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4376

General Software Discussion / Re: How to create a shortcut for the "wireless network connection" in Windows XP?

« Last post by 4wd on January 31, 2011, 07:10 PM »

Am I miss-reading that? ...Or are you saying you got a connections window for a LAN adapter?

-Stoic Joker (January 31, 2011, 06:41 PM)

I get the popup window you get when clicking on the Network SysTray icon that shows what you're currently connected to.

This is when I select the LAN connection (no WiFi plugged in):


This is when I select the WiFi adapter (when it's plugged in):


If I select the LAN connection when the WiFi is plugged in then I will get the same result as attachment 2.

If I select the WiFi connection when it's not plugged in I get nothing - exits quietly.

Hope that's clearer

Ahh, I see what happened - not your mis-reading but rather my mis-writing 

4377

General Software Discussion / Re: How to create a shortcut for the "wireless network connection" in Windows XP?

« Last post by 4wd on January 31, 2011, 05:33 PM »

I tried it at home on a Windows 7 pc with no wifi adapters, and it gave some kind of GUID error dialog.

-superboyac (January 31, 2011, 09:30 AM)

Really? Weird, I just ran it here (Win7 desktop/no WiFi) and it just quietly exited. Might that have been an earlier build? I gotta remember to put build numbers in these things (bad habbit...).

-Stoic Joker (January 31, 2011, 11:50 AM)

Quietly exited here on my x64 W7 PC when I selected an unplugged WiFi adapter.  Selecting the LAN connection does the same as clicking on the tray icon.

Selecting the WiFi adpater when it's plugged in resulted in the same as clicking on the tray icon, (the popup window that shows what you're currently connected to - same result as LAN connection).

4378

General Software Discussion / Re: How to create a shortcut for the "wireless network connection" in Windows XP?

« Last post by 4wd on January 30, 2011, 10:20 PM »

Works here on my netbook but lists every interface, even ones no longer plugged in.

-4wd (January 30, 2011, 12:24 PM)

I'd been wondering if that would be an issue, but wasn't sure how common the disabled adapters problem would be.

-Stoic Joker (January 30, 2011, 03:10 PM)

It reported a 802.11n adapter I haven't had plugged in for 6 months, another 802.11g adapter (unplugged) and a Huawei 3G modem (unplugged) as well as the normal LAN interface.

Given my (I'm beginning to suspect insane) habit of working in straight Win32 API C++, no. But I might be able to do something like that to eliminate the disabled adapters.

The AutoIt stuff seemed to be based on this C/C++ code into the Native WiFi API and I was thinking you could use that to get the string names of the current accessible adapters and then match against the ones you get from the registry to eliminate the others.

But what I know about C could be written on a pinhead in crayon, so I'll climb back under my rock

4379

General Software Discussion / Re: How to create a shortcut for the "wireless network connection" in Windows XP?

« Last post by 4wd on January 30, 2011, 12:24 PM »

Works here on my netbook but lists every interface, even ones no longer plugged in.

In AutoIt someone created a UDF for WiFi functions, to get available adapters there's a function that calls wlanapi.dll to enumerate the interfaces.

Could that method be used for just the currently active WiFi adapter list?

4380

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Block/Unblock all network traffic button (one-click)

« Last post by 4wd on January 30, 2011, 01:01 AM »

Script was made easy by the use of a AutoIt UDF from Tlem over here.

Anyway, let me know if it works.

UPDATED: See post.

4381

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Block/Unblock all network traffic button (one-click)

« Last post by 4wd on January 30, 2011, 12:05 AM »

Do you mean Internet traffic or ALL network traffic?

For all, it would be a simple matter of disabling the interface.

If you mean ALL then I'll try and knock one up for you in a few hours, (basic toggle function is already available).

v0.28 attached.

4382

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Paragon Partition Manager 11 Personal and novaPDF Professional

« Last post by 4wd on January 29, 2011, 09:34 PM »

See my edit above, you're not actually embargoed - just not permitted to enter for the giveaways, which this isn't.

They haven't clarified why you're not permitted nor have they bothered clarifying the text at the bottom of any of their giveaways - this is pretty close to guilt by association AFAICS, and they should be made to clarify it.

Still, there's nothing stopping you from buying the bundle.

If it's a problem, PM me your name and email and I'll buy it for you - I live in Australia so it's no great hardship to donate to the flood 

4383

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Paragon Partition Manager 11 Personal and novaPDF Professional

« Last post by 4wd on January 29, 2011, 08:48 PM »

bundlelytic - new site?

brought to you by the guys behind makeuseof.com and thedailybuggle

Wich version of novaPDF Professional Desktop is being offered (screenshot says v6)

-Bionic71 (January 29, 2011, 12:39 PM)

v7.3 Build 355

Giveaway eligibility

Individuals who reside in a country embargoed by the United States; Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India are not permitted to enter.

I'm swedish, that's a shame I cant be apart of what they have to offer anymore (this incl) ...

Given that I went straight to the bundlelytic site:
1) There is no mention on that site of any country restriction.
2) It's not a Giveaway - you are paying for a product.  Giveaways are clearly marked on the makeuseof.com site - which isn't this one.

Any restriction on the purchasing/use of the software should be made on the site that's selling it, you should not be expected to navigate to some other site to find the details.

BTW, I searched but can't find any mention of an embargo against Sweden.  Threats but not an actual embargo - considering the USA Government would like to get their grubby little paws on Julian Assange after Sweden has finished with him, having an embargo would be counter-productive at this point.

Found clarification, (of a sort), in their forums:

It means that the residents of the countries that are currently placed under the US embargo are not permitted to participate in the giveaway because we will not be able to send the prize. Also residents of Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India are exempt from participating.

You're not embargoed, just not permitted from participating in the giveaways, (which this isn't).

4384

Developer's Corner / Re: Safe programs for File Recovery

« Last post by 4wd on January 29, 2011, 08:56 AM »

As pat said, the various peices of the file will sequentially link to each other until the end of the file is reached.

If you can get your program to report the sectors read as it goes then you can have a look after erasing with a hex editor - HxD is good, lightweight and free.

FWIW, the program I use for 'shredding', overwrites any sector used by the original file with pseudo-random data, (full sector write, not just the part the file used), the ADS and changes the file name/size/timestamp/attributes multiple times.

4385

Developer's Corner / Re: Safe programs for File Recovery

« Last post by 4wd on January 27, 2011, 06:05 PM »

If you could get your program to report the initial sectors occupied by the original file then you could look at them afterwards using a disk editor, eg. WinHex.

That's the only way I can think of barring a complete drive scan using Runtimes' software or R-Studio...but that will take a very long time unless you've set up a small seperate partition/drive to test on.

4386

Living Room / Re: Rip a CD to Compact Flash/SD/... without a PC - is there such a gadget?

« Last post by 4wd on January 27, 2011, 04:08 AM »

It depends, I have an adapter, (for Sony Memory Stick), where a driver needs to be loaded - which is no good in your case.

However, some don't require a driver, IIRC, one of the earlier Lexar Jumpdrive series took SD cards and appeared as a normal flash drive - this is the kind you need.

If you can find a decent computer store that will let you try, (or one with knowledgable staff), it would help.

4387

General Software Discussion / Re: Simple Photo Resizer - Please Give Feedback

« Last post by 4wd on January 27, 2011, 12:39 AM »

i.e. People want to reduce photos to make them smaller to upload or email (most often).

-Renegade (January 24, 2011, 03:58 PM)

I stuck Shrink Pic on the wife's computer, set dimensions that were a good compromise of file size/readibility and then promptly forget about it.  It takes care of all emailed pictures, (and now uploaded ones too, I see).
 (see attachment in previous post)

-4wd (January 26, 2011, 11:27 PM)

I know I could go out and find something... But...

-Renegade (January 27, 2011, 12:31 AM)

I know, I was just giving a 'no input required after installation' alternative for the specific example you mentioned.

For those people where even a slider is too confusing

4388

General Software Discussion / Re: Simple Photo Resizer - Please Give Feedback

« Last post by 4wd on January 26, 2011, 11:27 PM »

i.e. People want to reduce photos to make them smaller to upload or email (most often).

-Renegade (January 24, 2011, 03:58 PM)

I stuck Shrink Pic on the wife's computer, set dimensions that were a good compromise of file size/readibility and then promptly forget about it.  It takes care of all emailed pictures, (and now uploaded ones too, I see).

4389

Developer's Corner / Re: Safe programs for File Recovery

« Last post by 4wd on January 26, 2011, 11:16 PM »

Just wondering, are you only relying on what 'files' the programs report they find or do you also look at the sectors where the file was located to see if any original file data remains?

4390

General Software Discussion / Re: How to create a shortcut for the "wireless network connection" in Windows XP?

« Last post by 4wd on January 26, 2011, 10:52 PM »

I'm a little sketchy on this part, should I be flattered, frightened, or both...

-Stoic Joker (January 26, 2011, 07:00 AM)

Definitely frightened!

Why?  Probably because you leave yourself open to repeat custom.

4391

Living Room / Re: Rip a CD to Compact Flash/SD/... without a PC - is there such a gadget?

« Last post by 4wd on January 26, 2011, 10:47 PM »

I have the TEAC MC-D610MP, (bookshelf stereo system - not available anymore), which could rip to MP3 on a USB Flash drive or SD/MMC card.

One for sale in the ACT, (Australian Capital Territory), for $5 atm.

4392

General Software Discussion / Re: How to create a shortcut for the "wireless network connection" in Windows XP?

« Last post by 4wd on January 25, 2011, 10:09 PM »

Well SJ, looks like you're going to earn your Superboy badge

4393

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is System Restore not placed the proper place?

« Last post by 4wd on January 24, 2011, 06:46 AM »

-can this perhaps be the reason that when I did a system restore on my own computer, Windows started by asking me to tell what language my keyboard was using?

-Curt (January 24, 2011, 05:47 AM)

No, because at that point Windows has loaded and the USB keyboard will already have been enabled as a device, more than likely the keymapping was lost and Windows has recognised it's not a 'standard' US keyboard so has asked for identification.

Not having USB Legacy Mode turned on in BIOS will result in a USB keyboard not being enabled until the OS has loaded, (as 40hz said).
It will, however, result in any keypresses being ignored until Windows does load.

4394

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is System Restore not placed the proper place?

« Last post by 4wd on January 24, 2011, 02:55 AM »

are there really machines out there that deliberatly don't respond to F8 on boot-up?

this sounds more like a hardware issue. could it be a usb keyboard not being detected during the boot process (something disabled in the bios maybe).

-nudone (January 24, 2011, 01:31 AM)

Good point, I completely forgot some motherboards don't respond to a USB keyboard unless USB Legacy Mode^w is enabled in the BIOS.
Some motherboards don't enable it by default which, IMHO, is stupid considering the need to get into the F8 menu at some point.

4395

Living Room / Re: why is it so difficult to pick out a new computer?

« Last post by 4wd on January 23, 2011, 08:22 PM »

A good barebones unit is ASUS V6-M4A3000E (about $140 US) which comes with case, PSU and motherboard with  integrated Radeon 3000 graphics and 7.1 surround sound.

-Carol Haynes (January 23, 2011, 09:52 AM)

Nice Carol 

~AU$132 here - I'll have to remember to look for it next time someone asks me for a computer.  Always liked the way you fit practically AMDs entire CPU line into the same socket, (AM2, AM2+ and now AM3).  You could scale the processing power to the end requirement easily.

4396

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is System Restore not placed the proper place?

« Last post by 4wd on January 23, 2011, 06:39 PM »

Either keep tapping F8, or when you see the progress bar to start windows, shut it off by the power button or plug.

-cmpm (January 23, 2011, 06:36 PM)

Except sometimes you end up filling up the keyboard buffer so then all it does is beep at you, although I can't say I've noticed it with my USB keyboard.

I usually try F8 immediately after the various drives are recognised.

4397

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is System Restore not placed the proper place?

« Last post by 4wd on January 23, 2011, 05:47 PM »

-no, no and no!!! F8 was in the old days!

-Curt (January 23, 2011, 05:25 PM)

It's not actually, taken from the F8 screen on my Win7HP computer less than 5 minutes ago:

Didn't my first line state that it was a lady who couldn't tell a picture from a program? Please don't tell about a hundred useless solutions! I actually updated her Vista to SP2, if you know what I mean.

-Curt (January 23, 2011, 05:31 PM)

And, no you said:

Today a girlfriend came with her laptop and said, "I thought I was opening a picture my son had emailed me, and suddenly all these things and flares came up...". Sigh!

At no point did you say it was an executable, (it could has been a link to a website or something else), and also at no point did you say what OS she was running until the last post.

EDIT: Sorry, you did mention Vista in the first post - I missed it, apologies.  

Still the answers I gave are valid in the context of the thread, (except for the XP one).

And:

This leads me to my simple question: Why on earth must I start an infected system, in order to start a blocked program, in order to clean the infected system?

-Curt (January 23, 2011, 04:59 PM)

My answers c->f give you the option of not booting the infected OS.  Plus you can still boot from a Windows installation disc into recovery options.

Also, BTW, the main reason I've found for computers not responding to F8 is because people aren't fast enough to push the key or don't at the right moment.  Also W7, (and possibly Vista) no longer blatantly advertise it's presense as XP did.

4398

General Software Discussion / Re: Why is System Restore not placed the proper place?

« Last post by 4wd on January 23, 2011, 05:20 PM »

Press F8 and either try:

a) Last Known Good working state (or something like that), or
b) Boot to Command Line and run System Restore, (%systemroot%/system32/restore/rstui.exe - for XP).

Or:

c) Windows 7 has a System Recovery disc that you created after installing W7....right?, or
d) Restore from your periodic backup, or
e) Boot from a PE, (WinPE/BartPE), disc to repair the problem, or
f) Download a anti-virus LiveCD to try and repair, (eg. CureIt).

Booting from Windows installations discs will also give you recovery options, (eg. XP->Repair Console from which you can manually copy the registry from a backup).

Personally, I'm glad System Restore isn't easy to get to because of the few times I've used it, it's always FUBAR'd my system so that I've had to reinstall anyway.

Why isn't System Restore placed next to Log-in???

-Curt (January 23, 2011, 04:59 PM)

I can just imagine this:

"I was logging into my computer but because I wasn't fully loaded on caffeine yet I hit the wrong button and now my system is FUBAR."

4399

Living Room / Re: why is it so difficult to pick out a new computer?

« Last post by 4wd on January 22, 2011, 09:45 PM »

4wd.. your prices are Australian dollars, correct?

AU$421

-techidave (January 22, 2011, 09:25 PM)

Yes, as I said, just an FYI from our semi-nationwide discount computer parts store.

MSY - If you're interested, no where near the range of Newegg.

4400

Living Room / Re: why is it so difficult to pick out a new computer?

« Last post by 4wd on January 22, 2011, 09:09 PM »

I suppose it's "love" then? 

-Renegade (January 22, 2011, 09:07 PM)

Up until you install Windows on it