The Microsoft Online Services Diagnostics and Logging (MOSDAL, for short) support toolkit is a very useful tool that performs network diagnostics and collects system configuration, network configuration, and logging information for service-based products. The logs that the tool generates provide data that helps technical support professionals troubleshoot configuration, network, installation, and other service-related issues. MOSDAL collects log files, registry keys, and configuration settings that would otherwise require time-consuming and labor-intensive collection by using separate tools. (more…)
Posts Tagged ‘Utilities’
MOSDAL Support Toolkit Collects Detailed System Information for Troubleshooting
NirCmd Elevate Switch Added – Some Useful Uses
We’ve covered the excellent multi-purpose command-line tool NirCmd from Nirsoft several times before. This post talks about the new command-line switches added in the current version of NirCmd. Earlier this month, I sent a NirCmd feature request to Nir Sofer, asking to include an "elevate" switch, which should launch an application elevated (Windows Vista, Windows 7 & 2008.) Nir was kind enough to incorporate this feature in the immediate version update (v2.40). Later another update, to fix a bug I reported, v2.41 was released. (more…)
How to Restore .BKF Images Using Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7
Here is a walkthrough (with screenshots) on how to restore Windows XP NTBackup’s BKF images in Windows 7 using Microsoft’s Windows NT Backup Restore Utility. Note that our earlier article on How to Restore .BKF files Using NTBackup in Windows 7 and Windows Vista still works. You’re free to choose whichever method you find easier. (more…)
Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 Is Now Available
Earlier we wrote how to restore NTBackup .BKF images in Windows 7, for users who didn’t want to wait for Microsoft’s NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7. Now, Microsoft has made available the Windows NT Backup Restore Utility for Windows 7 in the form of a hotfix, that will restore the Windows XP NTBackup images (.BKF) in a Windows 7 PC. (more…)
How to Install and Run the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility if Windows Installer Fails to Work
If you’re greeted with the Windows Installer setup screen for an existing product everytime when you try to install a new program, you usually repair the existing application, or use the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to remove the installer information of the existing application before reinstalling it. The problem is the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility Setup itself uses Windows Installer and hence it may not run in the above scenario. Here is an option which can be used to launch the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility without installing it. (more…)
Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) Update Utility
Just came across this interesting tool from the AddictiveTips Blog.
MSE Update Utility is a simple app that updates Microsoft Security Essentials when Windows Update is disabled. Windows Update service is responsible for frequently updating MSE. But once it is disabled via Group Policy Editor, MSE won’t update anymore.
You can download the MSE Update Utility from AddictiveTips.com.
[Related Tip] Updating Microsoft Security Essentials Using Command-Line
How to Uninstall Winter Fun Pack 2004 After Upgrading to Windows 7 or Vista
Did you install the Microsoft® Winter Fun Pack 2004 in your Windows XP system earlier, and then upgraded the system to Windows 7 or Windows Vista? In that case, the uninstaller for Winter Fun Pack 2004 may not work correctly under Windows 7/Vista, throwing out error code 1713. If the uninstaller does not work, you can remove the related files and registry entries manually.
The list of registry entries and files added by Microsoft® Winter Fun Pack 2004 for Windows® XP is available at the following link:
Browser Defender™ – Download Analysis for winterfunpack2004forwindowsxp.msi
Important: Before proceeding, take a complete registry backup either using System Restore or using a program like ERUNT. This article is targeted towards intermediate and advanced users.
Registry Fix
To make things easier, I’ve made available a .REG file which removes the Winter Fun Pack 2004 related registry keys. Download winterfunpack-remove.zip (partly based on BrowserDefender.com’s installation track data), unzip and double-click the .REG file to run it.
Things to Remove Manually
1. Registry Values
After running the REG file, you may have to remove some registry values manually:
1. Start Regedit.exe and navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Installer \ Folders
2. In the right-pane, delete the values relating to Winter Fun Pack 2004 (Refer the URL above)
3. Exit the Registry Editor.
2. Files & Folders
Use the information at BrowserDefender.com and delete the files and folders added by Winter Fun Pack 2004.
3. Outlook Express Signature
1. Start Outlook Express
2. In the Tools menu, click Options
3. Click Signatures
4. Select MP Song Signature and click Remove
Note: In Microsoft Outlook, you can remove the MP Song Signature via the Tools menu, Options, Mail Format, Signatures.
5. Click OK.
Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool Creates Bootable USB Flash Drive
Do you own a Netbook without a CD/DVD drive, but want to install Windows 7 on it? No problem! Microsoft has made available a tool known as Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool, which takes an ISO image and creates a bootable USB device that can be used to install Windows 7. The utility can create a Windows 7 installation DVD from the ISO file as well.
Update (Nov 10, 2009): Microsoft pulls download tool over GPL violation accusation
Download Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool from Microsoft Store Website. To copy the ISO image to USB flash drive, ensure that the drive has minimum 4 GB of free space.
Additional Note
The tool works only for the Windows 7 ISO image downloaded from online Microsoft Store. It throws the following error if you use a custom Windows 7 ISO image.
The selected file is not a valid ISO file. Please select a valid ISO file and try again.
However, Rafael Rivera of Within Windows has written a tool that will allow you to use your own ISOs with the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool. For more information, read the excellent post Use the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool with custom ISOs by Rafael.
Microsoft Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool Determines if CPU Supports Virtualization
Windows XP Mode is a new Windows 7 feature that lets you run older Windows XP applications on your Windows 7 desktop. Windows XP Mode is available for the Professional and Ultimate editions of Windows 7.
In order to use the Windows XP Mode in Windows 7, your system must support hardware virtualization (and also the option should be enabled in the BIOS). The Microsoft® Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool (HAV detection tool) helps you check if your computer processor supports HAV. The tool also checks if this setting is enabled for the processor.
References
How to confirm your PC can run Windows XP Mode
Edison Helps Reduce Your PC’s Power Consumption
Edison is an excellent power management tool made for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista systems. Edison optimizes Windows Power Management settings for maximum power savings and provides a friendly user interface to configure the power settings.
Download Edison from Verdiem’s Website. (See also Verdiem :: Edison FAQ.)
Alter the Work Time Power Settings by moving the slider. To input custom values (hours: minutes) click the Custom button. And, click the Schedule tab and set your Work Time.
Edison creates a custom power plan, which can be viewed using Power Options (Windows Vista).
Edison changes the power plan options automatically, based on Work Time and Non-Work Time settings.
