Recent Posts

1876

Clipboard Help+Spell / Thanks

« Last post by cmpm on July 07, 2007, 11:26 AM »

Using this program has helped with knowing when a clip is dropped into another computer with it's sound it makes when receiving a clipboard copy.

I'm of course talking about using Synergy and Clipboard Help&Spell on all computers. At first I thought that the Synergy clipboard sharing didn't work. But it takes a little bit for the next computer to grab the clip through Synergy and I get the sound when it has it.

So thanks, and the favorite clips is a great help for keeping things i want readily available.

1877

Living Room / Re: OWNING "hacker tools" illegal in Germany as of TODAY (jail & fines for everyone)

« Last post by cmpm on July 06, 2007, 10:07 AM »

Would this "law" also apply to Microsoft?

1878

General Software Discussion / Re: A question about DRM

« Last post by cmpm on July 03, 2007, 03:10 PM »

So DRM is a protection protocol.

Just seems to me that if you buy something then it's yours.
All these companies coming up with their own rules.
Certainly an annoyance and uncalled for.

Without breaking copyright laws one should be able to do as one pleases with what one bought. For their own use and not be subject to limitations set by the developer.

Somethings really bite. Control and conquer and make millions from the ones that support them. An atrocity imo.

1879

General Software Discussion / Re: A question about DRM

« Last post by cmpm on July 03, 2007, 02:01 PM »

How old is the dvd player you want to play it on?

Newer ones can read most files, if not you can download upgrades for your dvd player.

Check the manufacture of your dvd player and see if there is upgrades.

Other then that try ripping the dvd with WMP and save it as a file that your dvd player will play. Learn what your dvd player can play. Save it as that type of file.

Or s-video it to your tv.

1880

General Software Discussion / Re: Delete protected index.dat files in Win XP with IE6 without reboot

« Last post by cmpm on July 01, 2007, 01:33 PM »

Cleanup is free, I thought the others were also.
Could be mistaken.

1881

General Software Discussion / Re: Delete protected index.dat files in Win XP with IE6 without reboot

« Last post by cmpm on July 01, 2007, 01:00 PM »

narrow-minded aren't we?
could be other reasons to delete .dat files
i run cleanup occasionally just to blow it's nose
sheesh, get accused of looking at porn for this?

no, i do not surf porn sites, thank you for asking

1882

General Software Discussion / Re: Delete protected index.dat files in Win XP with IE6 without reboot

« Last post by cmpm on July 01, 2007, 08:17 AM »

http://www.tweakxp.com/article37372.aspx

http://www.pcmesh.com/

http://www.stevengou...d=113&Itemid=204

I'd go with the last one of the three.

Cleanup is a good tool from stevengould also.

http://www.stevengou...rg/software/cleanup/

1883

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 28, 2007, 10:20 AM »

I don't know Carol, about the registry or where it's stored.
Just experpenting and learning.
So far everything is running ok.
Had to install openoffice cuz it didn't take,
but i can't remember if it was on the slave.
All the programs are free on my computer,
which would be why it worked well this time,
but some have license numbers.

And I went one way sync C to D,
not twoway which is an option.

So C is safe while D I have to check further.

And yes there is I believe 5 times xp will activate without a call.
But changing a lot of hardware will trigure a call also.

Worse case would be reinstalling the program, and at least I know which programs are on C and D and as I find them and start them I wil know what to do.

Anyway, the registry is a mystery cuz I still had skype yahoo and gmail but had to put in the passwords, the logon names synced.

Ok, back to work, home for lunch.

1884

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 28, 2007, 04:27 AM »

Just for the heck of it I synced the entire hard drive.
Just to see if it would work and it did.

Didn't sync the boot, autoexe or other C: files,
just the folders.
Docs and settings, Program files, Windows.
Just a couple of glitches, had to reactivate windows, but didn't need a number. And the virus scanner was already on there so it was the same serial number, had to reinstall it-no prob though I use avg.

It can be set to not overwrite or delete.
Next run I won't have it do that, just add new or changed files.

1885

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 26, 2007, 06:54 PM »

I was also hopeing that other methods would be discussed, rather then this idea being a target. I also thought I explained it pretty good even for a novice like me.
If you don't like the idea don't use it, ok with me.
But I like it. And would like to hear some other free options.

I've heard and read and done dual booting with Linux.
So I did it with xp...for good reasons.

1886

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 26, 2007, 06:26 PM »

And btw I don't have any new hard drives.
I have 20gig drives, that's what i have to work with.
This is only a suggestion, not the ultimate plan of salvation

It saves me time, and pressure to get a downed hardrive back up again.
These I have are old so I take the precautions I think is wise.
It takes a full day to install and get my programs running again, sometimes that day is not there to do it.

1887

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 26, 2007, 06:15 PM »

And yes do other backups as well, but I do believe there is an advantage of having two working xp installations on the same computer as I described.

With other backups, how do you know you have not backed up the problem?

1888

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 26, 2007, 06:11 PM »

Well, once you add a new hard drive, you will want to sync from the remaining working one, to the new blank one?

No, add new hard drive install xp and install programs then sync.
And set the programs that use the synced files to point to where you put them.

This sync program is not automatic and shouldn't be imo, cuz if you are having trouble then you wouldn't want that trouble on the other hard drive without an analysis.

1889

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 26, 2007, 05:56 PM »

there would be no syncing after the drive fails-
that part would have and is already done
and added to as needed
before any hard drive failure
you can sync the two drives with only one actively running
you are only syncing files not settings

it's simple really

1890

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 26, 2007, 02:26 PM »

Basically it's for having a working xp installation with synced my documents, to which i have all my saved files from different programs including my scanner, in different folders. Also I keep my downloads in my documents.

It can also be used for other means, use your imagination.
For instance you could sync all your programs provided they are installed on both drives. I don't think it would work with out it installed.

I haven't tryed syncing an entire hard drive to a slave drive. It's main purpose for me is in case of a malfunction that I can't fix within the xp install. I can go to the other install and see the differences in files as well as work with that install from outside of it instead of inside of it.

If I can't fix it, I still have a working xp install and reinstall another on the drive with the malfunctioning xp install at my leisure instead of a push to get my computer back up and running.

Defrag, checkdisk, tuneup 2007 and a host of other programs can be used to diagnose the failing install from the other install.

It's totally legal and even passes ms's rules.

I use older computers-p3's and my hard drive started making noise that i didn't like, so i started looking around for how to transfer to a new hard drive without having to call ms again.

And I found that there are numerous advantages to a setup like this.

I do not have raid anything. If it doesn't work on your computer, I don't know why.

You could boot a drive that is totally dedicated to a resource hog if you choose, that's just one idea, instead of having to close multiple programs, and when you are done reboot to your desired xp setup.

For activating the slave your need your coa #, and no problems, at least on my computer.

1891

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 26, 2007, 10:17 AM »

#5 mainly tomos

and this does work
both os work

and i was thinking of the free programs we use
i know the paid for programs would not work

but you could backup the info files to two hard drives

Carol,

I don't think you can have two simultaneously active partitions with the same ID.

not running at the same time but they do work separately, both being activated by the instructions in the second link i posted

it will auto boot from the drive with the .new file

1892

General Software Discussion / Backup methods and programs.

« Last post by cmpm on June 25, 2007, 07:46 PM »

Besides Norton Ghost which cost about $60-$80 or other programs that cost money. I've come up with an idea on backing up.

Of course there's winbackup and system restore but here's another which works.

If you have two hard drives then this is a good way to go.
Have everything you want to back up loaded on both hardrives.
This would be a dual boot system with identical activation codes.

Install winxp on your slave drive.

To install winxp on another hard drive on the same system, just let it in install on a newly formatted ntfs drive. It will show you the partition in the setup if you don't use the repair option.

Install your programs and sync them with "GoodSync".

http://www.goodsync.com/index.html

http://netsecurity.a...on+to+new+hard+drive

Other benefits of this setup is you can work with files on your master from the slave (Or the other way around). Because none of them should be in use, that would free up some operations that require the file to not be in use.

1893

General Software Discussion / Re: LocatePC: Free Theft Recovery Software For Your PC

« Last post by cmpm on June 22, 2007, 05:35 PM »

LocatePC runs on Windows Vista/XP/Me/98
You will need to have a POP email account for LocatePC to send you email. You can get a free POP account that works with LocatePC from AOL, Bluebottle, Gawab or @inMail24.
LocatePC can only send email if a user is logged in to the PC, and the PC is connected to the Internet.
LocatePC does not support HTTP proxy servers, mail servers that use SSL or SPA or IMAP (including Gmail and Hotmail), or email accounts that only work when the PC is connected to a specific ISP.
\

How would this compare to this-

http://www.lojackfor...jack-for-laptops.asp

I can't find where it says what types of e-mails Lo-Jack can or can't use.
And Lo-Jack costs $50 a year I think.

1894

General Software Discussion / Re: LocatePC: Free Theft Recovery Software For Your PC

« Last post by cmpm on June 21, 2007, 06:02 PM »

lol...Nighted...

He actually bought it himself with a perfect attendance record, the tech school and high school were in together on Computer type classes and he took them. He earned $450 towards a pc purchase of his choice.

With that and some of the money he already had, he got a laptop. He also has a desktop which we gave him for a graduation/birthday present. Which he built himself. He wanted to build it and he did a fine job.

Anyways, perhaps setting the computer to only boot from the hard drive. Lock out booting from a cd or anything else. Lock the computer if there are any hardware changes, like switching hardrives. All password protected. Put in the password and back to the way you want it.

A gps on it would be cool but perhaps too expensive.

Back to opening the computer and booting from the hard drive. On campus there is wireless. So it would have to be set to connect and send the e-mail immediatly before anything else I would think.

And perhaps pickup any unsecured wireless connection and do the same in case it is opened off campus. There are many unsecured wireless setups. I can pick up 2 in my neighborhood alone.

1895

General Software Discussion / Re: LocatePC: Free Theft Recovery Software For Your PC

« Last post by cmpm on June 21, 2007, 03:49 PM »

In order to reformat the laptop, one would have to open it.
If it's set to start upon opening would that make a difference?
One would at least get a location other then where it is supposed to be.

I have a son going to college this fall with a laptop.
Though he will be living at home,
this is his first year of college.
Any advice would be appreciated.

1896

General Software Discussion / Re: Is an Organized Efficient Start Menu the Holy Grail of Daily Computing?

« Last post by cmpm on June 21, 2007, 04:59 AM »

something like this possibly

http://smartmenus.fi...imited.qarchive.org/

1897

General Software Discussion / Re: Is an Organized Efficient Start Menu the Holy Grail of Daily Computing?

« Last post by cmpm on June 20, 2007, 09:43 PM »

Thinking a bit more about this idea.
I wonder if it's already been done.

When loading various programs, like for music for instance, it wants to be the default player. As well as other programs for pictures, pdfs, documents and more.

Why not have the option to make all programs associate with what they can do with what is on your pc.

Have a list of the programs, and the ones you use most frequently be dropped in a favorites type section. With the rest of the programs below or listed somehow.

Has this been done? Anyone know? Or would it be impossible and a limitation in winxp or other os's.

I know there is the 'open with' command, but somehow modify that to show the programs that will run the file. Instead of showing programs that will not open the file.

An Auto file association checker or something, instead of random programs that won't work with the file selected.

And then generate a working menu of everything on the computer.
It would scan and show what files can be opened with what programs and give the user choices quickly.

Perhaps a explorer type interface on the left and the programs on the right.

Just thinking outload....

1898

General Software Discussion / Re: Is an Organized Efficient Start Menu the Holy Grail of Daily Computing?

« Last post by cmpm on June 20, 2007, 04:53 PM »

How about organizing a start menu or command type deal and set it up to group by file associations? Automatically and also be able to customize it to cross programs, giving choices as to which program to handle a particular task.

Of course all this at the command of a click or 2.

I haven't tryed farr yet, but plan to.
Could already be in it as far as I know.

Not sure if this is understood.

Start-
--pictures
--documents
--utilities
--internet
--developing
--customize

and more, click one and an auto list of applicable programs opens
another click and the files it can use and handle

1899

General Software Discussion / Re: Are you a hardcore software fanatic or a poseur?

« Last post by cmpm on June 18, 2007, 03:52 PM »

wow! where did you get that quick launch setup!
is it here at dc somewhere?

-cmpm (June 18, 2007, 12:35 AM)

Windows has had the ability to do that since at least Win98, without having to install anything additional to do it.

If you take a folder full of shortcuts and drag it from Explorer to the edge of any of the empty sides of your screen, it will create a toolbar like the one on the left of my screen.

The one on the right side is the standard Windows taskbar usually found at the bottom. I just dragged it to the right side and made it as big as I could.

To add the bars to sort your shortcuts:

Create a folder for all of them somewhere on your hard drive...add subfolders for each category...fill with shortcuts.

Then right click one of the quick launch bars and select toolbars> new toolbar

Select one of the subfolders. Once it has been added, you can customize it by right clicking the new toolbar and choosing your options.

You can have all 4 edges of your screen with toolbars like this, but I personally think more than 2 is just plain crazy.

-app103 (June 18, 2007, 09:14 AM)

Thanks app103, I didn't realize that was so customizable like that.
I do have new toolbars for 'Bookmarks' and 'Favorites' for quick access.
It sets in my taskbar. Have to scroll them, but there is only like 10 I visit regularly, the others are for reference.

Other programs I use are in the Quick Launch toolbar, by adding shortcuts.

But I don't have near the programs that most have, and only use maybe 15 or 20 regularly. I probably have about 40 actual added programs that are not standard xp issue. 8 programs are in the tray along with the clock.

1900

General Software Discussion / Re: Are you a hardcore software fanatic or a poseur?

« Last post by cmpm on June 18, 2007, 12:35 AM »

wow! where did you get that quick launch setup!
is it here at dc somewhere?