Recent Posts

2076

Living Room / Re: Interested in doing my own car maintenance.. Advice?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 11, 2015, 02:18 PM »

I learned to avoid draining more than one thing at a time, so as to minimise the potential for making any really careless mistakes - for example, such as (say) in refilling the drained engine oil with transmission oil or brake fluid.

-IainB (May 11, 2015, 10:31 AM)

The funniest one I saw when it came to putting the fluids in the wrong place was at a gas station.  We had a novice kid pumping gas.  Some lady came in with a foreign car with a rear engine.  The kid couldn't find the gas fill.  She told him to open the back and he would see the pipe sticking out.  That's it.  He proceeded to open the engine compartment and stuck the gas nozzle in the air cleaner horn.  He managed to somehow get the nozzle clip to stay in place while he went about wiping the windshield.  After a bit the gas started to stream across the lot.

The guy who owned the station was a real stickler for detail.  You had to do everything exactly as taught.  But it was so ridiculous he just broke out laughing.  He blew out the lady's air cleaner with compressed air and filled her tank for free.  No harm done.  

2077

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Utility to handle files/folders with illegal characters

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 11, 2015, 01:57 PM »

However, I think I have more files and drives with similar problems. Maybe the easiest would be to reinstall Linux...

-def (May 11, 2015, 11:52 AM)

Or use a Linux Live that has NTFS support.  You can mount the drive with the files that need to be renamed, as part of the live directory tree.  I would also search for a "one liner" in case someone has run into this before and posted the solution.  Some file pattern that would detect these types of filenames as input etc..

With all the machine dual booting Windows and Linux over the years there must be something canned out there somewhere.

Edit:  Looks like someone has attempted to use find Linux command to fix it up.  I don't know how successful it would be:

http://stackoverflow...ows-style-file-names

2078

Finished Programs / Re: Frameless.exe: program usage syntax

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 10, 2015, 01:30 PM »

I believe if you want to use a program via SendTo or OpenWith that opens a file from the command line you need to put the filename param as the last one.  Windows will stick "%1" after a space at the end of the shortcut target line and replace it with the file path right clicked.  That is if you want to fill in an unknown number of switches in the shortcut target line.

2079

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Dayu Disk Master Pro giveaway

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 03:42 PM »

Anything from GOTD should not be called anything but an extended one-time trial. You have to install (and activate) the software *that* day and you are usually frozen in time in the sense that you can't ever upgrade it, even to a point-release. Also, heaven help you if you love the software and have to reinstall your OS. Your 'free' software will refuse to reinstall.

As much dislike as I have for GOTD, I have just as much love for Bits du Jour. You get a good price on the full version of the software that behaves exactly like the version you would buy from the software's official site. On the rare occasions there are any strange limitations, they are spelled out in plain English.

-Innuendo (May 08, 2015, 12:51 PM)

In this case I got the software from Windows Deal

They do have brand name software on there.  While waiting for 100% discount for something like WinRar or Revo Uninstaller Pro to pop up I succumbed to trying out some stuff I wasn't familiar with.  To be fair this software may not be bad.  It may just conflict with Macrium.  But it does seem to have a bunch of disk functions clumped together.

GOTD I don't look at as it is pretty rare I see anything I want there(esp. if I'm not looking.  Was it Yogi Berra who said "nobody goes to the ballpark Saturday afternoon anymore because it's too crouded." ?? )

2080

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 03:31 PM »

And how does this relate to their cloud desires?  Just wondering...

-superboyac (May 08, 2015, 12:39 PM)

If there is no more shrinkwrap they are in complete control. I suspect all you will be able to do is save your current state as an image, clone it to a new drive or use it for repair.  But the hobbyist/programmer is probably going to end up on another OS except for stuff like smart phones where he will use the phone like everyone else.

The gutting of the Glass was the tell tale.  Why do all this glitzy looking desktop stuff if it won't run on phones?  The trouble will happen when the online fix is broken.  You will boot your device from emergency USB or wireless to get to the network fix.  When the fix makes it worse like half the world will be down at the same time.

Just imagine the virus attacks when the whole shootin' match is in the cloud.  

2081

General Software Discussion / Re: Fax Software

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 03:19 PM »

If this is Windows 7, it could be related to the issue I've run into with virtual (PDF) printers in the past. Most of the time they just disappear from the printer list completely, but on at least 1 or 2 occasions, I've gotten the same bizarre write protection error. It may not actually be specific to Windows 7, but that's the only version where I've seen or heard about it.

-Vurbal (May 08, 2015, 01:48 PM)

Many programs assume they can write files in the folder where the exe is.  I usually create an .ini file for my AHK programs in the same folder as the AHK utility.  From Vista on the system has gotten progressively more persnickety about writing to Program Files folders.  To avoid running everything As Administrator on W8 I took ownership of all the files in the Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders.  It's a pita.  If the error occurs in XP then it is likely some other issue.

It is not recommended o take ownership of either all of C: or the Windows folder.  Just in case anyone was considering that as a quick solution. 

2082

General Software Discussion / Re: Fax Software

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 11:38 AM »

I think I sent maybe 1/2 dozen faxes total.  Therefore I don't have any software to suggest.  But I do suggest using searches that allow you to filter out the paid listings.  For example once you search in Softpedia Desktop Windows section, at the bottom of the page change the license type to Free and hit Go.

Also you may find some good ones on ZDNet or PCMag download sections.  ZDNet you may have to take a few minutes to sign up.

techsupport alert site has "best free Windows" type lists.  But they seem to be falling a couple of years behind now.  It may be a crap shoot if you have a Windows newer than Vista.

2083

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Utility to handle files/folders with illegal characters

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 10:05 AM »

You could go at it from the other direction.  Copy all files with Windows legal names you want to keep from the thumb drive to some other storage.  Format the thumb drive erasing all data.

2084

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Utility to handle files/folders with illegal characters

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 09:37 AM »

See if this answer is any help
http://stackoverflow...indows-filename-java

Edit:

The filename looks like it is created from a URL.  Somewhere on AHK forum I got this function

[Select]

PathCreateFromURL( URL )
{
  if (! URL)
  return ""
 VarSetCapacity( fPath, Sz := 2084, 0 )
 DllCall( "shlwapi\PathCreateFromUrl" ( A_IsUnicode ? "W" : "A" )
     , Str,URL, Str,fPath, UIntP,Sz, UInt,0 )
 return fPath
}

If you pass in a string with the filename it should spit out an acceptable Windows filename or an empty string on error.

Edit: for example

[Select]

URL := "file://c|MyFolder/yaddyadda.txt"
fname := PathCreateFromURL(URL)
MsgBox % fname

2085

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Utility to handle files/folders with illegal characters

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 07:19 AM »

There are Linux win32 utilities that have bash shell with ls and rm commands.  I haven't used it in some time.  I'm not sure which is the latest or most friendly to Windows newer than XP.  Once the bash shell is running just use rm command to remove files and/or folders

http://www.cyberciti...folder-and-contents/

-MilesAhead (May 08, 2015, 05:43 AM)

I downloaded Cygwin but it couldn't delete the file in question:

[Select]

How can I fix_repair a corrupted PDF file? - Super User.html                      
How can I fix_repair a corrupted PDF file? - Super User-Dateien

$ rm "How can I fix_repair a corrupted PDF file? - Super User.html"
rm: cannot remove ‘How can I fix_repair a corrupted PDF file? - Super User.html’: No such file or directory

-def (May 08, 2015, 07:13 AM)

I would try ls using a pattern so that only the file(s) you wish to delete match.  Then use the same pattern with rm.  For example
ls -l How*

2086

Finished Programs / Re: Frameless.exe: program usage syntax

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 06:02 AM »

Thanks for your interest  

-jo17000 (May 07, 2015, 05:37 PM)

What Windows are you running and what GPU do you have?

(I ask because if it is Windows 7 it is noted for being uncooperative for full screen.  One solution I saw was for Intel graphics to set scaling setting to "full screen." )

2087

Living Room / Re: New Virus or ??

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 05:52 AM »

OK,  Here is all I have to add.  Maybe someone has heard of this or can give me a hint as to how to even look for it.
The current most likely name is "ROMBERTIK"  It is an extremely malicious family of Malware that seems to be mostly in Europe

-questorfla (May 07, 2015, 04:11 PM)

I got pleny of hits using this

http://addon.100searchengines.com/

Just reading the subject lines it sounds like it.  The malware erases itself taking everything else with it.
Probably the only action you can take is get the HD out of the machine and work on it from a secure environment if any data has to be recovered.  Preferably as soon as it is identified.  I think I would just kill the power to minimize the run time of the thing.

But there may be better advice in some of the articles.

2088

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Utility to handle files/folders with illegal characters

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 08, 2015, 05:43 AM »

Possibly Powershell?

Remove Invalid Characters from File Names

Though the problem remains of how to get the file from the filesystem before fixing it.

-4wd (May 08, 2015, 01:27 AM)

There are Linux win32 utilities that have bash shell with ls and rm commands.  I haven't used it in some time.  I'm not sure which is the latest or most friendly to Windows newer than XP.  Once the bash shell is running just use rm command to remove files and/or folders

http://www.cyberciti...folder-and-contents/

2089

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Utility to handle files/folders with illegal characters

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 07, 2015, 02:53 PM »

Have you tried Unlocker

I'm just wondering how the files get created with illegal names in the first place.  It seems strange.

2090

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Dayu Disk Master Pro giveaway

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 07, 2015, 02:49 PM »

One thing I found out after using up the afternoon.  If you are using Macrium Reflect don't install this.  You get an error that Macrium cannot create snapshot. Provider error.  If you google it you will get a link to the Macrium page telling you the Registry Key to delete.  It is for another software but just select the reg key with the mouse and you will see DiskMaster as the VSS Provider.  I deleted it now Macrium works again.

That's one thing I hate about giveaways.  I end up installing stuff I don't really need.  9 times out of 10 it ends up being a headache.

2091

Living Room / Re: New Virus or ??

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 06, 2015, 06:21 PM »

Good luck questorfla!
This is the weirdest virus case I have ever heard of!!

-TaoPhoenix (May 06, 2015, 05:44 PM)

I'm no malware expert.  But from the description it sounds like it lives in the network code.  Maybe even infecting drivers.  If so it would have trusted access and ring 0 processor privileges.  Meaning it could do anything.

But that is just my hunch.

2092

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 05, 2015, 07:45 AM »

There's a literalist in every crowd.  When another drinker challenged the guy to go toe to toe he put his foot in his mouth I'd say.

-MilesAhead (April 25, 2015, 02:26 PM)

What a heel!
 

-cranioscopical (May 05, 2015, 07:17 AM)

The man obviously lacks soul.

2093

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 05, 2015, 07:38 AM »

Currently I am reading Idoru by William Gibson.  It is the first of his works for me.  The protagonist is a genius researcher.  His gift is the ability to sift massive amounts of data and intuitively pursue productive threads.

The plot beings to focus when he is hired by the high tech equivalent of a Tabloid juggernaut.  I am only a few chapters in.  But the hero seems to be moving inexorably (do they not always move inexorably in novels?) toward the nexus of idols, fame, entertainment, tabloid journalism and scandal.

The book is classified SciFi and as yet the only thing that would distinguish it as such is the rebuilding of Japan using nanotechnology.  I am hoping this changes as the plot gains momentum.

2094

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 04, 2015, 07:46 AM »

Digital Life - Time to put down that smartphone

-Arizona Hot (May 03, 2015, 04:54 PM)

A lot of people in Miami do phone no matter what else they are doing.  Biking down the street.  Skateboarding.  Driving their cars.  Walking.  On trains and elevators.  I see people using it as a mechanism to avoid dealing with people.  I see many people scolling the same text up and down.  Perhaps if it is class notes it is useful for studying.  But I think mostly it is used to be alone in a crowd.

When not reading or looking at photos they are talking to someone.  I don't know who it is on the other end of the line at 4:00 AM.  Maybe they are pretending thinking if they are in contact wih someone they cannot be mugged.  Like the News Cameraman who thinks because he has the violence in the frame it cannot reach through to him due to nebulous magic.

When I hear people speak I don't look to see who is talking.  I just assume they are talking into the phone.  I often wonder who listens to the drab play by play.. "I'm crossing 8th street.  I'm almost to the other side.  I'm stepping up on the curb..."  Is anyone really listening to that drivel?  Or maybe they pick up the hand set every few minutes and say "Uh huh."  Perhaps it is Cortana.  

I thought it would be a great thing when cell went flat rate.  Way wrong on that one!    

2095

General Software Discussion / Re: Need an Easy fix for annoying problem with sorting in Windows

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 04, 2015, 07:33 AM »

If you know the name of the icon, just start typing the name while on the Desktop. The highlight will jump to the icon's whose name matches what you type in. You don't even have to open a file manager.

-Innuendo (May 04, 2015, 07:31 AM)

Learn something new every day.  That makes it too easy. 

2096

Found Deals and Discounts / Dayu Disk Master Pro giveaway

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 03, 2015, 02:18 PM »

Just coincidence.  I was messing around with a Ramdisk and portable browser the last few days.  The RamDisk was by Dayu using Disk Master Free.  I see GOTD has the Pro version free for the next 11 hours and change.  I've installed it.  But I'm reticent to try anything drastic like messing with my partitions unless I have to.  One of the features it boasts is a bootable WinPE based recovery disc/usb.

It claims both MBR and GPT types are supported.

Also has features similar to Macrium Reflect.  Image backup, disk cloning etc..

2097

General Software Discussion / Re: MoveIt 1.3.3.0

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 03, 2015, 02:05 PM »

Would it be possible to make the Alt+click an option?

-tomos (May 03, 2015, 10:50 AM)

In the Tray Menu uncheck Snap Window to Quadrant.  With the "tic tac toe" move there's no real need for snap to quadrant.  If you want to make a 1/4 screen size window you can always use one of the customized sizes with hotkey-z.

-MilesAhead (May 03, 2015, 11:07 AM)

Thanks
I actually looked at the tray menu and managed to miss that [:we need a looking up to heaven smilie:]

-tomos (May 03, 2015, 11:14 AM)

It is a bit misleading.  It might better be called "lazy drag to corner" or something similar. 

2098

General Software Discussion / Re: MoveIt 1.3.3.0

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 03, 2015, 11:07 AM »

Would it be possible to make the Alt+click an option?

-tomos (May 03, 2015, 10:50 AM)

In the Tray Menu uncheck Snap Window to Quadrant.  With the "tic tac toe" move there's no real need for snap to quadrant.  If you want to make a 1/4 screen size window you can always use one of the customized sizes with hotkey-z.

2099

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Hide My IP free for 2 days 17+ hours

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 03, 2015, 09:19 AM »

This could be kinda neat (or others of its class), because "everyone is saying" "we received/tracked your ip" (*Favorite line by the tech portion of 100+ TV episodes!)

And there might be a legal wrinkle with the copyright gangs trying to pin stuff "on your ip".

-TaoPhoenix (May 03, 2015, 05:57 AM)

At the college I cannot connect to anything with the hidden IP.  I'll try i at the public library next time I connect from there.  The school probably sees it as a copyright bypass scheme.  They even block FTP here.  I have to upload all files to my web page via the browser.

2100

Found Deals and Discounts / Hide My IP free for 2 days 17+ hours

« Last post by MilesAhead on May 03, 2015, 05:45 AM »

Hide My IP

Free for the next 2 days 17+ hours.  I have the impression that this may be easier to set up and perhaps less capable than some internet privacy/anti-tracker software.  I haven't tried it yet.  For free I figure it may be good to satisfy my curiosity.

The gist of it is it substitutes another IP for the real one if you use one of the supported browsers.
It comes as 2 downloads.  The software and the license key.  I'm going to install it now just for grins and see what IP SpeedTest shows when doing the broadband benchmark.

Edit: On opening the license file it states 3 Month Premium License.  For what it's worth.  Anyway I'll install when I can plug into some power a bit later.