Archive for the ‘:: windows ::’ Category

HOWTO: Run VMWare vSphere Client 4.0 on Windows 7

Monday, October 19th, 2009

1. Obtain a copy of %SystemRoot%\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\System.dll from a non Windows 7 machine that has .NET 3.5 SP1 installed.

2. Create a folder in the Windows 7 machine where the vSphere client is installed and copy the file from step 1 into this folder. For example, create the folder under the vSphere client launcher installation directory (+%ProgramFiles%\VMware\Infrastructure\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Launcher\Lib+).

3. In the vSphere client launcher directory, open the VpxClient.exe.config file in a text editor and add a <runtime> element and a <developmentMode> element as shown below. Save the file.

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″?>
<configuration>

<runtime>
<developmentMode developerInstallation=”true”/>
</runtime>
</configuration>

3. Create a batch file (e.g. *VpxClient.cmd*) in a suitable location. In this file add a command to set the DEVPATH environment variable to the folder where you copied the System.dll assembly in step 2 and a second command to launch the vSphere client. Save the file. For example,

SET DEVPATH=%ProgramFiles%\VMware\Infrastructure\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Launcher\Lib+
“%ProgramFiles%\VMware\Infrastructure\Virtual Infrastructure Client\Launcher\VpxClient.exe”

4. (Optional) Replace the shortcut on the start menu to point to the batch file created in the previous step. Change the shortcut properties to run minimized so that the command window is not shown.

You can now use the VpxClient.cmd (or the shortcut) to launch the vSphere client in Windows 7.

courtesy of Fernando

-boogybren

Initial Thoughts on Windows 7

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

I know I am probably a bit behind the curve from the hard core geeks on taking a gander at Windows 7, but I really haven’t had much motivation to move on it.  I finally installed Windows 7 today with the public release of its RC.  I know that along with possibly thousands of IT guys around the world, my hope is that it can erase all the missteps made by Microsoft with Vista and actually be a solid operating system.  It’s no secret that Windows Vista has had a rocky existence to put it mildly.  My experience with Vista has been bland at best.  I don’t have any horror stories, but I don’t have any great experiences either.  I use both PC and Macintosh computers with regularity.  I use Linux from time to time, but am by no means an expert.  I mention this because I feel that I am quite familiar with each of the popular operating systems out there now.  What I have seen from Windows 7 so far is… well, to put it bluntly, unexciting.  For an RC the install went night and day better than Vista ever did, but is that really noteworthy?  Shouldn’t an OS install run pretty much flawlessly anyway?  And even as I type up this posting I am reaching for things to say as there just really isnt anything that jumps out at me.  It just feels like Vista.  Maybe my expectations were too high, but with the advent of big changes from the other major players in the operating system space, I guess I just expected more.  More of what I can’t put my finger on… just more.

What are your thoughts?  Have any of you had any experiences with Windows 7?

~dub