Getting Vista To Let Me Uninstall Old Drivers And Add New Ones With User Account Control ~ IT Professionals
By Greg Hughes at http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/it/author/greg-hughes/
I spent a good day and a half (off and on) trying like heck to get rid of some drivers that ended up being problematic in Vista on my new Z61t ThinkPad (which is a nice laptop by the way). The integrated Verizon WAN card was not happy (it needed updated drivers) and one of the virtual device drivers for the DVD-RAM drive was causing Vista to complain a lot. Despite al my attempts, the system would not allow me to remove or change them. There was not much helpful information about why my attempts were failing, though. After a while it was obvious there was a pretty serious access control problem.
It became clear that the issue I was likely up against was the new permissions and user account access limits established by Vista and its new security model. In order to get Vista to allow me, for example, to uninstall the software in question I had to go into the user management applet in the control panel and disable User Account Control (UAC), despite the fact that my account was configured as an admin. Now all has been rectified and is well.
Interestingly, I have seen one application that, when run, included a button to elevate the privileges of the user running the app temporarily and just for that app so configuration data could be saved. Cool stuff and well-designed.
So, Vista’s User Account Control certainly works - maybe even almost too well (if that’s really possible). While I had to disable it to remediate some issues related to drivers that were installed under XP originally, that’s not necessary for items installed under Vista post-upgrade. And UAC is turned back on now, just as it should be.
Monday 27 August 2007
How to use System Restore to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account
INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to use the System Restore feature to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account.
Back to the top
MORE INFORMATION
If you cannot log on to Windows Vista, you can use the Windows Vista System Restore feature.
You may be unable to log on to Windows Vista in the following scenarios:
• Scenario 1: You recently set a new password for the protected administrator account. However, you do not remember the password.
• Scenario 2: You type the correct logon password. However, Windows Vista does not accept the password because the system is corrupted.
• Scenario 3: You delete a protected administrator account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
• Scenario 4: You change a protected administrator account to a standard user account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
To use System Restore to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account, follow these steps.
Note To do this, there must be a System Restore point at which the logon was successful.
1. Insert the Windows Vista DVD, and then restart the computer.
2. When you receive the following message, press any key:
Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
3. Set the following preferences, and then click Next:
• Language to install
• Time and currency format
• Keyboard or input method
4. Click Repair your computer, select the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
5. Click System Restore, and then click Next.
6. Click the restore point that you want to use, and then click Next.
Note Click a restore point that will return the computer to a state where the logon is successful. After you use the System Restore feature, reinstall any programs or updates that may be removed. You will not lose any personal documents. However, you may have to reinstall programs. You may also have to reset some personal settings.
7. Confirm the disks that you want to restore, and then click Next.
8. Click Finish, and then click Yes when you are prompted.
9. When the System Restore process is complete, click Restart to restart the computer.
10. After the computer restarts, click Close to confirm that the System Restore process has finished successfully.
11. Use an appropriate method to log on. For example, log on by using an older password, or log on by using another computer account.
After you log on, you must follow additional steps, depending on the scenario that you experience.
Additional steps for scenario 1
1. After you log on, change the password for the protected administrator account.
2. After you change the password, restart the computer. Make sure that you can log on by using the new password.
Additional steps for scenario 2
1. After you log on, make sure that each user account can log on by using the appropriate credentials.
2. Change the password for the user account that cannot log on.
Additional steps for scenario 3
1. After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account.
2. Log on by using the new protected administrator account. Then, delete the older protected administrator account that was restored.
Note For safety reasons, do not use the restored protected administrator account.
Additional steps for scenario 4
1. After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account.
2. Log on by using the new protected administrator account.
3. Change the old protected administrator account to a standard user account.
INTRODUCTION
This article describes how to use the System Restore feature to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account.
Back to the top
MORE INFORMATION
If you cannot log on to Windows Vista, you can use the Windows Vista System Restore feature.
You may be unable to log on to Windows Vista in the following scenarios:
• Scenario 1: You recently set a new password for the protected administrator account. However, you do not remember the password.
• Scenario 2: You type the correct logon password. However, Windows Vista does not accept the password because the system is corrupted.
• Scenario 3: You delete a protected administrator account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
• Scenario 4: You change a protected administrator account to a standard user account. Now, you cannot log on to another administrator account.
To use System Restore to log on to Windows Vista when you lose access to an account, follow these steps.
Note To do this, there must be a System Restore point at which the logon was successful.
1. Insert the Windows Vista DVD, and then restart the computer.
2. When you receive the following message, press any key:
Press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
3. Set the following preferences, and then click Next:
• Language to install
• Time and currency format
• Keyboard or input method
4. Click Repair your computer, select the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
5. Click System Restore, and then click Next.
6. Click the restore point that you want to use, and then click Next.
Note Click a restore point that will return the computer to a state where the logon is successful. After you use the System Restore feature, reinstall any programs or updates that may be removed. You will not lose any personal documents. However, you may have to reinstall programs. You may also have to reset some personal settings.
7. Confirm the disks that you want to restore, and then click Next.
8. Click Finish, and then click Yes when you are prompted.
9. When the System Restore process is complete, click Restart to restart the computer.
10. After the computer restarts, click Close to confirm that the System Restore process has finished successfully.
11. Use an appropriate method to log on. For example, log on by using an older password, or log on by using another computer account.
After you log on, you must follow additional steps, depending on the scenario that you experience.
Additional steps for scenario 1
1. After you log on, change the password for the protected administrator account.
2. After you change the password, restart the computer. Make sure that you can log on by using the new password.
Additional steps for scenario 2
1. After you log on, make sure that each user account can log on by using the appropriate credentials.
2. Change the password for the user account that cannot log on.
Additional steps for scenario 3
1. After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account.
2. Log on by using the new protected administrator account. Then, delete the older protected administrator account that was restored.
Note For safety reasons, do not use the restored protected administrator account.
Additional steps for scenario 4
1. After you log on, use the User Accounts item in Control Panel to create a new protected administrator account.
2. Log on by using the new protected administrator account.
3. Change the old protected administrator account to a standard user account.
Monday 20 August 2007
EasyBCD Documentation Home - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki
An essential tool for Vista/XP dual-boot is EasyBCD, a free application from Neosmart. Read about it at:
EasyBCD Documentation Home - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki
There is also a documentation PDF at http://neosmart.net/wiki/download/attachments/3/EasyBCD+Documentation.pdf
EasyBCD Documentation Home - NeoSmart Technologies Wiki
There is also a documentation PDF at http://neosmart.net/wiki/download/attachments/3/EasyBCD+Documentation.pdf
How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide | APC Magazine
One problem I have with Vista is that certain XP-happy programs (eg Camtasia Studio) either don't work (in the case of version 3) or have limited functionality (in the case of CS v4, since disabling of hardware acceleration, for smooth capturing of on-screen video, is not possible.)
Note: According to Microsoft, it is possible to disable hardware acceleration under Vista by editing the registry. But the advice on how to do this is seriously flawed. For intance, even the reference to Microsoft in the edited registry entry is mis-spelled:
A solution could be to set up dual-boot, with XP available for when I want to use hardware acceleration (or indeed any other program which has problems with Vista).
Suggestion on how to do this can be read at:
How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide APC Magazine
You'll also need to download EasyBCD from http://neosmart.net/downloads/software/EasyBCD/EasyBCD%201.6.exe
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has tried this.
Note: According to Microsoft, it is possible to disable hardware acceleration under Vista by editing the registry. But the advice on how to do this is seriously flawed. For intance, even the reference to Microsoft in the edited registry entry is mis-spelled:
- Disable Hardware Acceleration Option
Registry key Value type
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsof\Avalon.Graphics\DisableHWAcceleration
DWORD
The disable hardware acceleration option enables you to turn off hardware acceleration for debugging and test purposes. When you see rendering artifacts in a application, try turning off hardware acceleration. If the artifact disappears, the problem might be with your video driver.
( http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa970912.aspx)
A solution could be to set up dual-boot, with XP available for when I want to use hardware acceleration (or indeed any other program which has problems with Vista).
Suggestion on how to do this can be read at:
How to dual boot Vista and XP (with Vista installed first) -- the step-by-step guide APC Magazine
You'll also need to download EasyBCD from http://neosmart.net/downloads/software/EasyBCD/EasyBCD%201.6.exe
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has tried this.
Going To Have To Pay For Vista SP1!? ~ Gurk’s Word
From http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/gurk2005/2007/08/17/going-to-have-to-pay-for-vista-sp1/
Going To Have To Pay For Vista SP1!? ~ Gurk’s Word: "Going To Have To Pay For Vista SP1!? by gurk2005 on August 17, 2007 at 8:37 pm · Comments Categorized by General / Related Information
While reading emails today I noticed someone named Char emailed me to inform me of a Vista rumor. This might be true. With the many people who bought Windows Vista when it was first released back in January earlier this year (2007), people started to notice problems with Vista. Wanting to figure out what they can do either reading up on it or listening to conversations they might have heard about SP1 being released and taking care of those problems. Hearing that Vista SP1 is their only hope. Me with a number of people want to stay with Vista to see what is to come of it or at least stay around long enough to see what happens with Vista after SP1 is released. Char informed me that eventually when SP1 is released it might cost us. Yes, I did say that we will have to pay for it. Keep in mind this is just a rumor. If it does come true how many of us will actually pay for it, and how many of us will move to something free like Linux? How many of us will remember what was like when Vista first came out with the bugs it had and feel convenient enough to give or money to Microsoft once again and trust that our money is going to buy us SP1 without any problems and will also fix all of our problems we are experiencing with Vista. Keep in mind this is still just a rumor. Thank you Char for the news. "
Going To Have To Pay For Vista SP1!? ~ Gurk’s Word: "Going To Have To Pay For Vista SP1!? by gurk2005 on August 17, 2007 at 8:37 pm · Comments Categorized by General / Related Information
While reading emails today I noticed someone named Char emailed me to inform me of a Vista rumor. This might be true. With the many people who bought Windows Vista when it was first released back in January earlier this year (2007), people started to notice problems with Vista. Wanting to figure out what they can do either reading up on it or listening to conversations they might have heard about SP1 being released and taking care of those problems. Hearing that Vista SP1 is their only hope. Me with a number of people want to stay with Vista to see what is to come of it or at least stay around long enough to see what happens with Vista after SP1 is released. Char informed me that eventually when SP1 is released it might cost us. Yes, I did say that we will have to pay for it. Keep in mind this is just a rumor. If it does come true how many of us will actually pay for it, and how many of us will move to something free like Linux? How many of us will remember what was like when Vista first came out with the bugs it had and feel convenient enough to give or money to Microsoft once again and trust that our money is going to buy us SP1 without any problems and will also fix all of our problems we are experiencing with Vista. Keep in mind this is still just a rumor. Thank you Char for the news. "
We all hate Vista!
This is a blog for people who have found Vista (all flavours) a bad development for Windows. Share your experiences and solutions.
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About Me
- Karl
- I am posting here chapters from my unpublished 1989 novel about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, set in modern times. The Roman soldiers carry sub-machine guns, the birth takes place in a car park shed, and Judas is a terrorist. At the moment, chapters are displayed in the order they are posted, but in due course, they will appear in the order they appear in the book.