Strangely enough, Java Runtime Environment (JRE) fails to register javaws.exe as the handler for .jnlp files when installed in Windows 8/8.1. Just remember to choose javaws.exe, not java.exe nor javaw.exe. Further more, Blackboard Collaborate insists on using 64-bit JRE on 64-bit Windows, i.e. visit the directories and files usually found in C:\Program Files\Java, not the ones […]

Read More → Blackboard Collaborate, Java Runtime Environment, and Windows 8/8.1

I tried to install some construction estimation software requiring MS SQL Server 2008 on a computer running Windows 8 only to encounter an unusual anomaly. MS SQL Server 2008 refused to install due to corrupted performance counters. The error message was kind enough to mention http://support.microsoft.com/kb/300956, but you should really go and visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2554336.

Read More → Manually rebuild Performance Counters

Yeah sure enough, Windows 8/8.1 and IE 10/11 has its own builtin Flash player. This highly potent combination outright refuses you to download the real Adobe Flash Player from Adobe’s website. It hasn’t occured at all to Microsoft that we, the users, might need the real Adobe Flash Player for software other than IE, say […]

Read More → Adobe Flash Player, MS Windows 8/8.1, and MS IE 10/11

A student’s Toshiba Satellite laptop equipped with Windows 8 and Secure Boot refused to shut down by simply pressing the power button. The solution is to hold down the Fn button prior to holding down the power button. Keep both buttons depressed until you hear the laptop actually shutting down. Boy, do I love Secure […]

Read More → Toshiba Satellite laptop, Windows 8, and Secure Boot – what a combination!

Sometimes the default location of the Client-side Caching database is just plain unsuitable. Client-side Caching, or CSC, is used for storing offline files, local copies of files normally stored on Windows shares, stored on Windows servers. (The Norwegian term is «frakoblede filer».) The default location for the CSC database is C:\Windows\CSC. If you like to […]

Read More → Relocating the Client-side Caching database in Windows 7 and 8

Ever tried activating Microsoft Windows 8 Professional using only GUI tools when installed from a volume license DVD? Right, you can’t, for three reasons:

Read More → Activating Microsoft Windows 8 Professional when installed from a volume license DVD