The Lady Programmer

Today, I decided to see how I can put back the old task manager that comes with every Windows XP system. I could not see the task manager each time I wanted to kill some process that hanged up on me.

So I searched for the Internet to find a solution, the first one that I’ve seen is the Remove Restrictions Tool (RRT). A good tool, but I need to pay for it. I don’t want to, since I can go around modifying the registry itself without getting a heart attack.

The next thing I did was to search Google to find out which part of the Windows registry I should look to. Google did not give me the results I was looking for.

Then I suddenly remembered Maddy, the guy behind Great Registry Hacks. Sometime last year, he was a constant EC dropper and visitor of my blogs, so I decided to search his blog. I decided to contact him after trying to search for that thing that I need to find.

Maddy was fast! He emailed me back with two solutions: a free software he wrote to enable/disable the task manager, and a direct hack to the Windows registry.

But it was not enough to make the task manager appear. His next suggestion was to install Process Explorer instead. It worked! Thanks to Maddy!

Process Explorer: a lightweight replacement to default Windows Task Manager

I’ve met Process Explorer in my previous work, so this software is not news to me. It just did not occur to me to use this instead of figuring out how to make the Task Manager work.

As I exchanged conversations with Maddy over YM, it looked like my Task Manager was corrupted. I tried to open the file then returned an error message indicating that the file cannot be found. (UPDATE: I got the Task Manager back after installing Process Manager then clicking “restore Process Manager” command on the menu.

Here’s the download link: download Process Manager from Microsoft.

If you need some help with the Windows registry, then go to Maddy’s Great Registry Hacks and ask him.

I’ve been offline for quite a while after a series of posts that I’ve been putting up. I was just out from an installation of Windows XP 64-bit version. Since my system can accommodate 64-bit systems like that of Windows XP and Vista, I decided to try out this version of XP. It turned out that I had to do several things, like downloading 64-bit drivers to finding applications that are designed for the 64-bit power.

What Great About Windows XP 64-bit

When I was forced to buy new hardware to replace my defective motherboard, I discovered that the hardware that are now commonly sold at the computer market are ready to run 64-bit operating systems. I got hardware that can run Windows Vista fast without turning on the Aero feature. I would still have to add more memory and get a good PCI-E card to really see Windows Vista in its full dynamic glory.

I did not have any problem finding all the new set of drivers that I needed. With the proliferation of 64-bit systems in the computer market, I think the driver manufacturers seem ready to run these kinds of computers in the market.

What’s Frustrating About Windows XP 64-bit

Most of the applications are still designed for the 32-bit processor. A handful of software had been “translated” to take advantage of the 64-bit power. I found only one or two software that cannot really run. I had to force one of my favorite applications to run on this 64-bit platform. I got three hang-ups after the installation. I got a faster system, but most of it are running 32-bit applications.

64-bit Operating Systems on the Way

photo credit: redfloor (SXC)

I think it would not be too long before the transition from 32-bit to 64-bit system will be complete. I would still recommend the 32-bit system to be used by most. But for those who seek a little adventure then the 64-bit operating system is the way to go and get a head on start from the rest.

I have not explored much of Windows Vista and now another new operating system is cooking up at Microsoft. Microsoft Windows 7 is a new project in Microsoft where a blog was opened up for discussion. This operating system is slated to be released in about three years after the launch of Windows Vista last January 2007. Senior Engineers Jon DeVaan and Steven Sinofsky lead this new community blog. Their whole engineering team will participate in this discussion.

I guess Microsoft realized the value of getting the hearts of their users. Not all are happy with the launch of the Windows Vista, where it is known to have the Aero features. I still find more people who are still happy with using the Windows XP. In the places where I had worked before, management still decided to stick out to Windows XP because it is compatible to the existing drivers and hardware. I even converted a whole set of laptops from the bundled Windows Vista to Windows XP because of compatibility.

With this move I would be sure that Microsoft would now be more successful in launching their new Windows 7. With only two entries on the blog as of this moment, their posts had received hundreds of commments and suggestions from various users. Participate on their discussion on Engineering Windows 7 on their MSDN blog.

What features do you want to see in Windows 7?

My recent penchant with the wonders of Windows Vista is something to behold. Unlike the time when it was first introduced in the market, many older hardware and software are not truly prepared for the ultimate functionality of this new operating system. It is a fact that many users still stick to the old Windows XP (I’m relieved that I don’t see Windows 98 anymore).

The cycle of introducing new software in the market just repeats over and over whenever Microsoft gets to release a new operating system to the world. There are still many who are comfortable using older hardware and software. Numerous negative write-ups about the new software would come out. This happened during the transition from Windows 98 to Windows XP software. But the IT industry truly demanding so it has to work at a very dynamic pace; eventually older technology gives way to improvements in computing. Now, I’ve noticed a lot of notebooks sold in computer stores with a version of Windows Vista software. I have to admit I still like Windows a lot better than using Linux technologies primarily because of software compatibility, better customer support and ease of use.

One of the first things noticeable with Windows Vista is its Aero look. Windows Vista takes advantage of the 64-bit technology in the form of hardware stuff. I am pretty much sure that once that the hardware and software catches up, I would surely see that the general public would be keen to trading in their Windows XP to the new feel and look, convenience and better security of this new operating system.

Windows SP3 is now officially released! Although it has already been around for its beta stage, now the robust operating system that powers more than half the world over (and almost all of the Philippines). The new service pack can be downloaded from the Microsoft download center at no cost.

You can download the whole service pack here.