Recent Posts

3451

General Software Discussion / Re: Mikogo: share screen or access remote PC

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 05, 2008, 12:50 PM »

Been trying this and think it is a great app. Well done Steffen

3452

Living Room / Useful MD3 / SHA1 / CRC-32 checking utility.

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 05, 2008, 08:26 AM »

Go to : http://www.beeblebrox.org/hashtab/

HasTab adds a tab in file properties in Windows Explorer where it calculates various Hash values for the file. It also has a compare field so that you can paste the published hash value and check they match.

Neat little util.

For example:

3453

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 05, 2008, 08:21 AM »

Nudone kindly sent me this link ...

Download Unmodified ISOs of WinXP SP3

These are full install media for SP3 (various languages and Pro and Home versions).

The main advantage of these is that they are not slipstreamed versions - they are initial install discs went burned. You will need this version if you wish to install Windows XP SP3 without entering a serial code (thus getting a 30 days full trial version which can be activated later).

[Edit ...

Just saw on the link which ones you are having problems with. I wonder is this is an issue with Microsoft Update rather than Windows Update? I have you tried reverting to Windows Update and use the Office update site for your office products? ]

3454

Living Room / Re: Knock, Knock, It's the FBI

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 05, 2008, 06:20 AM »

As for attacking those that are supposed to protect us, I paraphrase, "Who watches the watchers?"

-Renegade (May 04, 2008, 11:44 PM)

That is the big question - the only positive assurance we have in the long term is that all 'empires' fall when the watchers aren't kept in check - history is pretty clear on that. It may take a long time but every empire in history gets beyond itself and eventually falls when institutionalised corruption becomes endemic. Might not be our lifetime but it will happen eventually.

3455

Living Room / Re: Studeous: Free web service for teacher+studen collaboration

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 04, 2008, 03:45 PM »

Looks really interesting if you want to set up web based courses.

The only thing I was wondering is how this is all being financed? There doesn't appear to be any advertising and they are allowing unlimited numbers of classrooms and unlimited storage space. That's going to cost a lot if it becomes popular.

3456

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 04, 2008, 03:34 PM »

Oops - I must have been checking against RC2 - the MajorGeeks file IS identical to the MS one. (Sorry for the confusion).

Strangely the RC2 file I have has all the same 'Properties' characteristics as the final release versions.

3457

Living Room / Re: Knock, Knock, It's the FBI

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 04, 2008, 03:33 PM »

If we had a global DNA bank, the idiot(s?) that nearly killed half of my family might very easily have been found.

-f0dder (May 04, 2008, 01:26 PM)

Trouble is DNA is not a perfect tool - for a start it isn't unique (they currently use only a few markers not the full DNA string) and it is very easy to frame someone with DND evidence planted at the scene of a crime.

I for one would be strongly opposed to submitting my DNA to a national (let alone global) DNA bank - they reckon that in the UK alone every DNA sample would match about eight to ten different people - world wide the match would be astronomically high.

there is also a groundswell of opinion that samples collected in the course of an investigation from innocent people should be destroyed. The police and government don't like that idea.

There have been a whole string of convictions in the UK based on 'expert' witness evidence that have proved to be miscarriages of justice - not least some high profile terrorist cases where innocent people had to be freed after spending years in prison.

If the police or the FBI came to your business and home, there was more than just a click on a web-site that initiated their investigations; there was probably other crimes being committed.

-GooseHead (May 04, 2008, 01:10 PM)

So much for innocent until proven guilty - now if the law enforcers knock on your door you MUST be guilty. Frightening thought.

3458

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 04, 2008, 07:28 AM »

Just downloaded XP SP3 (English) from Microsoft

Checked files size with the version from MajorGeeks and it is a different size from the version I have on my hard disc. Same KB number, same build number? Has MS updated the SP3 installer or have I got a duff original download from MajorGeeks?

Could some kind soul download the MS version above and check byte sizes with the MajorGeeks file and see if I am wrong?

3459

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 04, 2008, 06:58 AM »

Not sure they are distributing any SP3 full install media in any language. From what I gathered they are making ISO files available for download (at least in English).

Your best bet is to slipstream the SP3 pack into your existing CD when a Danish version is released.

3460

General Software Discussion / Re: Schedulers - Automatize, JIT, Smooth Program, Advanced, Hi-Base

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 04, 2008, 06:34 AM »

Here is are the task manager entries for the Splinterware system scheduler I mentioned above:

The three tasks running as system are used to run tasks when the user is logged off (and are optional - you just disable run as a service in the options). The one run under the specified user name is in the task bar.

3461

General Software Discussion / Re: Schedulers - Automatize, JIT, Smooth Program, Advanced, Hi-Base

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 03, 2008, 03:50 PM »

How about Splinterware System Scheduler: http://www.splinterw...products/wincron.htm

There is a free version and a Pro version.

Haven't used the free version for along time but the Pro version works really well and can even run as a service so that it is active even when logged off if required!

3462

Screenshot Captor / Re: Slowed Down My PC

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 02, 2008, 01:50 PM »

What is attached to your Primary IDE interface? Presumably a hard disc - if it is running in PIO mode you have a problem somewhere. Do you know what kind of drive is installed (make and model) ? If you don't know try running SIW to find out.

I presume your Secondary IDE interface has a CD or DVD drive attached - in which case DMA Mode 2 is probably correct.

This article may help: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817472

Try the workaround before you try the hotfixes. This has happened on my system before now and everything grinds to a halt. Using the workaround will help solve the problem.

You may also want to check your hard disc hasn't got bad sectors before that though. Disc errors are a common cause for IDE drives reverting to PIO mode.

Go to START > RUN > CMD.EXE

and for each of your hard drive partitions run: CHKDSK C: /X /R /V

each time replace C: with the drive letter.

For drive C: (and possibly others) it won't run because Windows can't release the drive while it is up and running. When prompted allow it to do a scan on next reboot.

When you have checked all the other drives reboot your system and allow the locked drives to be scanned too.

This check will do a complete surface scan of your hard discs (an if you have a large drive it will take some time). It will help identify any bad sectors on your hard discs and map them out so they won't be used in future. If files are currently using bad sectors it will attemt to recover the files and move them somewhere else. If it can't do that the files are salvaged into the root folder of the drive and given a name something like ******.CHK. Depending on what files are damaged it may account for why Windows isn't working properly and you may have to do a repair install of Windows to replace damaged system files.

Even though it takes a long time you may want to sit and watch as the boot time scans are done so you can see which if any files are having problems. Have a bit of paper hand to note them down.

If you need any more help post back again with what happened.

Good luck.

3463

Living Room / Re: Fred Langa bows our (and bikes off in to the wide blue yonder ...)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 02, 2008, 09:30 AM »

I wanted to make some feminist comment but what the hell .... ROFLMAO!

3464

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 02, 2008, 08:33 AM »

3 weeks ... luxury

ASUS(UK) take up to 12 weeks to replace a mobo under warranty (and you have to pay the shipping costs).

3465

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Easeus Partition Manager - Bits Du Jour

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 02, 2008, 05:51 AM »

I have used Partition Table Doctor from the same company and it has saved my bacon more than once. I haven't tired their other products.

My only comments (based on PTD experience) are:

1) Not the prettiest of interfaces.
2) No notification of updates and when there are you have to specifically write to the author to request the download as the site has demo versions only (incovenient).
3) Updates schedule ... not often to rare.
4) PTD seems solid and can be run from Windows or via boot floopy

3466

General Software Discussion / Re: roboform2go or sticky password?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 02, 2008, 05:13 AM »

That is very odd because you would expect RoboForm3Go to be MORE secure - given the intended use??

3467

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 02, 2008, 05:11 AM »

Before you install it run MSCONFIG and stop all startup items and non-MS services from loading at boot. Then restart you machine. This will make sure you haven't got anything MS can complain about running during the update. Once everything is finished, rebooted etc. and settled go back to MSCONFIG and select 'Normal Startup' on the first tab and reboot.

Good luck.

3468

General Software Discussion / Re: XPPro SP3

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 02, 2008, 04:36 AM »

It did kick in when I modded TCPIP.SYS ???

3469

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PowerCmd on Bits du Jour

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 01, 2008, 07:53 PM »

Topic locked

3470

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PowerCmd on Bits du Jour

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 01, 2008, 12:16 PM »

Enough already ... please end this discussion now. Picking on one business in this way is not helpful. AS I said in my PM to you you have some valid points in the abstract but picking on TrialPay in this way is a bit unfair. Any more and I will lock the thread.

Lets get back on topic now.

[Edit - sorry Mouser I posted at the same time as you]

3471

Living Room / Re: Fred Langa bows our (and bikes off in to the wide blue yonder ...)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 01, 2008, 10:25 AM »

I have to confess I much prefered the LangList approach and I subscribed for years - reading just about every word of every newsletter. I also have all his archives somewhere in searchable help file format which was brilliant.

I still have a paid subscription to WindowsSecrets but I won't be renewing now that Fred is departing. I haven't been particularly happy with it anyway - I particularly hate the fact that the paid version is still chocked full of advertising. An advert free paid subscription is what Fred got right and it is a shame WindowsSecrets can't treat paid subscribers in the same way. I find my self looking through WS newsletters in a very cursory manner and only perhaps read one or two items in each issue because of the ad blitz. They don't get archived - just a quick read and delete.

3472

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PowerCmd on Bits du Jour

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 01, 2008, 10:17 AM »

Registry First Aid - Rose City

-Steven Avery (May 01, 2008, 09:52 AM)

Never tried your dubious list but I have had my system thoroughly trashed by Registry First Aid and is one of the reasons I no longer recommend using any automated registry cleaning products. That doesn't mean Rose City is dubious though (they have some good products) it just means that like any program messing about in your registry you should use it with caution at your own risk.

We're going to have to agree to disagree here.  I don't appreciate being called a scoundrel or having my integrity questioned, but I'm a big boy and will survive.

-trialpay (May 01, 2008, 10:10 AM)

I don't blame you Alex.

Can we call it a day on this argument and take the thread back on topic. Thanks.

3473

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: PowerCmd on Bits du Jour

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 01, 2008, 06:12 AM »

I have got a few bits and pieces via Trial Pay and have had no problems (and thanks Alex for posting here).

Whilst I can understand that people could be concerned when they perceive there has been a lack of vetting I am not sure that TrialPay's problem. At the end of the day it is up to the customer to decide what they want to purchase.

You could argue that many online retailers stock dubious products but at the end of the day it is the customer's responsibility to make sure the product they buy does what they want in a way that they want.

Using your argument you could argue that no registry cleaners should be sold by anyone because there is no proven benefit and loads of proven negatives associated with all of these products - including those from reputable companies.

For example, Amazon sells internet security software products from a number of from well known companies, of these products are bundled by system manufacturers too. A lot of people here would argue are at best poor quality and at worst a scam (and they certainly don't provide the protection they claim whilst dragging your system to a standstill) - does that mean Amazon is wicked? If so then practically all websellers would be off limits!

3474

Living Room / Fred Langa bows our (and bikes off in to the wide blue yonder ...)

« Last post by Carol Haynes on May 01, 2008, 04:19 AM »

Fred has decided to retire. Read his last column here

Thanks Fred - I for one will miss you!

3475

General Software Discussion / Re: How do I delete big folders with ease?

« Last post by Carol Haynes on April 30, 2008, 02:52 AM »

If there are permission issues you will need to take ownership of the files/folders first (they don't necessarily all give full access to System).

Once you have taken ownership use right click Properties to set the top folder attributes to remove any read only attributes recursively to all the files and folders below that folder.

Then Shift Delete should work very quickly.

The only difficult bit is taking ownership. To do that you need to disable "Simple File Sharing" in the Folder Options so that you can see who owns files etc. in Explorer on right click.