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February 2005

UpdateXP.com

 Newsletter...

Subscriber List: 30,010

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www.updatexp.com

Making Windows XP a little easier...

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The most current newsletter is always available online at:

http://www.updatexp.com/current

The current newsletter in an RSS feed is available at:

http://www.updatexp.com/newsletter.xml

The current newsletter in an Adobe PDF file is available at:

http://www.updatexp.com/current-pdf

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This Newsletter's Contents:

1. Dinner with a Microsoft Vice President!

2. Most Common Windows Update Error Codes

3. Registry Mechanic v4.0 Released - FREE Trial Available! *(Now with a free 27 page guide...)*

4. Grab a FREE copy of Home Computer Magazine TODAY

5. Reader Articles Online... Can You Contribute?

6. HALO 2 skin for WMP10 - PDF Walkthrough and Strategy Guide

7. Get More From Your Products - Little Known Microsoft Website

8. New BETA of Microsoft Antispyware and it's going to stay FREE

9. www.fighting-spyware.com - NEW Training Website Coming Soon!

10. Windows Media Player Files (Supported File Formats)

11. Introducing Soople.com - Taking Google Further

12. Your FREE Guides...

13. PLEASE help this site grow!

14. Now You Can BLOCK Hover Ads...

15. XBOX Lead Recall

16. Fastest Backup Software On The Market...

17. Microsoft patches 'Blue Screen of Death' in Windows XP SP2
 

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1. Dinner with a Microsoft Vice President!

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At the end of January I had the pleasure of "closed door" session, and then dinner, with Joe Peterson - Corporate VP of Windows Client Core Management.

Basically, Joe is responsible for the products you see on your Windows PC... The purpose of this special "closed door" session was to take a look at what work has been going on with project "Longhorn".

I was one of only 12 UK based Microsoft MVP's that had the opportunity to "grill" Joe about the Windows XP replacement due out in around 18 months time!

Now my Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Microsoft means I can not YET reveal any details... BUT by being a subscriber to this newsletter YOU will find out once I am allowed to reveal them.

There are many websites that currently pretend to show screenshots and information about Longhorn, yet they are WRONG! Now I have seen the latest demos I can assure you that Longhorn is going to be something really special!!!

...More on that very soon!

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2. Most Common Windows Update Error Codes...

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I have been working on adding more Windows Update Error Codes and their resolutions, to the website.

The following page is now a growing index of these articles:

http://www.updatexp.com/windows-update-errors.html

(NB - Please note that I have yet to finish all the articles so a few of the links may not work for a few days...)

If you have been encountering an error, and the code is NOT shown, PLEASE do contact me with the details!


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3. Registry Mechanic v4.0 Released - FREE Trial Available!

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PC Tools recently announced the release of Registry Mechanic version 4.0.

Registry Mechanic is an advanced utility that uses high-performance detection techniques to quickly identify and repair missing and invalid references in your Windows registry.

This upgrade includes many new features such as a customizable ignore list, Live Updates, automatic creation of Windows Registry backups and optional creation of System Restore Points for easy restore. Along with these new features, Registry Mechanic version 4.0 has further improved functionality such as scanning speed, user friendly GUI (graphical user interface) and checkboxes to selectively repair errors found after a scan.

By frequently using Registry Mechanic to fix your registry it is possible that you will find your PC will become more stable and perform faster.

For a free trial download please visit:

http://www.updatexp.com/registry-mechanic-4-trial 

For a free 27 page guide please visit:

http://www.updatexp.com/support-files/registrymechanic4.pdf

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4. Grab a FREE copy of Home Computer Magazine TODAY

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Get your copy of Home Computer Magazine for Nothing!

I had an email from Dave Taylor last week, he is the editor of "Home Computer Magazine" which has just seen their fourth edition published online...

(You may know Dave from his old job as editor of "The Official Windows XP Magazine" in the UK.)

Well, this new magazine is an instant hit too!

Since it is FREE, why not download a copy now and see what it has to offer you!

Visit here: http://www.homecomputermagazine.com


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5. Reader Articles Online... Can You Contribute?

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Several newsletter issues ago I asked if readers wanted to write articles and have them published on my site...

I am now putting these up on the following page:

http://www.updatexp.com/computer-articles.html

If you feel you have an article or two you would like to contribute, then please email me via the contact form on my website.

Typically an article will be between 400 - 800 words and YOU get the credit and a link back to your website if you have one!

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6. HALO 2 skin for WMP10 & PDF Walk-Through!

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Like many folks I own a the popular XBOX gaming console...

I bought it so that I could play HALO in those rare moments I have some spare time! If like me you are a fan of HALO you may be interested in these two items:

# The HALO 2 skin for WMP10

You can get this, and other WMP "skins" at:

http://www.updatexp.com/halo2-skin


# The HALO 2 - 32 Page PDF Walk-Through!

Getting stuck with HALO 2..? Need to explore your gaming options?

Then grab your copy of Lunabean's Halo 2 Walkthrough and Strategy Guide here:

http://www.updatexp.com/halo2-walkthrough


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7. Get More From Your Products - Little Known Microsoft Website

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The Microsoft small business team have recently updated their website with some great content.

BUT - it is not just for the small business user!

Anyone using a Microsoft product should find some useful articles on the revamped pages

Simply visit: http://www.microsoft.com/smallbusiness/getmore/hub.mspx


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8. New BETA of Microsoft Antispyware and it's going to stay FREE

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Bill Gates: We'll "give away" anti-spyware software!

In December 2004 Microsoft bought the already established Antispyware solution from GIANT Inc.

( I have already posted an overview of the software, currently in its BETA testing phase:
http://www.updatexp.com/microsoft-antispyware.html )

However, this month Microsoft have announced that there is an update to the initial BETA software and that the product will be FREE, when it is finally released as a supported product later this year!

Unlike many of the current FREE AntiSpyware solutions available, THIS software is going to have some pretty serious backing...

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9. www.fighting-spyware.com - NEW Training Website

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As you read this newsletter work is well under way on producing a new website packed with FREE training videos. These vidoes show you how to use the best software on the market to combat the growing problem of Spyware, Adware etc...

I will send you a personal email as soon as the site is ready for public viewing!

Until then you may want to go ahead and bookmark: www.fighting-spyware.com


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10. Windows Media Player Files (Supported File Formats)

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The email "post bag" has been full of request recently about the various file formats that Windows Media Player supports...

So, I have hosted the following article to try and answer these questions:

Windows Media Player Files (Supported File Formats)

Please visit: http://www.updatexp.com/windows-media-player-files.html

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11. Introducing Soople.com

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As you may already be aware from tips I have posted in previous newsletters, the Google Search engine has many other abilities hidden away!

Now instead of trying to remember all the tips, you can simply point your browser at a new website that makes the advanced features of the worlds most popular search engine easier to find and use...

Welcome to:

http://www.soople.com

For regulars to this very useful website, you can even create an account and customize your experience...

As websites go this is one of the most useful you will find on the Net today.

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12. Your Free Guides...

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As a gift to subscribers to this newsletter I am creating a series of free guides for you:

Get more out of the Windows XP START menu:

http://www.updatexp.com/support-files/startmenu.pdf

Installing and using Microsoft TweakUI:

http://www.updatexp.com/support-files/tweakui.pdf

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13. PLEASE help this site grow!

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I really NEED your help!

Do you have a friend who has windows xp at home or work?

Then send them the newsletter signup link...

http://www.updatexp.com/newsletter.html

Do you have a website?

Then consider linking to this website!

http://www.updatexp.com

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14. Now You Can BLOCK Hover Ads...

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Ingenious software programmer, Nick Skrepetos, has designed a product that will BLOCK those annoying "Hover Ads" that all the major "Pop Up" Blockers FAIL to stop!

For YOUR free trial download visit: http://www.updatexp.com/super-ad-blocker

(NB - I would be interested in receiving your feedback after evaluating this software...!)

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15. XBOX Lead Recall...

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A fault has been found on a small amount of XBOX power leads that can cause electrical problems...

Not all XBOX owners are affected, BUT you should visit the main website for more information!

It will ask you to input your serial number and date of manufacture - (located on the belly of the console).

PLEASE visit: http://www.xbox.com  for more information TODAY!

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16. Fastest Backup Software On The Market...

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WinBackup 2.0 has just been released!

" Exceptionally simple to use, with a pop-up wizard, and an interface that describes the software's functions in plain English. " ~ PCWorld.com

WATCH OUT for an email from me in a few days detailing how to get your personal FREE TRIAL and a chance to WIN one of 10 Licenses I am giving away...

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17. Microsoft patches 'Blue Screen of Death' in Windows XP SP2

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Microsoft Patches "Blue Screen Of Death" In Windows XP SP2 Feb. 23, 2005

Microsoft has posted a critical fix to Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) on its Windows Update site, and "pushed" it to users relying on Automatic Updates.

The problem, which has actually been public since December 2004, also affects Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. In some cases, installing third-party anti-virus or firewall software can bring down the operating system in a "Blue Screen of Death" with a cryptic error that reads "Stop 0x05 (INVALID_PROCESS_ATTACH_ATTEMPT)."

The following Microsoft support article explains more and also links to the "fix" for owners on Windows XP SP2 machines...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887742

Well, I hope you found this newsletter useful?

Until next time!

Don't forget to tell your friends about us!

Kind Regards

Marc Liron
Microsoft MVP in Digital Media
www.marcliron.com

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