Recent Posts

1751

General Software Discussion / Re: Do i perform L.L.F. ?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on January 11, 2014, 09:15 AM »

What 40hz said.  But given costs of hard drives these days, consider getting a replacement instead.  If the drive continues adding bad sectors then there could well be a physical defect, and perhaps whatever your friend did with the defrag tool just ran afoul of that.  I'd be uncomfortable trusting a "repaired" drive especially if a drive failure later could put me out of commission; I'd rather take proactive steps than be forced to react at some random - probably inconvenient - moment when it suddenly gives up the ghost.

-x16wda (January 11, 2014, 08:41 AM)

+10 - I've never seen anybody break a HDD with defrag (unless they were doing it with an icepick), but I have seen it expose existing issues with a drive many times when it wandered across an area that was on-the-edge.

Replace and relax ... Unless you really like surprises...

1752

N.A.N.Y. 2014 / Re: NANY 2014 Pledge: Laptop utility to run any program on Lid Close

« Last post by Stoic Joker on January 07, 2014, 07:08 AM »

People living in cold parts of the country probably laugh if I gripe about 48 degrees F but with 20 MPH wind and wet it's no fun to be out in it all night when you've acclimated to 60 or 70+ in December.

-MilesAhead (January 06, 2014, 05:41 PM)

I ain't laughing, it's freaking cold outside (I'm in central Florida) ... God I hate winter!

I vote we give Miles a few "snow days" to catch up.

1753

Living Room / Re: I want to ping back blocked incoming pings - could I use BlackIce Defender?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on January 02, 2014, 05:11 PM »

You can get a list of what programs have which ports open with
netstat -anob

But anything internally initiated shouldn't be getting blocked by the router. Conversely, anything blocked by the router will have been externally initiated.

The pink and orange screenshot makes me wonder if you have a PPPoE connection with its mention of VPI/VCI. Does you ADSL require a user/pass to/when it connects?

1754

General Software Discussion / Re: Printer network

« Last post by Stoic Joker on January 02, 2014, 07:08 AM »

HP's docs say that this particular printer model will only support 5 PC clients under Windows P2P network sharing. Odd in that Win 7 itself allows up to 10 PCs for file & print sharing.

-40hz (January 01, 2014, 04:56 PM)

This is caused by the immense amount of bloated BFF software that wants to display ink levels, job status (and etcetera ad nauseam) information to the user from the system tray. 90% of this software is totally pointless, and the rest is just junk.

Unfortunately there is no set procedure as HP changes the installer UI constantly. But with a bit of exploring there should be an option to install only the driver (minus the crapware) so that more (7-10) machines can be comfortably added.

1755

General Software Discussion / Re: In search of ... reasonable backup software

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 31, 2013, 01:38 PM »

Assuming you're using Win7 the Shadow Copy Services/Previous versions option has served me well in the past.

I've also moved a Domain Controller to a different hardware configuration using the built-in Windows backup software. Overall I think the biggest failure point with any restore operation is in not taking the time to firmly and completely understand the ramifications of what is going to be overwritten during the restore.

The built-in Windows system restore software leaves the user data areas of the drive untouched. Most 3rd party backup solutions OTOH...do not.

I've had many clients call asking what the recovery options were for their files after doing an OEM factory (image...) restore. My typical response is to tell them save your money, and kiss your files good bye. Because outside of a ($$$$) professional service the chances of recovering anything are totally shit.

1756

General Software Discussion / Re: Printer network

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 31, 2013, 12:02 AM »

In addition to the above. (Very important) What model HP printer do you have? Because if it uses a host based driver it can be a real PITA trying to get it to behave properly on the wire.

Also there are small print server devices that are fairly cheap ($20-30) if your router doesn't have one built in. Or the option of adding a network card (More specifically one of HP's EIO JetDirect cards) directly to the printer depending on what model it is.

Did I mention it would be like super handy to know what the exact HP model number was...?

1757

Living Room / Re: I want to ping back blocked incoming pings - could I use BlackIce Defender?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 30, 2013, 05:40 AM »

Why? The only thing that could be "gained" is additional exposure of the internal machine by allowing ICMP through the network border's hardware firewall. At best you'd eat up a bunch of time answering automated services, and at worst by answering an actual attack you'd "ante up" to a pissing contest with someone that knows how to win.

If you're really just curious about the haps out on the wild web, just setup a syslog server and then forward the router's logs to it for future study. Nslookup and whois should be able to tell you everything you need to know about the blocked traffic ... Without exposing you to looking like a live one..

...It's been said that every IP address on the web gets hit with/by something every 20 seconds...and that estimate is over a decade old...

1758

DC Gamer Club / Re: The Internet Archive presents ....

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 29, 2013, 10:32 AM »

Okay, I'm going to put this here not so much because it's on this topic per se, but because you got me started on it with this topic.

I came up a generation or two from the original consoles to the Sega Genesis emulator and scared up a copy of the Sonic the Hedgehog ROM ... Which is stuck in demo mode. How the hell do I get the thing to start the game?!? I've been basically palming the keyboard for the last half an hour.

-Stoic Joker (December 28, 2013, 03:02 PM)

For me on the "Gens" emulator, try doing stuff with the Enter key. I know, sounds simple, but it seems to be working for the moment. But I almost remember it not working ... so then try the way I found it first, Control-Enter!

-TaoPhoenix (December 28, 2013, 10:15 PM)

Now wouldn't you just know I tried everything else first... Thanks man!

Apparently the catch was that you have to hit it while the Sega logo is still being displayed. So it's sort of a slow double tap if the demo has already started.

1759

DC Gamer Club / Re: The Internet Archive presents ....

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 28, 2013, 03:02 PM »

Okay, I'm going to put this here not so much because it's on this topic per se, but because you got me started on it with this topic.

I came up a generation or two from the original consoles to the Sega Genesis emulator and scared up a copy of the Sonic the Hedgehog ROM ... Which is stuck in demo mode. How the hell do I get the thing to start the game?!? I've been basically palming the keyboard for the last half an hour.

1760

N.A.N.Y. 2014 / Re: NANY 2014 Release - Engine Displacement Calculator

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 27, 2013, 12:29 PM »

While certainly not something that I have use for, it looks pretty cool.

-mouser (December 27, 2013, 11:26 AM)

LOL ... Yes, I was kind of expecting a WTF? reaction.

Can you give us some insight into who would use such a thing and for what purpose?

-mouser (December 27, 2013, 11:26 AM)

This is for performance engine builders (motorcycle[me]/car/truck/etc.) who want a quick way of calculating the impact an engine modification will have on its displacement (a.k.a. its size - i.e. how much bigger will it get if I increase X by Y).

So if I have a bike with a 103 cubic inch engine (which I do), and I want to increase the engine size to (say...) 120+ cubic inches (which I do), this will tell me how much bigger I have to make which measurement to achieve that goal.

Badass.     I love stuff like this.

-skwire (December 27, 2013, 11:52 AM)

Thanks man!

Mouse, a auto mechanic might be interested in this.  But I would say it fit a hot rodder or engine rebuilder better.

-techidave (December 27, 2013, 12:15 PM)

Bingo!

1761

N.A.N.Y. 2014 / NANY 2014 Release - Engine Displacement Calculator

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 27, 2013, 10:53 AM »

Stoic Joker's Last Minute NANY 2014 Entry Information

Application Name	Stoic Joker's Engine Displacement Calculator
Version	1.0.0.0
Short Description	Calculates the Size of an Engine.
Supported OSes	Windows XP and up
Web Page	You're on it.
Download Link	Engine Calc.exe (26.5 kB - downloaded 1064 times.)
System Requirements	Windows XP or Newer OS .NET 2.0
Version History	Version 1.0.0.0 Released
Author	Stoic Joker

Description
Stoic Joker's EDC was written to allow the user to calculate the displacement (size) of an engine using the bore diameter, stroke length and number of cylinders. It will also calculate the compression ratio if the combustion chamber and piston dome/dish measurements (use negative number for dish) are entered. Also for the compression ratio calculations the volumes - which are correctly done as a wet measurement - can be ballpark calculated using dry measurements, but this should only to be used for very rough (ballpark) estimate as it assumes a symmetry that almost never actually exists.

Features
Various engine configurations can be stored in list view (per session only) for comparison to dial in a desired target displacement/CR.

Planned Features
None currently

Screenshots

Main window


With Show CR (compression Ratio) checked


Enter Dry Guess measurements showing

Usage
Installation
No installation required - Just run it.

Using the Application
Application is designed to be self explanatory ... Assuming you understand how an internal combustion engine works.

Uninstallation
Just delete it.

Tips
Calculations are designed to give best accuracy at 0.000 decimal precision.

Known Issues
None currently?

1762

Living Room / Re: Does anyone here use Bitcoins?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 26, 2013, 10:31 PM »

If I'm reading the page right, each coin is worth $0.00057 USD ... So I'll go with not friggin much. But then again I know less about currency trading than my cat knows about canasta.

1763

Living Room / Re: Does anyone here use Bitcoins?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 24, 2013, 07:38 PM »

The mining window is closing as it is getting increasingly difficult to do (unless you have really serious dedicated hardware). When I first started I was getting over 10,000 coins a day ... Now I'm lucky to break 100.

1764

General Software Discussion / Re: System Volume Information

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 24, 2013, 01:52 PM »

SVI is a system folder that Windows uses for misc. file system stuff, like where the System Restore files are stored (assuming it's on C:\). assuming you don't actually have a GUID partition on the thumb drive...(that would be rather odd)...it could be a left over from a previous backup of some kind (e.g. it's harmless). But if the drive is indeed empty, a quick format should get rid of it.

1765

General Software Discussion / Re: Upgrade to Windows 64-bit

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 24, 2013, 01:42 PM »

Oh this is a fun one...The system partition must be marked as active not the boot partition. The boot partition contains the OS, and you can have multiple boot partitions (e.g. OSs). But the bootstrap and boot loader goes on the system partition, which has to be active.

Permissions may still flake a bit as "disk ownership" "changes hands", but they should be accessible...(admin acct)...this is the kind of thing where domains are handy (just don't use a dynamic disk or the same machine name for multiple OSs).

1766

General Software Discussion / Re: central addressbook software for syncing everything with everything

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 24, 2013, 07:52 AM »

Sorry for the delay, I've been in vacation mode.

Unfortunately, I don't know. I spend most of my time with the backend systems, and really don't have very complex needs for the interface. I'm actually currently trying to figure out a new Windows 8 phone...which seems to have some rather interesting new restrictions on what I can do with my contacts. I suspect I'm doing something wrong, but have as of yet not ascertained what exactly that is.

1767

General Software Discussion / Re: Upgrade to Windows 64-bit

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 24, 2013, 06:22 AM »

Is it possible and/or does anyone see any pitfalls in doing an install on the same partition that I have my 32-bit OS of the 64-bit OS?  I know I can't upgrade... but it would help if I could have both running at the same time.

-wraith808 (December 20, 2013, 08:42 PM)

Being a fan of having your cake and eating it too solutions ... I'd say yes, if you have either Ultimate or Enterprise edition. Either of these allow you to boot from a vhd file, which means that both (put the .vhd on C:\) can be on the same partition without conflicting with each other.

Otherwise, no...for the various reasons given above.

1768

Living Room / Re: Migrating from Google Gmail.com to Microsoft Outlook.com

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 13, 2013, 06:57 PM »

Remember: "It's not only the cream that rises to the top."

-40hz (December 13, 2013, 05:49 PM)

Are you trying not to say shit floats?

I think any provider is going to cave in when they get hit with one of those famous NSA dragnet warrants. And SMTP is (horribly) exposed when it crosses the web ... So ultimately the security bit becomes an academic discussion about the best type of screen door to use on a submarine. It's a "people issue" as you've mentioned many times before.

I just go with the provider that is the least likely to piss me of while trying to do day-to-day administration and usage.

1769

Living Room / Re: Paraskevidekatriaphobics Unite

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 13, 2013, 04:31 PM »

"Tourette Reversor"
www.pidjin.net/2013/11/28/tourette-reversor/

-tomos (December 13, 2013, 03:08 PM)

Good one

1770

Living Room / Re: Paraskevidekatriaphobics Unite

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 13, 2013, 02:56 PM »

@SJ I get that at times myself.  Not exactly as you describe.  It can be a word but often it's a proper name.  That's really annoying.

-MilesAhead (December 13, 2013, 02:42 PM)

Oh forget names...I quit even trying that years ago. I've actually taught myself a speech pattern that avoids the use of anything even resembling a proper name when talking to people. I just got tired of running into people I've know for like 20 years and getting trapped by the Dude...WTF's your name? thing ... When I damn well should know it off the top of my head.

1771

General Software Discussion / Re: New to Forum

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 13, 2013, 02:45 PM »

Good point! ...But if we're doing one flew over the cooko's nest ... Who get's elected as Full Goose Loony, Chief?

-Stoic Joker (December 12, 2013, 06:09 PM)

Hmmm, I don't suppose anyone on DC wants to throw their hat into the ring?  

-MilesAhead (December 13, 2013, 09:28 AM)

Well...nobody has ever accused me of being wrapped to tight. So if it'll help get the ball rolling - Bugs Bunny is my hero - I'll volunteer.

1772

Living Room / Re: Paraskevidekatriaphobics Unite

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 13, 2013, 02:34 PM »

Heh. That's worse than "lethologica".    

-IainB (December 13, 2013, 01:58 PM)

It can be handy at times if you have Tourette syndrome.  For example, you feel no inhibition about calling some giant football player lookin' dude a really nasty name.  Fortunately you are not punched out because you can't recall the insult.  

-MilesAhead (December 13, 2013, 02:23 PM)

That sounds like a good plan, but (trust me) unfortunately it's never the short words that go missing...

1773

Living Room / Re: Paraskevidekatriaphobics Unite

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 13, 2013, 02:32 PM »

Heh. That's worse than "lethologica".    

-IainB (December 13, 2013, 01:58 PM)

Gotta disagree on that one. I've generally had good luck on Friday the 13th (which is rather infrequent), but the tendency to forget words (frequently) in the middle of a train of thought is a real PITA. You know there is a word for it. You start the sentence with all intent of using said word ... But when you get there...total blankness. This is compounded by the fact that I think in pictures. So any time I'm speaking, I'm actually trying to describe a picture in my head ... That requires a word that I cannot bring to mind even though I'm staring right at "it". Trust me...it's annoying as hell. Especially since apparently some dildo created a word for it which I also will not be able to remember..

1774

Living Room / Re: Migrating from Google Gmail.com to Microsoft Outlook.com

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 13, 2013, 06:19 AM »

...Given Microsoft's long and incredibly consistent history of making excuses about blatant security holes for years before finally fixing them they certainly wouldn't be a company I'd turn to if I wanted more privacy.
_______________________

-Vurbal (December 12, 2013, 04:01 PM)

Yes. In terms of security/privacy, they're all probably about as bad as each other, with any differences likely to be marginal at best. Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
Public email servers and web-based email services in general would presumably tend to be in the same basket, with those that offer encryption apparently being driven out of business by the likes of the NSA or their counterparts in other countries (QED).

-IainB (December 13, 2013, 02:56 AM)

While picking on the Email providers do keep in mind that SMTP is about as secure as a Snail Mail Post Card. Because that avenue of exposure has always existed...it's just being exploited by the best of the worst at this point.

1775

General Software Discussion / Re: New to Forum

« Last post by Stoic Joker on December 12, 2013, 06:09 PM »

Welcome to the forum.

The third padded cell on the left is mine. If you hear howling in the middle of the night just keep walking and you'll be fine. 

-Vurbal (December 12, 2013, 02:01 PM)

Hehe.  I used to whistle in the dark.  Then I realized I was giving my position away. 

-MilesAhead (December 12, 2013, 05:23 PM)

Good point! ...But if we're doing one flew over the cooko's nest ... Who get's elected as Full Goose Loony, Chief?