Topics

101

Living Room / Is Website-Watcher 5.0.5 infected with Win32/Induc.A virus?

« on: October 25, 2009, 06:14 PM »

I just running a full system scan and NOD32 reports that Website Watcher is infected with Win32/Induc.A virus.

I am running WW version 5.0.5 (my updates have expired so I can't update to a newer version without paying).

I looked up this virus on Sophos and it says:

W32/Induc-A is a virus that infects Delphi files at compile-time. As such, these files cannot be disinfected and need to be recompiled cleanly.

W32/Induc-A searches computers for installations of Delphi, then attempts to temporarily modify SysConst.pas, and compiles this to infect SysConst.dcu. The original SysConst.dcu can be restored from the backup made by the virus in SysConst.bak.

Infected SysConst.dcu files are detected as Mal/Induc-A, and infected SysConst.pas files as Mal/Induc-B. These behavioural genotype detections detect all infected versions that we are currently aware of. However, we would still like to see more samples of SysConst.dcu, SysConst.bak and SysConst.pas from any Delphi developers potentially affected by this virus, especially if you have customized versions of these units.

Further analysis of W32/Induc-A can be found in the following blog article: Compile-a-virus - W32/Induc-A

PLEASE NOTE: Because infected executables are produced at compile time by infected Delphi development environments, we are seeing many cases of infected files coming from genuine software vendors. These are not false positives. Clients and software developers seeking to understand why their software is deing detected as W32/Induc-A should see this blog artice.

The emphasis is mine.

This has not shown up until I did a manual scan. Is anyone else experiencing this? Try scanning the folder Program Files\Website-Watcher and see if your AV reports a problem.

As stated above this is a compile time problem for Delphi builds that have got infected and so if true would mean that Website-Watcher's developer systems are possibly infected. I don't want to contact them until I am sure it is a problem with them rather than a cross infection opn my system.

So far no other Delphi based apps have shown up (and my drive C: has been fully scanned) so it doesn't look like cross infection.

Anyone any other feedback on this?

102

Living Room / Be warned - Acronis Backup and Recovery

« on: September 30, 2009, 04:31 PM »

Acronis in recent months replaced their corporate products of TrueImage with "Acronis Backup and Recovery 10". I am not personally convinced that it is a step forward and I have had a lot of teething problems with it (not least the 680Mb download of the Advanced Workstation!!!). There is a lighter Workstation Edition which deosn't include server technology for remote installation and centralised licensing.

They recently released a new update (build 11105) which a client of mine downloaded and tried to install yesterday and there is a major problem on some systems (her's included) - when installed in certain configurations the system BSODs on restart/startup.

The problem seems to be related to driver conflicts between certain USB card readers (even if they are factory fitted in laptops) and the SnapAPI driver set installed by Acronis.

For anyone playing with this there is a much under-publicised fix for the issue (it does not appear in the Acronis KB it is hidden away in the forum). The fix basically means installing an updated SnapAPI set after the software (though why they can't simply create a new build and incorporate the new drivers is beyond me).

See http://forum.acronis.com/forum/3698 for details if you are affected.

Apparently in XP you get a BSOD, in Vista it starts the Windows repair interface (which was very confusing for my client as once the repair had finished the Acronis Software had apparently disappeared - not that life was that simple).

If like me you get in a big strop and want to remove the program manually they have not yet released a removal tool but there are manual instructions at http://kb.acronis.com/content/2975

Note these manual instructions are not correct in some places - for example in the Vista 32 instructions steps 8 and 9 cannot be completed in Home Premium because those Management Console snapins are only available in the Pro, Enterprise and Ultimate versions of Vista.

This all reminds me of the days when shoddy incomplete software was released to home user for unwitting beta testing and was one of the main reasons I shifted to the corporate software editions. If you have True Image Echo Workstation with a support plan that offers free upgrades I would wait six months while they get the software working properly.

One final comment I can't see any way in the new software to recover individual files from TIB archives (which are still used and old TrueImage archives are supposed to be compatible). The archive needs to be mounted and individual files or folders copied and pasted to recover them. I may be wrong but I can't see any other method. The problem lies in that in Windows 7 you can't mount archives in the Acronis Secure Zone so I would recommend you don't use Secure Zone at all. I haven't tried file archives yet but if you can only retrieve files by mounting images I am not sure you can do that with file archives so I am not sure how you are supposed to retrieve stuff ???

Its all a bit shoddy and isn't going to do their corporate image much good.

103

Living Room / Anyone know what "Reader Drivers and Utilities" is?

« on: September 23, 2009, 06:41 AM »

Looking at a clients computer they have "Reader Drivers and Utilities" in the Add/Remove Programs list but it doesn't give any information about what it is is.

It isn't listed in all programs and the only references I can find in the registry relate to InstallShield files and folders (some of which are missing).

I suspect it is to do with a card reader but all the web references I have found seem to suggest it is related to Pinnacle Systems but they don't use any Pinnacle Software.

I tried running the uninstaller to see if that gave any clues but it fails with 'ctor.dll' is missing in the InstallShield folder.

The main thing is I am trying to track down a damaged driver as they keep getting a rash of BSODs which are either bad memory (tested and OK) or bad driver related so I am trying to track down any devices that can be checked.

104

Living Room / Question for Mac lovers ...

« on: September 11, 2009, 04:54 AM »

I have a client who has a Mac with a dead DVD internal drive and she doesn't want to send it back to Apple and pay a fortune for a new drive to be fitted (Sorry not sure of the type of Mac machine because I haven't seen it).

Looking at USB and Firewire drives there seem to be quite a few compatible with Macs but obviously the USB drives are bit less pricey.

Three quick questions:

• Can you use any USB DVD+/-RW/DL/RAM drives on Macs or are you limited to drives that are specifically Mac compat?
• Can you install Snow Leopard from an external USB drive (I assume you hold Option or Alt during startup to get the boot menu).
• Finally is there any quick way to establish if the MAc USB ports are v1.1 or 2 spec.?

Thanks

105

Adventures of Baby Cody / Baby Cody bids farewell to Yorkshire and a final day out to remember ...

« on: August 28, 2009, 06:11 AM »

The sad day has arrived and Baby Cody has flown away to visit Ampa in Hemel Hempstead. I am sure he will have a great time.

If anyone else would like a visit in the UK don't forget to sign up on the UK thread here otherwise he will be flying off to a new and exciting country after Ampa (you can start lobbying now if you like!).

I had all sorts of plans for Baby Cody's visit but the weather has not been kind (and BC seems to be a fair weather bird) so caving and climbing haven't happened. Finally we had a nice day - but the light wasn't especially good for photos (humid and warm meant it was misty and the sky was a uniform white). We did go for a walk yesterday straight out from my house so you can see a little of where he has been and what he has been up to:

The following pictures were all take within 1 mile of my house ...

Cody poses on a footpath sign pointing back to the village where he has been staying:



He was keen to try his flying again and landed in a hawthorn tree (not a good idea as it is very prickly - but he didn't seem to notice):



As we walked away from Carperby the view opened up and Cody was surprised to see a castle on the hillside. Bolton Castle (in the small village of Castle Bolton) is a medieval castle which still has many features intact (in fact a friend had her wedding there a few years back). The castle's most famous resident was Mary Queen of Scots who was imprisoned there for a time (click on the second picture to see it full size).





Wending our way downhill, towards the River Ure, Cody discovered some of the Yorkshire Dales' famous dry stone walls (he also picked me some wild flowers - very gallant of him):





Lower in the valley we entered some woodland full of Rowan Trees all covered in berries. Cody was ecstatic and tried to eat the lot ...



Having dragged Cody away from his feast, we walked through the woods to a surprise view of Wensleydale. The large hill in this panorama is Penhill. Click on the thumbnail to see the full panorama [Edit: unfortunately the picture is to wide to fit on screen so you will need to scroll from left to right to see it all and the scroll bar is out of view right at the bottom of the post so I have repeated the full panorama at the end of the post to make it easier to see.]



Cody was particularly impressed by all the new friends he met on the walk (the ponies were tired because it was a very hot day, the sheep is the local Wensleydale breed):







Finally Cody helped me to edit the photos for this page - here is a photo as we prepared to say goodbye:




Panorama:

106

Adventures of Baby Cody / Baby Cody In Yorkshire with Carol (and a new friend) ...

« on: August 11, 2009, 01:39 PM »

Baby Cody is currently staying with me and I thought I'd give you a sneak peak of what he is getting up to.

First off he arrived in a large cardboard box and I was initially concerned about the muffled complaints but was relieved to find him looking relatively happy as he climbed out of the box!



On Sunday I took Cody for a walk to see a bit of the area and his new best friend Hogan came along for the ride (together with my friend Liz).

The two friends had a good time and got up to all sorts of tricks ...

First Cody tried out his wings and landed carefully on a pole ... not to be outdone Hogan gave chase and posed for the camera ...



Then the showing off really began as Cody tried his wings at aerobatics ...



Finally they just took in the view together ...



I have a few more trips and adventures planned for Baby Cody in Yorkshire but he is already wondering where to go next - anyone else in the UK like to give him a treat before he flies off to a new country? If so sign up in the United Kingdom list at https://www.donation...ex.php?topic=19293.0

107

Living Room / Another thread from the BBC - keystrokes can be captured over powerlines!

« on: July 14, 2009, 04:22 PM »

Snooping through the power socket
Hand on keyboard, Eyewire

Power sockets can be used to eavesdrop on what people type on a computer.

Security researchers found that poor shielding on some keyboard cables means useful data can be leaked about each character typed.

By analysing the information leaking onto power circuits, the researchers could see what a target was typing.

The attack has been demonstrated to work at a distance of up to 15m, but refinement may mean it could work over much longer distances.

Read more ...

108

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / MOVED: XYplorer 8.00 released with DUAL PANES (!)

« on: June 18, 2009, 09:52 AM »

This topic has been moved to General Software Discussion.

https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=18793.0

109

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / MOVED: IrfanView Version 4.25 released

« on: June 18, 2009, 09:51 AM »

This topic has been moved to General Software Discussion.

https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=18830.0

110

Living Room / Open source leaps forward (at 80kph)

« on: June 17, 2009, 05:02 AM »

Fascinating idea for an addition to the open source community.

See http://news.bbc.co.u...sci/tech/8103106.stm

111

Living Room / Any ideas - expand a wireless network to a neighbouring house?

« on: May 26, 2009, 11:16 AM »

I am trying to expand a wireless network from one house into the house next door. The destination is a holiday cottage but the walls are too thick to allow normal wireless signals to get through - 24" of solid stone!!!

We can drill a hole and pass an ethernet cable through but the router is not positioned on the adjacent wall so ideally I need a device in the main house that will pick up the wireless signal and pass it through the wall and then another device to allow the signal to work in the next house.

Anyone any ideas what is required?

It is trivial to set up a wired connection by running an ethernet cable from the router through the wall and then just add a switch for a wired connection but how can I do this with just a short cable through the wall and wireless signals otherwise on both sides of the wall?

Can you use wireless routers as wireless switches (i.e. not in wireless mode) in which case how do I connect them together and how do I set up WiFi security in this sort of setup?

TIA

112

General Software Discussion / Which idiot came up with Windows Defender * UAC

« on: April 21, 2009, 04:56 AM »

Is anyone REALLY frustrated  (like me) about the behaviour of Windows Defender?

Having been using Windows Vista on my laptop for a while now I had not noticed any particular issues so I decided to give Windows Defender another try on my office desktop running Windows XP Pro.

Everytime I start up Windows stupid Defender blocks a number of applications from starting - including business software supplied to me by my Bank (and written by one of the better known business software companies) - until I give permission for it to run.

There appears to be no mechanism to add the applications to the allowed list so I am faced by a set of tasks every time I switch on my computer!

I looked online and the only way to add anything to the allowed list is to respond to a popup but these blocked apps don't produce the required pop up duing startup (and if I exit them and start them manually they work fine).

Windows Defender has gone from my system now - but why on earth would anyone write such a stupid piece of security software.

I haven't looked - does anyone know if you can disable this behaviour in Windows Vista (and 7 when it emerges)?

Also UAC stops the simple seach tool "Everything" from being run at startup in Vista  !!! The only way I could get it to start with the computer was to set up a scheduled task that runs at logon with full admin rights - how stupid is that ... again no 'allowed' or 'exceptions' list.

113

General Software Discussion / Internet Explorer 8.1 released

« on: March 31, 2009, 07:08 PM »

Click screenshot for the full article:

114

Coding Snacks / [Complete] Consolidate files in the parent folder

« on: March 12, 2009, 07:04 PM »

I have an odd problem that I need to solve and I am not sure how to solve it.

There may be a simple tool in Windows or a function in DOpus that can achieve this but I haven't found it.

I have a folder full of many subfolders (actually a number of these folder structures) and each subfolder contains files.

All the file names are unique and I would like to move all the files up a level into the parent folder and then delete all the empty subfolders. Like this:

Before:

Folder
 .
SubFolder 1   ... SubFolder 2 .... etc
 .
File1                 File 2              etc.


After:

Folder
 .
File 1    Files 2  etc


I have tried using a command line but you can't use wild cards for folder names.

Anyone got any ideas?

115

Living Room / Ms Office 14 will be ad supported WTF ???

« on: March 04, 2009, 10:43 AM »

See

http://blogs.zdnet.c...2218&tag=nl.e539

My feeling (as I added to the discussion there) is that MS will shoot itself in the foot with this idea - normal people will migrate in herds to OpenOffice if they do this, as they will if it becomes too web based.

116

Living Room / Sony 35% software/products discount.

« on: March 03, 2009, 05:02 AM »

OK love 'em or hate 'em Sony have some really good software (mostly from the now defunct SonicFoundry company).

If you have always wanted some of their software but found their prices a bit too rich they are currently offering 35% off everything for a limited period:

Offer ends soon! Save an additional 35% on anything you buy
in the Sony Creative Software Online Store*.

Forward to a Friend
*Offers begins March 2, 2009 and expires March 20, 2009. Discount will be reflected in shopping cart. Discount does not apply to shipping fees. Offer available only when purchasing directly from Sony Creative Software.

Go to

http://www.sonycreat...mo.asp?keycode=64191

for further details.

117

Found Deals and Discounts / MOVED: Virtual Music Composer 4.0: 51% off

« on: February 18, 2009, 05:22 PM »

This topic has been moved to Announce Your Software/Service/Product.

https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=17097.0

118

Found Deals and Discounts / Xara Xtreme 2 - $19 until 4th February 2009

« on: January 29, 2009, 04:42 PM »

Xara have discounted lots of software in the past but this is the first time I can recall any version of Xtreme for $19. (Usually these offers refer to Xara X1 which is older).

Check it out at http://site.int.xara...m/offers/xaraxtreme/

The current version of Xtreme is version 4 and there is a comparison page for you to see what the differences are.

If you want Xtreme 4 you can upgrade from this version and the upgrade costs $59 to Xtreme 4. This is a saving of $11 on the list price of $89 so you could effectively treat it as a 12.3% discount on the current version.

If you want to share the joy

If you want to buy it and be nice to me at the same time you could use my affliate link to place your order.

The offer is on the home page towards the bottom right.

Many readers will know I am not related to Xara in any way but just like their software and recommended it so often I figured I may as well get an affiliate link. If you search round here you will also see it has not always been a smooth ride with me and Xara - in particular I didn't like some of their upgrade policies in the past but that is water under the bridge and there is new management. If you want vector drawing software, Xara have always been at the top of the game with fantastic, amazingly quick and responsive software, compared to Adobe Illustrator, and all at abudget price.

119

Living Room / Scrotumgate

« on: January 28, 2009, 04:36 AM »

Budding male cellists can heave a sigh of relief :

http://www.independe...scrotum-1517846.html

 

120

General Software Discussion / Free software - Sony Acid Express 7

« on: January 22, 2009, 04:13 PM »

Acid Express is a free 10 track only version of Acid 7.

For anyone who doesn't know Acid (originally produced by Sonic Foundry and now owned by Sony) is a leading loop based music sequencer/compositional tool.

If you want to give it a try go to: AcidPlanet.

You will need to register to get the download but then it is free.

You can buy loops from Acid Planet but there are lots of third party loop libraries - and you can find plenty of free loops if your search the web.

Acid Planet also produce what the call their 8-packs. These consist of packs free downloadable loop packs which get updated with new loops (IIRC) every month. [Correction: weekly packs]

You can also download demo projects.

Why not give it a go and let us hear your masterpieces

121

Living Room / IRC chatroom - web or client - problems?

« on: January 20, 2009, 05:46 PM »

Or is it?

Every time I click on Chat! (in Firefox or IE) I get a screen asking for a screen name but when I click to join the chatroom I just get an error.

In FF it says: "TypeError: this.onerror is not a function"

I decided to install a client but when ever I connect to a channel TrendMicro RUBotted reports "Detected connection to Botnet Command and Control server" and says a Bot has started up on my system or "Detected DNS query of malicious domain". These BOT warnings only occur when I start up an IRC client, even when I disable IRC monitoring in RUBotted.

Is this just a false positive - or should I be worried?

I have tried running TrendMicro's Housecall, NOD32 AV/AS scanner and Spybot Search and Destroy but none seem to produce anything ???

122

General Software Discussion / Powerpoint screensavers ?

« on: January 11, 2009, 07:43 PM »

Anyone know of any freeware that will convert PowerPoint files into screensavers?

There are loads of commercial offerings (mostly rather expensive) but I am going to do this so infrequently that it isn't worth buying something!

123

General Software Discussion / HashTab - Great little tool ...

« on: January 10, 2009, 05:43 AM »

I started using this years ago but just found out there is a new version available.

Basically it adds an extra tab in file properties in Windows Explorer and calculates the hash check values for the files. Currently it supports up to 12 different hash calculations (you can select which ones you want to actually calculate).

For example:



See: http://beeblebrox.org/hashtab/

124

Living Room / 10 reason to deploy Vista (and 10 why not to)

« on: January 08, 2009, 07:24 PM »

Interesting articles:

http://windowsitpro....y-windows-vista.html

http://windowsitpro....y-windows-vista.html

125

Living Room / Sound Recorder freeware - anyone?

« on: January 08, 2009, 04:57 AM »

A friends in the languages department of a local school has asked me if I know of any audio recording software as kids are now submitting oral exercises and tests by MP3 on CD and it would be nice to be able to offer them some software to download to make the process easier and more effective.

Anyone got any ideas for a freeware audio recording package?

I know windows comes with a basic utility and many sound cards include some basic stuff.

Anyone know anything a bit better that will allow recording from a mic and perhaps allow some drop-in editing and ideally output MP3 format (and if possible burn recordings to CD).

It doesn't have to be a soundforge (but something like a simplified version of that would be nice ;-)).