Creating A Bootable USB Flash Drive To Install Windows 8 Developer Preview

A USB flash drive is a data storage device that is removable and rewritable. These are used for purposes such as storage, backup and transfer of computer files. Some USB flash drives are also used as a digital audio player. Nowadays, most desktop and laptop computers are supplied with USB ports. The user can easily create a bootable USB flash drive by downloading the Windows 7 download tool from the Microsoft store in Microsoft’s official website. However, you can also manually install the Windows 8 Developer Preview from a USB flash drive.

You can follow the below-mentioned instructions to create a bootable USB flash drive for the preview of the Windows 8 installation.

• The first step is to mount the ISO image on your computer. Windows 7 does not possess the capability to mount an ISO image. Hence, you have to mount the ISO image on the computer.
• For this, download the Windows Developer Preview ISO image from Microsoft’s website. Now, you can use your favorite ISO image software, and mount the ISO image successfully on your computer.
• You can also check if the ISO image was mounted successfully. as you would be able to browse the Windows 8 files once you mount the ISO image.
• The next step involves formatting a USB flash drive. After formatting the USB drive, make this flash drive bootable.
• Always make sure that you have the USB flash drive as bootable before copying the files. To do this, you can use the Boot Sector Registration Tool bootsect.exe, which is located in the boot folder of the Windows 8 ISO image.
• Now, start a Command Prompt as an Administrator and CHDIR into the boot folder of the Windows 8 ISO image. You can also contact Windows help to get more information on the Windows 8 installation.
• After finishing the booting process, copy the Windows 8 files onto the USB flash drive and install Windows 8 from the bootable flash drive.
• Now, remove your USB flash drive from your source computer and insert it into the target computer where you want to install Windows 8.
• In the final step, during boot up, select the USB flash drive to boot from. Check if it is detected by your system.

Therefore, you can follow these simple steps to successfully create a bootable USB flash drive and install the Windows 8 developer preview.

How To Troubleshoot A Slow DSL Connection

If you are a frequent user of the internet, you might know the perils of a slow internet connection. If you are performing a task which needs to be completed within a specific time, a slow internet connection can cause much trouble. You may get frustrated with the DSL connection you have, and find it difficult to complete your tasks on time.  Let us check the different methods that can be used to speed up the internet connection.

Instructions

• Turn off your computer. Now you can unplug the connection to the DSL modem for a few minutes. You can now restart your computer and connect the modem once again. Resetting the modem can abolish the static on the line and also remove the noise that would have been created in the connection, which are major factors responsible for a slow internet connection.
• You can remove all other devices that are connected to the phone lines. Such devices include answering machines, fax machines and phones. All these can create static on the line, which will result in the slowing down of the internet connection.
• You can contact your Internet Service Provider. The issue would sometimes be a mild one, about which you may not have any idea. Even storms can cause problems with the internet connection. If the power gets cut off due to a storm, it will definitely affect the DSL equipment. You can enquire whether the modem that you possess has filters which can screen noises. There might also be issues with the telephone lines. In such cases, the telephone company should fix the issue.
• You can check your modem. Normally we check the internet connection through the different signal lights that come from it. There is a series of lights that represents different parts of the modem.  You can contact your Internet Service Provider, who would perform a remote test and verify that your modem is receiving signals correctly. If not, they will provide proper guidance to solve the issue on your own.
• If your computer has viruses or spyware infection, your internet connection may get affected. You can use the antivirus installed on your system to check for viruses or malware infections. Your Internet Service provider can assist you with finding out the presence of virus or spyware activity on your computer.

After executing the above mentioned steps, if you still have a slow internet connection, contact your Internet Service provider and seek assistance from them.

Steps To Enable And Disable Network Adaptors In Windows 8

Windows 8 is the most recent operating system developed by Microsoft, which comes integrated with an advanced user interface called the Metro user interface. The operating system has features that allows user to enable or disable a network device connected to the computer from the Control Panel option. Windows 8 support is available for changing the network connection from one network to another by enabling or disabling the network devices. You make use of this procedure when your computer is connected to internet via more than one connection line. 

You can switch the network connection following the steps given below if the connection you are currently using becomes slow. The above steps can also be used to troubleshoot the network adapters by just disabling and re- enabling them. Most of the issues can be corrected in this way. However always make sure to select the correct device from the list for disabling or enabling, as only then can the issue be solved.

Instructions

• Click on the extreme lower left corner of the screen to open the Windows 8 Metro Start screen and then select the option named Control Panel from it. 
• Find the More Settings option in the Control Panel menu list and click on it. 
• Choose the View network status and tasks option found under the Network and internet option and click on it.
• In the window that opens, look for the option named Change adapter settings and click on it to view network connection options. 
• You will be able to see all the devices that are connected to your system in the network connections window. Now look for the network device that you would like to disable and then select the device by clicking on it. Now go to the top of the window and then click on the option named Disable the network device to disable the device. 
• To enable the network device, follow the same steps and select the device you would like to enable, and click on the option named Enable found in the network connections window. 

Windows 8 is a new operating and comes with advanced user interface and features; hence you may find it difficult to perform certain tasks at times. If you are not able to enable or disable a network device in your Windows 8 system, then contact the Windows 8 support team for further help and support.

How To Use Outlook Mail’s IMAP Support

About a year ago, Microsoft revamped and redesigned their Live email services and renamed and released the new version with the name Outlook.com. With this new name, they also redesigned the entire structure and look of the Microsoft mail, and optimized it to perform better in the Windows 8 operating system. 

IMAP is an application layer protocol that allows users to access the emails in the remote server of the email provider from the local machine. It is expanded as Internet Message Access Protocol and supports both online and offline modes of operation. The main advantage of the IMAP service is that if you change an email from read to unread on the email client in your home computer, then the email in the server also automatically changes accordingly. The feature that is handy in multiple-devices is not available with other protocols. 

Outlook.com depends on the Microsoft’s Exchange ActiveSync technology for accomplishing the real-time hole but some email manager programs are not able to deal with this technology and here we make use of the IMAP protocol for filling the void. Below we discuss the Outlook setting that you need to use for the IMAP protocol with Outlook email provider.

For incoming emails, set the incoming email server address to imap-mail.outlook.com, the server port to 993 and set the encryption type as SSL. Set the outgoing SMTP settings also likely with server set to smtp-mail.outlook.com, set the port number for server as 587 and the encryption as TLS. 

Microsoft also announced the support for the OAuth authentication protocol to the Outlook email service along with the IMAP protocol for opening the doors for third party software to communicate with Outlook.com in an advanced way. With the inclusion of OAuth in Outlook, most of the third party services like TripIt can automatically detect the travel details from the emails and add them to the itinerary automatically. Now you can use the Unroll.me and OtherInbox software tools to make your Outlook’s inbox clean and tidy. 

Microsoft included these latest features to the Outlook web mail to get back the webmail crown from its archrival Google. We can certainly hope that with the inclusion of the IMAP and OAuth technologies to the webmail, Microsoft will achieve its dream. If you need to know about the advanced features of the Outlook webmail, then go to the Outlook setting website where you can find all the required details.

How To Transfer Outlook 2002 Contacts To A New Computer

When users try to use Outlook 2002 ANSI files into later versions of Outlook like Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007 or Outlook 2010 32-bit, they get an error showing that the PST file is not compatible with the Outlook version. This problem is caused due to the incompatibility of ANSI content and the Unicode environment. When you come across such a scenario, your primary concern will be how to move the details in the ANSI PST files to the Unicode based file system. When you come across these Outlook problems, the solution available is to completely move the PST files from Outlook 2002 to latter versions through some third party software available.

If you are not using compatible environments, then you will get the error in the format “The file s1.pst is not compatible with this version of the Personal Folders information service. Contact your Administrator.” If you are getting this error, then what you need to infer is that the older version of the Outlook PST file in ANSI format is not compatible with the new version in the Unicode environment. 

If you come across this situation, then it means that you can lose much of your personal data, since most of the corporate enterprises use the Outlook software for managing their email and business contacts. The reason why a user is not able to transfer files in ANSI format to the Unicode environment in Outlook is because when you use the Import and Export wizard, the files are transferred via the Unicode format and the older versions of the Outlook program have no support for this format.

How to Transfer Files In ANSI Format To Unicode Environment

For transferring the PST file in ANSI format to the Unicode format, first click on the File menu in the Outlook program and then select the Data File Management feature. Now select the Add option and select the option named Outlook 97-2002 Personal Folders File and then click on the OK button. You can use this procedure to make your files work in newer versions of Outlook. Alternatively, if you would like to do it in the easy way, then use the PST upgrade option.

It is easier and better to use the PST upgrade software to change your contacts to newer versions. If you need any further assistance with Outlook problems, then contact the Outlook support team.

Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2007 With Clearwire Email

Microsoft Outlook 2007 is an email-handling program that can be used to send and receive email messages from a variety of exchange-based clients and web based mail services like Gmail and Yahoo. This is the email component of the Microsoft Office suite and has been very popular since its release. The Outlook 2007 program can be configured to send and receive email messages through the Microsoft Exchange Server, POP3 or IMAP.

You can do the account configuration manually or it can be done through the Outlook program automatically. If you are using Clearwire as your Internet Service Provider, you will be having a free email account provided by the ISP. If your favorite email client is the Outlook program, you can sync the Clearwire account with the Outlook program very easily in a few minutes.

The steps to do this process are discussed below in this article. You may also contact the Outlook tech support team if you want further clarification on these steps.

Instructions

• Turn on your computer and click on the Start button. From the Start menu, click on All Programs and select Outlook. In the Outlook window, click on the Tools menu and select the Accounts option. Click on the Add button and select Mail. This will open a new window.
• Type in your name that is associated with your email account in the box that appears and click the Next button. On the next page, enter your full email address and select Next button again.
• As your server type, select POP3. As your incoming and outgoing server name, type mail.accountname.clearwire.net with the unique account name that you use replacing the “accountname with”. Click on the Next button again.
• Enter your username and the password and then click on the Finished button. This will make sure that your mail will sync with Outlook automatically.

By following the simple and easy to follow steps discussed above, you will be able to configure the Outlook program with Clearwire email account. If you find it difficult to follow any of the above steps, you always have the option to contact the Outlook tech support team. The technician will help you to clear all your doubts and will give you a handhold to complete the process. The technician can also connect to your computer remotely and can perform the steps for you while you can watch the process. 

Accessing Outlook Emails Using Your iPhone

Juggling between work and play is quite a difficult task. However, with Outlook, it is a very easy process. All the Outlook emails that you receive while you are at work are stored in the Outlook exchange server and you get access to the mails by getting into the server via the Outlook application that is present in your office computer. But if you are at home and want to access those mails, you can get easy access via a web browser. However, from the network administrator, you will require the URL in order to access them. By following the below provided Outlook email setup guidelines, you can access your mails on the go.

Getting the web access

• First, you need to get your Outlook access URL, the username and the password from your network administrator.
• Next, you have to launch your web browser from the desktop where the shortcut of the web browser is present or you will have to access the web browser from the location where it is installed.
• Now you have to navigate to the URL that was given by the network administrator.
• In the fields provided, you will have to enter your username and password. You will have to select whether you are using a private computer or a public computer.
• The log in or the log on button has to be clicked.

Accessing from home

• You will need to get hold of the exchange server name, domain name, username and password from your network administrator.
• In your iPhone, you need to select the Settings option.
• You need to choose Mail, Contacts, Calendar and then choose Add Account. The account that you have to select is Microsoft Exchange.
• The URL, username and password that you had received from your network administrator has to be entered into the required fields and the Next button has to be selected.
• By switching to the next page, you can choose all the information that you require to access. In order to access your mail and contacts, you will have to slide the controls to the right. Now the Save button has to be selected.

It is essential that you enter the correct details in the fields provided; otherwise, you will not be able to access mails from your home. After you have configured the Outlook email setup, you are ready to access the mails at home.

Use Microsoft Works To Create A Phone Directory

It must be really boring and frustrating, having to go through a thick set of pages on your phone book to find a phone number from it. Why take so much trouble when you can come home to the digital world and simply do away with paper copies and make use of the digital database, which can be quickly and easily traversed.
Microsoft Works can be used to make a database of the names, numbers and other details of your family, your friends and the companies that you often contact. If you still insist on having a hard copy, just print it onto paper and bind it in a book. Microsoft Works includes a Word processor, a spreadsheet and a database management system, which lets you create and keep useful information. Here are some Microsoft help guidelines that’ll help you with the process.

Instructions

• Switch on the PC and run the Microsoft Works Task Launcher program. Go to Templates and then choose the Home & Money option from the menu bar, located towards the left of the page.
• Select the Home Lists option from the list that appears at the right. For selecting the template to use, select the option Member Directory. Choose the Use This Style option, or just double click on the icon and it’ll open a new template for you.
• Press the CTRL + F9 key combination and the form designer opens up. Double-click the title and rename it as Phone Directory, or feel free to be more specific. Alter the remaining subtitles on the page until you are absolutely satisfied with the results.
• Hit the F9 button to get back to the data form. Enter the names, phone numbers, and all other details in the respective categories and fields provided.
• Hit the Tab button to keep moving from one record to another, and through the directory. Keep going till you are done with the whole phone list.
• Print the directory you just made on regular copy paper, and don’t forget to save it on the PC so that you can print it again if you misplace the phonebook. 

These above mentioned instructions should help you in making a phone directory with Microsoft Works. If you have further doubts on this, get in touch with the Microsoft help team.

Windows 8.1 Enterprise Edition To Come Out Soon

Does your computer lack from a Windows 8 upgrade? Why not migrate to the new Windows 8 and change your computing experience? Microsoft released a preview version of its Windows 8.1 Enterprise version, which also requires a Software Assurance licensing agreement. People are eagerly anticipating the Windows 8.1 versions, which’ll hit the markets this October.

Support

An announcement from Microsoft indicates that Windows 8.1 will receive the same lifecycle support, along with extended support till January 10, 2023, just like the Windows 8 OS. However, one bit of information did leave people in a predicament. It seems that even though both Windows 8 and 8.1 will receive the same life cycle support, in two years, all Windows 8 users must upgrade to Windows 8.1. Apparently, this is based on Microsoft’s service pack concept. Also all deployment tools by Microsoft will be made available simultaneously, with the release of Windows 8.1. This indicates that an automated process exists for upgrading Windows 8 Enterprise edition to its Windows 8.1 counterpart, but the same cannot be said for the Preview version. The Windows 8.1 download page warns that the Preview users will be unable to upgrade. This may be because the preview is usually meant for test machines, and so users may encounter data loss on upgradation.

What are the new features in this version?

Well, Microsoft has incorporated quite a few exciting changes in the Windows 8.1 enterprise version. This includes a Start Screen control, Windows Enterprise Sideloading, and Windows To Go Creator.
The IT department can now control the appearance of a desktop in the entire organization, and preventing users from changing the Start Screen. You can image your Windows 8 desktop to a USB drive using the Windows To Go Creator. This is Microsoft’s latest portable Windows 8 desktop scheme to facilitate remote use. Publish line-of-business apps via a portal page without having to put them up on Windows Store, with the new “Sideloading” feature.
Some other features that are included are the same ones on Windows 7, like AppLocker and BranchCache. AppLocker decides what apps and files can be stored on the system while BranchCache allows access of content by branch offices in a large network efficiently. Virtual desktop infrastructure capabilities are also something to boast about in the new Enterprise edition, but require deploying Windows Server 2012.
It seems that Microsoft has really put a lot of sweat into improving the sales of its Windows 8.1 versions, owing to a less than enthusiastic review of Windows 8. So when are you going to do a Windows 8 upgrade?

Microsoft To Launch Windows 8 In Four Versions

The Windows 7 operating system is said to be compatible also with touch screen computers and smart phones. However, the controls were too jarred and most users complained of the whole user-experience being tiresome and clunky. Hence, Microsoft decided to launch a new operating system, Windows 8, especially for the computers with the touch screen interface. Many advanced and sophisticated features are included in this latest version of the operating system.
The advanced features include a new Metro-style touch-friendly user interface, support for ARM-based chips, and a new Windows Store for apps. Microsoft has officially declared that Windows 8 is expected to release in the second half of this year. The latest news from Microsoft is that the software giant is planning to release Windows 8 in four different versions. The Windows 8 versions are:

• Windows 8
• Windows 8 Pro
• Windows 8 Enterprise
• Windows RT

Windows RT

• Windows RT is the new name for Windows on ARM. The basic fact is that you would get the same basic Windows interface as you get with the other versions. However, Windows RT would only run apps that are specifically written for ARM architecture.
• This version of the operating system would not be sold directly to consumers. It will come preloaded on tablets, notebooks, and other devices. This simply means that the user would not be able to install it himself, or upgrade from the earlier versions of Windows.

Windows 8 Pro

• If you do need encryption, group policies, and remote desktop features, then you can buy or upgrade to Windows 8 Pro. For more information on the Windows 8 versions and Windows 8 Pro, you can always contact the Microsoft helpline.

Windows 8 Enterprise

• Windows 8 Enterprise can be defined as the aggregation of some additional features in Windows 8 Pro version, which would definitely be helpful to corporate IT professionals.
• Microsoft would also be releasing out its low cost version of Windows, specifically designed for net books.

Windows 8

• Finally, Windows 8 is basically the new Windows Home Premium, but without the Home Premium label. This is the version of the operating system which includes all the basic Windows features. However, a few technical bits that you might not need anyway would not be present here.

Hence, it is clear that the launching of Windows 8 in four different versions is a perfect ploy from Microsoft to attract more consumers. However, it is yet to be seen how far this will be successful.

Fix Issues With Saving Appointments In Outlook Calendar

Microsoft Outlook isn’t just an email managing application, but it doubles as a personal data manager, using which you can streamline your day-to-day activities. Outlook has got many useful features like calendar, task manager, contacts manager, notes, journals etc intended to provide the users with a wonderful experience.

However, you might find yourself in a difficult situation when such an application meant to assist and ensure your productivity fails. One such issue that you might encounter while using Microsoft Outlook is the problem with saving an appointment in Outlook calendar. One must take utmost care while trying to correct such an issue, as any alteration to the essential files and their attributes in Outlook can adversely affect the program. Often it is found that the missing characters in the programming is responsible for not permitting to save a new appointment.

The below mentioned Microsoft tech support guidelines will help you fix issues with saving appointments in Outlook calendar.

Instructions

• Go to the Start menu located at the bottom left corner on your Windows taskbar and select the option Run. This will bring up the Run command box. Type adsiedit.msc into the text field and click the OK button. 
• Go to the new ADSIEDIT window and click on Domains to expand it. Further expand "dc=domain,dc=com" and the OU (abbreviation for Organizational Unit) of the user the Outlook problem is affecting.
• Locate the text "CN=Full name" of the user and right-click on it. From the popup menu, select the option Properties. 
• From the Properties window, click on the Attributes list and further choose "legacyExchangeDN". Now click on Edit. 
• Check whether you have the value to be exactly as this: "/o=OrganizationName/ou=First Administrative Group/cn=Recipients/cn=username." The error in being unable to save a new appointment is typically caused by a missing "/cn" before "username."
• Once you have confirmed that everything is in place, click OK and again click OK to close the ADSIEDIT window. 
• Now relaunch Microsoft Outlook on your computer and try to save a new appointment on the calendar. Check to see if the error has been rectified. 

Numerous Outlook repair tools are available to help you fix various issues with your Microsoft Outlook application. If nothing works, you always have the option to contact the Outlook Support team or visit the Microsoft Tech Support Center and seek further help.