Zoom7000

Disclaimer: Make sure you test this before you go live! Can't be held responsible and all that stuff! If like me, you like to customise your XP images by integrating tweaked files such as uxtheme.dll, notepad2, etc, you can do this by integrating the files directly into the SP3 file. If you extract the files using a tool like WinRAR, to a folder "C:\WinXPSP3" for example. You can replace the files directly: Download the custom uxtheme.dll from here. Run makecab on the file from a command prompt and you should be left with uxtheme.dl_ Do the same for Notepad2. Rename Notepad2.exe to Notepad.exe, run makecab and you should get a notepad.ex_. If you replace these files and then run the \i386\update\update.exe, you'll have a nice customised XP SP3. One thing to note, you may or may not come across some Windows File Protection issues. If you do, you can disable these as well by extracting the files and following the instructions here Obviously do test this thoroughly before you do any deployment, but I am running it fine on the machine I have just updated. I will test a few more machines and let you know. Hope it helps someone at least!

I'm sorry to hear the tragic news!

Also, considering that Sims is based on .Net Framework, it should be a pretty easy process, or at least you would think.

You think unique names in the LA is bad? Try the whole of London! Yup, my Login ID stopped working the other day, and I was told since they integrated with the LGFL, all IDs across London have to be unique. SO I changed my username to just my first name! But yes, rooms, corridoors, it's a load of crap IMO. This is somewhere I feel Microsoft actually have the edge against it's competitors. My first impressions of Sharepoint was just so much friendlier than Fronter. I can't wait to see how RM deals with it once the BSF goes live!

They are copies made by Ramesys (Microsoft Select Copies). I have 2 Pioneer DVR-115's I'll try the 2nd one when I get back in to the office tomorrow.

I've got 2 brand new Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB SATA-II in the PC. No special config, both running independantly as IDE. How can I eliminate that they are faulty? If they are. Ahem... as for the football team, would yours be any better? I think not!

Just saw this thread on Neowin. It has a link to RTM SP3 directly from Microsoft. I've downloaded it, not yet installed, but MD5 matches the advertised MD5 for SP3.

I've just brought a new PC at work. Intel Quad Core Q6600, OCZ 8Gb RAM, Asus Rampage Formula, etc. All running at stock. I was trying to install Vista x64 and it seemed soooo slow! It loaded all the files fine but then took about 5 mins just to get to the welcome screen and choosing the setup language, I was staring at the Aero Background and mouse pointer for about 5 mins. Then it seemed a lot slower than normal installing the rest of it. I left it at the copying files stage copying at 60% it took around 10 mins to get here, before I left work for the weekend. I've seen a lot of threads around the net about slow installs, but no real solutions. My friend said he heard of a problem with trying to install Vista x64 with 8Gb RAM. This was slightly confirmed after doing some Googling, so I removed all but 2Gb, still appeared the same though. Another suggestion was BIOS update, but I don't think there is any updates for the Rampage Formula just yet. So, any ideas what the problem could be?

Thanks, I'll give it a try!

Just got myself a fresh new shiny PC in the office for testing and virtualisation and other bit and bobs to play with a break! Antec P190 Case Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 OCZ 8Gb DDR2 RAM Samsung 2Tb HDD (2 x 1Tb) Pioneer DVR-115 (x2) So, it's definately powerful enough! I'm still deciding whether to install XP x64 or Vista Business x64, I'm thinking it may as well be the latter. Then on to the virtualisation, I'm thinking of running up a mini network on there, what should virtualisation software should I go for? Most of the opinions I have heard tell me to go for VMWare Workstation as opposed to Virtual PC. However, is there anything better? Should I maybe consider installing Windows Server 2008 and using the Hyper-V feature?

+1 for Kaspersky Internet Security. However, for the freeware solution, when fixing friends PCs, I use Comodo AV and Firewall.

Isn't this the case with most of the LA policies?

Not at the moment, we were using SUS, then rebuilt the server, and I haven't had the chance to install WSUS.

Well, I've been testing the beta for a while now and will be deploying SP3 as soon as it comes out. Some of our machines are long overdue certain updates. As for the wait, we'll the fact that Technet/MSDN subscribers have to wait a few days is bad enough. Subscribers pay a lot of money for the privalidge and quite frankly, I don't see the point at the moment when it is released to the general public beforehand anyway!

I went last year but got there too late to register this year so I'm on the waiting list!

Tell them to bugger off and come and check it themselves if they want the contract!

Just saw this updated Timeframe on Neowin: * RTM (release to manufacturing) Apr - 21st * OEM Channel Apr - 21st * Windows Update Apr - 29th * Download Centre Apr - 29th * MSDN/Technet Download May - 2nd * Windows XP SP3 Fulfillment Media May - 19th * VL Customers via download Jun - 1st * Automatic Updates Jun - 10th So, basically, IT Professionals who pay Microsoft good money for early access to products are screwed over. It's a bit stupid that the Professionals who help to test the product don't receive the download before it is released to the General Public anyway!

Indeed does look like this is the case! Still no SP3 on Technet as of 10:38 (BST)

It is indeed a nice read, but well, being part of the Newham BSF myself, I suppose we'll just have to accept it's happening and take it on the chin. Journalists and Technicians like us can complain and criticise all we like, but the simple fact of the matter is, the top hats signing the contracts only care about the money and when it all goes pear shaped, they'll take a nice payoff and leave the mess to be cleaned up by another muppet at the top!

Thank you very much! That is my drinks sorted for this years exhibition! See you there!

When I started my job in August 2004, our school was migrating from RM CC2.4 to a Vanilla Windows Server 2003 Network. I had no say in the matter as I was merely a temp at the time. The Network Manager and bursar chose a company (that used to be?) based in Docklands called 4G Computing. Absolute waste of time they turned out to be! They had 1 technician who was very good had all the necessary CCNA, MCSEs etc and actually knew what he was doing. As for the rest of the technicians, 3 at least, even I knew more than them and that was me coming straight out of university and not having touched a server before in my life. Except for the 2 MCP modules I did in college in 1999 - NT Core Technologies and Setting up an NT Network or something along those lines! After dealing with them for the next few months whilst we tried to get everything up and running again. It was finally decided by the Headteacher that we wont do any further business with them. Soon after this, their website had mysteriously disappeared and we've never heard from them again. This was in 2004, not long after, their main sales rep and the only technician who had a clue of what was going on moved to setup their own company. The sales rep emailed my manager quoting "After the right mess that was 4G myself and the technician have created our own company ICT Bank." Just out of curiousity I went to their website in late 2006 and the phone number was no longer in use and now their website is dead too! I was just wondering if anyone else had any experiences with either company or if they knew what had happened to them.

Wow, I have got to give this a roll at home! Is it hard to set up?

Infosecurity Europe 2008 - Olympia, London (22-24 April 2008) Is anyone else going this year? For those that don't know about it. It runs alongside the Service and IT Helpdesk Show. You get free access to both if you pre-register for either event. It is much more aimed at IT Professionals than BETT, which is aimed more at the teachers. All of the usual big name players in IT are usually there and there is a ton of stuff to learn too! I love the Secure Test stand where they show you how to exploit all the Microsoft Code Execution Flaws that are patched every month and then reward you with their "Cheesey Giveaway" - Secure Test Socks! Also, plenty of freebies available, many USB Flash Drives and last year I walked out with a years free subscription to both NOD32 and Kaspersky. Result! I'm going on the Tuesday but with the upcoming strike on Thursday, if your school is closed and you got the day off, maybe you can pay a visit. For more information and to register, visit the homepage And if you are thinking of going, be sure to register online beforehand because they charge £20 at the door!

One things for sure, it definately looks a lot more user friendly than previous Group Policy Consoles.

Sorry, didn't notice this thread. Newham - RM (£53m) http://www.edugeek.net/forums/bsf/18009-newham-building-schools-future-looks-like-i-may-become-rm-employee.html