Microsoft has released new software that aims to automatically repair the most common faults found in some of its older operating systems.

The “Fix It” package, based on the successful automatic diagnostics system in Windows 7, is currently in beta trial and aimed at Windows Vista and Windows XP users.

According to the BBC, once installed the software will update itself, scan for problems and comes with onboard fixes for 300 of the most common faults.

The package also keeps a list of the PC’s hardware and software so that if an automatic fix can’t resolve the problem then the data is quickly available to support staff.

Microsoft, like many other software firms, has built a vast database of faults and problems as technology built into Windows reports back about crashes and other bugs that machines encounter.

The minimum operating system requirement is Windows XP running Service Pack 3 (SP3).

Get started right away with the “Fix It” package:  http://fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com/Portal

Click here to view the embedded video.

Kind Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

A reminder that on July 13th, 2010, all versions of Windows XP SP2 will reach the end of support…

I recommend those of you still on Windows XP SP2 to install the latest service pack available via the Microsoft Update website – Windows XP Service Pack 3 – or look at moving to Windows 7.

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

If you are running Windows XP (OR Windows Vista), you can enhance your DVD playback experience on your PC by using a DVD Decoder pack.

You can then turn Windows Media Player into a full-featured DVD player when combined with a popular DVD decoder pack from Corel (XP) or CyberLink (Vista).

More on the correct:  DVD Decoder here: http://www.updatexp.com/dvd-decoder-media-player-windows.html

Kind Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

Microsoft provides no direct upgrade path from Windows XP to Windows 7.

But then again with millions of PCs running Windows XP that are up to 10 years old it would have been a tech nightmare offering this solution. (APPLE does not offer this for their own system upgrades from 2001 either.)

This week I have managed to do a clean install of Windows 7 on a 5 year old DELL Inspiron D800 laptop and it installed without a hitch. The only extra work was manually re-installing the graphics drivers from the Dell support website, as the default one that came with Windows 7 did not offer the screen resolution I needed. But that took only a few mins. of my time.

So I now have been abale to breathe a new lease of life into some old hardware – something that Windows Vista couild not do on this old laptop.

Here in this CNET video you can get a quick overview of how to upgrade Windows XP to Windows 7.

In the video it mentions the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

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In the context of administering computer systems, defragmentation is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems.

It does this by physically reorganizing the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file close together and contiguously.

It also attempts to create larger regions of free space using compaction to impede the return of fragmentation.

Fragmentation occurs when the operating system cannot or will not allocate enough contiguous space to store a complete file as a unit, but instead puts parts of it in gaps between other files (usually those gaps exist because they formerly held a file that the operating system has subsequently deleted or because the operating system allocated excess space for the file in the first place).

Larger files and greater numbers of files also contribute to fragmentation and consequent performance loss.

Defragmentation attempts to alleviate these problems.

You can read here more about the Windows XP Defragmentation Tool

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

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Windows Seven RC is already out, but if you’re unsure whether to try it or not, you can always start by applying the new look and fear to your current operating system.

http://seven-remix-xp.en.softonic.com/

Click here to view the embedded video.

I have been reading a few blogs today complaining at Microsoft for NOT allowing current Windows XP users to have an upgrade path (without a clean install) from their current OS to Windows 7, when released later this year.

(This is in response to a new posting on the Windows Team blog  re-announcing this old news…)

What!?

…who in their right mind would try and upgrade a PC running Windows XP to Windows 7 without first re-formatting the hard drive and performing a clean install?

This is just sheer nonsense. The number of issues you would run into in attempting to upgrade an old(er) PC running Windows XP to Win 7 would have any tech/user pulling their hair out…

(The same as it would if you tried with Apple’s OS’s)

Old hardware and drivers not supported by 3rd party vendors becuase they want you to purchase NEW hardware from them, rather than make exisiting kit compatible – is only the 1st issue that springs to mind.

Sure, Windows 7 can be run on a less demanding PC than Windows Vista, but you are going to want to install it from scratch!

With owning a PC comes a “cost of ownership” that means YOU putting in some effort when it comes upgrades/security etc…

So I say to the bloggers, STOP complaining as Microsoft are doing the right thing here. (In fact I do not think they go far enough… but that is for another post!)

IF Microsoft did as they asked it would be a support nightmare online, and I doubt these guys would be pitching in to help users… nope, they would all be to busy complaining at the mess.

Just my 2 cents

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

Not officially confirmed by Microsoft, but over at the Apple Insider Prince McLean has posted an article about Microsoft extending the deadline for PC makers who wish to ship new business computers with an XP license.

At first I was a little hesitant to make a post about this as Prince McLean is known for his anti-Microsoft stance. However, this article did make some sense.

Essentially he is claiming that according to a source within Hewlett Packard, Microsoft has agreed to extend the option of selling Windows XP for use on new PCs for another year, through April 30, 2010.

In a previous post of mine – Windows XP Support Ends in 2009 and 2014 – I detail the dates Microsoft has for phasing out support for Windows XP. These dates still stand.

But by allowing OEM’s like Hewlett Packard to continue to sell Windows XP on their business PC’s, even though Windows 7 is being launched makes great business sense to me.

The reality is that Windows XP SP3 is a great system for businesses and many companies are not in a position to upgrade to Windows 7 for 12- 18 months at least.

(This is not an unusual situation either as when XP shipped you could still get NT4 and Windows 2000.)

Also, it is worth pointing out that these PC’s will ship with Windows 7 AND a Windows XP downgrade license. So Microsoft sells two licenses for one computer. Flexibility for the end user and Microsoft still ship Windows 7 with the new PC.

Makes sense to me…

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

PS – Since I wrote this post, Mary-Jo Foley has put up this post on the topic.

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Microsoft has traditionally offered 10 years support for its operating systems, which is actually great value and not something you see with other vendors!

However, there are TWO types of support:

- Mainstream

Mainstream support delivers free fixes for security patches and other bug fixes to everyone.

- Extended

Extended support delivers free security updates to all users, however non-security hot fixes are only provided to companies that have signed support contracts with Microsoft.

With Windows 7 due out later this year, it is important to note when the very popular Windows XP software will reach the end of its support from Microsoft.

These are the important dates:

On April 14, 2009. The following Windows XP editions will come out of Mainstream Support and enter Extended Support:

- Windows XP Home
- Windows XP Pro 32-bit and 64-bit
- Windows XP Media Center Edition
- Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

On April 08, 2014. These Windows XP editions will come out of Extended Support.

Please note that “Self-help” online support will continue to be available for a minimum of 12 months after the product reaches the end of its support lifecycle.

I hope this information helps you in planning your next upgrade!

Regards

Marc Liron – Microsoft MVP

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