Calculate HDD Input Outputs per second (IOps)

If you're looking to buy HDD and you need to know what IOps it can sustain, here is a formula you could use:
IOps = 1000[msec] / (Average seek time [msec] + Average Latency [msec])

For example let's calculate IOps for this IBM SAS HDD
1000 / 4.7 + 3 = 129.87 IOps

Links:
http://blogs.smugmug.com/don/2007/10/08/hdd-iops-limiting-factor-seek-or-rpm/
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb897498.aspx

Install process randomly crashes when trying to install anything that uses an MSI based installer on Windows 7 beta

Solution taken from Windows 7 Action Center

Solve a problem with Windows 7 beta

An issue with the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) client in Windows 7 beta is causing Explorer and some MSI-based installers to stop working properly.

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button , click All Programs, and then click Accessories.

2. Right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator. In the User Account Control window, verify that Program name is Windows Command Processor, and then click Yes.

3. In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type or paste the following text at the prompt:

   reg delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows\DisabledSessions /va /f

4. Press Enter to install the solution.

5. If The operation completed successfully displays, close the Administrator: Command Prompt window to complete this procedure. If "ERROR: Access is denied" displays, repeat this procedure from the top, making sure you clicked Run as administrator in step two.

links:
http://chris123nt.com/2009/01/18/sqm-client-causing-crashing-in-windows-7/

Windows 7 Hotkey list

General
Win+Up = Maximize
Win+Left = Snap to left
Win+Right = Snap to right
Win+Shift+Left = Jump to left monitor
Win+Shift+Right = Jump to right monitor
Win+Home = Minimize / Restore all other windows
Win+T = Focus the first taskbar entry
Pressing again will cycle through them, you can can arrow around.
Win+Shift+T = cycles backwards.
Win+Space = Peek at the desktop
Win+G = Bring gadgets to the top of the Z-order
Win+P = External display options (mirror, extend desktop, etc)
Win+X = Mobility Center (same as Vista, but still handy!)
Win+#
(# = a number key) Launches a new instance of the application in the Nth slot on the taskbar.
Example: Win+1 launches first pinned app, Win+2 launches second, etc.
Win + +
Win + -
(plus or minus key) Zoom in or out.

Explorer
Alt+P = Show/hide Preview Pane

Taskbar modifiers
Shift + Click on icon = Open a new instance
Middle click on icon = Open a new instance
Ctrl + Shift + Click on icon = Open a new instance with Admin privileges
Shift + Right-click on icon = Show window menu (Restore / Minimize / Move / etc)
Note: Normally you can just right-click on the window thumbnail to get this menu
Shift + Right-click on grouped icon = Menu with Restore All / Minimize All / Close All, etc.
Ctrl + Click on grouped icon = Cycle between the windows (or tabs) in the group

Links:
taken from http://brandonlive.com/

Remote Desktop not allowed to use saved credentials

When trying to use saved credentials in Remote Desktop Connection you might receive this message:

Your credentials did not work
Your system administrator does not allow the use of saved credentials to log on to the remote computer terminal.server.com because its identity is not fully verified. Please enter new credentials.
(screenshot)

To be able to use saved credentials in this situation you need to do the following:

1. Open Group Policy Editor via cmd -> gpedit.msc (screenshot)
2. Navigate to Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Credentials Delegation\
3.Open Setting Allow Delegating Saved Credentials with NTLM-only Server Authentication, set it to Enabled click on button Show... and in Show Contents window add Value TERMSRV/terminal.server.com. Close all windows by pressing OK. (screenshot)
4. Run cmd and enter gpupdate command to update your policy. (screenshot)

Now you should be able to use your saved credentials.

note:
these steps were performed on Windows 7 beta, but probably it will stay the same in final release and my guess is, it is the same in Vista (too lazy to check).

Huge lags in Fallout 3 on Hi-End PC

If you experience huge lags in Fallout 3 from the moment you start the game and menu screen loads, try uninstalling Total Media Theater if you have installed one, worked for me.

PC specifications:
Asus HD 4870X2
Core i7 920
Creative SB X-Fi Titanium
6 GB of DDR3 at 1066 Mhz

Mouse Delay in Dead Space

If you experience mouse delay in menu and game try turning off Vertical Sync. (screenshot)