So apparently Canon hasn’t gotten around to writing a Windows 7 64-bit compatible driver for viewing their digital camera CR2 RAW images as thumbnails in Windows Explorer. Easy fix: these guys at FastPictureViewer have it as a free download here.
Tag: windows 7
Fixed: M-Audio Fast Track Pro drops out
My primary audio card on my desktop PC is an M-Audio Fast Track Pro and after I had upgraded to the retail version of Windows 7, it would periodically just stop working (dropout). The sound would not play and some videos would refuse to play since no audio output was available. This would usually happen after I had been away from my computer for a few hours, meaning after no sound had been played for a while. I suspected it might be shutting off after inactivity, but it would also happen only a couple minutes after the most recent audio was played.
I did the usual and made sure I had the latest drivers, uninstalled, reinstalled the device, changed USB ports, etc. I also followed some advice on the M-Audio forums including checking for IRQ conflicts. But the problem persisted, and I finally went to check what I had suspected all along: Windows’ USB power management
THE FIX: Go to Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus controllers > and then right click Properties on all instances of USB Root Hub, and in the Power Management tab, make sure the first option is unchecked. (Source: M-Audio FAQ)
Windows 7 for $30 – Student discount expires Jan 5, 2010
There’s a bunch of ways to get Windows 7 for a discount but one of the easiest is taking advantage of the student discount online (where student = basically any one with a *.edu email address, so ask your neighbor kid or some family member). This gets you the Windows 7 Home Premium version for $29.99.
I already had a retail copy of Windows 7 Professional, but I still had my old college *.edu address so I signed up and got the serial number and will keep it for when some friend or family member will want to upgrade. But hurry because the deal ends January 5, 2010.
There’s confusion as to whether you’re downloading the full or upgrade version, but don’t worry… in the end you are able to use the serial to install the full version. Discussion and answers to that confusion are here.