Defrag - Unplayable Media Center files, Missing RAM, Closing Cores | The Defrag Show

Microsoft tech troubleshooter extraordinaire Gov Maharaj and I help walk you through troubleshooting solutions to your tech support problems. If you have a problem you want to send us, you can use the Problem Step Recorder in Windows 7 (see this for details on how) and send us the zip file to DefragShow@microsoft.com. We will also be checking comments for problems, but the email address will let us contact you if needed.

[00:12] - Responsive mouse problem.
[05:45] - Replaced HDD won't play Media Center files.
[09:07] - Max frequency can go over 100%, what does this mean?
[09:35] - Not all RAM is showing up.
[11:11] - How to alter all files in a directory to change time stamp.
[13:00] - Unexpected laptop wake behavior.
[14:30] - Where to download Windows 7 ISO.
[16:28] - Mirroring a SSD with HDD.
[17:50] - How to shut off cores in quad core.
[21:08] - Pick of the week. Hard drive prices [link, link], Kinect for Windows [link]

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windev Andrew Richards

Nov 30, 2011 at 2:20 PM

I bought a Nyco after Gov talking about it - and it is working fine. It's reduced the field by about 2' (as it promises). I have noticed if you get too close (<5') that the kinect jestures do not work - it really is for a 10'-8' --> 8'-6' reduction.
(Adults and kids were playing Kinect Adventures, Fruit Ninja and Kinect Sports)
LarryLarsen "Lightbulb"

Nov 30, 2011 at 2:30 PM

@windev: That's kind of the opposite experience I've got, it works best when very close (~3'). I'll try Gov's and see if it's just a bad unit. Thanks.
MagicAndre1981 xperf addicted

Nov 30, 2011 at 2:55 PM

[00:12] - Responsive mouse problem.
I would look at the mouse itself. What mouse is it and if it installs extra software. And maybe this software causes it.
[09:07] - Max frequency can go over 100%, what does this mean?
correct, this is Turbo function of Intel i Core CPUs or AMD Phenom X6/FX CPUs.
[09:35] - Not all RAM is showing up.
MS limits the usable Memory in client Windows versions. Get a PAE patch ( like this one: http://wj32.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/pae-patch-updated-for-windows-7-sp1/) which implements this:
http://www.geoffchappell.com/viewer.htm?doc=notes/windows/license/memory.htm (applies to Win7, too).
I don't know if Home has both, I never buy Retails. Here in Germany we can buy the Systembuilder versions which are cheaper and this only includes 1 DVD (32Bit or 64Bit). And now I'm switching to Linux because of this Windows 8 Metro touch UI crap which doesn't work for desktop PCs. So I'll never know if Win8 (Home) includes both.
[11:11] - How to alter all files in a directory to change time stamp.
Use this software and add the folders:
http://www.softwareok.com/?seite=Microsoft/NewFileTime
and let the software change the time values.
[14:30] - Where to download Windows 7 ISO.
google for a Digitalriver link, those are safe. For Windows 8 MS has a way to reset the PC so this is an Inplace Upgrade is no longer required. Also for Windows 8 you get a Webinstaller which gets the lastest files from MS. I hope that this allows all users to get new media with integrated service packs for Windows 8:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/11/21/improving-the-setup-experience.aspx
[17:50] - How to shut off cores in quad core.
Better use the Core Parking feature of Windows 7. You can control it with some cmd commands which are shown here:
http://processlasso.blogspot.com/2011/06/cpu-parking-revisited.html

Btw, is there a chance to get the Defrag animation (which is shown from your desk) as WMV so that I can use it on my Vista Ultimate as Dreamscene background?
dtower Surface Fan

Nov 30, 2011 at 5:25 PM

Larry, when the mouse gets stuck in a bad click state try pressing ctrl-alt-del and then esc. Happens to me sometimes and this mostly fixes it.
Amtharwat

Nov 30, 2011 at 11:44 PM

Awesome show.Keep it up
joaoalbuquerque

Dec 01, 2011 at 8:59 PM

A 100 bucks MSDN subscription ? Really ? Where is it ?
Very good show!
Proton2 Gary G Mount

Dec 02, 2011 at 9:23 PM

@joaoalbuquerque:
Microsoft TechNet Subscription Standard
Tailored to help IT Professionals evaluate, test, and troubleshoot Microsoft software for Desktop environments. TechNet Subscription Standard does not include Enterprise editions of Microsoft software.
$199($149 Renewal)
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx
Proton2 Gary G Mount

Dec 02, 2011 at 9:25 PM

Vista had the two disks, 32 bit / 64 bit with Ultimate only.
Windows 7 had both disks for Home Premium as well.
joaoalbuquerque

Dec 03, 2011 at 2:20 AM

@Proton2: Thank you very much! I was not aware of that. Price is 213 euro (standard) as I am from Portugal.
LarryLarsen "Lightbulb"

Dec 05, 2011 at 10:14 AM

@dtower:Tried that last night and it didn't work. Also shot a short video of it for Gov to help troubleshoot.
Scott McClenning

Dec 06, 2011 at 11:52 PM

My favorite Windows touch utility is BatchTouch from http://freeware.the-meiers.org.

I've seen Explorer extensions to do this, but I don't recall if it works for multiple files.