Old Gateway

This old gateway runs pretty good with a p4 1.5 GHz and 512 MB  2-PC133 memory sticks (systems says 768MB/256 virtual?).  A little slow with some things and the video card is ancient, but still worth the tryout for sure.   Can't wait to put it on something faster and I'm running it dual boot with two HDs.  No BSODs, just an update failure but succeeded on the next try and a couple of stalls that I had to hard reboot.  All parts OEM except the second drive with Win7 and a sound blaster sound card that runs with its drivers.

Please provide a name of inactive programs on mouseover (taskbar)

The new taskbar is pretty nice.  If a program is running, you get a thumbnail of the window.  And since you're using it, you probably know what it is.

But for programs that are not running, please provide a tooltip of the name of the program/shortcut.

I've tried several times, but it seems that the tooltip takes 3 full seconds to show up:  that's way too long!

Reply:

I had to check for myself, and you're right, takes way too long to show the tooltip.

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Reply:

Agreed, the tooltips are kinda slow, though they only took a little under 2 seconds to show for me. What's worse to me is that once you have a tooltip showing for one inactive icon, scrubbing the mouse over the rest still takes an additional 2 sec. per icon. They should show instantly in this case like those on toolbar buttons do.

Additionally, if you mouse over an active icon long enough for the thumbnail to show, then mouse over an adjacent inactive icon, the tooltip will never show.

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ATI Mobility Xpress 200M drivers not working properly

I have an Acer Aspire 3650 laptop with an ATI Mobility Xpress 200M integrated video card. When Windows 7 automatically update the video drivers and reboot the system, I don't get video signal. I can connect my laptop to a LCD screen and get video, but at a very high resolution (something about 1440x???) so I guess the drivers set my screen resolution too high to get any image on my screen. I tried changing the resoltion using that LCD screen but even setting it to 800x600 doesn't make my laptop screen to work. BTW, ATI beta drivers package doesn't seem to work...
Any ideas?

• Changed type Ronnie VernonMVP Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:03 AM

Reply:

ok disconnect the LCD and then try this

Press  f8 at the bios screen, then select vga mode the machine should then reboot and hopefully you get picture and can change resolution.

let us know if that helps.

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Reply:

tried low res mode (640x480) and nothing happened. Black screen. I only get audio from my laptop.
Going into safe mode to rollback the drivers once again... =/

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Configuring Ad hoc connection Btw Win XP and Win Vista Via Bluetooth

Hello Please I need some assistance here , I am trying to make a peer to peer connection Via using the Bluetooth adapter on 2 laptops with 2 diff version of windows I.e Windows XP and Windows Vista, The Windows Vista Is connected to a dial-up Modem while the XP is not , Ihave been trying to esthablish a connection so that the windows XP professional can connect to thru the windows vista but all i can get is that windows Xp is conected to the vista locally but it is not connected to the internet please can get some advice on what I can do to make the windows Xp connect to the internet

Reply:

 You will probably have more luck getting this question answered on a Windows XP or Windows Vista forum.  I recommend trying here:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/itprovistanetworking/threads/

---

Jim McBee - Blog - http://mostlyexchange.blogspot.com

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OS repairing and booting

Hi!

I was thinking, wouldn't it be handy to have an old Windows OS as a utility included in the 7 disc e.g 2000, M.E. that automatically installed with 7 on a separate small (5-6gb?) partition like laptop recovery partitions sometimes do. But instead of it as an OS, it would be packed with repair tools not just for 7 but for all previous windows OS's  and would have access to all partitions on all local discs.


just an idea.. with the technology now, repairing all Windows should be possible, but is it viable?


~Dava

Reply:

There is one in Windows 7.
Click Start > All Programs > Maintenance > Create a System Repair Disk

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Reply:

That one is for Windows 7, only.

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List of things I'd like improved in the installation of Windows 7

I've got a list of issues with Windows 7 after serious testing although I think it is a clear step above Vista.

I like Windows 7 but I have some concerns that I'd like addressed before final release

During install it never tells you if you are installing the 64 or the 32 bit version of WIndows 7 - it should be the first screen IMHO

During Install if you attempt to install with a brand new drive it won't install until you format the drive and reboot.

Do something with the 200 MB partion in disk manager so it is clear that it is a restore point or whatever - change the color of it, just make it more clearly defined.

Reply:

You can avoid creating it  but here is some more info - http://weblogs.asp.net/bhouse/archive/2009/01/16/avoid-creating-hidden-200mb-partition-in-windows-7.aspx 

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No Audio Icon on Taskbar

After installing the Driver for the sound card on My Laptop I don't have any icon for setting the sound in the taskbar.

Will try after I reboot.

• Moved by Othorvath Saturday, January 17, 2009 3:51 PM (Moved from Windows 7 Media to Windows 7 User Interface)
• Changed type Ronnie VernonMVP Saturday, January 17, 2009 4:47 PM
• Changed type Mark L. Ferguson Monday, January 19, 2009 6:38 PM no followup

Reply:

Did you try to enable it from here: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Notification Area Icons ?

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Reply:

You might want to check the device manager to see if the sound card is still showing as being installed correctly and working.
Check the sound settings in the control panel to see if it detects the sound card as a device it can use

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Reply:

Is it in the shown hidden icons area?

---

~Alex T.~Windows Desktop Experience MVP~

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Reply:

Hey Alex,

Can you please explain why there are still settings for "hidden icons" and "notifications only" when an app has been uninstalled, as well as how to rid the machine of this kind of thing?

Thanks

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Changing background freature stops.

Hi,

I've noticed that the changing background feature will stop when the computer is woken up from the screen saver. I have to go back into the settings and reselect all my pictures. Is anyone else having this problem?

Thanks,
Kyle-SC

• Moved by Othorvath Sunday, January 18, 2009 1:00 AM (Moved from Windows 7 Performance to Windows 7 User Interface)
• Changed type Mark L. Ferguson Monday, January 19, 2009 7:49 PM

Reply:

I don't run a screen saver, but I will put one on now and test it to see.  I'll let you know.

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Reply:

 I let the screen saver run for about 15 minutes.  Then came back in and it worked just fine.

John 

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Reply:

I disabled the screen saver and waited an hour and it worked fine, but with it enabled i have problems after the monitor shuts off. Thanks for trying.

-
Kyle_SC

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Reply:

Reply to Kyle-SC -

I've had the same issue but with the active desktop.  I setup my own photos to display and it works for a while. 
I think I know what is causing it to stop.  I believe windows is having an issue reading or displaying the photo
which causes the active desktop to stop.  When this happens, I have to go into settings and re-select all my
photos.  
I have noticed that if I click on another active Desktop style, it won't activate or operate. 

Maybe Microsoft can investigate this issue further. 

Thanks,

Patrick
AKA: PCCGuy

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Reply:

If you leave the default time for the screensaver to cut in (10mins), it often won't work.
Change it to any number except 10 mins

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Reply:

I have mine set to change every 10 secs, and I am having problems with it working after a short time of inactivity.

-
kyle_sc

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Reply:

I have found that if you select only certain files in a folder that you want to be viewed in the slide show that it will stop itself after a period of time.  If you use the Select All feature it will stay on.

I have reported this personally and it is being looked into.

---

~Alex T.~Windows Desktop Experience MVP~

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Reply:

I have an entire library selected that is comprised of multiple image folders.  I have it set on 10 seconds and every now and then it will just become stuck on a single photo.  Whatever photo it picks will become its stand alone setting.

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Guitar Hero III

According to the Aspyr site, this program will not work on 64 bit OS. So I never bothered with the 64 bit Vista. I installed the 64 bit Win 7, and thought I'd try to install gh3. To my surprise it works fine. Been playing with 2 guitar controllers hooked up, all graphics set to high and running fine. Whoo hoo!

Streaming to a PS3, Media Player doesn't play nice anymore.

In previous Windows through Media Player you could allow and block devices to stream to, how does one do this in Windows 7? I can stream to my PS3 on XP with no problems. Under Windows 7 I am using TVersity as a compromise. I understand this is beta, is this area a WIP?

Thanks

---

Cheers Tom

problem 7 to older OS

I have an older pc running XP service pack 1, and one running windows 2000 sp3. Both can network to the windows 7 pc, and access shared files. The windows 7 machine can not see the older pc's and can not ping them. I went through this forum and tried the following:
1. same user name on each pc - without password
2. subnet mask is the same 255.255.255.0
3. password protected sharing is turned off on the windows 7 pc
4. windows firewall turned off on XP machine


any other ideas?

• Changed type Ronnie VernonMVP Wednesday, February 4, 2009 6:23 AM No resolution

Reply:

Check the old school workgroup name is the same under system/computer name?

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Reply:

All computers are in workgroup "WORKGROUP"

strange that its one way - all other computers can "see" the Windows 7 box - and share it's files and printers
It just can't see out

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Reply:

maybe you need to turn on network discovery under network and sharing center, then in the left blue box a text link "change advanced sharing options"

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Reply:

network discovery is turned on

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Reply:

in the public section as well?

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Reply:

in both sections

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Reply:

Welp, that and the original workgroup deal is how I was able to see my xp desktop files and stream movies, ect. But I guess I am no good at giving advice on a beta, I have no patience for it, so with this thread I retire. Good luck

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Feature Request: Extended Theme-management for administrators

Hello Everybody,

I have one problem with Windows since Windows XP.
Each new version of Windows is getting more and more fancy gimmics. More animations. More visual stuff to tweak. ...
Why is there no management tool like a mmc-snapin (perhaps with in- and exportable themes) or a commandline-tool powerfull like powercfg or netsh for tweaking the overall apearance?

I mean things like:
- Explorer appearence (Size, Options, File Menu, ...)
- Desktop (Wallpaper, Gadgets, ...)
- Windows (Color, Animations, Shadows, ...)
- Ease of Access, Aero, Textsize, ...

Personally, I prefer the out-of-the-box look and feel of a Windows Server version. It would be great when everybody could aktivate such a "Theme" with ease. Also something between the normal "Windows Desktop experience" and a "Windows Server experience" would be great for work environments. (e.g. Animations disabled but Aero enabled, Calender as gadget, ...)

I would be great to discuss here about a (set of) management tool(s) to do this. In my opinnion this should be for administrators and SHOULD NOT ONLY WORK in domain environments.

Best wishes

Michael

Reply:

Sounds to me like you haven't even bothered to use the Right-click on Desktop > Personalization tool in Windows 7... because that gives you one-stop shopping for all aspects of the theme except for the Start Menu settings.

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Reply:

@GoodThings2Life

I know Desktop -> Personalization. But this is no tool for administrators where you can easily apply a predefined set of changes at once. When there would be a commandline-tool available you could change these settings per script or even per GPO. When there would be a MMC-snapin then you perhaps can apply, manage, import and exports complete sets of settings.

How many mouseclicks will you have to do to tweak your Desktop, Sounds, Explorer, Gadgets, etc. to get from a "out-of-the-box Windows for unexperienced users" to a "Windows for power users"? Wouldn't it be great to have an included extended theme by Microsoft to apply similiar settings at once?

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Reply:

It is my understanding that the Group Policy updates haven't been released yet... I think it's too early to criticize this effort yet until we see what's available in the administrative templates upon their release. That said, definitely make sure you submit feedback on it through the Feedback tool.

------------------------------------
Reply:

Group Policies will mange this once released.  Just as in Vista, and XP.

---

Shon

------------------------------------
Reply:

Hey! This sounds like you both know more than I am... And that a solution for my problem is already on the way...
Does one of you have a link for further reading?

------------------------------------
Reply:

Try this page for more information on Group Policy in Windows 7.

---

~Alex T.~Windows Desktop Experience MVP~

------------------------------------

Corel products

Due to problems with Windows 7 64 bit and Adobe Photoshop elements (documented as problems in 64 bit Vista), I bought Corel Paintshop X2.  Paintshop installed without incident and seems to be working fine. 

I did run into a problem with Corel VideoStudio.  When installing, I get to the point of entering the serial number, but the 'Next' button never becomes selectable, even after entering the serial number. 

Windows 7 is shaping up to be a great advance.  Not really a lot of new stuff, but everything seems to work and run faster.

Reply:

Hmmm....  I am having problems installing Corel Paintshop Pro X2.  I have the download and when it gets to the point of "Configuring Windows Installer" it crashes and creates a dump to send to MS.  Did you have to do anything special to get the install to work?

Thanks

------------------------------------
Reply:

No, but I installed on a 64 bit Win 7 from a DVD.

------------------------------------

UAC slider needs work

The UAC slider is a welcome change in how to change the User Account Control but it needs more work.  Below is what I would consider a large improvement on the slider and appease a lot more of the Windows crowd.  

The slider should have three options:

1.  Never notify.

2.  Notify me when programs make changes to my computer.

3.  Notify me when programs make changes to my computer or I make changes to Windows Settings.

On top of these options there needs to be two sub-options:

1.  Do or do not dim the screen. (Dimming the screen should by default be turned OFF, not on but Windows 7 should prompt the user to take a look at the UAC settings to find a setting they are comfortable with.)

2.  Prompt or not prompt for a password.

A lot of people would HATE prompting for a password but I would argue that having a box to click "yes" is just an illusion of security.  If someone has control of your machine clicking the "yes" box is going to be very very simple and easy and voila they can do all the damage they want.  A password prompt will stop them in their tracks.  Well worth the hassle for those of us who welcome the extra security. 

I would not find it too intrusive at all to use option 2 on the slider, keep the screen normal (not dimmed), and have a password prompt instead of a box to click "yes." 

You don't have to use this option and it should most definitely NOT (I repeat NOT) be turned on by default but I would whole-heartedly welcome this option and I think a lot of other people would as well. 

Reply:

HookEmHorns said:

1.  Do or do not dim the screen. (Dimming the screen should by default be turned OFF, not on but Windows 7 should prompt the user to take a look at the UAC settings to find a setting they are comfortable with.)

 

I can't agree with that bit.  The screen dimming is actually Windows invoking the "secure desktop", which was originally a key feature of UAC and prevents malware from spoofing the user response.

To make that default to off would be an unnecessary security risk, in my opinion.

------------------------------------
Reply:

The Secure Desktop mode does more than just dim the screen, though. Having it disabled by default would be somewhat akin to having the firewall automatically let everything through by default.

Personally the only issue I have with it is the fact that it conflicts with Media Player Classic somehow and disables Aero as a result.

I honestly don't understand what other complaints people could have about it, though.

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Reply:

The thing is annoying, always has been.  People hate it and it is not effective in protecting anyone or anything malware finds ways around this all the time.  At the very least it should detect whether I started an installation program or some other process started it.  If I double click on an executable it should assume I know what I'm doing and leave me alone.  If something else does, that's different.  But you still can't set it up that way, at least not anyway I can find to do that.  

---

Done Like Dinner

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Reply:

Rip Toff I have to disagree, its very easy for an application to make it look like a user has started another application instead of it having being done by a program. Windows and applications cant tell the difference between a real click of the mouse and an automated click.

I do however think it would be a great idea to be able to add specific programs to an exceptions list that will allow them to be run without prompting but the list would need to check some kind of windows generated checksum to make sure the file hadn't been edited since it was added to the list, and should have to have changes made to the list accepted with a secure desktop (dimmed) prompt

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Reply:

Rip Toff said:

At the very least it should detect whether I started an installation program or some other process started it.  If I double click on an executable it should assume I know what I'm doing and leave me alone.  If something else does, that's different.  But you still can't set it up that way, at least not anyway I can find to do that.  

I don't understand what you mean.  You can do exactly what you want - the new UAC default setting in W7 says:

"Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer.  Don't notify me when I make changes to Windows settings."

Isn't that exactly what you are asking for?  Of have I/we misunderstood your point?

------------------------------------
Reply:

Rip Toff said:

...it is not effective in protecting anyone or anything malware finds ways around this all the time. 

Really?  I thought the secure desktop was untouchable by malware.  Could you provide support for your assertion?

By the way, have you read up on what UAC is actually for?  Do you know if it's supposed to protect against malware?

------------------------------------
Reply:

I definitely agree with you on the concept of having separate check boxers rather than four settings, which you have to read each one of and distinguish which has what you want. Being able to go in there and turn off the screen graying, or prompts, etc, individually, would make it easier for people who go in with a goal in mind.

------------------------------------
Reply:

 Why can't they make a "remember this choice" check-mark like every other program/firewall, etc..

I don't mind answering a question THE FIRST TIME I run something new, but do I really need a warning EVERY TIME?

"remember this setting" please.

Case in point, Rivatuner pops up TWO UAC windows EVERY TIME I BOOT UP.  Ridiculous.

The alternative is to turn it off completely, there is no middle ground, and yes I tried that slider, no change (except all the way to the bottom = off).

------------------------------------
Reply:

I remember there being a way to add an exception to the UAC manually (I followed a tutorial to do it when I wanted Visual Studio 2005 to rurun without popping up UAC since I used it a lot and certain things required administrative privileges).

That said, instead of going through a bunch of menus and settings to add an exception, there should just be a button or checkbox ("Cancel," "Allow," "Add exception and allow/Allow from now on").

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windows 7 download hangs at 99%

I've tried several times to download windows 7 beta but it stops at 99% every time. Can anyone help?

• Changed type Mark L. Ferguson Monday, February 23, 2009 2:39 AM

Reply:

Are you using the Download Manager or are you trying download it directly (a link to the .ISO file)?

Joe

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Reply:

I'm using the download managaer

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Reply:

My issue is only with the 32 bit version of the OS, the 64 bit version downloaded without a problem. I'm using Vista 64 and the download manager.

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Reply:

I'm trying to download the evaluation .iso of Windows 7 64bit.
I'm using the download manager. So far it's not working. It will
download a while then completely stop.  Right now it's at 2% done.
Status says downloading.
Transfer Rate: 130 KB/sec (not changing)
Time Left: 06:53:29 hours (stopped...not decrementing)
Connections 4

I've tried a few times to stop and completely restart with the same
thing happening...

Any ideas?

Ray

------------------------------------
Reply:

I had that same problem but I was trying to download torrents with bittorrent.  I turned off the Windows firewall and just used the Norton I have and they all finish now.  No problems since.

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Virtual PC 2007

This is more of an FYI/Bug report for the development team than a discussion.

During an in-place upgrade of Vista Ultimate x64 to Windows 7 (build 7000) x64, Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 was not identified as a potential problem.

As I found out afterwards, the virtual network drivers for VPC did not survive the upgrade process.  Removal and reinstallation of VPC was required to get the product working again.

Reply:

And make sure you're upgraded to the SP1 version of VPC 2007.  See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/virtualpc/default.mspx for the link to the download.

---

Keith Combs - Microsoft US IT Pro Evangelist - http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs

------------------------------------
Reply:

Thanks for this tip!  I am going to give it a try now!  I already tried reinstalling VPC, but I did so from an old install file in my downloads folder.

------------------------------------
Reply:

I tried to redownload the installer from the link you provided and run it, but that crashes when I try to install it (Windows Installer is actually what is crashing).  So I thought I'd try to reinstall Windows Installer, but that complains that not enough storage space is available to complete setup (there is, I have 37 GB free).

I'll keep trying, but I think this is my own issue, no one else has complained.  Maybe an artifact of my upgrade from Vista rather than clean install.

------------------------------------

Video issue in gameplay

I experienced some problems with directx11 and games like NFS CARBON and NFS MOST WANTED. the screen is flikering and i had to setup my screen resolution from game menu for 2-3 times (i've switched beetween resolutions) before the image return to normal. I have to do this every time i enter the game

Reply:

Have you tried to run the games in compatibility mode?

And also do you have a driver form Windows Update or are you using a generic driver?

------------------------------------
Reply:

I had the same issue in one of my older games. I went and installed the Vista driver for my video card, and it straightened out the problem. You might have the same success as well.... This was on the Intel 965 Express video on my laptop as well....

------------------------------------

Wireless network on my Dell Latitude

Ah, my poor old Dell Latitude 110L does not have a wireless card fitted - according to Windows 7 anyway. I'm used to running XP & Vista, and have done on this laptop, but the Dell's wireless card does not show up in 'device manager' in Win 7.
Has anyone experienced this before and can advise me how maybe I can resolve this issue?

• Changed type Othorvath Saturday, January 17, 2009 2:33 PM
• Moved by Othorvath Saturday, January 17, 2009 2:33 PM (Moved from Windows 7 Networking to Windows 7 Hardware Compatibility)
• Changed type Ronnie VernonMVP Saturday, January 31, 2009 6:07 AM

Reply:

I have a similar issue with my pci-e airpace wifi car.... i find this happens from a cold boot both with vista and se7en.... however if i make a reboot device manager will detect that their is a card installed

------------------------------------

Windows Seven Updater error

Hello. I have an issue with the Windows seven beta and the windows update. I try to update my windows seven, yet when the window pops up, it blanks oiut, and then another window pops up and it saws that windows explorer has stopped working, and then it restarts windows explorer. I have tried to restart but to no avail. Also, another issue is that when I try to install programs like rome total war and such, the installer stops working and I can't install or uninstall anything. please help me with this issue. thanks.

• Changed type Mark L. Ferguson Monday, February 16, 2009 8:42 PM

Reply:

Have you tried to redownload and install the ISO?

------------------------------------

Experience

Lesson Learned, Ok Windows Live Make's it faster  than any thing I have ever seen.
Now as long as you save your temp files and folders You can turn your system off and on
And still be connected to windows Live you can go right on with every thing else, pop in on
my threads and be logged in.
That's pretty cool feature.

Almost drove me nuts till I realized I needed to clear all temp files and folders,well maybe not the folders
Temp files for sure and more than likely cookies. Dumped ever thing and re tried entering MSN.

And what I am talking about is not being able to sign out.