Shortcuts to master for Windows 7

Want to be more productive while using Windows 7? While some of these might be old hat as they worked with past Windows operating systems, you might discover a new one or two among the 45 shortcuts listed here. Plus, it’s always a good idea to have a quick refresher, no?

Save time and frustration while on your personal computer with these handy Windows 7 shortcuts, provided by Microsoft.

Mastering these simple keyboard strokes can really speed up your computing tasks, whether you rely on your PC for work or play (or likely, a bit of both).

What are your favourites? Have any of your own to share in the Comments section? Do tell!

Press this key	To do this
F1	Display Help
Ctrl+C (or Ctrl+Insert)	Copy the selected item
Ctrl+X	Cut the selected item
Ctrl+V (or Shift+Insert)	Paste the selected item
Ctrl+Z	Undo an action
Ctrl+Y	Redo an action
Delete (or Ctrl+D)	Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin
Shift+Delete	Delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin first
F2	Rename the selected item
Ctrl+Right Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next word
Ctrl+Left Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous word
Ctrl+Down Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the next paragraph
Ctrl+Up Arrow	Move the cursor to the beginning of the previous paragraph
Ctrl+Shift with an arrow key	Select a block of text
Shift with any arrow key	Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document
Ctrl with any arrow key+Spacebar	Select multiple individual items in a window or on the desktop
Ctrl+A	Select all items in a document or window
F3	Search for a file or folder
Alt+Enter	Display properties for the selected item
Alt+F4	Close the active item, or exit the active program
Alt+Spacebar	Open the shortcut menu for the active window
Ctrl+F4	Close the active document (in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
Alt+Tab	Switch between open items
Ctrl+Alt+Tab	Use the arrow keys to switch between open items
Ctrl+Mouse scroll wheel	Change the size of icons on the desktop
Windows logo key  +Tab	Cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Ctrl+Windows logo key  +Tab	Use the arrow keys to cycle through programs on the taskbar by using Aero Flip 3-D
Alt+Esc	Cycle through items in the order in which they were opened
F6	Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop
F4	Display the address bar list in Windows Explorer
Shift+F10	Display the shortcut menu for the selected item
Ctrl+Esc	Open the Start menu
Alt+underlined letter	Display the corresponding menu
Alt+underlined letter	Perform the menu command (or other underlined command)
F10	Activate the menu bar in the active program
Right Arrow	Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu
Left Arrow	Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu
F5 (or Ctrl+R)	Refresh the active window
Alt+Up Arrow	View the folder one level up in Windows Explorer
Esc	Cancel the current task
Ctrl+Shift+Esc	Open Task Manager
Shift when you insert a CD	Prevent the CD from automatically playing
Left Alt+Shift	Switch the input language when multiple input languages are enabled
Ctrl+Shift	Switch the keyboard layout when multiple keyboard layouts are enabled
Right or Left Ctrl+Shift	Change the reading direction of text in right-to-left reading languages

Courtesy : http://bnjho.blogspot.in & http://sapost.blogspot.com/

Top 10 things Stellar Phoenix SQL Recovery user needs to know

Recover your corrupt SQL Server Database with a dedicated software application is a SQL Recovery Software provided by Stellar. The application runs directly from your system after installing software on specified location. Here I am sharing useful information of SQL Recovery Software. 

There are two types of files, mdf and ndf which manage your data in proper format. The ndf file is a secondary file, if you have a large amount of data; you probably have a secondary file (ndf) to save your data. The new feature is to recover large ndf files. Now you have no need to worry about large file recovery, Stellar SQL Recovery can also recover large corrupt ndf files. The SQL Recovery Software should run on copy of the corrupt file.

In any version of SQL Database, if you find any problem to find the corrupt mdf file then you can easily search it by using the "Find Option". Just click on this button & the application find into your system that appears immediately in list view format. You can choose the file that you want to recover from this list. 

The new version of SQL Server Database launched in 2011. Another new feature is- supports to latest version of SQL Server Database that is SQL Server 2008 R2. 

Fast scanning algorithms — you can recover database quickly & accurately without completing the whole recovery. 

In addition to the whole process information, the new set includes separate log report after scanning database which shows all recovery process. I am eager to see how this apps sharing this process in the software. 

You can also recover XML data types and XML indexes with this software.

You cannot save preview of your database in demo version. For this you have to purchase full version of the software.

You can check the preview more than one objects at a time. Click on either one to multiple objects to recover it. Save it quickly and easily on location as you like.

You should perform software updates as soon as they become available. The easiest way for users to update your software is through update button. If you are using software, when an update is available, you can see it by clicking update button the top fifth right button on the software screen. Just click on this button to install the new updates.

If any of option isn’t used by you just yet, don’t worry use it now & give your precious comments about it.

Source : http://data-base-recovery.blogspot.in

SQL Database Recovery Terms

As we know in SQL Database recovery we have these three options which we use commonly:

• Restore from backup
• DBCC Command & Repair command or 
• Third Party SQL Database Recovery Software

So, I would like clear most of the doubts related to above three options:

Is “REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS” command not cause data loss:  It all totally depends on corruption level. When you are using this command, you should make up your mind that you can also lose you data. That's why the option is named that - seriously.

Can we run repair without running DBCC CHECKDB: No, we can’t. Repair is an option to one of the consistency-checking commands (DBCC CHECKALLOC, DBCC CHECKTABLE, or DBCC CHECKDB

Note: DBCC CHECKFILEGROUP and DBCC CHECKCATALOG don't support repair

Is Repair fix every SQL Database corruption: No, it don’t fix, Its all depends on corruption level. There are some errors that DBCC CHECKDB cannot fix.  For more detail please check this post. 

Repair is safe to use on system databases: No, it’s not safe. We should never use it on master or tempdb because they cannot be put into single-user mode.  

Is 'REPAIR_REBUILD' resolves every SQL Database corruption: No it’s not true. REPAIR_REBUILD only fixes problem in nonclustered indexes. 

Is EMERGENCY mode repair always helps: No, it’s not repair. If there is something broken in the file-system than the command get fail. 

Can we roll back repair command?: It depends. You can roll back everything if you started an explicit transaction. But users do it very rarely.

Note: EMERGENCY mode repair can never be rolled back.

Is SQL Database Recovery Software safe to use: YES, when you are using this software, you should first make a backup of your database. I always first preferred restore from backup solution so I will also recommend you it as a first step. You should only use this option when you don't have backup.  

Before using any recovery step, you should be properly aware about their pros & cons.  It will help you to choose better solution to recover your corrupt SQL Server database. 

Source : http://data-base-recovery.blogspot.in

How to get into your BIOS and change settings

Sooner or later you will have to go into your computers bios and change certain settings and especially if you want to format your computer. The bios is the first piece of software on your computer before the operating system is installed. Without the BIOS you would not have a working computer.  The BIOS (basic input operating system) is a set of programs, which controls the PC hardware and is stored in a memory chip on the motherboard. The chip is a Read Only Memory (ROM) chip, which keeps its contents even when the power is off. When a computer is turned on, the CPU will execute all of the instructions in the BIOS, which are stored in the ROM. These instructions will then load the Operating System.

What is the main reason you would enter the BIOS?

The main reason I go in there is to set the boot sequence or boot order of the computer. This means that you tell the computer to boot up to C: drive (windows on the computer) or to a cd or dvd drive. For example you might want to boot to an operating system CD when you format your computer with windows XP. Different computer makes and models have different version and types of bios however they all have the common basics, but may call them different things. I do not know why they could not follow the same menu and features but don’t panic because they are similar.

How to access my computer BIOS?

To access any bios on any computer you must watch the startup screen on the computer. It will usually say “To enter setup press…….” Some common keys you may have to press are F1, F2, F10, or maybe the delete key. You must press this key when the startup screen is showing. There will be a message on the bottom of the screen flashing by saying “press ??? to enter setup.” If you miss this you have to restart again.

Tips to getting in your BIOS:

1. Watch the screen when you are starting the computer. Be calm and don’t worry if the computer starts before you get to press the right key and the keyboard.
2. Restart the computer and now that you know the key to press, have your finger on it ready to push when you see the details screen.

Some examples of different brands of bios software:

In the screen shot below you can see a Phoenix BIOS. You need to select the boot menu at the top, then get the CD rom to the top of the list you see there to make it the first boot device.

With the American Megatrends Bios, choose Boot from the top menu, then click on Boot Device Priority. Then you will see a list of devices and you need to make the cd or dvd drive the first priority. To adjust these settings you will see instructions on how to control your keyboard in the right column and also in the bottom bar.

Once you have entered the bios there will be a menu to choose from. Some Bios have Boot sequence as a menu item, but if they do not you have to find it under another menu name. As you can see the BIOS brands above have a boot menu. Once you have found what you are looking for, change the cd rom to be the first to boot to, then hard drive as the second. Save and Exit the bios. This is for when you format your computer. To change it back, repeat steps and change it to boot to hard drive 0.

NOTES on how to get into your BIOS and change settings:

1. For tips on how to control, change, and save bios settings look at the bottom of the screen. It tells you which key to press.
2. Do not change anything you are not sure of. Changing the settings can easily cause your computer to stop working or have major annoying problems.
3. When you are not sure what you have done you can go in and choose to restore to system default settings. This is a good way to get out of trouble.

Courtesy : http://bnjho.blogspot.in & http://sapost.blogspot.com.

Changing of Server Authentication Mode in SQL Server 2008 R2

During installation, SQL Server Database Engine is set to either Windows Authentication mode or SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode. This topic describes how to change the security mode after installation.

If Windows Authentication mode is selected during installation, the sa login is disabled and a password is assigned by setup. If you later change authentication mode to SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode, the sa login remains disabled. To use the sa login, use the ALTER LOGIN statement to enable the sa login and assign a new password.

Security Note:The sa account is a well-known SQL Server account and it is often targeted by malicious users. Do not enable the sa account unless your application requires it. It is very important that you use a strong password for the sa login.

The sa login can only connect to the server by using SQL Server Authentication.

To change security authentication mode

1. In SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer, right-click the server, and then click Properties.
2. On the Security page, under Server authentication, select the new server authentication mode, and then click OK.
3. In the SQL Server Management Studio dialog box, click OK to acknowledge the requirement to restart SQL Server.
   
   

To restart SQL Server from SQL Server Management Studio

• In Object Explorer, right-click your server, and then click Restart. If SQL Server Agent is running, it must also be restarted.

To enable the sa login by using Transact-SQL

• Execute the following statements to enable the sa password and assign a password.

  
  ALTER LOGIN sa ENABLE ;
  GO
  
  ER LOGIN sa WITH PASSWORD = '<enterStrongPasswordHere>' ;
  GO
  AL
  
  T
  

  To enable the sa login by using Management Studio

  
  
  
  In Object Explorer, expand Security, expand Logins, right-click sa, and then click Properties.
  
  
  On the General page, you might have to create and confirm a password for the sa login.
  
  
  On the Status page, in the Login section, click Enabled, and then click OK.
  
  
  Courtesy : http://bnjho.blogspot.in & http://sapost.blogspot.in/
  
  
  
  

Shrink a Database SQL Server 2008 R2

This topic describes how to shrink a database by using Object Explorer in SQL Server Management Studio. The database cannot be made smaller than the minimum size of the database. The minimum size is the size specified when the database was originally created, or the last explicit size set by using a file-size-changing operation, such as DBCC SHRINKFILE. For example, if a database was originally created with a size of 10 MB and grew to 100 MB, the smallest size the database could be reduced to is 10 MB, even if all the data in the database has been deleted.

Shrinking data files recovers space by moving pages of data from the end of the file to unoccupied space closer to the front of the file. When enough free space is created at the end of the file, data pages at end of the file can deallocated and returned to the file system.

To shrink a database

1. In Object Explorer, connect to an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine, and then expand that instance.
2. Expand Databases, and then right-click the database that you want to shrink.
3. Point to Tasks, point to Shrink, and then click Database.
4. Optionally, select the Reorganize files before releasing unused space check box. If selected, a value must be specified for Maximum free space in files after shrinking.
   Selecting this option is the same as specifying a target_percent value when executing DBCC SHRINKDATABASE. Clearing this option is the same as executing DBCC SHRINKDATABASE. By default, the option is cleared.
5. Enter the maximum percentage of free space to be left in the database files after the database has been shrunk. Permissible values are between 0 and 99. This option is only available when Reorganize files before releasing unused space is selected.
6. Click OK.
   
   
   Courtesy : http://bnjho.blogspot.in & http://sapost.blogspot.in/

Restore database backup of SQL Server 2008 to SQL server 2005

Step by Step Guide

1) Start convert wizard

Open SQL Server Management Studio2008. in 'Object Explorer', right click the database that you want to convert. Select 'Tasks' > 'Generate Scripts...'.

2) Next

Click 'Next'.

3) Select database and objects

Select the database that you want to convert, and check on 'Scripts all objects in the selected databases'

4) Convert Options

Set options:

'Script for Server Version' = 'SQL Server 2005'
'Script Data' = 'True'
'Scirpt Database Create' = 'True'
    

5) Output Option

Select option 'Script to file', 'Single file' and 'Unicode text'.

6) 'Finish'

View summary and click 'Finish'.

7) Result

Now you got a complete database creation script with data. It can be executed on target database server.

 

8) Amend Script

Open the generated script in SQL Server Management Studio 2005. Find the following section and amend the path to proper data folder

CREATE DATABASE [StockTraderDB] ON  PRIMARY 
( NAME = N'StockTraderDB', 
FILENAME = N'c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA\StockTraderDB.mdf ,
 SIZE = 4352KB , MAXSIZE = UNLIMITED, FILEGROWTH = 1024KB )
 LOG ON 
( NAME = N'StockTraderDB_log', 
FILENAME = N'c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA\StockTraderDB_log.LDF',
 SIZE = 6272KB , MAXSIZE = 2048GB , FILEGROWTH = 10%)

9) Execute the Script

When finished, You should get converted database of SQL Server 2005

Courtesy : http://potools.blogspot.in/ & http://sapost.blogspot.in/