Apr 01 2013

How to install Loopback adapter in Windows 8

Category: SharePoint,Technology,Virtualization,Windows,Windows 8 — Kamlesh @ 6:47 pm

I recently installed Microsoft Loopback Adapter in Windows 8 for networking between by Hyper-V host and client Virtual Machines.  Below is the step-by-step guide to setup Loopback Adapter in Windows 8.

My environment consists of:

  • Hardware – ASUS Laptop, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD
  • Software – Windows 8 Pro 64-bit (Hyper-V role enabled)
  • Networking – Wired LAN and Wireless LAN (I want to network between Host and Client without connecting the wired/wireless networks)

Before I begin with the steps, let me inform you that Microsoft Loopback Adapter is now renamed as Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter in Windows 8 / Windows Server 2012.   I am not sure why did Microsoft changed the name of this adapter now.  This KB article gives the official details about the name change.

Step by Step Instructions:

  1.  Launch the Add Hardware Wizard from control panel.  Being a keyboard user, I prefer Win+R (for run command window) and type hdwwiz command.
    Command to run Add Hardware Wizard in Windows 8
  2. This will bring up the Add Hardware wizard.
    The starting screen of Add Hardware Wizard in Windows 8
  3. Click Next, to Continue.
    Add Hardware automatically or Manually
  4. Select “Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced)” as shown above and click Next.
    Select the type of Hardware you are Installing
  5. In the above screen, select “Network adapters” option (as shown above) and click Next.
    Select Network Adapter screen
  6. In the “Select Network Adapter” screen, select Microsoft as the Manufacturer and then choose “Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter” and click Next.
    Confirmation before starting the install of Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter
  7. The above confirmation screen will appear.  Click the Next button to continue.
    Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter installation in progress
  8. The installation step proceeds by showing the file copy progress bar indicator (as shown above)
    Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter installed successfully
  9. The above is the last screen of Add Hardware wizard, which indicates that the Microsoft KM-TEST Loopback Adapter is installed successfully.

Once these steps are completed, you can go ahead and assign a local IP address to this adapter.  I am using this Lo0pback Adapter to use Remote Desktop Client to a SharePoint Virtual Machine which is running in Hyper-V.  I will be sharing more details about this in my future blog post.

 

Dec 18 2011

Free Software based GPS Sensor for your Desktop PC / Laptop

Category: Mobiles,Technology,Windows 7,Windows 8 — Kamlesh @ 10:53 pm

Today, I discovered a great Free tool for Windows 7 users who was to detect their location without GPS hardware on the Desktop PC/Laptop.  I have just tried this on my Desktop PC and found amazing results. You would require a Windows 7 operating system to try the below steps.  Also, please note that “Location and sensors support” option will be present in “Home Premium” and above editions of Windows 7. This means that you cannot try this if you are using Start or Home Basic editions of Windows 7.

  • Visit Geosense Location Sensor website and download the free tool (Geosense_1.2_x86.msi ~4mb). It has both 32-bit and 64-bit version of this tool.
  • Run the setup file. During the setup, it will prompt for confirmation to install a Device Driver named from “The Within Network, LLC“.
  • After the setup completes, go to Control Panel -> Locations and Other Sensors, and enable the Geosense Location Sensor.
Location and Other Sensors (Windows 7)

Location and Other Sensors (Windows 7)

  • Tip: Use the “View location activity” link on left to add the snap-in into the Microsoft Management Console (MMC).  This will help you to review the “Location Activity” log, which will give you details like FriendlyName, ImagePath, PID, Username, SID.

Once the above setup is over, you can use the following applications to test your Location:

  • Weather Gadget of Windows 7
  • Small Test Application – “Location enabled Google Maps client” (developed by Geosense team) – GoogleMapsDemo_1.0.zip ~60kb

Bingo! The Test Application gave me very accurate result on my Desktop PC.

More Information on this Topic and related area:

Now, I eagerly look forward to try this on a Laptop and share my result.

 Update: 24-Dec-2011

During the week, I experimented this tool with my Laptop going around the places.  I am happy to notice that the tool returns almost accurate results, provided you are using the right Internet Connection. It makes use of your IP address to find your location  In some cases, if you are in a Corporate Network/VPN, then there are some chances that you may be seen in some other Country! During one of my Test Result via VPN, I was seen at Japan :-)

Another update, that I want to share is that this software works well in Windows 8 Developers Preview too.

Sep 15 2011

Windows 8 Developer Preview available for download

Category: Microsoft,Technology,Windows 8 — Kamlesh @ 12:21 am

Microsoft yesterday released the Developer Preview Version of Windows 8 (Build 6.2.8102) for the Developer’s community to download and explore the features of its next generation Operating System. On the same day, Windows 8 was released on MSDN Subscription area.  Windows 8 does not need any Activation or Key.  You can download your copy from http://dev.windows.com website.  The same site provides you the Windows Developer Preview Guide (available in PDF and XPS format) which shows you new features for developers, consumers and businesses.  The following 3 files are available for download:

  • Windows Developer Preview with Developer Tools English – 64-bit
  • Windows Developer Preview English – 64-bit
  • Windows Developer Preview English – 32-bit

Please visit the main site http://dev.windows.com to get the updated download links.