Microsoft Surface Pro Teardown

Microsoft Surface Pro is another tablet made for Microsoft. Compare to the Surface which was based on ARM cpu, this Pro is based on Intel cpu. Intel version of Surface has all the working Windows 8 apps compare to the limited apps the runs on ARM cpu Surface.

Let's see what is inside of a Microsoft Surface Pro:


As usually, here is the link to read it on iFixIt website:

Microsoft Surface Pro Teardown

Could it able to take back some market share that has been eaten up by iOS and Android tablet? Time will tell.


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source: iFixIt

Rebranding Microsoft

I wonder how the face of people in branding or marketing department of Microsoft look like when they saw this.

Anyway, Internet is a wonderful place. You have do a lot of things with it, including offering (free?) rebranding service to a multinational company.

Personally I like this idea very much. Time to change Microsoft?

Some of the images:

pix credit: http://www.minimallyminimal.com

pix credit: http://www.minimallyminimal.com

For the full list, go to this link:
http://www.minimallyminimal.com/journal/2012/7/3/the-next-microsoft.html


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source: http://www.minimallyminimal.com/journal/2012/7/3/the-next-microsoft.html

How to run Windows XP programs in Windows 7?

If you have programs (or we call them apps nowadays, thanks to Apple) that runs only on Windows XP and will not run on Windows 7 at all. Even you tried to execute the program by setting "Compatibility" (in properties) to run as Windows XP, the program will stubbornly not run at all. It is time to install a virtual PC on your Windows 7.

There are other methods  to allow you to run the native Windows XP program:
1. Install Windows XP and Windows 7, and make the PC dual boot - Windows XP and Windows 7 co-exist on same system. However this will create quite a messy files system and I am not sure will it works.
2. You can also install virtual box on Windows 7 and then install the Windows XP. However you will need the original setup CD of Windows XP. Who would ever keep the Windows XP setup CD?
3. Buy a second hand system that come with Windows XP. Or install Windows XP on the old system, but need the original Windows XP setup CD as well.

Microsoft is kind enough to provide this Windows XP virtual [read: MS is not always so generous, okay]. Here are what to do:
1. Go to the virtual pc website of MS
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx
2. Choose to download for Windows XP virtual pc.
3. The website will need to verify if your Windows 7 is a legitimate, you will need to allow the download and execute this file "WindowsActivationUpdate.exe". I have to use IE to do this, using Chrome to download and execute taking forever (Probably MS purposely make it that way?).
4. After verification, it will bring you to the actual download page. There are 4 steps to follow, first step is to save that web page or print it for reference. I skipped the first step and jump to step 2 to step 4. :P
5. There are 3 files to download:

1. Windows XP virtual PC (WindowsXPMode_N_en-us.exe) ~460MB.
2. Virtual PC update (Windows6.1-KB958559-x64-RefreshPkg.msu) ~16MB
3. WinXP virtual PC update (Windows6.1-KB977206-x64.msu) ~4MB

6. Install the files in order listed in step 5. It will ask to restart in every step, I just wait until all has been install.
7. After restart your PC, time to run Windows XP virtual PC for first time.
a. Start -> All Programs -> Windows Virtual PC -> Windows XP Mode
8. You will have to wait a while for the first time because it will install the Windows XP.
a. Key in a password for the Windows XP virtual PC when it ask for it. Not needed to be same with your Windows 7 password.
9. After Windows XP boot up in virtual PC, you will able to see this. Note the BlueStacks gadget next to it. :D


10. The C drive and D drive in this virtual PC is not the same one on your Windows 7. They are virtual disk on this virtual PC. However your actual disks on Windows 7 should be link as a network disk in the virtual PC.
11. Go ahead and install the programs that you want to use in Windows 7.

Things to note: there are no shutdown option in this virtual Windows XP. Click on "Ctrl+Alt+Del" on the virtual PC windows and select shutdown. Or course no hibernate for this Windows XP as well.

It took ~2 to 3GB of disk space from the Windows 7 system for the Windows XP virtual PC default installation, not including the additional software you going to install on the virtual PC.


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source: I wrote this!

MS Fix It Center Online

MS launched new stuff called MS Fix It Center Online.

Here is what MS claimed:
Microsoft Fix it Center Client contains troubleshooters that help detect issues on target PCs and solve them on demand or proactively before you even know they exist!

Automated Troubleshooters

Upon installation of the Fix it Center client, it automatically downloads the latest troubleshooters in our library to your PC. The troubleshooters can “find and fix” issues immediately or “find and notify” you of the issues it detected. The “find and notify” puts you in control – you decide which issues you want the troubleshooters to resolve. No matter what you choose, we show you a report of what was performed on your PC and offer you options to learn or further investigate the issue or submit a support request at Fix it Center Online.


Personalized Experience

When you create an account during the setup of Fix it Center client on your PC, a profile is automatically created for you at Fix it Center Online. During the setup of the client, Fix it Center detects your hardware and software information and securely stores it to your online profile. This information enables Fix it Center to offer and display solutions that are specific to your PC configuration – in an easier to understand manner and without search or information overload.

You can install Fix it Center client on as many PCs you like, and when you use the same sign-in account during the client setup on each PC, the information about all your PCs will be registered in the same account. This makes it easier for owners of small business or heads of families with multiple PCs to manage all computers from a single location yet can view solutions specific for each PC.


Save time when working with customer support

Should you want to request additional support via Fix it Center Online, all the relevant information about your PC as well as the reports from the troubleshooters can be seamlessly included in the support incident request, thus helping you get faster resolutions to your problems and helping reduce the time you spend on the phone with customer support. With Fix it Center, you don’t need to know what Service Pack of Windows XP or what video card your PC has.


Go to: http://fixitcenter.support.microsoft.com to find out more detail.

p/s: see also all Windows related posts:
http://outdatedpenanguncle.blogspot.com/search/label/Windows