Windows 8 (Server and Client) Black Screen (Post VMware Tools Install)
KB ID 0000587 Problem I’ve seen this on both the Windows 8 (Consumer Preview), and the Windows Server 8 (Beta), whilst running them in VMware Workstation 8. They install fine, but if you install the VMware tools all you get is a black screen. This is because the SVGA Driver than VMware Tools installs Windows 8 does NOT Like. Note: This does not hppen on ESXi 5. Solution I knew this was going to happen, so I took a snapshot...
How Do I Shut Down Windows 8?
KB ID 0000588 Problem Like Windows 7, Windows 8 is more than happy to gracefully shutdown if you press the power button on your PC/Laptop/Tablet. But now you don’t have a “Start Button” where’s the option to turn it off? You might find it simpler just to Create a Shutdown shortcut on the Start Menu. Solution How to Shut Down Windows 8 1. Press Windows Key+I > Power > Shut down. How to Shut Down Windows 8...
Running Windows Server 8 in VMware ESXi
KB ID 0000590 Problem The very fist time I tried this was on ESXi 4.1, if you try and install Windows 8 Server on that platform, you will see the following. Your computer ran into a problem and needs to restart. If you’d like to know more, you can search online later for this code: HAL_INITIALIZATION_FAILED It’s collecting error info and will restart in: x seconds Note: You will also see this in VMware player, and VMware...
Dual Booting Windows 8 with Windows 7
KB ID 0000653 Problem In the next couple of months Windows 8 will go RTM. For those of you with Technet, MSDNor Open Value subscriptions you can already get your hands on it. For anyone not wanting to take the ‘plunge’ and reinstall your OS, you can simply ‘Dual Boot’. Then you can get used to Windows 8 in your own good time. If you suddenly find you need Windows 7 simplify reboot and it will still be there....
Windows – Map a Drive to OneDrive
KB ID 0000659 Problem You could do this with Windows 7, but as you can log into Windows 8 with your Microsoft Live ID (formally Microsoft Passport), the process is a lot simpler. Solution 1. Whist logged into Windows 8 with your Microsoft Live ID, open your web browser and go to https://onedrive.live.com/about/en-gb/ Log in > Files > Create > Folder. 2. For simplicity I’ve just called the folder SkyDrive. 3. Open a...
How to Join Windows to a Domain
KB ID 0000661 Problem If you are struggling with the new Windows UI, then routine tasks like joining a domain can be hard to locate. Solution Before you start, I’m assuming there are no problems with your domain and the Windows 8 client can resolve the domain name with DNS. 1. Press Windows Key+X to bring up the advanced context menu > Control Panel > System and Security. Technical Ninja Tip: You can launch the run...
Windows Mail can’t connect to Exchange
KB ID 0000662 Problem Seen when trying to connect the Windows 8 mail client to Exchange 2010 (that is using a self signed certificate). Error Unable to connect. Ensure that the information you’ve entered is correct. Solution This is a right pain! My Exchange 2010 server is using a self signed certificate, and even though the Windows 8 client trusts my domain CA, and it has imported the cert that Exchange is using, it still would...
Windows – Changing the Unlock Code and Activating
KB ID 0000667 Problem Some versions of Windows 8 (Windows 8 Pro for example) ask for the unlock code as soon as you install them, I installed Windows 8 Enterprise on my PC at home today, and I couldn’t even change my user photo, because Windows hadn’t activated. When I tried, this is what happened. Solution As I had not yet installed a Windows unlock code, it’s safe to assume it had it’s in built KMS code, so...
Windows – Change My Documents Location
KB ID 0000669 Problem I like to keep ‘My Documents’, ‘My Pictures, ‘Favorites’, etc, in one location so I can sync and back them up. Like previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 likes to put all that information into C:/Users/{username}. In Windows 7 you could just go from the Start Menu > {Username} and change the ‘Target’ or location, with Windows 8, there is no Start menu. Solution 1....
Windows – Disable the ‘Lock Screen’
Lock Screen KB ID 0000670 Problem Also See: Stop Windows Servers ‘Locking’ with Group Policy The Windows lock screen is all well and good if you have a slate/tablet, but I don’t see the point of it on a Desktop PC or Laptop, (it just adds to login time). Note: don’t get this confused with Stop Windows Asking For Password After Sleep / Standby Lock Screen: Solution 1. Bring up the Windows run command (Press Windows Key+R)....