John Baker's BritBlog

Before Installing Windows 7 run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

2009-10-30T17:15:10Z

Many of you have been coming to the Windows 7 IT Pro launch events around the country. At the event you have been getting a free, not-for-resale version of Windows 7 Ultimate. I strongly suggest before you install Windows 7, especially if its an older machine, run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor to make get a report on any potential driver or application problems. I’ve had a few emails where people have installed Windows 7 only to find the video...(read more)

TechNet Events Presents “Microsoft Virtualization Tour” for IT Pros!

2009-10-23T18:21:00Z

TechNet Events Presents: TechNet Unleashed: The Microsoft Virtualization Tour Join our TechNet IT Evangelists as they hit the road again this fall to bring you the highlights of Microsoft’s great virtualization solutions. We’ll go from the desktop to the enterprise, starting with VHD native boot – a new feature for Windows® 7 and Windows Server® 2008 R2. Next, we’ll move into Windows XP mode, Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V™, and finish with System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM). AGENDA VHD...(read more)

Windows 7 Launch House Party: Albany, GA

2009-10-23T14:03:39Z

We had a great Windows 7 Launch House Party at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in Albany, GA. On the drive down from Atlanta after I came off of I-75 I passed miles of cotton fields. You can see from the couple of pictures I took they are quite expansive, imagine mile after mile of these. Amazing! Got to the church in Albany around 5:30PM. We had over 20 people attend, and had some interesting and fun food. Windows 7 cup cakes, a “Windows 7 Its...(read more)

TechNet Radio: PASS Community Summit 2009 – SQL Server Heroes Unite

2009-10-21T16:20:45Z

Here’s an interview I recorded with TechNet radio last month on the SQL PASS Community Summit: “In this episode of TechNet Radio, we preview the upcoming SQL PASS Community Summit, the largest SQL Server / BI conference in the world. We’ll hear from industry experts Wayne Snyder, Buck Woody, and Michael Rys. Topics include state of the industry and PASS conference’s value to IT Pros, manageability features in SQL Server 2008, spatial data support in SQL Server 2008, and the advanced BI capabilities...(read more)

PowerPoint Decks for Alpharetta Firestarter Event

2009-10-17T17:22:01Z

Many of the attendees at the event asked for the PowerPoint decks for the Firestarter event. If you were on the webcast they were available in the Handout section, if not I have posted them all at the following Skydrive Location: PowerPoint Decks for Alpharetta Firestarter Event...(read more)

There are still seats available for the Baltimore, MD and Washington DC New Efficiency Windows 7 Launch Events

2009-10-15T22:16:23Z

Special TechNet Plus Subscription Promotion – 25%-OFF

2009-10-15T19:32:00Z

That’s right!! Save 25% ($87.25) off of a TechNet Plus Direct Subscription, and even more on others! Use Promotion Code TMSAM05 (that’s ZERO-5) at: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/subscription...(read more)

Microsoft Security Essentials: FREE anti-virus Software Download From Microsoft

2009-10-13T03:55:47Z

Some of you may have missed the announcement for Microsoft Security Essentials a few weeks ago, but now you know about it there is no excuse not to have anti-virus software on your home PC. What is Microsoft Security Essentials? Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software. It is a free * download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can...(read more)

First Meeting for New User Group: Philadelphia Area Exchange Server User Group

2009-10-09T15:22:33Z

Are you in Philadelphia and interested in Microsoft Exchange? Then the LAUNCH of a new user group, the Philadelphia Exchange Server User Group is something you don’t want to miss. Attend their FIRST meeting on November 10, 2009 at the Microsoft office in Malvern. Where is the Microsoft Office? 45 Liberty Blvd, Suite 201, Malvern, PA 19355 (See Bing Map below). What Time Is the Meeting? Meeting will start at 6:00 pm. Where Do i Register? If you are interested in attending...(read more)

Windows 7 Firestarter in Alpharetta, GA Oct 17th, 2009 - Not in Atlanta? Then Join Us Online!!!!!

2009-10-02T02:17:00Z

Mark October 17th on your calendar and sign up for the Firestarter event!!! Whatif you’re not close to Alpharetta, GA? Not a problem, we’ll be simulcasting the event LIVE, you’ll just have to supply yourself with coffee and donuts :-) Where? At the Microsoft Alpharetta Office in the Centennial Park conference room. Office is located at 1125 Sanctuary Pkwy, Suite 300 Alpharetta Georgia 30009 Event Overview Windows® 7 introduces some fantastic new technologies to streamline your business, enhance security...(read more)

How Do I Get Rid of Phantom or Hidden Devices?

2009-09-24T05:33:00Z

I did a post recently about Extending Your Activation Grace Period on Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 . I had been working on some virtual machines I needed for a presentation I was doing and needed to get the machines up running without burning a product key and activating. Once I resolved my issue by extending the activation grace period the machines booted up fine. I was able to log on and get down to prepping my demos. Not so fast. I found that my machine had a network adapter called Local Area...(read more)

“NEW Efficiency!” Launch Event - Windows 7 Resources

2009-09-23T23:31:15Z

Special TechNet Plus Subscription Promotion – 25%-OFF That’s right!! S ave $87.25 off of a TechNet Plus Direct Subscription, and even more on others! Use Promotion Code TMSAM05 (that’s ZERO-5) at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/subscription THRIVE : Me >> My Skills >> My Organization http://www.microsoft.com/click/thrive/ General Windows 7 Resources “the NEW efficiency” Web Site - www.thenewefficiency.com Windows 7 Enterprise Edition 90-day Trial http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc442495.aspx...(read more)

DirectAccess Scaling and High Availability

2009-09-22T22:24:55Z

I was asked at today’s TechNet Unleashed event in Malvern, PA what the scalability and high availability options were with DirectAccess in Windows Server 2008 R2. I wasn’t certain, but thought that NLB was an option, so I said I would find out. Well here’s the results of my research. I found a detailed description on Configuring a network load balanced array for Forefront UAG DirectAccess. (Click here for more information). What’s Forefront UAG you ask? Forefront Unified...(read more)

Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 Released!!!!

2009-09-09T18:19:40Z

If you’re in the business of deploying Windows you’ll be pleased to know that the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010 has been released!!! Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is the newest version of Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, a Solution Accelerator for operating system and application deployment. MDT 2010 supports deployment of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 in addition to deployment of Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP. From the download...(read more)

The Atlanta Small Business Server Group

2009-09-04T00:48:00Z

If you’re in the Atlanta area and work with Microsoft Small Business Server you’ll probably be interested in joining this user group. Their meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, from 4:30 to 6:30PM. It’s a great place to network with like minded IT Professionals that serve the small and mid-sized business segment in the Atlanta area. They have a variety of resources for their members including opportunities to learn more about SBS and other topics!! If you’re...(read more)