Windows PC’s have a Files and Settings Transfer wizard that you can use to transfer files. Usually the option to move files involves saving them to a CD-ROM or USB key. What if you have more files than will easily fit on those two items though? What would be nice is to plug a cable into the two computers to connect them directly.

The StarTech USB Data File Transfer Cable does exactly that.

Since the cable is USB 2.0, you’ll be able to transfer files between the two computers at 480Mbps.

The device works best when being used to transfer files from a Windows XP machine to another Vista machine. You can also use it to transfer from a Vista machine to a Vista machine, or Windows XP/Vista to Windows 7. From my own experience in testing out the device, it doesn’t work trying to transfer files between two Windows XP machines.

Did you follow that?

Basically if you’re upgrading to a new computer from an old one? You’re good to go. Pick up the StarTech USB Data File Transfer Cable and start moving your files almost effortlessly.

Post from: EveryJoe

Transfer Files from Your Old to New Computer

My experience with Windows 7 has been pretty good. The interface is mostly like Vista, so it’s still taken a bit of getting used to in trying to find things and familiarize myself with the operating system. After spending so much time with Windows XP, there’s bound to be a learning adjustment there. I think it’s probably similar to the interface changes that were seen by users switching into the Office 2007 ribbon interface.

My wife has been pleased with her experience for the last few weeks as well. The only real problem I think we’ve experienced is our Lexmark printer driver hasn’t been working for her since she upgraded to Windows 7. We’re hoping that a new driver will be available Thursday as well, if not soon after.

How many of you will be upgrading to Windows 7 as soon as it’s available on Thursday? Are you using Windows Vista now, or Windows XP? What’s the biggest change or improvement you’re looking to take advantage of with the upgrade?

Post from: EveryJoe

Windows 7 Available on Thursday

She said there was just a little bit of adjustment for some of the user-interface changes,  but there was nothing real major for her that she used on a regular basis.

I still haven’t played around with it too much, but what I have I’ve liked. Things seem to be organized more intuitively over all. It’s still a slight adjustment after running with Windows XP for so many years. I didn’t really have the transition to Vista as I never installed it on my main machine.

My wife said she does see a noticeable difference in overall startup and shutdown speeds with Windows 7 for sure. She can also notice an increase in speed while working in and using multiple programs. Multi-tasking happens even more fluidly with the improved memory management between applications.

I still want to really look into the file management and file organization tools that are available now in Window 7.

Post from: EveryJoe

Follow-up on Windows 7

First I downloaded the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor just so I’d be aware of anything that might be important before I started. No real major issues to report. A warning about RAM size. RAM available was listed at just under 2GB, Microsoft recommends 1GB as a minimum, but more if available. The laptop is holding as much as it can.

I’m proceeding with the install and am told I’ve got to uninstall Windows Live OneCare. It’s interesting that nothing was reported about that having issues with the upgrade advisor scan. Now I’ve restarted and I’m trying again.

I’m really afraid that I’m going to absolutely love Windows 7 on my wife’s computer and then want to install it on my own business laptop. That will prove to be too much of a risk in case of unknown issues. I’d be open to looking at dual-booting to give it a try, but the stupid hard drive on my laptop is excruciatingly tiny.

I’ll follow-up with a post tomorrow on my experience with the rest of the upgrade process and what I think about Windows 7. Here’s crossing your fingers.

Image: Windows 7 Installation Screen

Post from: EveryJoe

Replacing Vista with Windows 7

The netbooks were initially loaded with Linux, then it became powerful and Windows based netbooks were sprouting everywhere. Netbooks started with 4 GB SSD, then jumped up to 8 GB SSD, 16 GB SSD, until conventional hard drives reaching from 80 GB until 160 GB hard drives were installed on these small machines. The memory started with 256 MB, 512 MB, and now  2 GB memory chips are the norm.

Next in line is the monitor, vendors are pushing out touch screen netbooks and the release of Windows 7 is pushing this growth furthermore.

Here comes MSI, who has already confirmed they are working on a touch screen convertible netbook which is based on Intel Pine trail platform. The touch screen netbook is called Wind U 150, and would be the first computers using the Pine Trail platform. The platform would be introduced at CES in January 2010. Although the Wind U150 is believed to be out in the market by the end of 2009.

The chip codenamed “PineView” would have the CPU, GPU and memory controller on the same platform. There is also a second chip codenamed “Tiger Point”. We still don’t know much details about these two chip solution but it definitely sounds promising.

I would be excited to see what Lenovo, HP, Asus are cooking up on the netbooks platform. By 2010, we should be seeing an explosion of powerful, productive and business ready netbooks in the market. I wouldn’t be surprised when companies decided to purchase netbooks instead of expensive laptops. The release of Windows 7 which has an extensive set of features for touch screen technology would seamlessly work hand in hand with these new breed of netbooks.

Would you dig these new set of netbooks?

Image from MSI.

Post from: EveryJoe

Netbooks are Evolving Rapidly with MSI touch screen

The problem though is that from what I read on the Windows 7 download site and installation instructions, it’s a complete fresh install of the OS. Anything on the hard drive is lost. The verbiage talked about having to backup everything and then reinstalling the programs you use once the Windows 7 RC1 files are installed.

I understand that it’s beta software and use at my own risk, but sure wish I didn’t have to lose everything on my wife’s computer to take Windows 7 for a spin. That wouldn’t be much of a Mother’s Day present.

Image Source: www.microsoft.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Windows 7 RC1 Available to Review

Windows 7 Screenshot

1. Windows 7 Starter Edition
2. Windows 7 Home Basic
3. Windows 7 Home Premium
4. Windows 7 Professional
5. Windows 7 Enterprise
6. Windows 7 Ultimate

Microsoft says most home users should probably go with the Windows 7 Home Premium version and business users will more than likely go with the Professional or Enterprise version depending on the features they may need like file encryption and higher network security.

I think Microsoft would be smarter to release three versions, at least once just to see how it’s received from the community and their customers.

• One version should be their really lite version, in this case the one they intend to be used by more developing countries. Priced very cheaply, but still available in developed countries for those individuals that would just like an up-to-date operating system that’s secure and supportable. This version should also be extremely light-weight and very skimpy on sucking up system resources.
• One version for your average home user. Everything the home user would need. Basic operating system applications for managing, maintaining and security their system. Get them on the Internet, connect to a home network and enjoy all the digital media that everyone is producting and sharing these days.
• One version for business use. Across the board, simple to manage, install and secure. Obvious ability to connect to networks and be managed over the network. All the security you would need and the ability for any component to be locked down and restricted access by the end user.

Now wouldn’t that be nice? It would make sense and I’ll bet they could increase the prices just enough to cover what they might expect to lose, but the average Joe and corporate Joe would appreciate the simplicity of the decision on which version they need.

Source: Windows 7 to Ship In Six Different Versions

Post from: EveryJoe

Windows 7 Coming in 6 Versions

Spoof of Windows 7 Logo

What will you do? From what I can tell so far I’ll probably upgrade happily to Windows 7 if I don’t upgrade to Vista between now and then. Just about the only reason I haven’t upgraded to Vista is because I don’t want to do any completely unnecessary changes to my laptop for whatever reason. It’s my production computer and if I lose it, I’m in a deep world of hurt. I’m hoping for a new laptop with Windows 7 installed as a much needed computer upgrade period.

Does this make things different for you? Will you upgrade without much thought if you know you can downgrade back to Windows XP if you don’t like Windows 7? Will you try and skip Windows 7 completely because of all the hubbub and hoopla that’s gone on with Vista?

What will you do?

Post from: EveryJoe

Windows XP Still An Option After Windows 7?

For a system A to connect to a remote system B through SSH, A needs a SSH client (like PuTTY for Windows) and B needs a SSHD server running all the time so as to accept incoming connections.

SSH is a proprietary software offered by SSH Communications Security, and as an alternative the open source version OpenSSH is being widely used. On all Unix-based OSs, the OpenSSH SSHD server is installed by default during the installation of the operating system. On Windows, however, it is not the case.

You can install it on top of Cygwin very easily. You will need administrator access with a password set for the account. When you run the Cygwin setup to download or install various packages, select openssh which will select all the other packages it requires.

Once you complete the install, to configure SSHD run $ ssh-host-config –y from the terminal. This will automatically answer ‘yes’ for the yes/no questions. Give an appropriate password that follows your system rules if an sshd_server is being created or ignore this step. Specify the value of the environment variable CYGWIN as “ntsec tty” for WinXP and Vista and “binmode ntsec tty” for Windows 2003 Server (without quotes). At the end of this process, the sshd service will have automatically started and placed itself among the Windows startup list.

If you have any problems, try following this article for WinXP and Vista and this one for Windows 2003 Server or drop me a message.

Post from: EveryJoe

Installing and Configuring SSHD Server on Cygwin

The list differs at one item from Windows Vista: Business became Professional. Is it because Windows Vista didn’t do good business, Business edition or otherwise, and because Windows XP Professional did?

I am disappointed.

The Home Starter edition is supposedly designed especially for netbooks. One of the edition’s stark defining startling features is that not more than 3 applications can be run simultaneously. Duh! Already Microsoft appears confused by what an application is and what is not. A program running as a background process is always termed a process, but some programs are considered as applications (plus processes) when occupying the taskbar and as processes only when minimized to the system tray.

Whatever be the terminology, capping it at 3 is tying hands tightly. So that performance is optimal, just like a tied man who probably runs faster, at least for his life.

Thankfully, Microsoft assures that all Windows 7 editions can be run on netbooks. But the dilemma lives on. Which edition should I buy?

In the mean time, people are already getting creative at making fun of these editions. Like the Windows 7 editions that Microsoft forgot.

Post from: EveryJoe

Those Damn Windows 7 Editions