Bytes and Bites of Internet
Archive for November, 2011
Removing Favorite, HomeGroup and Libraries from Explorer in Windows 7
Nov 26th
I like Windows 7. No doubt that it is better than Windows Vista at few aspects (but still XP was the best 
, I really miss search of XP). With new UI, Windows 7 has add new options in Windows Explorer like Favorites, HomeGroup and Libraries. But I personally believe that they are just a noise, I prefer more simpler view.
So after Googling, I found that I am not the first to dislike this UI. And there are literally number of posts about how to remove those options from Explorer. I am just consolidating methods that worked for me.
Note: Editing registry can make system unstable, so do take backup before modifying registry entries. Easiest way will be to backup select File –> Export from menu. Alternatively, you can choose to export only entry which you will modify.
Powering on a virtual machine after connecting a USB device fails with the error
Nov 19th
I’ve used VMWare now and then for my virtual machines. And I think, it is the best virtualization software out there in market (but not anymore, I like Virtual BOX more than VMWare). When I was trying out VMWare Workstation on my new machine, I found that I was not able to use USB sticks on any Virtual machines.
When I checked services, I found that “VMware USB Arbitration Service” was stopped. I tried to start that service manually and got greeted with following message,
Error 31: A device attached to the system is not functioning.
“Copy database” operation, quick ‘n easy way to make duplicate database
Nov 13th
I was trying to create a demo for one of my experiment, and I had to make create duplicate database for that purpose because I didn’t wanted to do tests on my TestDB 
so quickest option was to use “Copy Database” feature in SSMS, because other option like restoring backup of DB with another name is kind of too much of work since this DB is just for testing I don’t have any backups of it.
So I choose this COPY DATABASE option, which is available in all SQL Server editions (I guess except Express edition). This is actually very easy step by step process.
Copy Database option can be accessed by right click on database that you want to copy then Tasks –>Copy Database.
More >
Crystal Reports in .NET
Nov 5th
Ok, after surviving 5 days without electricity I guess I am ready for new post. We had great storm last week and it caused state wide power outages. Some cities still don’t have electricity yet !! Anyways, this post is about creating basic report using Crystal Reports in ASP.NET
I think Crystal Report has been part of Visual Studio from beginning of time. And it has been very popular reporting tool due to its simplicity and flexibility (compared to SSRS). I personally think that it is more easy to work with compared to SSRS but it still misses features like report management and control. So I like to work with both of them 
.
With VS 2010, MSFT has changed it strategy. They still support CR, but they also has begun to promote SSRS. When you install VS 2010, it doesn’t install CR runtime components, so you will need to download it from SAP website (both Runtime and Controls).
Ok, so I begin with creating empty website project for ASP.NET. And then add web form using add new item. Then add report viewer control to page. Next step is strange but required in order to avoid error. Once control is added to page, close the project and open it again. With surprise you will be presented with upgrade wizard for your crystal report to upgrade to newer version !! If you look at CR, reference in page before upgrade is,
<%@ Register Assembly="CrystalDecisions.Web, Version=10.5.3700.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=692fbea5521e1304"
Namespace="CrystalDecisions.Web" TagPrefix="CR" %>