Install Callisto for Windows 8 Apps with Visual Studio 2012 users

During learning to make my first Windows 8 app, I came across a feature called flyout that I have to add on my app. But to use this feature on my app, I need to install a toolkit called "Callisto".

Now what Callisto really is, and what sort of features will Callisto add to your app. Follow these two links to know more about it:

      http://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/0526563b-7a48-4b17-a087-a35cea701052
      http://timheuer.com/blog/archive/2012/05/31/introducing-callisto-a-xaml-toolkit-for-metro-apps.aspx

So I started to install Callisto for my app as it was directed to follow the steps for successful installation of Callisto.

The steps are shown below:

   1.  Right click References on the solution explorer of your project.

   2.  Select Manage NuGet Packages and a new window will open. Select Online on the left hand-side and type callisto on the top right corner of the window.

   3.  Click Install button for the callisto to install for your app.

(These steps will work for the Windows 8.1 user now).

But I got an error...

After much querying about this problem, I came to know that this error occurs because of the new version released for Windows 8.1 and Visual Studio 13 users. So these steps will not work for Windows 8 users. So what will I do now, should I update my OS to 8.1 and download VS13? I started querying for the alternate and I got success to install Callisto for my Windows 8 App with VS2012.

Just follow these steps if you also goes through these problems:

   1.  Open Package Manager Console from the menu bar View>Other Windows>Package Manager Console.

   2.  A Package Manager Console will open at the bottom. Type Install-Package Callisto 1.3.1(Callisito 1.3.1 is Windows 8 compatible) and press Enter.(See the pic below if any problem with the command)

You will get success with these steps....

Windows couldn't connect to the windows all-user install agent service

Many of the Windows 8 user are facing problem of error displaying on start-up-

           "Windows couldn't connect to the windows all user install agent service. Please consult
             your System Administrator...."

This problem is very often preventing users form successfully logging on the computer, slow loading of Metro apps or even desktop application.

To fix this, you need to log on as an Administrator. Once logged on, resolving of this issue is easier.

Open a command prompt with Administrative Privileges(search cmd on Start Screen, right-click on Command Prompt tile and Select Run as Administrator from the App Bar). Now execute the following commands:

   sc config AllUserInstallAgent start =  demand(Press Enter)
   net start AllUserInstallAgent(Press Enter)
   sfc /scannow(Press Enter)

The first two commands change the start-up type of the required problem service, and the third will check for other corrupt file issues in your windows installation. It will take a good time to complete, so be relaxed.

The errors should be resolved. It works for me. Remember to restart the computer after completion.

Convert FAT32 to NTFS without loosing data

You have been converting your Flash Drive/Pen Drive type before by Formatting your drive from FAT32 to NTFS. But these way of conversion sucks when you have data in it and you don't want to erase it. So, here is the solution below with a boring command prompt.

So you need to follow these steps:

   1.   Insert your Flash Drive/Pen Drive in to your computer.

   2.   Click Start > All Program > Accessories > Command Prompt

                         OR, (For Windows 8/8.1)

          Click Start and type "cmd".

   3.   Remember to run "Command Prompt" with Administrative Privilege.(in some cases)

   4.   Type the following in your Command Prompt.

          a)          chkdsk driveletter: /f

           e.g,   chkdsk I: /f (where, I is the letter of the drive to undergo conversion)
        
            This checks the drive for errors and fixes them automatically.

           b)         convert driveletter: /fs:ntfs

            e.g,   convert I: /fs:ntfs

   5.   Press Enter and Command Prompt will start the conversion process.

   6.   When conversion to ntfs is complete, cmd will display "Conversion was successful"

   7.   Type "quit" to close cmd prompt.

How to create a Windows 8/8.1 bootable USB Flash drive

1.   Download the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool 

2.   To install the downloaded tool you need .Net Framework 2.0. Follow this link to enable the .Net Framework in online/offline mode

3.   Continue with installation of the tool after enabling the .Net Framework 2.0

4.   Now insert your Flash Drive/Pen Drive in to your system and format it with ntfs format.

5.   Now open the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool.

6.   Click the Browse button of the Source file and select the image file(.iso) of Windows 8/8.1. Click Next.

7.   Choose the Media Type option USB Device (or, DVD in case if you want to write a DVD).

8.   Select your USB device(if device not displayed press the refresh button) and Click Begin copying. 

Your device is ready to use as a bootable Flash drive after successful completion.

Enable .Net Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 and 8.1 in online/offline mode

By default Windows 8 and 8.1 does not include .Net Framework 3.5(include 2.0 and 3.0). Is only enabled to the user who upgrades form Windows 7 to Windows 8. User can check this feature is enabled or not by following this steps:

1. Go to “Windows Charm(Win + c) > Search” and type “Turn Windows Feature” and then select “Settings” below typing panel. Click “Turn Windows features on or off”.
   
    
2. Or, Go to “Control Panel” and then choose “Programs”. Click “Turn Windows features on or off”.
      
    
   
   
   
   
3. User will see a new window open like this:

 

For Online mode: The user can enable this feature by selecting “.NET Framework 3.5 (include .NET 2.0 and 3.0)” and Click OK(make sure you are connected to the internet), it will download the entire package from internet and install .Net Framework 3.5 feature.

For offline mode: User can also enable .Net Framework feature in offline mode. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Insert Windows 8/8.1 DVD or mount ISO image.
2. Open Compand Prompt with Administrative privilage.
3. Run the following command "Dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:E:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess" and hit Enter and wait for a while for the task to complete.

(Note: Here E:\ is the location where windows 8/8.1 drive or mounted drive locates. Beware of the spaces and non-spaces in the given command)

After successful completion user can see the feature is enabled.