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Crash course on authoring Windows 7 Troubleshooting Packs

Jan. 12, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Rafael posts an interesting how-to on publishing Windows 7 Troubleshooting Packs, a new feature of the next Windows:

New to Windows 7 is the Windows Troubleshooting platform. This platform allows software developers to develop Troubleshooting Packs that automate the troubleshooting and resolution of problems without having to resort to painful technical support queues or documentation runs. In a nut shell, a software developer writes a bunch of PowerShell scripts to identify and resolve problems then packages them up and distributes the pack to end-users.

At the end of this step-driven course, you will have used the Microsoft Troubleshooting Pack Builder (TSPBuilder), written some PowerShell scripts, and learned of a way to distribute your compiled pack (hopefully).

The Troubleshooting stuff in Windows 7 is hugely impressive, and a big improvement on the so-called self help stuff from previous Windows versions. I'll be doing a Feature Focus on this soon.

Discuss this Article 79

DRWAM
on Jan 12, 2009
I meant right now, not tight now.
tayme
on Jan 12, 2009
@gorath - That is constructive discussion, in my opinion. It is totally different than the normal "Windows sucks" - "Apple Sucks" conversations that tend to happen. I'd say keep on wit hthe discussion! But, its not my site... --tayme
tayme
on Jan 12, 2009
@Waethorn - "Beer, eggs, and back bacon. YUM-meee! :P" Wait...didn't you tell us last week that you don't drink...LIAR!!! ;-) <--wink, wink; nudge, nudge; say no more. --tayme
tayme
on Jan 12, 2009
"Just saw this on MSnbc: www.msnbc.msn.com/.../28619965" Now thats spamming!!! --tayme
tayme
on Jan 12, 2009
@DRWAM - "I meant right now, not tight now." Because that has an entirely different meaning... --tayme
shark47
on Jan 12, 2009
"@gorath - That is constructive discussion, in my opinion. It is totally different than the normal "Windows sucks" - "Apple Sucks" conversations that tend to happen. I'd say keep on wit hthe discussion! But, its not my site..." I agree, but I was one of the people who took it off topic, so I guess I have to agree. BTW, doc, how about a tablet running 7? No one seems to talk about the multitouch features. Do they even work?
DRWAM
on Jan 12, 2009
tayme, there are 7 kids here, tight now, I mean right now, all under 8 years old! Man, do I need a beer!
shark47
on Jan 12, 2009
"Canadian Bacon" sounds a little like "Wag The Dog", which was released a couple of years later. That was a funny movie. I don't like Michael Moore, so I doubt I'll be watching this one. tayme, considering that we are talking about everything from Windows to bacon, I don't think even Ocean's post is spamming at this point. :-)
Waethorn
on Jan 12, 2009
"Wait...didn't you tell us last week that you don't drink...LIAR!!!" I don't actually. I cook with it! Beer-fried bacon and eggs is DEE-lish! ;)
tayme
on Jan 12, 2009
@DRWAM - You, sir, are a glutton for punishment. I remember those days!!! @sharky - You are probably right!!! @wae - Hmmm, it sounds good. I might have to give it a go for dinner tonight. I think that I have all of the ingredients!!! --tayme
robertsjoe
on Jan 12, 2009
Speaking of troubleshooting, has anyone thought about troubleshooting just how lame Microsoft is? Seen the Songsmith ad? It is so horrendous that it makes people vomit. "So lame. No taste. Microsoft" (tm) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=3oGFogwcx-E
shark47
on Jan 12, 2009
"Seen the Songsmith ad? It is so horrendous that it makes people vomit." Glad to see that you're back, robertsjoe. How was school today? Get into any fights?
kanwaljit
on Jan 12, 2009
O/T: Ques for Tayme: Have you managed to install Windows 64 bit on your MBP yet? If yes, are you getting random BSODs? I mean, the pc is just working normally and suddenly it bsods? No consistent pattern.. I imagine it might have to do with Apple drivers, but I sent a feedback report anyway.. Installed Windows 7 32 bit, and no BSODs there.. However sometimes explorer randomly freezes and have to do a hard reset.. Tayme, or any one who installed Windows 7 (64 bit/32 bit) on their Macs, did u have such problems, or is it just me? Thx!
robertsjoe
on Jan 12, 2009
Ballmer in an interview this week that "if there is a future for Zune, it lies in planting the software and online service linked to the player in other devices." The Zune is dead.
DRWAM
on Jan 12, 2009
Road trip to Wae's place! Bring your laptops.
tayme
on Jan 12, 2009
@kanwaljt - I have not yet...It may be a day or 2 before I do. --tayme
tayme
on Jan 12, 2009
@robertsjoe - You'd better get going on your homework before Mom and Dad come down there and see what you are doing. --tayme
Lindy
on Jan 12, 2009
For the LOVE OF GOD, that Song smith is real!!!!!!!!!! I thought his link was some lame spoof. Man that is funny!!
robertsjoe
on Jan 12, 2009
@lindy: No, it's real. Really shockingly bad.
Lindy
on Jan 12, 2009
Ok if you want a truly gut busting laugh so hard you stomach hurts just read the comments on this site. http://i.gizmodo.com/5128182/microsoft-songsmiths-corny-musical-infomercial Some of my favorites... "Rope, please." "Wow. That almost made me kill myself. Thanks Microsoft :) "
Lindy
on Jan 12, 2009
Mikey G get on the horn with one of our MS pals and please tell us they intentionally made that ad corny.
shark47
on Jan 12, 2009
I guess we can let robertsjoe and robertsjoe sp2 play for a while before they go and do their homework.
robertsjoe
on Jan 12, 2009
@lindy: "Mikey G get on the horn with one of our MS pals and please tell us they intentionally made that ad corny." You're not serious, right? Otherwise it's desperation. I bet they would say it was meant to be corny only after they realise that the whole world is laughing at them - even though that's not what they intended. Like some of the other lame videos Microsoft has released recently.
Lindy
on Jan 12, 2009
Shark I could give a rats @$$ what robert says and I think he is a troll 99% of the time. That said call it what it is. If that AD was NOT done like that intentionally then MS should fire everyone involved with it. That was like some crazy SNL skit. I thought it was fake, the ad and the product. Robert I am serious. If they made it that way to be funny, as in corny as hell then its funny. Funny like the Bill and Jerry ads but better since you understand easily there is a product they are trying to push. If that is just a ad to show off that product then they need help. It has to be a corny, on purpose, ad to be funny and show what their research department is doing.
robertsjoe
on Jan 12, 2009
@lindy: It's not funny though. If that was their intention, they missed the mark by a million miles. It's horrendously bad.
Yawn!
on Jan 12, 2009
kanwaljit >O/T: >Ques for Tayme: Have you managed to install Windows 64 bit on your MBP >yet? If yes, are you getting random BSODs? I mean, the pc is just working >normally and suddenly it bsods? I have with Virtual Box - No BSOD's yet, installed Safari and itunes 64 bit with no problems. Safari 64 bit runs fine no driver for sound on 64 bit so no comment on itunes thought it does every thing else just fine. Also running a 32 and 64 BIt on an HP with XP in Virtual Box with little problem.. The only problem I have had is after streaming TWIT-TV after an hour the 32bit version froze 2x's. Yawn!
subzerohitman721
on Jan 12, 2009
@Tayme, Perhaps you are right, but I try to review anything important as an iWork, a Windows beta, an MS Office, or what have you with a completely different mindset. I try to empty my head of any preconcieved notions and view things objectively and as dispassionately as possible. I'm looking for pros and cons. I'm looking for surprises and disappointments. I'm looking to see if what the designers promised has actually manifested. One such I reported to MIcrosoft is randomly in Windows 7 version of IE8, after you highlight something and click off the highlight, sometimes a random blue straight line remains above the words. I'm assuming this is a glitch that's typical with beta programs. However tayme, I've also seen a lot of Mac users have an openly positive reception to the Windows 7 beta. At least those who are like you that multi-OS platforms are the norm and keep an open mind. I've read many blogs and reports that using Bootcamp you can load Windows 7. It works very well and I think those Mac users are satisfied and maybe a little shocked.
Dipsh t Admin
on Jan 13, 2009
MS is well known for not taking themselves too seriously and making corny videos like this. Of course this video will never see a TV set (well unless you are running Media Center and watching that, but I digress). I read it was meant to be corny, as the idea of the software is a novelty in itself. I do think that kids will get a kick out of the product. I know my cousins would like it. If they release it for the Wii it will do quite well, actually.
Lindy
on Jan 13, 2009
Dipsh I agree my 7 year old twins would like that software. They love sitting in front of my wifes iMac and recording them selves in photo booth and playing it back.

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