Upcoming end of support announcement
Image via CrunchBase
Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) will reach the end of support on July 12, 2011. From that date onward, Microsoft will no longer provide support or free security updates for Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). In order to stay secure and continue support you must upgrade to Service Pack 2 (SP2).
Products no longer supported
- As announced in 2008, support for Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2*) ended on July 13, 2010.
- Also announced in 2008, support for Windows 2000 ended on July 13, 2010.
- Support for Windows Vista Release to Manufacturing (RTM) ended April 13, 2010.
Customers running an unsupported version of Windows or service pack will not be eligible for any of our support options. Updates, including security updates released with bulletins from the Microsoft Security Response Center, will be reviewed and built for the supported versions and service packs only. The most current service packs are available to organizations, and they are easily deployed via Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services/Microsoft System Center, and the Microsoft Download Center. To better understand the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy and your support options visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle page.
There is no supported migration path from Windows 2000 to Windows 7 using the Windows User State Migration Tool (USMT). You will need to upgrade to Windows XP and then migrate to Windows 7 using USMT 4.0, a tool included with the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK). For more information on Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Server End of Support visit Windows 2000 End of Support Solution Center.
Updating your Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 2000 PCs before the end of mainstream support dates will ensure your PCs stay supported and receive security updates. The best way to be secure and supported is by migrating to Windows 7.
- Small and midsize businesses should migrate to Windows 7 Professional, which is designed to help you work the way you want, help you get more done, and safeguard your work.
- Larger organizations should migrate to Windows 7 Enterprise, which enables enterprise users to be more productive from anywhere, manage risk through enhanced security and control, and reduce costs through streamlined PC management.
- There are tools to help test and mitigate application compatibility issues, including the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit, Windows XP Mode, and Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V) to help migration. To learn more about these tools, visit the Springboard Series on TechNet.
- Upgrading to Internet Explorer 8 improves the level of protection against current and emerging online threats.
Tip of the Week: Upgrade Microsoft Security Essentials
Image via Wikipedia
You can download the new version directly from: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
iTunes accounts for sale in China
The accounts are available for as little as 1 yuan (10p) a time.
This is latest in a trend for criminals to target the iTunes and other services and highlights the need for all computer users regardless of whether they use to Windows or Macs to exercise caution and vigilence.
Here is the link to the BBC article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12127603
Tip of the Week: How to Give Gadgets for Christmas
This time last year we covered some essential tips on how to give a laptop for Christmas. For Christmas 2010 we thought it was time to catch up on the must have gadgets of this year – tablets and smartphones. Lets get started with the single most important thing you can do for someone who is receiving a new shiny cool piece of tech – make sure it is fully charged up. It’s going to be used instantly and lots so make sure it has plenty of juice to run on.
iPhones and iPads
If you’re giving one of these top rated items away this year to someone who has not got a computer make sure you activate it first. Both the iPhone and iPad need to access to a computer with iTunes running on it as part of its initial setup. Until activation has completed there is nothing you can do with Apples magical wonder toys.
Amazon Kindle
Amazons top selling book reader is pretty much self contained all that you need to run one is an Amazon account. If the person you’re buying the Kindle for does not have an Amazon account, or the necessary email address it would be nice to set these up in advance for them – that way there is nothing to stop them downloading a book and starting to read.
Android Smartphone (or Tablet)
Android smartphones are fully self contained and don’t need much in the way of extras. Except that is for a Google Account. This is essential if you want to download anything from the Android marketplace. So make sure the person you’re giving the phone to has a Gmail account – that will single handly sort out the problem; and if they don’t have a gmail account – set one up for them.
Windows Phone 7
Latest to market is the smartphone from Microsoft. Like the Android gadgets you will need a matching email address that is part of a Windows Live Id to immediately get the most from the ‘phone. So like Android devices make sure the intended recipient has a live or hotmail email address ready; and if not (you know what I’m going to say next) – why not set one up for them.
Christmas Opening Hours 2010
Its almost Christmas and time for us to announce our Christmas opening hours for the festive period.
We will close for Christmas on Friday 24th of December
and re-open for business as normal on Tuesday January 4th.
Both Rob and Stuart will remain available for emergency call outs and consultations throughout this period and can be contacted by either email or telephone. If you have any difficulties please call us on
0800 0354148
or email on
info@alphatechsolutions.co.uk
In the meantime let me take this opportunity to wish you a
Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Tip of the Week: Home means Home
- Image via Wikipedia
Small businesses need good computers and to keep and eye on their finances. Microsoft sells versions of Windows for home and business. The home versions are cheaper and on the surface identical to the business versions. This takes many new or small companies down the path of buying cheaper computers running the home version of Windows; and for a while this strategy works very well.
However as the company grows so does its I.T. needs. Eventually the IT infrastructure turns to things like servers and this is were the trouble starts. You see the business versions of Windows work beautifully with servers and all the trappings of a networked business all operating underneath the auspices of a domain. The home versions of Windows do not.
Simply put the business versions of Windows work in a business environment and the home versions work in a home environment. Mix copies of Windows built for the home in a business environment and complications ensure. This can end up costing a lot of time and money and some functionality you are looking for may simply not be possible,
So the tip is
At home – you are best advised to use a version of Windows designed for the home
In Business – only buy the business version of Windows – it may be a little more expensive up front, but in the long run it will work better for you.
Security Warning – AVG Free may Stop Your PC From Working
- Image via Wikipedia
The problems seems to affect computers that are upgrading to the December 1st version of AVG Free.
AVG have issued a set of instructions that will help you remove AVG from an affected system allowing you to continue working. The instructions are at:
http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=94159
Tip of the Week: Press F11 for Full Screen
If computers are good at one thing it is in providing a distraction. A modern Internet connected computer has access to enough content to provide a lifetime of distractions, and that’s without slipping in and out Twitter and Facebook apps. What you need is a way of just putting the job in hand on screen, fully and squarely with all distractions hidden.
There is a way to do that – it is called pressing F11. If you press F11 your will find you application filling the screen.
I find this particularly useful when running web based software. One press of F11 and all I need to work on is in front of me with all distractions removed.
Press F11 again and my screen is back to normal.
Its a simple tip, but a very effective one.
Tip of the Week: Are my Fingers Fat on This?
- Image via Wikipedia
Do your fingers fit its keyboard?
If your fingers cannot easily do their job then you are going to get hurt and frustrated. So when assessing which is the gadget for your work make sure it is a good physical fit for you. Check to see if you can
- Type comfortably enough the work you intend to do it.
- Hold it comfortably for a reasonable amount of time
- Read its screen clearly and easily.
Then of course make sure it is technically correct for you – will it do what you want in the way you want it to?
Assuming of course your fingers are a good fit.
Free Educational IT Recycling in Wales
I recently received a call from a company that is offering free recycling of electrical, IT and office equipment for all educational establishments.
The company in question is IT Asset Disposal Ltd, and they seem keen to promote this service and in the vein of assisting better environmental management of IT Waste we’ve decided to mention the service.
You can find out more by contacting IT Asset Disposal. Their web site is at: http://www.itadltd.com/
