First, we need to create two BMP files in 800×600 and 1024×769 resolutions using 24-bit images. To accomplish this, use any image editor you like. To generate the boot file, i will use Vista Boot Logo Generator 1.2 Beta.

When you have your two image files, open Vista Boot Logo Generator and load the images. Then, choose File - Save Boot Screen File As and save the winload.exe.mui file the program generates.

You need to copy this file to Windows\System32\en-US. Remember to make a backup of this file and take into account that the en-US part can be different in other languages (it’s es-ES for spanish installations).

One last thing. Type msconfig in the Run box and choose the Boot tab. Just clear the checkbox called No GUI Boot.

That’s all. In order for Windows to use the 1024×768 image you need to have a decent graphics card.

This has been a long-time annoyance as it is useless anyway.
Installshield created it to add convenience for a program to check for its updates but even as it is being installed by many programs, this program’s developers haven’t use it the way it was intended for.

Official Description:

FLEXnet Connect is a solution that Macrovision sells to software vendors that is designed to help you stay connected with your customers after they install your applications. Keeping software updated is one of the many benefits of FLEXnet Connect, but Macrovision also recommends that software vendors build in an option to disable automatic update checking. If you are using an application that uses FLEXnet Connect, your application may have a configuration option to disable update checking. Please check your application’s menu options.

If your application does not have this option, Macrovision has created a tool called the Software Manager that can disable automatic update checking. The Software Manager utility lists all applications currently using FLEXnet Connect on your computer and the FLEXnet Connect’s status with that application.

If you have it installed (look for Program Updates in your Start Menu), you can configure it to not check for program updates automatically but many times it starts at windows startup for no reason. Removal is easy, download the Software Manager Uninstall Program, run it and follow the instructions. Now you will have it removed from your system.

Website

As i wrote before, it was my first time upgrading WordPress.
The experience couldn’t be more pleasant. In about 10 min i had all my files and the site updated with the new version.

Here is a short list of steps and notes of my upgrade.

• First of all, you are advised to make backups in case something goes wrong with the upgrade.
• Go to Manage and click on Export to save the contents of your site to an XML file. I do this once a day choosing all authors.
• For a database backup, you need to know where to do it in you host’s admin panel. My hosting company provides easy access to phpMyAdmin so i just browse the databases i had, choose the one i want and then i choose to export its data to a SQL file.
• Download the new version of WordPress and extract it.
• Before uploading it is recommended to deactivate plugins. I didn’t do it because i just use about 5 and i tested my site locally before uploading the new files.
• Overwrite all files in your host. I used an FTP client.
• Go to your WordPress path and open this link wp-admin/upgrade.php to make the upgrade.
• You should now have your WordPress installation upgraded.

Side notes:

I also tried one plugin called Maintenance Mode and it worked great. This plugin presents your users a message that your site is under maintenance and you will be back online after a given time in minutes. Just activate it and begin the uploading of files.

There is one plugin that makes backups but i haven’t had the time to try it.

For information about upgrading in the WordPress Codex read here.

I hope this helps other people to upgrade their WordPress blogs.

I was at my parents house the other day and was experiencing some connection problems with my laptop. The WiFi access was working well but i couldn’t browse. Other online-aware programs were fine but the browsing was gone. Since my laptop was the only device with this issue i though that somehow vista or other program - i install a lot of them - was causing this.

To make a long story short, i ended formatting my laptop. The problem was still there and i was very frustrated. During lunch i suddenly thought of making some tests and pings to the ISP dns servers.

Well, it turned out that one of the two DNS server was down and oddly enough my laptop was the only device being assigned that one on the network by the WiFi router.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, read the following lines to learn how to manually change the DNS server settings in Windows Vista or XP.

You need to know the DNS server addresses of your ISP in order to manually enter them. In this case, i just entered to the router’s configuration page and looked for the addresses under Connection Settings.

• Go to Control Panel - Networks - Network Connections.
• Right-click the network connection you are having problems with and choose properties.
• Select Internet Protocol (IPv4) and then click on the properties button.
• Manually enter the preferred and alternative DNS server addresses here. You can try and change the order.
• Click OK.
• Do the above step for IPv6 protocol.

You now should be able to browse normally if at least one server is working.

Take into account that this manual configuration will only work for the Internet connection that is having problems. If you need to connect to a problem-free connection, undo the steps and choose Automatic DNS settings.

Adobe newest Creative Suite 3 installs Apple’s Bonjour service even if you don’t install Version Cue. Its main goal is to provide zero-configuration connectivity between Version Cue server and the suite’s applications.

When installed by Creative Suite 3 applications, the name used by Bonjour for Windows in the services control panel is:

##Id_String2.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B879762##

If you are using Version Cue, you can correct the service name just by running two commands at a run prompt box (Start - Run):

• “C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe” -remove
• “C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe” -install

The service will now be displayed with the correct name in the Services control panel.

But if you don’t need it, you can get rid of it easily. Just follow this simple steps:

• Open a Windows Run prompt box (Start - Run) and type the following command: “C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe” -remove
• Navigate to the following folder in Windows Explorer: C:\Program Files\Bonjour
• Rename the mdnsNSP.dll file in that folder to mdnsNSP.old
• Restart your computer
• Delete the the Program Files\Bonjour folder

Note: Please take into account that if you are running Windows in other language, the path to Program Files maybe different.

Also remember that if the path to the file contains spaces, you need to enclose the command in ” “, or double quotes. Just as it is shown above.