I received this month's Microsoft Hardware newsletter and thought it might help some of you out there, so I am pasting it below in full.
Notice about Drivers and Windows Vista SP1
As the broad availability of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) approaches, it is important to review how to build quality device drivers that are deployable based on device installation requirements and best practices for Windows Vista (see Device Installation Rules for Windows Vista and Building Deployable Device Driver Packages). Windows Vista SP1 includes substantial improvements to the core operating system, components, driver stacks, and some inbox drivers. These improvements increase stability, robustness, and performance, enhance security, and include key changes to inbox drivers. As you are probably aware, our testing has revealed a few instances in which driver reinstallations result in unforeseen side-effects for some devices. In those instances, a manual reinstallation of the driver may be required after a Windows Vista SP1 installation. Because we do not want users to have a negative device experience, Because we do not want users to have a negative device experience, Windows Update will recognize PCs with problematic drivers and postpone offering SP1 to those PCs while we work with our partner ecosystem to mitigate these problems. For more detailed information, please review the following technical guidance and next steps. Based on the device installation requirements and best practices for Windows Vista, the Windows Vista SP1 update servicing process conducts an INF-based reinstallation of drivers that have dependencies on updated Windows Vista SP1 inbox drivers. This reinstallation helps to ensure a higher success rate for Windows Vista SP1 installation. Any software that is installed without using an INF-such as a Setup application or Windows Installer-remains unchanged, but the device itself is reinstalled by using an INF. The result is similar to using Device Manager to reinstall the device driver. If our testing identified problems during development, we contacted the appropriate partners to investigate the problems and provide fixes. Although we understand that as valued partners you have engaged in testing and have addressed driver problems that you discovered throughout the Windows Vista SP1 development cycle, we request your help now to mitigate any potential impact to end users who upgrade to Windows Vista SP1 by doing the following: Compare the behavior of your device before and after a Windows Vista SP1 update by doing the following:1. Perform a clean installation of the released version of Windows Vista.2. Install all Windows Vista critical and important updates from Windows Update.3. Confirm your device and driver functionality before the Windows Vista SP1 update, including making changes to the default device configuration.4.
To configure your PC to download Windows Vista SP1 over Windows Update, run the following commands at an elevated command prompt:. reg
deleteHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\VistaSp1 /f
> NUL 2>&1. reg deleteHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\VistaSP1 /f > NUL 2>&1. reg addHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\VistaSp1 /v Beta1 /t REG_SZ /d dcf99ef8-d784-414e-b411-81a910d2761d /f5.
Install Windows Vista SP1 from Windows Update.6. Confirm that your device and driver functionality and configuration have not changed after the Windows Vista SP1 update. Review your completed Windows Vista SP1 update installation test efforts and results by:. Assessing your test results for any driver-specific update problems that require our attention.. Focusing on any problems that could result in the potential for a negative device experience after installing Windows Vista SP1. For example, look for changes in device behavior or configuration. Take the following steps for any devices or drivers that exhibit problems after a Windows Vista SP1 update:. Focus on drivers that could be problematic in servicing as a result of an installation that is based on an INF.. Be aware that drivers that require an end-user action or co-installation application may have specific problems with Windows Vista SP1. Ensure that your driver complies with all recommended guidance for Windows Vista driver development described on the WHDC Driver Installation page. Help remedy device or driver problems by doing the following:. If you identify a problem, contact your IHV/OEM technical account manager. They will assist you to resolve the problem through an updated driver and temporarily suspended automatic update.. If you do not have an IHV/OEM technical account manager, see Microsoft Help and Support to submit a request for support. All requests that result in a bug will be fully refunded. We thank you for your hard work on Windows Vista SP1 and value your continued partnership with Microsoft.
Edition forMarch 11, 2008
In This Issue:
From the Editor
Notice about Drivers and Windows Vista SP1
Tools and Links for Developers
Windows Driver Developer Kits, Tools, and Programs
•
Debugging Tools v.6.8.4.0 (October 2007)
•
Windows Driver Kit and Windows Logo Kit
•
WDK Documentation (monthly updates)
•
Windows Symbols (January 2008)
•
Logo Point (Windows Logo Program requirements and news)
•
WDK Documentation in 7 Languages: Try the Beta
Developing Drivers with Windows Driver Foundation
Buy the Book
WDF Resources on WHDC Web
Hardware and Driver Developer Community
•
XML Paper Specification (XPS) Developers Forum
•
Blogs, Newsgroups, and Video on WHDC
•
Notes from Windows Development Teams
The Microsoft Hardware Newsletter provides manufacturers and developers the latest technical details for how to succeed with the Windows platform. Register now, if you're not already receiving the Microsoft Hardware Newsletter. To cancel your subscription to this newsletter, reply to this message with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the Subject line. You can also unsubscribe at the Microsoft.com Web site. You can manage all your Microsoft.com communication preferences at this site.Legal Information.This newsletter was sent by the Microsoft Corporation1 Microsoft WayRedmond, Washington, USA98052
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Computer Gal's
This Week's Hot Deals Tuesday, March 25, 2008
US Robotics Wireless Access Point
Your Price: $63.33
The U.S. Robotics Wireless MAXg Access Point provides the simplest installation process anywhere, while delivering the performance you have come to expect from U.S. Robotics. Featuring exclusive MAXg
Sansa Express 2GB MP3 Player
Your Price: $67.66
The SanDisk Sansa ExpressT is the world's first cable-free, flash-based MP3 player with amicroSD slot and offers you superior features not typically offered on a smaller capacity player.It also comes ...
Brother Multifunction Printer
Your Price: $161.07*
The MFC-5460cn offers both a versatile flatbed and an automatic document feeder, for faxing and copying that do not require the use of a computer. Fast print speeds of up to 30 ppm Black / 25 ppm Colo...
HP 16x DVD-Writer with Lightscribe
Your Price: $81.02*
This Disc drive offers fastest recordable technology available today for DVD burning. You can create DVD discs that can be played on most set-top DVD players and DVD-ROM drives. It brings quality and....
View these deals and many more in our catalog
Over 400,000 products
Great Prices . Amazing Selection . Fast Delivery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Week's Hot Deals Tuesday, March 25, 2008
US Robotics Wireless Access Point
Your Price: $63.33
The U.S. Robotics Wireless MAXg Access Point provides the simplest installation process anywhere, while delivering the performance you have come to expect from U.S. Robotics. Featuring exclusive MAXg
Sansa Express 2GB MP3 Player
Your Price: $67.66
The SanDisk Sansa ExpressT is the world's first cable-free, flash-based MP3 player with amicroSD slot and offers you superior features not typically offered on a smaller capacity player.It also comes ...
Brother Multifunction Printer
Your Price: $161.07*
The MFC-5460cn offers both a versatile flatbed and an automatic document feeder, for faxing and copying that do not require the use of a computer. Fast print speeds of up to 30 ppm Black / 25 ppm Colo...
HP 16x DVD-Writer with Lightscribe
Your Price: $81.02*
This Disc drive offers fastest recordable technology available today for DVD burning. You can create DVD discs that can be played on most set-top DVD players and DVD-ROM drives. It brings quality and....
View these deals and many more in our catalog
Over 400,000 products
Great Prices . Amazing Selection . Fast Delivery
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, March 24, 2008
Free Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Preview
Want to try out Microsoft's new SQL Server 2008 without downloading or installing anything. Well you can. All from the new online beta web site. You can use real data to test it out. Check it out here WWW.SQLSERVERBETA.COM
Time to close ebay store, I've had enough!
Well folks, I think it is time to begin the transition of closing our ebay store. eBay is really to much of a loss these days to continue as a viable option in our business plan. This month is another great example of how backwards their system is. I was on a two week vacation that ended this week. I returned back to the world of internet only to find out that I have a new bad feedback, three paypal claims and all my paypal funds are froze. Why, you ask, well because I was on vacation and could not answer my emails. Well, you are thinking I must not have posted my out of town status since folks and ebay are automatically assuming I am choosing them out of over 1,000 transaction to not send their merchandise too. Wrong, posted on each and every listing and on the front page of my ebay store. Matter of fact here is the note, do you think the font is to small?
Hello, Thank you for shopping at Computer Gal's as your business is appreciated! Just a note to let you know that the shop is closed for vacation until Mach 16th 2008. You may still view and purchase your item and it will be shipped just as soon as we re-open . Thank You again for shopping and remember to check the store for any additional items you may need as we love to combine shipping.
I used ebay's vacation tool to notify ebay too. Well, none of the above worked I guess. I got plenty of emails calling me a few choice words such as crook & theif and also got plenty of lawsuit threats too. Now I'm sure you are thinking these people must have ordered pretty expensive items to get so upset. Well is .99 cents expensive? Unfortunately for me, I had no internet use while out, so I could not email my customers and ask them if they noticed the banner across the listing when they ordered their item so they assumed the worse, and started the hate the ebay seller campaign. Well here comes the fun part. Paypal claims are filed and paypal freezes my account so now my funds are held up including the postage paid by my new customers. Fortunately for my customers I have enough in savings to cover the postage for the two weeks worth of orders & counting, while my funds are held up for about thirty days. Now lets assume I did not have any savings for a moment. Paypal's/ebay's tactic of holding the funds of all my orders including new orders while they investigate, does not make a lot of sense. If I did not have any savings like alot of ebay sellers I would not be able to ship any products for possibly up to 30 days. How many unhappy customers would that be for the average powerseller?
I called paypal and they said wow how terrible, your right, but....can't do anything about it. You are a victim of the ebay/paypal automatic we are keeping all your money scheme.
What kills me is, if my package had not arrived when I thought it should have, I would have immediately referred back to the listing to exam the shipping terms, and then would have probably noticed that the poor seller was just on vacation. The scary thing is a couple customers did notice, but were still mad that I did not drive back 500 miles to mail them their .99 cent game once they placed their order. I mean I should have right......I mean who am I to take a vacation.
Oh and to top it all off, my neighbor is telling everyone he is more knowledgeable in computer repair because he thinks he hacked my computer network since he copied a smiley face from my website....Hey neighbor copying a image from the internet is not hacking. You aren't even accessing my business network/files at all. Oh well, like they say, the truth is often stranger then fiction.
Hello, Thank you for shopping at Computer Gal's as your business is appreciated! Just a note to let you know that the shop is closed for vacation until Mach 16th 2008. You may still view and purchase your item and it will be shipped just as soon as we re-open . Thank You again for shopping and remember to check the store for any additional items you may need as we love to combine shipping.
I used ebay's vacation tool to notify ebay too. Well, none of the above worked I guess. I got plenty of emails calling me a few choice words such as crook & theif and also got plenty of lawsuit threats too. Now I'm sure you are thinking these people must have ordered pretty expensive items to get so upset. Well is .99 cents expensive? Unfortunately for me, I had no internet use while out, so I could not email my customers and ask them if they noticed the banner across the listing when they ordered their item so they assumed the worse, and started the hate the ebay seller campaign. Well here comes the fun part. Paypal claims are filed and paypal freezes my account so now my funds are held up including the postage paid by my new customers. Fortunately for my customers I have enough in savings to cover the postage for the two weeks worth of orders & counting, while my funds are held up for about thirty days. Now lets assume I did not have any savings for a moment. Paypal's/ebay's tactic of holding the funds of all my orders including new orders while they investigate, does not make a lot of sense. If I did not have any savings like alot of ebay sellers I would not be able to ship any products for possibly up to 30 days. How many unhappy customers would that be for the average powerseller?
I called paypal and they said wow how terrible, your right, but....can't do anything about it. You are a victim of the ebay/paypal automatic we are keeping all your money scheme.
What kills me is, if my package had not arrived when I thought it should have, I would have immediately referred back to the listing to exam the shipping terms, and then would have probably noticed that the poor seller was just on vacation. The scary thing is a couple customers did notice, but were still mad that I did not drive back 500 miles to mail them their .99 cent game once they placed their order. I mean I should have right......I mean who am I to take a vacation.
Oh and to top it all off, my neighbor is telling everyone he is more knowledgeable in computer repair because he thinks he hacked my computer network since he copied a smiley face from my website....Hey neighbor copying a image from the internet is not hacking. You aren't even accessing my business network/files at all. Oh well, like they say, the truth is often stranger then fiction.
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