Fix Virtual Windows XP Mode VHD Cannot Install or Attach in Windows 7 Error

When installing Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode in Windows 7, the installation may halt with the following error messages:

“The file could not be written.”
“Virtual hard disk could not be attached to the virtual machine. Please check the values provided and try again.”.

The error happens even though the computer hardware specifications have met the system requirements of Windows 7, including those specifically required for Windows Virtual PC, i.e hardware-assisted virtualization (test CPU for VT support).

The root cause of the problem while attempting to install and run Windows 7 Virtual XP Mode lies on Kaspersky Internet Security and Kaspersky Anti-virus or other similar security problem, which over zealously tries to protect the PC from unknown or potentially malicious application activities. In the case of Kaspersky, the Application Activity Analyzer proactive feature is likely causing the Windows XP Mode to fail to install or its virtual machine from running.

To fix the Windows XP Mode (XPM) setup error in Windows 7 for users who use the Kaspersky security product, try to disable the detection and scanning of Hidden Object in the Application Activity Analyzer or Proactive Defense setting (depends on version of Kaspersky). Windows XP Mode should be able to install properly after the setting is applied.

A more generic solution is to disable Kaspersky or any anti-virus solution installed on the system, and then reinstall Virtual Windows XP Mode. Windows XP Mode should install perfectly now. After installation completes, re-enable the anti-virus protection, and it won’t interfere with the working of Windows XP Mode.

Wolfram Search Engine To Replace Your Scientific and Financial Calculator

Search engine is a big business, just talk a look at revenue and profit generated Google. But if you want to take a slice of share in search engine market, your search engine will have to beat Google, or else it will have to specialize in a niche, such as regional search engine such as Baidu. The later is probably on the mind of Wolfram in the creation of Wolfram. Albeit initially hope to be a Google killer, Wolfram now calls itself computational knowledge engine.

Wolfram (currently in Alpha stage, thus Wolfram|Alpha) intends to make the world’s knowledge computable with the following goals:

Wolfram|Alpha’s long-term goal is to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable and accessible to everyone. We aim to collect and curate all objective data; implement every known model, method, and algorithm; and make it possible to compute whatever can be computed about anything. Our goal is to build on the achievements of science and other systematizations of knowledge to provide a single source that can be relied on by everyone for definitive answers to factual queries.

Wolfram|Alpha aims to bring expert-level knowledge and capabilities to the broadest possible range of people—spanning all professions and education levels. Our goal is to accept completely free-form input, and to serve as a knowledge engine that generates powerful results and presents them with maximum clarity.



Currently, much of the core of Wolfram is based on Mathematica, the computational software program used in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields and other areas of technical computing which is also developed by Wolfram. Wolfram also makes extensive use of the latest generation of web and parallel computing technologies, including webMathematica and gridMathematica. As the result, now Wolfram has 10+ trillion of pieces of data, 50,000+ types of algorithms and models, and linguistic capabilities for 1000+ domains. 

Thus, Wolfram is excellent in returning results for computation type of query, the scope of the search engines are large though. It covers topics such as mathematics, statistics & data analysis, physics, chemistry, materials, engineering, astronomy, earth sciences, life sciences, technological world, transportation, computational sciences, web & computer systems, units & measures, money & finance, dates & times, places & geography, socioeconomic data, weather, health & medicine, food & nutrition, words & linguistics, culture & media, people & history, education, organizations, sports & games, music and colors. More example can be read here.

Unfortunately, Wolfram appears to be still having problem in understanding natural language and free form input. Anyway, for those who forget to bring calculator, and only has web access, Wolfram provides easy solution. Visit Wolfram at http://www.wolframalpha.com/.

Acer Aspire One 751 Netbook With Strange 11.6-Inch Screen

The well-known Taiwan PC manufacturer, Acer has announced the availability of its new Aspire One 751, the first netbook with 11.6-inch screen from the company. Aspire One 751 offers a bundle of unique features such as Intel’s Atom Z520 running at 1.33GHz, SCH USW15S Chipset, GMA500 graphics, and a multipurpose track pad with multi-touch capabilities. The new Acer Aspire One 751 netbook likableness is battery life of up to an unparalleled 9 hours for 6-cell battery. Without the 6-cell battery, it’s about 5 hours only.

Specifications of Acer Aspire One 751
Intel Atom Processor Z520 (1.33GHz, 490MHz FSB, 512KB L2 Cache)
Up to 2GB of RAM
11.6-inch WXGA 16:9 ratio Acer CrystalBrite High Definition LED back-lit TFT LCD (1364 x 768 resolution)
Mobile Intel US15W Express Chipset
1024MB DDR2 533 MHz SDRAM Single Channel Memory
Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
160GB SATA 5400RPM Hard Drive
Multi-in-1 Digital Media Card Reader and Dedicated SD Card
Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, UMTS/HSPA 3G network compatibility, and Bluetooth 2.0 capabilities
Acer Crystal Eye Web Camera
Two Built-in Stereo Speakers
Three USB 2.0 Ports and multiple card reader
Battery 6-cell Li-ion (5200mAh) for run time up to 9 hours
Genuine Microsoft Windows XP Home
One-Year Standard Warranty

Acer Aspire One 751 is available in two version. There is £399 version which will ship with Windows XP, 1GB of memory and 160GB of hard drive. For £499 version, it will ship with 2GB of RAM, Vista Home Basic and 250GB of storage.

This new Acer Apire One 751 is available in several colors including Black Diamond colour, Sapphire Blue, Ruby, Mussel White color. The netbook measures just thickness of 1-inch and weighes only 1.24kg (with 3-cell battery). Acer Aspire One 751 comes with Windows XP Home only for starting price from £399 through leading retailers.

Orange UK Offers Nokia 5800 Phone Comes With Music Service

Orange UK is now offering Comes With Music service exclusively for Nokia 5800 phone. The stylist phone has been designed to allow the music lovers to access the Nokia Music Store, which has more than 6 million favorite songs.

“We’re extremely excited about being the exclusive UK operator to offer Comes With Music on the Nokia 5800. We are always looking for ways to remove the barriers that stand between our customers and the things they love and believe that by offering this service, we are able to do just that,” said by Francois Mahieu, Director of Devices for Orange UK.

The registered users can download free music tracks from the Nokia Music Store to their desktop for uploading to their Orange Nokia 5800 phone. Instead of downloading music tracks through desktop, the users also can download music tracks through their handset at standard mobile data prices.

“Mobile music is key to both Orange and Nokia, so we’re delighted to have them as our exclusive operator for Comes With Music on our best-seller - the Nokia 5800. The ability to download all the music you love, free and legally from the Nokia Music Store on a great choice of Orange price plans will change music forever,” said by Mark Loughran, Managing Director, Nokia UK.

Available in black and silver color, the Nokia 5800 Comes With Music service plan is started at the price of £25 with a two-year service contract including unlimited free music tracks download, calls and text messaging.

LG Xenon With Touch Screen And QWERTY Keyboard Is Now Available In Canada

The global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, LG Electronics Canada has recently announced its new LG Xenon is now exclusively available via Rogers Wireless। थेquick messaging phone has been designed for those who like all-in-one functionality phone।
Featured with a 2.8-inch touch screen display with 240 x 400 resolutions, LG Xenon is also equipped with a 2.0-megapixel photo snapper with video recoding function, it boasts a sliding QWERTY keypad for voice, video, picture or text messaging, integrated a MP3 player for users to enjoy their favorite songs while on the go, supports Quad band GSM/EDGE, dual-band HSPA and GPS capabilities.

“Canadians shouldn’t have to settle when it comes to their mobile device,” said Pat Button, Vice-President, Mobile, LG Electronics Canada. “The LG Xenon gives savvy mobile users the ultimate combination of touch and QWERTY technology—it truly is the best of both worlds. By focusing on a phenomenal user interface that revolves around widgets and usability, the LG Xenon is an exceptional communication device.”

Besides, it is Stereo Bluetooth enabled and supports up to 16GB of microSDHC memory card.

The touch screen phone is now available at Rogers Wireless and is priced at $80 with a three-year service contract. This offer also comes with an application that enables the users to customize the home screen of the phone as well as contacts and applications.

Ultimate Ears Launches New Affordable UE 4 Pro Custom Monitors

The leading provider of custom in-ear monitors, Ultimate Ears has launched its new UE 4 Pro custom monitors specifically for emerging artists and audiophiles alike, which features a proprietary dual-armature speaker system with passive crossover circuit, aiming to offer users a superior audio experience.

“When you invest in a set of custom earphones from Ultimate Ears, you know that you’re getting a sophisticated professional monitor,” commented Philippe Depallens, Logitech vice president and general manager of the Ultimate Ears product unit. “Built just for you, the UE 4 Pro Custom Monitors are handcrafted to fit your ears. As a result, you get more detail and accuracy than with wedge monitors, without breaking your budget. And UE 4 Pro monitors are designed to withstand the rigors of on-stage music performances for artists of all musical genres.”

According to Ultimate Ears, consumers have to make an appointment with a qualified audiologist to get impressions of their ears and ear canals, so that the UE 4 Pro custom monitors are handcrafted based on an exact replica of their ears.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to invest $399,” said Andy Ebert, professional sound engineer. “The UE 4 Pro monitors are custom molded, sound amazing and reduce ambient noise. With this model, Ultimate Ears has continued their tradition of developing impeccable personal monitors for live and studio musicians. Plus, Ultimate Ears delivers sound, comfort, reliability and customer service no other company can compete with.”

The new affordable Ultimate Ears UE 4 Pro Custom Monitors are now available for MSRP of $399, and the users can add $50 to get the optional ambient feature that allows for stage bleed while controlling the isolation effect.