Time Traveling with Windows

In November of 1983 Bill Gates officially announced Windows 1.0. The operating system would not launch until two years later, but that marked the beginning of Windows. This was the start of modern desktop computing and one that is only now beginning to see major shifts in what we expect from our computers. Getting back to Windows in the 30 years since that day we have seen the operating system undergo many different changes, in both design and functionality. Here is a timeline of Windows through the years. Do you remember all of these variations?

Windows 1.0

Windows 1.0 was released on November 20, 1985. It was Microsoft’s first attempt at a multi-tasking graphical user interface-based OS on the PC platform. The shell of Windows 1.0 was MS-DOS. Some popular apps in 1.0 included Calculator, Calendar, Cardfile, Clipboard viewer, Clock, Control Panel, Notepad, Paint, Reversi, Terminal and Write.

Windows 2.0

Windows 2.0 was released in December of 1987. With several improvements to the UI, including the ability to overlap windows, it became more popular than Windows 1.0. The overlapping feature led to Apple filing a suit against Microsoft for copyright infringement.

Windows 3.0

Windows 3.0 was released in 1990. it featured a more refined UI and improved design thanks to virtual memory and device drivers. Windows 3.0 was the first big success from Microsoft. It sold 2 million copies in the first six months. This was also the first version of Windows to include Solitaire.

Windows 95

Windows 95 was released on August 24, 1995. This was the first version of Windows to have the now famous “Start Menu.” The taskbar and Windows Explorer were also introduced in Windows 95. Thanks to its redesigned interface and new Start Menu Windows 95 became a huge success.

Windows 98

On June 25, 1998 Microsoft released Windows 98. Visually it looks very similar to 95, but with some important under the hood improvements. USB devices and multi-monitor configurations were supported for the first time.

Windows ME

On September 14, 2000 Microsoft released Windows ME (Millennium Edition). This was the last version of Windows to be based off of MS-DOS. it added UI enhancements and faster boot times along with better multimedia support. ME is most known for being one of Microsoft’s worst releases due to a number of compatibility and stability problems.

Windows XP

Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001. It came with a brand new UI and many improvements thanks to no longer being DOS-based. This was the first version of Windows to be offered in multiple versions: Home and Professional. Windows XP may be Microsoft’s biggest success. There are many people who still use XP to this day, however it is being officially retired in April 2014 which means there will be no more updates, patches or support provided by Microsoft.

Windows Vista

Microsoft followed the success of Windows XP on January 30, 2007 with Windows Vista. it contained new features from a redesigned UI and particular attention to security features. Like Windows XP, it was available in multiple versions. Vista is infamous for being hated by consumers even after Microsoft made considerable improvements through updates.

Windows 7

After the disaster of Windows Vista it was time for Microsoft to go back to the drawing board. They ditched the frilly names and released Windows 7 on July 22, 2009. Windows 7 was more focused and minimal compared to the bloated Vista. Some of the big new features include an updated taskbar and better windows organization. Windows 7 was a big success.

Windows 8

On October 28, 2012 Microsoft released their most significant change to Windows. In Windows 8 Microsoft removed the famous Start Button and Start Menu in favor of a touch-friendly “Metro” interface. User reaction to Windows 8 was mixed at best, but slowly it has become adopted. With Windows 8 Microsoft is once again ahead of the times. Windows 8 works wonderfully on touch screens and tablets but struggles on non-touch computers.

I hope you enjoyed this time travel through the history of the most successful operation system ever created.

The Windows Update Blues

OK so in the previous post I talked a little bit about Windows Update and how important it is that you have this setup properly in order to keep your PC up to date. In these times of trojans, worms, malware and viruses it is more important then ever before to keep your PC updated. However life is not perfect and neither are Microsoft's Windows Updates as I found out for myself this morning when I entered my office to see the following screen displayed.

Darn, I hadn't even turned my coffee pot on yet when I saw this!

Because I was aware that last night was "Patch Tuesday" for Microsoft I was certain that the update had gone horribly wrong and crashed my PC. Remember that I reported in the previous article the second Tuesday of each month is "Patch Tuesday" for Microsoft which means that these updates are usually automatically downloaded and installed if your PC is setup for this.

This does not usually happen, and it is no reason to not have these updates automatically downloaded on your PC, however once in a great the update will fail and depending on what was being updated at the time, damage can be caused to Windows. This was the case with my very own PC this morning.

What should you do if this happens to you?

First and most important do not panic.

• The first thing is simply trying to reboot the PC.
• The second thing to try is unplugging the PC for a moment or two, plug it back in and power it up.
• If these do not help try hitting F8 on boot to see if you can at least get the to configuration menu.
• Try the menu option, "Last Known Good Configuration".

Ok - now if this does not help your work is going to get a little more difficult. You need to check the hard drive for errors caused by the windows update errors. The best way to do this is to actually remove the hard drive from the computer and use a SATA/PATA/IDE Drive to USB adapter. By removing the drive and connecting it directly to another PC you can first make sure that your personal data is there and then you can check the disc for errors and repair any problems.

These adapter's can be found for under 20 dollars so it is good to always have one handy, just in case.

Once you have your hard drive plugged into another PC with the drive to USB adapter try the following:

• Open My Computer on your desktop.
• Right click on the drive letter that represents your malfunctioning hard drive. It will usually have a drive letter after your CDROM, something like E or F and so on.
• Select "properties".
• Select the "Tools" tab.
• Make sure the first check box "Automatically fix the system files" and select "Start".

This task may take 30 minutes or more to run depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of errors (if any) it needs to repair. Once completed try re-installing the hard drive into your PC and re-booting.

There is a very good chance this will repair the drive if it was indeed damaged by the failed Windows update. This is exactly how I was able to recover my PC from this very problem this morning and it only took me an hour or so.

If this does not work, well.... that's another story.

Getting to Know Windows Update



I have written here countless times how important it is to keep your computer up to date, both for security and performance issues. Microsoft is well aware of this and works to keep our computers up to date with "patches". Every second Tuesday of the month, Microsoft releases "patches" or "updates" for all of their operating systems. With Windows Update running on your PC these updates can, and should be scheduled to automatically download and install.

The one exception to this practice are servers which should have the "patches" and "updates" downloaded automatically however the installation of these changes should be manually completed by an IT professional on staff. However other then this situation it is almost always the best practice to have Windows Update running on your PC and scheduled to automatically download and install these updates.

You can check to make sure your PC is setup for this by:

1. Opening the Control Panel
2. Opening Windows Update
3. Open Change Settings
4. Make Sure "Install updates automatically (recommended) is selected.
5. Pick a time to install the new updates. I usually check 3am because in this manner I can be assured that while I am cozy and sleeping my computer is being updated by Microsoft.

By doing this you can be assured that your computer is up to date with Microsoft.

However, once in a great while this update can go horribly wrong as it did for me today, but that is a story for another day, or more likely my next post.

The Growing Security Risks of Windows XP

It is hard to believe that as Microsoft struggles to increase usage of their newest operating system Windows 8 many computer users are still chugging along with Windows XP. Windows XP was released 12 years ago on October 25, 2001. 12 years is an eternity in the tech world. The success of Windows XP can not be understated that is for sure. The operating systems that followed, Windows Vista (2007), Windows 7 (2009) and now Windows 8 (2012) are all huge improvements on XP and this refusal of many to move away from a decade old operating system confuses me.  However many computers users have become so comfortable with XP that change has often been difficult and slow. Microsoft is also a little to blame here as well. Being caught between a rock and a hard place they have continued to support XP at the same time as promoting their newer operating systems. However even this is about to end.

All of this being said, what follows should also be considered for users still relying on XP.

Computerworld reports that hackers have started storing up any fresh Windows XP exploits they find and are preparing to unleash them on unsuspecting XP users as soon as Microsoft stops supporting the operating system next year. Microsoft security expert Jason Fossen tells Computerworld that hackers who discover new exploits over the next few months may be able to charge twice what they’re charging now if they sell them after Windows XP support ends.

This essentially leaves Windows XP users with two options: They can pay Microsoft a high premium to continue supporting XP at their business or they can upgrade to newer platforms such as Windows 7 or Windows 8. For home users there are no support option for XP as of April 8, 2014.

More than a third of all desktop computers still use Windows XP so this could potentially be a big problem for users who do not understand that they will have to make some kind of change by next spring.

The Amazing History of Windows

I don't know and it's probably just me but I have NEVER bought into all the Apple hype. Don't get me wrong. Because I love me some music I have always been a fan of the iPod, and I admit that I use a iPad from time to time. However beyond that Apple devices have really never truly helped me get real work done. At my age of let's just say the late 40's Microsoft has been there all the way. From the mid 80's with MS-DOS and then Windows, Microsoft was often beat up and complained about, but it was always the OS (operating system) that was being used at home and the office. Software developers from the start wrote their solutions on top of Microsoft's language and many made boat loads of money along the way. Sure it has always been easy to complain along the way as blue screens of death often seemed to haunt us. However if there was no Microsoft Windows for the past 28 years (yes 28) would we really have been as productive as we were?

To give you an idea of what I am talking about, and in the defense of Microsoft's Windows check out this short history.

 

 

What I am basically saying here it that Windows has been around for 28 years and during that time has continued to dominate in both the home and professional market. Apple took off in about 2002 with first it's iPod, then it's iPhone and finally the iPad. All of these are amazing devices that is for sure, but even all of these combined pale in comparison with Microsoft's Windows operating system in respect to helping us get work done.