Windows – Create ‘Multiple Version’ Install Media(x32 and x64 bit)
KB ID 0000164 Problem When Microsoft released Windows Vista and Server 2008 they had the brilliant Idea of putting all the versions you would require in the same install media. With Windows 7 they have changed their approach, and the install media is specific to the version that is going to be installed. Well actually that’s not true the version is decided by a file in the installation media called ei.cfg and all versions are...
Windows: How To Remove the ‘Shortcut Arrow’
KB ID 0000178 Problem Whenever I build a new machine, one of the first things I do, is open Regedit > Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT > lnkfile and remove the “IsShortcut” Value, and voila! the annoying shortcut arrows are gone. DONT DO THAT! If you do, you will notice that you can no longer add shortcuts to the “Windows Explorer Favorites” (well you can but you can’t see them), also it disables (Grays...
Windows Deployment Services (On Server 2008 R2) Deploying Windows 7
KB ID 0000180 Problem It’s been a while since I posted run through’s on WDS – they were on Server 2003, and were for deploying Windows XP. I’ve completely re-written this page and shot a series of videos to make the process a little easier to understand. Solution Step 1 Notes 1. If the WDS Server is NOT the DHCP server then do NOT tick both the DHCP options, (as stated in the video), on your DHCP scope...
You cannot upgrade this prerelease version of Windows 7
Performing an upgrade from Windows 7 Pre-Release KB ID 0000188 Problem If your running the “Pre Release” version of Windows 7 it going to stop working 28/02/10, and when you try and upgrade it you will see this error. There is no direct upgrade path, from the Pre-Release, however all its not lost, simply do the following. Note: This will only work if your upgrading to Windows 7 Ultimate (All the Pre-release versions are...
Windows – “GodMode”
KB ID 0000189 Dtd 01/03/10 Problem Sadly this mode does not enable you to turn water into vodka, the term was more coined by bloggers than the developers at Microsoft. Most posts quote creating a folder simply called. GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C} But you can call the folder anything you want.. Solution 1. Right Click Your desktop > New > Folder. 2. Rename the folder. 3. Call the Folder...
Installing Windows From USB
KB ID 0000191 Problem This weekend I needed to install Windows 7 on my shiny new Acer HTPC, but having no internal CD/DVD drive I needed to do this via USB. Quite a few times now I’ve needed to install Windows (Particularly Server 2008), on a machine that has no DVD Drive. You can now install both products from a bootable USB drive by doing either of the the following. Note: You will need a USB Drive with enough free space on it...
Windows – Quicklaunch Toolbar
KB ID 0000202 Problem Got a new work laptop yesterday, and while I was in the process of copying my stuff over from the old one, I remembered I’d have to setup Quicklaunch again, so I though this time I’d take a bit of time to document the process. Quicklaunch was a nice feature in Windows XP,but Microsoft hid it in Vista and have continued this trend with Windows 7,8,10. As it’s a feature I rely on all the time,...
Windows – Problem Steps Recorder
KB ID 0000206 Dtd 16/03/10 Problem Sometimes, (particularly if it’s a complex problem), getting someone to explain to you, what causes a problem, or what they have done to try and fix it, getting the information can be a painful process. Thankfully with Windows there is now a mechanism for them to record the steps they have taken, and present them to you in an easy to understand format. Solution 1. On the problem Windows 7...
Windows – USB to Serial Port Converter Drivers
KB ID 0000211 Problem You don’t have a serial port on your laptop so to console into some network equipment you need a USB/Serial Adaptor, I did have some hassle getting drivers for my old Vista Laptop but thankfully I found these ones. {vista-prolific-chip-driver-for-serial-adapters 1.8Mb} But they wouldn’t load on Windows 7. Solution 1. Run the same drivers above, but in compatibility mode for Vista. Right Click the...
Adding / Injecting Drivers into WindowsPE
KB ID 0000218 Problem A while ago I wrote an article about adding drivers to a WindowsPE Image, this was part of an installing Symantec Ghost with WDS procedure. Recently one of my colleagues was using my instructions, and despite his best efforts could not get the procedure to work with a new PC (Intel NIC). So he decided to give it a go with the new version of the WAIK he was successfull, but the procedure is slightly different....