February 2009 - Posts

• Last of my Server 2008 64-bit driver issues solved by using the 64-bit Vista drivers

  I created a blog post a few months ago about configuring my laptop to dual boot Windows Vista 64-bit and Server 2008 64-bit.  That post is located here: http://owsug.ca/blogs/brad/archive/2009/01/07/Old-School-Dual-Boot-Configured-on-my-Dell-Latitude-E6500.aspx I need to do some lengthy work in server 2008 but want to maintain my E-mail access as well as MSN and Skype for meetings.  So it was time to roll up my sleeves and fix the driver issues on my Dell Latitude E6500 laptop in Windows Server 2008.  So far, all of the hardware which was not automatically detected in server 2008 has been made operational by installing the Windows Vista 64-bit drivers.  Hopefully someone experiencing these issues will pickup on this information. Posted Feb 27 2009, 03:36 PM by Rantings of an IT Pirate

• Sharepoint Study Group announced!

  Special Announcement:  Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Configuring Study Group! 1. We are pleased announce that we are now accepting applications to join our TS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring certification study group.  The previous OWSUG.ca study group was very successful with over 85% of the participants obtaining the certification by the end of the study group. Content The focus will be on preparing to pass the Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring to achieve the Microsoft Technology Specialist for Configuring Windows SharePoint Services 3.0.  Topics include Deploy, Monitor, Configure and Administer Windows SharePoint Services. Windows® SharePoint® Services 3.0 Inside Out will be provided. Schedule Sessions take place on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 PM until 8:30 PM at CTE Solutions’ Ottawa facility beginning March 17th, 2009 and continuing until June 2nd, 2009 for a total of 12 sessions (30 hours). Objectives 1. Individual: a. Prepare for the sessions by reading the training material content on the study group schedule. b. Develop and improve skills with Windows SharePoint Services 3. c. Obtain the TS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring certification. 2. Group: a. Review the content, perform demonstrations and review exam practice questions. b. Have all participants pass the exam before June 30th, 2009. Mentors The study group will be mentored by OWSUG.ca volunteer Islam Gomaa.  The expectation will be for all participants to actively engage in the group sessions (i.e. this is not a course J). Apply To apply please send an email to certify@owsug.ca.  Additional registration details will be sent only to people that pre-register.  Positions will not be held before deposit and fees have been received. Proudly Sponsored By Posted Feb 25 2009, 09:49 AM by Rantings of an IT Pirate

• Weird way for Podcasts to work in Zune software

  I posted earlier today that the MarketPlace is available for Canadians in the Zune software.  We are still unable to purchase Zune points without a convoluted workaround but since the MarketPlace is available, we can access PodCasts. One in particular that I like, is TechNet Edge. Here is the weirdness: As you can see, the Podcasts are configured to be on local storage like the songs.  Yet if we inspect the storage location... nothing there... Yet, I have these Podcasts accessible both in my Zune software that I can watch, and I even synchronized them on my Zune player. I can launch a Podcast and view it just fine from within the software... I can even view it on my Zune... Yet, for some reason, I cannot view the files...  Strange indeed! Posted Feb 22 2009, 07:21 PM by Rantings of an IT Pirate

• MarketPlace is now available in Zune software for Canadians

  As a Canadian, I am not able to take advantage of the Zune marketplace to purchase songs and such. Until today, I was not able to even see Marketplace in the Zune software. Before today, I needed to change the location setting in the Control Panel to United States for this option to appear. The screens may appear slightly different than WinXP or Vista because I am running Windows 7. As you can see, the MarketPlace is now available. Posted Feb 22 2009, 06:56 PM by Rantings of an IT Pirate

• Bluetooth radio not working after Windows 7 upgrade - Solved with Vista 64-bit Drivers

  I was working this weekend trying to configure my mobile device to work with Exchange and needed to transfer a certificate for RPC/HTTPS to work.  I remembered that I can access my phone from my PC either by tethering it with the USB cable or by using Bluetooth.  Then I realized that for some reason I could not enable the Bluetooth adapter on my laptop. I researched the issue online via Live search and this issue has plagued several as indicated in the public forums. I tried downloading the Vista 64-bit driver for my Dell Latitude E6500 shown here: To complete the install, this required a reboot.  Once the system restarted, I noticed the panel light was lit above the keyboard which is a good sign.  Upon inspection of the device manager, this is what I saw: So the Vista driver worked great! I have been having similar issues in server 2008 with my onboard NIC and wireless cards so I'll be installing the Vista 64-bit drivers to see if those get resolved. Posted Feb 22 2009, 12:52 PM by Rantings of an IT Pirate

• Get the Quick Launch Toolbar back in Windows 7

  In my end of month blog post for Tech Republic, I wrote a piece on Windows 7.  See the post here: http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-12849-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=300730&start=0 One of my personal misses is the Quick Launch bar.  A helpful user: gaitch32, located it.  Here is how to get it back: 1- Unlock the Taskbar. 2- Right Click the Taskbar.  Select Toolbars - New Toolbar. 3- Browse to: %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch as the folder. 4- The toolbar will be created near the "notification area".  Right click the divider and de-select Show Text and Show Title. 5- Drag the divider for the Qucik Launch far left. 6- Drag the divider for the open or "pinned" programs to the right of the Quick Launch. You will also notice that you have Quick Launch as an available selection under Toolbars now! Thanks Gaitch32! Posted Feb 05 2009, 08:32 AM by Rantings of an IT Pirate

• Windows 7 Discoveries

  This week, I upgraded my primary laptop to Windows 7.  The process itself was a treat.  It was by far, the easiest upgrade I have done yet... I posted on Tech Republic about some device issues and an initial Skype issue.  Read the post here: http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/networking/?p=892 I also am dealing with a weird bug where my MSN Live Messenger 2008 windows become unavailable and the contents are blank.  I can close the window and re-open it to resolve the issue but I reported this using the feedback links in Windows 7 Beta... Another interesting find is the return of the character map.  The Backup software is also back but you won't find it under Accessories and System Tools.  To launch, you will need to go to the Control Panel.  I am glad they did not do away with the Backup because I use it diligently! Posted Feb 02 2009, 10:34 PM by Rantings of an IT Pirate