30/04/2008 by swordfish.

If your copy of Windows XP is using the NT file system (rather than FAT32) and cannot process all the Input and Output requests as your computer shuts down this may force your PC to restart.

If these restarts become a problem a good tip is to run the Chkdsk tool to repair any problems with your disks volume.

To do this Click START and click RUN and then type cmd in the box. At the command prompt type
chkdsk /R /C (i.e. repair your C Drive) and hit ENTER.

If the following message appears: “Cannot lock current drive. Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts?”

Type Y and hit ENTER

Reboot the PC and Chkdsk will automatically run and check the drive for errors. It will then attempt to repair these.

This will usually fix the shut-down and restarting problems on most Windows XP machines.

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Posted in PC tips, Software, XP | Print | 1 Comment »

30/04/2008 by swordfish.

The release of Windows XP SP3 to the web has been delayed due to a bug.

“In the last few days, we have uncovered a compatibility issue between Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System (RMS) and both Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista Service Pack 1,” says Chris Keroack, release manager of Windows Serviceability, in a statement released on the TechNet forum.

“In order to make sure customers have the best possible experience, we have decided to delay releasing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to the web.”

The update to the aging operating system was due to be released to the general public via automatic update and download yesterday, but this has now been put on hold.

Source: PC Pro

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22/04/2008 by swordfish.

Microsoft has released the third Service Pack for Windows XP to manufacturing.

Confirming last week’s leaked launch dates, Microsoft will release the Service Pack to the public next week, on 29 April. It will then be rolled out via Microsoft’s Automatic Update system “in early summer”.

Microsoft is desperately trying to play down the benefits of XP SP3, as it attempts to migrate more users to Vista.

The final XP Service Pack arrives just as Microsoft is preparing to withdraw the operating system from sale at the end of June.

Source: PC Pro

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16/04/2008 by swordfish.

The third and final service pack for Windows XP will be released on 21 April, according to leaked reports.

Neowin claims to have got hold of an internal Microsoft schedule that shows SP3 will be released to OEMs, MSDN and TechNet subscribers on Monday. Just over a week later on 29 April, the Service Pack will be made available on Microsoft Update, Windows Update and Download Centre.

Finally, the Pack will be issued through Microsoft’s Automatic Update service on 10 June. That’s just days before the company controversially plans to withdraw XP from sale across the world on 30 June.

Source: PC Pro

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04/04/2008 by swordfish.

Microsoft’s regular patch Tuesday update is set to bring five critical patches when it rolls around on 8 April.

Among the critical patches two will focus on Internet Explorer, two will affect Windows and one Microsoft Office, the company has revealed in its advance security bulletin. Each of the five will address flaws that could lead to remote code executions from malicious websites.

Patch Tuesday will also bring three “important” updates for Windows, addressing potential spoofing and elevation of user privileges.

The critical flaws affect all versions of Windows, including Vista, which could be seen as something of an embarrassment for the company just a month after it released its first Service Pack for the operating system.

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13/02/2008 by swordfish.

Microsoft has released 11 security patches, six of which are “critical” and five of which are “important”, according to the software giant.

This month’s “Patch Tuesday” did not include a patch that had been promised in Microsoft’s advance notification for February 2008. Microsoft could not be reached for comment at the time of writing to say why the patch had not been included.

Most of the critical vulnerabilities addressed in this month’s patches affect Office, while one affects Internet Explorer, according to Microsoft’s security bulletin summary.

The five “important” patches affect Microsoft Internet Information Services, Windows and Office.

All the Windows Vista-related updates will be included with Windows Vista SP1, expected to roll out to consumers in mid to late March.

Source ZDNet

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