I wasn’t able to log onto Windows Live Messenger on my laptop today. Even though my other laptop works fine. Two of my computers are on the same wireless subnet behind the same’o router. After clicking retry button for the 256th time, I almost made the announcement that I’m not using WLM ever again on my Facebook page.

I tried all the troubleshooting guide from Windows Live Support Blog with no avail. When I was about to reset my router, I noticed the time was incorrectly displayed on the router status part. I then updated the NTP Server and time zone, waula! I logged on.

The point is, make sure not only the time on your PC is correct. Also, check the time settings on your router too. Use a NTP service is better than setting the time manually.

Feels great to get back with my Bluetooth mouse comparing to the standard 2.4GHz wireless. Especially the part where you don’t need to plugin a wireless receiver.

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Windows only: If you want a little extra eye-candy in your Windows management, T3Desk is an alt-tab alternative that gives you 3D windows arrangement and more.

T3Desk works on all versions of Windows but it really shines in Vista and above where it can take advantage of Aero. After installing T3Desk you can use keyboard shortcuts to minimize and maximize windows to the edges of your monitor, arranging them in a pseudo-3D fashion. T3Desk can be tweaked in a variety of ways including how the windows are angled, animated, their level of transparency, the apparent distance from the viewer, and how they transition from the virtual desktop back into use.

You can drag windows and dock them to the four sides of the monitor, use Aero Peek to see which windows are on the virtual desktop, and set an always include/exclude list for applications to easily exclude applications from the effects of T3Desk.

via T3Desk Brings 3D Eye-Candy to Your Windows Desktop – Window Management – Lifehacker.

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I got a new laptop from Dell. The Studio XPS 1645 featuring a powerful Core i7 processor with 4GB of DDR3 1333. Of course, I installed Windows 7 Ultimate that I received from the previous Microsoft event. Everything look and runs sweet. It came with a 9 Cell battery that last about 3 hours (Big screen, and that Quad-Core processor), I also picked up a 6 cell because I don’t need the bulkiness while using it at home.

Now I hope the price for SSD drives will drop soon…

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I rec’d a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate by attending the “New Efficiency” conference last week. I’m planning to install it on my new laptop. As much as I love to have it’s 64bit version, the one I got is 32bit. I’m gonna wait till someone releases the 64bit ISO and activate it with my key.

Microsoft did a great job on this release, it is the best version of Windows I’ve ever used. During the conference, I’ve learned a lot of new features, though they have to be implemented on the Server 2008 and IPV6 architecture. A lot of works to be done in the coming years for the IT team!

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It makes me want to cry, because we’ve specifically told users to log off instead of disconnect.

Sure, there are a few group policies you can modify to kill disconnected sessions. But I want to let users know, I don’t want them to disconnect! Period…

Disable the Disconnect button should do it, this policy is under Administrative Template > Windows Component > Terminal Services. It can be applied in the Group Policy on the VHD itself, or through the GPO on your domain controller. Enough said… I hate id10t users.

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Problem: “I selected the printer, and hit the delete key a few times. But it doesn’t delete, though the status says deleting.”
Answer: “Cancel all the unfinished documents in the queue first. Damn it!”

Problem: “I cannot cancel or restart a job in the print queue. It’s just stuck!”
Answer: “Right click on My Computer > Manage > Services and Applications > Services > Right click on Print Spooler > Restart.”

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Hahaha… This is funny. I’m glad I have an iPhone instead of a Zune 30. What would you do without music for 1 day?

Early this morning we were alerted by our customers that there was a widespread issue affecting our 2006 model Zune 30GB devices (a large number of which are still actively being used). The technical team jumped on the problem immediately and isolated the issue: a bug in the internal clock driver related to the way the device handles a leap year. That being the case, the issue should be resolved over the next 24 hours as the time change moves to January 1, 2009. We expect the internal clock on the Zune 30GB devices will automatically reset tomorrow (noon, GMT). By tomorrow you should allow the battery to fully run out of power before the unit can restart successfully then simply ensure that your device is recharged, then turn it back on. If you’re a Zune Pass subscriber, you may need to sync your device with your PC to refresh the rights to the subscription content you have downloaded to your device.

Customers can continue to stay informed via the support page on zune.net (zune.net/support).

We know this has been a big inconvenience to our customers and we are sorry for that, and want to thank them for their patience.

Q: Why is this issue isolated to the Zune 30 device?
It is a bug in a driver for a part that is only used in the Zune 30 device.

Q: What fixes or patches are you putting in place to resolve this situation?
This situation should remedy itself over the next 24 hours as the time flips to January 1st.

Q: What’s the timeline on a fix?
The issue Zune 30GB customers are experiencing today will self resolve as time changes to January 1.

Q: Why did this occur at precisely 12:01 a.m. on December 31, 2008?
There is a bug in the internal clock driver causing the 30GB device to improperly handle the last day of a leap year.

Q: What is Zune doing to fix this issue?
The issue should resolve itself.

Q: Are you sure that this won’t happen to all 80, 120 or other flash devices?
This issue is related to a part that is only used in Zune 30 devices.

Q: How many 30GB Zune devices are affected? How many Zune 30GB devices were sold?
All 30GB devices are potentially affected.

via Zune: Official Fix for the Zune 30 Fail.

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The ISO appears to contain the Windows 7 M1 build (7000) highlighted by Paul Thurrott on SuperSite. So far the new build seems to perform slightly better than 6801, and memory usage has been improved. A number of previously hidden features – like the iconized task bar – are also now active.

Before comments start asking why there’s no link to the file, it’s because this is something that we’re not supposed to have yet. If you want to get your hands on it, check your favorite torrent search site. Also keep in mind that this is a leak, and there’s always the possibility that the ISO has been tampered with.

via Windows 7 Beta ISO leaked on torrent trackers – Download Squad.

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Stupid viruses and worms are spreading like crazy. They are almost impossible to avoid or spot while we surf and download. But did you know most ISPs provides FREE Anti-Virus along with your service subscription?

Here in the Bay Area, 2 of the major Internet Service Providers are AT&T and Comcast. You can login to the member services website to download your copy of the software. AT&T gives you Symantec Secuirty Suite while Comcast offers the McAfee Security Center. They are the full suite including Anti-Virus, Firewall and Spyware cleaner. Each worth more than $100 if purchased from a retail store.

In order to download, you might have to login using the master account.

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