings back to your computer.

Warning

Some stores don’t restore rights to their DRM‑protected files. For details about store policies, refer to your store’s customer support or Help information. If your music or video was obtained from a store that’s no longer in business, you won’t be able to restore your rights to that content.

You’ll also need Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher. If you’re not sure of what you have, click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. Under System, if you see “Service Pack 2″ or “Service Pack 3,” you can use Windows Easy Transfer. If you’re not running Service Pack 2 or 3, go to the Windows XP service pack page on the Microsoft website to update your PC.

Download and install Windows Easy Transfer

Download Windows Easy Transfer from the Windows website. If you’re running a 32-bit version of Windows XP, under For Windows XP, click Download 32-bit. If you’re running a 64-bit version of Windows XP, click Download 64-bit.
On the Microsoft Download Center webpage, click Download, and then click Run.
In the Security Warning dialog box, click Run.
In the Software Update Installation Wizard, click Next.
If you agree to the license terms, select I Agree, and then click Next.
After installation is complete, click Finish.

Open and run Windows Easy Transfer to save your files and settings

Make sure your external hard disk or other storage device is connected to your computer.
Click Start, click All Programs, and then click Windows Easy Transfer for Windows 7.
Click Next.
Select An external hard disk or USB flash drive.
Click This is my old computer, and then wait while Windows Easy Transfer scans the computer.
Clear the check boxes next to any user accounts that you don’t want to transfer data from, and then click Next.
Enter and retype a password, and then write it down and keep it in a safe place; or leave the boxes blank, and then click Save.
Browse to the external hard disk or other storage device where you want to save your Easy Transfer file, and then click Save.

Warning

You must save the Easy Transfer file to your external hard disk or other storage device, and not to the default location My Computer. If you don’t save the Easy Transfer file to your external hard disk, the file you just created will be deleted during the custom installation of Windows 7.
Windows Easy Transfer will begin saving your files and settings. Do not use your computer during this time.
When you see the message These files and settings have been saved for your transfer, click Next.Windows Easy Transfer displays the file name and location of the Easy Transfer file you just created. Write down the file name and location so you can easily find it when you’re ready to transfer files to Windows 7.
Click Next, and then click Close.
Ensure that the file is saved to your external hard disk or storage device, and then disconnect the device from your computer.

Gather your program discs and setup files

It’s important to remember that the Custom installation option doesn’t preserve any of your programs, so you’ll need to reinstall the programs that you want to use in Windows 7.

Make sure you have the installation discs for the programs you want to keep using in Windows 7.
You might have downloaded some programs from the Internet. If you still have the installation files on your computer (often called setup.exe, install.exe, or similar), copy those setup files to your external hard disk as well. If you don’t have the installation files, you’ll need to download them again after Windows 7 installation is complete.
If you’re running a 64-bit version of Windows and plan to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7, programs that were designed to run only on a 64-bit operating system might not work. Check the software manufacturer’s website for more information, or go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center. You can search the Compatibility Center for product names or browse many different categories of hardware and software tested to be compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 7.

Step 1: Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

sukaelan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:20:11 +0000

To help find potential compatibility problems with your computer’s hardware, devices, or programs that might affect installing Windows 7, download and run the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It provides a report listing any issues that it finds and gives recommendations on what to do before you upgrade to improve your PC’s compatibility with Windows 7.

A report lists any actions needed to prepare your computer for Windows 7.

Download and install Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Follow the steps below to download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

Go to the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor webpage.
Click Download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.
Click Download, and then save the installation file to your PC.
Double-click the installation file saved to your PC.
If you’re asked to install .NET 2.0
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor requires .NET Framework 2.0. If your computer doesn’t have it installed, follow these steps. If you’re not asked to install .NET 2.0, you can skip this and proceed to step 5.
1. Click Yes.
2. Click Next.
3. If you agree to the license terms, click Install.
4. Click Finish.
If you agree to the license terms, click Install.
Click Close.
If you see a pre-selected check box, clicking Close will run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

Run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

If Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor isn’t already running, double-click the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor shortcut on your PC’s desktop.
In the security warning dialog box, click Yes.
Click Start check. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will scan your PC’s hardware, devices, and installed software. This might take a few minutes. When finished, it will provide you with a compatibility report that you can print or save for your reference.
Read the report carefully, and make note of any issues that the Upgrade Advisor finds and what the recommended steps are to fix these issues.
If you want to save the report and print or refer to it later, click Save Report, type a name in the File Name box, and then click Save.
Click Close.

You can scan your PC more than once. We recommend running the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor again after taking any of the recommended steps or making any changes to your PC’s hardware, devices, or installed software before upgrading to Windows 7. Be sure to save your updated report.

Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7

sukaelan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:10:16 +0000

We highly recommend that you print this tutorial. Your computer will restart during the Windows 7 installation process, so having a printed copy will help you follow the steps if you can’t return to this webpage.

The Upgrade option moves your files, settings, and programs from Windows Vista to Windows 7.

Introduction

Depending on your hardware and your current edition of Windows Vista, you can use the Upgrade option during Windows 7 installation to upgrade from Windows Vista to a corresponding or higher edition of Windows 7.

Upgrading is the most convenient way to get Windows 7 on your computer, because it keeps your files, settings, and programs from Windows Vista in place.

If your current edition of Windows Vista can’t be upgraded to the edition of Windows 7 that you want to use, you can still install Windows 7 by using the Custom installation option instead. However, the Custom option doesn’t preserve your files, programs, or settings. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to perform a custom installation, see Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 (custom installation).

Make sure that your programs and devices will work with Windows 7

Since your computer is running Windows Vista, it meets the system requirements for Windows 7. We still recommend that you download and run the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor webpage on the Microsoft website. It helps find potential issues with your computer’s hardware, devices, or programs that might affect installing Windows 7, and gives recommendations on what to do.

Also, go to the Windows 7 Compatibility Center to see what works with Windows 7 and find direct links to drivers, updates, and downloads.

Step 1: Which version of Windows 7 can I upgrade to?

The table below describes which editions of Windows Vista can be upgraded to Windows 7. The Upgrade option works with either an upgrade copy or the full product copy of Windows 7. This is described on the front of the Windows 7 retail box or on an online sales receipt.

If you can’t use the Upgrade option to upgrade to the edition of Windows 7 that you want to use, you can still use the Custom option, but the Custom option doesn’t preserve your files, programs, or settings.

If you’re running:	Upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium	Upgrade to Windows 7 Professional	Upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate

What if I can’t choose the Upgrade option?

Some versions of Windows can’t be upgraded with the installation disc you’re trying to use. For example, you can’t upgrade a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version, or upgrade from a higher edition of Windows, such as Windows Vista Ultimate, to a lower edition, such as Windows 7 Home Premium. If this is the case, you’ll need to use the Custom option during installation.

However, unlike Upgrade, the Custom option does not preserve your files, settings, or programs. You’ll need to back up your files and settings before installing Windows 7, restore them after installation is complete—and you’ll also need to reinstall your programs using the original installation discs or files. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to perform a custom installation, see Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7 (custom installation).

32-bit or 64-bit: Which version of Windows 7 to install?

If you’re running a 32-bit version of Windows Vista, you can only upgrade to a 32-bit version of Windows 7. Similarly, if you are running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you can only upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows 7. Otherwise, you’ll need to use the Custom option to install Windows 7.

To find out which Windows 7 installation disc you can use, do the following:

Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools.
Click View and print details.
Under System, you can see what type of operating system you’re currently running next to System type, and, next to 64-bit capable, whether you can run a 64-bit version of Windows.
If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won’t see the 64-bit capable listing.

Step 2: Installing Windows 7

When you upgrade to Windows 7, you keep your files, settings, and programs from Windows Vista.

The options for Windows 7 installation

Before you begin

Be sure your computer is running either Service Pack 1 or Service Pack 2 for Windows Vista. For more information, see the Windows Vista service packs webpage on the Microsoft website.
Connect your PC to the Internet so you can get installation updates during the installation process. (If you don’t have an Internet connection, you can still install Windows 7.)
Update your antivirus program, run it, and then turn it off. After you install Windows 7, remember to turn the antivirus program back on, or install new antivirus software that works with Windows 7.
Select either the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 installation disc, depending on whether you want to install a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows 7. If your computer is currently running a 64-bit version of Windows Vista, you can use the 64-bit installation disc. For more information, see 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions.
Find your 25-character Windows product key. You can find it on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package—or in a confirmation e‑mail if you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online.
If you use a fingerprint reader or other biometric device to log on to your computer, make sure you write down your password before upgrading. You must log on by typing your user name and password the first time that you use Windows after upgrading.

Note

Some programs such as Windows Mail and Outlook Express are no longer included in Windows 7. If you used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program, after you’ve finished installing Windows 7, you’ll need to install a new e‑mail program to read your messages or to send and receive e‑mail. For more information about Windows Live Mail and instructions for importing your e‑mail, contacts, and calendar, see Importing your e‑mail, messages, contacts, and calendar into Windows Live Mail.

Perform an Upgrade installation of Windows 7

Turn on your PC.
After Windows Vista has started, do one of the following:
- If you purchased and downloaded Windows 7 online, open the installation file. Purchasing and downloading Windows 7 online is the easiest way to install Windows 7 on a netbook. For more information, see Installing Windows 7 on a netbook.
- If you have a Windows 7 installation disc, insert the disc into your computer. Setup should start automatically. If it doesn’t, click the Start button, click Computer, double-click your DVD drive to open the Windows 7 installation disc, and then double-click setup.exe.
On the Install Windows page, click Install now.
On the Get important updates for installation page, we recommend getting the latest updates to help ensure a successful installation, and to help protect your computer against security threats. You computer will need to be connected to the Internet during Windows 7 installation to get these updates.
On the Please read the license terms page, if you accept the license terms, click I accept the license terms, and then click Next.
On the Which type of installation do you want? page, click Upgrade.
You might see a compatibility report.
Continue to follow the instructions to finish installing Windows 7.

Update drivers

In most cases, drivers come with Windows, or you can find them by using Windows Update and checking for updates. To do so, click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.

[Source]

Install and Create a Virtual Machine

sukaelan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:02:14 +0000

Introduction:

Virtual machine technology is gaining in popularity daily. The latest version (at the time of this writing) is called Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 and is offered as a free download. When installed, users can run multiple operating systems on a single computer and can quickly switch between these applications with the click of a mouse button.

System Requirements :

The Physical Computer Requirements:

The minimum system requirements for the host computer (which is the computer system that you are physically installing the Virtual Machine software) is as follows:

Supports any Pentium compatible processor with at least 400MHz (1 GHz is recommended) with L2 cache.
At least 20 MB of hard disk space
DVD or CD-ROM Drive
Monitors using at least Super VGA (800×600) resolution.
Can be installed on any of the following operating systems:Vista Enterprise
Vista Ultimate
Vista Business
Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition
Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 Edition
XP Professional
XP Tablet PC
Supported processors:
AMD Athlon/Duron
Intel Celeron
Intel Pentium II
Intel Pentium III
Intel Pentium 4
Intel Core Duo
Intel Core2 Duo

Note: In a dual processor environment, only one processor is recognized by Virtual Machine 2007.

The Guest Operating System Requirements:

When installing guest operating systems keep in mind that they can quickly fill up your disk space and use up available memory. Below, you will see a table that gives the amount of memory and disk space that is needed to run the guest operating system:

Guest Operating System	Minimum Hard Disk Space	Minimum Memory
Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition	500 MB	64 MB
Windows Millennium Edition (Windows ME)	2 GB	96 MB
Windows 2000 Professional	2 GB	96 MB
Windows XP Home Edition	2 GB	128 MB
Windows XP Professional	2 GB	128 MB
Windows Vista Enterprise	15 GB	512 MB
Windows Vista Business	15 GB	512 MB
Windows Vista Ultimate	15 GB	512 MB
OS/2	500 MB	64 MB

Caution: Installing a virtual operating system on a physical computer system with less than the specified system requirements will create serious performance issues.

Installing Virtual PC 2007:

Once you have calculated all of the necessary system requirements and find your physical computer is capable of handling the additional memory loads and your hard drive has plenty of space available, you are ready to start installing the Virtual PC software. Follow the steps below to install Microsoft Virtual PC 2007:

To download Microsoft Virtual PC 2007, click the link below:
Virtual PC 2007
Once you have downloaded the proper Setup.exe file, locate the file and double-click Setup.exe to start the installation.
When the installation wizard appears, click Next.
You will need to accept the terms in the license agreement to continue. Click Next.
Enter your customer information and choose whether you would like to make Virtual PC available to all who use the computer (default) or make it available only to a certain user name. Click Next to continue.
Virtual PC 2007 will recommend installing to your program files folder. If this is fine with you, simply click the Install button or click the “Change” button to install Virtual PC 2007 to a location of your choosing.
Click the Finish button

Create a Virtual Machine:

Once you have successfully downloaded Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 to your computer, you can now install the operating system(s) of your choice. Follow the instructions below to install an operating system to Virtual PC 2007:

Open Virtual PC 2007 and select New.
The Virtual Machine wizard will start. Select “Create a Virtual Machine”, then click Next.
In the Name and Location window, browse to a location where you would like to place your Virtual Machine. It is recommended that you do not use the same hard disk location as your physical operating system. If you do not have a separate drive partitioned, then I recommend using an external drive such as a USB 2.0 thumb drive. Click Next.
Select the operating system that you would like to install from the “Operating System” drop down menu. Click Next.
In the Memory window, Virtual Machine will calculate the memory usage for the operating system you are installing. You can either use the recommended value or change the memory usage to a specified amount. Click Next.
In the Virtual Hard Disk Options windows, Virtual Machine will need to add a new virtual hard disk to your system. Select the option: “A new virtual hard disk”. If you already know that you have an existing virtual hard disk install, select the option: “An existing virtual hard disk”. Click Next.
In the Virtual Hard Disk Location window, click the Browse button and locate the new hard disk that Virtual Machine has created and type in a name for it. Review the calculated sizes for your hard disk size making sure that there is enough space allotted for the operating system and any other software you plan to install on it. Once you are satisfied with these figures, click Next.
Click Finish.

Congratulations! You now have a bootable Virtual PC installed on your physical computer system. The next step is to install the Virtual Operating System. Here’s how:

Install a Virtual Operating System using Virtual PC 2007:

Open your Virtual PC Console. From here you will see 4 available options:

New:
Use this option to install a Virtual operating system. Using Microsoft Virtual PC 2007, you can install up to 3 virtual operating systems. Once installed, they will show up in the left pane of the Virtual PC Console window.
Settings:
Use this option when it is necessary to change the settings of your virtual operating system.
Remove:
You can easily remove a virtual operating system from the console using this option.
Start:
Click any of the available virtual operating systems in the left pane of your console window and select the “Start” button to start the selected virtual operating system.

Now that you are familiar with the option in your Virtual PC Console, let’s begin the installation of your virtual operating system. Select your configured virtual machine from the left pane and then click the “Start” button.

Virtual Machine will boot to its Main window. Insert your installation media in to your CD or DVD drive for the operating system you are attempting to install.
Once the media is installed, reset your Virtual Machine by selecting Action>> Reset.
The installation process should begin. You may need to press any key to continue.
Follow the on-screen prompts and continue the installation just as you would any operating system installation.

Once the installation of your virtual operating system is complete. You can re-enter your Virtual PC Console and start using your new virtual operating system. Enjoy!

[source]

Access a Windows Live Hotmail Account with Outlook

sukaelan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:40:54 +0000

Select Tools | E-mail Accounts… from the menu in Outlook

Make sure you have an subscription for the Windows Live Hotmail account you want to access offline.
Select Tools | E-mail Accounts… from the menu in Outlook.

Make sure Add a new e-mail account is selected

Make sure Add a new e-mail account is selected.
Click Next.

Choose HTTP as the Server Type

Choose HTTP as the Server Type.
Click Next again.

Enter your account details in the E-mail Accounts dialog box

Enter your account details in the E-mail Accounts dialog box:
- Type your full name under Your Name:.
- Type your Windows Live Hotmail address under E-mail Address:.
- If Outlook has not entered it for you automatically, type your Hotmail email address User Name:.
- Type your Windows Live Hotmail password under Password:.

Select Hotmail in the HTTP Mail Service Provider box

Select Hotmail in the HTTP Mail Service Provider box.

Click Next.

Click Finish.

The windows installer service cannot update one or more protected windows files.

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7

Introduction

What you need

32-bit or 64-bit: Which version of Windows 7 to install?

Step 5: Reinstall your programs and update drivers

Note

Update drivers

Netbooks and drivers

Post-install clean-up (optional)

Warning

Step 4: Moving your files and settings back to your computer

Move files and settings back using Windows Easy Transfer

Note

Moving DRM‑protected content

Step 3: Installing Windows 7

Note

Before you begin

Perform a Custom installation of Windows 7

Step 2: Moving files and settings, and gathering your program discs

Warning

Download and install Windows Easy Transfer

Open and run Windows Easy Transfer to save your files and settings

Warning

Gather your program discs and setup files

Step 1: Download and run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Download and install Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

If you’re asked to install .NET 2.0

Run Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

Upgrading from Windows Vista to Windows 7

Introduction

Make sure that your programs and devices will work with Windows 7

Step 1: Which version of Windows 7 can I upgrade to?

What if I can’t choose the Upgrade option?

32-bit or 64-bit: Which version of Windows 7 to install?

Step 2: Installing Windows 7

Before you begin

Note

Perform an Upgrade installation of Windows 7

Update drivers

Install and Create a Virtual Machine

Access a Windows Live Hotmail Account with Outlook