Microsoft Musings

Recently I received the following comment on my post (which has over 200 comments already) about an Internet Explorer problem. I had to chuckle when I read it and thought it was worth sharing.

This worked! Thanks. That was a really annoying problem.

My other computer which also runs XP doesn’t have the problem, but after I installed the fix on this one I discovered that it already has that entry.

But why does it have to be this way? Imagine what life would be like if all our electronic products required this degree of fiddling and bug fixes. Why, we would turn on a lamp, only to get an incomprehensible error message. We’d copy it down, Google it, and come to a site like this and find some incomprehensible gobbledy-gook to try as a solution. Some of us couldn’t make heads or tails of it, while others would manage to install it. Voila! the light goes on. But then the refrigerator issues some kind of warning and goes off. And the toaster hasn’t worked for a week. And the car stopped in the middle of the road yesterday, and some motorist said the thingami package needed to be reinstalled and the registers cleaned out of electronic gunk. “You need to update your anti-roadblock software,” the motorist said as the car finally started again. “Or this’ll keep on happening. Don’t get Norton, though.”

Recently a customer was having issues printing invoices from Quickbooks. Actually invoices wouldn’t print at all, however they could print everything else from Quickbooks. After trying everything I could think of short of doing a complete reinstall, I discovered this easy fix.

# Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and navigate to the correct directory below for your version or QuickBooks.
# For QuickBooks 2007: Windows XP – C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Intuit\QuickBooks 2007
# For QuickBooks 2007: Windows Vista – C:\ProgramData\Intuit\QuickBooks 2007
# For QuickBooks 2006 and earlier: C:\Program Files\Intuit\[QuickBooks Version]

1. Locate the QBPRINT.QBP file and delete it. (Note: this file may be hidden by default.)
2. Open QuickBooks.
3. Click the File menu and select Printer Setup.
4. Click any one of the transactions in the Form Name drop-down and click OK. This will re-create the QBPRINT.QBP file. (This does not have to be done for each transaction.)
5. Open and print the transaction that was having problems.

This worked like a charm for me, hope it works for you as well.
via.

One of the new features included in Windows 7 is a nifty idea called Theme Packs.

Theme packs are cabinet files with an extension of .themepack, and consist of a .theme as well as any number of image, sound, icon, and mouse cursor files. Windows 7 recognizes this file format and will switch the user’s theme to the theme contained inside when opened.  -wikipedia

In other words theme packs are a simple way to share your theme with others. For example, Microsoft has provided a number of free theme packs including a Coca-Cola and Ferrari theme. If you are running Windows 7, you can simply download the theme pack and double-click to install and run the theme.

Now that you know what a theme pack is and how to install it, I have a huge theme pack for you to enjoy. It consists of 218 338 stunning wallpapers that I’ve collected from the various Windows 7 beta builds all the way up to the current released version. It also includes wallpapers from the international versions of Windows 7.  Currently the theme is set to automatically change the picture every 1 hour, although this can easy be changed to suit your taste. For example, you could have it change once a day, and you wouldn’t see the same wallpaper twice for 218 338 days.

So what are you waiting for?

Download: Sorry, Themepack file has been taken offline due to excess bandwidth usage.

- Size: 230 MB – Last Uploaded: 11/9/2009
If you are a Windows XP or Vista user, click here.

I’ve just released my first WordPress Plugin! Its an extremely simple plugin, but could potentially be a neat little time saver. It simply displays the number of registered users for your blog on your WordPress Admin Dashboard. It also lists the number of users per role as well. See below screenshot.

You can download the plugin via the WordPress Plugin Directory or check the official plugin homepage. Please post in the forums if you need help or have trouble with the plugin.

(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Recently I was working on an HP Photosmart C6280 that was throwing a “Ink system has failed” error message. Fortunately the solution is a simple one, however it involves removing a few screws, taking the right side cover off, and replugging in some cables. In other words, do not attempt this if your printer is under warranty as it will most likely void it.

*** Fix your HP Photosmart Printer (Reset Code/Master Reset) ***

1. Turn off power and unplug from power source.
2. Open right side of printer (looking at the front).
3. Disconnect,by pulling gently, both white (or black, in my case) flat ribbon cables off the main circuit board.
4. Plug in power source and turn printer on. Wait till you get a error message and push “Ok”.
5. Unplug power source.
6. Reconnect the flat ribbon cables by aligning and carefully pushing into the conectors on the main circuit board.
7. Plug in power source and turn printer on (Printer preparing occurred).
8. Voila, the nasty error message 0xc18a0001 “Ink System has Failed” is now gone.

Hopefully this will save you from having to buy a new printer. Let me know in the comments how you made out.

Much credit goes to HarleyHawk for making this so simple.
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Just a quick reminder that if you are planning to upgrade to Windows 7 when it is released, make sure you pre-order it while its cheap! This promo only runs for a limited time while supplies last, and Engadget is reporting that it is already sold out in Japan, so get your order in quick. The easiest way to order is to use the amazon.com links provided below.

Amazon.com Windows 7 Homepage

Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade $49.99

Windows 7 Professional Upgrade $99.99

I just noticed that the Senior Lead Program Manager for the Microsoft Store, Trevin Chow, posted the following link which allows you to pre-order Windows 7 right now. I just ordered two copies myself and got the confirmation email! So beat the rush and get it now!

UPDATE: You can also order it from Amazon.com and pay no tax.

http://store.microsoft-ppe.com/microsoft/Windows-Windows-7/category/102?WT.mc_id=trevin_blog

One thing I noticed was that it didn’t accept my Windows Live ID, however I just entered my email address in the create new account box and it went right through.

Starting tomorrow (6/26/09) you will be able to pre-order the upgrade version of Microsoft’s new operating system Windows 7. However, its only while supplies last or until July 11, so you won’t have much time to think about it. Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade will only cost $49.99 while the Professional Upgrade version will cost $99.99 which is significant savings compared to $119 and $199 after the promo ends. It will be available from retail partners like Amazon.com, and also from the Microsoft Store. If you are interesting in upgrading, I would definitely keep an eye on Amazon.com at this page and also this one tomorrow so that you can be sure to get your hands on a copy.

Windows 7 Build 7232 has been leaked and includes a new default desktop background. Its an amazingly detailed background, although I still like the Betta Fish one that was the default in prior builds.

(Right-click image to download or click here to download all the Windows 7 Wallpapers.)

(Thanks to Softpedia for uploading the image so I didn’t have to install the build. )