Messages

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General Software Discussion / Re: RESOLVED: Intel Core 2 Duo + WinXP SP2 problem: only single core detected /

« on: May 08, 2007, 12:32 PM »

Ah, that was what I was going to post but was only 90% sure about details of scrolling problem. I tried the same may be 4 years ago, choices are practically hidden  Well you figured it out, think I had to look it up back then. Strange menu that is.

Unless you nlite the hxxx out of that XP cd it is still strange you should have to do F5. May be to do with bios settings or the fact it is not yet "compatible" with 6320, see Abit site for details. Usually not important with those cpu ids when they are almost identical but who knows.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Intel Core 2 Duo + WinXP SP2 problem - only single core detected and used

« on: May 08, 2007, 05:03 AM »

I dont know that bios but may you have disabled ACPI and APIC and so XP think computer is 7 years old? Should be enabled Better check it. Default setttings will be enabled, 1.4 or something.

Bios might not recognize that cpu properly but should not cause such confusion.

F5 or other trick should not be necessary unless perhaps bios figures cpu is 1 core. Try look at Abit forums, they have official one at their USA site.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Cybernet Recommends 5 IE Addons

« on: May 07, 2007, 10:15 PM »

Did you check the useful scripting like Google preview which come with standard package? Seems most Greasemonkey scripts can be converted. Open up some possibilities. Better tab handling, alias for address/search bar, Adblocking, Super Drag and Drop, Right click "Search with" mouse gestures besides tweaks from http://www.enhanceie.com/ie/ is not so bad in 1 installation - if you absolutely want "original" IE7.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Cybernet Recommends 5 IE Addons

« on: May 07, 2007, 12:25 PM »

Strange they dont list IE7Pro http://www.ie7pro.com/ nice free bundle. I have it for mouse gestures alone. True about Maxthon...

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Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: Free computer help online (tune-ups, customization, etc)

« on: May 06, 2007, 02:01 PM »

You got to be a bit careful with that motherboard of yours Curt. I think it might support both DDR2 and DDR1 ram, hence the 2, possible more slots. Dont expect online scanner to tell you. Go to Foxconn site and look up exact model then you see - or look in manual available online. Perhaps this url works http://www.foxconnch...aspx?ID=en-us0000069 but if not select Motherboards,  socket 775 and at the bottom you see "VIA P4M800 Pro" 1 of those 5 models is yours. Different configurations depending on exact motherboard model. If you run that little cpu-z program it should give details on "Mainboard" tab - or just tear out side of computer and have a physical look - will say somewhere. Perhaps you also could stop a reboot at bios screen and see details.

I send you another PM in case you missed it. Dump 2gb and settle for 1gb. Perhaps add a little genuine video card, Nvidia 6200 or something. Total cost less than 1x2gb, which might even be hard to find. I doubt you need more than 1gb, well I know you dont or you would not have that offcie computer Right now 512mb is not enough - 1gb is.

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General Software Discussion / Re: PC Diagnotic Software?

« on: May 05, 2007, 04:55 PM »

Memory dumps and logs have never been solution to general maintaince J-Mac. You probaly have some problem but should also be careful not to make a story about XP needing an arsenal of geek tools just to survive - without having done something very wrong or been very unlucky your request is wrong, in general Asking for tools to tinker with is something else.

Dont forget security or spyware/virus btw. - can make anything appear buggy. Or hardware problems. Ultimatebootcd, Memtest86 should be used http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
 
12 min boot! Alarm bells must be ringing then. Well go bootvis for hints or a nice graph showing delay but I would try to disable NIC and/or USB ports - to begin with. Would also think bios settings, drivers for hardware. Should be easy enough to narrow down.

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General Software Discussion / Re: PC Diagnotic Software?

« on: May 05, 2007, 01:00 PM »

I understand need to tinker and tweak but it seems to me you have been doing it the wrong way. Like running "Registry Cleaner SuperDeluxe" and now wondering why OS misbehaves, crashes or how come you cant "tweak" services without checking dependencies. Where does the need for all this diagnosing come from is the question you should answer instead of looking for wonder tool.  XP does not have "tendency" for slow boot, slow shutdown, slow hd scanning, whatever. Certainly specific problems with X or Y but also specific solutions, since 2001. Also goes for 3rd party drivers, may be even more those. I dont think you solve much by trying to see what is "hidden". Should you have one of those specific problems then perhaps memory dumps, logs are useful. If computer is working and you set it up right such are waste of time.

Some of Nirsofts tools adds to Sysinternals and what is already available in XP like event viewer http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html Checking codecs, shell extensions etc. is all very useful. If you really need more it is because you feel the need Regular (power)user who wants to know what is up and down dont need more. More can be worse. Dont think there is a do-it-all tools for this. Have to collect SIW is good though http://www.google.com/search?q=siw as is Winaudit http://www.pxserver.com/WinAudit.htm - both mainly for reporting.

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Living Room / Re: A Very Simple Ethical Principle for Search: Google Fails Miserably

« on: May 05, 2007, 09:04 AM »

Killing ads is easy and not worth complaining about since there are solutions. But is avoiding sites with ads not being hypocritical unless you have very selected taste and bookmarks? I cant use Admuncher without being hypocritical since I use many sites which are based on advertising. Possible to whitelist of course. If only majority of sites could stay within borders like set by Google I dont think there would be so many anti-advertising feelings. Some just cant control them self hunting down $$$, like putting ads in between posts on a forum! Other sites almost designed to make room for ads. Im open to the suggestion that there are too many websites run by fools and many deserve to die - have plenty of excuses for Admuncher

I dont think there is a special Google World/standard zridling. Screaming they censor in China without looking at what MS, Yahoo, most likely also industry/government of your country, is doing dont make sense. Avoiding taxes, exploiting muscles also a common sport among such companies, some are hired for these activities. We probably only see top of the iceberg. Google is smart because they still present them self in a way that does not make you think world domination or oops I better hide plastic card! - not that much focusing on $$$/advertising. They dont have a "Windows Market Place". So that is MS and too easy but Google is very different in user experience, like they expect you to have a brain. Im sure that is how they gained momentum - now unstoppable perhaps. Does not make them angle like when it comes to business. Dont know where that expectation comes from.

Unless Mousers wet dream of new engine with a no profit policy comes true there is no real alternative. Stumbleupon is not without advertising/sponsoring btw - not that is has anything to do with Google, not a search engine in any way. Money is always a player. Now you can wait for Stumbleupon to grow bigger and bigger - eventually they make mistakes and get same criticism as Google. Unavoidable. Going "Least evil" and manipulating at users end is only way to deal with this.

Live.com has some cool sliders under advanced. "Results ranking" - something Google should implement. No matter detailed guides not many use advanced search operators or even advanced search page. Sliders might change approach and remind users hits are result of more parameters than simple keyword. If Google really had information treatment as top priority they would only offer advanced search page.

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Living Room / Re: A Very Simple Ethical Principle for Search: Google Fails Miserably

« on: May 04, 2007, 07:04 PM »

Settle for enjoying Google with CustomizeGoogle (including links to other search engines) and/or some Greasemonkey scripts like http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/8477 and http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/6136 Not to forget Bumblesearch http://www.bumblesea...ch.com/bsearch/home/ check the shots. Dont be too idealistic on Googles motives or power of top 10 hitlists, dump default search page and make advanced one default, increase hits to 20 or higher. Lots of ways to improve searching http://www.googleguide.com/

Seems to be there are more important issues with Google position than dusty claims of evil cookies/ID tracking. Think even CustomizeGoogle author jokes a bit about the "paranoid" user. Ive yet to see some proof of unauthorized or not the same as everywhere else tracking. Even tiny requirements will bring some people in trouble as was seen when they launched Google Notes with "public" as default setting. Stories that snowball and NOW Google is insecure blah blah... Everyone is free to change to alternatives, like the safer Yahoo, Microsoft!

Google search is like a so so program which becomes way better once tweaked. Considering size of money machine they are very friendly, still! Or they are very good at appearing friendly 

Dont worry too much about "risky" ads. Google kick their own behind if not fighting scams/spam is top priority. Their algorithms of ranking will probably forever be internal secrets. So some SEO tricks are obvious but when to be sure? Will always be good question. Should be possible to Google without having full faith in everything they deliver - the opposite may be more scary!

I thought the conflict from users point of view was that if noting was "done" to Google we eventually will end up having to like Google cause it is the only one. MS give up, Yahoo dies out - plans of new comers to attack Google not likely to succeed. Advertising/revenue logic vs. organizing and guiding world information is just how internet works.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Do you use 7-Zip files?

« on: April 26, 2007, 01:41 PM »

I dont use 7zip for locale files, zip is so much faster - life too short for ultimate compression ratios. However, sending larger files over internet means 7zip or similar. So Winrar does not look so bad today, go back a bit in time and 7zip often had advantage. Still does overall I think but much closer http://www.maximumco...ssion.com/index.html Silly compression times makes x% difference redundant of course. 

Regardless of fast internet connections 7zip/Rar should be mandatory - out with zip. Exe files kill concern for receivers arsenal of unpacking equipment. Principle, like not throwing away beer cans in forests Old free Winrar is way better than zip.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for a RSS Feed Reader for Firefox

« on: April 21, 2007, 03:40 AM »

I like Brief the most http://brief.mozdev.org/index.html but there is always the old favorite Sage https://addons.mozil...-US/firefox/addon/77 Being able to filter/"star" entries for later consumption is nice, same as in Google Reader.

Newsfox another simple one https://addons.mozil...US/firefox/addon/629

Not so simple/brief infoRSS https://addons.mozil...US/firefox/addon/361 and Wizz RSS https://addons.mozil...US/firefox/addon/424 or http://www.wizzrss.com/WizzRss.php

If you figure ticker feature from infoRSS is a must have may be try RSS Ticker instead https://addons.mozil...S/firefox/addon/2325 infoRSS is a bit heavy. Using this with Brief or whatever is probably lighter on your Firefox than infoRSS.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Softpedia's 100% FREE Award

« on: April 18, 2007, 12:09 PM »

I dont know how the procentages are but they do store files on own servers. What I get out of entries like this http://www.softpedia...t-Download-2155.html - and

Download links marked with the text "Softpedia Secure Download" depict download sources located on servers owned and controlled by Softpedia. All files available from those mirrors have been thoroughly tested for viruses and other malware. Moreover, these files will always be available, you will not encounter errors such as "bandwidth exceeded" or "file not found", our servers are reliable and secure.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Softpedia's 100% FREE Award

« on: April 18, 2007, 03:29 AM »

Just to show how weak their testing is check out SpyShield http://www.softpedia...kers/SpyShield.shtml - then go to rouge list http://www.spywarewa...gue_anti-spyware.htm Different kind of crapware but should not be listed if they had concern for users - site dont bother with content of incomings. 1 user rating whatever excellent then excellent it is - Softpedia is a circus but may be some use if acting like a storage for hard to obtain programs.

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General Software Discussion / Re: opera 9.2 is out

« on: April 17, 2007, 01:54 PM »

The guy who make Showcase just released Speed Dial for Firefox  Is in sandbox of Add-on site so you will have to sign up https://addons.mozil...S/firefox/addon/4810

Direct access to your most visited websites

With Speed Dial, you can easily access your most used websites. To show the Speed Dial tab, use the Speed Dial button (which can be added to the toolbar), or enter "chrome://speeddial/content" in your location bar.

To assign one website to Speed Dial, use the new "Set as Speed Dial" option in the bookmarks menu, or right click on the tab you want to add, and choose "Set as Speed Dial". That option is also available in the contextual area menu.

Speed Dial will be automatically loaded in blank new windows. It can also load in blank new tabs. To configure this, and other options, use the extension settings panel.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Softpedia's 100% FREE Award

« on: April 17, 2007, 12:12 PM »

Not worth 10 cents. May be 1 year ago I got into a little argument with a dude who always linked to Softpedia. Took me few minutes to find a nice screensaver with crap in it, I believe it was featuring Paris Hilton. Was not even labeled ADware which they also have - just dont get the Award. There is good and bad Adware. Up to 1 year ago Softpedia did not have many deep thoughts on what they offered - numbers before quality. Possible they have improved. Not really a major effort to declare something certified - what does it mean and include? Do they analyze installation of each program or what?

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General Software Discussion / Re: PowerPro development to cease this month

« on: April 15, 2007, 12:29 PM »

Hopefully he hand down source code to someone? Most original and manipulating geek program Ive seen. Hopeless and cool. If Windows geeks exist it will be those who cant imagine desktop without PowerPro/Stiletto

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General Software Discussion / Re: Tweak VI — Don't waste your money

« on: April 15, 2007, 12:21 PM »

You can say the same for their XP stuff - and Firetune for Firefox though that is freeware. This type of tweaking is for the lazy and uninformed - instead of being told and helped to upgrade them self such people are encouraged to click Order Now link. Accumulating and sometimes explaining what does what can be worth something - just screaming TWEAK and offering "auto optimzie system" is not enough.

They made Firetune based off a famous thread on Mozillazine btw. Anyone who followed that could see they are GUI people, now Ive seen their prices possibly more business people. Close to hoaxing. Link to Sysinternals, MS knowledge base and some of the better OS forums will give much better result - but no GUI and promises...

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Post New Requests Here / Re: A few viruses, trojans & a rootkit or 2

« on: April 14, 2007, 05:21 AM »

Well you are doing it all wrong. Leave it to experts to test - all of which will shake head at your testing conditions. 1 miss or 1 hit dont make a perfect AV. They all have several of both.

Since you have 2 options you also have 2 programs to research. So do that. Will also tell you if it really is possible to make nod32 and Kav co-exist. Dont feel too sure just because there is no bsod. After 5 minutes you find out both are "highly recommended" - then you are supposed to install and test for your self. Now it is down to GUI and feelings Take a look at AV-Comparatives and perhaps Wilders Security forums - though that can be bit too chatty at times. As I understand it AV-Comparatives is all about trust worthy testing environments (lack of same from just about every other test) - opposite them you have 1 sample and judge accordingly. Cant really go wrong since you have 2 of the best products but dont think you are testing... They also say over and over that there is much more to an AV than rigid numbers. How does it desinfect for example, options, customization, updates, resource usage etc. etc.

Not sure what Zonealarm product you have but I recently read their suits with all the goodies will receive updated Kaspersky code - very fast because the 2 companies should be more connected than is apparent. Money wize that is. Check out Zonealarm site and Kaspersky, probably best info at their user forums. Pretty good deal for the price, almost a bargain, but of course no use if it hogs whole computer. The real Kaspersky is not light by default that is for sure. Can be made to - if you make it work like Avira for example Most is optional. Basic AV actions seems fast enough, all the extras especially Proactive stuff is very much active. Occasionally you feel it, have to work with excluded masks and trusted apps no matter tears. I dont know how much you can fiddle with Zonealarms version. I cant really see mini-Kaspersky being too heavy when you are happy with the big one? Cant be or you have run into a bug or whatever which will be fixed. Zonealarms KAV do get the very same updates as the real one Ive read so if you have paid license already may be try to work more with the suite instead of dumping it prematurely. I dont know it but assuming they have not messed up there is good value for monney - for those who need all included in the suite.

I just paid for 2 years license of Kaspersky but checked out trial versions of that and NOD32 first. Had no doubt what to get. Current detection I dont value that highly really. Overall they are both great. Paid more attention to GUI, options, support, general feel (probably the most important) - and a little bit to the beta in works. Nod32 is crap with GUI, Kaspersky almost elegant - just messed up here and there, until you read help files, heh. Can see the point in getting Avira and just forget about. Who needs popups of code injections? Kaspersky is almost a life commitment - but I guess security is so much better?

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General Software Discussion / Re: System Safety Monitor

« on: April 13, 2007, 05:03 PM »

Dont see why they should have problems - matter of money more than anything. Eset might have bought developers from one of those free firewalls which strangely dont seem to get long life. May be only exist to promote themself towards other companies lacking firewall.

Anyway when you get virus always check with Jotti, Virustotal http://wiki.castleco...ultiple_engine_scans besides Google it. Not so important with ubcd4win perhaps but deleting wrong files could be a security risk in itself. If I followed all advice from Kaspersky computer would start to misbehave very quickly. Also not very likely to get virus from that program, includes Avira! - can never be absolutely sure, how AVs make money

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General Software Discussion / Re: System Safety Monitor

« on: April 13, 2007, 08:09 AM »

But does it? Have you checked their site/forum? Im 99.99% sure that is a false positive. As are the 6 infections Kaspersky notify about. Well, it calls them "riskware" keyfinders etc. It is hysteric, when installing Quicktime it sense a hidden install when plugins are copied to browser folders - also riskware. Riskware can be turned off thank god, I really think life is too short for such popups. But what file should have that trojan? and did you get ubcd4win from this page http://www.ubcd4win.com/downloads.htm ?

If NOD32 was not enough for me I would look into why that is so. May be I should change download patterns! NOD32, some Anti-spyware plus System Monitor is too much. Probably conflicting as well. Spyware Doctor also have AV now, they all try to cover as much ground as possible. A tool like SSM you should get because you want to not because who ever says it is cool. May be set up a rule like only allowing your self to buy 1 security program - which you already have done. Good choice even. May be you can jump the NOD32 security suite when it is ready http://www.wildersse...wthread.php?t=170556

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Living Room / Re: firefox inside firefox

« on: April 12, 2007, 01:36 PM »

How I dont like such blogs - no links to where he got "trick" from, probably in Mozillazines Knowledge base. Here is a 1 year old article about the same but with added useful chrome addresses http://cow.neondrago...-Firefox-Chrome-Urls Tons more in 1 of the comments - some worthy of a bookmark.

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General Software Discussion / Re: System Safety Monitor

« on: April 12, 2007, 01:28 PM »

May be an idea to look at 1 program covering this area - was one of the reasons I bought Kaspersky. Seem to have more interest for system than virus Check out a fully working 30 day trial and you will see. Also is strong on pure malware detection so no need for anything else. Quite enough - works fast with scanning but sometimes I feel it is watching every move I make. Must be what some Symantec customers complain about. The not so rare pops from "Proactive defense" confirm there is something watching. Im glad I have fast computer, dont know what you have. Ive been to Kaspersky user forums may be 20 times, each time with important question. Not for everyone but actively developed, well supported on site and exciting new things in beta. They cant deal with being run over by Avira and NOD32, not an option. Worth the money for sure but expect some effort to be required - help files should be read. Must be geeky enough for you, also here own registry entries can be added. Not sure that goes for many popular suites. Download MJ Registry Watcher and fill up until you puke. Unfortunately not possible to get such package from freeware market. KAV is Virus suite, may you want KIS - the internet suite which includes Firewall and some not so useful extras.

Kaspersky close to overkill for me as it is so lack words for SSM. Matter of how you compute I think. I sure dont need Kaspersky hourly or so updates to feel secure, dont need Kaspersky at all - but a nice package and good value. Previously I did run Windows Defender just for the light system monitoring. More than covered now. I prefer the task of getting to know 1 and only 1 program really well.

Other companies have same type of offers - check them out. Im advertising for the old AV brands attempt to stay in business If AV dont take care of rootkits it is no good today! Well I think Kaspersky have convincing value and mean business.

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General Software Discussion / Re: Drupal is f*cked

« on: April 10, 2007, 05:11 PM »

Try search for "calendar" at Drupal site. Many people are frustrated. An example http://drupal.org/node/111485 or worse http://drupal.org/node/120710 May be you consider that helpful and may be it is - but certainly not to all.

I also only have quick impression of Drupal - only good but I can smell it is very hard to modify. When stuck you are truely stuck - unless on top of things which most are not. I dont need modified calendars but perhaps some CSS hacking. Ask about that on forum and you will be told to install default theme and work up the ladder from there =  not easy to tinker with. May be cool for real developers but my quick impression of Drupal is overkill for basic/personal sites - even if it appears very user friendly in administration. Could see it as engine for DC but not when ADM freak out over a little calendar plugin

49

Living Room / Re: Microsoft is Dead

« on: April 10, 2007, 02:13 PM »

Well if you believe net apps are going to have a bigger share of what a gazillion people spend their time on, indirectly money!, I dont think it is nonsense. Google vs. LIVE spell it out big time. Google is also moving into MS area by offering to domain/business solutions. You can see where they are heading. Building up reputation by offering whatever for free (minus the advertising) and then move on to new and perhaps more profitable battle fields. Gmail not just for fun any more

Owning desktop, office, business market might make this redundant though. Where does most money come from and is MS weak in those areas? I think you have to know most likely secret numbers from MS accounting to understand their moves and priorities.

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Living Room / Re: Infected file in system32 folder?

« on: April 08, 2007, 05:31 PM »

Well Avast was stable for me during 3 years or so and bootscan is really a nice feature - almost like that LIVE cd trick.

You can get Avira free here http://www.free-av.com/ - but remember to get other tool for malware, not included in free version. Today may be just as important as virus - not even sure where they draw the line. Has much better filters for catching unknown virus - only give few false positives so useful. Why it is as good as NOD32, Kaspersky regarding virus. Does not have many options like Avast, less chance of screwing up - just works. Windows Defender should be painless and as said have some system monitoring so you will be warned if something like server.exe put itself in one of the 5X something startup groups - if it works that is. Update itself through regular Windows Update. Have 2-3 programs for this installed but only 1 or with Defender 2 resident running. They will conflict etc. Must get rid of Avast before checking Avira, AOL.

You still should investigate what actually happend and check evil is gone for real. Usually not so easy to get rid of, might still be on computer somewhere. Is trickered by a program, screensaver or whatever. Panic is bad but so is the opposite - be suspicious and check all those desktop icons you showed off in other thread. All programs are "clean"? You dont use keygenerators and all that? A full bootscan might reveal source.

If you go with Avira and not AOL offer then you might notice it has a pop up window every time it updates - not hourly like with payware, once a day or so. Anyway, that seem to drive people crazy but can be avoided. I tried Avira for some days, only took a little searching to find the trick But AOL is as far as I know the only All-in-one quality free program. Possible Avira wouldnt have catched server.exe because of "free" limitations. Must be sure of what it does and does not. Some dont like the AOL brand but Ive not yet seen any problems by signing up for program. Nothing wrong with quality since powered by Kaspersky - one of the better AV programs.