How to Re-Install Windows XP

There are many reasons why you would want to re-install Windows XP. Some people do not like the Windows Vista operating system, or are concerned about compatibility issues with other computers running Windows XP on the same network. Others may have been running Windows XP previously, but need to re-install the operating system due to a crash.

Instructions

1. Be sure that you have the original CDs that contain the Windows XP operating system. The disks should also include a product key somewhere, which you will need to complete the installation. The product key is sometimes found on a sticker on the disk sleeve or inside the manual booklet.

2. Check to see if you have Internet Explorer 7 installed on your computer. If you do, uninstall it before attempting to re-install Windows XP. You cannot re-install the Windows XP operating system if you have Internet Explorer 7 installed on your computer.

3. Re-boot your computer. When it starts up, insert your Windows XP installation CD into the CD drive.

4. Select "Upgrade" in the welcome window that appears next, and then click "Next."

5. Review the License Agreement. If you agree, check the box that states that you accept the agreement, and click "Next."

6. Input the product key from the back of your disk sleeve or the inside of your operating system manual. Take care to input the product key correctly.

7. Select from several options about how and where you want Windows XP to be installed on your computer, and click "Next." Windows XP will then complete the installation process.

8. Re-install other software that was removed during the installation process, and transfer your personal files from your removable media back to your machine.

Source: Ehow

Slick-looking, less bloated operating system

MICROSOFT HAS promised a completely new experience with Windows 8, with the operating system “reimagined” from the chipset up. The company was keen for conference attendees to get hands-on experience with the operating system, handing out Samsung tablets running Windows 8.

The machines were described as “developer preview” tablets and there is no guarantee that they will become widely available, but it gave a good idea of exactly what the operating system can do.

The first thing you notice about Windows 8 is how quickly it starts up. Microsoft demonstrated the same speed on a variety of different machines at the preview day on Monday, so it’s safe to say that the operating system will be a faster boot across the board.

The second most striking thing is the absence of the traditional desktop. Interaction with the operating system starts with the lock screen, which can be personalised for users to include, everything from the background image to gesture-based unlock codes.

With the expanse of desktop now relegated to an app, just like any other, the traditional pop-up Start menu has also been binned.

To access your applications, you now have a series of tiles, similar to Windows Phone 7. Like the phone operating system too, tiles are dynamic, which means you get information without having to open up your applications.

The preview tablet was a Samsung 11.6in tablet with a dock that provides users with ethernet, USB and HDMI, as well as a way to charge the device. It was also supplied with a keyboard, to demonstrate just how easy it is to use traditional inputs on the new operating system.

The Metro-style user interface seen on the tablet isn’t just for mobile devices. This is how Windows will look, in all its tiled glory, on every device.

If you have a touch-enabled device, you can use gestures such as swiping left to right to flick back through open applications. With a mouse, the scroll wheel does that job instead. You choose which you’d rather use, but the basics of the system remain the same regardless.

On the touch interface, you get to choose your style of input too, whether it’s a regular qwerty keyboard, a split keyboard or handwriting recognition. Unlike some handwriting recognition apps, the Windows 8 version is pretty accurate.

The Metro-style apps are more immersive than what you’re used to from Windows too, with Microsoft taking away the chrome to give apps even more screen space.

As on a PC, you can multi-task easily and flipping back through your apps is done with yet another touch gesture – swiping from left to right.

A new capability called “contracts” means that apps will be able to share content, or be used as a conduit for sharing, without the developer having to allow such sharing for each individual service or app. For the most part, this was effortless, although there were a few hiccups in testing.

Will it, as Windows claims, change everything? It’s too early to say yet, but the end result is a slick-looking operating system that is also a little less bloated than the previous versions of Windows. That can only be a positive thing.

Source : irishtimes.com

New computer operating system brings NSW Police Force into the 21st Century

The state’s crime fighters have received a significant boost with NSW Police Force introducing a new 21st-century computer operating system.

In 2009, NSWPF and Fujitsu Australia started work on modernising the Computerised Operational Policing System (COPS) – a 15-year-old DOS type program used by more than 15,000 officers to record crime information, intelligence and legal proceedings.

Following extensive consultation with frontline police, thousands of hours of testing and successful pilots at six key sites, NSWPF has now implemented WebCOPS.

The new purpose-built system incorporates a user-friendly graphical interface and more commonly used web functionality.

WebCOPS is integrated seamlessly with other NSWPF internet-based systems and allows police to generate and view multimedia files, including offender photographs and electronic evidence.

NSWPF Deputy Commissioner (Corporate Services) Catherine Burn said the benefits of the new core operating system will be enormous.

“The old COPS served the Force well for 15 years but really was nearing the end of its life,” Deputy Commissioner Burn said.

“The text-only was not able to meet our ever-growing demands and that, along with its inability to record, store and display multimedia material, drove us to look for a new alternative,” she said.

NSW police officers currently create 1.5million events on COPS annually – taking, on average, 24 minutes per event.

“WebCOPS will improve the speed and quality of information recorded and its integration with other policing programs will negate the need for officers to log in and out of different systems, saving them time,” Deputy Commissioner Burn said.

“That will effectively mean police will spend less time behind their desks and more time out on the street.”

WebCOPS will retain the strong security and audit capability of the old COPS, ensuring NSWPF complies with its legislative requirements.

“WebCOPS has brought our core operating system into the 21st century. It is the first phase of a program of works that will continue to bring operational policing and new technology together,” Deputy Commissioner Burn said.

“We have built a solid platform which we can further enhance and integrate with our other systems, giving frontline police access to better quality information and saving crucial time.

Source : police.nsw

PlayBook OS version 2 coming next month

During RIM’s disappointing Q2 earnings call this evening, Co-CEO Jim Balsillie confirmed that a major feature update to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet would be arriving next month. The update to version 2.0 will be shown off at the BlackBerry DevCon event in October and will be made available shortly thereafter. The BlackBerry PlayBook launched back in April and was immediately criticized for its half-baked firmware and a slew of missing native apps. The new version of the PlayBook’s QNX-based operating system will finally address most of these issues and will bring the long overdue native email, contacts, and calendar functionality.

Additionally, the update will bring the promised Android App Player that will allow the PlayBook to run Android apps. RIM will also be adding a BlackBerry Video Store, which will bring over 10,000 movies and TV shows to the PlayBook.

via CrackBerry

Change your Operating System

After using the same operating system for a while, it can be an exciting challenge to try something new. For example, an increasing number of Windows users have migrated to Linux-based systems like Ubuntu. Also, many Microsoft Vista customers have downgraded to Windows XP because of Vista's documented bugs and security vulnerabilities. Whatever the reason for changing your operating system, it's really not that difficult to make a switch. Here are a few steps to help you install a new operating system in your personal computer.

How to Install the New Operating System

1. Load the installation disk into the CD/DVD drive and then restart the computer.

2. Allow the operating system to format and partition the hard drive with the default settings. If you are familiar with partitioning a hard drive, you can also choose to manually partition the drive.

3. Enter a user name and password when prompted. It's very important for security purposes that you set up an administrative account.

4. Select programs and services. Some distributions allow you to choose which software packages will be installed. If you don't feel comfortable selecting packages, accept the defaults.

5. Select your time zone and language preferences. You may also be prompted to select a keyboard layout.

6. Wait for the installation to complete, remove the installation disk and then restart the computer.

7. Install additional hardware drivers, if prompted, and then load your personal data and files into the new operating system.

Article Source: Ehow

How to Fix Windows Installer Error 1601

When installing applications via the Microsoft Windows Operating System, you may have encountered an error called "Windows Error Message 1601." According to Microsoft, this error occurs for one of two reasons. The first reason being that you are trying to install an application while in safe mode; the second possibility is that the Windows Installer is not properly installed. In either case, the fix for the 1601 error is possible using two different methods.


Error 1601 Main Fix for Windows XP and 2000

* 1 Click the Start button in Windows XP and go to the "Run" option.
* 2 Type the following code into the Run box: msiexec /unreg, and then press the "OK" key.
* 3 Next, click on the "Start" button again followed by "Run" option, and this time, type "msiexec /regserver" again with the quotation marks followed by the "OK" key. Attempt to install your application again to see if the process has completed successfully.


Windows XP Error 1601 Secondary Fix For XP and 2000

* 1 Click on the Windows Start button and then click the "Run" option. In the run field, type "CMD," and then click the "OK" button. The MS DOS window should now appear with a blinking cursor.
* 2 Type in the following command: "msiexec /unregister" and then click the "Enter" key
* 3 Type the code: msiexec /regserver followed by "Enter" one last time. Check if your install will now work at this point; the installer should now have unregistered and registered in a work manner.


Microsoft Windows Vista Error 1601 Fix

* 1 Click on the Windows Start button. In the Windows Start Search box, type the following code: %windir%\system32\msiexec /unregserver, and then press the "Enter" key.
* 2 Next, go back to the Windows Start button and then to the Windows Start Search box and type: %windir%\system32\msiexec /regserver followed by the "Enter" key again.
* 3 Enter your admin password if your system asks for the password (This may not occur). Finally, click on the "Allow" option to finish the process. Attempt to install your application to test if the process worked.

How to Reinstall the Vista OS

Although the Microsoft Windows operating system has become more stable with every version released, there are still times when you may encounter issues. Viruses and spyware, hardware failure, and even improper shutdowns can result in a damaged system. If your computer's installation of the Windows Vista operating system isn't working properly, or if you'd just like to start fresh, you can perform a reinstallation of the Vista operating system.

Instructions


Insert the Windows Vista installation disc and restart your computer. You will likely be prompted to "Press any key to boot from CD or DVD." If you see this prompt, press "Enter" to continue starting from the installation disc.


Click the "Install Now" button.


Click "Go Online to Get the Latest Updates for Installation" if your computer is connected to the Internet. If your computer isn't connected to the Internet, or if you prefer to update later, click "Do Not Get the Latest Updates for Installation."


Type your Windows Vista product key into the text boxes on the "Type your Product Key for Activation" page.


Click "I Accept the License Terms."


Choose "Custom" when prompted to choose the type of installation you want to perform.

Choose the appropriate disk on which to install Vista, then click "Next." In most cases, this will be the partition that has the largest number listed in the "Total Size" field.


Click "OK" when you receive a prompt that "The partition you selected might contain files from a previous Windows installation."

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