Mobile Gadget News :: Making Your Windows Mobile Life Simpler Community Blog List

abatis' Blog - Not sure about Vista - Try it for a 120 Days

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 12:02:41 -0700

From Buch Hodges: Every Vista DVD includes the ability to install any edition of Vista without a product key. When you install without a product key, you get an automatic 30 day evaluation period.* This probably isn't news to anyone.

What may be news to you, however, is that you can easily extend the 30-day Windows Vista grace period to 120 days. No hacks required. This is an official, supported operation directly from Microsoft.

To extend the grace period another 30 days, simply start a command prompt as Administrator, and issue this command:

slmgr -rearm

Reboot for the change to take effect, and voila, you have 30 more days. You can only extend three times, so the total grace period for a Vista evaluation is 120 days. You do, however, need to be careful that you've installed the correct edition of Vista. At the end of that 120 day grace period, you'll have to pony up a license fee for the edition of Vista you've installed.

abatis' Blog - Vista User Access Protection can drive you nuts, how to turn it off/on

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:42:33 -0700

The Vista User Access Protection can drive you nuts as you transfer and setup files and programs to your new Vista install. If you want to turn it off in the short-term (not recommended for normal ops) here's how to turn it on or turn it off.
Enable or Disable UAP:

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Select System and Maintenance
4. Click Administrative Tools
5. Double-click System Configuration
6. Click Continue (if prompted)
7. Select the Tools tab in the System Configuration window
8. Here you can choose Disable UAP or Enable UAP from the bottom of the listbox
9. Click Launch
10. Reboot to see effect

abatis' Blog - Vista - My Early Woes to use the Family Discount Offer

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 10:04:04 -0700

I share these early Vista woes with you only to let people know they are not the only ones with a few issues. First, Vista Ultimate 64 bit runs fantastic on my ASUS A8N-Sli board and AMD X2 4800 CPU. However, a few launch foibles are troubling many.
Update 2/3/07 - New email from MS with valid keys. Hooray.
Update 2/2/07 The Keys Microsoft issues are not for Vista and do not work. But here is a work around for the meantime.
With a clean drive, install Vista by booting from the DVD but do not enter the key when asked. This installs Vista as a 30 day trial. Once complete, run the installation from inside Vista and do an in-place upgrade. Paul Throratt came up with that one.

Update 1/31 12:30 MST - Family Offer site is now working.

For instance, I wanted to use the Family Discount Offer to get two Vista Home Premium licenses for $50 bucks each. That way I can upgrade the kids machine for a total of $100. This is all done from the following Windows Family Discount Site. The only problem, the offer does not work for me and many others as discussed over at the Vista Community site. Al little disappointing the MS site does not work properly.

Second if you access the site from IE7 under Vista Ultimate 64 (maybe other versions as well), the security graphic does not appear and you have to listen to an audio 10 digit code to enter the offer information. Do they really want it to be this big a pain in the you know what?

I think the VISTA User security features are also going to drive people nuts with the dialog boxes. But I will be turning that off.

On the positive Halo loaded right up and played nice.

GrYph0n's Blog - Life is Hectic...

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 21:49:54 -0700

Well folks, I am sure some of you may have noticed that I haven't been around that much lately. I would like to apologize for that. I am around from time to time, but usually don't find a need to post too much (Our great staff and member base usually beats me to it). I really haven't had much time to my self these days, and it is only getting more and more hectic and fast paced. I am in a workup cycle to head over to Iraq this summer sometime. I will be gone longer this time than I was on the last deployment, but you better believe that I will be keeping everyone posted on things (if at all possible), just like I did on my last deployment.

Some may be wondering what I have been up to these last few months. Well, honestly I have been spending a lot of time training or in the field. I have also been attending professional Marine Corps schools (I'm in one now for the next 9 weeks). I get a lot of homework, and there is a lot of field time with this school as well, so I will be around even less in for a while. I am not stepping down or away, just thought I would let everyone know what I have been up to lately. I will leave you with this picture that was taken a few weeks ago, out on a range to become more familiar with foreign weapons (AK-47).

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abatis' Blog - I bought an XM Radio

Mon, 08 Jan 2007 20:30:34 -0700

Lately I have been doing some serious long drives across the Western US including Colorado to California and Colorado to Montana. I get pretty bored with CDs and my usual music on these drives. My regular music is OK for a 3 to 5 hour flight but a 10 plus hour drive requires additional stimulation. I ended up getting a Pioneer Inno XM. It is a nice device that allow you to make your own Playlist (MP3, WMA) and has access to the 170 plus XM channels. The unit is not cheap but currently includes a $50 manufacturer rebate. The rebate will just about cover the cost of a car kit so you can use the Inno in the car without a headset. The unit comes with everything you need to hook up to as home stereo. The car kit is needed if you want to connect to your FM car receiver using the Inno FM transmitter. So far I am impressed with the XM choices and the versatility of the Pioneer Inno.

Reydio static - Where to see my latest postings...

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 17:37:43 -0700

Hi everyone!

With my new status as Editor Emeritus, you may see me posting here less frequently as I will be devoting my attentions to my section on the Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine Board of Experts blog.

I'll still post on the MGN front page from time to time, but to get all of my latest editorials, reviews, advice, etc., you can visit me there or at my bi-monthly usergroup meetings when posted at www.mobilecomputingsig.com.

Here's the direct link to my page:
http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=31

Hope to see you there!

abatis' Blog - Independent Windows Developer Co-Op for Your Sales

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 06:42:38 -0700

Recently MobileGadgetNews posted the story of John Cody, an independent Windows Mobile software developer and his plight with Handango. Apparently mis-understanding and mis-communication led to John and his company, Omnisoft, being dropped by Handango. After reviewing this I thought "Why don't these independent software developers get together and form a Co-Op to sell their Windows Mobile software. All these products are delivered via internet or over the wire so there is no hassle of packaging, delivery logistics etc. Actions independent developers could take may include:

1. Form a developers board of director for the sales co-op and set standards. Make the organization itself a not for profit.
2. Assess the cost to bring a web platform for sales up and seed with a co-op membership fee. With todays reseller technologies I can't believe this would be a huge expense.
3. Use sites such as MGN to get the word out to the market place.

Developers, why not take control and give the end-users a better service than the hassles we all go through with some of the current vendors. Plus no middleman to clip everyone, consumer and developer.

GrYph0n's Blog - Just Entered the Windows LiveSpace Network

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 18:51:28 -0600

Well I just recently updated my MSN Passport to an email address that I actually use and have access to. In doing so, I started playing with some of the LiveSpace stuff. I like how I can add, edit, remove, etc. all from my phone, any WM Device, or computer. I have uploaded a bunch of pictures from my deployment, and I am continuing to play with things on there as well. Looks like MS is taking a stab at MySpace as well as everyone else out there. Hmmm... World domination attempt... (maybe). At any rate, if you do so desire, you can check out my LiveSpace at the following link...

http://gryph0n0311.spaces.live.com

It is so great to be back home........

GrYph0n's Blog - Long time no See...

Thu, 17 Aug 2006 15:45:49 -0600

Well it has been a while since the last time I could post. I am happy to report that I am back home in the good ole U.S.A. Since my last post, I had a brief and uneventful visit to Hawaii. About the only thing I got out of that stop was anxioty of returning home, beer, testing my phone on the Cingular network, and setting up exchange push. I can say that everything with the Smartflip works perfectly in all aspects. I am happy that I am not faced with the same problems as many QTek 8500 owners faced. Things work perfectly here in the CONUS (Contentinal United States) as well. This phone is far superior to my trusty SMT5600, and will be something I will hold onto until something similiar comes out offering 3G. I have a few awesome gadgets to play with as well which I won't get into now, but will later. I have the Parrot Rythm n'Blue car stereo / BT Hands free system (completly awesome, with flawless contact sync, etc.), and the ultra slim new Global-Sat BT359W GPS Reciever (which can lock on under a garadge under my dash quickly). I will get some reviews up soon (I hope, but other more pressing things in life at the moment).

Right now, I just got my laptop reconnected to my home network (D/L'ed Windows Updates and program updates for the last several hours with 5MB speeds, ), and I am sitting on my deck having a few drinks and exploring things with true high speed internet (oh, how I have missed that).

Anywho, just thought I would keep those that only follow my blog, posted on more current events, and also leave you with the new and improved GrYph0n homescreen...

I call it GrYph0nMobile05, and here it is. If anyone is interested in this screen for modifications, etc. let me know and I will post the needed files. Also have another question for SPWM5 users, does your phones come with a homescreen Carrier plugin that will take you to the CommManager or is that an i-Mate thing?

[attachmentid=220]

Let me know what you think, and at any time feel free to PM me or seek me out in the forums...

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abatis' Blog - One Year with the Samsung i730

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 11:21:11 -0600

I celebrated one year using my Samsung i730 this last month. That is a new milestone for me and a Windows Mobile device. Rarely have I kept using a particular SP or PPC for more than six months as my primary device. I have owned several MPX200s, Audiovox 5600 (still have two), I-mate PDA2K, I-Mate SP5, Motorola Q (lasted two days), Voq (A11 and still own an A10) and most recently bought my wife a Qtek 8500 (Great SP).

But I have to ask myself why have I not bought some other newer model PPC or SP to replace this one year old Samsung i730. My main reasons for keeping it are:

It is an EVDO capable PPC. I can tether faster than GPRS, I have fast internet surfing and communication.
It has a thumb-pad.
The size is more appealing to me than the bulky PDA2K I was using.
Verizon has updated the operating to WM5.
The phone has a nice build and a very good screen.
The voice side of this PPC phone works fine compared to other PPCs I have tried.
It is widely supported by hackers like SuperDave over at PDAPhoneHome, eg. A2DP hack for BT stereo.

Other than the Qtek 8500 which is a SP and thus limited, I have not ran across a replacement for the i730 - yet. Actually I am waiting for the Samsung i770 - PPC but a flipper - it better be thin and use a SD card.