Sadjad's space: Blog

Editing Widows Default Daylight Saving - حل مشکل تغییر اتوماتیک ساعت در Windows

Mon, 26 May 2008 18:07:13 GMT

Note: This post was originally made just for Iranian windows users but you might use it, if you have same problem.

As you might notice we have a president who what ever he think is right, but most of time he is wrong about deciding rights; one of the things he thought was right to do, was to decide not to change the time on spring of 2007 (بهار سال 1386); as you might also know, we in iran change our time twice a year once on the first day of spring (-1 hour) and once on the first day of autumn (+1 hour) and this is good as many other countries do so.
But he (Mr. President) just decide not to it (I think to see what will happen :D ) and BOOM, we got xxxed, I mean all the computers (We mostly use windows) set the wrong time, so what to do? so people try to disable the automatic update or automatic daylight saving; but in the domain mode everything is difference for 8-9 months we had problems with time, that was not OK (but I think he never thought about it; mostly he never think about IT; does he know IT even exists? I don't think so).
So the Microsoft helped us with a new update to solve the problem you can read about it here http://support.microsoft.com/gp/dst_topissues http://support.microsoft.com/kb/942763.
But then as always BOOM, he again decided to return things back to its original state, and again everything went wrong!!!! What do we have to do this time???
I read the article came with the update and I just found out that the each time zone and their related daylight savings are saved in registry here HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Time Zones\{Your Time Zone}
And also Microsoft came with a time zone editor tool that you can download from here TZEdit.exe http://download.microsoft.com/download/5/8/a/58a208b7-7dc7-4bc7-8357-28e29cdac52f/tzedit.exe
I just got to tell that the daylight saving settings is some how different than what you might think of it; I mean it is saved in "Nth week of January" like; but if your country is like us "1st Day of Spring" you have to make one daylight saving for each year, you might take a look at "Israel Standard Time" (after applying the update) and see how many years they've just defined.

Anyway I just created this for Iran so:
اگه شما هم مثل من با تغییر اتوماتیک ساعت در Windows مشکل دارین و نمی خواین Automatic Internet time synchronization را خاموش کنید:
(Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server)

You can download it here http://cid-21f12bb61b822dfa.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Update%20for%20Iranian%20Daylight%20Saving%20Time.bat

if it helped you somehow just leave me a comment,
Sadjad Bahmanpour

Finding BIOS Password

Sat, 24 May 2008 13:46:14 GMT

Last week people from where I work there (YOU KNOW I don't really work there, that's where I have to go 'cause I'm Iranian boy, YES MILITARY services!!!!) came to all the offices and disabled USB's and locked the BIOS's with passwords, so we got xxx, I mean what do we have to do without USB????

Don't worry, if I'm writing it in here means I've found the solution. I didn't want to reset the password but I want to find it, so here it is http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/CmosPwd this will work on many BIOS's including AWRAD Modular BIOS v6.00PG & v4.51PG the maker also claims that it will work with:

ACER/IBM BIOS
AMI BIOS
AMI WinBIOS 2.5
Award 4.5x/4.6x/6.0
Compaq (1992)
Compaq (New version)
IBM (PS/2, Activa, Thinkpad)
Packard Bell
Phoenix 1.00.09.AC0 (1994), a486 1.03, 1.04, 1.10 A03, 4.05 rev 1.02.943, 4.06 rev 1.13.1107
Phoenix 4 release 6 (User)
Gateway Solo - Phoenix 4.0 release 6
Toshiba
Zenith AMI

which is good, and better is that it work even under Windows Server 2008 and Vista (and he claimed DOS/Windows 9x and Windows NT/W2K/XP/2003) and I can assure you that it will work. The only thing you need to do under windows is to install and start the IOPREM service which is included in the pack and you may run this (I've found it in the help):

ioperm.exe -i
net start ioperm

and then

cmospwd_win.exe

and after that just to remove the application you might run

net stop ioperm
ioperm.exe -u

This worked very well for me, I hope this will do the same for you, just be aware that the USB can be disabled from many where including Windows Polices but in case you are sure that it is disabled from the BIOS, you might need this software.

Thanks the creator "Christophe GRENIER"

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Linking Microsoft Office Word and Excel

Fri, 23 May 2008 16:13:53 GMT

Assume that you want a link in your word document to a cell in your excel spreadsheet. You may know how to do it and this post is not about how to do it, but it is about a problem you may see when you link word document and excel file.
Ok for making the link, you need to copy the specified cell and paste it in your document where ever you like and the paste options button will appear and you may choose the way you'd like the link to be, these are the options you may have:
1) Keep Source Formatting: this will paste it as a text (no link) where the formatting is as it was in the excel
2) Match Destination Formatting: this will paste it as a text (no link) where the formatting is as it was in the word
3) Paste as picture: no link
4) Keep text only: still no link
5) Keep Source Formatting and Link to Excel: linked
6) Match Destination Formatting and Link to Excel: linked

* If you don't see the "Paste Options Button" you have check your word options, in Word 2007 it is located under Office Button -> Word Options -> Advanced -> "Cut, copy and paste"

So if you want the link you have use the last two options, I mostly use the last one "Match Destination Formatting and Link to Excel".
So where is the problem? I'll tell you, when you do that you may see the pasted text will be pasted in a new line. For example if you have something like this before setting the link:

WOexcelRD

This would look like this after the link:

WO
excel
RD

and if you try to delete the new lines and make it just like "WOexcelRD" you ma see YOU SIMPLY CAN'T.

So where is problem? the problem lies under the "Field Code - Link", if you press ALT+F9 you would see the field code link (this would toggle between Field and Field Codes) as something link this:
WO{ LINK Excel.Sheet.8 "Book1" "Sheet1!R3C4" \a \f 5 \h \* MERGEFORMAT }RD

What the heck is this? Don't worry I'll tell you about it in the link code mode you can insert a link code by pressing CTRL+F9 so this is the first step and will make the "GRAY { }" and now you can do the rest. The rest is something like this:
{ LINK Excel.[File name] "[Workbook name]" "[Worksheet name]!R[Row number]C[Column number]" [switches] }

And I'll tell you what, the problem is in the SWITCHES; so what are they?
They'll tell the excel how to link, these are some combinations I've found:
1. \a \p (Inserts a picture linked to the cell)
2. \a \f4 \r (Inserts text with formatting using rtf)
3. \a \t (Inserts plain text)
4. \a \b (Inserts a bitmap image linked to the cell)
5. \a \t \u (Inserts plain unicode text)

I've found those http://www.awomantoldme.com/women/how-to/31467957/merging-from-excel.aspx you might take a look.

But which of the will help you, I gotta tell you "You better stuck with the original one", but with a little change, I've found out that if you change the "\h" with "\r" your problem would be solved.
So here the solution:
1) Copy the cell from Excel
2) Paste it in Word and set the paste option to link
3) Press ALT+F9
4) If it was something link "\a \f 5 \h" change it to "\a \f 5 \r"
5) Press ALT+F9
6) Right click on the pasted text and select "Update Link"
7) This is very important: Send me a comment here and tell me about your experience :D

But for more information about Field Codes you may refer to office help, but I'm gonna tell you what you might need.

First for inserting one in Office 2007, Goto insert->Quick Parts->Fields , Select all from Categories, and select Link from "Field names", now you can add those options one by one and see what will happen and you may also click "Field Codes" or "Hide Codes" and see the switches and what will they do, but I'm gonna tell what I've used:

\a : Update fields automatically

\f 5: Format type on update (really I don't know what is it!!)

\r : Insert object as RTF (which is the main solution)

\* MERGEFORMAT: Preserve formatting during update

\h : Insert object as HTML (which is the main problem)

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Windows Vista SP1 Known Compatibility Issue with Nokia Software Updater 1.4.36

Fri, 02 May 2008 08:23:13 GMT

First I'm sorry for not spending time to update and also answer to your questions, but I'm very bussy (going to military service!!!), but this one is from my brother Komeil Bahmanpour http://www.komeil.com

While you're trying to update your phone, you'll disappointedly observe the following error:

"Nokia Service Layer Host Process has stropped working.

CAUTION: Do NOT detach the phone from USB! Doing so, you'll loose your phone's functionality.

Solution:

Open Task Manager and find the file for "Nokia Service Layer Host Process" named "NSU_UI_Client.exe".

Kill its process.

Start the same process again.

Focus to Nokia Software Updater's interface and search for your phone.

It'll show you a message indicating your phone was disconnected during the update process.

Press Retry. You're saved!

Windows Live News

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:30:36 GMT

First of first I'm back (if you know where I was, you would know that how happy I'm) sorry everyone who contact me during past two month and I didn't answer them 'cause I don't have internet access.

Anyway, today I'm gonna write agian, and I'm gonna write about some good news around windows live.

First Windows Live SkyDrive is now out of beta and now it will give you 5GB of storage, you may read more here http://skydriveteam.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!977F793E846B3C96!1697.entry

The Second one, is that I heard about some software called WoldWide Telescope which would be something like Google Earth but as always it is "The Killer".

Sorry for not having more details, you know I wasn't around that much,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

The One With Happiest Saddest Yalda

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:55:47 GMT

First of first, I gotta tell you this post is not like my other posts, it is not any technology related posts, so if you were looking for that things, I'm gonna tell you GIVE ME A BREAK.

The title is from my friend "Sina Hakami"'s blog http://360.yahoo.com/profile-MDbf700icqgw5bgYlPbI which is themed from F.R.I.E.N.D.S, which we were like them too. Past 2 years, was funniest days of my life and at the same time the saddest one, if you know me you would know what I'm talking about. All my friends are going somewhere but IRAN. First my BEST Friend Ali Emadi gone to Malaysia, then Mohammad Nourbakhsh (Poodi) went to Canada. After that another one (a great friend ) Sina Hakami went to America (of course WA, Seattle, and of course Microsoft :D ) and in 2 days another one Sami and Soroush Amirebrahimi (I LOVE YOU ALL, I'm not GAY ;) ). And now you must know what I mean ;((

Anyway tomorrow morning (better said, in 3 hours) I must go to Military Service, Which I hate the most just after Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, this is mandatory in iran and it is for 20 months. 2 months, which will be start in 3 hours, training and 18 months nothing else but to stay there and doing nothing.

So this is 3:25 in the morning and I must be there 6:00AM and I'm not gonna sleep becuase I know I won't be awake. And you may ask what was I doing till now?? Tonight was the longest night in the year and in iran we call it "YALDA شب یلدا" and in this night we would be awake all the night and spend the whole time with the ones we love for the celebration and also to remember how life is short that a minute longer night is important and we can be together for just one minute more ...

I spent my whole night with all my friends and we laughed and laughed and at the end we cried and cried, and now everyone is seperated ...

Love you Guys and mostly love you darling,

I'll be back, so Goodbye everybody have a nice and successful life anywhere you might be

Sadjad Bahmanpour

News from Microsoft Download Center

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:27:53 GMT

Today I was just found out that Microsoft had release Service Pack 1 for Expression Web, Blend & Design which you can found them:

Microsoft Expression Web Service Pack 1

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=4C840D64-C95A-4328-9D80-47DC681741AD&displaylang=en

Microsoft Expression Design Service Pack 1

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=937adf32-0fea-4bb7-b727-cbfbdf3fe032&displaylang=en

Microsoft Expression Blend Service Pack 1

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a07196d1-971b-4710-99c8-d3d9603ccfcb&displaylang=en

But above all, I've just found out that Microsoft is also testing new Download Center, you can find it here http://preview.microsoft.com/downloads/Default.aspx this is brand new download center web site, build from the ground using Sliverlight technology. The look is amazing and WOW at last Microsoft found a very good use for Silverlight, I mean Silverlight is a very good technology (above all it is "Flash Killer") but it was left all alone with no help from the Daddy. So anyway take a look there and let me know what do you think by just leave me a comment here.

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Windows Server 2008 RC1 DVD Playback Problems

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 20:49:22 GMT

After upgrading my Windows Server 2008 from RC0 to November CTP and then to RC1 Enterprise, I experienced lots of DVD Playback problems, like on right panel it will just show the Drive Letter like "E" or "D" or "F" instead of some Chapters and Titles and also I couldn't playback some DVDs. And the most weird part is on right panel if you right click on currently playing file name and then click properties nothing will show up, I mean no actions will be done. And Even weirder (weirder than the most weird thing) is this, if you open Tools -> Options the "Option Page" has only one tab named "Burn", here is the screen shot:

That's it, this is the whole Option page you'll see in Windows Media Player in Windows Server 2008 Enterprise, with version number set to: 11.0.6001.6346

It think this is a big mistake, and I hope will be solved some time around release, or the Server 2008 wouldn't worth a damn.

I also posted this on Microsoft Technet Forum and I'm waiting for an answer here http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2561514&SiteID=17

Anyway, if you have the same problem or you know something about it just leave me a comment,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

What's UP #1

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:34:14 GMT

Me Again whit some news, my friends know me you just tell me "Hey What's UP" and here come the news :D. So as today I'm gonna write a POST titled "What's UP #nnn" every now and then and I'm gonna tell you what is really up, may you like it and if yes, just leave me a comment and I'll continue it.

Anyway, in the past week or so, these was the good news:

Windows Server 2008 RC1 released, and here is the build number 6001.17051.071121 I've tested it, it is upgradable from November CTP 6001.17042.071107 and the version is v.667. This buld is as good as it must be, and something else, your Beta 3 or RC0 key is still valid and will be valid to JUNE 2008 instead of April 2008, so If you are using Server 2008 or Server 2003 I recommend you to upgarde to this version, and as they've said this would be the last BETA.
Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista is in PUBLIC BETA now, and better news is it is working under Windows Server 2008, WOW, I've tried the web installer and it didn't work but then I've downloaded the installer version 2007.12.06.421 and wow it is working and I gotta tell you that worth the waiting. This is the direct link to download it http://download.yimg.com/ycs/msg/dl/vmsgr/b1/us/ymsgr_vista_setup.2007.12.06.421_us.exe
I've see that Babylon Pro 7.0.0 (r16) been released, I don't know when, but I got it in past few days, so I consider it as NEWS. This is great and the best part is it also add a feature right into IE and it is "Spell Check" YEAH, I mostly use IE to write POSTs here and the problem is Windows Live Space Craft team didn't add the spell ckeck I've request and here the Babylon come handy. I'm telling you this great product become even Greater.
Windows XP SP3 RC1 comes out today, but you know I HATE XP.
Office 2007 SP1 comes out today, and I didn't approve it on my WSUS 3.0 yet, but I'm gonna, but you know today microsoft release something about 70 updates and they are huge in MB amount I think 1200~1300 MB which is huge for me with 256KB ADSL.
Office Live Workspace http://workspace.officelive.com/ said to be in PUBLIC Beta but I still didn't have the chance to get in, but it must be great.
I've seen that Microsoft Windows Live Team at last decided to let go of @live.com, yes go here http://get.live.com/getlive/overview and register yourname@live.com, I've got mine now sadjad-AT-live.com WOW, no one got that, I've tried lots of my friends names there none of them was free, so go fast and you may got the chance just like me.
Windows Live Messenger 2009 BETA 9.0.1407.1107 just got out, yeah check it out from http://connect.microsoft.com This is just a little bit lazy on signin but other things are very good, you can be loged in from different places (different devices) at the same time, or you can have animated pictures for your self, and the thing is if you set an animated picture in Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Sign-in Assistant of yours will show the animated picture which is very good, but still the same Emoticon, do you feel the same, they are very old, you may just take a look at new Yahoo Messenger for Windows Vista and you'll know what I mean about old emoticons, they are UGLY in Live Messenger but SEXY in Yahoo Messenger.
Some hardware news, DELL XPS ONE and DELL Latitude XT the 12.1 inch long waited Tablet PC of DELL and Western Digital Passport Portable 320GB is now out for you.

P.S.: I just want to add one thing about Windows Server 2008 upgrades from RC0 or Beta 3 to RC1, I use Daemon-Tools http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/download.php?mode=ViewCategory&catid=5 as Virtual CD/DVD drive for mapping .iso or like so files, the problem is after the upgrade you'll need to reinstall the software.

If you liked the "What's UP" post, just leave me a comment,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

GPS Map of Tehran for N95 - نقشه کامل تهران برای موبایل

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 11:25:09 GMT

In my last posts about N95 GPS http://sadjadbp.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!21F12BB61B822DFA!326.entry & http://sadjadbp.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!21F12BB61B822DFA!317.entry I've mention about software named SmartComGPS http://www.wild-mobile.com/eng/viewproject.php?mid=b2d472166bbd3016587cfc659c792435 but after days of research I've found a better application for Tehran & Iran (نقشه تهران) Map called Garmin Mobile XT for Symbian http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00579-00 and also a great map of IRAN for Garmin GPS (any type of GPS of GARMIN) http://www.global-map.net/iran/ believe me this map of tehran is amazing every details you may need is there and also it is just 7.10MB because it is not image or bmp like SmartComGPS, it is vector base so it needs smaller files to work with, but also it will need faster CPU but you can zoom as much as you want.

I've used these combination last night and WOW the N95 is now greater, if you want you can buy a GARMIN handheld GPS device for about 500$ and also buy this map for 350$ or you can buy N95 and just leave me comment and I'll provide you for a way to install all this things for nothing, decision is yours now ;)

Update #1: I've found another great application for N95 GPS called ExtGPS http://www.symarctic.com/beta/index.php?category=1 that let's you use your N95 as an external Bluetooth GPS Device and you can now use it from your laptop or another handheld device like Windows Mobile or your Pocket PC. This is now in BETA and a Java Application and only work with Bluetooth, maybe some day native symbian and USB comes out which would be the BEST.

Update #2: As I see lots of people having problems with this great application and map, I'm gonna write so more about them:

First you need to download the Garmin Mobile XT from http://www8.garmin.com/support/collection.jsp?product=010-00579-00
Beware that all Garmin Mobile XT softwares (either help and basemaps) need to be installed from Windows when you attached your phone as Mass Storage via USB so the software will install the write into Memory Card of you phone. So you may use a card reader too but I prefer Phone via USB.
This application needed to be registered before you can use the Internal GPS, so if you have N95 and you didn't register (or cracked) the software yet, you'll see the Bluetooth option, so don't panic. And also People N80 does not have Internal GPS (that's way we call N95 "The Great N95" because it has everything) so if you want this software you must use External Nokia Bluetooth GPS, but if I were you I would upgrade to N95.
I have found some illegal information here http://www.phalls.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=35357 so you may take a look there too.
But if you want me to tell you what to do (it would be faster) download http://cid-21f12bb61b822dfa.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/Garmin%20GPS.zip and follow instructions.txt
And now the application is ready to use, but if you want to whole world basemap and help files you can download them from here https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsUpdates.jsp?product=010-00579-00&cID=139&pID=420 for free and install them. And then the software would just looks like a Garmin Handheld device, and you would be happy 'cause you didn't pay 500$ for a GPS handheld and 350$ for Iran map, but you just have a Great N95.

Update #3: Some people still having problems, so you may do what I've told you step-by-step and also mention that:

Don't forget to install Basemap, it is good, it adds the whole world and also the backcolor of iran map become yellow which is just like Garmin Handheld devices so you maybe very proud of you N95 becuase it worked just like a 500$ GPS device and more :D
Also for people having problems in founding Built-in GPS device option in "Setting>Remote GPS" if it is set to Bluetooth you may need to Disable it by using Left-Key (left softkey is set to disable) in "Setting>Remote GPS" and then you may see those options.
Also a reboot may help you.

Update #4: First I gotta thank you all people for you kind comments,I never though that these many people would be interested in my blog ever. I think most of people here forgot about support and basemap files, people they are great and I think you must install them after you install the main application. The Help & Support & Voice Files (English) can be downloaded from https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsDetails.jsp?id=3493&product=010-00579-00&cID=139&pID=420 and they are great. Also the basemap, which add the whole world's map, can be downloaded from https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsDetails.jsp?id=3645&product=010-00579-00&cID=139&pID=420 . And also Thanks PAYAM, for informing me about E90, yes this application works on every S60 3rd Edition or Symbian 9.0 S60 with or without built-in GPS receiver. But you know having Build-in GPS receiver is much better, like Nokia N95, N95 8G, N82, E90 and if you tested on something else tell me about it (and someone on comments wrote about N80). And also after testing Garmin you may test the Google Map for Symbian (v2.0.5 Beta with My Location Feature) by browsing http://www.google.com/gmm from your phone, which is something amazing (all the world, but you may need GPRS for outdoor use) and if you live in IRAN google blocked us all, so you may search in http://www.ipmart-forum.com which is a great forum (better say download center).

Update #5: Some people asked about routing and navigation map for Tehran. I gotta tell you that's a dream will (never) come true. People in Iran GIS are doing no s..t so we would never can have these things in iran, you better be thinking about leaving.

Anyway, if you need any help just leave me a comment here,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Windows Live Photo Gallery Little Problem

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:28:31 GMT

After upgrading my whole system into all 2007 & 2008 applications from Microsoft, I've mentioned a little problem in Windows Live Photo Gallery, simply it won't start :D, yeah there comes a message tells you to install SQL Server Compact Edition with a button which will link to Microsoft Download Center and then right to the download page of SQL Server CE 3.1, but I have SQL CE 3.5 already installed!!!! That was definitely installed by Visual Studio 2008 Team suite, I just uninstalled the 3.1 version, which I thought no longer be needed.

But I was wrong, the most recent version of Windows Live Photo Gallery 2008 which is 12.0.1308.1023 needs you to have SQL Server CE 3.1 installed. And the 3.5 version of SQL CE don't work the same.

Hope this will be solved soon,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

What I've been UP TO

Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:41:48 GMT

That past week I had lots of time for new experiences, 'cause you know I've got nothing to do and I hate doing nothing so I try to do little of this and that, anyway as may see my last post I've installed the whole Visual Studio 2008 Team System package (Team Suite and Team Foundation Server) and I'm glad I could make it that fast.

After I've been trying to install v20.0.015 firmware on my brother's nokia N95, and the NSU (Nokia Software Updater) keep getting me "Downloading Update Failed." error and sometime with some more information about "Connection to the server lost" or something like that and after lots of trail and errors I got it, that was my ISP problem "Datak Telecom http://www.datak-telecom.com " and yesterday they fixed the thing and I did the upgrade first thing in the morning and by lunch time the N95 was patched with the new firmware. This is amazing, the phone is almost faster I mean in every aspects this firmware had its own effects. Now I can run applications side-by-side as much as one, none will disturb the others thanks to application demand paging. Also I found Nokia Energy Profiler http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/resources/development_process/power_management/nokia_energy_profiler/ which will help you to identify how much of the phones power (battery power) is drained in real-time, by real time I mean it just take a look and you'll know what I mean, I've tested lots of applications together and I saw the Accelerometer is taking more power than you may thing!! so may be you give it try and let me know what else you found out by leaving me a comment.

Another thing I've been up to was upgrading to Windows Server 2008 November CTP, I've got the DVD so late but late is better than never, so I've tried to upgrade the Windows Server 2008 RC0 6001.16659.070916-1443 to Windows Server 2008 November CTP 6001.17042.071107-1618 and I want to see how smooth did this will go, and I tell you this is smoother that you might thing. Everything is alright but just these:

Windows Server 2008 Still got the same problem with Marvell Yokun 88E8056 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller of my Gigabyte Technologies 965P-S3 Mainboard which is not good, so you have to disable the Ethernet controller from BIOS and then try to upgrade. (I've wrote about this problem ever since Windows Vista was released) and after the upgrade you may enable it again.
The other problem I had was that the Windows Server 2008 just set default service configuration back, I mean I have started the "Windows Audio Service" or Ive disabled "Windows Firewall Service" but they are all gone back to their default settings, but that wasn't a pain in the a.. but I'm sure they have a good reason for that.
After the upgrade, all not connected devices gone, but that's not bad.
Some application like Windows Media Player needed to be reconfigured, that not very bad either.

That was all, everything else was right there as it was before. If you have some questions here, may be you leave me a comment and I test and tell you what!

But I gotta tell you something, if you are using RC0 you need to upgrade, this is just harmless, you can use the same "Product Key" to register and there is no problem there.

The Windows Server 2008 FREAK,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Experiences on Visual Studio Team System 2008

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 10:10:46 GMT

As you may imagine, these days I've been bussy with Visual Studio Team System 2008 Products which would be Team Suite, Team Foundation Server, Team Explorer. YES all of them, with great help from my friend Navid, now I have them all and with 2 days of full time work I installed them all on my Computers and here I'm gonna tell you about them all as I know them just for few days.

As of Team Suite, you may mention that this is not a very big jump just like 2005 version, and I gotta tell you that it is a great news I mean everytime an application, every applications not just Microsoft ones, jumps big by having lots of changes you must wait for lots of bugs and then a very soon Service Pack would come a long, THIS IS MY OWN THEORY and you may agree or not and if not you may leave me a comment here.

Anyway this version is very fast in any manners which is good, and I gotta tell you one thing, if you are a C# Developer, you MUST upgrade to 2008 version, I gotta tell you, this is so fun programming in C# 3.0 with all the ANONYMOUSE things and VAR and the most LINQ all of them are great. My friends Sami and Navid where here couple of days ago and they where amazed by all these greate features and I tell you, you would be amazed too.

Other great thing is that you can select which framework to use 2.0, 3.0, 3.5. And about the WEB now you have AJAX and also by a SDK you may have Silverlight too.

But somthing is missing, XSD DESIGNER, http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1914084&SiteID=1 and I don't know why, there is some XSD DESIGNER availabe for downlaod and it is for BETA 2, I just cracked the MSI via ORCA but this is just XSD EXPLORER not the XSD DESIGNER, if you work with xml just like me you would be as angry as I'm now. They aslo have another solution: "Try using Visual Studio 2005" and thats when I get more angry "FUC... you and your VS 2005, I want to use VS 2008 and I want XSD DESIGNER". I don't know how and why they did that but they did, and I gotta found some solutions there, for now I use Altova XMLSpy http://www.altova.com/products/xmlspy/xml_editor.html and I don't like installing alot of software on my PC.

I still didn't have the time to try C++ in it, and when it is done I gotta tell you about it.

As of Team Explorer, this is also faster and some good news are ANOTATE and FOLDER DIFF, and I guess nothing else to mention.

And as of Team Foundation Server, this is pain in the as... to upgrade from 2005 to 2008, I mean this defently take time but this is easy I mean no error no nothing just time, mine take about 5-6 hours for fully upgrade, and by FULL UPGRADE, I mean

Team Foundation Server 2005 upgrade to Team Foundation Server 2008

Team Foundation Server 2008 Build

Team Explorer 2008

Team Foundation Server 2008 Web Access

Windows SharePoint Services 2.0 upgrade to Windows SharePoint Services 3.0

Team Foundation Server 2008 Windows SharePoint Services Extension

and thanks god that they didn't release the SQL Server 2008 yet, because I think the whole upgrade process would take a day or two :D.

Anyway for the first time installers I would suggest them to read the Install.chm which is located in root folder of the Team Foundation Server 2008 DVD, and I suggest them to do it STEP-BY-STEP don't get sharp and never skip a step. But for upgrade guys like myself I would suggest the same chm and also, "Tips for upgrading from TFS2005 to TFS2008 « Grant Holliday" http://ozgrant.com/2007/11/24/tips-for-upgrading-from-tfs2005-to-tfs2008/ this would be your bible don't close it until it is done, thanks OZ Grant, and for "WSS 2.0 to 3.0 upgrade" use http://blogs.msdn.com:80/sudhir/archive/2007/05/31/upgrade-2005-with-wss2-0-to-orcas-wss3-0.aspx thanks SUDHir, as for "How to Back Up a Team Foundation Server" you may use http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms253070(vs.80).aspx and also for "How to Back Up the Reporting Services Encryption Key" you may use http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms400729(VS.80).aspx, and be sure you have lots of spare time in case you did something wrong. For the last time DON'T GET SHARP, DON'T SKIP STEPS.

Oh, Something else, if have you installed TRIAL version of Visual Studio Products, 2005 or 2008, and sometime you want to upgrade it to FULL version, you may just go to http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=569543&SiteID=1, here is it:

Upgrading is pretty simple: Click Change/Remove on the entry for TFS in Add/Remove Programs on the TFS server, then enter the permanent license key in the dialog box that appears.

anyway, those are my experiences, if you have something interesting to share, just leave me a comment,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Nokia N95 Software version 20.0.015 released

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:58:03 GMT

This is a good news, but I just get this with one day delay and this is bad, anuway take a look at http://europe.nokia.com/A4577225 and you'll see:

This software version includes battery, stability & performance improvements enabling you to run faster and longer - giving you up to three more hours of music (up to 30% increase, from 9h to 12h of music playback). This release also includes a new version of Nokia Maps which provides faster positioning, faster Map Loader, and free 3-day navigation. Free N-Gage demo games are included and other games are available via Download! With the Nokia Music Store now live in the United Kingdom, users can enjoy the convenience of instant over-the-air downloads, regardless of where they are.

After updating your device software to 20.0.015, and restoring your personal data, you can optimise the menu layout by installing the New_Menu_Structure.SIS file. Download and install this file to rearrange your menu layout specifically for SW 20.0.015. Reboot your device to see the menu changes.

And WOW did they really change the menu layout people wrote about it here http://vaibhavsharma.wordpress.com/2007/11/26/new-firmware-for-the-n95-classic-v200015/ and here http://vaibhavsharma.wordpress.com/2007/11/27/user-n95-v200015-firmware-changelog/ so you may rapidly backup everything and update your phone because this firmware most be good. But best part is this is mostly about performance and battery life and this is good, I'm currently bussy with new Visual Studio 2008 thing but I'll write more about this later.

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Some Good news from Microsoft

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:16:51 GMT

These days are some of best days in the life of every Developers mostly Microsoft Geeks just like myself, because there are some good news out there, some brand new software come out each month or so, here is the list:

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Suite: Which said to have lots of nice features both for .Net developers and also for C++ geeks like myself, a good friend of mine "Navid Golabetooni" downloaded the 90 days trial version from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=d95598d7-aa6e-4f24-82e3-81570c5384cb&DisplayLang=en and I'm gonna install this great product one of these days, and after that I'm gonna tell you whats new.

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Foundation Server: That friend of mine also downloaded the trial version (Thanks man) from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/info.aspx?na=47&p=2&SrcDisplayLang=en&SrcCategoryId=&SrcFamilyId=d95598d7-aa6e-4f24-82e3-81570c5384cb&u=details.aspx%3ffamilyid%3dB0155166-B0A3-436E-AC95-37D7E39A440C%26displaylang%3den and I'm gonna give it a shot.

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Test Load Agent: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=572E1E71-AE6B-4F92-960D-544CABE62162&displaylang=en which is good for Web Stress Testing, I'm kind of out of web developement but I did lots of things there.

Visual Studio Team System 2008 Team Explorer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=0ED12659-3D41-4420-BBB0-A46E51BFCA86&displaylang=en And thats good news for me, some good new features in Team Explorer like Anotate or Folder Diff or Permanently Remove, and all the good things are here.

Visual C# 2008 Keybinding Reference Poster: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=E5F902A8-5BB5-4CC6-907E-472809749973&displaylang=en "Wall chart showing useful keyboard shortcuts for Visual C# programming language" which is most have for every C# developer around the globe, people most use shortcuts more instead of Clicking the mouse (Not just because mouse was invented by crappy APPLE :D but also for the sake of speed).

Windows Server 2008: The BEST OS EVER BUILT BY HUMAN, which is in Novermber CTP v.658 (6001.17042.071107-1618), and that Navid promised to download it tonight and I'm gonna test drive it, also someone sent me message on installing Windows Sidebar over Server 2008 Novermeber CTP and he said he had some problems there, so I'm gonna test that too.

Windows Vista SP1: Which is told to be same as Server 2008 and if it is true that would be best client OS ever.

Windows XP SP3: I heared somewhere that this Service Pack woubld be 10% faster in overall performance aspect, which is is very good, but here is the question: What about Windows Server 2003?

And the last but not the least, a very good friend of mine is going into Microsoft, Sina Hakami http://sina-h.spaces.live.com , rumors said he is prepairing for some job applications for Microsoft and thats best of all above :D. Who know may be someday I write here in my blog that I'm in too, but that would be a long journey which I think someday I have to do.

Things you may not know about N95

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 10:31:10 GMT

There is something bad about lots of N95 owners here, and this is it: "They Know Nothing About it and also they complain about this product and the most s..ty part is that they compare it to crappy iPhone ..."

These days while playing with the N95 I found some interesting things about it:

1) First about GPS: I found a nokia website page which tells you about what to do for best GPS recieption "Tips for Better GPS usage" http://europe.nokia.com/A4425308 you may take a look. Also I found out that Landmarks you add in GPS Data -> Positioning will also be used in Nokia Map which good. But I'm still trying to make a good map for my home town Tehran, I tried SmartComGPS with some large BITMAP files, I mean a good quality scanned map of tehran and then convert it into Tehran.ogf2, but the calibration part is no good, I mean this is not my job I mean what the F..K them people do in "National Cartographic Center - سازمان نقشه برداری کشور" http://www.ncc.org.ir this is they JOB not mine to create a good map of this city. Anyway if you want my map (Tehran.ogf2) just leave me a comment. Although I want some information about UMT or you want some converter for GPS Positioning systems you may take a look at http://www.cibolasar.org/UTMConverter.shtml

2) Accelerometer in N95: You may seen the brand new N82 with some brand new "Automatic UI Turn Feature" and you may think that "Now I what to sell the N95" btu don't because "The N95 never lets you down" I mean N95 had and has 3D Accelerometer just like nokia 5500 and N82, you may search the web and see some videos about it, nokia has just announced it so it will take a while for people start to write some nice code over it but for now on first go to http://research.nokia.com/projects/activity_monitor and download the "MovingBall" and see how 3D is it :D. And there is a great french guy named Samir http://www.bysamir.fr which start two great projects over Accelerometer first RotateMe 2.0 http://www.bysamir.fr/rotateme/ which will be out soon and the second one Nokmote http://www.bysamir.fr/nokmote/ which will be out after the first one, just take a good look at the website (Don't try to translate it, the greate Samir just wrote in both French and English) and you'll learn about them all. There is also some other good project there named horlogeParlante http://www.bysamir.fr/horlogeParlante/ which claimed to read the clock out loud by itself but this is for french only, which is not very genius. And I aslo heared some rumors (I mean read) about new Firmware for N95 v20 or v21 maybe v30 and some good news about application demand paging (which means less memory usage) support and also better Accelerometer support there, and I heard that would be out soon.

I'm still nowhere good at SIP on N95.

If you found this interesting, just leave me comment,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

What's new about N95

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:02:32 GMT

First take look at my last posts on this great product THE N95:

http://sadjadbp.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!21F12BB61B822DFA!310.entry
http://sadjadbp.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!21F12BB61B822DFA!279.entry

Now for today I'm gonna introduce some other nice features and some new cool applications here:

First I gotta tell you about TORCH, yes using your phone as a TORCH, it is simple for most Sony Ericson guys for Nokia people it is like a dream (not for 1100 guys, they have is all there). There are two kinds of torches is nokia, first make LCD as white as possible so we call this LCD TORCH but is not very good but usable, the second one is if your phone has a flash light (camera flash) turn flash light permanently on but here there are some problems:

1) Flash lights of nokia generate heat, I mean lots of heats that can damage them self or the phone.

2) Flash lights of new nokia phones just like N95 has Red Eye Reduction so if you trun that flash light on, it would be RED light which is not good.

So here are some Torch Applications:

OutBank S60SpotOn http://www.outbank.de/index.php?id=29: Which is freeware software and use both method of Torches even the LCD and also the Flash light, but has the RED Flash problem.
OTStudio NTorchLite http://www.otstudio.com/ntorchlite/features.html: Which not freeware and has only the Flash Torch and also has the RED Flash Problem, but have the "SOS MODE" which will turn your flash into a MORSE SOS code and who knows maybe one day save your life.
AllInOne AIOTorch http://series-sixty.blogspot.com/2007/09/turn-your-cell-phone-into-strobe-light.html: Which claims to be the only working one, this one has the Flash Torch and claims not to have the RED Flash problem, but it is LIGHT STROBE and also is written with Phyton. Thanks http://www.ipmart-forum.com/showthread.php?t=185026&page=2 you can see how many applications you need to install first:

"Special Notes:

Note that you need to have Python installed on your phone first. In case you're not familiar with that, follow the steps given below in the order listed:
Install the Python for S60 interpreter application (PythonForS60_1_4_0_3rdEd.sis) on your phone
Install the script shell (PythonScriptShell_1_4_0_3rdEd.sis)
Install the Miso Module for Python (miso-1.92-s60_3rd_self.sisx)
Send any of the included python scripts (*.py) to e:\Python
Next, run Python from the Menu and select the script you want to run."

Honestly I didn't installed the AIOTorch yet, I think I would never install this one, because I hate Python Anywhere, mostly on someone else's N95 :D.

Another new thing is http://www.redfivelabs.com/ Net60, this is great, this claims to let you run Compact Framework 1.0 Binaries on you Series60 3rd Edition. WOW thats what I can tell you. This is a dream come true only if you like the Symbian C++ which honestly I've tried once 4 years ago and I had no success, so if you are just like me so go ahead and join the Net60 Beta 1, yes this great product is still in beta. The other problem is that they only support CF 1.0 but that could be no harm. Who knows may be Microsoft bought the Whole "Red Five Labs" and then that would be all FUN (I do suggest this, come on MS BUY that LAB for 1M$ ;) ). Also I see nokia has published a plug-in called CarBide.vs for Visual Studio 2005 C++ http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/resources/tools_and_sdks/carbide/index.html and another huge SDK for the S60 v3 FP1, which as always they blocked IRAN IPs and don't let me to download this, and thats no harm I don't what to download 1GB of stuff that I know won't work as always.

And Now the GPS, you know the N95 just connect to any waves on the air and thats one of them (The only left behind is DVB-H like N73 and I think the next one would have that too). Just go somewhere which you can see lots of sky and go to Tools->GPS Data and then Position -> Options -> Sattelite Status and here you must see how many sattelites you see and how many you can connect (if the boxes became black you are connected) and what you need is atleast 3 connected GPS sattelites and BOOM you can do lots of things (For better connection Open Slide and phone must be in 45" position), in position tab just add some location and name them so you can set the destination and see where is it! Just be ware that turn phone around would do nothing just take the phone infront of yourself and see what you see.

But this is no everything, you can use "Nokia Maps" for GPS navigation, first you need to upgrade Nokia Map http://europe.nokia.com/A4353384 of your phone and then use Nokia Map Loader http://europe.nokia.com/A4353384 to load maps to your phone's memory, but as I see the new Nokia Map Loader 1.2 just removed IRAN map, so I've installed the old 1.0 version and uploaded the map but iran map was just name of very large cities and thats all, I see why they removed the IRAN map.

So anyway after hours of web searching and forum reading I've found Wild-Mobile SmartComGPS http://www.wild-mobile.com/eng/viewproject.php?mid=b2d472166bbd3016587cfc659c792435 and aslo OziExplorer (this one is for PC) http://www.oziexplorer.com/ which you can use to convert map images (.png .bmp .jpg I mean) into ogf2 smartcomgps or ozf2 oziexplorer and use them in your installed software. For SmartComGPS you need to download http://www.wild-mobile.com/files/download/ogf2tool-setup.exe OGF2Tool to convert images into ogf2 I've tested TehranMap.bmp 16120x13760 634MB and just converted it into TehranMap.ogf2 46MB and then you need to copy this into your phone in "E:\Data\SmartComGPS\Maps\" and then in the application use Options->Maps->Select and it worked like a charm, but this is just a map and you need to callibrate the map and this is hardest part which I'm still working on it.

And the last but not the least, The Legend Psiloc irRemote http://irremote.psiloc.com/ WOW that was 4-5 years ago which I own Nokia 7650 and then 6600 and those days I use this software and now THE LEGEND IS BACK, I've also used FlashGet SiteExplorer http://www.flashget.com/ to download all the IR Remote Database into 1839 files and 11 folders and I'm gonna test them all on the N95, if you need them all and you don't know how to use FlashGet you may download them all from here http://cid-21f12bb61b822dfa.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/2007-11-27%20Psiloc%20IrRemote%20Database.zip and copy the into IrRemote folder on your phone memory.

That was all, if you found something interesting just leave me a comment,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Cool Applications on Nokia N95

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:50:13 GMT

When I was playing around with my borther's N95 I found my self with 3000+ Applications I've downloaded for Symbian most of it for S60 3rd Edition which I'd like to say most for The GREAT N95, which of them are good and which of them for fools?

I cann't say I'd tested them all, but atleast I can tell you which of them I like the most (You can also go http://sadjadbp.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?_c01_BlogPart=blogentry&_c=BlogPart&handle=cns!21F12BB61B822DFA!279 and see my last post about N95):

1) I updated the phone to lastet firmware version which is v12.0.013, the bad news is you have to download 120MB+ for the firmware and the good news is I see "C:\ProgramData\Nokia\Nokia Service Layer\A\nsl_service_module_00001\www.dsut.online.nokia.com.oti.caresuite\Products\rm-159":

RM159_12.0.013_025_U01_uda.fpsx 33.6MB

RM159_0534856_12.0.013_133.dcp 10.1KB

RM159_0534856_12.0.013_133.vpl 3.41

RM159_0534856_12.0.013_133_signature.bin 797 bytes

RM-159_12.0.013_PR.C0R 60.3MB

RM-159_12.0.013_PR.v08 13.0MB

and I think if one your friends need them too, you can update his/her phone for free ;)

2) I've installed these softwares

"Lonely Cat Games X-Plore http://www.lonelycatgames.com/?app=xplore" as file explorer, the best new feature here is you can set file assosiation for other applications (e.q AVI, MPEG, ...).
"Opera Mobile Browser http://www.opera.com/products/mobile" as you may see the original browser is very good, but you can download files with some externtions like .exe or .torrent, so try this browser which is good too.
Microsoft Windows Live for Nokia Series 60, which will install:
- Windows Live Mail (Very DEEP integrated into you phone just like it was originally there)
- Windows Live Messenger (A very good one)
- Windows Live Share Online (Upload a capture photo right into your Windows Live Spaces just like a dream or advertisements)
Warelex Mobiola WebCam http://www.warelex.com/products/webcam, makes your phone a WebCam for your PC via Bluetooth or USB
Telexy Networks SymSMB http://www.telexy.com/, which makes your life even better (and also make CRAPPY IPHONE even CRAPPIER or CRAPPIEST of all) that how you can Share or Connect to Windows Shared Folder via WiFi, YES, I'm telling you this is much more than great.
Yahoo! GO http://mobile.yahoo.com/go, which good for email synchronization but lack of Yahoo Messenger is still something you can see.
The GREAT CorePlayer http://www.coreplayer.com/ which plays everything and the TOP of the line DIVX (WHOHA, NOW IPHONE OWNERS CAN CRY) I've tested lots of DivX Files and this can play 1200kbps files SMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTH, and as you may know all the movies you can download via torrents (mostly made by someone known as AXXO which I LOVE!) are about 800kbps, so you can copy them via SymSMB from your shared folder and use X-Plore to run it by CorePlayer and have fun and show you middle finger to your friend who owns an iPhone which have to STICK by what APPLE make for them.
OH, you may also go to Applications->Downloads and let the "Phone Search" to be updated to 3.x version and now you can search you phone contents Files, Contancts, Messages, ... and also you may use "Wigset" or anything there.

I'll tell you what, That's more than enough for a Phone.

If you found some other great application or have something to tell me, just leave me a comment.

Thanks,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Spaces that as used by Microsoft Teams

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:13:15 GMT

Here I'm gonna link to some Windows Live Spaces which is owned by Microsoft Teams, I've always had the problem to remember these and I also got a big favorite directory so I though you may have the same problem some times, so if you do, Here it is:

http://windowslivewriter.spaces.live.com

Wirter Zone: Windows Live Writer blog.

http://messengersays.spaces.live.com

Inside Windows Live Messenger: Windows Live Messenger blog.

http://thespacecraft.spaces.live.com
The Space Craft: Windows Live Spaces blog.

http://mailcall.spaces.live.com
Your mail is here, come and get it!: Windows Live Hotmail blog.

http://hdview.spaces.live.com

HD View: http://research.microsoft.com/ivm/hdview.htm

http://livecom.spaces.live.com

live.com Blog: Windows Live (Personalized) blog.

http://morethanmail.spaces.live.com

Windows Live Mail (Desktop) blog.

http://windowsonecare.spaces.live.com

Windows Live OneCare blog.

http://virtualearth.spaces.live.com

Virtual Earth/ Windows Live Maps blog.

http://winliveid.spaces.live.com
Windows Live ID blog.

http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com

Windows Live Wire blog.

http://familysafety.spaces.live.com

Windows Live FamilySafety blog.

http://wlgallery.spaces.live.com

Windows Live Gallery blog.

http://livesearch.spaces.live.com

Windows Live Search blog.

http://wlfortv.spaces.live.com

Windows Live for TV (Orbit) blog.

http://livefavorites.spaces.live.com

Windows Live Favorities blog.

http://itsallmobile.spaces.live.com

Windows Live Mobile Spaces blog.

http://liveqna.spaces.live.com

Windows Live QnA blog.

http://popflyteam.spaces.live.com

Microsoft Popfly blog.

http://reallivemoms.spaces.live.com
Windows Live Real Moms blog.

http://officeliveblog.spaces.live.com

Office Live Small Business blog.

http://windowslivealerts.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Alerts blog.

http://windowsliveagents.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Agents blog.

http://skydriveteam.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Skydrive blog.

http://teamexpo.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Expo blog.

http://safetycenter.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Safety Scanner blog.

http://customdomains.spaces.live.com/

Windows Live Custom Domain blog.

WOW, I didn't think those was that lot, I see microsoft members using Windows Live Spaces alot more than I think so, and I have to say this product of Windows Live is a great product just like other Windows Lives and also just like other Micorosft Products are all good some are the best.

Maybe some day I've made a list on these, but for now lets look at this post just like a list :D.

If you found something that I forgot, just leave me a comment and I'll add them to the LIST.

Thanks,

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Rearranging Taskbar Icons

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:58:00 GMT

Rearranging Taskbar Icons was always a dream in Windows for me, and also I never use thrid party applications for this kind of things, but past few nights I did search web and found an amazing application called "Taskbar Shuffle" http://www.freewebs.com/nerdcave/taskbarshuffle.htm I've install this and made some changes in options for running the application on startup and also not showing the application's notification area icon, and now WOW!!! This is just a dream come true, you cannot believe this is like Microsoft Implement this in Windows Server 2008, this application use drag & drop for rearrangment and also transparent the moving icon, just like I wanted, and also you can drag & drop notification area's icon (just need to use CTRL, but this is assignable) too. So all these years I want it and no one else told me about it, but now I'm telling you: This is Just a Good Application You Can Trust from Third-Parties.

If you feel the same, just leave me a comment

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Windows Audio/Video Codecs

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:07:28 GMT

Every now and then I see friends and people asking about best or recommended audio/video codecs for windows. Sometimes people say "Why windows use codecs and why Mac don't?" as you know I hate Mac (better to say all Apple fansy-but-not-working products) and I have to say you better stick to your mac 'cause you need to install softwares to let you play each audio/video format because the QUICKTIME just play formats that it is "Hard Coded" which means if quicktime wants to play "WMV" a new version must be writting by apple people and you need to install the new version and then you MAY can watch the wmv files. But what about Windows Media Player? Windows Media Player uses some small applications called CODECs to play each format this is how it done in most Audio/Video players in Windows and I think it is by far-far-far better than QuickTime in apple. So what do I need to watch or hear a video/audio file? Now it is where the problem lies, it depends, I mean first you must be familar with some terms first.

There are some kinds of Codecs:

ACM (Audio Compression Manager): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACM which we do not use.

DirectShow: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectShow which we mostly use and here you'll find most of the codecs, and I'll tell you which I use the most! DirectShow codecs are the ones that used in most of applications in Windows, like Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic (if you turn of internal codecs in View->Options->Internal Filters), ... But software like VLC Player donot use System DirectShow Filters (DirectShow Codecs/Filters that are registered in your Windows).

DirectShow Filters are 3 kinds: Splitters, Decoders, Encoders.

1) Splitters are used to inform system which video/audio decoder to use for a Video files. Which means system first find a splitter for a video and then the splitter tells the system which audio and video decoder to use for its audio and video stream.

2) Decoders just decode a stream into system acceptable stream. (like mp3 stream into wav stream)

3) Encoders they will be used in encoding application and they just do the reverse as what decoders do. for example I use illustrate dBPowerAmp http://www.dbpoweramp.com/ for audio file conversion this application use it's own decoders and encoders but also have a decoder that lets you use DirectShow decoding, I recommed this software for audio conversion.

So now you know what you need to know about DirectShow Filters, so the question is what filters do you need? Do having more filters registered on a system means it will play everything? What Codec Pack (Codec Packs are software like K-Lite Codec Pack http://www.codecguide.com/ or Vista Codec Package or ... which has lots of codecs in it and lets you to customize the installation.) do I need?

So I'll tell you in this way, first download GSpot Codec Information http://gspot.headbands.com/ (I don't know where he found this name for this software but I'll tell you what the software is amazing as the name tells), You can use this software for two things:

1) Go to System->List Codecs and Other Filters, here you may see all codecs and filters installed on you system:

You can un-register or re-register these codecs (if you unregister a codec you'll need to restart the application to see the changes or System->Reload Filter Data) Note that by unregistering a filter you didn't delete the file, and you may do this manully, and I'll tell you how. You can also register or unregister a filter file by runnig "regsvr32 {codecfilename}" or "regsvr32 {codecfilename} /u" in cmd.
You can see filters type and also filters with problem (if they are in RED, lookout the bottom of page to see colors meanings)
You can right-click and see the "Details" of a codec, and here you'll see if this is a Microsoft (original) codec or a third party one, and also you can find the codec file, which is mostly ".dll or .ax" files, as I've told you codecs/filters are applications so you see they are dll or ax (ax files are also dlls).
And you can "Set Filter Merit" by right-clicking on a codec. Filter merit is a way for windows to choose which codecs to use if two or more codecs said that they can all decode/encode a same stream. Which means if codec A and B both said that they can decode MP3 stream, windows look for larger merit set on both, so if codec A has merit set to 0x600000 and codec B has merit set to 0x600001 the B is chosen by system. So you can use this feature to debug your codec system and then when everything is ok unregister the looser.

2) You may use the Codec Information software main page:

You can open or darg&drop a file and see information on file. You can find file streams and information about each of them.
To see the system uses which combination of codecs for a file. Use "Proposed Codec Solutions and Tests" part of the main page after open a file and then you may use "GSpot Vid"/"GSpot Aud" column and press 1,2,3 and see the results, 1: Guess which codec to use to decode Audio/Video 2: Test those codecs 3: Run the codec in GSpot and see the result. And Also you may use "MS A/V" to see which codecs Windows may use. Note that may be you see error here but you may run the file in Windows Media Player with no problems.

So This was a fast guide about GSpot Codec Information 2.70a. So what to do next is first clear your Windows of installed third party codecs, I mean you may have install lots of codec upto now and some of them are not uninstalled even you uninstalled them from Contorl Panel. You may say why? You do your magic and let me have lots of codec here!! No, No way lots of codecs doesn't mean lots of file types can be played. As you see (Merit) you must know that lots of codec have conflict on each other file types, so this will take time for system to know which of them to use and this time will take every time you open a file. So do what ever I'll tell you and let me know the results (First read all the blog and if you are OK with my file types the come back againg and do what I'll tell you, 'cause I don't use some file type so I do not have all the solutions).

So First go to you installed software and uninstall all codec packs, the lookout in GSpot for installed codecs, in Windows Server 2008 they must be less than 70 and in other windows they must be less than 100 (You see why I tell you Server 2008 is the best, less codecs means faster OS), and check each codecs "Details" and see which of them are third party, and unregister and also delete them all. You do not need all third party codecs. Then a restart will be helpful if you cannot unregister or delete some of them (DLLs in windows will be loaded in memory if they was used for faster further usages, by restarting the windows you may unload them from memory, so I recommend you atleast one restart in this situations). Note that "l3codeca.acm" is the only non Microsoft codec which you don't have to delete because thats how Windows Media Player plays the MP3 files (And this how microsoft was SUED for $1.5 billion YES BILLION, so you better do not delete this codec :D). Also note "QUARTZ.DLL" is base for all the DirectShow filters.

Note that Nero Burning ROM install lots of codec in system, and if you just unregister them every time you run NERO it will register them all, so you need to delete them all here is a .bat file you may use:

@echo off
%SystemDrive%
cd "%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Ahead\DSFilter"
regsvr32.exe /u /s HMNavigator.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s Mpeg2StreamReader.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NDParser.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeAudCD.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeAudible.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeAudio2.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeAVSync.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeBDGraphic.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeBDThumbnail.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeCapture.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeDeinterlace.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeDVD.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeDVSplitter.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeFileSourceAsync.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeFileSrc.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeFLVSplitter.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeFSource.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeMp3Encoder.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeMP4Splitter.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeNDAud.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeNDMux.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeNDVid.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeOggSplitter.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeOverlayMixer.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NePhotoSource.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NePSMuxer.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeQTDec.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeRender.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeResize.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeroFormatConv.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeroVideoProc.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeSBE.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeSceneDetector.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeSoundProc.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeSoundSwitch.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeSplitter.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeSubpicture.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeSubtitle.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeVCD.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeVCR.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeVideo.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeVideoAnalyzer.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeVideoHD.ax
regsvr32.exe /u /s NeVideoRenderer.ax
del /f /a *.ax
rem Deleting the Lame Encoder DLL shipped with Nero
regsvr32.exe /u /s "%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Ahead\AudioPlugins\lame_enc.dll"
del /f /a "%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Ahead\AudioPlugins\lame_enc.dll"

But I Prefer to install Nero Portable 8.1.1.0 which is not the OEM Version and someone else is redistribute it, but I like it more than the original, because: 1) There is no need to install, just run an NeroPortable.exe 2) Nero make lots of changes in registry also if you deselect all the feature in setup, so after installing nero you may see your machine is working slower, trust me 3) Nero Portable does not install codecs on system 4) I've been testing Portable Version for month and now I RECOMMEND NERO PORTABLE on Nero Burning ROM 5) This is Free (Also I think illegal, but who cares)!!

Now your windows is CLEAN, now you have to decide which files you want to play on DirectShow (Windows Media Player), and this is What I use (Thanks My Brother Komeil http://www.komeil.com following is mostly by him)

1) Windows XP/2003:

DivX Pro: This will be used to play divx/xivd/3vid/mpeg-4

DivX Media Format Filters:

- DivX Video Decoder: DivXDec.ax (for decoding XVID)
- DivX Media Filter: DivXMedia.ax (for demuxing/decoding subtitles [included in the file])
- DivX Settings Manager: DivXSM.dll
- User Interface Library: QT-DX311.dll

While installing DivX, you'll have an option for "DivX Media Playback Support" under "DivX Codec",

This is what's called "DivX Media Playback Support" as a codec. The installed file is "DivXMedia.ax".

It's used for decoding subtitles included inside the DivX file, and differes from files located
beside the DivX file, with ".sub" or ".srt" extensions. It's not much accepted by users, and is
used rarely.

GSpot's listing:

DSH XVID DivX Decoder Filter {78766964-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} 0xff800000 divxdec.ax
DSH Avi DivX Demux  {85516702-9C45-4A9C-861B-BC4492D355DC} 0x00600000 DivXMedia.ax
DSH DXRE DivX Subtitle Decoder {BA11F969-397A-4146-AC96-236C3D76711D} 0x00600000 DivXMedia.ax
VFW DIVX DivX® Codec  vidc.divx    0x00200000 quartz.dll --> DivX.dll
VFW YV12 DivX® YV12 Decoder vidc.yv12    0x00200000 quartz.dll --> DivX.dll

Gabest (you can download from http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli/):
- MpegSplitter.ax: Splitter for all mpeg files (mpeg-1 and mpeg-2 videos)
- Mpeg2DecFilter.ax: Decoder for Mpeg2 video (DVD-Video or Videos captured by DVB Cards)
- VSFilter (DirectVobSub): Used to render avi external subtitles (.srt .sub)
- MpaDecFilter.ax: Decoder for Mpeg-A.
AC3 Filter (http://www.ac3filter.net): This is full mpeg audio decoder, you may need this for decoding Mpeg-2 audio (DVD-Video)
QuickTime Player (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/player) or QuickTime Alternative: For playing .mov, .3gp, .amr, ... ALL CRAPPY APPLE FORMATS
NVidia PureVideo: DVD-Decoder for all VGAs (not for nvidia only), I recommend this, If you select this so you may ignore AC3Filter and Gabest Mpeg2DecFilter
Real Player or Real Alternative (http://www.codecguide.com/about_real.htm): For playing real player file types, Real Alternative is DirectShow Filter for real files, so you can play real files in Windows Media Player.

2) Windows Vista/2008:

DivX Pro
Gabest:
- MpegSplitter.ax
- VSFilter (DirectVobSub)
NVidia PureVideo: The Gabest Mpeg2DecFilter will not work on Vista or Server 2008, so you may ignore AC3Filter and Mpeg2DecFilter and also note that you have to install MpegSplitter.ax for spitter needs of Mpeg2 videos
QuickTime Player or QuickTime Alternative
Real Player or Real Alternative

At last I have to tell These:

You may need "Ligos Indeo" for some .avi which was generated b the time of Windows 3.1. Also
You may use "CoreFLAC" for .flac: But this never worked for me, so I use dBPowerAmp and convert .flac files into Wma Professional 9.2 Lossless
You may use "CoreVorbis" for .ogg (And also some .avi files with ogg audio stream, you may use GSpot to see what you need): I never used OGGs, but for F.r.i.e.n.d AVI-DVD Collection, which audio-stream was ogg
You may use "Codec Tweak Tool" from K-Lite Codec Pack: This is what I use to see if everything is all right on Windows Codecs, this is detect some errors that GSpot cannot becuase this software is updated frequestly.
Trust me, never install lots of codec pack or codec packs in full more, They'll install lots of crappy codecs on your computer.
Less codecs means faster OS.
"Windows Media Player cannot play DVD video. You might need to adjust your Windows display settings. Open display settings in Control Panel, and then try lowering your screen resolution and color quality settings." In Windows Vista This means, you do not have a proper DVD Decoder, you may get this error if you use Gabest and AC3 Filter on Vista or Server 2008, As I've told you above, use NVidia PureVideo and Gabest MpegSplitter instead.

If you like or don't like what I use, just leave me comment

Sadjad Bahmanpour

Windows Media Sharing Support in Windows Server 2008

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:38:24 GMT

These days when I play with THE NOKIA N95, if you read my earlier post about this great product you'll see I had a problem with Windows Server 2008 Windows Media Sharing which I think is not supported atleast in RC0, I've send a post in Microsoft TechNet here http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2337747&SiteID=17 and still I see no answer to it I also found someone else http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=2097821&SiteID=17 (Windows Server 2008 + Media Extenders).

So as I see maybe they don't want to support this great feature in Server 2008, just because it is a Windows Server. Anway this is what I've sent:

Is Windows Media Sharing supported in Windows Server 2008?

I am using Server 2008 RC0 now for a month, and I cannot find a way to use Windows Media Sharing, I've found out that the "Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service" is missing in local services page and also these files are missing in "Program Files\Windows Media Player" folder:

wmpnetwk.exe

wmpnscfg.exe

wmpnssci.dll

And also a file missing from "Windows\System32"

wmpmde.dll

These are what I've found by comparing my Vista Ultimate with Server 2008, Also the "Tools->Options->Library->Configure Sharing" is disabled in Windows Media Player 11 in Server 2008.

So my question is that Will windows media sharing be supported in release version of Windows Server 2008 or is it possible to install this feature somehow (I've tried to install the service manually from registry but somewhere it gets an error), because I need this on my server 2008.

Update #1: Here is the answer from Microsoft Technet:

It's not implemented as a feature and is thus not available. You do have media services which will let you serve content from your server. If you really really need it in your network I'd recommend installing Vista on server hardware.

So, As I see they (Microsoft GUYS) doing it again (Leave things just for VISTA) so I'll see what I can do about this service...

So If I see something new I'll let you know, and if you found something please leave me a comment,

Sadjad Bahmanpour