How can I install Windows Vista?

As a Microsoft Windows Vista support professional, one of your tasks may be to install the operating system.

Step #1: Plan your installation

When you run the Windows Vista Setup program, you must provide information about how to install and configure the operating system. Thorough planning can make your installation of Windows Vista more efficient by helping you to avoid potential problems during installation. An understanding of the configuration options will also help to ensure that you have properly configured your system.

I won't go into that part right now (I might later this month, no promises...) but here are some of the most important things you should take into consideration when planning for your Windows Vista installation:

• Check System Requirements

• Check Hardware and Software Compatibility

• Determine Disk Partitioning Options

• Decide on a Workgroup or Domain Installation

• Complete a Pre-Installation Checklist

After you made sure you can go on, start the installation process.

Step #2: Beginning the installation process

You can install Windows Vista in several methods - all are valid and good, it all depends upon your needs and your limitations. In this manual I will focus on the simplest form of installation - directly from the Windows Vista DVD media.

So, insert your Windows Vista DVD media into your DVD drive and reboot your computer. A black window will appear momentarily while the DVD content is read.

Step #3: The GUI-based portion of the Setup program

Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows Vista does not have a noticeable text phase of the setup process, and it will boot directly into the Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode.

1. After a few moments you will see the first prompt:

Press Next unless you want to change some regional settings for the installation process.

2. Press the Install now button.

3. After a short delay you're be prompted to enter your product key:

If you skip it, you'll be prompted for a Vista version that matches your product key (the one you don't have handy at that moment):

4. You now have to accept the license terms:

5. Next you need to press the Custom (Advanced) installation type button:

The Upgrade button is disabled because this specific installation if performed on a new computer without any previous operating system on it.

6. The next phase is to pick the installation partition. Since this computer has a new hard disk that hasn't been formatted before, you will only have the option to create a new partition on it. Had it had previous partitions on it you could have chosen to either delete them or perform other tasks. Pressing the Advanced button will bring up the following options.

Since we don't need to perform any additional task we will just press on the Next button. The installation process will then create a partition on all the available disk space, and format it.

7. The setup process will now begin to copy files from the installation DVD media to the hard disk.

This will take some time:

8. After some time (the exact amount of time will greatly depend on your computer's hardware), the setup process will install updates for the operating system.

9. The computer will then automatically reboot.

10. Now comes a long waiting period, where the installation process configures the system. Again, the exact amount of time will greatly depend on your computer's hardware.

11. After the long wait, the system will then reboot once again.

12. You will think something went wrong because of the relative long time it take the system to display anything besides the black screen, but finally, after a few moments you will note a small colored circle:

13. A few seconds after that you will be prompted to enter a username and password for the first user on the computer.

Although the setup program will let you continue without entering a password, note that it is very advisable to enter a password here, and the best option would be to choose a complex password made of at least 7 characters or more (something like P@ssw0rd or MYpa$$w0rd). Make sure you remember it.

Also pick your user's display picture. This can be changed later.

14. Pick a name for your computer. The setup program will create one based upon the username you chose in the previous step, but you can change it now (and later).

Also pick a background for the user's desktop. This can be changed later.

15. Choose what sort of protection your computer gets. The recommended settings are best for someone that doesn't plan to hide their computer behind a corporate firewall (and even then, in some cases, this would be the best option). If you plan to install a 3rd-party firewall later you can opt to be prompted later.

Note that this setting will also have effect on how the computer uses the Microsoft Windows Update (Automatic Updates) features.

16. Next comes the Time Zone settings window. Choose your location.

A note for Israeli users: Finally! Windows Vista has the DST setting enabled for us!!!

17. Done! You're prompted with the last setup screen:

17. Again a long wait and some promotional screens you see the hourglass circling around, in preparation for the first logon.

18. Finally, the first screen appears, you're ready to rock and roll!

Note that if the computer was connected to the Internet while installing it, it will automatically download and prompt you to install any missing hotfix or update it finds for the current state of the operating system.

Done!

Wireless Router

Introduction

A wireless router is a network device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It can function in a wired LAN, a wireless only LAN, or a mixed wired/wireless network. Most current wireless routers have the following characteristics:

• -LAN ports, which function in the same manner as the ports of a network switch
• -A WAN port, to connect to a wider area network. The routing functions are filtered using this port. If it is not used, many functions of the router will be bypassed.
• -Wireless antennae. These allow connections from other wireless devices (NICs (network interface cards), wireless repeaters, wireless access points, and wireless bridges, for example).

The wireless functions operate as a separate nested "mini-LAN" within the router. The devices that connect wirelessly use the wireless router as their hub, and the wireless router presents that "mini-LAN" as a single device to the rest of the LAN.

Wireless routers, access points, and bridges are available that utilize each of the commonly used wireless frequencies (used in the Wireless-B, Wireless-A (and -G), and Wireless-N standards). The frequency bands for these wireless standards can be used license-free in most countries.

Wireless routers can work with devices in a point-to-point mode, but more commonly functions in a point to multipoint mode.

Wireless devices used that communicate with the wireless router must be set to the same service set identifier (SSID) and radio channel.

Netbooting Wirelessly

Unless you have a wireless card with a PXE-ROM chip built into it, it is not easy to directly netboot over a wireless connection. BIOS-based PXE algorithms usually only search for a wired NIC card to be used in a PXE netboot.

Some users have cleverly connected a Wireless Bridge (i.e. a wireless router or wireless access point set to the "bridge" mode) to the wired NIC card in their PC. The PC then netboots through the wired Ethernet NIC as usual, but the data is then transmitted from the NIC to the Wireless AP/Router connected to it and then wirelessly "across the bridge" to the central Wireless Router.

This solution works pretty well, but of course you must have two Wireless Access Points/Routers (one on each side of the "bridge"). Still, this is sometimes easier than running extra Ethernet cables throughout your home.

Wireless network

Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is wireless, and is commonly associated with a telecommunications network whose interconnections between nodes is implemented without the use of wires, such as a computer network (a type of communications network).[1] Wireless telecommunications networks are generally implemented with some type of remote information transmission system that uses electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves, for the carrier and this implementation usually takes place at the physical level or "layer" of the network.

Types

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is similar to other wireless devices and uses radio instead of wires to transmit data back and forth between computers on the same network.

• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is a commonly used wireless network in computer systems which enable connection to the internet or other machines that have Wi-Fi functionalities. Wi-Fi networks broadcast radio waves that can be picked up by Wi-Fi receivers that are attached to different computers or mobile phones.
• Fixed wireless data : Fixed wireless data is a type of wireless data network that can be used to connect two or more buildings together in order to extend or share the network bandwidth without physically wiring the buildings together.

Wireless MAN

Wireless Metropolitan area networks are type of wireless network that connects several Wireless LANs.

The IEEE 802-2001 standard describes a MAN as being:

A MAN is optimized for a larger geographical area than a LAN, ranging from several blocks of buildings to entire cities. MANs can also depend on communications channels of moderate-to-high data rates. A MAN might be owned and operated by a single organization, but it usually will be used by many individuals and organizations. MANs might also be owned and operated as public utilities. They will often provide means for internetworking of local networks. Metropolitan area networks can span up to 50km, devices used are modem and wire/cable

Implementation

Some technologies used for this purpose are ATM, FDDI, and SMDS. These older technologies are in the process of being displaced by Ethernet-based MANs (e.g. Metro Ethernet) in most areas. MAN links between LANs have been built without cables using either microwave, radio, or infra-red laser links. Most companies rent or lease circuits from common carriers due to the fact that laying long stretches of cable can be expensive.

DQDB, Distributed Queue Dual Bus, is the Metropolitan Area Network standard for data communication. It is specified in the IEEE 802.6 standard. Using DQDB, networks can be up to 30 miles (50km) long and operate at speeds of 34 to 155 Mbit/s.

Several notable networks started as MANs, such as the Internet peering points MAE-West, MAE-East, and the Sohonet media network

Mobile devices networks

• Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM): The GSM network is divided into three major systems which are :the switching system, the base station system, and the operation and support system (Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)). The cell phone connects to the base system station which then connects to the operation and support station; it then connects to the switching station where the call is transferred where it needs to go (Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)). This is used for cellular phones, is the most common standard and is used for a majority of cellular providers.[3]
• Personal Communications Service (PCS): PCS is a radio band that can be used by mobile phones in North America. Sprint happened to be the first service to set up a PCS.
• D-AMPS: D-AMPS, which stands for Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service, is an upgraded version of AMPS but it is being phased out due to advancement in technology. The newer GSM networks are replacing the older system.

Wireless networks have had a significant impact on the world as far back as World War II. Through the use of wireless networks, information could be sent overseas or behind enemy lines easily, effieciently and more reliably. Since then wireless networks have continued to develop and its uses have significantly grown. Cellular phones are part of huge wireless network systems. People use these phones daily to communicate with one another. Sending information over seas is possible through wireless network systems using satellites and other signals to communicate across the world. Emergency services such as the police department utilize wireless networks to communicate important information quickly. People and businesses use wireless networks to send and share data quickly whether it be in a small office building or across the world.^[4]

Another important use for wireless networks is as an inexpensive and rapid way to be connected to the Internet in countries and regions where the telecom infrastructure is poor or there is a lack of resources, like most developing countries.

Compatibility issues also arise when dealing with wireless networks. Different components not made by the same company may not work together, or might require extra work to fix compatibility issues. Wireless networks are typically slower than those that are directly connected through an Ethernet cable.

A wireless network is more vulnerable because anyone can try to break into a network broadcasting a signal. Many networks offer WEP -Wired Equivalent Privacy- security systems which have been found to be vulnerable to intrusion. Though WEP does block some intruders, the security problems have caused some businesses to stick with wired networks until security can be improved. Another type of security for wireless networks is WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access. WPA provides more security to wireless networks than a WEP security set up. The use of firewalls will help with security breaches which can help to fix security problems in some wireless networks that are more vulnerable.

Wireless Router

Introduction

A wireless router is a network device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It can function in a wired LAN, a wireless only LAN, or a mixed wired/wireless network. Most current wireless routers have the following characteristics:

• -LAN ports, which function in the same manner as the ports of a network switch
• -A WAN port, to connect to a wider area network. The routing functions are filtered using this port. If it is not used, many functions of the router will be bypassed.
• -Wireless antennae. These allow connections from other wireless devices (NICs (network interface cards), wireless repeaters, wireless access points, and wireless bridges, for example).

The wireless functions operate as a separate nested "mini-LAN" within the router. The devices that connect wirelessly use the wireless router as their hub, and the wireless router presents that "mini-LAN" as a single device to the rest of the LAN.

Wireless routers, access points, and bridges are available that utilize each of the commonly used wireless frequencies (used in the Wireless-B, Wireless-A (and -G), and Wireless-N standards). The frequency bands for these wireless standards can be used license-free in most countries.

Wireless routers can work with devices in a point-to-point mode, but more commonly functions in a point to multipoint mode.

Wireless devices used that communicate with the wireless router must be set to the same service set identifier (SSID) and radio channel.

Netbooting Wirelessly

Unless you have a wireless card with a PXE-ROM chip built into it, it is not easy to directly netboot over a wireless connection. BIOS-based PXE algorithms usually only search for a wired NIC card to be used in a PXE netboot.

Some users have cleverly connected a Wireless Bridge (i.e. a wireless router or wireless access point set to the "bridge" mode) to the wired NIC card in their PC. The PC then netboots through the wired Ethernet NIC as usual, but the data is then transmitted from the NIC to the Wireless AP/Router connected to it and then wirelessly "across the bridge" to the central Wireless Router.

This solution works pretty well, but of course you must have two Wireless Access Points/Routers (one on each side of the "bridge"). Still, this is sometimes easier than running extra Ethernet cables throughout your home.

Wireless network

Wireless network refers to any type of computer network that is wireless, and is commonly associated with a telecommunications network whose interconnections between nodes is implemented without the use of wires, such as a computer network (a type of communications network).[1] Wireless telecommunications networks are generally implemented with some type of remote information transmission system that uses electromagnetic waves, such as radio waves, for the carrier and this implementation usually takes place at the physical level or "layer" of the network.

Types

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is similar to other wireless devices and uses radio instead of wires to transmit data back and forth between computers on the same network.

• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is a commonly used wireless network in computer systems which enable connection to the internet or other machines that have Wi-Fi functionalities. Wi-Fi networks broadcast radio waves that can be picked up by Wi-Fi receivers that are attached to different computers or mobile phones.
• Fixed wireless data : Fixed wireless data is a type of wireless data network that can be used to connect two or more buildings together in order to extend or share the network bandwidth without physically wiring the buildings together.

Wireless MAN

Wireless Metropolitan area networks are type of wireless network that connects several Wireless LANs.

The IEEE 802-2001 standard describes a MAN as being:

A MAN is optimized for a larger geographical area than a LAN, ranging from several blocks of buildings to entire cities. MANs can also depend on communications channels of moderate-to-high data rates. A MAN might be owned and operated by a single organization, but it usually will be used by many individuals and organizations. MANs might also be owned and operated as public utilities. They will often provide means for internetworking of local networks. Metropolitan area networks can span up to 50km, devices used are modem and wire/cable

Implementation

Some technologies used for this purpose are ATM, FDDI, and SMDS. These older technologies are in the process of being displaced by Ethernet-based MANs (e.g. Metro Ethernet) in most areas. MAN links between LANs have been built without cables using either microwave, radio, or infra-red laser links. Most companies rent or lease circuits from common carriers due to the fact that laying long stretches of cable can be expensive.

DQDB, Distributed Queue Dual Bus, is the Metropolitan Area Network standard for data communication. It is specified in the IEEE 802.6 standard. Using DQDB, networks can be up to 30 miles (50km) long and operate at speeds of 34 to 155 Mbit/s.

Several notable networks started as MANs, such as the Internet peering points MAE-West, MAE-East, and the Sohonet media network

Mobile devices networks

• Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM): The GSM network is divided into three major systems which are :the switching system, the base station system, and the operation and support system (Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)). The cell phone connects to the base system station which then connects to the operation and support station; it then connects to the switching station where the call is transferred where it needs to go (Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)). This is used for cellular phones, is the most common standard and is used for a majority of cellular providers.[3]
• Personal Communications Service (PCS): PCS is a radio band that can be used by mobile phones in North America. Sprint happened to be the first service to set up a PCS.
• D-AMPS: D-AMPS, which stands for Digital Advanced Mobile Phone Service, is an upgraded version of AMPS but it is being phased out due to advancement in technology. The newer GSM networks are replacing the older system.

Wireless networks have had a significant impact on the world as far back as World War II. Through the use of wireless networks, information could be sent overseas or behind enemy lines easily, effieciently and more reliably. Since then wireless networks have continued to develop and its uses have significantly grown. Cellular phones are part of huge wireless network systems. People use these phones daily to communicate with one another. Sending information over seas is possible through wireless network systems using satellites and other signals to communicate across the world. Emergency services such as the police department utilize wireless networks to communicate important information quickly. People and businesses use wireless networks to send and share data quickly whether it be in a small office building or across the world.^[4]

Another important use for wireless networks is as an inexpensive and rapid way to be connected to the Internet in countries and regions where the telecom infrastructure is poor or there is a lack of resources, like most developing countries.

Compatibility issues also arise when dealing with wireless networks. Different components not made by the same company may not work together, or might require extra work to fix compatibility issues. Wireless networks are typically slower than those that are directly connected through an Ethernet cable.

A wireless network is more vulnerable because anyone can try to break into a network broadcasting a signal. Many networks offer WEP -Wired Equivalent Privacy- security systems which have been found to be vulnerable to intrusion. Though WEP does block some intruders, the security problems have caused some businesses to stick with wired networks until security can be improved. Another type of security for wireless networks is WPA - Wi-Fi Protected Access. WPA provides more security to wireless networks than a WEP security set up. The use of firewalls will help with security breaches which can help to fix security problems in some wireless networks that are more vulnerable.

How To Format Any Size USB Drive as NTFS

If you take a typical USB stick and select the Windows format option, you only get the FAT and FAT32 option for anything under 4GBs. However, there are times you might want to format as NTFS. For example, you want to set specific file and folder privileges to the content and you feel NTFS is the best way.

Well, there is an easy solution and it’s just a matter of setting the options correctly in Windows for your device.

This is how you do it:

Start > My Computer > Right click on the drive letter for the USB stick and select Properties.

Next click the Hardware tab of the Properties dialogue box and select the device which you’d like to change. In this case, it’s drive letter F shown as “Simple Flash Disk 2.0 USB Device“ From here you can double-click the device or highlight in blue and click the Properties button.

The next step is click the Policies tab and set the device to “Optimize for Performance”

Once you’ve completed this, click out of each screen by pressing OK. The final step is going back to the USB stick you want to format, Right click and select Format and now the option for NTFS is available. Format away!

As you can see in this example, I’m able to format even a small USB stick of only 256MBs. Comments? Post them in the forum.

USB - Universal Serial Bus

USB Universal Serial Bus
Original USB Logo
Year created:	January 1996

In information technology, Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to interface devices to a host computer. USB was designed to allow many peripherals to be connected using a single standardized interface socket and to improve the plug-and-play capabilities by allowing hot swapping, that is, by allowing devices to be connected and disconnected without rebooting the computer or turning off the device. Other convenient features include providing power to low-consumption devices without the need for an external power supply and allowing many devices to be used without requiring manufacturer specific, individual device drivers to be installed.

USB is intended to replace many legacy varieties of serial and parallel ports. USB can connect computer peripherals such as mouse, keyboards, PDAs, gamepads and joysticks, scanners, digital cameras, printers, personal media players, and flash drives. For many of those devices USB has become the standard connection method. USB was originally designed for personal computers, but it has become commonplace on other devices such as PDAs and video game consoles, and as a bridging power cord between a device and an AC adapter plugged into a wall plug for charging purposes. As of 2008, there are about 2 billion USB devices in the world.^[1]

The USB "trident" logo

A conventional USB hub.

A USB host may have multiple host controllers and each host controller may provide one or more USB ports. Up to 127 devices, including the hub devices, may be connected to a single host controller.

USB signaling

USB supports three data rates:

• The Full Speed rate of 12 Mbit/s (1.5 MB/s) is the basic USB data rate defined by USB 1.0. All USB hubs support Full Speed.
• A Low Speed rate of 1.5 Mbit/s (187.5 kB/s) is also defined by USB 1.0. It is very similar to full speed operation except that each bit takes 8 times as long to transmit. It is intended primarily to save cost in low-bandwidth Human Interface Devices (HID) such as keyboards, mice, and joysticks.
• A High-Speed (USB 2.0) rate of 480 Mbit/s (60 MB/s) was introduced in USB 2.0. All high-speed devices are capable of falling back to full-speed operation if necessary.

Experimental data rate:

• A Super-Speed (USB 3.0) rate of 4.8 Gbit/s (600 MB/s). The USB 3.0 specification was released by Intel and its partners in August 2008, according to early reports from CNET news. According to Intel, bus speeds will be 10 times faster than USB 2.0 due to the inclusion of a fibre-optic link that works with traditional copper connectors. Products using the 3.0 specification are likely to arrive in 2009 or 2010.

Types of USB connector

Micro-USB Connectors

USB Connectors

Different types of USB connectors from left to right
• 8-pin mystery plug
• Mini-B plug
• B-type plug
• A-type receptacle
• A-type plug

Pin configuration of the USB connectors Standard A/B, viewed from face of plug

Micro-USB Receptacles

USB cables

Pin	Name	Cable color	Description
1	VCC	Red	+5V
2	D−	White	Data −
3	D+	Green	Data +
4	GND	Black	Ground

The maximum length of a standard USB cable is 5.0 meters (16.4 ft). The primary reason for this limit is the maximum allowed round-trip delay of about 1500 ns.

Miniplug/Microplug

Pin	Name	Color	Description
1	VCC	Red	+5 V
2	D−	White	Data −
3	D+	Green	Data +
4	ID	none	permits distinction of Micro-A- and Micro-B-Plug Type A: connected to Ground Type B: not connected
5	GND	Black	Signal Ground

The data cables are a twisted pair to reduce noise and crosstalk.

Mystery micro plug

The mystery plug, on a cable for my Pentax K10D

The mystery plug, on a cable for my Panasonic DMC-TZ3

(continuing the above section, on the small 8-pin plug which is apparently misidentified as "micro-B" in this image)

Wireless USB is a short-range, high-bandwidth wireless radio communication protocol created by the Wireless USB Promoter Group. Wireless USB is sometimes abbreviated as "WUSB", although the USB Implementers Forum discourages this practice and instead prefers to call the technology "Certified Wireless USB" to differentiate it from competitors. Wireless USB is based on the WiMedia Alliance's Ultra-WideBand (UWB) common radio platform, which is capable of sending 480 Mbit/s at distances up to 3 meters and 110 Mbit/s at up to 10 meters. It was designed to operate in the 3.1 to 10.6 GHz frequency range, although local regulatory policies may restrict the legal operating range for any given country.

An upcoming 1.1 specification will increase speed to 1 Gbit/s and working frequencies up to 6 GHz.

“Wireless USB” is also the name of a separate wireless protocol created by Cypress Semiconductor for human interface devices.

USB Led Light Electronics

Optical USB Mini Mouse Electronics

Lis

DESCRIPTION:

The only iPod charger you will ever need - high quality, multi-optional and convenient!

Our multi charger offers the perfect charging for any iPod

With our multi charger, you will get a mains, Car and USB charger in one great pack. Whatever iPod you have, simply attach the compatible adaptor to your power source of choice!

COMPATIBLE WITH:

iPod shuffle, iPod 3G, iPod 4G, iPod Color, iPod Photo, iPod Video, iPod Mini & iPod Nano

CONTENTS:

Mains, USB travel charger, CAR charger