Create a bootable Windows 7 USB Drive

I've read several articles on how to create bootable USB drives for Windows 7 installs but for some reason have show-stopping issues. As such, I've combined two articles which worked for me:

1. You must have a working and valid Windows 7 DVD, 32 or 64-bit
2. You must have a 4 GB+ USB drive (format-ready)
3. Insert the USB drive into a USB port and the Windows 7 DVD in the DVD drive
4. Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, (Right-Click) Command Prompt, Run as administrator

5. Type DISKPART from the command prompt
6. LIST DISK to show all the drives
7. SELECT DISK n ; n = USB drive number (don't pick your hard drive number or you'll erase your hard drive)
8. CLEAN (wipes your USB drives partition table and all data)
9. CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
10. SELECT PARTITION 1 
11. ACTIVE (to make the partition bootable)
12. FORMAT FS=NTFS QUICK (quick format your new bootable USB partition)
13. ASSIGN (assigns a drive letter to your drive -- if it doesn't already have one)
14. EXIT (exit DISKPART but stays in command.exe
15. Go back to your command prompt and type – assuming D: is your DVD drive with the install DVD, and E: is your USB drive.  D:\BOOT\BOOTSECT.EXE /NT60 E:

This will basically make your USB drive bootable.


16. Either from the command prompt or Windows Explorer, copy the entire contents of your Windows 7 DVD to your new USB drive.
17. Remove your USB drive and place it into the computer which needs it.  Reboot that computer and press the Boot Menu key (usually F12 or F10).  Select USB as the first boot device.  If everything went well, you'll see  Windows 7 boot and start it's installation sequence.

I thank these two sites for their combined information:

IP and Domain Checks via a Chrome Extension

If you're using Google's Chrome web browser, you've probably noticed the extensions library that adds more functionality to your browsing experience.  If you work with computers or websites, a very nice extension can be found here:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/lhgkegeccnckoiliokondpaaalbhafoa?hl=en-US

It gives so much IP and Domain information and any valid DNS or IP address can be entered into it's search box.  Give it a try, it's awesome!

Mail Server Checks

While reading an article about troubleshooting an Exchange server, a person linked this website:
http://www.spam10.com/

It has some great utilities for not only email servers but all Internet-aimed servers.  It has DNS Lookup, a Blacklist checker, IP physical location finder, MX Record lookup for domains, Ping, Trace Route, Telnet replies, and more.  Check it out.