How to Recover and Restore Precious Mail Items from Severely Damaged MS Exchange Server

Now-a-days, many organizations use Exchange Server to perform their email communication. The Exchange Server database stores all the precious emails and other user mailbox components, such as the calendar entries, notes, contacts etc. But, unfortunately, due to many unavoidable problems, like virus infection, file system corruption of the server drive or any other hardware/software malfunction, the Exchange Server database gets corrupt.
The application event log stores various activities including the error reports related to the functioning of the Exchange Server. In case of corruption in Exchange Server 2000, one of the error messages logged in the event log file can be read as below:
“Date: Date
Source: ESE
Time: Time
Category: Database Corruption
Type: Error
Event ID: 448
User: N/A
Computer: ServerName
Description: Information Store (2412) Data inconsistency detected in table Msg of database E:\Program Files\exchsrvr\mdbdata\priv4.edb (0,524957).”
After encountering the above error message, when you try to start the Exchange Server, though it starts the mail components are completely inaccessible. To check the problem, when you run the utility, ‘eseutil/g’, it shows another error message as below:
“The Database is corrupted.”

Cause:

As discussed above, the main reason behind such Exchange Server database corruption is virus/malware infection, hard drive corruption, software contradiction etc.

How to Solve the Error ?:

In order to resolve the above problem follow any of these options, depending upon your requirement:

• As the application log gives much idea about problems related to drivers, controllers, hardware etc, check out that log file carefully and resolve the issues by changing the faulty hardware or updating necessary drivers.
• In case, you are running the information store, use Exchange Mailbox Merge utility to export mail items to Outlook PST files. Then, delete this corrupt database, create a new database and use ‘Exmerge’ command to move data to the newly created blank database.
• However, If you are unable to mount the information store database, then you only have the option to restore data from any previously created backup.

Tags: hacking windows windows 8

Windows 8 Private Market Place

The Private Market Place will be a place on the Windows 8 app store that allows a Windows 8 app to be distributed only to private customers.
With the push for apps available through App stores, some companies, may have a split feeling about how they want to deliver their apps to their customers. For example, take application that have been designed for their own employees. Now further take the view that the company may want to limit the access via a private marketplace notion.
Let’s say that a company wants to make available to its own employees a sales report of current and potential customers app developed by a company’s IT department. Then the IT staff may want to distribute test and final versions of this app to all their Windows 8 users but don’t want those not working at the company to see it in the Store. This is where “private marketplaces” come into play.
Earlier this year, Microsoft enabled private marketplace functionality for Windows Phone “Mango.”  Given that functionality, maybe Microsoft is planning to offer a similar path to business users for their Windows 8 Metro-style apps.

But watch it! Will the same Windows 8 App store functionality be available to non-Metro style apps? Maybe, but maybe not. Microsoft hasn’t given an answer to that, and it may be that they are still up in the air about what the Windows 8 App store will really be about. That, however, revolves around the metro-style app structure. The Windows 8 App store will carry it but not other styles.
Here is Microsoft’s current take:
“Apps listed in the Store are visible to all Windows 8 users, so enterprise apps can be offered in the Store, just like any other Metro style app. However, we also offer support for enterprises that want direct control over the deployment of Metro style apps.
“Enterprises can choose to limit access to the Windows Store catalog by their employees, or allow access but restrict certain apps. In addition, enterprises can choose to deploy Metro style apps directly to PCs, without going through the Store infrastructure. For Windows 8 Beta, IT administrators can use group policy to permit Metro style app installations, as long as the apps are signed by trusted publishers and the machines are joined to the domain. Then the IT admin can use (P)owershell commandlets to manage those Metro-style apps on Windows 8….
“This deployment flexibility ensures that employees have software on the devices they prefer while IT can continue to manage software payloads based on their company’s needs and regulation.”

Tags: information windows 8

Microsoft Can Remotely Delete Windows 8 Apps

Microsoft has revealed some news on its new Windows 8 app store over the last few days. While going through some of the documentation for this new app store, it has been discovered that Microsoft will have the ability to remotely kill or delete apps on your Windows 8 machine without your permission. This “kill switch” which deactivates/removes apps is actually quite common in most app stores.
Both Google and Apple have these sort of switches on the Android and iOS app markets. If you have a look at the Windows Store terms of use  you’ll be able to see for yourself what Microsoft will have control over. However, while you may be somewhat concerned at Microsoft’s control over your apps, they’ll only ever really use this “kill switch” if it’s for your own safety.

“In cases where your security is at risk, or where we’re required to do so for legal reasons, you may not be able to run apps or access content that you previously acquired or purchased a license for,”

In the case that you have purchased an app that has suddenly been deleted from your device for some reason or another, Microsoft will give you a refund which is fair enough. However Microsoft may also delete all data associated with that application from your machine, which could be somewhat irritating if you have some important files or documents that were associated with the app.

While Apple also has this “kill switch” on their app store, they’ve never actually used it. Each approved app must go through rigorous testing before it’s finally approved for the App Store, and while Apple has removed previously approved apps from the App Store, these apps are still on people devices and running fine and haven’t been remotely removed.
Google on the other hand has had to use their remote “kill switch” a couple of times due to a number of malicious apps being found on its store which is not subject to the same stringent quality and security control tests that Apple implement.
So I guess it’s a good thing as well as bad thing that Microsoft will be able to remotely deactivate and delete malicious apps.
What do you think? Is it a good or bad thing?

Tags: downloads information windows 8

Windows 8 Developer Preview Reaches 3 Million Downloads

Microsoft have announced that the Windows 8 Developer preview has now had over 3 million downloads since it was released back in September. I suppose the news isn’t really that surprising, especially when you consider that Windows is easily the most popular operating system in the world.
I’d imagine that nearly all the developers and Windows enthusiasts have all grabbed a copy of the developer preview by now and downloads have probably dropped off significantly. Of course the main reason people are downloading the new operating system is to get a look at the new Windows 8 interface which is made up predominantly of the new Metro UI. Developers of course will also be looking at what apps they can create which will utilise the new features in Windows 8.

 DOWNLOAD  WINDOWS 8 Developer Preview


Of course I believe that if you want to get the best experience out of Windows 8, you will probably have to use a device with a touchscreen like a tablet or those all in one desktops with touchscreens.
Microsoft have said that they’ll be releasing the first Beta of Windows 8 in February which is expected to have a good few changes from this developer preview. Microsoft stressed that the Windows 8 developer preview is far from finished and has a lot of work still to be done on it as well as more features to be added.
Let’s see if the Beta lives up to those expectations.

Tags: information windows 8

Windows 8: Dead Before Arrival?

On the cusp of an event for the Windows 8 app store, one research firm has dealt a painful blow to the forthcoming OS.
“Windows 8 will be largely irrelevant to the users of traditional PCs, and we expect effectively no upgrade activity from Windows 7 to Windows 8 in that form factor,” research firm IDC told Computerworld this week.
I hate to follow up that statement with a simple “ouch.” But let me say it anyway – ouch!
For its part, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has been quite vocal about its goals for Windows 8, which primarily involve the tablet market. Microsoft, like most of the world, assumes that tablets – which are already encroaching on the desktop PC and laptop markets – will one day become the dominant player in personal computing. Personally, I do not think it will be quite that simple. Instead, I expect a wise manufacturer to combine the perfect tablet with the perfect laptop and make a computer no one can live without. It hasn’t happened yet, but we’re getting closer every day.
(Verizon’s making moves against Google and Netflix – read more here.)
Still, for Microsoft to sacrifice Windows 8′s success on the PC just for the sake of tablet sales would be silly. According to Computerworld, Windows 7 has been licensed 450 million times. That’s enormous! The only way Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) could ever top that number is if it licensed Mac OS to third-party PC manufacturers. But that will never (and should never) happen.
For new PC buyers, Windows 7 is still a fairly new OS. But Windows Vista proved to be so bad (and so draining to weak hardware) that people were eager to upgrade. Windows 7 also had the benefit of coming out at a time when laptops had finally reached a nice balance between cost, performance, and durability. Whereas in the past you could spend upwards of $1,000 for a decent Windows XP laptop, the average high-quality Windows 7 laptop retails for $700 to $900. And because Windows 7 machines tend to have at least two gigs of ram, a much larger hard drive, and a vastly superior dual-core processor, their functional value should last a little longer.
In my own personal experience, dual-core processor laptops tend to hold up better after three years of use (2008 to 2011) than laptops with a single-core processor (2005 to 2008).
Unfortunately for Microsoft, this could mean that there will be fewer consumers buying new laptops when Windows 8 arrives than there were when Windows Vista and Windows 7 were released.
However, I am not convinced that IDC’s assessment is accurate. Will the Windows 8 upgrade rate be lower than Windows 7? Probably. From a consumer standpoint, and especially a business standpoint, Windows 8 may not provide enough of a difference to justify a purchase. The layout is cool and inspired, and it may very well be an important step in the Windows evolution. But that’s true of XP, one of the better versions of the software. But did everyone upgrade to XP when it was released? Nope. Did everyone need to make the switch? Nope.
That is the bigger challenge Microsoft faces: convincing us that Windows 8 is must-own software.
Since the company is so determined to make a dent in the tablet market, Microsoft needs to ensure that when Windows 8 is released, there is at least one (preferably several) must-have tablets available. If the company launches a true iPad competitor – or better yet, a true iPad-killer – then there will be very little preventing Windows 8 from attaining long-term success.

Tags: information windows 8

Samsung, Toshiba and Lenovo tipped to lead Windows 8 on ARM tablets

Samsung, Toshiba and Lenovo will lead the Windows 8 on ARM platform, according to the latest supply chain leaks, with Microsoft putting Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and NVIDIA in the driving seat for choosing their development partners. The three chipset companies have each selected two partners from the tablet/notebook industry at Microsoft’s instruction, Digitimes‘ sources claim, one major collaborator and one minor.


Qualcomm is believed to have picked Samsung and Sony, with the Korean company’s strengths in component manufacturing – including displays, memory and other elements – singling it out for attention, along with the fact that it already has a solid presence in the tablet market. Texas Instruments selected Toshiba as well as also opting for Samsung.
Finally, NVIDIA is said to have gone for Lenovo and Acer, with Lenovo selected as major partner for its heft in the Chinese market. Conspicuous by its absence is ASUS, despite the fact that the company is already believed to be working on Windows 8 tablets – albeit likely using x86 processors, not ARM-based chipsets – for release in the second half of 2012.
Exactly how soon we can expect to see ARM-based products from any of these companies remains to be seen, however. According to previous leaks, Windows 8 on ARM tablets aren’t likely to go on sale until mid-2013, a delay analysts are already suggesting will leave Microsoft significantly disadvantaged up against the iPad and Android-based slates.

Tags: information tablet windows 8

Report: Public Windows 8 Beta Coming in February

Microsoft may have released a developer preview of Windows 8 a few months back, but Redmond has still given little indication as to when the non-developing public will get a chance to play around with the next iteration of Windows. With 2011 drawing to a close, we'll soon enter Windows 8's launch year, and it appears the beginning of 2012 could shape up to be quite Windows 8-centric.
We've already heard the reports that say Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will talk a lot about Windows 8 during his CES keynote in January. However, the latest scuttlebutt says Microsoft will release the public Windows 8 beta will be released shortly after CES. Read Write Web cites sources close to Microsoft in reporting that the public beta will hit in late February of next year. The site's sources couldn't confirm the feature set, saying that this has yet to be nailed down and will be decided by the Windows 8 engineers based on which components are ready for public consumption.
Earlier this month we heard that the Windows 8 install process had been streamlined by Microsoft. The company said that users will be able to install Windows 8 in as few as 11 clicks, depending on their existing OS, migration choices, install method, and the number of blocking issues needed to be resolved before the PC is ready for installation.

Tags: information windows 8

Windows 8 keyboard shortcuts

The Metro interface in Windows 8 has some extremely helpful keyboard shortcuts. Here's a list to help speed up your Windows 8 productivity.
WinKey+Spacebar: Switch the input language and keyboard layout
WinKey+Shift+V: Reverse cycle through toasts
WinKey+Enter: Launch the narrator
WinKey+PgUp: Move tiles to the left
WinKey+PgDn: Move tiles to the right
WinKey+Shift+.: Move the split to the left
WinKey+.: Move the split to the right
WinKey+C: Open charms
WinKey+D: Show desktop
WinKey+E: Open windows explorer
WinKey+F: Open search panel
WinKey+H: Open share charm
WinKey+I: Open settings charm
WinKey+K: Open connect charm
WinKey+L: Lock computer
WinKey+O: Lock screen rotation
WinKey+Q: Open search pane
WinKey+R: Open run
WinKey+V: Cycle through toasts
WinKey+W: Opens settings search panel
WinKey+ Y: Look at desktop
WinKey+Z: Open the app bar

Tags: hacking shortcut windows 8

Some useful shortcuts in Windows 8

WinKey+Spacebar: Switch the input language and keyboard layout
WinKey+Shift+V: Reverse cycle through toasts
WinKey+Enter: Launch the narrator
WinKey+PgUp: Move tiles to the left
WinKey+PgDn: Move tiles to the right
WinKey+Shift+.: Move the split to the left
WinKey+.: Move the split to the right
WinKey+C: Open charms
WinKey+D: Show desktop
WinKey+E: Open windows explorer
WinKey+F: Open search panel
WinKey+H: Open share charm
WinKey+I: Open settings charm
WinKey+K: Open connect charm
WinKey+L: Lock computer
WinKey+O: Lock screen rotation
WinKey+Q: Open search pane
WinKey+R: Open run
WinKey+V: Cycle through toasts
WinKey+W: Opens settings search panel
WinKey+ Y: Look at desktop
WinKey+Z: Open the app bar

Tags: hacking windows 8

Windows 8 metro keyboard shortcuts and tips

The new metro interface of Windows 8 has many people excited. Here are some keyboard shortcuts and other tips to help get you using it right away. 1. You can simply start typing with your keyboard on the Start screen to launch applications and search.
2. You can click on the Search charm to find additional applications.
3. Here are some additional keyboard shortcuts for Windows 8:

Application Search: Win+Q

Settings Search: Win+W

Files Search: Win+F

Settings Charm: Win+I

Rotation Lock: Win+O

Bring up time/date and start menu: Win+C
4. You can use most old keyboard shortcuts such as Win+D or Win+R or Win+L.
5. Mouse mode lets you activate the charms/options by putting the mouse at the bottom left edge.
6. Mouse mode also lets you active in-app options by right clicking.
7. Use the keyboard's arrow keys and page down/up to pick tiles. Use Enter to launch them. The menu button will let you select them.
8. Be sure to check the settings charm in applications to see app settings.
9. Turn on high contrast mode in the Ease of Access section of the control panel to see a Start screen with a dark theme.

Tags: hacking shortcut windows 8

Windows 8 public beta set to arrive February 2012, allegedly

There’s nothing set in stone so, you know, don’t hold your breath until we hear something official. Still it doesn’t seem that unlikely as Windows 8 is expected in 2012 anyway and the MWC 2012 is a big event, a fitting place for presenting a converged desktop/mobile OS. The next iteration of Microsoft’s OS will be the first to be designed to work on both desktops and mobile devices like tablets.
If you’re keen to try out the new Metro UI on your PC (or Mac) you can check out this article for download links. It’s free to try and works pretty much fine and without major hiccups. It’s also pretty easy to install, hopefully taking less of your precious time too

Tags: information windows 8

Windows 8 Tablets To Appear Without Desktop App [Report]

Image: splatf.com

Microsoft appears more intent on gunning for Apple when the software giant unveils its Windows 8 ARM-based tablets sometime in early 2012. Reports today suggest Microsoft is throwing out its desktop app and will go finger-to-finger with the iPad’s touchscreen only interface.

Until now, developers expected Windows 8 to support both Microsoft’s app-based Metro interface as well as the traditional desktop. However, Microsoft “has rethought that plan and is leaning toward cutting the Desktop from Windows 8 ARM tablets,” according to ZDNet.
If Microsoft goes ahead with dumping the desktop from the ARM tablet, it would both mark the first time the company has used the ARM processor, as well as placing the firm as a real iPad rival. It’s unknown whether a decision to drop the desktop would also cover notebooks powered by ARM, or limited to tablets.
Microsoft choosing to use only Metro-style apps on its tablets makes sense. After all, Apple uses iOS for its iPad and iPhone, but employs Mac OS X for its MacBooks and desktop machines

Tags: information windows 8

Windows 8 Developer Preview downloads

The Windows 8 Developer Preview is a pre-beta version of Windows 8 for developers. These downloads include prerelease software that may change without notice. The software is provided as is, and you bear the risk of using it. It may not be stable, operate correctly or work the way the final version of the software will. It should not be used in a production environment. The features and functionality in the prerelease software may not appear in the final version. Some product features and functionality may require advanced or additional hardware, or installation of other software.
Note: You can't uninstall the Windows 8 Developer Preview. To go back to your previous operating system, you must reinstall it from restore or installation media.

Windows 8 Developer Preview with developer tools English, 64-bit (x64)

DOWNLOAD (4.8 GB)
Sha 1 hash - 6FE9352FB59F6D0789AF35D1001BD4E4E81E42AF
All of the following come on a disk image file (.iso). See below for installation instructions.

• 64-bit Windows 8 Developer Preview
• Windows SDK for Metro style apps
• Microsoft Visual Studio 11 Express for Windows 8 Developer Preview
• Microsoft Expression Blend 5 Developer Preview
• 28 Metro style apps including the BUILD Conference app

Windows 8 Developer Preview English, 64-bit (x64)

DOWNLOAD (3.6 GB)
Sha 1 hash – 79DBF235FD49F5C1C8F8C04E24BDE6E1D04DA1E9
Includes a disk image file (.iso) to install the Windows 8 Developer Preview and Metro style apps on a 64-bit PC.
Note: This download does not include developer tools. You must download the Windows 8 Developer Preview with developer tools 64-bit (x64) to build Metro style apps.

Windows 8 Developer Preview English, 32-bit (x86)

DOWNLOAD (2.8 GB)
Sha 1 hash - 4E0698BBABE01ED27582C9FC16AD21C4422913CC
Includes a disk image file (.iso) to install the Windows 8 Developer Preview and Metro style apps on a 32-bit PC.
Note: This download does not include developer tools. You must download the Windows 8 Developer Preview with developer tools 64-bit (x64) to build Metro style apps.

Live SDK

The Live SDK provides a set of controls and APIs that enable applications to integrate Single Sign On (SSO) with Windows Live ID and access information from SkyDrive, Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger. To learn more, sign up for our technical preview.

System Requirements

The Windows 8 Developer Preview works great on the same hardware that powers Windows Vista and Windows 7:

• 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
• Taking advantage of touch input requires a screen that supports multi-touch
• To run Metro style Apps, you need a screen resolution of 1024 X 768 or greater

Notes about installing the Windows 8 Developer Preview

A clean install is supported on all builds, but you can upgrade if you are installing a download without the developer tools. You will receive the full set of migration options when setup is launched in Windows. To dual-boot, you must first boot from media and choose an alternative partition.

Install on:	Windows 8 Developer Preview with developer tools	Windows 8 Developer Preview without developer tools (32-bit or 64-bit)
Windows 7 and Windows Vista	Clean install only	You can keep accounts, files, and settings
Windows XP	Clean install only	You can only keep accounts and files

How to install the Windows 8 Developer Preview from an ISO image

The Windows 8 Developer Preview is delivered as an .iso image that must be converted into installation media stored on a DVD or a USB flash drive. On Windows 7, the easiest way to convert this file is to use Windows Disc Image Burner. On Windows XP and Windows Vista, a third-party program is required to convert an .iso file into installable media—and DVD burning software often includes this capability.
Note: The .iso file that contains the developer tools requires a large capacity DVD called a DVD-9, as well as a DVD burner that can handle dual-layer (DL) DVDs. Most modern burners should be able to handle this format.
Are you an MSDN Subscriber?
Go to the MSDN subscriber page to see additional developer preview downloads available.

Tags: downloads os windows 8

Windows 8 Beta Expected in Early 2012

Microsoft is reportedly on track to release Windows 8 on a similar time frame to Windows 7, with the first beta of the new OS appearing in early 2012. The software giant has not said officially when it will release Windows 8 or even when a beta version might appear.  But two sources claim a Windows 8 beta release is coming in the next few months.
Speaking with anonymous sources "close to Microsoft," The Next Web says Windows 8 beta version will launch in February.  But Winrumors claims the first stable test build of Windows 8 will appear a few weeks earlier in late January, according to its anonymous sources.
Whether it appears in January or February, an early 2012 beta release for Windows 8 is not particularly surprising. Many critics expect Windows 8 to follow a similar release schedule to Windows 7.
Microsoft in early January 2009 publicly released the beta version of Windows 7. The near-final version of Windows 7 (known as the release candidate) debuted four months later and on October 22 Windows 7 officially launched.
A Windows 8 launch in 2012 has also long been expected thanks to leaked documents and public statements by Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer. But there are also indications that Windows 8 may be finished bit more quickly than its predecessor. A Nokia executive recently let slip to a French newspaper that the Finnish handset maker plans to release a Windows 8 tablet in June 2012.
It's not clear if the Nokia executive meant the company will start producing the tablets or will actually be selling them in stores by June. If he meant the former, that still puts Windows 8's release along a similar schedule to Windows 7. Microsoft released Windows 7 to manufacturers in June 2009 so that device makers could begin incorporating the OS into their products. Windows 7 PCs were available in October of that year.

Tags: information windows 8

Windows 8 welcome screen revealed, looks very Metro

It's not really a secret the Microsoft had planned on bringing bits of Windows Phone 7's Metro UI to Windows 8, but we haven't seen a lot of really telling evidence. However, with the Windows 8 milestone 3 build now available to Microsoft Connect partners, it was really just a matter of time before we started to get a peek.

Thanks to Rafael Rivera and Paul Thurrott, we've now had a glimpse at what the Windows 8 welcome screen will look like. As you can see, the typography is very Metro indeed. Within Windows also mentions that the background image is customizable, and we're wondering if it might not pull from your current Windows 8 theme. This particular shot shows the CTRL + ALT + DELETE login option, but we imagine you'll still be able to log in by clicking your account picture tile as well.

Rivera and Thurrott also mention that the tablet version of the welcome screen will allow you to log in by swiping a pattern on the screen -- as you can on current Android devices.

Tags: information windows windows 8

Difference between windows 2003 and windows 2008

• Windows 2008 gives you two installation types, Full installation and Server Core installation,
• Windows server 2008 Installation is faster because it’s 32 bit where as 2003 it is 16 bit as well as 32 bit, Windows deployment services (WDS) instead of RIS in 2003 server

Tags: information windows windows 8

Download the Windows 8 Developer Preview

The Windows Developer Preview is a pre-beta version of Windows 8 for developers. These downloads include prerelease software that may change without notice. The software is provided as is, and you bear the risk of using it. It may not be stable, operate correctly or work the way the final version of the software will. It should not be used in a production environment. The features and functionality in the prerelease software may not appear in the final version. Some product features and functionality may require advanced or additional hardware, or installation of other software.

Tags: downloads os software windows 8

How to Create a Windows To Go USB Drive

Windows To Go is a new feature of Windows 8 that allows enterprises to provision a full corporate environment that will boot from a USB drive.  Once the instance of Windows 8 is booted it functions and is controlled by standard enterprise management tools such as SCCM and Active Directory group policies.  Work at home and disaster recovery are the primary use cases as Windows To Go can transform any PC into a corporate PC with your application stack, all on a USB drive. Windows To Go is also perfect for trying out Windows 8 on your primary machine without destroying your current OS.

Tags: hacking windows windows 8

How to Touch the Windows 8 Metro Interface

Windows 8 introduces a new touch paradigm that is different from other touch devices on the market. To help you get started I have outlined the basics of touch on Windows 8 that are used throughout the new Metro interface. Not all touch gestures are compatible with every Metro application; some are up to the developer to implement when appropriate.

Tags: hacking windows 8

Install Windows 8 on a Mac, Macbook: Step by Step BootCamp Guide

For all of the Mac owners longing to try out the latest revolution of technology offered by the new Windows 8 operating system, this simple guide will run you through the steps required to install it.
For all of the Mac owners longing to try out the latest revolution of technology offered by the new Windows 8 operating system, this simple guide will run you through the steps required to install it.

Tags: hacking Mac windows 8