Microsoft is changing its strategy for offering PC antivirus software, with plans to discontinue its subscription-based consumer security suite (Live One Care) and instead offer individuals free software to protect their PCs. Code-named Morro, the new offering will be available in the second half of 2009 and will protect against viruses, spyware, rootkits, and Trojans, the company said in a statement.

{ Continue Reading }

This post is a treat for me and TechMynd readers. I am going to highlight several things about Microsoft, Apple, Macintosh, IBM, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and the movies which I think every IT professional or geek should watch. The Pirates of Silicon Valley and The Antitrust. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates are two college drop outs. Yet they ceased the future and gave this world a new dimension to explore. Now people live different, they think different, they communicate differently. Here I am mixing up some facts, fun and fiction together.

{ Continue Reading }

There are most users of Windows Operating System then any other OS alive and will be; perhaps, unless there would be any wicked revolution by open source hitting everybody from everywhere or Microsoft closes down for greater good of all or due to any other weird cause. People use Microsoft Windows but they do not love it. They are forced to use it because most of their programs run with Microsoft Windows easily. They have been using it for many years now and know it best. Usually they can tell instantly that when it is necessary to reinstall the windows. It could have been the best Operating System of the world or perhaps for Universe, but sadly it is not. Every professional who is using windows, is using it but when he looks at the Apple Mac user or Linux Ubuntu User, he sighs and thumbs him up with a cheeky face, wondering when he will be able to switch.

{ Continue Reading }

Microsoft Office 2010 (previously referred to by its codename Office 14) is the next version of the Microsoft Office productivity suite for Microsoft Windows. It entered development during 2006 while Microsoft was finishing work on Microsoft Office 12, which was released as the 2007 Microsoft Office System. The major version number 13 has been skipped, presumably due to aversion to the number 13. It was previously thought that Office 2010 (then called Office 14) would ship in the first half of 2009, but Steve Ballmer has officially announced that Office 2010 will ship in 2010. Office 2010 will be more "role-based" than previous versions. There would be features tailored to employees in "roles such as research and development professionals, sales persons, and human resources." Borrowing from ideas termed "Web 2.0" when implemented on the Internet, it is likely that Microsoft will incorporate features of SharePoint Server in Office 2010.

{ Continue Reading }

Guess what? You can share data from Here, there, everywhere... and anywhere using your PC, MAC or mobile phone and access it anywhere using your PC, MAC or mobile phone or friend's PC, MAC or mobile phone. You can even access your office PC desktop remotely at your home PC. wicked...eh! All you need is a Windows Live ID. (email address at www.live.com). Your work computer. Your home laptop. Your Mac. Your mobile phone. Devices live in multiple places. But the files you need—and the programs that open them—often don’t. Live Mesh changes all that. Stop e-mailing yourself. Get files across your devices by synchronizing them instead.

By definition you can say that: Live Mesh is a 'software-plus-services' platform and experience from Microsoft that enables PCs and other devices to 'come alive' by making them aware of each other through the Internet, enabling individuals and organizations to manage, access, and share their files and applications seamlessly on the Web and across their world of devices.

{ Continue Reading }

If you have been using Microsoft Powerpoint software to view tutorials, slide shows, presentations and more then it is time to watch out. Because some PC threats and infections are causing virus to spread via MS powerpoint. Attackers are using rigged PowerPoint files to exploit an unpatched vulnerability in Microsoft’s presentation software. According to Microsoft the attacks are limited and targeted. The malware associated with the attack is a Trojan dropper embedded within an exploit in .ppt or .pps data files.

{ Continue Reading }

This file is written specifically for the Intel® G31, G33, G35, Q33, Q35, G965, Q965, Q963, 946GZ, 945G, and 945GZ Express desktop chipsets and the GM965, 945GT, 945GM, 945GMS, and 940GML Express mobile chipsets, and will not function with any other product. View the README file for installation information and the RELEASE NOTES for driver version details. This driver package contains the version 14.31.1 drivers for Windows* 2000 and Windows* XP.

The software drivers provided on this page are generic versions, and can be used for general purposes. However, computer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may have altered the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the software or software packaging they provide. To avoid any potential installation incompatibilities on your OEM system, Intel recommends that you check with your OEM and use the software provided via your system manufacturer.

Download Link
Download Media Accelerator

Website
Intel Downloads

This file is written specifically for the Intel® G31, G33, G35, Q33, Q35, G965, Q965, Q963, 946GZ, 945G, and 945GZ Express desktop chipsets and the GM965, 945GT, 945GM, 945GMS, and 940GML Express mobile chipsets, and will not function with any other product. View the README file for installation information and the RELEASE NOTES for driver version details. This driver package contains the version 14.31.1 drivers for Windows* 2000 and Windows* XP.

The software drivers provided on this page are generic versions, and can be used for general purposes. However, computer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may have altered the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the software or software packaging they provide. To avoid any potential installation incompatibilities on your OEM system, Intel recommends that you check with your OEM and use the software provided via your system manufacturer.

Download Link
Download Media Accelerator

Website
Intel Downloads

Virus Presence Symptoms
Here are some unexpected things that should not happen. Some of these symptoms of viruses presence are:

- Disabled Task Manager
- Disabled Registry Editor
- Disabled Command Prompt
- You have no applications running or open but CPU usage goes over 50%
- My Computer Drives not opening by Double Click
- Automatic PC Shutdown or Restart
- Computer Slows down
- Hidden Files are not showing
- Folder Options disappeared

Manual Removal
If you have tried all the solutions and still could not disinfect your system then try to manually remove the viruses using the instructions below:

You will be needing to have Process Explorer and Autoruns. Download them by following links.
Process Explorer v11.03

This update to Process Explorer, an advanced process information utility, has a number of miscellaneous improvements. For example, the thread support in the process properties dialog is enhanced with Wow64 thread stacks on 64-bit Windows and kernel stacks on Windows Vista and Server 2008. In addition, tooltips on the service hosting processes now show service names, the user SID is displayed on the security properties page, and column headers have tooltips when they’re too small to display their text.

Screenshots
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
Autoruns for Windows

See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system boots and you login. Autoruns also shows you the full list of Registry and file locations where applications can configure auto-start settings.
Screenshot

Download Process Explorer and Autoruns
http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/ProcessExplorer.zip (1.5 MB)
http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/Autoruns.zip (490 KB)

1. Unpack zipped files and copy exe files to Windows Directory.
2. Close and exit all programs (even from tray) except Internet Explorer or your internet browser
3. Run process explorer by typing procexp in the start menu Run and see for suspicious activities.  

If you do see any suspicious process then right click on it and then properties. In the path: field copy the path and Open Run Dialogue and paste the path there
Now terminate the suspicious task in process explorer.

If the same process starts again then suspend the process by right clicking on it and click suspend on the menu. Remove the name of the application from path now listing only folder.e.g If you have copied C:\WINDOWS\system32\mspaint.exe then remove mspaint.exe and you will see C:\WINDOWS\system32\ this in the Run Dialogue.

Delete Hidden Files
Press Enter to open Explorer and locate the file name whose name you have just removed. After locating the file delete the file.If you can not find the file it must be hidden.

If Show Hidden Files and Folders Option not working Use WinRAR
To remove hidden files Download WinRAR which will show you all hidden files.

Now look at the root of every drive to find hidden files.
Delete .exe and autorun.inf like files if you find any.
But do not delete these files as these are system files e.g.

autoexec.bat, boot.ini, bootmgr,config.sys, io.sys, msdos.sys, ntdetect.com, pagefile.sys,ntldr, hiberfil.sys.

Now you have successfully terminated virus process the next thing is to remove those virus files which start upon system start.

Open Autoruns by typing autoruns in the Run Dialogue. Wait while refreshing completes.

In the Options –> Hide Microsoft Entries. And click Refresh button on the interface OR Close the program and start again.

After scanning completes select Logon tab and uncheck all the entries be sure do not unselect any Microsoft Entry.Restart system for the changes to take effect.
Now use Ravmon Virus Killer to restore some settings.

Now scanning your system for an Anti-Virus will be the last suggestion.

Troubleshooting:
Incase of any problem. you did a wrong move. Open Autoruns, in the Options –> Unselect Hide Microsoft Entries. And click Refresh button on the interface OR and select all entries. Close the program and start your system again.

This solution will work only against those Viruses which does not infect Windows own Exe files e.g explorer.exe

Here is a list of those points which you should consider while upgrading to vista. If you are a professional than the Upgrade will be a decision that must be careful enough to know all the changes and differences which have been made in windows vista release because your previous hardware and software that you used to work on Windows XP may not be compatible with vista so you also need upgrade that.

This does also requires you to spend extra money just to use Microsoft’s new Operating System without any glitch.

Although you should know that vista is the most secure OS in Microsoft’s History. When Windows XP was launched it was targeted for Business use but vista is specifically designed for digital home entertainment (Vista home premium) also including many features for business (vista business edition) users also. When vista was launched many productive software were incompatible but now vendors have given updates and patches.

If you are running a PC with 512 MB RAM you could have some performance issues while using vista, you should consider upgrading to at least 1024 MB.

• You need to have compatible hardware
• You need to have compatible software
• Be prepared for learning the new features (as many things has been changed from Windows XP)

Windows Vista: Software And Hardware Compatibility

Now that Vista is installed, time to install some softwares on Windows Vista. Before anything else is installed, the most important thing software to install is an anti virus software. There are few anti virus software that works for Windows Vista:

1. AVG Anti Virus Free Edition works on Windows Vista. The AVG Anti Virus Free edition will not work on the 64-bit version of Windows. You’d have to buy the professional license.
2. Trend Micro is offering free 90-days trial to PC-Cillin Internet Security for Windows Vista beta testers
3. Avast Anti Virus

Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7
Firefox works well on Windows Vista but it has a funny twitching bug. The problem can be solved by either adding something to the bookmark bar or hide the bookmark bar.
Opera 9.02 Works.
iTunes 7 Works. The most important thing for me is iTunes can access and play shared music from another computer.
Quicktime 7 Works.
Foxit Reader 2.0 Works.
Skype Skype works, outgoing and incoming calls are working just fine.
Yahoo Messenger 8 (With voice) — Works.
Windows Live Messenger Works but incompatible with Windows Aero color scheme. When Windows Live Messenger is running Windows Vista will its color scheme to Windows Vista Basic.
mIRC Works.
TightVNC Works but very slow. It takes longer to view the desktop than usual. Perhaps disabling Windows Aero and removing desktop wallpaper will improve the speed.
UltraEdit Works.
FeedDemon Works. The reason I’m using FeedDemon is because of its ability to sync with NewsGator online so I don’t have to import my RSS subscription. I miss NetNewsWire already.
Putty Works.
Java Runtime Environment Version 5.0 Update 6 — Works. Azureus runs well on Windows Vista.
WinRAR 3.61 Works.
VLC Works.
Microsoft C# 2005 Express Edition Works.

Please note that all listings are subject to change and it is up to the user to make sure any hardware or software is compliant with Microsoft Vista before installation.
Most software and hardware is listed with which mode of Microsoft Vista i.e 32 bit or 64 bit the device or software is compatible with. See the distributor or manufacturers website for more details.

Please read from Microsoft themselves

Applications that have earned the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo or the "Works with Windows Vista" logo...
See Vista Updates & Patches/Drivers sticky for more information on drivers and patches.

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor 1.0

Brief Description Of Upgrade Advisor 

Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor is designed to help Windows XP users identify whether their PCs are ready for an upgrade to Windows Vista, which edition of Windows Vista meets their needs, and which features of Windows Vista will be able to run on their PCs.

File Name: WindowsVistaUpgradeAdvisor.msi
Version: 1.0
Language: English
Download Size: 6.6 MB
Estimated Download Time: 16 min 56K Dial-up (56K)DSL/Cable (256K)DSL/Cable (768K)T1 (1.5M) 16 min

System Requirements
Supported Operating Systems: Windows XP Service Pack 2
A minimum of .NET Framework 1.1 and MSXML 4.0

Download Upgrade advisor and test wether your computer is suitable for Windows Vista or not.

More detailed hardware and software compatibilities about WIndows Vista can be found over here at tom's hardware.