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Windows 7 Now Available on TechNet

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Windows 7 Beta 1 is now available to TechNet subscribers. The 64 bit and 32 bit versions are in the downloads section, along with a hot fix, language packs and a drivers pack.

I though it was Interesting to see the instructions to the DVD, “backup all MP3 files before installing Windows 7”. That hot fix in the directory also needs to be installed which solves the mp3 issue. The problem with Windows 7 and MP3s is covered by a Knowledge Base Article, (kb961367) and information about the problem can be found at BlogsDNA.

Be sure to check it out.

Digital TV Transition in Canada

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The Industry Canada plan for the transition to Digital Television in Canada has been released. You can download the plan at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/vwapj/DTV_PLAN_Dec08-e.pdf/$file/DTV_PLAN_Dec08-e.pdf

Nothing major crazy in the plan, but some stations are moving which will affect the type of antenna you have. If you are looking for an antenna, check out the antenna chart at Digital Home. It is a really good guide for selecting the proper antenna for your needs. Its is based on real life experience, not theory.

I had a Channel Master 4221 clone for a while here at my apartment for my flat screen LCD and I was very happy with the results for UHF and even VHF-Hi, which it is not supposed to be good. The antenna is now at my girlfriend’s parents place working as a their main antenna and they have been happy with the results for their analog reception. Once Tracey and I get a house, my plan is to get a Channel Master 4228 as well as a good VHF only antenna and a FM antenna for the stereo.

If you want more information on Digital television available Over The Air, checkout of the knowledge base and forums over at Digital Home

Installing Hyper-V Server

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I installed Hyper-V Server a couple of weeks back. I decided to use the standalone server as opposed to installing Windows Server 2008 and adding the virtualization role. I really like how the Hyper-V Server was easy to install and the fact that the guest OS’s sit on top of the Hyper-V Server so there is no host OS that could get screwed up. Yes technically it shares the same kernel as Windows 2008 Server, but the fact you can’t do much with it really helps the stability.

Anyways, I installed Hyper-V server and put two guest OS’s on top. I then found the machines couldn’t route traffic off the guest OS’s, even though they were getting IP addresses from the networks DHCP server and I was able to manage them through the client admin tools. After doing some searches on the internet, I found out it was a common issue. I ended up having to download the network card drivers from the web and installing them. In my case, the drivers were a gui install, but I put them on a memory stick anyways, plugged in the stick to the Hyper-V Server and in the host OS, ran the client command. It installed showing a GUI and after a reboot, the NIC was working properly from within the guest operating systems.

It’s pretty slick and presently the server is in my office as I plan to install more RAM and a quad-core CPU into the server and install a few more guest operating systems.