Category: Microsoft

Everything about Microsoft

Microsoft fixes bug in Windows Live file-sharing service

Paul

December 10, 2007 (IDG News Service) — Microsoft Corp. confirmed that it has fixed a bug in its online file-storage and -sharing service, Windows Live FolderShare, after users reported that the service was deleting files without user authorization.

Microsoft sent an e-mail to users Friday alerting them that it has fixed a bug that may have “accidentally moved” user files from their original folders into the FolderShare Trash folder, and that users should not delete files in Trash until they ensure that they were meant to be deleted. It also advised users how to retrieve deleted files from the Trash folder.

A copy of the information sent to users has been posted on the FolderShare Web site.

In a Microsoft statement e-mailed by its public relations firm today, the company said it is working with users who have lost files to help retrieve them. It also said that another online storage service that is in beta, Windows Live SkyDrive, was not affected by the bug.

Windows Live FolderShare, which allows users to store files online and then download and synchronize them to and between different devices and computers, is currently available in beta release.

Prior to being notified by Microsoft, users last week had been posting about the strange behavior of Windows Live FolderShare, on a Microsoft online discussion board.

Microsoft also sent out a notification via the discussion board to let users know about the problem and explain how to handle it.

Even after Microsoft said that the problem with moving files to the Trash had been fixed, users on the discussion board were still reporting buggy behavior from the service. Users noted that they were having trouble synchronizing files between computers and locating directories when using the service on Windows Vista.

[Via ComputerWorld]

I thought people should know about the bug with live file sharing services. In case something goes wrong with your Vista system.

Vista pirated half as much as XP, Microsoft rejoices

Paul


While it admits it’s not possible to pin down an exact number, Microsoft has let out word today that it estimates the counterfeit rate of Vista to be about half that of XP, a figure that it seems to be more than pleased with. Of course, one could interpret those numbers in slightly less positive ways, but Microsoft claims the sharp dip in piracy is due to Vista’s amped up authentication system, which it says is a “proven and effective way to combat piracy.” To come up with the numbers, Microsoft apparently relied statistics based on Windows Genuine Advantage validation failures, as well as other unspecified internal data. As TG Daily notes, all this follows Microsoft’s announcement of revised anti-piracy measures in Vista SP1 and, specifically, some big changes to the aforementioned WGA feature.

[Via Engadget]

Oh brother I guess that means Vista is getting popular I hope not. I am still having some trouble with the OS. Oh well I thought people would like to know!!

First look: the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update

Paul

The details of the Xbox Fall Dashboard update have been available for a few days, but now that the update itself has been released, we can take a look and see if this is worth talking about or if it’s just another incremental improvement to the Xbox 360 experience. After waking up a tad on the early side to download the update and give it a good going over, we’re happy to report that there are several welcome changes that are indeed exciting.

The first thing you’ll notice is that the entire dashboard is snappier. It used to be a laggy experience to zoom around your content, but now it feels crisp and fast. The first thing you should do after downloading the update is to check out the new home blade. Your friends list and messages are now on the same line to make things easier, and above that you have the “Inside Xbox” section that allows you to get system and gaming news. Right now, you’ll see Major Nelson introducing the update and walking you through some of the features in two short videos. I was worried that the Inside Xbox content was going to overpower whatever section it was in, but this layout makes it easy to ignore if you don’t want to see the news—and easy to find if you want to see what Microsoft would love to sell you this week.

[Via Ars Technica]

I am quite curious about this dashboard update. If you like the Xbox 360 go check out the full article and see screen shots there!!

Microsoft to beef up anti-piracy checks in Vista SP1

Paul

December 03, 2007 (IDG News Service) — Microsoft will change the user experience of its automatic anti-piracy checks in Windows Vista and also make it harder for hackers to bypass the system in the first service pack for the OS due out early next year.

Once Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is installed on a PC, that computer will no longer go into limited functionality mode if a user or administrator fails to activate Vista on that system in 30 days, or if the system fails Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation, which checks to see if a version of Vista is pirated or counterfeit. In Vista, WGA is called the Software Protection Program feature.

In limited functionality mode, a computer will shut down after 60 minutes and then allow only browser use. Now, instead of going into that mode, a version of Vista that has not been activated in 30 days will start up with a black screen and a dialogue box that gives users the choice of activating Vista now or later, said Alex Kochis, a group product manager at Microsoft.

If users choose to activate now, the screen prompts will lead them through the proper activation system. If users choose to activate later, all the usual functions of Windows will start up, but with a black screen in the background instead of whatever customized background screen a user had set for the system.

Then, after 60 minutes of use, a balloon dialogue box will appear on the screen reminding the user to activate Vista. It also will reset the background to black even if a user had replaced the black screen with a customized view

Well I knew that was going to happen sooner or later. Microsoft is worried about hacks. Go check out the full article in Computerworld.

Fall Xbox 360 update touches on social networking

Paul

With under a fortnight to go until Microsoft looses the Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update on us, we’re still learning even more about what it will entail. The latest tidbit touches on the oh-so-zany social networking craze, as gamers will soon be able to browse the friends lists of their pals in order to connect with old buddies or get all up in the digital grill of complete strangers. Starting on December 4th, the default setting will enable your Xbox Live friends to browse your list at will, and if that just doesn’t set well with your conscience, you can hit the read link for instructions on how to spoil some fun prevent it.

[Image courtesy of Xbox]

Wow, this looks like they are going into the social network, I hope it can make it do some really cool things. I hope to find out later on!!