Windows 8 To Go Gottcha to watch for!

Windows To Go was a new feature introduced in Windows 7, it is really handy way to carry a secure copy of the operating system around with you. You just plug your boot-able thumb drive into a handy computer, reboot it and all your private information a history stays on the thumb drive not on the computer you borrowed. It does take a good sized drive and USB 3 really speeds things up.

They look alike don’t they? Well after wasting a few hours trying and trying to redo one of my 32Gb Data Travelers that was booting Window 7 just fine (the top one), I broke down and called Kingston. Apparently windows only allows one partition on removable media and Windows 8 To Go requires 2 partitions. So Kingston had to release a new version of the Data Traveler just for Win 8 (the bottom one), I am reasonably sure the other manufacturers will have to do something similar. So do your homework and make sure the drive you are going to buy specifically says it will support Windows 8 Bootable Windows To Go. The trick to knowing on the Data Traveler is the Model Number will start with KW instead of DT, this number is stamped on the metal part of the USB plug, I tried to get a picture but it was impossible to see. So here is what the card looks like that is in the package of the correct model. If you want to look on the metal tounge of the USB plug I recommend bringing a strong magnifing glass to the store with you.

Look for thje KW beginging the model number

Something else you should know the process to create the Windows to go drive has changed as well.
Here is a link to the process for creating both the  Windows 7 & Windows 8 versions http://tweaks.com/windows/52279/how-to-create-a-windows-to-go-usb-drive/

TRUSTED IDENTITY Faith in a Technology World

Just got this note from Jeff and thought I would share with y’allAn invitation from Jeff Middleton, SBSmigration.com Founder and host of IT Pro Conference 2012. Our conference is a month away, and last week we announce the blend of 17 MVPs plus 6 respected technology experts who are the speaker for the conference. These are people you likely have met online or heard of, and now you have a chance to spend the weekend in one on one discussions with them. The sessions are now listed here: View Session Outlines and Presenters In addition to the sessions on the website, we will have breakout presentations by BackupAssist as well as StorageCraft to highlight two of the leading products for backup and disaster recovery. Our own presentation team will provide demo’s and session content on: Win8 Server Improved Manageability Understanding the VDI Desktop Opportunity How Your Secure WiFi and Wireless is Easily Hacked The Security Exposure of Using Social Media Please take a moment, scroll down to see the outstanding speaker list, and what we are offering for Pre-Day content and full conference opportunity. The 2-day conference plus a pre-day deep dive are a great investment in knowing what’s new in technology and growing concerns about privacy and identity protection. As a reminder, we provide outstanding food, parties, and technical content for the duration…all included in the registration pricing. Please also take this as a personal invitation from me to you to join us, I would be delighted for you to take part in our great event. Best regards, Jeff Middleton SBSmigration.com For your quick reference, here’s the speakers line-up this year: Recognition Name State/Country Security MVP Dana Epp Canada SBS-MVP Susan Bradley CA, US SBS-MVP Amy Babinchak MI, US Security/Technologist Lawrence Teo NC, US Security Trainer Jay Ferron FL, US SBS-MVP Cal McLennan Canada SBS-MVP Jeff Middleton LA, US SBS-MVP Cliff Galiher MT, US Third Tier (Support) Jeremy Anderson CA, US SBS-MVP Marina Roos Netherlands SBS-MVP Dave Nickason NY, US SBS-MVP Kevin Royalty OH, US SBS-MVP Eriq Neale TX, US WHS-MVP Grey Lancaster NC, US Third Tier (Support) Brian Higgins MI, US Exchange MVP Dave Shackelford WA, US SBS-MVP Larry Struckmeyer FL, US SBS-MVP Tero Leskinen Finland IT Pro Expert-MVP Mitch Garvis Canada SBSC Advisory Karl Palachuk CA, US SBS-MVP Jason Miller Canada Security/Legal Ben Yarbrough NC, US IT Pro Expert-MVP Jessica DeVita CA, US SBS-MVP              Andy Goodman              NC, US

Pre-Day Content to keep in mind:We have a Pre-Day by Third Day Brain Explosion (Thursday June 7) which includes: IPv6 Right Now Presented – by Cliff Galiher Active Directory Management Presented – by Brian Higgins Exchange 2010 Compliance and Archiving Presented – by David Shackelford Managing Data Encryption Presented – by Jeremy Anderson Our main conference (Fri/Sat June 8-9):

CONFERENCE THEME 2012   TRUSTED IDENTITY: Faith in a Technology World   Who are you and why would I believe it? Why should I trust you electronically, ethically, or in reality?       View Session Outlines and Presenters     Register Now!        Read Jeff’s Welcome Summary   Registration:   Attendee 2-Day $495, or 9-Day $595 (plus cruise fare & lodging) Guest 2-Day $195, or 9-Day $295 (plus cruise fare & lodging)   June 7-17, 2012 are the events dates for pre-day, weekend conference and cruise.

Did you get bitten by the Win7 SP1, be careful

There is a lot of bad advice floating around the Internet about how to recover from the faulty SP1 install for Windows 7, please read this TECHNET ARTICLE before trying any of them. Of course if you have the option to restore an image from the day before via WHS, ShadowProtect or some other imaging tool that is your best option.

UPDATE FROM MS http://blogs.technet.com/b/joscon/archive/2011/03/16/new-information-on-error-code-0xc0000034.aspx

Potential iPad Killer Sighted DownUnder

Could this be the iPad Killer

Saturday I was doing research on Facebook (ok wasting time if you want the truth) and I noticed a status update by my friend and fellow SBS-MVP Wayne Small pointing to HIS BLOG POST  talking about a potential iPad Killer. Well I had been thinking of going over to the dark side since seeing WHS-MVP Grey Lancaster’s new iPad a couple of weeks ago. But as so many of the folks that know me have said, I have the Microsoft Kool-Aid running through my veins instead of blood and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Boy am I glad I waited! This baby has all the things the iPad was lacking for me, USB Ports, Mini VGA Out, Win7 Operating System and the Right Click Functionality that HA can’t live without.

The more I read about the TEGA-v2 the more excited I got. Wayne was going to be bringing one to SMB Nation with him, but I couldn’t wait, so I pinged Wayne and asked him to introduce me to Hugo Ortega, Mr TEGA. I got in touch with him and ordered a sample for myself as well. If you are curious and will be at SMB Nation later this month both Wayne and I will have them with us, you can take a look at the first two to be in North America although one will be leaving with Wayne when he goes home. And if you ask us, we will have some special discount coupons while they last. You will be able to find me most of the time hanging around the GFI Software booth, stop by and take a look.

Tarheel AITP & Triad SBS Groups Present Windows 7

Our Next Meeting is Something Different
  March 4, 2010 Different Venue, Different Time (this meeting only)
Last meeting was January 5, 2010 (due to weather in February)

Tarheel AITP & Triad SBS Groups Present Windows 7
Presenters: Yung Chou and John Baker, IT Pro Evangelists, Microsoft

In association with the Tarheel AITP Group we are putting together a morning presentation with Microsoft. Two of the best presenters I know will be delivering the Windows 7 content. The agenda is below. We were only able to book a room large enough for 75 people so this event will fill up fast and we will not be able to extend it. You will need your confirmed reservation to attend. You can sign-up now at http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=145662 . Please do not wait to sign up, I will feel terrible if I have to turn you away. There is no cost to attend this event except your time and attention!
Keep an eye on our website for updates www.tSBSg.org

Agenda
Pre-Session 7:30AM Breakfast and Registration

Welcome & Introductions 8:30AM

 Session 1 = 8:45AM Cloud Computing Overview and Direction

Session 2 = 9:15AM: What’s New and Why Windows 7
Windows 7 uplifts Enterprise IT abilities to address business needs to a new dimension with many new innovations and improved functions. This session highlights the new features and capabilities of Windows 7 by walking through Windows 7 desktop fundamentals and business scenarios using Windows 7 optimized desktops including BitLocker to Go, Windows XP Mode, Direct Access, and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Break = 10:15am

Session 3 = 10:30AM: Windows 7 Deployment
Deploying Windows 7 is easy if you’re using the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) 2010. This session will walk you through the various tools that can help simplify your deployments. We’ll drill down in the MDT Workbench and look at how the MDT process helps you create a reference image, which can then be easily deployed to the target computers. We’ll look at how to configure the deployment environment, show how you can add operating systems, applications, drivers, and language packs using the Deployment Workbench, and then finish up by creating a task sequenced deployment to a target computer.

Closing = 11:45AM
Q&A, user group and communities information sharing, prize drawings, etc

 You can sign-up now at http://www.clicktoattend.com/?id=145662

Because you can, does not mean you should

Eric Ligman does a very good job of explaining upgrade rights once again. Please remember because you can do something does not mean you should do it, or even that you are allowed to do it. Think about what you are proposing to do and don;t put your clients at risk by installing illeagal software just becasue you know how!

Win7 XP Mode with Domain Credentials

My friend Grey Lancaster one of the original SBS-MVP’s who has since moved on to WHS as their first MVP, sent me a link to this video on XP Mode and said everything he had seen used a local user account and he wanted to be able to use domain credentials, so I installed it on my Win7 RC box on my SBS 2008 network and dug into it.

It turns out you can use domain credentials. Here are the steps I used.
Open the settings for the XP VM and delete the cashed credentials.
Start the XP Virtual Machine
Right Click on My Computer and select Properties
On the computer name tab, click the change button
Join the computer to the domain and reboot it
Now when it starts logon with DomainName\UserName

You will find that even the folder redirection works if you had that enabled for your domain.
And yes the integration features work also, although it took one more reboot before they showed up.

I highly recommend you install and become familiar with XP Mode in Win7 it is a really cool feature!

A Real Old Fashioned LoadFest for Win7

Remember in the old days when they had a loadfest and you got to bring a machine in and actually load the software on it instead of watching a presenter do it all. Well thanks to Keith Combs’ and his team, they are doing exactly that for Windows7. If you lead a group get in touch with him and see about getting on his road map. I just put in a request for the Triad SBS Group. If you are not a group leader, make sure to let your group leader know about this. I am sure it will fill up fast.

Thankx Keith!

Win7 RTM right around the corner

Yesterday Microsoft announced that Window 7 will be on store shelves on Oct 22 and will RTM around mid July, that’s only 30 days or so from now. I have been using the beta and RC 1 and I have to tell you, Win7 Rocks. Finally they have found a worthy replacement for XP, it’s about time. If you have been holding off testing Win 7 it is time to jump on the bus or be left behind. Get the RC here

Win 7 Beta Reminder, update to RC now