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Another Vista activation bypass: for real this time?
2007-03-05 15:37:02
Again, we're back on the similar news. Another Vista activation bypass surfaced, this time the utility is actually a "BIOS Emulation Toolkit" that skips the activation process entirely. This app though should work since it comes from infamous Paradox group. Why is this such a big news? There is a hack, key generator, or a crack for every single application and every single operating system out there. This does not mean the system is any less secure, or that any of those applications sucks - it's all marketing if you ask me. I bet the companies make their applications this way in order to get more sales. If everyone had to pay to legally use the software before deciding to buy - noone would even bother. But if you make it easy to crack - then people will download, they'll talk about it, and we shall all find out how a thing is cool or not. Sure there are trials, but who likes those time restrictive trials. Even when you know you will use the application for 2 days only - you ...
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Don't try to crack Vista's Activation - here is why...
2007-03-04 03:35:01
Last couple of days there's been a big fuss about a relatively easy way to crack Vista 's activation. I waited a bit before posting about it here, but after reading Robert McLaw's article in which he really explains nicely what it's all about, I decided it's time to write about it. For a full explanation on how this crack works, check out Adrian's explanation on ZDNet. Here is what Robert had to say which explains why you shouldn't use this method to activate your illegal copy of Vista. I could not have said it better: Here's the problem with this, folks. Previous Windows cracks have used leaked corporate activations keys to unlock Windows, which only really hurts Microsoft. This method actively steals a valid Product Key from Microsoft customers, because most keys can only be activated once. Think about that for a second. What if your mom just got home from laying down $150 for Windows Vista Home Premium, only to get it home and install it, and find out that ...
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nVidia 101.41 - SLI 6/7 SERIES! (Beta)
2007-03-04 03:35:01
Beta driver that adds support for NVIDIA SLI? support on GeForce 6 and 7 series GPUs - Note: These drivers are not WHQL.Improved OpenGL performance Improved NVIDIA SLI performance at high resolutionsGeneral application compatibility fixes This driver supports the following features: Single GPU support DirectX 9 support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs DirectX 10 support for GeForce 8800 GPUs OpenGL support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs NVIDIA SLI support DirectX 9 support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs OpenGL support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs NVIDIA PureVideo? HD technology DirectX 10 NVIDIA SLI support for GeForce 8800 GPUs will be available in a future driver Please read the release notes for more information on product support, feature limitations, and known compatibility issues Download 32bit: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x86 _101.41.htmlDirect DL: http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/101 ....bit_english.exeDownload 64bit: http://www.nvidia.com/object/winvista_x64 _101.4...
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Download Free Windows Vista Software from Microsoft
2007-03-04 03:35:01
Even though Microsoft 's Windows Vista has only been release for a short time, there are already some free additions from Microsoft. Verbatim from Blake Handler's Blog (The Road to Know Where): WINDOWS VISTA GOODIES Experience Pack includes four programs that provide unique functionality and fun to enhance your experience using a Tablet PC. Equation Writer - Easily add mathematical expressions to your papers. Handwrite a math equation, and then convert it into a neatly typewritten image to paste into a report or a presentation. Media Transfer - Copy or stream media files from your home computer to your Tablet PC, so that you can enjoy your favorite music, videos, or pictures wherever you go. Ink Crossword - Solve crosswords on your Tablet PC using your tablet pen. Twelve puzzles come with Ink Crossword. You can also download a free daily puzzle and purchase more puzzle packs online. Ink Flash Cards - Create flash cards to help you learn facts or study for an exam. ...
More About: Software , Windows Vista , Download

Slow Saturday but hey - There's a Lunar Eclipse
2007-03-04 03:35:01
I just got a BlackBerry so I've been quite busy playing with it (a great device by the way) - and the news on Vista pretty much all evolve about the possible big hoax on cracking the activation. True or not true, I did mention in the article that there is a way this is just a fake - but either way, there is a high possibility that such thing does or will exist and either way it will hurt end users. The truth is that Microsoft WILL give you another key but the point is WHY let people go through this. No-one deserves to go and spend an hour on the phone with MS Tech support for something they legally bought. Also, if this news is to believe as well, the "hacker" apologized to Microsoft for making this (be warned, spell check was not used in the apology): ...once the news got out, and Microsoft confirmed that it was investigating Vista KeyGen, the Computer User, the workaround's creator apologized to Microsoft. Computer User stated that he loved Windows Vista, and that he would disa...
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Animated 3D User Photo in Vista's Start Menu
2007-03-02 09:32:02
Andreas Verhoeven from AeroXperience (www.aeroxp.org) brings us a really sweet add-on for Vista . I know I am tired from the pretty but yet static user icon on the start menu - so with some clever programming he brings us back what Microsoft threw out in the first place. I'll let the following video speak for itself (watch the User Icon at the top right side!). If you cannot see the start menu, please press play at the bottom! It's a short video: All you have to do in order to get the same effect is run the little app. Do note that the application dynamically loads itself into explorer.exe (for which you might need elevated rights or be logged in as administrator). Because of this, the smallest mistake in this application will make explorer.exe go down. So, do I need to say: You use this application at your own risk! If you want this running at all times - just add it to your Start up folder :) Via: AeroXperience forums (www.aeroxp.com) (this thread)Get the a...
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Securing your drive with BitLocker
2007-03-02 09:32:02
If you are interested in using the added security which comes with Vista Ultimate, you probably thought about securing (encrypting) your drive with Bit Lock er. Before diving into this territory, familiarize yourself with the whole process. TechRepublic has a great Step-by-step article on how things should be done. Overview: The new BitLocker data protection system in Windows Vista provides volume-level encryption you can use to secure PCs and notebooks. George Ou walks through the process of configuring BitLocker encryption to safeguard your data. This download is also available as an article and a gallery. Good job TR! Via: TechRepublic
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Fix for Macbook hanging on sleep with Vista and Boot Camp
2007-03-02 09:32:02
Thanks to commentor Justin, Brandon found a solution for another Mac book issue with Vista . Turns out the problem is the Atheros wireless driver included in Apple?s Boot Camp release.  If you replace it with one that was released for the Thinkpad, it works flawlessly. Download the wireless driver Cool thing! I bet Vista loving Mac owners will be quite happy ;) For those of you who are new to the site, if you wanna get your Mac to run Vista in the first place, check out this post: http://www.vistajuice.com/2007/02/wanna_g et_your_macbook_to_run.php Via: BrandonLive.com
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Install Vista from a USB Key
2007-03-02 09:32:02
Straight from WindowsConnected (verbatim): Blogger Kurt Shintaku has created a HowTo guide to installing Windows Vista from a USB key. His post gives credit to our "How to create a bootable WinPE USB Key" as inspiration for writing it, so thanks Kurt for the link.  He says that this can get your install times into the sub ten minute range, WOW, this rivals what is capable from other methods like Windows Deployment Services. If you spend a lot of time rebuilding machine like Kurt and I do this is a great way to save yourself all kinds of time. He has a recommendation on a really fast USB key too that isn't expensive so check out his post. Great find! Now there is Finally use for my super fast Patriot Xtreme 4 gig memory stick I bought 4 months ago!! Via: WindowsConnected.com by Josh
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Probably the best way to play HD-DVD on a PC
2007-03-02 09:32:02
Yesterday I got a very nice email from Marco Slootmaekers, VistaJuice reader from Belgium and here is what he says: Hi there. You've got a fantastic website here, very informative, full of useful tips, reviews, and suggestions for Windows Vista users! Keep up the great work! You are one of my favorite websites. As a happy owner of a "reasonable" priced Xbox hd dvd-player (attached to my vista pc), I thought it would be an interesting idea to share some hardware tips/links I found on the internet, in order to playback all your favorite hd dvd movies...... First: Thanks for the nice comments about the web site, and for sharing the info with VistaJuice readers on how to do this. Marco continues: * Here some useful links for the use and configuration of the xbox hd dvd player on a pc: http://www.t3.co.uk/news/247/daily_column s/how_to_xbox_hd-dvd_on_your_pc http://www.whatpc.co.uk/personal-computer -world/features/2170703/xbox360-...
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Vista Guide - for those who like to read
2007-03-01 15:30:01
A new Windows Connected member, Mike Halsey, posted a link to the Vista Power Users Guide (PDF) that he wrote. In Mike's words: "I've written this quite comprehensive Power Users guide to Windows Vista.  It's intended for casual PC users to help them get the best out of the OS.  It's a 56 page guide to almost every aspect of Vista for home users including a glossary and an appendix on how to get started with Office 2007." I haven't had a chance to read through it all but as Corrine says: It is not only comprehensive, but professionally presented. Good Job Mike! Via: WindowsConnected
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More useful calculator
2007-02-28 21:28:02
If you are like me then during the course of a day you probably use the windows calculator a lot. The truth is it hasn't change much since Windows 1.0!!! I know since I have Windows 1.0 running under Virtual PC 2007 - and I was amazed at how same the calc looks like :) Well, there is a nicer, better one. Not like the ones that you can get for Windows XP under the PowerToys section, but a bit different. It has a unit converter, as well and here is how it looks like: You can get it straight from Microsoft's web site here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detail s.aspx?FamilyID=32b0d059-b53a-4dc9-8265-d a47f157c091&displaylang=en Via: MicrosBlog.com
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Dual-Boot Vista and XP
2007-02-28 21:28:02
One thign I noticed I never mentioned and it's quite important is that you are, of course, able to dual boot XP and Vista . If you need a good how-to guide, please check out WindowsTalk's guide. It's really nice! Here: http://www.windowstalk.org/dual_boot_vist a.htm
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A response to a comment
2007-02-28 09:28:01
First off let me apologize for a lot of comments not being displayed on the site. I set the spam filter Too High - and completely forgot to monitor the Junk Comm ent s folder. This caused a bunch of the comments to be junked without me even knowing about. I went through and approved all of those so they are published now. One did catch my eye and I think I should answer it in the post so everyone can read it and not just in the comments section. With this, we'll also begin a new trend on VistJuice - you can ask questions about things I did not cover in the blog, and I'll try to answer them. Please do keep it about Vista ;) So, here we go: Tim Hosey wrote in the comments on my "One month with Vista - my experience" post the following: I like your review of vista. It is in-depth, but you're rather biased. A lot of what you say makes Vista sound "revolutionary" and new! In reality, most of this stuff is just ripped entirely off of other companies. OS X is the biggest one, since ...
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The Real Microsoft Ultimate Wireless Keyboard
2007-02-28 09:28:01
I wanted to write about this since some time ago, well since Feb 22nd when I read about it on Gizmodo, but never got a chance to do so. So here you go - a first post in our Hardware category - the one, the only, Microsoft 's Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000!!! This keyboard is simply beautiful. Nicely curved, backlit keys, backlit Windows Logo, a nice little "landing pad"/charging station for a mouse, shortcut keys for almost anything you might ever need - Simply Amazing! I like the fact you can turn the backlight on/off too ;) So, without further ado, head over to Gizmodo's Photo Gallery and check it out. Here is one snapshot of the beauty: Via: GizmodoAlso check: Micosoft's page about the product ~$250through Froogle If anyone is so kind and wants to get me one - feel free to donate to the PayPal fund on the right - I'll get it right away and take pictures of me with it as a proof ;)
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About VistaJuice :)
2007-02-28 09:28:01
After 75 posts, over 10,000 unique visitors and about 1 month of being on-line, I think it is finally time to write a real post about Vista Juice :) As you may or may not know - we're here to "squeeze out the best from Windows Vista Experience" by bringing you all of the important news, tips, tricks, workarounds and such which will make your Vista experience a lot better one! The site is here to provide you an unbiased view to the new Vista world by showing you the bad tings too - not just all good ones. To use VistaJuice is quite easy - on the left side you have all of our sections, on the right side all of the tags as well as a really good integrated search - so there is no way for you not to find something I write about. A little bit about me: My name is Petar Smilajkov, mostly known as Peconi (read petsoni). I am a 25 year old self employed (php) Web Developer, and owner/founder of PeconiHosting.com... On the daily basis I use all of the operating systems ar...
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Vista's Photo Gallery quirks
2007-02-28 09:28:01
George Ou from ZDNet talks about some issues he encountered with Vista 's Photo Gallery . I do not like the Photo Gallery that much myself, primarily because of those little things he mentioned, but I did not find it a big issue. I always used a third party application for my photos - Namely Nikon's PictureProject which came with my Nikon D40, and lately Adobe's Lightroom - which I find just plain beautiful. The quirks in Vista's Photo Gallery are: Lack of support for RAW image formats. Camera manufacturers have the updates available on their sites - but according to George, Photo Gallery does prompt that the updates are available - but a click on a download button takes him somewhere else. I could not replicate this but maybe it's because I got the update from Nikon already. Images sometimes appear blurry if opened in the Photo Gallery or if they are shown in a slide show. I experienced this - and at first I thought I was the problem... It turns out Photo Gallery processes...

Vista WGA Problems - get an update
2007-02-28 09:28:01
ZDNet's Ed Bott reports on Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) problems in Vista . There are some actions a user may perform that may trigger Vista into thinking that someone is messing around with it's license and prompt a user to Activate Vista. It's now a known issue, as reported by Microsoft, in the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 931573, and it can be avoided by installing the update. Corrine from SecurityGarden reports: ... I am disappointed that Microsoft has not released KB 931573 at least as an "Important" update. First and foremost, if you operate Windows Vista, visit Windows Update : http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com or the Microsoft Download Center for Windows Vista: Update for Windows Vista 32-Bit Systems Update for Windows Vista 64-Bit Systems Cause (straight from Msoft):- This problem may occur because a specific system setting is removed when a program runs with administrative credentials. The removal of this system setting may cause a BIOS validation check to ...
More About: Problems , Problem

Keyboard Shortcuts when using Folder List
2007-02-28 09:28:01
Dave from VistaKnowledgeBase.com has a nice little post about useful keyboard shortcuts you can use while browsing your files in Explorer. F6 or Tab: Cycles the focus through out the window: Favorite Links, Folders, Main Window Alt+Left Arrow: can be used like the back button on your browser. It will open the previously viewed window and once you have used it you can use Alt+Right Arrow to move forward through the recently opened windows. Backspace: will take you to the parent disk or folder of whatever you are looking at F2: Rename the item you have selected ALT+Enter: Display the properties of the item selected CTRL+N: Opens a new window at the same point you are at Alt+D: Select the address bar. Usually followed up with a quick CTRL+C to copy the current location [F4 does the same thing] F11: Maximize or minimize current folder These really just scratch the surface, if you know of a great shortcut please leave it in the comments below! Thanks Dave (VistaKnowledgeBase.com)
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Sony still sucks but here is a bit of a workaround :)
2007-02-26 21:26:01
In response to the last post I made about Sony , new Vista compatible software/driver updates from Sony are still slow. This made me go around the Internet and look all over for some kind of solution, and guess what - I found it. It does not solve all of the issues, but a lot of them for sure. For one, my fingerprint login finally works again :) Here : Install the following FIRST:**a. Sony Utilities DLL Update**b. Sony Shared Library Update **Should be installed first no matter what, they are used by all the other Sony Utilities.c. VAIO Event Services Updated. SigmaTel High Def Audio Codec Updatee. VAIO Camera & Camera Utility Update f. S1/S2 Buttonsg. VAIO Power Managementh. Wireless Switching Utilityi. Texas Instruments® PCI7411 Integrated FlashMedia Controller Driver (XP driver - works fine)j. Sony® Visual Communication Camera VGP-VCC2 Driverk. ALPS Pointing Device (Touchpad) Driver and Control Utility (XP driver - works fine) l. UPek TouchStrip Driverm. GeForce Go7400 Drivers...
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More Vista Wallpapers - Really Nice Ones too! :)
2007-02-26 21:26:01
Vista's wallpaper photographer Hamad Darwish published more of those nice photos we all like that come with Vista as backgrounds. If you need some nice wallpapers, and who doesn't, check out his site and get them. Get them here: http://www.hamaddarwish.com/content/index .html Just for those interested, if you would like to be able to automatically make the same Photo Gallery he has on the site - simply get great Adobe's applicaiton called Photoshop Lightroom. It rocks! Via: Robert McLaw's
More About: Wallpaper , Wallpapers , Vista , Wall , Paper

Hey, hey - VistaJuice is getting some recognition
2007-02-26 21:26:01
It's really nice to be recognized for your work, and in my Vista Juice world, having a link back to a site is a really big thing. This time, we're on the front page news of Windows Connected blog! Thanks Corrine for allowing us to become a part of "Connected to Vista Bookmarks." For those who are unfamiliar with it, their goal is to "provide Windows Connected blog readers, subscribers and forum members with a master bookmark reference of reliable resources for locating information, help sites, tutorials and more on Windows Vista and related products." Check out www.WindowsConnected.com and their Forums as well! See all of the bookmarsks right here: Index: Connected to Vista Bookmarks Blogs and Community Forums Customizing Vista Features and Tutorials Internet Explorer 7 Microsoft Blogs Microsoft Websites Office 2007 and More Reviews and Collections Virtual PC 2007 Vista Compatible Antivirus Software Vista Security Help and Tutorials Vista Software, Drivers and Hardware ...
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SONY SUCKS!
2007-02-25 03:23:01
Yesterday I was browsing around CompUSA and I noticed that there is a same laptop I have (Vaio SZ-370) but running Vista without any issues. Sony put a same laptop, tagged it as SZ-470 - and just installed Vista on it. The issue is that all of the Vista compatible driver updates for my model (SZ-370) ARE NOT available yet for me to download - but they are clearly available on the SZ-400 series support page. Why is Sony doing this? SZ-400 series are clearly exactly same as SZ-300 series hardware-wise - the only difference is that they run Vista out of the box. All of the drivers in SZ-400 would work just FINE with my notebook - but Sony is not making them available to me... I talked to Sony Representative over Live Chat - all he could tell me is - keep on checking the website for new updates to your model! Idiot! I hate SONY!
More About: Suck , Sucks

Are you sure you do not want Vista? IT'S SEXY!
2007-02-25 03:23:01
I4U news has some nice photos. I have no idea what's going on, but I do not even care, here, take a look, and then jump to the closest MicroCenter and get a copy! :) Via MicrosBlog
More About: Vista , Sexy , Want , Sure

Bit Locker Drive Preparation Tool
2007-02-25 03:23:01
If you have considered running Bitlocker, Microsoft's drive encryption tool, but didn't want to bother with what it would take to setup your drives properly to support it, then you are in luck if you are running Windows Vista Ultimate edition or Enterprise edition Microsoft has made a tool just for you.  The Bitlocker Drive Preparation Tool is designed to help convert your existing install of Windows Vista into a setup that supports Bitlocker drive encryption. Windows Vista Ultimate users can get this utility today as an ultimate extra from the Windows Update control panel applet and if you are a Windows Vista  Enterprise customer you can head over the premier website and look under the tools section https://premier.microsoft.com/troubleshoo t.aspx?taid=tools or contact Microsoft customer support. This tool will automatically create an S: drive that is 1.5 GB in size and move over the required boot files.  This new partiti...
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An update for Start++ Issued
2007-02-24 15:22:02
Brandon got some help and tips from the comments on his Star t ++ app so a new version 0.3 is out. For an update go here: http://brandonlive.com/startplusplus/down load Also you may subscribe to Start++ updates via RSS
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Start++ is a cool little add-on to Vista
2007-02-23 15:21:02
Brandon Paddock, a guy I quoted on couple of things before for cool tips and opinions, just made available a nice little freeware app for Vista . He calls it Star t ++, and it surely is the right name for it. All of you who used Windows Desktop search on XP should know about those cool little shortcuts: type "g search terms" to search Google on the provided search terms. You could also launch programs, run scripts with parameters and more. Now, in Vista, we have the search integrated and some of this functionality provided straight from the Start Menu search bar - but, it lacks the shortcut functionality that Deskbar provided. Brandon expands Vista's own Search bar by enabling this once and again for us + he adds couple of cool new things too: typing "w genetics", searches the WikiPedia on the term 'genetics'. typing "g something", searches the Google for what that 'something' and my favorite: typing "sudo programNameOfYourChoice" will run that application with administra...
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1 month with Vista - My Thoughts
2007-02-23 15:21:02
It's been one month now since I first installed Vista on my Sony Vaio SZ-370 Notebook. Here is what I found that I really love and hate about Vista. Please make sure to read "The best things about Vista - My Two Cents". What I wrote about there still stands. In this post I will just expand more on things I do like - as an add-on to the previous post mentioned, and talk about some things I do not like. Installation I knew right away, a thing that's been buzzing around the net for a week or so now, Microsoft's Express Upgrade will be all but Express in the end. It is just logical, so even though I qualify for en Express Upgrade from Sony, on the 24th of January I went down to the Microcenter and got myself a nice Vista Ultimate OEM. I should say my girlfriend Sali actually bought it for me since I could not stop bragging about it for months before (thanks babe). I did not want to upgrade my XP, since from earlier experiences with upgrading other operating systems to XP the outcom...
More About: My Thoughts , Thoughts , With , Thought

Nvidia Forceware Vista 100.65 WHQL (Beta)
2007-02-23 15:21:02
Nvidia has released yet another beta set of video drivers for Windows Vista . This time, the release is International and WHQL certified. Included: WHQL Certified driver for GeForce 8800, GeForce 7 series, and GeForce 6 series GPUs Beta driver for NVIDIA SLI? support for GeForce 8800 GTX/GTS GPUs This driver supports the following features: Single GPU support DirectX 9 support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs DirectX 10 support for GeForce 8800 GPUs OpenGL support for GeForce 6/7/8 series GPUs NVIDIA SLI support DirectX 9 support for GeForce 8800 GPUs OpenGL support for GeForce 8800 GPUs DirectX 9 and OpenGL NVIDIA SLI support for GeForce 6 and 7 series GPUs and DirectX 10 NVIDIA SLI support for GeForce 8800 GPUs will be available in a future driver Download: 32-bit (54.3MB) | 64-bit (67.1MB) Via: NeoWin.net
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Windows Vista and Old Network Router Compatibility
2007-02-23 15:21:02
Via Vista Horizons we get the following info about some network routers and Vista issues: Some old network routers might not be compatible with some of Wind ows Vista's new networking features. Microsoft has issued knowledge base article kb932134 In short, Vista has a new networking stack that provides for increased traffic and IPv6 technologies that older routers can't handle. If you want to use these features, you may be able to upgrade your router firmware if the router is fairly new or you may just have to get a new router. The symptoms of incompatibility are: Page errors occur when you surf the Internet. Network performance is reduced. The network router may stop functioning, and you must reset the router. Updated firmware for popular routers can be found via these links: D-Link Windows Vista Support Linksys Support for Microsoft Windows Vista NETGEAR Product compatibility for Microsoft Windows Vista In my case, the old LinkSys wireless router 54G, which I purchased over ...
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