NET helpmsg

I am running Windows Vista (liking it more every day), and a Windows Update failed. I received this error message, and I did not know what it meant. Here's a little trick to use that will give you the error message description.

Let's say my error was 80070652 (this was the actual error). I type this (I added bold so you can see how it relates to the error):

C:\>set /a c = 0x652

Windows returns the following:

1618

Then, I type this:

C:\>net helpmsg 1618

Windows returns this:

"Another installation is already in progress. Complete that installation before proceeding with this install."

Cool. The information is there, but not very easily found. What would be better is for Microsoft (us) to surface the information more readily in the UI! I can guarantee my father will never type these commands. Of course, he also would not care about nerding out and discovering the error description either! He's a genius under the hood of a car though. He's saved me tons of money and time over the years because of his immense knowledge of automobiles.

 Rock Thought For the Day:

Of course, I am still giddy about the Smashing Pumpkins' new album, "Zeitgeist", and I'd blog about it every day if I could. But there are other bands with great music. I pulled out some older tunes today:

Nick Drake-- listen to River Man.

Also, anything by John Prine. He's a master story teller.

Finally, I was doing some yoga yesterday to Fujiya and Miyagi. Great stuff.

Also, check out Brand New and aMute.