With Firefox 4, Mozilla has recently released a major upgrade to its popular open source browser.

With every browser upgrade, users have to adapt to a slightly new interface, some extensions may no longer be compatible, and personal data and settings have to be imported. Many people are reluctant to upgrade because they are not sure what to expect or they don’t welcome change. This article examines how smooth the migration from Firefox 3 to Firefox 4 really is and which first steps you should take after completing the upgrade to Firefox 4.

We have previously shown you what is new in Firefox 4 and why you should upgrade. (Re)visit these articles in case you need an extra primer to make the move.

Download Firefox 4

Small upgrades within one version of Firefox usually happen automatically. To upgrade to a new version, however, you need to download the installer and perform a ‘manual’ installation, as if you were installing a new program.

Installation

Close Firefox and run the Firefox 4.0 setup file you just downloaded. I typically select the custom installation, not because I’m such an expert, but because it allows me to make some individual choices. For example you can decide where the installer shall place icons and shortcuts for the program and I don’t like shortcuts on my desktop.

The upgrade is quick and painless. Within three clicks you will reach the installer screen that indicates it’s ready to upgrade and an incredibly quick few seconds later you will be presented with the finish and launch Firefox now window.

First Launch

When you first launch Firefox 4, it will check whether your previously installed add-ons are still compatible. In other words, all your add-ons, provided they are compatible, will be imported automatically!

Chances are that several add-ons will no longer work with Firefox 4. The candidates will be summarized in a list. Click the > Check Now button to see whether the developer meanwhile provided a Firefox 4 compatible version. If they did, you will be able to install the updated add-on in the next step.

Click > Install Now to proceed and > Finish once the installation was completed.

Inside Firefox 4

When Firefox 4 has finally launched for the first time, you will see little difference to the version you closed only minutes ago. At first sight, it may look like you changed the theme, but nothing more.

In my case, Firefox 4 launched with the browser session I had just closed in Firefox 3. Moreover, I was already logged into all the services I had used before closing Firefox 3 for the last time. All my bookmarks, history, cookies, cache, and other personal data had been copied over as well. It almost felt like I had never upgraded.

If you look closer, however, you will probably notice a few changes after all, like the position of the tab bar, buttons that have changed, or add-ons that are missing because they are no longer compatible.

First Steps

Per default, Firefox 4 launches with the new Tabs on Top feature enabled. If you prefer the tabs where they used to be, go to > View > Toolbars and uncheck the > Tabs on Top option.

For those of you welcoming more space and less clutter, consider disabling the Menu Bar and thereby reducing it to a single button in the top left corner. It turns out that this feature is also available in Windows XP. Go to > View > Toolbars and uncheck the > Menu Bar option.

In case you are wondering which extensions you have lost due to the upgrade, click the key combination [CTRL] + [SHIFT] + [A] to open the add-ons manager in a new tab. Contrary to previous versions of Firefox, disabled and incompatible add-ons are now shifted to the bottom of the list, so you can get a quick overview. If you find that any essential add-ons are missing, switch to the > Get Add-ons view and search for alternatives.

Finally, enjoy a great new HTML5 page! Here are a few suggestions: 15 Sites That Do Amazing Things With HTML5 and 10 Websites To See What HTML5 Is All About

Summary

Upgrading from Firefox 3 to Firefox 4 is a very smooth experience. All your personal data will be imported automatically and superficially, you will notice very little change. Yet Firefox 4 does bring many new features, including significantly increased speed, synchronization options for your personal data, and support for HTML5.

You should keep in mind though, that it’s not really a question of whether it’s painless or worth it to make the move. Browser upgrades should always be treated as a mandatory operation, especially if your browser will handle security relevant data, such as passwords, credit card information, or online banking. Fortunately, with Firefox 4 the upgrade is both very easy and rewarding.

What do you think of Firefox 4 and what are your favorite new features so far?

More articles about: browsers, firefox, firefox tips, install, Mozilla, upgrade

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A STOP error message during the booting time primarily occurs afterwards installing an adverse accessory driver on your machine. A driver disciplinarian is a software programs that is primarily used for comminuting amid the Hardware and higher-level computer programs. In a lot of cases, unmountable harder drive and data inaccessibility are the two aloft hazards that you appointment afterwards a STOP error message comes. To successfully come out from affected these hazards, a data backup helps you to restore the lost data. But, in cases area you accept not maintained any advancement or advancement fails to restore the adapted data, an able Data Recover Tool comes to rescue.

Consider an applied scenario, area you receive accept the below error message if you are going to boot your system afterwards installing a new accessory driver:

“STOP: 0×00000042 (parameter, parameter, parameter, parameter) ATDISK_DRIVER_INTERNAL”

The four parameters in the aloft error message alter with machine configuration.

Once the aloft error message comes, all the files and folders saved in your harder drive become inaccessible. In addition, you got same STOP error message every time you attack to begin your machine.

Cause:

The aloft STOP error message primarily indicates a harder drive accessory centralized error.

Resolution:

To resolve the aloft error message and admission the data, you will charge to chase the beneath measures:

• Remove the hardware and reboot your system.
• If the problem persists, select Last Known Good Configuration option while rebooting.
• If the error message still appears, use Emergency Repair Disk.

But, if all the aloft measures fall short to boldness your issue, again you will charge to windows Xp installation. A clean reinstall of Windows will remove all the data saved on the formatted harder drive partition. To balance your data under such situations, you charge to opt for avant-garde Data Recovery Tool These data recovery tools are congenital with avant-garde techniques and are simple to accept due to their awful graphical user-interface. Such applications use top end scanning methods to browse and balance data from your harder drive.  You can also have lots of Windows Xp Tech Support.

If a computer is already running Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Service Pack 5 (SP5), or Windows 2000 Professional, you can upgrade it directly to Windows XP. This includes computers with partitions that are formatted by using FAT or NTFS because Windows XP can recognize both file systems. You cannot directly upgrade computers running earlier versions of Windows such as Windows 95 or Windows NT Workstation 3.51. These operating systems require interim upgrades to a version of Windows that supports a direct upgrade to XP.

Before starting an upgrade, there are a few considerations that you should take into account. These considerations include the following:

Ensure that the computer meets the hardware and software compatibility requirements for Microsoft Windows XP. Consult the Windows Catalog on the Web for supported hardware. You should also generate a system compatibility report prior to starting the upgrade process. This report analyzes potential problems that you might encounter after an upgrade and provides possible solutions. You can generate this report by selecting the Check System Compatibility option on the splash screen that appears when you insert the installation CD. You can also generate the report when starting Setup from the command line by typing winnt32/Check upgrade only.

If the compatibility check reports any hardware or software incompatibilities, you should obtain and apply the proper updates before proceeding with the upgrade.

Uninstall any incompatible software until you can load new compatible replacements. Because XP is relatively new, you should take the time to check the system’s basic input/output system (BIOS) version to verify that the version is the latest revision available. You should also verify that BIOS-based virus protection is disabled before initiating the Windows XP upgrade. A BIOS antivirus feature interprets attempts by Setup to modify the boot sector as virus-like activity and prevents the modifications, causing Setup to fail. Back up important files and data before performing an upgrade to avoid potential loss. There is always the possibility of system failure during any major operation. Scan for viruses and remove viruses from the computer before performing an upgrade. Uncompress any drive that is compressed with anything other than NTFS compression before performing an upgrade. The only type of compression that is supported by XP is NTFS compression. XP does not support DriveSpace, DoubleSpace, or any third-party compression formats.

After running Windows XP for so many years, I finally decided to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional 64 bit along with installing a fresh new hard drive. This is the phase of upgrading my desktop computer. The first phase was back in September when I upgraded to a new mother board and processor. Now it’s time to upgrade the rest of the machine with a new hard drive and operating system. All is working great and I’m truly happy with the results. April 19, 2010.

This is a clip of Apple’s new Leopard tutorial video. The section this clip is about is installing Leopard

I decided to purchase Windows Vista Home Premium for one reason and that was because of the improved parental controls. I have a problem where my son spends so much time on the computer he has started to lose his social skills. Not to mention the fact that once I go to bed he gets up and starts playing games on the pc until 3 or 4 in the morning.

So the advanced parental controls in Windows Vista really appealed to me, especially the time controls. This is where you can allocate time slots for each account. So as soon as I installed it, the first thing I did was to specify what times he is allowed to access the computer. For this reason alone, the cost of upgrading was well worth it.

Well that’s my reason, but what is the rest of Vista like?

Well Vista arrived, via the postman, on Tuesday morning. Once unwrapped, you are presented with a very nicely packaged box. Not sure this level of packaging is required, when you consider you’ll probably only use it once or twice before the next upgrade to the Windows family is released.

So after backing up all my critical data, I put the Vista disk into my machine. It started checking my PC and came up with a message that I had to rename a data file and uninstall Nero. So once this was done, I had to start Vista again. This time it passed the checks and I spent the next four hours twiddling my thumbs! It is not a quick process let me tell you that!

However, once the four hour upgrade had been completed, I was ready to check out all the new features!

The way Windows Vista presents itself is absolutely stunning compared to older versions. Two things I really like are the Windows sidebar and the screen switching button (Areo Feature).

The screen switching button is great, as when you have a number of screens open you can press it and Vista shows all the screens in a 3D cascade in the middle of the screen. It looks great and is really useful.

The sidebar is also equally as good. The sidebar is a collection of small info gadgets that are fixed to the side of the screen. On mine I have an analogue clock, a calender, a local weather panel, cpu usage meter, latest $ to £ exchange rates and yahoo news. Other gadgets can be added, and I believe more can be downloaded via the web. This is an excellent utility as I always found it difficult to find out the date when working at the pc under older windows versions.

Another good addition is the ability to review what programmes are in your start menu. As I’ve had my pc for over a year there were programmes in there which I very rarely use and it is really easy to turn them off using this utility.

The start menu is much slicker than it used to be on XP. On clicking the start button, you are presented with similar information to that of XP but it is organised much better. All the programs in the All Programs menu are now listed sequentially in a scrolling box as opposed to expanding right across your screen as in XP. The usual shortcuts are also there, like control panel, recent files, etc…

Windows Mail is much improved. Essentially Microsoft has taken Outlook and integrated it right into Windows Vista. Mail can be checked at a click of a button. The features of Windows Mail have not been scimped upon, with 99% of Outlooks features available, i.e. calender, tasks, etc…

Windows Explorer has changed quite substantially and it is so easy to find the files you are looking for. As you drill down through the directories, a link to each directory/subdirectory is displayed above the main window so going back on yourself is very much simplified. Also the used/free space on each drive is shown in a bar above the drive letters, much like a progress bar when downloading something off the web. My Documents, My Pictures, My Music are now given a specific short cut link at the top of the Explorer Window, which makes finding your media files really easy. Also Microsoft have dropped the ‘My’ part of the directory name. Something which always used to bug me!

Security is much improved. When you try to install anything, Windows pops up a question confirming you requested this action. Should help to stop some of those Trojans I guess.

Having used Internet Explorer 7.0 on XP and now on Vista, I can see why I had so many problems with XP. The 7.0 update was designed to integrate into Vista and this is plainly obvious when you use it for the first time. Pages load faster and IE is much more stable in Vista. I used to get 2 or 3 crashes a day in XP.

Other updates include, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Movie Maker, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Meeting Space, Sync Center, Ease of Access Center, and some great new games. I haven’t had chance to play with these new additions yet, except a few games of Mahjong, but on the surface they look really good.

The Control Panel is one area where Microsoft have really improved things, everything is now organised more sensibly into various categories, i.e. security, system & maintenance, user accounts, appearance & personalisation, network and internet, etc…

Perhaps the biggest addition is the Media Center. This allows you to view all your pictures and videos either on your desktop or onto a linked TV. You can also watch, pause and record live TV if you have a TV tuner in your machine.

Conclusion

I’m a bit of a gadget freak and love anything new. This is why I bought XP when it came out and now Vista. I have to say though that Vista is without doubt a massive improvement on XP. Everything about the operating system is so much more stable and it’s packed with useful utilities and gadgets.

So is it worth the investment? You bet it is!

Microsoft Windows Vista is the latest workstation version of the Windows operating system and is designed for both home and business users. MSN Encarta describes a vista as a scenic or panoramic view, and that’s exactly what Windows Vista provides. Not only does Windows Vista have an all-new look, complete with stylish graphical visualizations, easier-to-navigate menus, and enhanced personalization capabilities, but the operating system is also the first version of Windows in which the user experience scales to the hardware capabilities of the computer on which Windows Vista is installed. Although the graphical bells and whistles are excellent, many of the most powerful features in Windows Vista are those that you won’t see at first glance, including the many enhancements for reliability, security, usability, and mobility.

Microsoft provides multiple versions of Windows Vista. There are two versions for home users and two versions for business users as well as an all-encompassing version for users who want all available features. Unlike its predecessors, Windows Vista allows you to upgrade between versions.

Regardless of which Windows Vista version you are using, the core features and the way you work with the operating system are the same. Because of this consistency, this book points out the differences between Windows Vista versions only where necessary.

Upgrading the Windows Vista Versions

Unlike its predecessors, you can easily upgrade Windows Vista versions by using the Windows Anytime Upgrade utility or a Windows Anytime Upgrade disc. You can:

· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Basic to Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate.

· Upgrade from Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows Vista Ultimate.

· Upgrade from Windows Vista Business to Windows Vista Enterprise or Windows Vista Ultimate.

Upgrade from Windows Vista Enterprise to Windows Vista Ultimate.

Linux Mint 8 64bit Setup Tutorial – Upgrading from Windows Vista and Dual Booting Guide. Original video production by the www.OSGUI.com Tech Show.

According the InfoWorld survey taken over the past several weeks, XP users are still resistant to upgrade to Windows 7 even though a lot of Windows Vista users are now flocking to Windows 7. Why? It is because XP users are comfortable and afraid of change thanks to the blunder with Windows Vista. Windows Pulse tracking service find out that 64 percent of its readers is still using the legacy operating system.

The survey shows that 4 percent of real –world PC consumers are now using Windows 7. Many of them are new users, not including those who have upgraded from Vista or XP if any. InfoWorld claims that 10 percent are now using the new OS, while Vista runs at 30 percent. It is monitored through the exo.performance.network. Devil Mountain Software manages the network tracking the users who have chosen to opt in. InfoWorld observed that Windows Vista is losing its market share as the Windows 7′s popularity increases.

NPD Group also had a recent survey confirming Windows 7 popularity over its oft-criticized predecessor. The survey found out that the initial boxed upgrades of Windows 7 are 234 percent higher over Windows Vista. Moreover, Microsoft offered significant pre-sale discounts for Windows 7. There is also restricted demand for upgrades because many businesses avoid Windows Vista for so many reasons. Windows Vista created a lot of problem of users. It is bloated and has a very high requirement of hardware. Of course, it is not a good deal for the business owners to invest more money on the hardware if they are not that sure with its performance too. It also causes a lot of application incompatibility.

Windows 7 had a long beta cycle and had received generally good reviews. There is no direct upgrade path from Windows XP to Windows 7. For XP users to upgrade to Windows 7, they must perform a clean install. In addition, some machines are still weak for Windows 7.

Windows Vista users have decided to upgrade to Windows 7 because of its popularity but XP users still defiant in doing the same thing. If you need help in deciding whether you’ll move to Windows 7 or stay to Windows XP, Techie Now is willing to assist you anytime. Contact Techie Now for PC support services: virus and spyware removal, performance optimization, installation and configuration, and general repair. Techie Now offers provides your PC needs at your convenience.

Rocketboom Tech correspondent Ellie Rountree recommends 5 tips for installing Windows 7. This episode was made in collaboration with Intel! Follow Rocketboom Tech, Ellie and Intel on Twitter! twitter.com twitter.com twitter.com Story Links: Five Reasons Windows XP Has About a Year to Live www.pcworld.com Windows 7 Packaging techtickerblog.com Explore the possibilities of Dell and Windows 7 www.youtube.com Windows 7 Icons mayur.gondaliya.com Dropbox www.getdropbox.com 8 ways to make use of …