Boot From USB Disk in VMWare Workstation (increase boot screen also)

Increase the VMWare Boot Screen Delay

If you’ve wanted to try out a bootable CD or USB flash drive in a virtual machine environment, you’ve probably noticed that VMWare’s offerings make it difficult to change the boot device. We’ll show you how to change these options.

You can do this either for one boot, or permanently for a particular virtual machine.

Even experienced users of VMWare Player or Workstation may not recognize the screen above – it’s the virtual machine’s BIOS, which in most cases flashes by in the blink of an eye.

If you want to boot up the virtual machine with a CD or USB key instead of the hard drive, then you’ll need more than an eye’s-blink to press Escape and bring up the Boot Menu. Fortunately, there is a way to introduce a boot delay that isn’t exposed in VMWare’s graphical interface – you have to edit the virtual machine’s settings file (a .vmx file) manually.

Editing the Virtual Machine’s .vmx

Find the .vmx file that contains the settings for your virtual machine. You chose a location for this when you created the virtual machine – in Windows, the default location is a folder called My Virtual Machines in your My Documents folder.

In VMWare Workstation, the location of the .vmx file is listed on the virtual machine’s tab.

If in doubt, search your hard drive for .vmx files. If you don’t want to use Windows default search, an awesome utility that locates files instantly is Everything.

Open the .vmx file with any text editor.

Somewhere in this file, enter in the following line… save the file, then close out of the text editor:

bios.bootdelay = 20000

This will introduce a 20 second delay when the virtual machine loads up, giving you plenty of time to press the Escape button and access the boot menu. The number in this line is just a value in milliseconds, so for a five second boot delay, enter 5000, and so on.

Change Boot Options Temporarily

Now, when you boot up your virtual machine, you’ll have plenty of time to enter one of the keystrokes listed at the bottom of the BIOS screen on boot-up.

Press Escape to bring up the Boot Menu. This allows you to select a different device to boot from – like a CD drive.

Your selection will be forgotten the next time you boot up this virtual machine.

Change Boot Options Permanently

When the BIOS screen comes up, press F2 to enter the BIOS Setup menu.

Switch to the Boot tab, and change the ordering of the items by pressing the “+” key to move items up on the list, and the “-” key to move items down the list. We’ve switched the order so that the CD-ROM Drive boots first.

Once you make this change permanent, you may want to re-edit the .vmx file to remove the boot delay.

Boot from a USB Flash Drive

One thing that is noticeably missing from the list of boot options is a USB device. VMWare’s BIOS just does not allow this, but we can get around that limitation using the PLoP Boot Manager that we’ve previously written about. And as a bonus, since everything is virtual anyway, there’s no need to actually burn PLoP to a CD.

Open the settings for the virtual machine you want to boot with a USB drive. Click on Add… at the bottom of the settings screen, and select CD/DVD Drive. Click Next.

Click the Use ISO Image radio button, and click Next.

Browse to find plpbt.iso or plpbtnoemul.iso from the PLoP zip file. Ensure that Connect at power on is checked, and then click Finish.

Click OK on the main Virtual Machine Settings page.

Now, if you use the steps above to boot using that CD/DVD drive, PLoP will load, allowing you to boot from a USB drive!

Conclusion

We’re big fans of VMWare Player and Workstation, as they let us try out a ton of geeky things without worrying about harming our systems. By introducing a boot delay, we can add bootable CDs and USB drives to the list of geeky things we can try out.

Download PLoP Boot Manager

The Plop Boot Manager is a small program with unbelievable many features.

Here is a list of features, but you can do more...

• USB boot without BIOS support (UHCI, OHCI and EHCI)
• CD/DVD boot without BIOS support (IDE)
• PCMCIA CardBus support to enable boot from USB PC-Cards
• Floppy boot
• Different profiles for operating systems
• Define up to 16 partitions
• No extra partition for the boot manager
• Hidden boot, maybe you have a rescue system installed and the user should not see that there is another system installed
• Boot countdown
• Hide partitions
• Password protection for the computer and the boot manager setup
• Backup of partition table data
• Textmode user interface 80x50
• Graphical user interface 640x480, 800x600, 1024x786, 1280x1024
• MBR partition table edit
• Start of the boot manager from harddisk, floppy, USB, CD, DVD
• Starting from Windows boot menu
• Starting from LILO, GRUB, Syslinux, Isolinux, Pxelinux (network)
• It can be used as PCI option ROM in your BIOS
• Access the whole USB hard disk (up to 2TB) even when the bios has a 128 GiB limit
• You can run the boot manager over the network
• Start the networkcard bootrom from the boot manager to boot from the network

Based On: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16876/how-to-increase-the-vmware-boot-screen-delay/

HTC Hero Modes - Key Combination

Recovery mode: Home + HangUp.

Fastboot mode: HangUp + Back.

Soft reset: Call + Menu + HangUp - has the same efect has removing the battery

Start in Safety Mode: Keep the Menu key pressed while phone is booting

These modes migth only work with rooted rom or a cyanogen mod.

HTC Hero Root/Recovery and ADB (Debug Mode)

Not sure if this has been put anywhere yet but a noobs guide to Rooting and using ADB. If your new to Android lots of ADB commands in forums can look scary but its really not. This guide will hopefully help you understand it all.
Information from the Unlockr Video guide., I Recommend watching this first to help with understanding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w_R4...layer_embedded
1. Download these 4 files:

Android SDK
http://developer.android.com/sdk/dow...ows-1.5_r3.zip
Fastboot (scroll to Fastboot tool and download the appropriate one for you computer’s OS)
http://www.htc.com/www/support/android/adp.html#s2
Fastboot is a command line tool used to directly flash the filesystem in Android devices from a host via USB. It allows flashing of unsigned partition images

• Alternative Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=140139&d=1230278653

CM-Hero-Recovery.img
http://rapidshare.com/files/26262114...covery.img.zip

• Alternative Link: https://rs271tl6.rapidshare.com/#download|271l32|263024280|cherorecovery.img.zip|3706|R~1778837DFC68F871E34809F3D3480E6F|0|0

Superuser.zip
http://forum.xda-developers.com/atta...9&d=1249225060

2. Once you download the SDK, extract the SDK files to “C:\AndroidSDK”. Then extract the fastboot program to the C:\AndroidSDK\tools\ folder.

 
3. Extract the CM-Hero-Recovery.img.zip contents into the Tools folder in the AndroidSDK folder on your computer.

4. Extract the Superuser.zip contents into the Tools folder in the AndroidSDK folder on your computer.

5. Turn off the phone, then turn it back on by holding down the Power and Back button (to enter bootloader mode).

6. Plug the phone into the computer via USB. Make sure that it says FASTBOOT USB instead of FASTBOOT now.

7. Your computer should say installing drivers right now (if this is the first time you have connected the phone in fastboot mode).

8. Goto the Start menu type cmd into the run section of the start menu and hit enter to bring up the Command Prompt.

9. Type the following into the command dos prompt on the computer (the black screen with white letters that just opened) while the phone is connected through USB, hitting enter at the end of the line:
   cd\
   cd androidsdk\tools\
   fastboot devices

10.You should see a serial number pop up and the word fastboot to the right of it. This means that your USB drviers are all set up correctly and you can continue. If you do NOT see this, then you need to start over or Google for how to set up the USB drivers correctly.

11. If the serial number and the word fastboot next to it popped up, then go back to the command prompt on the computer and type
   fastboot boot cm-hero-recovery.img

12. Once the phone boots up into the recovery screen type the following in the command prompt on the computer: 
  adb shell mount /system
   adb push su /system/bin/
   adb shell chmod 4755 /system/bin/su
   adb push Superuser.apk /system/app/
   adb shell reboot

13. Once the phone reboots, click the Menu button and click Settings.

14. Goto Applications > Development and check the USB debugging on.

15. While the phone is still plugged in, goto the Command Prompt still up on your computer and type:
adb devices
You should see a serial number, which means the computer is seeing the device.

16. Then type:
  adb shell
  su

The phone should pop up an su request. Click Always Allow on the phone.

17. Type:
   adb reboot

18. Phone should reboot and you now have Root Access! Try downloading a program that needs root access and see if it works to test it out.
notes, I have a custom rom after step 16 I did not get the request rebooted and opened up shootMe and it asked for permission at that stage I clicked Always Allow

ADB (Android Debug Bridge) – Install App (ShootMe) From PC
If you are not a developer and just want custom roms and apps. You don’t need the full SKD, if you have ever looked at guides for that and been scared away. You only need the SKD from google,(which you downloaded to get root) and not the eclipse parts.
download ShootMe http://www.mediafire.com/?igmztlyzzwj (as this is a good test if root access worked)

Make a folder called apps in your tools folder
Make a folder called apps in your tools folder.

  C:\AndroidSDK\tools\apps

In the apps folder put all the APK files you want to install. 

Open CMD 
Change directory to tools

   cd \
   cd AndroidSDK\tools\

Now type:
   adb remount
   (this is to make sure phone is mounted safety first)

Now type:
  adb push apps\ com.bw.picme.local.apk /system/app/
   (Replace com.bw.picme.local.apk with the title of your apk for other installs. )

Now type:
   adb reboot
   (after you have pushed your apps do a restart. And everything should be installed fine)

Open the application and have fun.
Please note that the slashes are different from each directory.  The first uses “\” this is from your computer
Second uses “/” this is on your phone.

Taken From: http://htcpedia.com/forum/htc-hero/1523-noob-guide-htc-hero-root-adb.html

Cyanogen Mod on HTC Hero

HTC Hero (GSM): Full Update Guide

This guide will walk you through the process of taking the HTC Hero (GSM) from stock to having the ability to flash the latest version of CyanogenMod.

• This guide is only for the GSM version of the HTC Hero, for the CDMA version of the HTC Hero, see the HTC Hero (CDMA): Full Update Guide instructions.

Contents

Before you do anything — Make a backup

Don't forget to back up your data. If you have synced the device with a Google account, then the contacts, calendar, Gmail, & select other Google-related data will not be lost and will come back after the next sync. However, you should backup anything you want to keep that is not stored on the SD card:

• SMS/MMS messages,
• Call Log,
• Bookmarks,
• Applications; use Titanium Backup or the Astro File Manager, for example,
• Any application data not on the SD card.

It would also be a good idea to backup everything stored on the SD card in the rare case the SD card must be formatted to resolve any major problems.
MyBackup Root, SMS Backup & Restore, and Call Backup & Restore are all free applications that can assist with backing up your data.

Installing a Custom Recovery Image

For the HTC Hero (GSM), there are two custom recovery images available, Amon_Ra's Recovery & the ClockworkMod Recovery. Choose one and follow the instructions below on how to install each custom recovery image. If the HTC Hero (GSM) already has a custom recovery image, skip this section.
WARNING: INSTALLING A CUSTOM RECOVERY IMAGE ON THE HTC HERO (GSM) WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

Amon_Ra's Recovery

1. You will need ADB on the computer to install Amon_Ra's Recovery on the HTC Hero (GSM). Follow the Android SDK guide, to get the ADB shell on the computer.
2. Download flash_image & the latest version of Amon_Ra's Recovery:
   • flash_image: Download
     

     md5: bd475f29e0665c702f8eaf57a0423b58

   • Amon_Ra's Recovery 1.7.0.1: Download
     

     md5: 2c399ba2d780742c1eb8bb2710a31684

     
     
3. Unzip the flash_image &and copy its contents with Amon_Ra's Recovery to the same folder as adb (the /platform-tools folder within the Android SDK folder).
   
   
4. Connect the HTC Hero (GSM) to the computer via USB.
   
   
5. On the computer, open terminal and run the following commands:
   

   adb push recovery-RA-hero-v1.7.0.1.img /data/local/

   adb push flash_image /data/local/

   adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/recovery-RA-hero-v1.7.0.1.img

   adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/flash_image

   adb shell rm /data/local/rights/mid.txt

   adb shell ln -s /dev/mtd/mtd1 /data/local/rights/mid.txt

   adb reboot
   
   

6. The HTC Hero (GSM) will reboot. Once it's booted back all the way, run the following command:
   

   adb shell /data/local/flash_image recovery /data/local/recovery-RA-hero-v1.7.0.1.img

   
   
7. Amon_Ra's Recovery should now be installed on the HTC Hero (GSM).

ClockworkMod Recovery

1. You will need ADB on the computer to install the ClockworkMod Recovery on the HTC Hero (GSM). Follow the Android SDK guide, to get the ADB shell on the computer.
2. Download flash_image & the latest version of the ClockworkMod Recovery:
   • flash_image: Download
     

     md5: bd475f29e0665c702f8eaf57a0423b58

   • ClockworkMod Recovery 2.5.0.7: Download
     

     md5: 4e576c048d8d4d8890e755992577a5b
     

3. Unzip the flash_image &and copy its contents with the ClockworkMod Recovery to the same folder as adb (the /platform-tools folder within the Android SDK folder).
   
   
4. Connect the HTC Hero (GSM) to the computer via USB.
   
   
5. On the computer, open terminal and run the following commands:
   

   adb push recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-hero.img /data/local/

   adb push flash_image /data/local/

   adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-hero.img

   adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/flash_image

   adb shell rm /data/local/rights/mid.txt

   adb shell ln -s /dev/mtd/mtd1 /data/local/rights/mid.txt

   adb reboot

   
   
6. The HTC Hero (GSM) will reboot. Once it's booted back all the way, run the following command:
   

   adb shell /data/local/flash_image recovery /data/local/recovery-clockwork-2.5.0.7-hero.img

   
   
7. The ClockworkMod Recovery should now be installed on the HTC Hero (GSM).

 

Flashing CyanogenMod

Amon_Ra's Recovery process

1. Download the latest version of CyanogenMod.
   

   Optional: Download the Google Apps for the device.

   
   
2. Place the CyanogenMod update.zip file on the root of the SD card.
   

   Optional: Place the Google Apps .zip on the root of the SD card also.

   
   
3. Boot into Amon_Ra's Recovery.
   
   
4. Once you enter Amon_Ra's Recovery, scroll up & down with the trackball, and the trackball button to select.
   
   
5. Select Wipe, then Wipe data/factory reset
   
   
6. Select Flash zip from sdcard.
   
   
7. Select the CyanogenMod update.zip.
   • Optional: Install the Google Apps by performing steps 6 & 7 again and choosing the Google Apps update.zip.
   
   
8. Once the installation has finished, select Reboot system. The HTC Hero (GSM) now should boot into CyanogenMod.
   

ClockworkMod Recovery process

Method via Recovery

1. Download the latest version of CyanogenMod.
   

   Optional: Download the Google Apps for the device.

   
   
2. Place the CyanogenMod update.zip file on the root of the SD card.
   

   Optional: Place the Google Apps .zip on the root of the SD card also.

   
   
3. Boot into the ClockworkMod Recovery.
   
   
4. Once the device boots into the ClockworkMod Recovery, use the side volume buttons to move around, and either the power button or the trackball to select.
   

   Optional: Select backup and restore to create a backup of current installation on the HTC Hero (GSM).

   
   
5. Select the option to Wipe data/factory reset.
   
   
6. Then select the option to Wipe cache partition.
   
   
7. Select Install zip from sdcard.
   
   
8. Select Choose zip from sdcard.
   
   
9. Select the CyanogenMod update.zip.
   

   Optional: Install the Google Apps by performing steps 7 - 9 again and choosing the Google Apps update.zip.

   
   
10. Once the installation has finished, select +++++Go Back+++++ to get back to the main menu, and select the Reboot system now option. The HTC Hero (GSM) should now boot into CyanogenMod.

Method via ROM Manager

1. Launch RomManager.
   

   Optional: Choose the first option in the app, Flash ClockworkMod Recovery to update to the latest version.

   
   
2. Select the Download ROM option from the main menu in the ROM Manager.
   
   
3. Select the CyanogenMod option, and then choose the latest version of CyanogenMod from the menu.
   

   Optional: When you select the latest version of CyanogenMod, check the Google Apps* option.

   
   
4. Once the ROM is finished downloading, it asks if you would like to Backup Existing ROM and Wipe Data and Cache.
   
   
5. If Superuser prompts for root permissions check to Remember and then Allow.
   
   
6. The HTC Hero (GSM) will now reboot into the recovery, wipe data and cache, and then install CyanogenMod. When it's finished installing it will reboot into CyanogenMod.
   

Taken From: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/HTC_Hero_(GSM):_Full_Update_Guide

Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller and DNS Server Setup

This tutorial will explain how to setup Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller and DNS
Server.

Click on Start > Run

Now type dcpromo > Click OK

The system will start checking if Active Directory Domain Services ( AD DS) binaries are installed, then will start installing them. The binaries could be installed if you had run the dcpromo command previously and then canceled the operation after the binaries were installed.

The Active Directory Domain Services Installation Wizard will start, either enable the checkbox beside Use Advanced mode installation and Click Next , or keep it unselected and click on Next

The Operating System Compatibility page will be displayed, take a moment to read it and click Next

Choose Create a new domain in a new forest, Click Next

Enter the Fully Qualified Domain Name of the forest root domain inside the textbox, click Next

If you selected Use advanced mode installation on the Welcome page, the Domain NetBIOS Name page appears. On this page, type the NetBIOS name of the domain if necessary or accept the default name and then click Next.

Select the Forest Functional Level, choose the level you desire and click on Next.

Make sure to read the description of each functional level to understand the difference between each one.

In the previous step, If you have selected any Forest Functional Level other than windows Server 2008 and clicked on Next , you would then get a page to select the domain Functional Level. Select it and then click on Next

In the Additional Domain Controller Options page, you can select to install the domain Name Service to your server. Note that the First domain controller in a forest must be a Global Catalog that’s why the checkbox beside Global Catalog is selected and it cannot be cleared. The checkbox is also selected by default when you install an additional domain controller in an existing domain, however you can clear this checkbox if you do not want the additional domain controller to be a global catalog server. The first domain controller in a new forest or in a new domain can not be a Read Only Domain Controller (RODC), you can later add a RODC but you must have at least one Windows Server 2008 Domain Controller.

I want to set my DC as a DNS Server as well, so I will keep the checkbox beside DNS server selected and click on Next

If you don’t have static ip assigned to your server you will see similar to the following screen now you need to assign static ip and start the above process.

If the wizard cannot create a delegation for the DNS server, it displays a message to indicate that you can create the delegation manually. To continue, click Yes

Now you will have the location where the domain controller database, log files and SYSVOL are stored on the server.

The database stores information about the users, computers and other objects on thenetwork. the log files record activities that are related to AD DS, such information about an object being updated. SYSVOL stores Group Policy objects and scripts. By default, SYSVOL is part of the operating system files in the Windows directory either type or browse to the volume and folder where you want to store each, or accept the defaults and click on Next

In the Directory Services Restore Mode Administrator Password (DSRM) page, write a password and confirm it. This password is used when the domain controller is started in Directory Services Restore Mode, which might be because Active Directory Domain services is not running, or for tasks that must be performed offline.Make sure that you memorize this password when you need it.

Summary page will be displayed showing you all the setting that you have set . It gives you the option to export the setting you have setup into an answer file for use with other unattended operations, if you wish to have such file, click on the Export settings button and save the file.

DNS Installation will start

Followed by installing Group Policy Management Console, the system will check first if it is installed or not.

Configuring the local computer to host active directory Domain Services and other operations will take place setting up this server as a Domain Controller active Directory Domain Services installation will be completed, click Finish.

Click on Restart Now to restart your server for the changes to take effect.

Once the server is booted and you logon to it, click on Start > Administrative Tools
you will notice that following have been installed :
Active Directory Domains and Trusts
Active Directory Sites and Services
Active Directory Users and Computers
ADSI Edit
DNS
Group Policy Management

That’s it now your new win server 2008 domain controller with dns server setup was completed.

Taken From: http://www.windowsreference.com/windows-server-2008/step-by-step-guide-for-windows-server-2008-domain-controller-and-dns-server-setup/

Turning Your PC into a DD-WRT Wired Router - From Windows

Normally, when we cover DD-WRT and other firmware replacements for wireless routers, we discuss flashing (or uploading) the firmware to a router. However, DD-WRT also has an X86 version that can be installed onto just about any generic PC.

This is great if you don’t have a compatible router lying around and don’t want to track one down with the right model and version number. Plus it lets you exceed the usual 16MB of RAM and slow CPU in the off-the-shelf consumer-level routers.

In this tutorial, we’ll build and set up a DD-WRT machine.

Features on a normal dd-wrt firmware (wifi router):
http://www.dd-wrt.com/wiki/index.php/What_is_DD-WRT%3F

Limitations of the X86 version

Keep in mind; if you want to go the free route, you’ll only have a wired router—but you can add separate access points. Wi-Fi support is only available in the registered version by purchasing a Professional Activation for € 20.00 ($28.36).

You also lose these features for any X86 version of DD-WRT:

• USB Support. For example, you can’t connect USB drives or printers to share them on the network.
• Journaling Flash File System (jffs). Normally this would let you store files directly on the router, such as for NoCatSplash hotspot captive portal pages and other custom configuration.
• Itsy Package Management System (Ipkg). This would have let you add features from OpenWRT that aren’t already in DD-WRT.

Putting the DD-WRT machine together

First, make sure you have an X86 compatible PC, i386 or greater, which is just about any old PC. You need only 16MB or more of RAM. However, you do need at least two network (Ethernet) cards, one for the Internet and others for the LAN.

Don’t forget a spare hard drive. It must be dedicated to the cause as it will be reformatted and repartitioned.

Though a monitor and keyboard aren’t required, they’re useful if you run into problems, so you can access the console.

Getting ready for the installation

We’re going to use a Windows-based program to upload the DD-WRT disk image to the spare hard drive. So you need to take the drive out of the DD-WRT machine and temporarily put it into a working computer.

On your working computer, you need to download the transfer utility, physdiskwrite, and the desired X86 version of DD-WRT. At the time of this writing, the most current release is v24 Service Pack 1. If going the free route download dd-wrt_public_vga.image or dd-wrt_full_vga.image if you’re purchasing a license.

It’s easier to download the DD-WRT file to the physdiskwrite folder.

Verify the drive assignments

When you upload the disk image to the drive, the utility will be referencing the computer’s drives using the disk numbers. So you’re absolutely sure you have the right disk—and not the one you use every day—you should verify the drive assignments.

You can open the Computer Management program to view the Disk Management utility in Windows:

In Vista, click Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.

In XP, Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Administrative Tools > Computer Management.

The disk numbers (Disk0, Disk1, Disk2, etc.) are shown on the graph of drives and partitions.

Transferring the image using physdiskwrite

When you’re ready, here’s how to install DD-WRT X86 onto your hard drive from your working computer:

1.    Bring up a Command Prompt. If using Vista, click the Start button, type cmd into the search box, right-click the cmd icon, and select Run as administrator. In XP, simply click Start > Run, type cmd and hit Enter.

2.    Navigate to the directory where you have the physdiskwrite utility and disk image. It might be easier to browse to the location in Windows and copy the location from the address bar. Then in the Command Prompt you’d type cd, paste in the path, and hit Enter.

3.    Type physdiskwrite -u dd-wrt_public_vga.image and hit Enter. Adjust the image file name if you’re using a different one.

4.    Type the disk number of the spare drive. WARNING: Remember, this completely erases everything from the drive and you’ll lose any files on it.

5.    After it completes, shut down and unplug the computer to remove the drive and put it back in the DD-WRT machine.

Getting started with DD-WRT X86

After DD-WRT boots up, the router should start working. You should hook the WAN/Internet cable up to the ether0 interface, which is usually the built-in or on-board Ethernet port, if any. The remaining interfaces are for the LAN/network. You can connect them to computers or to a switch.

You can figure out which interface is which by referencing the console screen after hooking up a cable to the interfaces. It tells you the status, which includes the interface number.

The default IP address is of the router is 192.168.1.1. The DHCP server is enabled, just like with the firmware versions, so users will automatically receive an IP. To access the Web GUI, type the IP of the router into a browser. To access the console on the machine, hit Enter. The default username is root and the password is admin.

Read our other DD-WRT tutorials

Now that you have a DD-WRT router up and running—hopefully—take a look at all the tutorials we have on the subject. Maybe extend your range with WDS, build a wireless bridge, use multiple SSIDs, and much more.

Eric Geier is the author of many networking and computing books, including Home Networking All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies (Wiley 2008) and 100 Things You Need to Know about Microsoft® Windows Vista (Que 2007).

Taken From: http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3835526

TDR test in Cisco Devices - Cable Testing

I love finding stuff like this. In the course of my daily Internet browsing, today I came across this post from a while back on the CCNP Recertification blog. It turns out a number of Cisco switches (apparently the 3560/3750, and some 4500 and 6500 modules) have a TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer) embedded in each interface. How cool is that?

Cisco's documentation shows the simple but very handy two-part command syntax.

   Switch# test cable-diagnostics tdr interface g0/1

TDR test started on interface Gi0/1

A TDR test can take a few seconds to run on an interface

Use 'show cable-diagnostics tdr' to read the TDR results.
   Switch# show cable-diagnostics tdr int g0/1


TDR test last run on: March 01 00:09:06

Interface Speed Local pair Pair length Remote pair Pair status
--------- ----- ---------- ------------------ ----------- -----
Gi0/1 auto Pair A 20 +/- 4 meters N/A Open

Pair B 20 +/- 4 meters N/A Open

Pair C 21 +/- 4 meters N/A Open

Pair D 20 +/- 4 meters N/A Open
This output shows a cable approximately 20 meters in length connected to interface G0/1, with nothing attached to the far end. If you're like me, your first thought is "very cool, but is it accurate?" I grabbed a couple spare cables of various lengths and set about an unscientific benchmark. I measured each cable in three manners: by hand, with my Fluke TDR, and with a Catalyst 3560G-24PS-S. My observed results are below.

Cable Length Fluke 3560 ----------------------------------------------

A 69 ft 69 ft 20 +/- 4m (~66 ft)

B 21 ft 21 ft 6 +/- 4m (~20 ft)

C 83 ft 83 ft 25 +/- 4m (~82 ft)

As you can see, the 3560 is impressively accurate, even without its allowed 4m variance. My next consideration was whether a TDR test would disrupt interface operation. Trying it on a live port while running a constant ping yielded no observable effect, not even a brief disconnection pop-up. This is clearly a very handy tool. I only wish Cisco would do more to publicize cool features like this.
Taken From: http://packetlife.net/blog/2008/mar/28/investigating-ciscos-built-in-tdr/