Every once in a while I’ll try to log into a server and get what I call the Remote Desktop Black Screen of Death.  No matter how many times I log out, log in, try to switch resolutions, etc. I could never defeat it.  Fortunately I just discovered a simple solution: hit the Remote Desktop equivalent of Control+Alt+Delete, which is Control+Alt+End.

When Microsoft released Windows Vista they also released a new volume licensing model using two different types of software license keys: MAK and KMS. MAK stands for Multiple Activation Key.  Each MAK key is a good for a specific number of device activations.  You configure a MAK key by typing it in during Windows Setup or by changing it through the System dialog after installation. When you try to activate your MAK-configured software it will connect [...]

NOTE: The Video is coming soon! Please be patient. Activating Windows 8 is the process of allowing your computer to connect to Microsoft and verify that your computer is licensed to run their software.  If you purchased a new computer with Windows 8 preinstalled, you’ll probably never have to worry about it.  However if you’re like me and installing Windows 8 over an existing operating system it’s something you’ll have to do. If Windows isn’t [...]

Well I finally installed Windows 8 because, well… somebody has to, right? Truth be told I was hesitant.  I’m normally not one to buck changes but when I saw what Microsoft did to the UI I felt concerned about what was going to happen to my work flow. To put it another way: WHERE THE HELL IS MY START BUTTON, MR. BALLMER? Unfortunately we’ve gotten our first handful of Windows 8 devices at work and, since [...]

When trying to connect to a second domain controller from the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in I received a vague “local error.” Read on to find out how to troubleshoot and correct it.