Your Windows 7 computer does not connect to Kindle Mass Storage

Two great software, but do they work in unison?

No, was the answer I experienced until I found the solution for Windows 7 Ultimate (x32).

I have not been reading much these days. My wife asked me to take a look at her Kindle, the screen had gone blank.

I tried to work the switches on the Kindle to no avail. I plugged it into my notebook running Windows 7 Ultimate (x32) and looked like it got into drive E:. Of course I could not open Kindle. It was very frustrating and I started cursing silently. The Device Manager did show that I was connected to the Kindle's mass storage. The Microsoft disk drivers are the latest. The drive does not appear to have a problem. So where is the problem? The Device Manger recognizes the software but the drive system does not.

After looking all over the internet, I finally decided to look if a device driver exists for Kindle. It turns out you have to have the Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 for Windows Vista (x32) shown here.

In order to install this you have to pass the Microsoft’s Windows genuine validation here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/ExeValidation.aspx?familyid=46f72df1-e46a-4a5f-a791-09f07aaa1914

With this installed Amazon’s Mass storage can be accessed from your notebook.

Happy Reading! Happy Ending!

VS 2010 SP1 repair is not easy

Installation using Web Platform Installer 3.0 is easy but repairing is anything but..

I had corrupted my Microsoft LightSwitch Beta 2, so I removed the Beta but then I think the problem was the VS 2010 Professional and I tried to repair the VS 2010 SP1.

I was trying to repair my SP1 with the following program, 

Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 (Installer), downloaded from here,

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=75568aa6-8107-475d-948a-ef22627e57a5&displaylang=en

This installs the VS10sp1-KB983509.exe file (795KB)

I found this very difficult to use as it stops and asks for files very difficult to locate. For example it will ask you locate RiaServices.msi file and no matter where I get it from it does not accept (even after downloading the iso  file and creating a folder for its layout .

 I finally got around downloading WCF RIA Services V1.0 SP1 and it stopped asking for this file. But it just did not install. Looking into error log file I find that an UrlMon did not download. 

What the heck is this? I am not researching and specializing on installation of MS Products, I just want to use the program.

Actually I am on a (x32) bit machine and I don't care about this (x64bit) stuff,

 I am beginning to think that the registry (who else is to blame) is both the strength and weakness. Moreover, the warning while if you try to remove does not help,

Warnings:

The removal of Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Service Pack 1 may put this computer in an state in which projects cannot be loaded and Service Pack 1 cannot be reinstalled. For instructions about how to correct the problem, see the readme on the Microsoft Download Center website.

The readme file which is quite extensive and more details (downloading iso file etc )did not help and leads you to another web page and so on.

 Well I was about to give up, but then I came across this Web Platform Installer 3.0.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=32b0dfe5-f139-4e1c-b412-3da39f50bbf9#Overview

I installed this (WPI) and Voila! this installer installs the VS 2010 SP1 without any problem (does it and can it?). This is a real time saver (I should have known about this some 3 days ago!!).

 

Unfortunately it did not repair, it just assumed that (the installed, but broken) VS 2010 SP1 is present and moved on. 

The problem never got rectified. So much for the WPI 3.0.

Here are some of the programs that WPI did install out of the 12 it tried.

I am back to the forum to figure out what this URLMon is about and how to fix the broken VS 2010 SP1

Look what happened to my IE 9

I am wary of automatic updates of any kind;

automatic payments from my checking account;

automatic renewing of subscriptions;...

the  list goes on.

I am not sure but look what happened to my IE 9.0 after a recent Windows automatic update.

This is a win-win opportunity, why don't you make use of it?

Let me help you started...
Because this is where the future is.

1. Go and download free trial here, http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlazure/community/getstarted.aspx







2. Send me an email (mysorian@gmail.com) with 'SQL Azure' in the subject line and you enter a raffle to get a free copy of my book.

3. Read all my SQL Azure related posts here, http://hodentek.blogspot.com/search?q=SQL+Azure.

4. Did you know that Microsoft's latest program Microsoft LightSwitch can host it's application on Windows Azure Cloud Platform?

5. If you live in and around Plainsboro, NJ 08536 write to me (hodentek@live.com) and I will give you the low down for free.

Enjoy!

Toyota drives to the Microsoft Clouds

This has to happen someday and so it has happened. Toyota Motor Corporation and Microsoft Corp have announced the formation of a partnership to build a global, next gen telematics platform using the Windows Azure. Telematics is a mash up of Telecoms and IT with GPS support. SQL Azure would surely play a part as it supports geographical and geometry data types. Great opportunity exists to bring together all stake holders (vendors, parts manufacturers, dealerships, and most of all buyers) in one place and have a great party . The other Microsoft products will all also get to play their part. Voice recognition; embedded software; conferencing; Active Sync; power management; etc to name only a few.
This partnership will surely enhance Microsoft's Windows Azure  stature as a growing enterprise ready product. In recent times Toyota has been directing its effort to look beyond just the developed markets. Surely there are yonder greener valleys. Read related stories here and here.