Attending the 2011 Microsoft MVP Global Summit

Tomorrow I start my long journey from Jamaica to Seattle to attend one of the hottest events if not the hottest event in the technology industry exclusive to Microsoft MVP’s, the 2011 Microsoft MVP Summit. This is very exciting for me because as a Technology and Microsoft Windows Enthusiast I get to meet the people behind the products we use every day. Also, its a chance to network with hundreds of fellow MVP’s from different technology disciplines from all around the world. Its like a United Nations of Geeks all with similar visions and goals, to help make Microsoft products better and to advocate customer representation.

Being a Microsoft MVP is such a major privilege for me, I am still in awe that I have been awarded. Now for me to experience what some would call the pinnacle of being an MVP is even more incredible when you think about it.

I am excited to visit the Microsoft Redmond Campus and see Seattle, hopefully I will be able to do some quick sight seeing on Sunday if all goes well. If not, just being able to visit Microsoft will be a very exciting experience! I plan to take lots of pictures of the area and regularly take pictures of what is allowed. Speaking of what is allowed, I won’t be able to share anything about the summit itself regarding what will be announced or discussed with Microsoft officials, its all under Non-Disclosure Agreement.

The purpose of the NDA is to protect Microsoft intellectual property, avoid releasing information about products still under development, avoid jeopardizing Microsoft’s competitive edge and just strengthen that trust Microsoft wants to have in us as MVP’s. It’s a privilege, so we have to keep it that way!

It will be a long journey from Jamaica to Seattle, I will have some delays along the way, especially in Miami, with a quick connection in Chicago then straight to Seattle. I am packed and ready to go, but nervous as hell, an excited kinda nervous! You can keep up with what’s going on by following me at http://twitter.com/adacosta and use the hashtag #mvp11 to search for tweets from the summit.

Resources:

MVP Global Summit – Microsoft Most Valuable Professional
MVP Global Summit 2011 Blog
The Official Microsoft MVP Community | Facebook
MVPAwardProgram – Twitter
MVP Global Summit (mvpglobalsummit) on Twitter

 

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Microsoft MVP,Microsoft MVP Summit,2011,Seattle,Bellevue,Redmond,Microsoft Campus,#mvp11,Software,Technology,Andre Da Costa,Jamaica

Windows 7 SP1 RTW now available!

The first major maintenance update for Windows 7, Service Pack 1 is now ready for download.

Microsoft released the first beta back in June 2010 followed by a Release Candidate late October 2010 and the final RTM availability (February 16th 2011 MSDN/TechNet subscribers) and public Availability (February 22nd 2011). Unlike previous Service Packs, Windows 7 SP1 does not contain any major improvements; it’s basically a rollup of updates that have been released for the operating system since it went to manufacturing July 22nd 2009. If you have been diligently updating your computer through Windows Update since then, you basically have most of what SP1 has to offer.

You can download it HERE

Also check out the Notebooks.com article I authored for information to help ensure a smooth installation HERE 

Additional resources and troubleshooting information below:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/uninstall-sp1 

Steps to take before installing Win7 SP1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2505743

Free unlimited installation and compatibility support is available for issues related to Windows 7 Service Packs.

Availability of chat, phone or e-mail support differs depending on your geographic location. Some issues may require more advanced support for which there may be a charge:

https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&gprid=14496&&st=1&wfxredirect=1&sd=gn 

Learn how to install Win 7 SP1
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/learn-how-to-install-windows-7-service-pack-1-sp1

Win7 SP1: Installation tips
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2011/02/16/windows-7-sp1-follow-up.aspx

Troubleshooting steps:

Rename the Software Distribution folder:

Click Start Menu > Type %windir% and Press ‘OK’
Locate the SoftwareDistribution folder
Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder and then right-click > Rename
Type SoftwareDistributionOld Press ‘ENTER’

1. Click Start type cmd (you should see the command prompt populate at the top) Right-click it and select Run as Administrator
Inside the prompt type sfc /scannow
*Info on the System File Checker
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833

2. Click: Reset Windows Update Componentsand run the FixIt? in both default and aggressive modes. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

3. Download / Install / Run theSystem Update Readiness Tool (Links below, please take note and ensure you install the correct 64 or 32bit option for your system)

Download the System Update Readiness Tool (64bit) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=914FBC5B-1FBA-4BAE-A7C3-D2C47C6FCFFC

Download the System Update Readiness Tool (32bit) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyId=44e15787-66b0-4e9c-9c3b-1fc9ea40f69f&displaylang=en 

Technorati Tags: Windows 7 SP1 RTW,Service Pack 1,SP1,Windows 7,Microsoft,Operating Systems,Notebooks.com,Tips,Troubleshooting

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 coming Feb. 22nd 2011

Microsoft announced today that it has finalized the first maintenance update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, Service Pack 1. The update contains a collection of minor updates and fixes that have been released for the operating system since Windows 7 RTMed in July 2009. Here is what Brandon Leblanc of the Windows Team Blog had to say:

Today we officially handed off the final release (RTM) of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) to our OEM partners. On February 16th Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will be available for MSDN and TechNet Subscribers as well as Volume License customers. On February 22nd, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 will become generally available for folks to download via the Microsoft Download Center and available on Windows Update.

For Windows 7, SP1 will help keep your PCs well supported by delivering ongoing updates, many of which have been made previously available through Windows Update. It also includes client-side support for RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory which are two new virtualization features enabled in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. Read more about those updates here from the Windows Server Team

The first beta for Windows 7 SP1 arrived in July of 2010, it seemed like an eternity in testing. The Windows Team released the first Release Candidate in October 2010. So after roughly 8 months of testing, users will soon be able to update their Windows 7 RTM systems, although you shouldn’t expect much from this update.

• As part of Microsoft’s broader desktop virtualization strategy, two new virtualization capabilities are now enabled in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1: RemoteFX and Dynamic Memory. Both features provide customers easy to use solutions that drive efficiencies and build upon the virtualization functionality already in the Windows Server operating system.
• From a Windows 7 perspective, SP1 includes minor updates including some made previously available through Windows Update.

Microsoft also has some updates regarding Windows 7 momentum and new technologies in development designed for customers to get the most out of their Windows 7 experience. This includes:

• Windows Thin PC (WinTPC): Microsoft is announcing an upcoming software assurance benefit called Windows Thin PC (WinTPC), which is a smaller footprint, locked down version of Windows 7, designed to allow customers to repurpose their existing PCs as thin clients.
• Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM): IT pros gave Microsoft feedback that they needed an easier way to manage BitLocker, the security feature included in Windows 7. In response, the company is in the process of developing MBAM, which will help customers manage and provision BitLocker. The beta is expected to be available in March.

Expect a final review of SP1 when it arrives later this month. In the mean time, you can check out my experiences with the BETA and RC here and here 

Technorati Tags: Windows 7,Windows SP1,Windows 7 SP1 RTM,Microsoft,Operating Systems,Windows Server 2008 R2,Windows Update,February 16,February 22,MSDN,TechNet,OEM,Brandon Leblanc