Messages

226

General Software Discussion / Re: Registry cleaning software debunked...

« on: April 03, 2013, 04:36 AM »

1. How an image is created matters. Norton Ghost creates image very differently with different parameters/settings. i.e. disk imaging utility normally won't create byte by byte image unless you specify so.

2. One might restore an image to a new HDD with different capacity. (bigger or smaller or even to SSD).

If a disk utility like Ghost restores an image to a HDD and manage to create all partitions with correct alignment, to me, that simply means the utility knows and have done its part in making sure alignment is right. i.e. it has nothing to do with whether the original HDD (where the image is based on) has all its partitions aligned.

-tslim (April 02, 2013, 11:27 AM)

Bear in mind that I am talking about NG 10 (and TI 11) both programs have changed and expanded considerably since then.
The number of options available at the time was far more limited than it is now.
Alignment was unheard of to most people, as was 'restore to dissimilar hardware'. (So for that matter were SSD's.)

Another consideration not yet mentioned is, if used, the type of partitioning software.
My original program was Acronis Disk Director Suite 10, one thing it was not was precise, it was impossible to use it to align a partition, if it did finish up aligned it was luck not judgement.
Through exchanges I had with people on a number of different forums I discovered other programs with greater accuracy, the one that stood out the most was Bootit NG, I never got anywhere near all the possibilities of that program even with the help of someone who was very skilled with it.


SKA,

I cannot answer for the software you refer to either but both my XP computers were aligned with established systems, i.e. OS and all programs installed.

227

General Software Discussion / Re: image backups after OS reinstall with clean system

« on: April 02, 2013, 11:07 AM »

72 Hour Giveaway: EaseUS ToDo Backup Workstation v5.8

228

General Software Discussion / Re: Registry cleaning software debunked...

« on: April 02, 2013, 10:22 AM »

Someone made the comment earlier that "IMHO registry cleaners are a waste of time and money".
While I would disagree with the first I have never come up against the second.
With free software, giveaways and trials it is a long time since I bought any software.

I have long thought that with many people there are two main reasons why they disagree with the use of registry cleaners, 1) they have used rubbish programs and had a bad experience, 2) regardless of which program(s) they used they had not taken the time to test what exactly it is doing and had an equally bad experience.
That does not include people who have a negative attitude towards them without ever having used one.

Like most arguments discussions there are two sides to it and those who support both of them.
Few types of software produce the same level of passion(?) in opposing sides but if you look around you will find that a lot of software produces opposite views in different people no matter what its purpose.
Much of it is based on personal experience and I am sure that no-one on DC needs me to point out that you can install the same program on what appear to be two identical computers and have two totally different experiences.

Alignment:

I exchanged emails for several months with one of Paragon's tech people when they first brought out their Alignment Tool, at the time I only used XP.
In some respects it had things in common with a registry cleaner in as far as if it did not work it could totally screw up a system and make it unbootable.
The later versions that were openly available had safeguards built-in but I had access to a number that didn't (thank God for True Image).
Also like registry cleaners I found that aligning previously non-aligned partitions on XP made a noticeable difference.
By default it is rare for XP to install in an aligned position, 7 on the other hand invariably does. (I have no knowledge of Vista or 8, both of which I view in the same light.)

When I built my newest PC besides partitioning my SSD I also partitioned and aligned my 2 HDD's before installing anything, I knew the OS would align the SSD.

I now have all the partitions on all internal and external drives aligned and consider it to have been worth the effort which in all except for one partition (the C partition on my old PC) was actually very little.
The exception was the cause of my long correspondence with Paragon and only got resolved (aligned) months later when I just decided to try again one day, the actual problem remains a mystery.

With regard to alignment when recovering images.
Older versions of both Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image worked the same way, if the partition was aligned when you made the image it usually restored that way, if it was not it didn't.
I have no knowledge of recent/current versions of NG or TI but EaseUS ToDO Backup Workstation at least from version 4 has a recovery option to 'Optimise for SSD' which I have always taken to mean alignment.
Although I have no need to try it I can see no reason why the same option should not align an HDD but I am not certain.

229

General Software Discussion / Re: Registry cleaning software debunked...

« on: April 01, 2013, 08:08 AM »

As with the registry, disk space was not a consideration, I had already decided to partition the SSD so doing it first made sense to me although the partitions have been resized since.

As far as I am aware the hidden partition is related to Windows backup and recovery options all of which I have disabled, including System Restore.
If I am not mistaken the files from that partition are still installed if the disk is already partitioned but into a folder on C:\ instead, so they are still there.

230

General Software Discussion / Re: Registry cleaning software debunked...

« on: April 01, 2013, 07:37 AM »

Because:
1. SSD has negligible seek time.
2. You can not defrag a SSD.

-tslim (April 01, 2013, 07:17 AM)

Agreed, but neither of those had anything to do with my reason for partitioning the SSD.

I too have PerfectDisk which I still use on XP, after trying several others first I have never found a better program for the job.
I also use Defraggler, again on XP, for individual files.

231

General Software Discussion / Re: Registry cleaning software debunked...

« on: April 01, 2013, 04:49 AM »

plan a better HDD partitioning scheme (assuming you don't use a SSD).

-tslim (March 30, 2013, 10:52 AM)

I've been trying to work out the last part of the comment, why do you make a distinction for SSD's?

I have an SSD in my newest PC plus 2 HDD's, 2 HDD's in my old PC, 1 HDD in my Netbook, all are partitioned as are 2 of the 3 external drives that I own.

The SSD was formatted and partitioned before I installed the OS to prevent it creating a hidden partition, which I did not want.

232

General Software Discussion / Re: Folder protection

« on: March 31, 2013, 04:55 AM »

I wouldn't consider that

-f0dder (March 30, 2013, 12:51 PM)

Hence the comment at the end of my post.

Never had a CPU issue, even with the folder open.

233

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Connect to Internet' shortcut needed.

« on: March 30, 2013, 12:40 PM »

Got it working on 7 using the full path but it is still rearranging the icons when I restart the programs, not just those of the programs and the NIC in the batch file but other programs that are closed at the time I run it. Icons for programs that are always running stay put. It seems that it is causing the OS to forget where the closed icons were.

Don't worry about it because my main aim was the batch files and now that I know they are working I can tell by the NIC icon on both OS' if the programs are active or not.
Running the cursor over the icons to close them is still quicker than closing each program and disabling the NIC individually.

234

General Software Discussion / Avira program updates.

« on: March 30, 2013, 12:38 PM »

I have been using Avira Free for the last few years and will continue to do so but I stopped updating the program a couple of months ago when they removed the option to choose when and if you updated it, definition updates are not affected.
As far as I am aware this affected the paid version as well.
Since then they have updated the program several times, does anybody know if the option has been returned in the latest version or is it still missing?

235

General Software Discussion / Re: Folder protection

« on: March 30, 2013, 12:17 PM »

Not sure what OS your using but on XP (and XP Mode) I use Microsoft Private Folder, just don't forget the password!

236

General Software Discussion / Re: Registry cleaning software debunked...

« on: March 30, 2013, 09:51 AM »

Disk space has never been an issue to me in relation to the registry and I do not know what you consider to be the 'practical implications'.

You are right when you refer to how it 'feels', I know a lot of people are very much against registry cleaners and I would not try to change their minds.
I also know that you can do a lot of damage with them, some more than others.

My personal view is that provided you make backups, I use ERUNT, and get to learn what you can and cannot do with a particular program you should not have any problems.

Do they actually make a difference?
On XP my answer would be yes, especially over a period of time.
On 7?
Certainly not as much but then again on the computer I have 7 installed on it would probably take quite a lot to slow it down compared to those I have XP on.

I also defrag the registries once a month, on XP that makes a very noticeable difference (on XP Mode as well), again not noticeably on 7.

I have followed this practice for years, using the same programs for most of that time, and never had a problem because of it.
Would I advise others to do the same?
Not unless they knew what they were doing and were prepared to take the time that I did to test whatever program they chose to use, as well as taking adequate precautions against the possibility of problems.

237

General Software Discussion / Re: Registry cleaning software debunked...

« on: March 30, 2013, 07:05 AM »

I use registry cleaners regularly, because of that most of what they pick up is related to temp files.

Just recently MS updated Silverlight, when I ran a registry cleaner on Windows 7 afterwards it picked up well over 700 items, nearly all of which were related to the previous version of Silverlight. The files had been removed (or updated) but not the registry keys. XP was nearly as bad.

238

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Annotate your screen

« on: March 30, 2013, 06:50 AM »

I saw that review and downloaded the program.

It works very well but I hope his English translation gets a brush up.

239

Living Room / Re: What *Should* We Be Worried About?

« on: March 30, 2013, 06:32 AM »

Today

Today was the day I said yesterday “When it’s over I’ll be glad”
But after living through it, it didn’t seem so bad.

Yesterday was the day you know I worried about the day before
And tomorrow was the day that worried me even more.

The day after tomorrow and the next day after that
They worried me so much it nearly knocked me flat.

Now what about next Monday or next Wednesday week?
If only I had a crystal ball so I could take a peek.

Then there’s next month and the one that follows on,
I have so much to think about my strength is nearly gone.

And what about next year and all the ones to come?
I do so much worrying I never have much fun.

When I look into the future worry’s all I seem to do,
I have so much worry I doubt I’ll see it through.

If only I could realise, my worry would go away,
There’s no yesterday or tomorrow, life’s just one long today.

240

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Connect to Internet' shortcut needed.

« on: March 29, 2013, 05:03 AM »

4wd,

I came across references to PATH in the many things I read but forgot about it, I'll check it when I get back on that computer.

One thing that I found in much of what I read is that a lot of people give information about XP without taking into consideration the differences between Home and Pro.

In case it is of interest to anyone a lot of the most useful information I learned came from Computer Hope, it was one of the first sites I ever bookmarked but have rarely used till now.

Thanks for the file, I have added it to the OFF batch file on 7 so it should work when I go offline, I will add it to the others later, much appreciated.

UPDATE:

XP: Added path and modified files:

Internet_ON.bat

@echo off

start "" "C:\Program Files\D4\D4.exe"
sleep 1
start "" "C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\SbieCtrl.exe"
sleep 1
start "" "C:\Program Files\PeerBlock\peerblock.exe"
sleep 3

devcon enable *DEV_001C*

---------------------------------

Internet_OFF.bat

@echo off

taskkill /F /IM peerblock.exe
taskkill /F /IM SbieCtrl.exe
taskkill /F /IM D4.exe

devcon disable *DEV_001C*

CleanTray: On 7 I could only get it to work by clicking on the EXE, when it was in the batch file the icons remained, in both cases it had changed the order of the icons the next time I ran the ON file.
I was using the 'start /d' command which works for the other programs.
On XP I had a similar problem, when I ran the EXE directly it removed the 3 icons, moved all the others to the left and I had three empty spaces at the right hand end of the System Tray, once again the next time I ran the ON file the icons appeared in a different order to before.

241

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Connect to Internet' shortcut needed.

« on: March 28, 2013, 11:55 AM »

Meanwhile, many hours later:

Internet_ON.bat

@echo off

start "" "C:\Program Files\D4\D4.exe"
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sleep.exe 1
start "" "C:\Program Files\Sandboxie\SbieCtrl.exe"
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sleep.exe 1
start "" "C:\Program Files\PeerBlock\peerblock.exe"
C:\WINDOWS\system32\sleep.exe 3

C:\WINDOWS\system32\devcon.exe enable *DEV_001C*

------------------------------------------------------

Internet_OFF.bat

@echo off

start /d "C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskkill.exe" taskkill /F /IM peerblock.exe
start /d "C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskkill.exe" taskkill /F /IM SbieCtrl.exe
start /d "C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskkill.exe" taskkill /F /IM D4.exe

C:\WINDOWS\system32\devcon.exe disable *DEV_001C*

------------------------------------------------------

NOTES:

devcon.exe will work in XP but only after I used the full path.

taskkill.exe is not in XP Home so I copied it from XP Mode and while it was recognised by the system, it too required the full path to work.
sleep.exe was the same.

The time delays in the 'ON' file were to get the icons in the order I wanted in the System Tray, not an issue in Windows 7.

While the batch files I now have all work, when the 'OFF' files are run the program icons remain in the System Tray in both OS' until I run the cursor over them.
The network icon on 7 goes grey (disabled), on XP it disappears, both normal actions.


Two down, one to go.

242

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Connect to Internet' shortcut needed.

« on: March 28, 2013, 04:28 AM »

And if you use the full instance ID?

eg. devcon disable "@PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503.................."

-4wd (March 28, 2013, 02:49 AM)

Same thing - nothing.

I found an old article somewhere saying that devcon would not work for this on XP and it suggested using a VB script.
In the first place that is beyond my understanding, in the second there was no indication as to whether the OP actually got it working?
Also, the script listed was to toggle the adapter, I need to keep enable and disable separate.

Not that I can see it should make a difference but the connection on both my XP computers is wireless, built in on my Netbook, a dongle on my old PC.
I have only tried it on the Netbook so far, the ID is:
PCI\VEN_168C&DEV_001C&SUBSYS_E00C105B&REV_01\4&192AC53F&0&00E0.

I tried all the variations listed above but none of them worked, I will try again because a number of times I got an error message but never copied it.

On Windows 7 the last batch files I posted are still working perfectly.

243

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Connect to Internet' shortcut needed.

« on: March 26, 2013, 11:50 AM »

 netsh command not working on XP!

neither is devcon!

244

Living Room / Re: VPN Gate - Univ. of Tsukuba launches Academic Experimental [Crowd] Project.

« on: March 26, 2013, 10:44 AM »

Next step is to see if I can use it under Linux.

-40hz (March 25, 2013, 09:15 PM)

There are instructions for using OpenVPN on Linux HERE.
I am not sure how you would use the configuration files as I have only ever used OpenVPN on Windows with software from the providers that has their configuration built in.

The fact that these people offer different configuration files for different servers makes me think that you should be able to use them without their own client software with a download from HERE but I do not have the time to test this at the moment.

245

Living Room / Re: VPN Gate - Univ. of Tsukuba launches Academic Experimental [Crowd] Project.

« on: March 25, 2013, 06:59 AM »

I did some research on different VPN providers two or three years ago and when I read this thread it reminded me of PacketiX.NET which appears to have been a previous incarnation of the same thing.
It was one of the few Free VPN's that I never actually tried, I was partly put off by the size of the download which is considerably larger than most OpenVPN clients.
Having said that I never read any negative reports about them.

Having just had a look through their website I was interested in their Server List, in particular some of the speeds quoted, my ISP supposedly provides 8Mbps which is considered reasonable for rural areas, some of their servers are showing treble figures.

Another thing I noticed is that they offer L2TP so it is possible to try their service without installing any software.

I already have OpenVPN installed for two other clients but I might see if I can get one of their configuration files to run from my existing installation to try it.

Thanks for an interesting article.

246

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Debenu PDF Tools Pro Free

« on: March 25, 2013, 04:42 AM »

Hi pilgrim-online,

I'm from Debenu. The main difference between PDF Tools and PDF Maximus is that PDF Tools is available from the context-menu in Windows Explorer and lets you work on one PDF at a time where as PDF Maximus has a batch processing engine, along with watched folders, and can process lots of PDF files at once. It also lets you create workflows by adding lots of different actions such as split, stamp, secure, etc, to action lists.

There's a lot of overlapping functionality (such as split) but the two tools are used in different ways.

If you've got any other questions, let me know.

Cheers,
- Rowan.

-rowanhanna (March 24, 2013, 07:22 PM)

Hi Rowan,

Thanks for the reply.

I only work on individual files so PDF Tools is the way for me to go.

Pilgrim.

btw, i like your signature!

-cmpm (March 24, 2013, 10:40 AM)

Given the nature of the site and my (lack of(?)) computer skills I thought it was app(t).

247

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Connect to Internet' shortcut needed.

« on: March 24, 2013, 12:29 PM »

SOLVED:

Internet_ON.bat

@echo off

start /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\D4" D4.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Sandboxie" SbieCtrl.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\PeerBlock" peerblock.exe

netsh interface set interface "Router Connection" ENABLED

--------------------------------------------------------

Internet_OFF.bat

@echo off

TASKKILL /F /IM peerblock.exe
TASKKILL /F /IM SbieCtrl.exe
TASKKILL /F /IM D4.exe

netsh interface set interface "Router Connection" DISABLED

--------------------------------------------------------

I found the answer on a 6 year old Sysinternals Forum Thread.

This now runs in Hotkeyz and it now works in Coolbarz as well, so I am guessing it would work in any launcher program.

Pilgrm

248

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Debenu PDF Tools Pro Free

« on: March 24, 2013, 09:41 AM »

Apart from a considerable difference in price (and file size) I am trying to work out the difference between this and Debenu PDF Maximus which was being given away not long ago?

249

General Software Discussion / Re: 'Connect to Internet' shortcut needed.

« on: March 24, 2013, 07:54 AM »

4wd,

Thanks for the reply.

As far as the batch files went the biggest problem was punctuation, particularly inverted commas in the wrong places.
(At one point by removing them from around the NIC my screen resolution changed from 1920x1080 t0 800x600.)

I now have two batch files which work as required with both the programs and the NIC:

Internet_ON.bat

@echo off

start /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\D4" D4.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Sandboxie" SbieCtrl.exe
start /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\PeerBlock" peerblock.exe

devcon enable  "PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503"

------------------------------------------------------

Internet_OFF.bat

@echo off

TASKKILL /F /IM peerblock.exe
TASKKILL /F /IM SbieCtrl.exe
TASKKILL /F /IM D4.exe

devcon disable "PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1503"

------------------------------------------------------

At the moment I have placed shortcuts to them in a toolbar on the taskbar.
I have still failed to trigger them using Hotkeyz, it will open/close the programs but has no effect on the NIC.
I remember using a program called Coolbarz on XP and that was the same, it would not work with Network Adapters.
I suspect this may be true of most, if not all, launchers although I would have thought there was a way around it.
(Then again what do I know about programming?)

I could create hotkeys from the shortcuts using Windows but that requires 3 keys for each (Ctrl + Alt + x), Hotkeyz can work with 2 which is easier.

250

General Software Discussion / Re: image backups after OS reinstall with clean system

« on: March 24, 2013, 06:54 AM »

It is some time since I used the Free version of EaseUS so I cannot remember all the details but both Home and Workstation versions come with the option to build a WinPE CD and although I am unsure about the Home version, Workstation adds WinPE to the boot options so you can access EaseUS without going into Windows and without using the CD.
The Free version of EaseUS has/had a Linux based CD with the option to create a WinPE CD provided you had WAIK installed which is a 1.7GB download.

Something to consider is that EaseUS software often comes up in giveaways, I got Workstation v4 in a giveaway last year and won a license for Workstation v5 a couple of months ago although I have not updated it yet.