October 2009 - Posts
Q: (from Matthew)
I received a copy of software at an event but has lost the disk and want to get a new one.
A:
You can contact Microsoft Supplemental Parts Team for replacement media at (800) 360-7561.
A full article on ordering replacement media can be found at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246
Q: (from Brian)
I asked you to show me how to find insert column in the ribbons. You couldn't but said you'd get the answer for me. I'd also like to find cut and paste a row.
A:
The row/column/cell insert tools are right on the Home tab ribbon - I can't believe we didn't see it at the event. It's near the right side of the ribbon under the sub-category "Cells".
And if you want to copy and paste a row using the controls on the ribbon: highlight the row and use the Clipboard tools found on the left side of the Home tab ribbon.
Q: (from David)
I was prompted by Outlook to fix a problem with my PST file; where can I find the SCANPST.EXE application?
A:
It should be part of the standard Office installation. It is officially found under Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office 12.
Here is a screenshot from my system where I’m running Office 2007:
Q: (from Roy)
What I want to do is connect into a pc that is up in the sound booth and remote control it. That PC is connected to an over head projector that is showing on a screen behind me as I face 150 people. I am using Windows 7 Ult on both machines, there is no domain, we are using workgroups.
A:
I do this at my community theater all the time:
Setup the sound booth machine as a Remote Desktop Host and the stage computer as a Remote Desktop Client. What you see on the client is what is happening on the host and you are able to control the computer remotely.
In PowerPoint 2003 there was a presentation broadcast mode that the machine with the presentation could broadcast and control the presentation on other machines. That feature appears to have disappeared in PowerPoint 2007 but supposedly will reappear in PowerPoint 2010.
Q: (from John)
Wondering if you might be able to provide me a comparison chart between for the features of the windows 7 O/S various types (Enterprise, Professional, and the others)
A:
Here is a link to the official comparison found online:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare-editions/default.aspx
Remember Ultimate and Enterprise have the same feature set.
And I’ve attached a slide that I keep in the appendix of my presentation decks.
Q: (from Kenny)
I forgot to jot down name of Microsoft antivirus program when I was in the Malvern workshop. Could I get that from you again?
A:
The replacement for the consumer Live OneCare is call Security Essentials and can be found at:
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials
This is a free anti-virus / anti-spyware solution that is targeted at unmanaged consumers. Microsoft’s business quality anti-virus / anti-spyware solution is branded Forefront.
Q: (from Paul)
I understand that when I buy Windows 7 at the store I get both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions. I am presently running Vista 32 bit.
Can I use one copy of Windows 7 to upgrade over Vista in 32 bit Windows 7 and then later (when I am more industrious), reformat and reinstall it in 64 bit Windows 7?
A:
The answer is “Yes” because you used the phrase “reformat and reinstall”.
My understanding is that all of the retail versions of Windows 7 will ship with both 32bit and 64bit in the box. But you can only install and activate one copy of Windows 7.
Just be aware, the 2nd install will probably require you to call in to activate – just tell them about your reinstallation and they will complete the activation.
I should also remind you that although you can do an in-place upgrade from Windows Vista SP1 to Windows 7, you will definitely need to do a clean install (use the migration tool and reinstall your applications) from any 32bit product to any 64bit product.
Q: (from Claudine)
If a customer is legally licensed for Windows 7 Professional on 15 computers:
- 10 computers were bought with Windows 7 Professional preinstalled (OEM) and
- 5 they bought Windows 7 Professional Upgrades through Volume Licensing
Can they use the Volume License media to install a standard Windows 7 Professional image on all 15 computers?
A:
Amazingly the answer appears to be “Yes”
I found the following white paper that you can provide to your customers: Customizing Windows 7
- If the customer ONLY has OEM systems – no VL agreement – then they can work with their OEM to create an Custom Factory Image (CFI):
“Dell’s Image/Software Factory Integration service can load an organization-supplied software image onto new Dell hardware systems in the factory. The service is available on Dell OptiPlex, Latitude, and Precision systems. Read more about Dell’s customization options here.” - If the customer ONLY has OEM systems but has already taken delivery (or doesn’t want to establish a CFI agreement) then they can customize the OEM image using the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) but that process MUST be repeated on each OEM installed machine (each OEM activated license can only be used on the computer it came with – even if all of the machines are the same)
- But “Reimaging rights are granted to all Microsoft Volume Licensing (VL) customers as part of the “policy” governing their license agreement(s). Within this VL policy, organizations may reimage OEM systems or systems with retail licenses by using the media provided under their VL agreement.” You CAN reimage an OEM system with VL bits as long as you have a VL agreement that includes the desktop OS to be deployed.
Q: (from Greg)
Could you please help me with my contacts for partner management. I would also be interested in some promotional materials for a Chamber of Commerce/ Economic Development event in my geography.
A:
There are three resources EVERY partner should be engaged with:
Optionally, you may be managed/supported by a Microsoft Tele Partner Account Manager or a physical Partner Account Manager
Q: (from Nicole)
We’re looking at introducing two Server 2008 R2 domain controllers into one of our client environments (one will be a brand new server, the other an upgrade from Server 2003). We’re going to need new CALs for this upgrade and we’re trying to get the best price possible. I am going to go through Ingram to get pricing for these CALs, but I wasn’t sure if we can upgrade CALs or not on the upgrade one?
A:
Let’s say that your customer has the one Windows Server 2003 with 30 User or Device CALs. To upgrade that server to Windows Server 2008 R2, you would need to purchase the upgrade for the Server and the 30 CALs. To add the new Windows Server 2008 R2 box, you would just need the server license since the existing User/Device CALs can be used against one or more servers.
The short answer – No. And Microsoft specifically doesn’t want Windows XP Mode positioned as an enterprise application compatibility solution.
First off, I LOVE Windows XP Mode when it’s used in the proper situation. Specifically on a Windows 7 Professional machine (or above) with 2GB of RAM and 1.5+ GHz multi-core processor. To work, the processor needs to be an Intel-VT or AMD-V chip with hardware virtualization support and enabled in the BIOS.
What makes Windows XP Mode a good solution for small business is that the Windows XP license is covered by the Windows 7 Professional license (unlike virtualization under Windows Vista Business), the USB support, and the seamless execution that allows a Windows XP hosted application to be started directly from the Windows 7 desktop.
What makes Windows XP Mode inappropriate for the enterprise is the amount of management it requires for each implementation:
- Installation of applications under Windows XP mode must be done on each desktop through the Windows XP virtual PC – and for seamless execution, the application link must be in the programs menu.
- If there is a pending update for Windows XP, that must be addressed through the Windows XP virtual PC or seamless mode applications will fail
- Windows XP Mode does not make anything “more compatible” than Windows XP running under Virtual PC running on Windows Vista. Partners (and Microsoft employees) need to be VERY careful not to position Windows XP Mode as the cure for Vista’s compatibility woes – other than the addition of limited USB device support it is fundamentally the same for application compatibility.
If you are looking for an Enterprise quality, managed desktop virtualization, please Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) which is part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP).
Q: (from Ed)
I was in the Win 7 Loadfest with you yesterday. I thought it was very valuable and we are looking forward for the official release later this month. You had offered to send your slides if requested. I would appreciate receiving them.
A:
Thanks Ed. I’ve posted the deck from the Load Fest on my SkyDrive:
http://cid-9dc1b9c3c6b95b61.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public%20Presentations/091202%20Windows%207.pptx