[dba-Tech] For web developers

Hi Jim,
I got through to the point where normally Windows 7 would load up its
installer but it just hung there. I didn't want to brick this thing so I
just stopped.

The local fire dept. chief got a bit perturbed with his old laptop and just
stopped and bought one at OfficeMax. A low end Toshiba i3 with Win8 Home so
it is essentially useless for use in the depart. He called and asked if I
could help him load some old software and UB to serial converters for an
interface to some testing equipment. Lol, OK but I'm not going to do it with
this. It's an old testing unit that only supports Vista back and connects
via 9 pin serial, A new unit would cost many thousands of dollars and its
doesn't appear that the company is going to upgrade just the software. So,
he gave me the go ahead to buy him a notebook that would work. So I got a
new customer and a high profile one at that :-) But instead of buying a
Windows 7 Pro notebook with XP mode as I first thought I'd do, I'm
attempting to rectify the situation via VirtualBox  with XP. So far it's
looking pretty good. Problem is that his staff will have to be able to
navigate it all. Win7/XP mode would have been so much easier for them. We'll
see. Just like all governmental units around here, they're strapped for cash
so a little pain may be acceptable.

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Jim Lawrence
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 11:43 AM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] For web developers

Hi John:

I believe I was complaining about this eventuality some six years ago. At
the time it seemed like a bit of a fantasy and Orwellian by nature.

The new hardware is designed to lock-down systems to only a specific OS. A
new law that went into effect last Saturday makes it illegal to "jail-break"
a device. The law was apparent targeted towards Cell phones but the wording
is vague enough that any computer can be included.

" ...The UEFI secure boot feature checks the boot loader before launching it
to verify it's digitally signed by an approved vendor, like Microsoft.
Depending on the manufacturer, digital certificates for other vendors might
also be preloaded (or able to be manually loaded) so you can use a
third-party boot loader or install a non-Microsoft operating system. Though
there's controversy about this feature and it's still unclear exactly what
vendor certificates will be preloaded or even available for manual loading,
this feature can help secure booting for Windows and other OSes... "   

You should note that the Windows 8 product key is stored in the UEFI chip
and once removed it will render your Windows 8 package uninstallable and
unusable. There is supposed to be a better system in the future but for now
the only way your computer can be reset require a certified Microsoft
technician via remote...I believe it costs to have this done... $300+ ???

I believe that if you power up your computer and almost immediately press
F12 you can then select to boot from DVD/USB but you are going to have to be
fast as the SSD chip is real quick.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of John Bartow
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 8:07 PM
To: 'Discussion of Hardware and Software issues'
Subject: Re: [dba-Tech] For web developers

I tried to turn off secure boot and install Windows 7 over Windows 8 the
other day. Windows 7 just hung. (Had to turn secure boot off because Windows
7 DVD wouldn't boot).


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