I work in Linux primarily but run a Windows 7 virtual machine in VirtualBox so I can use Photoshop and do some necessary testing. Today my VM ran out of space. Silly me thought 20GB would be enough, but after installing service pack 1, dozens of Windows updates and a few programs I had less than 1GB of space left. After a little searching I found an easy way to increase the size of a virtual disk.
When installing Windows 7 it’s very picky about which installation disc you use (Full vs. Upgrade) and if improperly matched with your key can prevent you from activating your copy of Windows usually returning an “Invalid Product Key” error message. You may also see the same or similar error when you do a full, clean installation with an upgrade disc. This can be very annoying, especially when you have a legitimate key and disc but just didn’t install it the way Microsoft thinks you should. In the event that you are having trouble activating your Windows 7 installation with a legitimate key, try the following registry hack:
Part 2 of my Free Alternative Lightweight Software for Windows will cover basic security and performance enhancing/maintenance tools.
I have broken this article into four parts to make it easier on both you, the reader, and me. As I publish the other sections of this article, I will add a link to them.
Part 4 – Miscellaneous Tools (Never published)
Sick of your computer running like molasses? Tired of having to perform that annual (semi-annual?) reformat and installation of your operating system? Do you wish your computer just ran faster? Well maybe some free alternative lightweight software will solve your problem! On the other hand, if you enjoy the time you have to make coffee while you load that simple .PDF file, please stop reading now.
I have a fairly complex, yet powerful, Windows box that I run as my primary machine and it runs great. Now this is by no coincidence, it’s taken some hard work to make this thing run like a well oiled machine. I do, however, owe a great deal of thanks to the plethora of free (as in beer), lightweight software I have installed. What software you might ask? Well here’s a list I’ve compiled of some of the best software I’ve run into that will keep your computer from slowing down and your resources free so you can do more important things, like surf for porn.
I have broken this article into four parts to make it easier on both you, the reader, and me. As I publish the other sections of this article, I will add a link to them.
Part 4 – Miscellaneous Tools (Never published)
So you’ve got a 10-year old PC sitting around the house. You’re sick of your cats always getting into the wires and knocking the darn thing over. You don’t want to throw it away, but you just don’t know what to do with it. Well my friend, why don’t you turn that thing into a new hardware firewall?!
How would you go about doing that you might ask, well I’ve got the solution for you: IPCop!