Innovative Technology Weblog

Microsoft decided not to include a copy of the old WinHlp.exe in the Windows Vista RTM and wanted some time to update/redo it for security reasons.  Not a bad idea..

See the breif  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917607 article for more information.

But it appears that the updating work is over and it is now available for all those older .HLP files you can’t open on Vista unless you copy over your old Windows XP version..

Download it here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=6ebcfad9-d3f5-4365-8070-334cd175d4bb

|\\arco..

Found this interesting list of possible hotfixes that could be included in the upcoming SP1.
http://vistasp1.net/

Also makes a good list of patches to try out if you run into issues or strange behavior.

|\\arco..

Microsoft Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003 is part of Microsoft Windows Volume Activation 2.0. It allows enterprise users to host Key Management Service on Windows Server 2003 to enable activation of Windows Vista using Key Management Service (KMS) Key.

Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003 enables deployment of Windows Vista using current and released server operating system. It uses the Windows Vista KMS key provided through Microsoft’s Volume Licensing System portals (MVLS, eOpen). The KMS host can be activated using either online or offline methods. It uses the same interfaces and tools as KMS on Windows Vista including:
• Software Licensing API, WMI interfaces, error codes, logging events
• SLMGR.VBS and KMS Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager

Download here:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=81d1cb89-13bd-4250-b624-2f8c57a1ae7b&DisplayLang=en

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For those involved with Vista deployments and looking at using BitLocker with BDD/LiteTouch you probably need to look at the updated BDEHDCFG.EXE tool:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=930063

It basically provides a way to automatically resize your existing partition and add a new partition for BitLocker and make it the active partition, called a “split-load” configuration. 

Part of the Windows Vista Ulimate Extras as well:
http://windowsultimate.com/blogs/extras/archive/2007/01/07/bitlocker-and-efs-enhancements.aspx

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Due to the consumer lanuch, if you have a Vista machine (even still RC2!) you can sign up and recevie free T-Mobile HotSpot service until April 30, 2007.

I can’t find information if this is valid outside of the United States, so I believe it might be limited to the US.  This is the direct link, instead of the wacky www.skysurprise.com site that was setup to market it..

http://hotspot.t-mobile.com/vista/awareness.asp