• Win Me Beta 3?
  Time: 07:50 EST/12:50 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Alex Harris

  We had a lot of e-mails this morning asking us if Windows Me (Millennium Edition) had reached beta 3, as a few websites had said it would on March 17th (Not us). Well as expected if you read this site, it hasn't reached Beta 3 yet. Microsoft are getting closer (They released a regular weekly interim build again last night which I don't believe was even a release candidate for Beta 3) and it is still expected early April. We hope that clears up some of the confusion.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Windows ‘Worm’ Virus Slithers
  Time: 04:44 EST/09:44 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  A new worm now "in the wild" has the potential to shut down Windows platforms and make the operating system permanently unusable.

  Computer Associates International discovered the worm, Win32/Melting.worm, on Tuesday, when customers started to find it in their e-mail systems, says Narender Mangalam, director of security solutions at CA. So far, it has hit some Fortune 1000 software companies, he says.

  "The risk level is moderate, and it hasn't caused too much damage because we believe we've caught it in time," Mangalam says. CA markets InoculateIT, a virus detection and prevention program.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Power PCs Still Lack Win 2000
  Time: 04:42 EST/09:42 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  A new high-end business PC should run the newest, most powerful operating system, right? But if your preference is Windows 2000, you may have to wait--particularly if you want a DVD-ROM drive.

  One month after Microsoft unveiled the long-awaited operating system, many powerhouse PCs, surprisingly, don’t yet offer it as an option.

  Compaq, for example, is lagging in bundling Win 2000 on its most powerful systems. And several other desktops on PC World’s most recent list of Top 10 Power PCs (or their slightly faster siblings) still come preloaded with Windows 98 Second Edition, not Windows 2000.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Encarta Goes Online Free
  Time: 04:40 EST/09:40 GMT News Source: PC World Posted By: Alex Harris

  The online dictionary market will soon face new competition, as Microsoft announced it will launch a free online version of its Encarta World English Dictionary.

  Microsoft’s announcement comes just days after Oxford University Press announced the launch of its own Oxford English Dictionary (OED) online. The OED, however, uses a fee-based model, charging an annual fee of $550 for access.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Is Microsoft playing favorites?
  Time: 04:38 EST/09:38 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Alex Harris

  As IT cleared a path for an expanded partnership with Andersen Consulting, Microsoft Corp. may have thrown up roadblocks for its other Windows 2000 service partners.

  The Redmond, Wash., company this week announced it will team with Andersen to create a $1 billion joint venture, called Avanade, to provide services for building and deploying Windows 2000 platforms and technologies.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Overheating Intel parts threaten Toshiba laptops
  Time: 04:35 EST/09:35 GMT News Source: CNet News Posted By: Alex Harris

  Intel has another hot problem: Some notebooks are dying because of faulty processor packaging.

  The flaw, which first appeared in Toshiba Satellite 4100 models, affects certain notebooks containing 400-MHz Pentium II and Celeron processors. Toshiba Tectra 8000 notebooks also could be affected. The problem, however, may not be confined to Toshiba.

  Intel was saddled with a number of product glitches in 1999, including an embarrassing bug that delayed the release of PCs containing Rambus memory.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• WebTV hit by Melissa-like bug
  Time: 04:33 EST/09:33 GMT News Source: CNet News Posted By: Alex Harris

  WebTV has been hit by a self-replicating bug that is wreaking havoc with the network's message boards and newsgroups, a situation that knocks back the company's claim that it is immune to viruses and security holes.

  The problem, which some are calling the "Flood Virus," gets inside the e-mail system of WebTV owners and prompts the WebTV settop box to litter bulletin board and newsgroup sites on the company's network with redundant junk mail. Like the Melissa virus, the malicious WebTV code sends out the emails under a user's name without their knowledge.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   

• Intel to release 850-MHz, 866-MHz amid shortage
  Time: 04:31 EST/09:31 GMT News Source: CNet News Posted By: Alex Harris

  Intel will come out with new Pentium IIIs on Monday, amid a lingering shortage of high-end processors.

  The Santa Clara, Calif.-based chipmaking giant will announce 850-MHz and 866-MHz Pentium III processors for desktops on Monday, according to sources close to the company. The chips follow the recent, accelerated introduction of a Pentium III running at 1GHz. Price cuts are not expected on the rest of the Pentium III processors as yet. Intel last cut Pentium III prices at the end of February.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

• Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-016) - Patch Available for "Malformed Media License Request" Vulnerability
  Time: 19:53 EST/00:53 GMT News Source: Microsoft Product Security Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a denial of service vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows Media(tm) License Manager. The vulnerability could allow a malicious user to temporarily prevent the license server from issuing further licenses to customers for protected digital content (music and video).

  Windows Media License Manager is part of Windows Media Rights Manager, a component of Windows Media Technologies that enables content providers to distribute copyrighted digital media in encrypted form. When Windows Media Player opens protected digital media, it contacts the provider's server, presents the user's license request information, and obtains a license that allows it to play the media. However, a specially-malformed license request can cause License Manager to halt, thereby preventing legitimate subscribers from obtaining a license for the same or other content hosted at this site.

  The vulnerability does not in any way compromise the protection provided by the encryption or prevent offline playing of content that the user has already licensed. The server can be put back into normal operation by restarting the License Manager.

  Read more

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Flight Simulator 2000 Update Released
  Time: 19:05 EDT/00:05 GMT News Source: Microsoft Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft today announced the release of the second update for Flight Simulator 2000. This new update makes shadows possible for aircraft, buildings, and dynamic scenery within Flight Simulator 2000. The Flight Simulator 2000 Update is available for download on the official Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/games/fs2000/.

  In addition to shadows, the Flight Simulator Update includes corrections for autopilot-induced oscillations while following the ILS glideslope. In addition, ATIS frequencies are now limited to frequencies tunable with the communication radios and the Learjet 45 and Boeing 737-300 ADF needles correct for magnetic variation.

  After downloading and installing the update, players must make sure that the Aircraft Shadows and Ground Scenery Shadows settings are selected in the Image Quality tab of the Display Settings dialog box in order to view shadows in Flight Simulator 2000.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Microsoft tackles Web email breach
  Time: 14:25 EDT/19:25 GMT News Source: News.com Posted By: Byron Hinson

  In response to a number of customer complaints, Microsoft has posted a fix for a security problem that could have potentially crashed the computers of people who use Web-based email. Microsoft today alerted Windows 95 and Windows 98 consumers that a patch for the bug, called the "DOS Device in Path Name," has been posted and can be downloaded off the software giant's Web site.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Tecmar warns about tapes and Windows 2000
  Time: 09:53 EDT/14:53 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Got a peripheral tape solution based on floppy and parallel port tape drives? Thinking of upgrading your operating system to Windows 2000? Be careful. Tecmar has just issued a warning that its Ditto drives will not work with Windows 2000. According to a statement from the firm, the operating system does not provide drivers for floppy and parallel port drives and there is no intention to support them in the future.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Online Dictionaries Face New Competition as Microsoft Launches Free Online Version of Encarta World English Dictionary
  Time: 09:52 EDT/14:52 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  The definitions of English words written and spoken around the world are now just a click of the mouse away with the launch of a free online version of the Microsoft^® Encarta^® World English Dictionary from Microsoft Corp. The online dictionary offers quick, easy-to-understand definitions that talk to users with audio pronunciations in a human voice. The online dictionary is scheduled to be available at http://www.encarta.com/ on April 17 and will provide access any time, anywhere at no cost.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 System Tools Page Added
  Time: 09:23 EST/14:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin2k Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have added a Microsoft Windows 2000 System Tools Page to our Windows 2000 section; it has all the latest Microsoft supported tools to perform a variety of different tasks on your Windows 2000 operating system - including diagnostic indicators, upgrade utilities, and more. Very handy information.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin2k: Windows 2000 Compatible Server List Added
  Time: 09:23 EST/14:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin2k Posted By: Robert Stein

  Do you plan on installing a server or buying a pre-installed with the Windows 2000 operating system? Make sure you check out this list of over 250 Microsoft Windows 2000 compatible servers. It includes all the major manufacturers.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin2k: Windows 2000 Patches Page Updated
  Time: 09:23 EST/14:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin2k Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have updated our Windows 2000 Patches Page; This updated list includes a Critical Update regarding Microsoft Virtual Machine (VM) and several recommended updates including Terminal Services Activation Failure, AOL .ART Images, and an incorrect signature for Xenroll.dll. Be sure to check it out!

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin: Pinnacle Systems Studio DV: Review
  Time: 07:23 EST/12:23 GMT News Source: ActiveWin Posted By: Robert Stein

  Julien has posted his review of Pinnacle System's Pinnacle Studio DV. Here is a snippet from the review:

  Some say “You’ve got a friend in the business”… But for pinnacle, we should use to say: “You’ve got a video’s friend”. Pinnacle is a German manufacturer well known for its great professional capture video cards such as the miroVideo DC30 series. Apple first introduced the Firewire standard. Camcorders manufacturers included it on their digital Mini-DV camcorders to share videos with a REAL and FULL digital quality. The Studio DV PCI board’s intended use is with Mini-DV digital camcorders. It’s an IEEE 1394 board, based on a Texas Instruments’ chip; it will bring to your computer 3 iLink/MiniDV/Firewire/IEEE 1394 connectors (two external and one internal). It even allows you to plug IEEE 1394 hard disks. With a bandwidth of 400Mb per seconds the Studio DV board is definitely an interesting cheap solution to capture digital videos. It comes with the awarded ‘Studio’ software that allows users to mount, edit, their favorites videos by adding great effects (titles, transitions, sounds, music, and much more) in a few click.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Sony embarrassed by another PlayStation2 flaw
  Time: 04:37 EDT/09:37 GMT News Source: Yahoo! Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  Japanese electronics giant Sony Corp faced fresh embarrassment on Friday when its new, hugely hyped PlayStation2 (PS2) game console revealed another flaw, sending its share price sliding.

  Sony's game making unit Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) said it had found users of PS2, launched two weeks ago in Japan amid huge publicity and frenzied demand, could manipulate it to watch digital video disk (DVD) software sold overseas.

  That is in breach of an agreement among DVD player makers worldwide that stipulates machines can only play domestically sold disks equipped with disenabling codes.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Microsoft Security Bulletin (MS00-017) - Patch Available for "DOS Device in Path Name" Vulnerability
  Time: 04:25 EST/09:25 GMT News Source: Microsoft Product Security Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  Microsoft has released a patch that eliminates a security vulnerability in Microsoft(r) Windows(r) 95, Windows 98, and Windows 98 Second Edition. The vulnerability could cause a user's system to crash, if they attempted to access a file or folder whose path contained certain reserved words.

  DOS device names are reserved words, and cannot be used as folder or file names. When parsing a reference to a file or folder, Windows correctly checks for the case in which a single DOS device name is used in the path, and treats it as invalid. However, it does not check for the case in which the path includes multiple DOS device names. When Windows attempts to interpret the device name as a file resource, it performs an illegal resource access that usually results in a crash.

  Because it is not possible to create files or folders that contain DOS device names, it would be unusual for a user to try to access one under normal circumstances. The chief threat posed by this vulnerability is that a malicious user could attempt to entice a user to attempt such an access. For instance, if a web site operator hosted a hyperlink that referenced such a path, clicking the link would result in the user's machine crashing. Likewise, a web page or HTML mail that specified a local file as the source of rendering information could cause the user's machine to crash when it was displayed. If this happened, the machine could be put back into normal service by restarting it.

  Read more

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

• ActiveXBox - Screenshots and Movies Updated
  Time: 18:31 EDT/23:31 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Matthew Sabean

  We have updated our ActiveXBox - Screenshot and Movie page with a few more movies. These movies are quite large in size but we think you will enjoy them.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveDVD: Mystery Men: DVD - Review
  Time: 16:03 EST/21:03 GMT News Source: ActiveDVD Posted By: Byron Hinson

  I have posted my review of the recently released Universal DVD - Mystery Men. Here is a snippet from the review:

  Despite the great casting, good characters and some fine directing from first-time director Kinka Usher, I just didn't find Mystery Men at all funny, not even once which I found very surprising when you consider the comedians who are involved in the movie.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• A new thorn in Microsoft’s side?
  Time: 14:43 EST/19:43 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft is obsessed with Sun. Microsoft watches AOL's every move. Microsoft continues to try to second-guess the various Linux players.

  But does Microsoft fear BSDI, a.k.a. Berkeley Software Design Inc.? I know Microsoft knows who BSDI is, because it is BSDI's software that powers Microsoft’s HotMail site, despite Microsoft's best efforts to move it into Windows 2000. But does BSDI keep the "Redmonians" awake at night? Probably not.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• MSN Mobile 2.0 Released
  Time: 14:38 EST/19:38 GMT News Source: E-Mail Posted By: Byron Hinson

  MSN Mobile Version 2 has just launched. Here is some more information about the service:

  Welcome to MSN™ Mobile version 2.0! MSN Mobile now offers even more services and content for wireless devices, such as:
  
  

  • New content partners. You’ll now find content from MSNBC, ZDNet, and MSN MoneyCentral™.
  • E-mail Alerts for MSN Hotmail®. Receive an alert on your pager or cellular phone whenever you receive an e-mail message in Hotmail.
  • Support for Web-enabled cellular phones. Use your Web-enabled cellular phone, such as the Sprint Wireless Web phone, to browse MSN Mobile directly. With these new features, you can now get more of the information you need ... anytime, anywhere.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows® 2000 Professional operating system: Review
  Time: 06:13 EST/11:13 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have posted our 18 page review of Windows 2000 Professional Edition. Here is a snippet from the review:

  During the past few months Activewin has been a leader in presenting our readers with the most up to date features and improvements that Windows 2000 has to offer. We are proud to present you all with our full and complete review on the just released Windows 2000 Professional Operating System.

  Some may believe Windows 2000 is the successor of Windows 98SE. The fact is that Windows 2000 is the replacement for Microsoft's Windows NT business and network platform. Windows 2000 is a full operating system based on a full NT 32 bit engine that allows high end multi tasking, high security levels, and advanced networking features while still supporting DirectX and all the latest hardware.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Oklahoma Supreme Court Fully Deployed on Windows 2000; Sees Flawless Performance on 63 Servers, 1,200 Clients Statewide
  Time: 14:36 EST/19:36 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Oklahoma Supreme Court, with 70 facilities and more than 1,200 users statewide, has migrated to a 100 percent Microsoft^® Windows^® 2000 operating system-based enterprise to boost manageability and reliability and to support a new, statewide case-tracking system that is available internally and over the Web.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   

• MS may try to boost WinCE, Linux-style
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Feeling pressure from Linux in the embedded-device market, Microsoft Corp. is contemplating giving Windows CE to some developers for free. The company is unlikely to go so far as to claim its effort to be Linux-like open source, but it nonetheless seems to hope it can ride the open-source movement's coattails.

  Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) could make public its plans to open the Windows CE source base as soon as its Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) in late April, sources say.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• MS wins more time in Euro antitrust case
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft has been given a few more days to respond to the European Commission requirement that it provide data relating to the complaint made public last month. This was lodged by end users, SMEs and competitors (including Sun), and concerns alleged leveraging of Windows 2000 in the server market.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• MS gives away Win2k Pro code for free
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft faces something of a licensing issue in Spain, following the accidental free distribution of an estimated 100,000 copies of full, non time-limited Windows 2000. The code was cover-mounted by the Spanish edition of IDG's PC World, which we understand has had record-breaking sales for the month.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Nvidia gets $200m X-Box injection
  Time: 08:48 EST/13:48 GMT News Source: The Register Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Graphics chip giant, Nvidia, is to receive a $200 million payment from Microsoft next month as an advance on multimedia development work for the X-Box. The X-Box has become one of the industry's most talked about yet-to-ship products and has seen a rows break out over who would win the supply deals for a variety of components. According to NewsTraders.com, the announcement of the $200 million payment came via Nvidia's end of year financial filings.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   

• Microsoft Joins Forces With Freddie Mac, Chase Manhattan, GMAC-RFC, Norwest Mortgage and Bank of America To Form New Company
  Time: 08:47 EST/13:47 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Byron Hinson

  Microsoft Corp. today announced the formation of HomeAdvisor Technologies Inc., a new company that will revolutionize the way homes are bought and sold, shaving weeks off of the mortgage-closing process and saving consumers more than $2,000 over the life of a loan by providing lower rates and reduced closing costs. The new company will be announced today in front of more than 100 of the nation's leading real estate brokers by Steve Ballmer, president and CEO of Microsoft, as well as executives from Freddie Mac; Chase.com; GMAC-Residential Funding Corp. (GMAC-RFC); Norwest Mortgage Inc., a Wells Fargo company; and Bank of America. This is the latest step in fulfilling the MSN™ vision of the Everyday Web, which includes building strategic partnerships to deliver the strongest services, information and marketplaces for all MSN customers.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Compatible Laptop/Mobile List Posted
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just added a Windows 2000 Compatible Laptop/Mobile List to our ActiveWin2k Section; if you are interested in buying a pre-installed laptop or wish to upgrade your current laptop to the Windows 2000 platform make sure you check out this list! It includes all compatible laptops from the major manufacturers.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Compatible Clusters List Posted
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just added a Windows 2000 Compatible Cluster List to our ActiveWin2k Section; this list is vital to system administrators and network operators who are interested in upgrading their network to the Windows 2000 platform.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List Updated
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just posted Microsoft's latest update of the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List - This comprehensive list vitally lists all the hardware components that will work with Windows 2000. Check it out! The list is large - 2.2 MB in text format.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• ActiveWin2k: Microsoft Windows 2000 Certified Programs Updated
  Time: 16:24 EST/21:24 GMT News Source: Active Network Posted By: Robert Stein

  We have just received Microsoft's latest list of Certified Programs - This certification means the application uses advances in Windows technology as defined in the Windows 2000 Applications Specification standards; not being certified does not mean the program will not work, it just means that it is not guaranteed. Applications that carry this Certified-for-Windows logo are designed to deliver new levels of reliability, manageability.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Oops! IE5 can lock out Win users
  Time: 15:10 EST/20:10 GMT News Source: ZDNet Posted By: Byron Hinson

  You want Windows 2000 security? Simple, all you have to do is install Internet Explorer 5.0 with 128-bit encryption on Windows 2000 Professional or any W2K server. One reboot later you'll find that you have the ultimate in security: No one -- including you -- will be able to log in to the Windows 2000 system. Whoops.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Windows Me to eliminate some networking support
  Time: 15:01 EST/20:01 GMT News Source: News.com Posted By: Robert Stein

  Windows Me, formerly known by its code-name, Millennium, will not include technology that allows users to connect directly to corporate local area networks (LANs) running Novell or Banyan file server software, the company confirmed. News of the decision first appeared in a report from the Gartner Group, a market analysis firm. Unlike previous Microsoft operating systems, Windows Me, expected to debut this fall, is positioned solely for home users, who would be unlikely to connect their PCs to corporate networks. Microsoft argues that the networking technology being dropped from Windows Me is more of a hassle for consumers, not a convenience.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   

• Microsoft Announces IPv6 Technical Preview for Windows 2000
  Time: 14:49 EST/19:49 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: Robert Stein

  Microsoft Corp. today announced it will make the technical preview of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) available for free* download on the Microsoft Software Developers Network (MSDN™) Web site, for use by developers for Windows^® 2000. The preview will help developers prepare their applications for smooth, successful deployments as an industrywide conversion to IPv6 nears. The code and related information will be posted and available for download on March 20, 2000.

  [Submit News]  [Return To Headlines]  [Translate]  [Site News]

   
• Microsoft and Pro Golf's Elite Launch the Largest, Most Authentic Golf Event in the History of the Internet with a $100,000 Grand Prize
  Time: 14:49 EST/19:49 GMT News Source: Press Release Posted By: