In order to convert from using Outlook on a Mac to using Outlook on a PC, you can either use a really expensive one, like the one you will probably find easiest in Google, or you can use the software I did: Emailchemy.

For a relatively cheap purchase of $29.95 for a single-user license I was able to tell the software I was converting from OLM (exported from Outlook on the Mac) and select IMAP for output.

It converted the emails (over 10,000) and gave me a folder. I opened the Emailchemy Toolbox, selected IMAP import server, selecting that folder and starting the server.

All I had to do now was enter the server and user information Emailchemy had setup into Outlook, it was then able to access the emails on the localhost server. I then simply selected the emails and folders from the imported inbox, and dragged them into the local inbox under Personal Folders (PST), although it’s quite likely you could just export the IMAP folder to PST within Outlook for re-importing or storage, too.

Note: because some people may forget, never forget to copy your sent items. Also, never delete your original OLM file until you are sure you have a fully working copy in the new location. Lastly, always backup your OLM and PST files, and I recommend Carbonite for that. As always, I’m not responsible for you messing this up.

I wondered if the problem might be how Windows 7 was dealing with the copying of files rather than there being an actual physical problem on the discs, so sought out a replacement for the copying process. After a bit of searching I found Roadkill.Net’s ‘Unstoppable Copier’.

I ran the program a few times on each disc and it managed to copy just about everything – including files Windows was unable to copy at all. I would advise waiting until it says it has finished and copied however many files, then simply run it again and again and it will recover many files which failed the first time.

I’m not in any way connected with the developers, I just thought I would share what worked (brilliantly) for me: Unstoppable Copier.

Well done Apple. You’ve managed to piss off someone who uses both PC and Mac enough for him to make a post pointing out the ‘flaws’ in Mac… This kind of negative advertising, where you would rather say what is bad about some other product than what is good about yours, is every reason why this post is being made.

I’m not normally one to attack the Mac OS because personally, I like it. But, Apple’s latest marketing strategy seems to be anti-PC, so let’s took at this page and go through their reasons why Mac is better than PC, step by step.

It’s gorgeous. Inside and out.

Since the software on every Mac is created by the same company that makes the Mac itself, you get a completely integrated computer that’s as secure, stable, and powerful as it is elegant and easy to use.

I’m glad you brought this up. While Apple decides what hardware works on it’s systems and can easily test it, Microsoft have literally millions of combinations of computer parts that they have to worry about. If Windows is any less stable than the Mac OS on the hardware front, I can certainly understand why.

Brains…

What’s inside a Mac? Only the world’s most advanced operating system and a suite of software that’s just as brilliantly designed as the computer itself.

I have to say, I love some of the Mac OS software that’s available, but there is a PC version of EVERYTHING available on a Mac. It might not have the same name and have all the same features, but I can’t think of anything I can do on a Mac that I can’t do on a Windows-based PC. On the other hand, I can think of a LOT of software that is available for PC that simply does not have a suitable replacement on the Mac OS… Maybe that’s why Apple thought it a good idea to provide a utility that allows Windows to be installed on a Mac? Maybe that’s why VMWare, Crossover and other virtual machine utilities exist and allow Windows-based programs to run on a Mac? Something lacking, perhaps?

…and beauty.

Recyclable glass and aluminum. A trip-proof power cord. A stunning display. Even the keyboard is beautiful. Get a closer look at a few of the design details that make a Mac a Mac.

You have me here. I love the minimalist design of a Mac. They’re gorgeous. But, you keep selling them with those silly single-button mice, don’t you? Do many Mac OS users even know about the ‘Right Mouse Button menu’s’ that make life in that OS so much easier?

It does what a PC does, only better.

A Mac has all the essentials built right in, including the latest wireless technology, advanced Intel chips, and a rock solid operating system that’s loaded with innovations.

So we’re playing like that, are we?

Born ready.

Unlike other computers that require you to spend hours configuring devices, a Mac connects to your digital camera, wireless device, or external drive and just works. Really.

That is, of course, unless it doesn’t “just work”. The ONLY reason users experience less hardware issues with a Mac is because you decide what goes inside them, don’t try to pretend it’s anything else. Anyone who has installed the Mac OS onto PC-architecture knows that it’s far, far more difficult to install an unknown device on a Mac than it is on a PC. Having to hack a driver is not fun. You might be able to fool the general reader with this crap and that’s obviously why you do it… Does my Wireless Skype Phone count as something that should “just work”? Because it doesn’t, not even on a real Mac.

The PC? Detects the Skype phone fine, even tells you what the hardware is right away. Install the driver and away you go.

Instantly wireless.

A Mac makes wireless easy. Networks automatically appear, and you can get on the Internet with a few clicks.

Um, any Windows-PC with a Wireless connector does the same.

A conversation piece.

Lots of computers come with built-in cameras these days. But only a Mac comes with iChat software that lets you have four-way video chats,1 give presentations, and even share your screen with people all over the world.

That’s really nice. Well, it’s nice until your camera breaks and you have to send the entire computer away – or carry the whole thing to an Apple Store – to get it fixed. Sometimes being able to plug things in is actually better for the user. Remember that one, ok?

High performance.

With the latest Intel processors and other engineering leaps, a new Mac does all the things that only a Mac can do — at an astonishing speed.

Let’s not mention your switch to Intel, eh? Windows actually runs really well on both AMD and Intel chips. Some people even say AMD provide better chips, it’s a shame you’re not using them now… Why the switch again? Doh, I said I wouldn’t mention it…

I wonder just how many programs fail to run because they are built for Intel and the user has an old non-Intel Mac, or vice versa. Let’s not forget too that these aren’t your “engineering leaps” – they’re Intel’s.

Always up to date.

A Mac regularly checks for updates to Mac OS X and any included Apple software and automatically downloads them. So really, a Mac gets better with age.

Hmm. I feature where the latest version of something is offered for download? Surely not!

But, isn’t this feature available in almost every piece of software on the planet? Including Windows?

Safe for you and your kids.

Designed with security in mind, Mac OS X isn’t plagued by constant attacks from viruses and malware. Likewise, it isn’t inundated by never-ending security dialogs. So you can safely go about your work — or play — without interruption. And easy-to-use parental controls let you manage what your kids can do on the computer and when they can do it.

No, you’re right. It isn’t constantly plagued by attacks but that’s because it’s not popular enough. Believe me, when enough people use Mac’s to make it worthwhile a hacker learning how to beat them, it won’t take long for the Mac OS to have a bad reputation. Saying you’re more secure than Windows is like me saying I could have been a great Footballer (if I liked playing the game at all).

Just recently I read about a hacking competition where the computer broken the fastest was MacBook Air. It took just two minutes (and a SINGLE visit to a Web site containing the right code) for the laptop to be under the control of the hacker. The hacker got $10,000 and a free laptop for his trouble, but don’t let that make you think that he isn’t at home practicing for next year – on YOUR Mac. The REALLY amusing thing is that the same method was used last year – and obviously is still a gaping security hole Apple have yet to fill. Similar exploits are causing iPhones, Mac’s and even PCs to be taken over by hackers – all thanks to Apple.

I think I often post things worth reading, but most of my posts get maybe 1 or 2 views per day… One though, gets many, many views and has been my most popular post for a long time now.

So it’s sort of disappointing that all my ‘soapbox’ posts seem ignored while a post that (to me) just shows how poorly Microsoft’s testing regime is, is my most popular post.

Here’s the stats from the admin section of my Web site.

So since I began collecting stats, on 1st March, just over one-third of all views have been of that post. 1311 views, so far.

All the operations below will do, is tell your Operating System not to use the damaged area – it does NOT repair the damaged area.

Windows 98, Me, XP (not sure about Vista, but probably the same/similar).

1. Open the My Computer window.
2. Right-click on the Hard Drive you want to scan and select Properties.
3. On the Tools tab of the Properties window, select (under “Error-checking”) click “Check Now…”
4. Check the box beside the “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors” text.
5. Click “Start”.

Mac OS X

Unfortunately it seems that Mac OS does not ship with a suitable Disk Utility for marking bad sectors from within the OS. With the Mac OS I would advise that you copy/backup all of your data and perform a Zero-format on your drive prior to the re-installation of the OS, this appears to be the only time where a Mac Hard Drive sector can be marked as Bad.

Hopefully this might help someone else. :)

I have tried various remedies, I started with ‘last known good configuration’ and one time that worked, the next time it didn’t (even though there had been NO new installations or any kind between them). I tried going into Safe Mode and uninstalling video drivers, virtual devices, all the things that I thought could stop my computer getting to the Welcome Screen – nothing is working.

It’s really confusing because one time when it happened, uninstalling video drivers in Safe Mode – then booting normally – worked just fine. Another time when it happened, I just reset, went into Safe Mode, then restarted – booting normally – and it started up fine. Another time, I just had to eject my CD drive!!

The only common factor I can think of in all situations is that I have SP3 installed – what a mistake. If you have a similar problem, I have tried everything, I would advise returning to SP2 until you see actual posted solutions to this specific problem on the ‘net.

Basically upon the installation of Madden ’08 (just after you enter your code) you will be told that your version of DirectX is too old (even if you already have 9.0c installed) and when you try to update it – it won’t update. The installation then exits.

1. In order to fix this, simply insert your DVD then go to My Computer. Open the content of your Madden DVD and you should see a file named AutoRun.exe.
2. Right-click on this file and select Create Shortcut – you will be prompted as to whether you want to create the shortcut on the Desktop – select Yes.
3. Right-click on the shortcut you just created and select Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab and under Compatibility Mode, select Windows 2000.
4. Click OK on the Properties window to close it, then double-click the shortcut to start the installation.

You can now install Madden ’08 as normal.

After much searching I found that the “PCI Device” listed in the Device Manager was infact my soundcard – but it wouldn’t recognise the drivers and wouldn’t even let me force the correct driver to install on it – it seems my computer was totally unable to support the soundcard all of a sudden!

Well, I ran this Microsoft Installer and instantly the hardware was found and XP correctly assigned the correct drivers to the card – phew!

I am very likely to need this in the future (and it’s hard to find it on the ‘net!) so I have uploaded it to this post.

kb835221.exe (642KB)

Added 27th March, 2008: The latest version of SP3 includes support for HD Audio.