Code needed to dynamically write a .PNG from ASP.NET

For some strange reason you need to use the following code to dynamically output Jpeg's from an ASP.NET page.

Bitmap bitmap = new Bitmap (Path.Combine (dir , "link-notfound.png"));
bitmap.Save (Response.OutputStream, ImageFormat.Jpeg);

But a >PNG requires the following code :-

Bitmap bitmap = new Bitmap (Path.Combine (dir , "link-notfound.png"));
try
{
// This is the code required to send a PNG file. I'm not
// sure why it differs from the much simpler JPEG code
// bitmap.Save (Response.OutputStream, ImageFormat.Jpeg);
MemoryStream tempST = new MemoryStream();
bitmap.Save (tempST, ImageFormat.Png);
Response.ClearContent();
Response.ContentType = "image/png";
Response.BinaryWrite (tempST.ToArray());
Response.End();
}
catch
{
}
bitmap.Dispose();

HP 4200C will not install on Vista

I've found another device that will not install on Vista an HP 4200C colour USB scanner.

Feeware to Mount ISO files as CD or DVD

Here is a great freeware tool to mount .ISO CD/DVD image files so they appear as a normal CD/DVD drive.

http://www.magiciso.com

Prolific PL-2303 USB to RS232 on Vista

Another USB device would not install on Vista until I tricked it...

1) Download the Prolific PL-2303 XP driver from http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31

2) Unzip and then run the setup program. This will fail on Vista so run it on an XP machine.

3) The setup program creates a folder called PL-2303_loggedDrv in c:\windows\temp. This folder contains the signed 32 bit driver you need to install on Vista. Copy the PL-2303_loggedDrv folder to your Vista machine.

4) Plug the device into your USB port. The driver install will fail as it cannot find the driver on Windows Update. Select the "Search for driver on my PC" and point it at the PL-2303_loggedDrv folder.

5) The driver should now install correctly

Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 GT on Vista

I discovered how to get the GeForce Go 7600 GT graphics card working in Vista!

1) Download the Vista Beta 2 driver from www.nvidia.com (V96.85).
2) Run the program to create a c:\nvidia\WinVista\96.85 folder.
3) Next you need to replace the nv_disp.inf file with a new one that includes a definition for your graphics card. I found one on this site http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11478
4) You can now run setup.exe from the c:\nvidia\WinVista\96.85 folder and the installation program should now recognise the card and install the drivers.

The LV2Go website is a fantastic resource for laptop owners looking for the latest graphics drivers.

"Until recently, nVidia by default has not natively supported laptop GPUs with WHQL and beta drivers. This limitation is due only to the INF. Drivers supplied by manufacturers (Dell, Toshiba, etc.) are rarely updated and easily become outdated thus not supporting the latest graphics technology. This is where LaptopVideo2Go (LV2Go) comes in. LV2Go provides unofficial support for all of the GPUs that nVidia has created and laptops produced by manufacturers. LV2Go enhances the drivers by modding the INF to fix problems and reveal hidden features. What is a modded INF? The LV2Go community has built up nicely. Come pay a visit to the forums for more specific drivers for your laptop, news or solutions to your problems."

BT Voyager 105 USB ADSL Modem on Vista

I discovered that BT Voyager 105 USB ADSL modems will not install on Vista.

Vista on Sony VGN-A497XP

Again a re-partition and fresh install. Vista installed without any problems. The only device that does not work is the Memory stick reader.

I also notice that the Sony custom buttons (eg Volume up & down) are not working.

Vista on Sony VGN-AR21S

This was a disaster! It was a brand new "Vista Ready" machine with Windows XP Media Centre Edition. I decided to upgrade rather than re-install from fresh. The machine was running fantastically well before the upgrade. These are the problems I had:-

1) I had to uninstall the Toshiba Bluetooth application before Vista would even start
2) The Nvidia GeForce Go 7600 GT was not recognised and the machine reverted to VGA mode. Neither Sony or Nvidia have any drivers available on their web sites.
3) Audio does not work at all
4) TV In does not work
5) Media Centre blue screens when you start it

I've emailed Sony to see if they have a fix.

I'm really annoyed that a machine sold as "Vista Ready" should be rendered virtually useless by the upgrade. If I don't get a prompt response to this I'll complain to the advertising standards people.

Vista on Sony PCG-GRT896HP

Like all the other geeks on the planet I've spent the day installing Vista.

The first laptop was a Sony PCG-GRT896HP. I booted from the DVD (Press F2 when Sony logo appears to go into Bios to allow booting from DVD) and re-partitioned the drive. Vista installed with no problems, the audio drivers were installed once the machine connected to Windows Update.

A Logitech QuickCam Messenger webcam that was occasionally connected could not be re-installed.

I'm not completely happy that the video driver is working 100% correctly.

NTBackup.exe on Vista

I've just been preparing my machine for an upgrade to Vista. I was shocked to discover that the backup & restore program in Vista does not allow you to read XP .bkf files!

Microsoft are apparently writing a tool to allow you to read .bkf files from Vista but it is not currectly available.

I discovered you can actually use the old program if you do this:-

Copy the following four files from your XP installation to a new folder. Do this before you upgrade to Vista.

c:\Windows\System32\NTBackup.exe
c:\Windows\System32\SetupApi.dll
c:\Windows\System32\VssApi.dll
c:\Windows\System32\NtMsApi.dll

Provided your backups are on disk (not tape) you can now run NTBackup from the new folder.

You will need to make sure you right click on NtBackup.exe and select "Run as administrator" to ensure you have rights to write to the original locations.