From nVidia

There is a new Windows Vista WHQL driver release available to download from NVIDIA, v162.22. This is a new driver which will support GeForce 6, 7, and 8 series graphics boards; it does not support GeForce Go mobile GPUs. Please continue to check with your notebook manufacturer for a new driver for GeForce Go GPUs. GeForce FX users should continue to use the v96.85 driver.

New Features

• WHQL Certified driver for GeForce 6, 7, and 8 series GPUs.
• Improved compatibility for Lost Planet.
• Adds support for "Resize the HDTV Desktop" underscan mode when outputting in an HDTV mode.
• Numerous game and application compatibility fixes.
• Please read the release notes for more information on product support, feature limitations, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.

Download HERE 

Links taken from this months TechNET Newsletter

Support and Troubleshooting

How-to Articles

• How to troubleshoot Volume Activation error codes on Windows Vista-based computers

• How to move Internet Explorer favorites from an earlier version of Windows to the Internet Explorer Favorites folder in Windows Vista

• How to perform a custom installation of Windows Vista on a computer that is running Windows XP

Hotfixes

• When you exit Windows Media Player 11 in Windows Vista, you may continue to hear music

Knowledge Base Articles

• February 2007 cumulative time zone update for Microsoft Windows operating systems

See a selection of new Knowledge Base articles on the TechNet Web site. KB articles feature an Article Translations box in the right column. You can select a language from the drop-down list and read the article in the selected language.

Featured Downloads

Start Planning for Windows Vista with Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0

Download the newly released and free Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0 tool to help you determine your computers' readiness and the upgrades required for your Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office migration project. See the power of auto-generated readiness reports and migration proposals.

Security

Windows Vista: 6 Month Vulnerability Report

Windows Vista continues to show a trend of fewer total and fewer high severity vulnerabilities at the 6 month mark compared to its predecessor product Windows XP and compared to other modern competitive workstation operating systems.

Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for July 2007

Security Bulletin Webcast for July 2007

On Demand

Windows Vista: Improve Your Desktop Security and Deployment Strategy

See how Windows Vista is easier to deploy and less expensive to maintain than earlier version of Windows. Tune in to live webcasts to ask questions, stream or download on-demand webcasts to watch when you want, listen to podcasts on the go, or test drive Windows Vista in a virtual lab.

Determine Hardware and Device Readiness Using Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0

The Windows Vista Hardware Assessment version 2.0 deployment tool enables you to determine in a matter of hours whether the computers on your network are ready for the Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office. Listen in and see how Windows Vista Hardware Assessment assesses the hardware and device compatibility of each of an organization's existing systems across the network.

Case Studies and White Papers

Housing Company Saved $38,000 in PC Replacement Costs During Recent Windows Vista Deployment

Collegiate Housing Services used Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool and determined that 70 percent of their existing PCs were ready for Windows Vista with only a few minor upgrades, saving $38,000 in PC replacement costs.

Telecommunications Certification Company Found 88 Percent of Existing PCs to be Windows Vista Ready

Sporton International, Inc. in Taiwan determined that 88 percent of their existing PCs could be ready for Windows Vista with a small investment of minor hardware upgrades. Read this success story and learn more about the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool that helped get the job done.

From All About Microsoft

Quote:

"The Windows installed base will hit the 1 billion mark by the end of Microsoft’s fiscal 2008 (which ends on June 30), according to Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO.

“There will be more PCs running Windows than automobiles at that point,” Ballmer told attendees of the company’s annual Financial Analyst Meeting (FAM) in Redmond on July 26. (I’m here in person, up in the media rafters.)"

Read the rest here

From Reuters.uk

Quote:

"Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O: Quote, Profile , Research) had sold 60 million Windows Vista licenses as of the end of June, including 20 million copies sold since mid-May, the company said on Thursday.

The world's largest software maker disclosed the new sales figures on Vista, the latest version of its dominant Windows operating system released on Jan. 30, at its annual meeting with financial analysts."

Read the rest here

From Windows Vista Team Blog

Damn! The counterfeiters are improving their techniques more and more. Hmm, I wonder which one is fake?

Quote:

"Earlier today the Chinese Public Security Bureau and the FBI announced the largest bust of counterfeit software manufacturing or distribution ever.  The bust took place in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong and includes arrests that took place over the last couple of weeks.  While the value of the software actually seized is estimated at about five hundred million dollars, we're estimating that the value of software produced and distributed over the last few years by this particular group is closer to two billion dollars."

Read the rest here

As for the counterfeit Vista disk, its the one on the right. You can notice subtle differences such as washed out look of the copper hologram and the inner hub labeling is not centered properly. Its still a bit difficult to tell, especially for the average consumer, but with Windows Genuine Advantage and more education and awareness its really doing a great job.

Resources:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/

Yesterday, I gave my thoughts on the Acer controvesy, seems I am not the only who is also experiencing grogginess with Vista on their Acer systems. Matt Mondok over at Arstechnica shares his experience:

"While Acer will probably continue to blame Microsoft for its problems until Windows 7 arrives, I must admit that I, like many others, have not had good luck with Acer machines. Two months ago, I experienced my first and hopefully last taste of Vista on an Acer. I've worked on spyware-infested Windows ME machines that were more responsive than this brand new, Vista-Home-Basic-enabled Acer. From boot, the machine was ridiculously slow to the point that it was unusable. Sure, part of the blame could have been placed on Vista, but similar machines from Dell and HP ran just fine."

Read the entire post here

Acer president Gianfranco Lanci became the first major PC manufacturer to openly attack Microsoft over the Windows Vista operating system in the Financial Times Deutschland on Monday.

Lanci said the operating system was riddled with problems and gave users and businesses no reason to buy a new PC, according to the report. Taiwan-based Acer is the world's fourth-largest PC manufacturer, after HP, Dell and Lenovo.

"The whole industry is disappointed with Windows Vista," Lanci said.

Despite the long wait between Windows XP and Vista, the latest operating system still lacks maturity, he said. "Stability is certainly a problem," he said.

Read the rest here

My say: I am not an industry analyst, but how does Acer know that the entire industry is disappointed in Windows Vista? Are they selling HP, Dell and Lenovo systems too? As for buggy, I am done blaming Vista, its device drivers developed by the hardware developers thats giving the OS a bad rap. I have been using Acer's Ferrari 5000 notebook since January and I have experienced a number glitches and performance issuess none of which my brother have experienced on his Dell Inspiron running Vista x86. I just believe a lot of the issues faced by these same hardware developers is simply because Microsoft has raised the quality bar higher with Vista through the WHQL: better driver signing, required for Vista (x64) putting an end to the free for all kernel mode drivers that affected a systems stability if the driver was not written properly, User Account Control is another improvement in Vista I notice is affecting developers when it comes to device drivers, they simply need to improve their drivers to operate properly with the user priviliedges.

Vista use grows as Mac OS X stays flat

Windows Vista's share of online users has increased every month this year, while rival Mac OS X -- to which Vista has often been compared -- has shown little, if any, growth, a metrics company reports.

According to Net Applications, in June Windows Vista accounted for 4.52% of all systems that browsed the Web, up from January's 0.18%. Vista has grown its usage share each month since its release to consumers Jan. 30, hitting 0.93% in February, 2.04% in March, 3.02% in April and 3.74% in May. Apple Inc.'s Mac OS X, meanwhile, accounted for 6.22% in January and hit its high point of 6.46% in May, but it slipped back to 6% in June.

If Vista's uptake trend continues, it should pass Mac OS X in Web usage share by the end of August.

Read the rest here

From Microsoft-Watch

Quote:

"Microsoft is talking about the future again, but why about a product three years out when customers are clamoring for more immediate information about Vista?

As widely reported on Friday, a slide presentation from Microsoft's MGX (Global Exchange) sales conference revealed that Vista's successor, codename Windows "7," would be available in approximately 3 years. While Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is listed as "Next"—actually, Microsoft has two other pieces of software coming first—though no timetable for delivery is given."

Read the entire article here 

Joe, its obvious to me you are living in 1996. The days of NT 4 and disparately waiting for the Service Pack are over. Since the introduction of Windows Update and pervasiveness of the Internet particularly in the release of Windows 2000, it has begun to phase out the necessity of waiting for the first Service Pack approach before making mass deployments or putting a new OS in production. Yes, Service Packs are inevitable and what you are getting now through Windows Update in Vista today is mostly what you will be seeing in SP1 for Vista; a collection of bug fixes, security updates and likely better support for hardware like 802.11n based products for example.

Another quote from the article:

"Some businesses might take the renewal plunge based on Windows 7 estimated delivery. Some advice: You don't bet on Microsoft ship dates, you bet against. Remember, for example, that Vista missed holiday 2006, which is simply unthinkable."

<sigh> In the case of businesses, Microsoft did not miss any ship date. For Company's with SA and EA or even MSDN, they had access to Windows Vista and Office 2007 on November 30th 2006. Consumers didn't get it until a few months later. Big differences there Joe.

What about R2?

Its coming! Unless you are referring to a Vista R2 client, Microsoft never promised or confirmed any. They did say a Windows "Server" 2008 R2 (formerly Longhorn R2) would be available in 2009.

From The Windows Experience Blog

Quote:

"Last week Nick announced that the Windows Live OneCare 2.0 Beta Program has begun. Windows Live OneCare 2.0 is the next major release of Microsoft's all-in-one PC protection program. Windows Live OneCare not only protects users from viruses and spyware, but also helps users make sure their important data is backed up and that their PC's are updated with the latest updates from Windows Update.

Chris Overd over at LiveSide briefly touches upon features within Windows Live OneCare 2.0 such as Multi-PC support with your OneCare Circle, Centralized Backup, and the upcoming online photo backup service. However I took some time to record a little demo video showcasing some of Windows Live OneCare 2.0's new features including the new PC startup management tool and the OneCare Circle."

Check it out here

I have been running Live OneCare 2.0 too on Windows Vista x64 for more than a week now and I plan to do a review soon talking about my experience with this new release. OneCare 1.0 wasn't that inviting and the scan time as someone noted in the comments on the Windows Experience blog was just too long. It seems like that problem still has not been resolved or improved in version 2. My scan times with Symantec Client Security 10.2 for Windows Vista x64 is around an hour or less. I started a scan at 3 PM last week and it didn't end until around 7:06 PM, four hours, that's right! I like OneCare's Defragmenter which knows when your PC needs to be defragged and automatically does it for you. Although I have been told Vista Defragmenter runs in background at all times I am left unsure about it. Hopefully removing OneCare 2 from my system will be much easier than the first version, I must admit, I have had bad experiences trying to remove older versions of System Client Security from my system, lets hope its not the case with WLO when the time comes.

From Microsoft PressPass

Quote:

"Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Mobility Center are among the enhancements designed to help people pursue their passion, whether at home or on the go.

REDMOND, Wash., July 23, 2007 – Holiday gift giving in July?

The holidays may be months away, but holiday spending brings out the expressive, the extravagant -- and the exceptional. In preparation, Microsoft and computer hardware makers have been hard at work creating PCs that cater to the whim of givers and receivers alike. With Windows Vista, there are laptops for style mavens, gamers and lovers of all media. A person’s computer is often a statement about who they are, and they can rest assured that their computer will be well equipped, regardless of their choice.

Since the release of Windows Vista earlier this year, several companies have created PCs loaded with new mobility and multimedia capabilities. Windows Photo Gallery is designed to let users easily access all their photos and videos in one centralized place. Synchronizing content and personal information between computers and devices is also much easier; with Windows Mobility Center, Windows Sync Center and Windows Network and Sharing Center, users can ensure that content on their desktop, laptop, and Smartphone – or other mobile device – is consistent and up to date. "

The hardware coming out for Vista is just amazingly, aesthetically hot, here are three of my favorites:

Dell XPS M1330, from $1,299

Those who prefer a laptop designed for sleek lines and understated elegance may opt for the easy-to-carry Dell XPS M1330, which weighs in at four pounds. Use either computer as a portable entertainment center to tag, organize, share and view photos with Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Noteworthy Design Details of the M1330:

• The M1330 starts at 0.9 inches in thickness, and weighs just under 4 pounds, making it one of the lightest 13-inch systems in the market

• An integrated 2.0 megapixel Web cam makes it easy to create a video blog or add video to instant message chats with friends and family

• The optional biometric fingerprint reader restricts access to the computer or key data by requiring a biometric password – the owner’s own fingerprint

________________________________________________________________________

HP tx1000, from $999.99

A flip of the screen transforms the lightweight HPtx1000 tablet into a personal canvas for creative drawings, note taking and editing images. Plus, the new Sync Center will help users synchronize their Windows Vista based laptop, desktop, Smartphone and other devices, so they can always access their current contacts and appointments. The HP tx 1000 is designed to keep people stylish and on-time.

Noteworthy Design Details:

• The tx1000’s touch screen twists 180 degrees for presentations and DVD playback while traveling – and folds flat to capture hand-written notes and drawings

• The integrated fingerprint reader requires a swipe of the owner’s fingertips as part of the log-on process, and to access files and Websites that are password-protected

• A 1.3 MP Web cam and omni-directional microphone transform the tx1000 into the user’s own personal media hub

_________________________________________________________________________

Toshiba R500 Protégé, from $2,149

Stay connected anytime, anywhere with the Toshiba R500 Protégé. Among the thinnest laptops in the world (.77 inches thick), the Protégé is supremely portable, yet also powerful with a lengthy battery life. And with Windows Sidebar in Windows Vista, people can stay on top of the things they care about: display local weather, top news headlines, a gallery of favorite photos or content from one of Windows Sidebar’s hundreds of other mini applications.

Noteworthy Design Details of the R500 Protégé:

• Lightweight and durable, the R500 Protégé is designed to be a truly Mobile PC

• With a 64GB flash memory and 7-mm thin DVD-Super Multi Drive, the R500 Protégé does not compromise functionality for its lightweight design

• Along with a durable case, the R500 Protégé’s keyboard is also designed to resist liquids so people won’t have to worry about accidental spills

I'm surprised you can now get a Tablet at $999.99, the prices really are dropping. The main reason I wouldn't mind having the R500 Protege is the 64 GB Flash memory drive. Although its small compared to what you will find in comparable or cheaper laptops, the Flash drive makes up for it in areas of performance and reliability and its deep integration with Vista.

I recently reviewed the Acer Ferrari 5000 which I consider to be a very nice mobile system which features really great technologies and specs such as a 2 GHz AMD Turion x2 64 bit processor, 2 GB's of RAM, and 160 GB hard disk, integrated 1.3 MP Web camera, HMDI its definitely a fast system and it comes preloaded with Vista x64. I am also looking forward to learning more also about Dells forthcoming Dell Latitude Tablet PC.

Check out the Acer Ferrari 5000 review HERE

Check out the other Vista based formfactors here

Links taken from this months Windows Newsletter - Volume 82

Stay in touch wherever you go

It's summer--don't be tied to your desk! Spend time outside the office or your home and reconnect with people who matter to you. Think you're too busy? All you need is a mobile PC or mobile phone and the power of Windows.

With Windows Vista on your mobile PC:

• Go to work late or leave early: make the most of your commute

• Organize and share digital memories while you travel

• Connect online on the go

New and notable

Get more from Windows Vista
Already have Windows Vista but want to upgrade to a more advanced edition? Learn about the Windows Anytime Upgrade.

Halo 2 for Windows Vista now available
The legendary game adventure continues, now enhanced for Windows Vista.

Help protect your PCs with Windows SteadyState
Windows SteadyState helps shared PCs run smoothly in schools, Internet cafés, libraries, and other locations--and it's free.

Get free antivirus, online ID theft, and antispyware protection
For an all-in-one PC security and performance service, try Windows Live OneCare for free for 90 days.

Featured tip for Windows Vista

Create an XPS document
XPS documents are a new archiving format perfect for preserving content and securely sharing information, no matter which program you're using. To create an XPS document:

1. Open any document in virtually any application and click Print.

2. In the Printer Selection menu, choose Microsoft XPS Document Writer and save the file.

3. Double-click the file to open it in the XPS Viewer, which Windows Internet Explorer 7 hosts.

The XPS document is a pixel-perfect rendition of the original source material.

Visit our Help and How-to website to learn more about using Windows Vista.

More tips for Windows Vista

Master digital music
Want to learn how to rip, burn, sync, share, play, and organize all your digital music? Then check out our Music and Sounds section for Windows Vista.

Kids always online? Time Limits in Windows Vista can help
Windows Vista Parental Controls can help you ensure that your kids aren't surfing when they should be doing homework or something else.

From Microsoft Knowledge Base

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario:

• You have a Windows Vista-based computer that uses a high-performance video card.

•This video card uses multiple graphics processing units (GPUs).

In this scenario, the computer's graphics performance seems to indicate that only a single GPU is being used.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the operating system does not forward driver-render requests to the secondary GPU.

Click HERE to learn more about obtaining a Hotfix for this problem.

From All About Microsoft

Mary Jo Foley gives us some juicy details on the next client release of Windows coming out of Microsoft in the near or not so near (depending on who ask) future.

"Windows Seven now has an official ship target — 2010.

At Microsoft’s Global Exchange (MGX) annual sales conference in Orlando this week, Microsoft shared a bit more — albeit at a high level — on Windows Seven, according to a copy of a slide deck I saw that was distributed to the field sales force during the conference. Among the information shared was that Microsoft is anticipating it will take at least three years from now to get the next version of Windows client out the door."

MJ also revealed more information on proposed features and supported processor architectures - don't throw those x86 machines out just yet. ;)

Read the entire story here

Office Topic: Looks like I have been updated to the new Windows Live Spaces update. Sweet! :)

From AMD via ActiveWin

Catalyst™ 7.7 releases a number of new Avivo features and enhancements which optimize video playback and display configuration. These include

• Enhanced video color pages with two new color controls¹: flesh tone correction and color vibrance
• Enhanced video quality pages with easier to use deinterlacing controls and layout
• Simplified Theater Mode² controls, layout and now supporting Windows Vista
• Enhanced quick settings for video controls (available through the basic layout in Catalyst™ Control Center)
• Easy to use display scaling controls² when outputting to display devices that support TV timings (480i/p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p) through either digital (DVI or HDMI) or analog (component) interfaces

• Catalyst™ 7.7 Display Driver for Windows Vista (32 bit)
• Catalyst™ 7.7 Display Driver for Windows Vista (64 bit)

Microsoft's Blogging service got some nice updates yesterday, but still missing important ones that the service badly needs I believe. But here is a list of some of the new features in this update courtesy of the folks over at LiveSide.net

• Birthdays
• List Ordering
• New Photos Features
• Templates and Live Blog Titles

You will find more detailed information here

All are nice, welcome changes that truly enhance the user experience when browsing and managing Windows Live Space, but the issue remains sticky in one area, Search. I have come to realize, Microsoft still does not get or understand Search and what it means to have it setup right and work right. You can see the faults in Live Services such as Hotmail and Spaces. Why can't I search within an individuals Space, instead of across Spaces? I would like people to find the content they want within my space, because they know its there. I notice I can't search by Folders either in Live Hotmail or Category for instance on my Space, that's something the Live Search folks need to think about fixing.

Another thing is, why isn't Live Space taking advantage of tags to produce more relevant Search Results? I did a search for my recent Microsoft Wireless Entertain Desktop 7000 review and it was almost at the bottom of the Search results, Google does a way better job when it comes to finding information on my Space. Also, an option to have vertical banner ads would be nice instead of horizontal. I also wouldn't mind a Tag Gallery, so many websites and blogs use it these days, its like an integral part of every blog. It would be nice if the Spaces Team in the future phase in updates to certain blogs with more priority. My blog still has not gotten the new look regardless I blog on a regular basis (this is just a personal thing), but I feel really left out.

There is so much more spaces can fix, but these are only some of the changes I wouldn't mind seeing enhanced in the Live Services.

Disclaimer: This is a Microsoft asset-tagged item that Microsoft Corporation provided ActiveWin and Teching It Easy for review under no obligation and that it is expected to be returned at the end of the review period.

Features:

One look at Microsoft’s Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 and you will know this keyboard and mouse combination is all about Windows Vista. Featuring an innovative sleek design, these input devices deliver a first class experience on Microsoft’s consumer operating systems. The first time you take notice of the keyboard you will immediately admire its slim compact design, but begin to discover the differences that set it apart from traditional keyboards. I am one of those persons who love light and this keyboard wins already by making it easy to move around your living room or bedroom when using the Media Center functionality.

A significant aspect of the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000, is well, it’s “Wireless”, but requires some initial setup to achieve this experience. The keyboard for instance requires 4 AA alkaline batteries and 1 rechargeable battery for the mouse, all included in the package. Also included is a Mini Bluetooth Transceiver which provides the wireless signal for both devices. According to the package, the Bluetooth wireless speed is at 2.4 GHz allowing connectivity at a range of up to 30 feet.

Wireless Laser 7000 keyboard - Setup:

I tested the Wireless Laser 7000 Bluetooth keyboard on Vista Ultimate Edition; Home Premium in addition to Windows XP Media Center is also supported. You are most likely not going to use it on Vista Business or Home Basic since those editions are missing certain functionality such as Media Center which is a highlight of the keyboard integration, but I don’t see anything preventing you from doing so. Also, the lack of a dedicated numeric pad wouldn’t make it ideal for number crunchers either, although you can still access an embedded one using the Fn command. So its clear to begin with, this is a multimedia based keyboard with a target audience in mind. After opening the box, I took out the User Guide and installation CD; a green pamphlet provides a notice requiring that you install a critical update from http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/vistaupdate before proceeding with installation.

This update provides stability improvements to the USB stack under Vista x86 and x64 for Microsoft keyboard and Mice. So before connecting the Wireless Laser 7000 keyboard I used my existing corded keyboard to prepare my system. The installation from the Drivers CD which comes with Microsoft IntelliPoint and IntelliType 6.1 software was very simple. Parts during the installation require that you select the appropriate model number for the keyboard and mouse. After the installation completed, the Bluetooth wizard starts which prepares both mouse and keyboard to operate wirelessly in addition to devices such as Bluetooth based PDA’s and Printers that can be peered to function with the Bluetooth dongle.

It is important that you select the device model during setup. To see more screenshots from the installation, click HERE

Usage:

The first real world experience I tried on the keyboard was typing a document in Microsoft Word. To be honest, it takes some adjustment; the keyboard has a similar curved layout found on the Acer Ferrari 5000 laptop only with larger keys. Typing was responsive, but the large alphabetical keys resulted in numerous mistakes at first. I notice the alphabet keys are not consistent in size either, the ‘N’ and ‘B’ keys for instance are strangely the largest, I don’t know if this is based on research. The more I began using it the more I felt I had to study the keyboard to become more adjusted. The four way arrow keys are unusually slim which in some scenarios can result in accidentally hitting the wrong arrow if you are utilizing them in a particular task such as navigating through Media Center or a spreadsheet.

As noted there is no dedicated numeric keypad, then again, this is not a keyboard for accountants, it’s called the Wireless “Entertainment” Desktop for a reason. The tactile feed back from the keyboard is very good, the last keyboard that I did appreciate typing on is the one included with IBM’s Aptiva desktop systems. The response was instant, it’s definitely a pleasure to type on, and the keys themselves are more like those you find on laptops. The keyboards curvature provides an almost ergonomic layout that makes it easier on wrist movement, it’s not a definite replacement for Microsoft’s Natural Keyboard, but does provide a welcome level of comfort when in long usage.

Function keys are another major difference that I immediately noticed. Instead of traditional keys, Touch Sensitive buttons are used instead along with embedded keys you can easily activate with the function “Fn” key command. The function keys are divided into four distinctive sets with a combination of modes depending on the environment. You have quick access to common explorers such as Music and Pictures along with embedded functions for quick access to Windows Live Messenger and your home page when in your web browser. When I was about to take screenshots of the Intelli software installation, I became a bit perplexed at how I would do an ALT + PRSCRN. Surprisingly it worked well although you are left feeling unsure if the command was done because of a lack of tactile feedback. Of course it adds to the style and elegance of the keyboard making it lighter and more simplified.

The Wireless Laser 7000 is very well organised, both sides feature buttons that make handling the keyboard easy and logical. On the left side are integrated mouse buttons that act as pointing devices and works in accordance with the Navigation pad on the right side which curiously can also be used as a pointing device for navigating up, down, left and right depending on the mode it is set to.

Wirelessly moving through Windows Media Center :)

Design & Technologies

The keyboard accents Vista nicely by featuring a physical Vista pearl Start Button for quickly accessing programs and launching commands. The hand rest features proximity awareness which intelligently detects your presence and wakes the keyboard when in use, great for conserving battery life. I like the two tone finish which is combination of dark grey textured finish and silver frame surrounding the keys.

The left side of the keyboard features quick access to buttons for Magnification and Windows Sidebar Gadgets. When the magnifying glass is enabled, a rectangular window appears enlarging items on screen. Player controls are also available for Media player and Media Center which make it easy to manipulate your music so you can pause, play and scan through tracks directly from the keyboard. In addition to these I also discovered buttons for Volume, Mute and Channels which comes in handy when you are operating in Media Center from your sofa or bed. A Windows Live Call Button is also available for quick access to your Live Messenger Buddy list. I like the focus on making the keyboard a part of the living room while still maintaining its traditional functionality when working in a two feet environment, the remote and touch pad capabilities left me highly impressed.

Media Center

The keyboard features an integrated Media Center Start button for quick access. Using the keyboard in Media Center is very good! Once you set the Navigation Pad to the right mode; located at the upper extreme right of the keyboard, it makes it a cinch flying through the Media Center interface. If you are in one of the Media Center locations such as Picture or Music libraries, you can easily go back to the interface home by hitting the green button. I used the Media Center and wireless capabilities at approximately eight feet away and continued browsing, listening to music and navigating without any hindrance. The Navigation Pad is really a nice addition; if you are using it in the living room you can easily enjoy your multimedia and get work done at the same time. It would have been nice if the keyboard also featured a tracking ball (found on some laptops) to provide some fluidity in movement through out the Windows environment when not in Media Center. You can do it with the Navigation Pad when set back to mouse mode, but it’s so small, and hinders the time it takes to move the pointer to a part of the user interface. I could have used the mouse too, but would defeat the purpose of having this feature integrated in the keyboard in the first place. What I find strange is you can already accomplish some of the Navigation Pads capabilities with the four way arrow keys and the Enter button, so at times I was left confused why its there in the first place.

Laser 8000 Mouse Instant Viewer

Wireless Laser 8000 Bluetooth Mouse

As I already noted, the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 includes a mouse, which uses a 1,000 DPI laser sensor. Included with the Mouse is a rechargeable NiMH AA battery, a companion recharging base is also provided. In comparison to the wireless Bluetooth Ferrari 5000 mouse its very light, but not as light as the Logitech MX Revolution which I recently reviewed. It does a good job, there really are no surprising features that really set it apart, but the standard features make it very comfortable and productive to use. Don’t be mistaken though, this mouse still does feature some innovative features which I enjoyed using such as the Instant Viewer which gives you quick access to your open windows. The Laser 8000 also features four- way scrolling so you can scroll side to side, in addition to up and down. It’s not a dedicated gaming mouse, but works quite well in first-person shooter games, there is a bit of slugginess when using in fast games and in some cases this will hinder persons who have good game reflexes.

Software

The ability to customize your keyboard and mouse is also one of the great functions of this package. Both Keyboard and Mouse tie into Vista’s existing settings and adds their enhanced tools for customization. The IntelliPoint software provides straightforward options for remapping the various commands that are available, whether you are a gamer or need specific options for working in a particular program. You can also tweak the mouse speed for faster feedback when clicking. I personally chose not to alter any of the default settings. The highlight of the Laser 7000 Entertainment keyboard customization is the Favourites Hot Keys for which you can assign quick access to your most commonly used programs. As you can see in the following screenshot, I had assigned commands to the programs I most often use daily such as Microsoft Word, Media Player, Photo Gallery, Firefox and ActiveWin.com. You can also use the Favourites button above the F10 key which calls up a dialog from which you can customize on the fly or launch the desired application. I would have liked if the Laser 8000s Instant Viewer took advantage of Vista’s existing ALT +TAB application switcher instead of using its own implementation, although it’s still nice to look at, but I notice when I click the scroll wheel as advertised, it does not immediately appear.

Quirks and Glitches

The day before this review was published; my brother came over to visit and also wanted to check out the new hardware I was reviewing. I was excited to show him the many features and wow him with the wireless capabilities. It kind of happened the way I wanted it to, I launched MCE using the MCE button, but strangely enough, when I switched to navigation mode on the Navigation Pad, the Up and Down arrows did not work at all, when I switched back to the Pointing Device mode, the mouse functionality did not work either. Then I navigated to the contents of a library, and pressed the MCE Start button to go back instantly to the MCE home screen, it activated the Start Panel. A restart eventually sorted things out and my brother was overall impressed by the wireless capabilities and the keyboards sleek design. The Laser 8000 was not without its quirks either, when I went to demonstrate Instant Viewer, clicking scroll again did not instantly bring up the application, it almost felt like a lucky hit when it eventually came up.

Final Thoughts

What can I say? I love the Wireless Entertain Desktop 7000 and I am positively overwhelmed by its many features. Its tight integration with Windows Vista will leave users of the operating system very impressed and comfortable. When I look back at my Dell PS/2 keyboard, I have to wonder how am I going readjust to it after having such a great time with the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 <sigh>. Although there are some misses in areas such as no numeric keypad and touch based functions might require some getting accustomed to, the Laser Desktop 7000 is a great combination when used with Media Center and the Vista OS’s various features. The Laser 8000 mouse when coupled with Vista also shines and includes really productive features that make it a treat for users. While it’s not for gamers, it’s a great value when combined with the Laser 7000 keyboard, the wireless capabilities in addition to the recharging station results in very high points. Overall, I would recommend this to any home user running Microsoft’s multimedia operating systems, whether Vista or XP Media Center, it’s great for general purpose and media center activities. I am happy to say, this package is designed to improve your user experiences in the living room for the better.

Andre

Keyboard

Mouse

In the Box:

• Recharging station 
• AC power cord 
• Bluetooth dongle 
• Microsoft IntelliPoint and IntelliType 6.1 software
• Setup guide
• One Rechargeable battery (for Laser 8000 Mouse)
• Four AA Alkaline batteries (for Laser 7000 Keyboard)

Ratings:

• Installation: 90 % 
• Ease of Use: 86%
• Features: 95%
• Design: 95%
• Options: 95%
• Help & Documentation: 85%
• Price: 90%

Overall: 95%

Price $129
Certified for Windows Vista

Check out the Microsoft Wireless Entertain Desktop 7000 Gallery HERE

Windows Vista Logo Program: http://www.windowsvista.com/lookforthelogo

Microsoft Hardware: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=081

 Previous Reviews:
Logitech MX Revolution mouse 
Acer Ferrari 5000

From nVidia via ActiveWin

There is a new Windows Vista Beta driver release available to download from NVIDIA, v162.22. This is a new driver which will support GeForce 6, 7, and 8 series graphics boards; it does not support GeForce Go mobile GPUs. Please continue to check with your notebook manufacturer for a new driver for GeForce Go GPUs. GeForce FX users should continue to use the v96.85 driver.

New Features

• Improved compatibility for Lost Planet.
• Adds support for "Resize the HDTV Desktop" underscan mode when outputting in an HDTV mode.
• Numerous game and application compatibility fixes. Please read the release notes for more information on product support, feature limitations, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.

Also available:
GeForce 8 series DX 10 driver for World in Conflict BETA release.

• Forceware version 163.11 Beta (Vista x86)
• Forceware version 163.11 Beta (Vista x64)

Contents and links adapted from this months TechNet Newsletter.

Volume 9, Issue 14, July 11, 2007.

The popular Windows Vista Hardware Assessment deployment tool just got better. And it is now available as a free download. Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0 offers IT professionals a quick way to assess their existing computers' readiness for Windows Vista without any software agents. In this new release, you will find new features such as a 2007 Microsoft Office system hardware assessment, enhanced scalability for large enterprise networks, selective inventory by organization units and more. Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0 is part of an essential suite of Windows Vista Solution Accelerators including the Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs, the Windows Vista Security Guide, and the Business Desktop Deployment 2007.
It's easy to see why the excitement around the Windows PowerShell command line and scripting environment continues to build. It seems like we've just begun to discover what can be done using the tool. One of the most talked-about features of Windows PowerShell is its pipeline, but it's also, unfortunately, one of the most misunderstood features. If you are already a Windows PowerShell user or interested in understanding more about this powerful command line interface, don't miss Don Jones's column in TechNet Magazine: Windows PowerShell Rethinking the Pipeline. And don't forget, you can download Windows PowerShell 1.0 or evaluate it as part of your Windows Server 2008 evaluation. There are several introductory videos that demonstrate the various capabilities of Windows PowerShell, including Introduction to Windows PowerShell, Windows Vista and Windows PowerShell, and Windows PowerShell and IIS 7.

Top Stories and Featured Content

TechNet Magazine: The ActiveX Installer Service in Windows Vista

How do you secure the desktop against malicious ActiveX controls without limiting application compatibility? We'll take you on a tour of the ActiveX Installer Service (AxIS) in Windows Vista that addresses this issue with a new way to manage ActiveX controls.

Discover How to Modify Boot Configuration Parameters

In the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Editor FAQ, find out what the BCD store is, why it was created, where it's located in the registry, how to modify it, and more.

Support and Troubleshooting

How-to Articles

• How to troubleshoot Volume Activation error codes on Windows Vista-based computers

Knowledge Base Articles

• After you apply security update 929123, you may be prompted by a dialog box that requests more input about how to continue when you browse a Web site

• Problems with the network, hard disk drive, or storage drivers cause a program to stop unexpectedly in Windows Vista

• A red "X" appears in the icon for a mapped network drive in Windows Vista, even though you can successfully access the drive

See a selection of new Knowledge Base articles on the TechNet Web site. KB articles feature an Article Translations box in the right column. You can select a language from the drop-down list and read the article in the selected language.

Featured Downloads

Start Planning for Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Migration Using Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0

It's time to take advantage of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system. Download the new and improved Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0 tool to help you determine your computers' readiness and the upgrades that may be required for your migration project.

Upcoming Webcasts

Get Ready for Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office with Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0

Wednesday, July 18, 11:30 AM Pacific Time
Join this webcast to find out if your existing computers are ready to fun Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system using the newly-released Windows Vista Hardware Assessment 2.0.

Virtual Labs

Windows Vista Virtual Labs

Windows Vista Virtual Labs have recently been refreshed. In these labs you'll learn to manage network security, deploy operating system images using Windows Deployment Services, configure User Account Control for standard and administrative users via group policy, and more.

Solution Accelerators

Best Practices on Managing Windows Vista Desktops

Get best practice guidance for managing Windows Vista desktop operations. Windows Vista Service Life-Cycle Management (WVSLM) provides concise guidance to help minimize the total cost of ownership of desktop infrastructure. Process guidance and document templates help make service management concepts from the IT Infrastructure Library and the Microsoft Operations Framework tangible and easily implementable by focusing on a single and common IT service.
WVSLM is part of a family of Windows Vista Solution Accelerators, including the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment, Business Desktop Deployment 2007, Windows Vista Security Guide, and the Data Encryption Toolkit for Mobile PCs.

PCs Infected? Get the Malware Removal Starter Kit

This free kit provides a comprehensive plan to combat malware, and gives you tools to uncover 'stealthy' malware and restore infected PCs -- so users can safely get back to work.

Case Studies and White Papers

Windows Vista Deployment Case Studies

• Collegiate Housing Services
Housing Company Saved $38,000 in PC Replacement Costs During Recent Windows Vista Deployment

• Sporton International, Inc.
Telecommunications Certification Company Found 88% of Existing PCs to Be Windows Vista Ready.

Received TechNet Flash from a Friend?

The TechNet Flash is full of pointers to in-depth technical information that we encourage subscribers to forward to friends and co-workers. If you've received this issue from someone via e-mail and would like to receive the free TechNet Flash newsletter biweekly, all you have to do is register.

 Volkan notifies us about the release Microsoft's Windows Live One Care 2.0 security service which you can now download from the Connect website.

Quote

Download Windows Live OneCare Beta 2.0 (EN-US)

Nun ist die neue Version (2.0) von Windows Live OneCare für den US-merkanischen Markt veröffentlicht wurden.

Download: Windows Live OneCare Beta Home

Weitere Informationen

• Registrieren Sie sich für Windows Live OneCare Beta (v2.0)!

Previously:

Talking about Windows Live Onecare 2.0

Disclaimer: This is a Microsoft asset-tagged item that Microsoft Corporation provided ActiveWin and Teching It Easy for review under no obligation and that it is expected to be returned at the end of the review period.

Features:

Logitech SmartShift Technology

MX Revolution uses advanced technology to detect your current application and automatically apply the scroll mode that best fits the task at hand.

Hyper-Fast Scrolling

Fly through long documents at hyperspeed with the nearly frictionless alloy scroll wheel. Shift to precise click-to-click scrolling to navigate list, slides, and image collections.

Document Quick-Flip

Move effortlessly between documents. It’s never been easier to cut and paste between applications, compare documents, compare documents, or check e-mail.

Touch to Search

Highlight a word or phrase and press the Search button to instantly display results from your favourite search engine.

Rechargeable Cordless Laser

Rechargeable Li-ion battery, full-speed USB wireless technology, and a state-of-the-art laser engine deliver convenience and absolute precision.

System Requirements:

IBM or compatible PC

Windows Vista (requires Internet connection) or XP

USB Port

CD-ROM Drive

When I first laid eyes on this mouse, I knew I would want to spend the rest of my ergonomically correct life with it. A combination of design and aesthetics provides a first class computing experience that’s second to none. The futuristic appearance might intimidate some persons at first glance, but once you get to know this pointing device, you will be glad to hold the future in the palm of your hand (right hand preferably). I have been using generic PS/2 mice for years now, I recently transitioned to using an optical laser mouse on my main desktop system, which I consider to, be a great improvement since there is no longer a need to open the mouse and clean out the gunk that builds up over time. With the MX Revolution it’s the best of both worlds especially with it’s unique and advanced features like its deep integration with the Windows Vista operating system and contoured right-hand shape that make gripping and moving the mouse very comfortable.

The first advantage I found after using the mouse is, that its light, moving it around, pointing and clicking require little to no effort, this combination result’s in smooth wrist movement and close to no arm fatigue.

I wanted to take full advantage of the MX Revolution capabilities; so the best way to do this is to download and install the Logitech’s Set Point 4.0 software with improved Vista support, SetPoint 3.01 shipped with it, but has some Vista configuration issues. This software provides additional enhancements so you can get the most out of it. The installation was straightforward, but the wizard pages were a few too many, so I ended up spending a lot of time clicking and, clicking some more – a real pleasure with this mouse! See the following screenshots for a visual idea of what I went through:

Straightforward, but the wizard for the installation features too many pages. It’s a small trade off but nothing to get worried about, just that consolidating some pages would have been nice. Setpoint features options for assigning specific mouse commands depending on the application in use or throughout the Windows interface.

SETUP:

The mouse comes with a recharging station (dock) which you plug into your power outlet; and is used to recharge the mouse. Next is the Micro Receiver, a USB Thumb drive shaped device; which allows the mouse to be used wirelessly. The green LED lights on the upper edge of the mouse indicate if it’s fully charged and ready to be used. If it’s not, just place it back into the recharging station until it is ready. At the bottom is an on and off switch which you may use to preserve battery levels when not in use.

My favourite feature is hyper scroll which allows you to effortlessly move between applications without actually moving the mouse. SetPoint is grouped into four categories: Mouse Button Settings, Mouse Movement, Mouse Game Settings, Wheel Settings and Mouse Batteries in addition to a Tools group. The traditional old scroll wheel gets reworked for Revolution duty with two modes. The first mode is the standard ratcheting mode we are all used to. The second scroll mode is a simple change that makes a huge difference in daily use by allowing the wheel to freely spin. The normal left and right horizontal scroll is performed by moving the scroll wheel left or right.

In free-wheel mode the scroll wheel can spin for up to seven seconds according to Logitech. In my testing I saw longer spin times than that; scrolling for up to ten seconds at a time was not uncommon at all. That allows me to move through long pages scanning for specific content. I found it great to use on websites such as eBay and a great way to move through long Word documents. The fast scrolling is very easy to stop as well, simply place your finger on it and it stops on a dime.

Logitech made the MX Revolution Wireless Mouse intelligent; it can change the scroll mode on-the-fly depending on what it thinks is the correct mode for the task at hand. It does a pretty good job of it too. If you are scrolling slowly and little at a time it leaves itself in click mode, however, start scrolling faster and the wheel will automatically change to free-wheel mode.

I experienced some problems with the free-wheel mode when testing it free-wheel just would not work on all web pages. You will notice this when scrolling long pages with text entry fields. The free-wheel worked fine on the long pages in documents, but when I would mouse over the text entry field scrolling would not work, to be able to scroll through the long embedded text entry fields I would have to change to click mode by pressing the scroll wheel.

A few pages simply wouldn't scroll in free-wheel mode at all. For instance while writing a review I was trying to scroll a web page in free-wheel mode and it simply wouldn't scroll, a quick tap of the scroll wheel to change the mouse manually to click mode and I was back in business. Not nearly the hassle it sounds to be, but strange nonetheless. The normal middle click function of the scroll wheel is replaced with the ability to manually change between scroll modes.

Inside the SetPoint software:

Mouse Button:

Here you can specifically configure parts of the mouse to function the way you want it to in a particular program, whether its Microsoft Outlook or Adobe Acrobat. The great thing about the MX Rev is its pre programmed out of the box with standard motion settings that suit most users. The SetPoint software should have made it possible to assign Windows Search as the default for One-Touch-Search.

Mouse Movement:

Here you configure mouse settings for speed and acceleration of the pointer, as well as how fast you scroll and zoom. You can also specify whether you want to use a pointer trail and the Smart Move positioning feature when you open a new window or dialog. The pointer trail helps to locate the pointer on screens that are unclear or difficult to view.

Game Settings:

SetPoint enable its Game Detection settings and applies its own speed and Acceleration implementation or allows you can use Vista’s default options. Depending on the task you are carrying out, you can for example easily use the mouse for work, doing a presentation or gaming. SetPoint can automatically enable or disable mouse acceleration, and increase or decrease mouse speed when you are playing games. For instance, you can have acceleration switched on when you use most applications on your computer, so that when surfing the Internet or word processing you move quickly around the screen, but switched off when playing games to increase your accuracy and gaming effectiveness.

MX Revolutions Document Flip window

I think the best feature of the MX Revolutions is Document Quick Flip, which basically makes switching between applications as easy as 1, 2, and 3. When you click the Micro-Gear Precision wheel located at the left side of the mouse, the Document Flip window appears with a listing of all your open applications, you simply scroll and click the wheel to select an application without the need to move the mouse or use the left mouse button to click. It’s confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a great experience. And if you’re using Windows Vista, this can optionally tie-into Flip3D as well.

Back and Forward buttons are a treat, located on the left-side of the mouse they make jumping through long documents a time saver. I had the buttons programmed to function for page forward and page backwards in SetPoint 4, but the button sometimes would refuse to function. After hitting the buttons a few times, the command would take place but the occasional difficulty in getting the navigation buttons to work was strange.

Left to right: Back, Document Flip, Forward, Left Click buttons

Left to right: Right click, Left Scroll, Manual Scroll, Right Scroll button

One Touch Search

Battery Life

The MX Revolution uses an integrated Li-Ion battery that is recharged on an AC powered base station you plug into a power outlet. It responded well on a variety of surfaces, including a matte based texture surface, typical mouse pad and hard wood desk. Battery life is good, on a full charge the Set Point software indicated battery life at about 17 days. I personally use a mouse way more than what might be considered normal, roughly 10-16 hours a day on average, with a minimum of four hours a day. I got about 4 days of use out of the battery before I was greeted with the red recharge me LED. When the mouse did run down, placing it on the recharging dock for an hour did the trick, and the battery was fully recharged according to the battery level indicator on the left side of the mouse.

Final Comments

  The Logitech MX Revolution is a great general purpose mouse, features such as Document Flip and the Back and Forward buttons makes working at your computer and more welcoming experience when using productivity applications and the web. Although I didn’t do much gaming with it, the MX Revolution will be welcomed also by casual gamers who will find the MX Revolution performs well; but hardcore gamers will want more sensitivity than the MX Revolution’s 480DPI will allow for.

In the Box:

· Recharging station

· AC power cord

· USB micro dongle

· Logitech SetPoint CD (3.01)

· User's guide

· 3-year limited warranty

Price

$99

Certified for Windows Vista

Windows Vista Logo Program: http://www.windowsvista.com/lookforthelogo

Logitech: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/upp/details/US/EN,crid=2676,contentid=12134&ad=revolution_mxupp

 Kenny Yeung over at Discovery HK alerted me that the beta for Microsoft's Live OneCare 2.0 Beta is about to start...

Quote

Windows Live Onecare 2.0

it is coming...

I won't hand out any further more information because of this...

This invitation is for an invite-only group, please do not forward this email. Please also refrain from publicly posting this or any other pre-premiere information.