Recent Posts

4101

General Software Discussion / Re: Quick review: Windows 7 Firewall Control (free version)

« Last post by 4wd on November 10, 2011, 05:31 PM »

A couple more things:

W7FC has a portable version which allows you to carry it around on a flash drive and it will store configs for each machine it's plugged into, which I currently use.

The free version allows limited control over programs, eg. it's either blocked or it isn't, (for either Incoming, Outgoing or both), whereas using the Windows Firewall Control Panel will allow you to restrict programs to a network.  The paid version will also allow finer network control.

Also, IIRC, W7FC is more of a filter, it inserts itself between the program wanting communication and the Windows Firewall.  As a result any settings it makes are no longer valid if it's not running, ie. if you block a program with W7FC it won't be blocked if W7FC is not running.

This implies it isn't a GUI/frontend for the built-in firewall but a completely separate entity otherwise any rules in created would be seen within Windows Firewall Control Panel.

BTW, if you're interested in the paid version and you don't live in the USA you might find it's cheaper to buy it in US$ anyway because the share*it! exchange rates are skewed that way - at least they are for AU$.

4102

General Software Discussion / Re: Firefox 7 is out

« Last post by 4wd on November 10, 2011, 01:06 AM »

I've just swapped over to Pale Moon v7.01 - maybe it's just me but it does feel faster than Firefox.

The migration of settings was completely painless too, (it uses a separate program to copy them), everything was there when I fired it up.



NOTE: This is not an ad - it just looks like it

Addendum: I just realised, (yeah, I'm a bit slow), Pale Moon adds an extension:

Pale Moon Status Bar - Which you can use to display the progress of page loads and downloads.  While not as fully featured as Download Statusbar, it's a lot less intrusive than the default Firefox item.

4103

General Software Discussion / Re: Pendrive not prompting me to choose an action!!!???

« Last post by 4wd on November 07, 2011, 04:32 PM »

Autorun for removable drives is disabled in XP onwards - Microsoft rolled out an update about March, KB971029.

The reason was to stop viruses being spread via autorun.inf.

You're using USB Safely Remove - are you sure you haven't set it to automatically explore inserted media?



EDIT: Sorry, I've misread your post - you want to know why you're not getting the prompt for an Action.

What OS are you running?
Have you tried it on another computer and does it do the same thing?

Also, try this tool from Microsoft: AutoPlay Repair (Only good for 2003 and XP)

4104

DC Gamer Club / [BARGAIN] Stealth Bastard - Free!

« Last post by 4wd on November 07, 2011, 04:58 AM »

Via Top Bargains

Stealth Bastard: Tactical Espionage Arsehole

Interesting name

ABOUT:

Stealth games are awesome. Hiding from The Man, skulking in shadows, the thrill of the unseen infiltration. But why do they have to be so... slow?

Introducing Stealth Bastard: stealth, with a great big kick up the arse. A fast-paced, frenetic, one-step-away-from-chunky-death melange of sneaking, platforming, hacking and cursing. A whole lot of fun. It's like Metal Gear Solid and Super Meat Boy had a baby out of wedlock. Semi-literally.

Jump, sneak, and be horribly dismembered through 28 levels hand-crafted by our crack team of in-house design geniuses, some of the same folk behind the critically-acclaimed Fluidity/Hydroventure, and the retro-styled PSN platformer Explodemon!.

And once you're done with those? Fear not - Stealth Bastard includes a FULL in-game level editor - the same we used to create the bundled levels - and even allows you to share, play and rate the community's creations from across the world.

And if you thought that was cool, we've not even got to the best bit yet: Stealth Bastard is free. Not 'freemium'. Completely free.

Endless fun. Zero cost. What are you waiting for?

Haven't tried it, platform games aren't my cuppa, but it is free - who can argue with that?

4105

Living Room / Re: Products designed to fail, a documentary

« Last post by 4wd on November 06, 2011, 06:04 PM »

So incompetence can actually be better for the economy

-rxantos (November 06, 2011, 12:34 PM)

Too bad that statement doesn't apply to governments. 

4106

Living Room / Re: Products designed to fail, a documentary

« Last post by 4wd on November 03, 2011, 06:13 AM »

Does anyone know a SUCCESSFUL and LARGE company that behaves "decently" towards it customers, and really creates fantastic products that stand the test of time?

-Renegade (November 02, 2011, 06:58 AM)

Not what you were thinking of I'll bet.......



I'd dare say that it's a fantastic product, does exactly just what the customer wants, damn near indestructible.  Just ask the millions of satisfied customers worldwide.

 

4107

Living Room / Re: Products designed to fail, a documentary

« Last post by 4wd on November 02, 2011, 10:58 PM »

If you want to watch the program, grab your favourite VPN software, (eg. TunnelBear), set it to put you in the UK and go here: Panorama - 16th May - Track My Trash

Here's a thought - when a product fails and has to be put into landfill charge the manufacturer double the original purchase price for each item in dumping tax! That would make them think.

-Carol Haynes (November 02, 2011, 11:34 AM)

It wouldn't change them, any increased cost would just be added to the purchase price for the consumer.

I'm in agreement with nudone here, (at least I think I am), the problem is today's got to have it now! throw away consumer society.  Who these days is going to wait for a component level repair for an intermittent fault when you can go down the road, buy another electronic gizmo that probably now does more for a lower purchase price, (and most likely well below repair cost), and can toss the old piece of hardware for nothing?

The way I see it is, if you want to change the manufacturer, change the consumer.  Hit the consumer with the dumping cost and at such a rate that repair seems worthwhile.  Perhaps when the manufacturers see that consumers are more willing to repair than to replace they'll make their equipment repairperson friendly.  Reduced landfill and the manufacturers still make money off of spare parts/boards.

Of course, they'll then start doing the inkjet scam business model - yes, the printer is only $50 but the ink cartridges are $40 each.

4108

Living Room / Re: Products designed to fail, a documentary

« Last post by 4wd on November 02, 2011, 09:46 PM »

@Carol Haynes:

...'second hand' goods con turning swathes of Africa and Asia into open sewers.

Could you explain this for me please (maybe in a PM if it is off-topic)?
I Googled the phrase and still couldn't really figure out what it was that you were intending to refer to.

-IainB (November 02, 2011, 08:02 PM)

I'm probably wrong but I think Carol is referring to this: How a tagged television set uncovered a deadly trade

Possibly resulting in this: Govt to Ban Importation of Used Fridges, TV Sets

4109

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by 4wd on October 31, 2011, 04:29 AM »

Back again - ah yes, I forgot the Hibernate thing since I disabled that ages ago.

Re. the cancelling of the Task when someone logs on within the 30 second timeout, that's why I mentioned the following:

BTW, if you don't want to have it do it all the time then under the Conditions tab you might try setting Computer Idle timeouts and to stop it if it ceases to be idle.

-4wd (October 28, 2011, 05:54 PM)

Set the Task to run after the computer had been idle for x and cancel it if someone causes activity, eg. logs on.  Setting an idle timeout here probably means you should remove the 30 second timeout under the Trigger tab.

But anyway, glad it all worked out for you  

4110

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by 4wd on October 28, 2011, 05:54 PM »

The library is already there to install a compiled AutoIt3 as a service. Basically the service would be running and waiting for notification by a client that it should perform the log off and sleep.

-MilesAhead (October 28, 2011, 03:50 PM)

Having already tried to get a service working in AutoIt, (see this thread), and having no luck with notification after a user logs off - I wouldn't hold your breath  

Admittedly I didn't ask in that thread specifically but there was enough information throughout the entire forum for me to try pretty much every way I could - AutoIt is not geared towards running when no user is logged in.

I'll have a look at a Scheduled Task but it won't be this weekend - long weekend - I'm going bush

ADDENDUM: OK, took 5 minutes so I've got it working.

@TheArt: Sorry if I'm quick, I'm expecting pick up soon, someone might be able to fill in any blanks you have over the next 3-4 days.

Prerequisites: Password on the user account, you might also need the power button set to put the system to Sleep rather than Off.

1) Open Task Scheduler and select Create Task (right side of window).
2) Give the task a name, set to run whether user is logged on or not, run with highest privileges - you'll need to enter your account password before leaving this page.



3) Edit the Trigger as follows:


4) Create an Action as follows:

The complete arguments line is: powrprof.dll,SetSuspendState

5) Set the Conditions as follows:


6) OK out of all the windows, you Task should now be listed in the Task Scheduler window.

To test it:
1) Log off

If all goes well, 30 seconds after logging off the computer should go to sleep.

BTW, if you don't want to have it do it all the time then under the Conditions tab you might try setting Computer Idle timeouts and to stop it if it ceases to be idle.

4111

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by 4wd on October 27, 2011, 10:10 PM »

If it's set up that way won't it sleep on every logoff? Or can you tune it?

-MilesAhead (October 27, 2011, 08:47 PM)

Yes and possibly.

You can set it to run after a period of idleness that will be aborted if any activity, (ie. no one logs in), but as to whether you can apply it to a single person or not will take a bit of experimentation.

BTW, the trigger event required is: System->Winlogon->7002

I found this workaround:

-MilesAhead (October 27, 2011, 09:32 PM)

Nice find

4112

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: Log off & Standby in 1-Click

« Last post by 4wd on October 27, 2011, 07:59 PM »

You could try running the Sleep command as a Scheduled Task set to run after the user logs out.

That should run the Sleep command at the SYSTEM level - you might need to set this in the Task, (W7 you can set highest privilege).

If there isn't a specific trigger for user logoff, then look at the event log and find the specific event - you can then set that in the Task, (I do this to rerun programs that don't like being restored from Sleep/Hibernate).

4113

Living Room / Re: Hard drive shortage

« Last post by 4wd on October 27, 2011, 07:19 PM »

You either bite the bullet

-40hz (October 27, 2011, 05:54 PM)

That's best avoided me thinks, as it's hard on your teeth and they taste like shit.

-Stoic Joker (October 27, 2011, 06:26 PM)

Unless he meant liquorice bullets...nom nom nom

4114

General Software Discussion / Re: Where do i find the SATA Controller !

« Last post by 4wd on October 27, 2011, 06:44 PM »

What would I do?

That's easy...use one of the IDE drives sitting around in my cupboard gathering dust to install on, then install the SATA drivers, then clone it to the SATA drive.

Or do what Shades suggested and use nlite.

BTW, it'd help if we knew what we were looking at with that picture.

ie. How many drives are in the machine and what are they, SATA/IDE ?

If it's just the one SATA drive, then the drivers have been loaded correctly, so you can create partitions and format the drive to continue installation.  Because W2K was around before SATA really took off, the drivers probably put the interface into IDE Compatibility Mode for W2K, so it will show up as an ATAPI drive.

If they didn't load you wouldn't see the drive at all.

You also need to remember that if the drive you're using was previously used for XP or later then it probably uses a later version of NTFS, (assuming NTFS formatted), than W2K - as such it will possibly show up as Unformatted or Damaged as far as W2K is concerned.

4115

Living Room / Re: Albany City & NY State Police refuse orders to arrest peaceful protestors

« Last post by 4wd on October 26, 2011, 07:08 AM »

I knew that there was no right to free speech in Australia, but didn't know there wasn't any kind of a bill of rights.

-Renegade (October 26, 2011, 06:47 AM)

Here's Wiki's take on our 'rights': Australian Constitution: Protection of Rights^w

The ambiguity of prohibition of discrimination is why Victoria finally enacted a Bill of Rights - but this has no bearing upon the current topic.

If you want to get down and dirty: Australian Constitution - this is the highest law in Australia.  Not even the Queen has influence after the instigation of the Australia Act in 1986.

So, USA is run by corporations, Australia is run by cretins - pretty much the same boat, we're all forked. 

4116

Living Room / Re: Albany City & NY State Police refuse orders to arrest peaceful protestors

« Last post by 4wd on October 26, 2011, 03:40 AM »

I'm certain 4wd knows more about it than me. I always seem to miss something here.

-Renegade (October 26, 2011, 03:19 AM)

Afraid not, I exist in a different level of consciousness from the rest of 'humanity' - I'll go with chaos and anarchy every time. 

But if you insist: PROTESTING

Please remember, Australia has no 'Bill of Rights' as in the USA.  Victoria has a 'Bill of Rights' which was enacted relatively recently, last 5-10 years or so, but geared towards inequality, vilification, etc - it has no scope outside Victoria and can be overruled by Federal Law.

4117

Living Room / Re: Albany City & NY State Police refuse orders to arrest peaceful protestors

« Last post by 4wd on October 26, 2011, 01:56 AM »

Is this like the Egyptian military refusing to fire upon Egyptian citizens....oh, wait....

I guess that means after it's all over in a couple of months they'll arrest everyone using CCTV footage.

4118

General Software Discussion / Re: Where do i find the SATA Controller !

« Last post by 4wd on October 25, 2011, 06:47 PM »

That file, infanswr.txt, is not a TXTSETUP.OEM file - that's the UNATTEND.TXT example file they mention in the readme of the other driver zip.

TXTSETUP.OEM is a lot more involved than the simple UNATTEND.TXT.

Try this or this to create a floppy.

4119

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for video player with two special features

« Last post by 4wd on October 23, 2011, 06:15 PM »

MPC-HC can:
1) Reload subtitles,
2) Assign a hotkey to play/pause, (SPACE is the default),
3) Resume play from last position after closing, and
4) Display current/total video time onscreen.

And on my computer:
a) It doesn't crash, and
b) Loads subtitles automatically.

As for timer onscreen, I always have the Status and Seek bar enabled.

Currently using version 1.5.3.3725 x64, even later builds are available here.

Reload subtitles:


Reload subtitles hotkey, (not set by default):


Play/Pause hotkey, (SPACE by default):


Resume playback:


Load subtitles, (also has to be enabled - see pic 1), and of course the subtitle filename has to be the same as the video filename, (except for extension naturally):


Addendum: It can display current/total video playtime, (Cntrol+I by deafult), on a black background in the top-left corner:


Big enough I think:


As for subtitles, I use a mix of SubRip (for conversion to SRT), Subtitle Edit (for joining subtitle files - purely for renumbering) and VisualSubSync (if I need to resync to onscreen action).

4120

General Software Discussion / Re: Alternative connections to the www

« Last post by 4wd on October 23, 2011, 01:48 AM »

The experts say me that I can't use a T connection with only one wifi adapter.....

-Contro (October 22, 2011, 06:30 AM)

No, you'd need an antenna switcher and that will increase signal attenuation unless you also use an signal amplifier at the antenna to overcome cable loss.

What antennas are you using?

I've done this kind of set up so I could pull in a marginal signal, (WokFi^w), based on articles in the local electronics magazine by Stan Swan.



The main advantage is no signal loss over a length of coax cable but you can locate the adapter up to 5 meters away, (longest USB cable within spec).

4121

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Afterfall: Insanity $1(US) Pre-Order Benefits Amnesty International

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2011, 05:10 AM »

I just bought five copies.

-skwire (October 21, 2011, 10:30 AM)

Same here but I just noted on the receipt it says Quantity: 1 

I hope that's just a SNAFU on their part.

4122

General Software Discussion / Re: Alternative connections to the www

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2011, 02:52 AM »

Here's a simple, and I mean simple, connection failover done in AutoIt.

I've called it....... iFallover

Single file executable, put it wherever you like.  When you run it the first time, two files will be extracted - devcon.exe and EULA.TXT - if you've run it previously, there will also be iFallover.ini.

What it does:
Every preset interval, (set in config), it tries to connect to one of the given web addresses, the next interval, the next address and so on - just cycling through the given three addresses.  After three consecutive connection attempts have failed it will disable that particular network connection and enable the other - then the process starts again.

So it could keep toggling between the two connections if they both happen to be SNAFU.

It uses devcon.exe to disable/enable the interfaces.  Devcon.exe causes a processor spike when it disables/enables things, so don't be surprised when the CPU shoots up to 30% if the connection needs to be swapped - it's only for a second or two.

The tray icon has three states:
0 = No network connection, you will only see this if the program starts and there is no internet connection at all.
1 = Currently using primary network connection.
2 = Currently using secondary network connection.

You can manually switch between the connections using the tray icon menu, (but it will switch them back after three failures if there is no internet connection).

The first time the program starts and there is no settings file it will open the config dialog where you can select your two network interfaces, the web addresses to use for testing and the interval between connection attempts.

NOTE: There is no input checking of either the Interval or the web addresses.  If you put a number in the web address or put letters for the Interval the program won't care.  There is very basic input checking: No empty fields and the two connections can't be the same.  Minimum interval is 15 seconds.  Consider yourself warned!

ANOTHER NOTE: This has only been tested on Windows 7 HP x64 and only by swapping a network cable between two NICs.  I've got no idea if it will work for wireless, (as in GSM/3G), but it should be fine switching between Ethernet and WiFi, (as in a laptop).

FINAL NOTE: Both the program and I assume the connections you want to switch between are already set up and work and that a simple enabling of them will establish a connection - that is all.  I won't be doing anything that requires setting connection parameters, dialling numbers, moving satellite dishes to new co-ordinates, etc - you're on your own in that case.

4123

General Software Discussion / Re: Suggestions for maximum-lockdown XP system

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2011, 12:23 AM »

As for rescuing the machine, I'd probably just schedule restore point creation daily or something like that.

-Ehtyar (October 21, 2011, 08:10 PM)

Having never had any System Restore work on either XP or W7, (I have always had to do a full system recovery by installation or image restoration after using System Restore), I would heartily recommend you use some other program to do a full image backup of the OS.

Just one of the reasons why I always turn the useless piece of rubbish off, (or in the case of XP, nlite it out of existance).

4124

General Software Discussion / Re: Alternative connections to the www

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2011, 10:57 PM »

ZeroShell, (free), and WinRoute, (€199).

ZeroShell requires another PC since it's a Linux LiveCD which basically turns the PC into a super-router.  But it has the facility to provide connection failover, (switch to another when one fails).

A few hardware routers also allow for connection failover, mostly to another ADSL line or 3G wireless.

There might be a free proxy server available on Windows that will allow failover also.

I'm not saying it should be easy, (or even that I want to attempt it ), but in theory you could write a program that periodically pings somewhere, (say Google DNS), then following three consecutive fails it toggles the connection by disabling the failing one and enabling the other.

Sh!t, that almost seems to be too easy....time to fire up AutoIt.....

4125

General Software Discussion / Re: Where do i find the SATA Controller !

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2011, 10:00 PM »

$OEM$ directory contains any OEM specific files for installing Windows, eg. specific interface drivers, extra programs, etc, etc.  These files are copied to the destination drive at installation time - where they're copied depends on the sub-directory they're in under the $OEM$ directory.

$OEM$\$1 = The root directory of the installation drive, eg. C:\
$OEM$\$$ = Windows directory, eg. C:\Windows

So, (assuming C: is the drive you're installing to):
\$OEM$\$$\INF = C:\Windows\Inf
\$OEM$\$1\drivers\IntelINF = C:\drivers\IntelINF

When W2K is installed, the files in the $OEM$ directories on the installation media, (CD, etc), will be copied into the corresponding directories on the destination drive.
The Intel .inf files are written to look for the driver files, (.sys, etc), in the \drivers\IntelINF on the destination drive when they are to be installed.  After the system is completely installed, that directory could be deleted.

The UNATTEND.TXT file tells the Windows setup program to look for and install the driver files contained in IntelINF before doing anything else - this is so necessary hardware is available when it comes to installing Windows.

In this case, the Intel SATA drivers will be installed before anything else - this should make any HDD connected to the SATA interface available for installing Windows on.

To install W2K then you need to run: "WINNT.EXE /u:UNATTEND.TXT /s:<WIN2000 Setup
    Directory>" where <WIN2000 Setup Directory> is the location of the W2K setup files, (CD, etc), eg. D:\

For more on the $OEM$ folders, look here.
For more than you could ever wish for on unattended installation, MSFN forums are the place to go.
In your case: Unattended 2000/XP/2003


So, to answer the question, in steps:

1) Create an image of the W2K install CD, (using ImgBurn, etc), in ISO format.
2) Using UltraISO or similar, open the ISO and create the necessary directories: $OEM$\$$\Inf and $OEM\$1\drivers\IntelINF
3) Copy the appropriate files into each directory.
4) Create the UNATTEND.TXT file with the three lines given and then copy it into the root of the install media.
5) Save the modified ISO and then write it to a CD-RW, (saves wasting CDs if something went wrong).

I don't know how W2K is installed but you should be able to run the necessary command to start installation, (assuming D:\ is the CDROM drive):

winnt.exe /u:UNATTEND.TXT /s:D:\

On the CD, besides the normal Windows setup files, you should also have: