Recent Posts

4626

Found Deals and Discounts / Re: Zentimo at GAOTD (Nov 03, 2010)

« Last post by 4wd on November 04, 2010, 07:35 AM »

...kill Everything Search because it's hooked into the drive...

-MilesAhead (November 03, 2010, 03:12 PM)

What version of Everything are you using?

I can't remember the last time Everything stopped removal of a drive here, using the latest beta 1.2.1.451a.

Changes:

    improved searching for folders by up to 20 times faster.
    fixed unrecognized included volumes in the options window.
    fixed an issue with the volume monitors not releasing handles when safely remove device requested to unmount a volume.
    fixed a display issue with new recently change dates/times.
    fixed a crash when sorting by size then second sorting by recent changes.

4627

General Software Discussion / Re: Easier way to make a WINPE 2.0 DISC

« Last post by 4wd on November 04, 2010, 03:53 AM »

I use WinBuilder to build PEs, (I used to use BartPE a lot in the past but WinBuilder is a lot easier), what type of PE depends on what I want it for.

LiveXP - I'm more familiar with it and it's good for small size ISO, (fit on a 180MB CD with a few utilities), and RAM requirements are lower.
VistaPE/Win7PE - If it's going to be used with esoteric hardware, (Vista/7 include storage drivers that will run on almost anything without trying to hack more in), and there's no RAM constraint.

I used to create multiboot PE based USB flash drives with:

1) WinBuilder - To create the PE environments, both LiveXP & VistaPE/7PE.
2) Various disk images - dban, ranish, supergrub, memtest, gag, ntpass, etc.
3) Linux Live - usually Puppy or DSL.
4) Parted Magic
5) Various DOS apps - mbrtool, etc.
6) Windows apps - ImgBurn, hardware info, etc.
7) Optional XP installer.

All bundled up together using USB_Multiboot.  Probably a bit over the top but it was fun just to get it working.

But I also did PE2/3 multiple boot USB HDD/flash, directly adding the various wim files by editing the bcd file with bcdedit to add them in, as per: Integrating multiple version of Vista  Six PE2 environments on the one flash drive.

H7PluginBuilder makes plugin building reasonably easy, minor editing required afterwards to tweak them but better than trying from scratch.  It's 3 years old but will generate BartPE and WinBuilder plugins.

It's been about 10 months since I last played with making PEs but I still try to keep up with the latest methods - I'll probably swing to WinPE3 and update the various plugins I had.

Perhaps I should have said, "Make_PE3 is the simplest way to create a simple Live Win7 PE."  Adding stuff to it will be a bit more involved, you're better off using WinBuilder and one of the Win7PE projects found here, it will be easier to add stuff to.

Addendum: Just found this: Windows Forensic Environment - a Windows PE designed for forensic analysis of the system, (ie. it won't write anything to the system thus possibly corrupting evidence).  I think I'm going to have to pull out WinBuilder again to have a play 

4628

Living Room / Re: ICANN set to open the TLD flood gates

« Last post by 4wd on November 03, 2010, 11:19 PM »

renegade.stfu

4629

Living Room / Re: Violence in Video Games & the Law

« Last post by 4wd on November 03, 2010, 05:28 PM »

It's always been cheaper, (and easier), to create a law than to educate people.

How comfortable would the average consumer be with having to go to an adult book & video store, walking past racks and racks of porn, to buy a copy of Mortal Combat?

-app103 (November 03, 2010, 04:47 AM)

I would!  Mind you it wouldn't be for Mortal Kombat but I would for Delta Force: Angel Falls.......and I'd probably stop to look at the pictures on the way

4630

General Software Discussion / Re: Easier way to make a WINPE 2.0 DISC

« Last post by 4wd on November 02, 2010, 07:33 AM »

Winbuilder - Download the main Winbuilder program, then choose the VistaPE project.

See the three steps at the end of the first post here.

If that server fails, then add vistape.winbuilder.net and try again.

Very simple to create plugins for it, I made a few a while ago but haven't played with WinBuilder recently - might have another look at the Win7PE project.

For a WinPE3 disc it probably doesn't get much simpler than Make_PE3.

4631

General Software Discussion / Re: Slash your windows boot time

« Last post by 4wd on November 01, 2010, 06:23 PM »

Here, it just didn't work - yes, I could select a few programs to start delayed but then on reboot when they still hadn't started after 5 minutes....

So it got uninstalled.  (The same thing also happened with the previous beta.)

For people who might like to do it the Microsoft way: How to speed up your boot process under Vista or Windows 7

4632

Living Room / Re: Limewire shutdown, permanently

« Last post by 4wd on October 31, 2010, 11:03 PM »

The McMillan analogy nicely points out the contradiction in the court ruling though, which is where I wanted to go. i.e. If you accept things at face value (the RIAA case/perspective), then why should McMillan be allowed to produce weapons with obvious malign intent? It's ok for these fellows over here, but not these other fellows?

-Renegade (October 28, 2010, 08:09 PM)

Wandering OT a little, I was going to respond to the McMillan comment previously but failed to do so but I'll tack it on here.

The term sniping, sniper or snipe was originally a military term and therefore in that context your argument may have been correct.

However, sniping has filtered into the general language and now encompasses the hunting of game animals and as such your comment "sniper rifles are for killing people" is not strictly valid.

4633

Living Room / Re: Limewire shutdown, permanently

« Last post by 4wd on October 28, 2010, 07:13 PM »

I find the situation oddly analogous to guns... I know... Somebody is sighing out there, but just hear it out...

-Renegade (October 28, 2010, 06:38 PM)

Yes, that would be me....

It would have been better if you had based your analogy on the knife - this is much closer to the mark.

A knife is a tool whose use is mostly benign as opposed to a firearm, (not gun, they are a subset of firearms), as you have pointed out, whose purpose isn't.

By making the comparison to a firearm you are immediately saying that the software was created intentionally to be malignant, ie. for pirating.  As such, you should have no problem with it being put down.

4634

Living Room / Re: Limewire shutdown, permanently

« Last post by 4wd on October 28, 2010, 04:30 PM »

Just clarify this a bit - Limewire is a P2P program AFAIK, not a network.  It uses the gnutella, (and BitTorrent), network for information dissemination/retrieval.

The gnutella/BitTorrent networks will still continue to be used, there are other P2P programs that use the same networks, (eg. Cabos, FrostWire, Shareaza).

I agree that Lime wire had a lot of viruses, garbage, etc., but with some worthwhile downloads.  I also know that our legal system is based on case law, which gives heavy emphasis on past judicial opinions/rulings.  This is a chilling ruling.

-complearning123 (October 28, 2010, 03:15 PM)

It's already been done before - think Napster.

That to me is tantamount to closing all banks and punishing all customers because some customers are using that institution to illegally launder money from illegal ventures/activities.

No it isn't, the correct analogy would be if they closed all banks in one town, (or even a state), because one bank was laundering money.  Yes, it's inconvenient for the townspeople but it doesn't stop them from getting their money from the banking network.

They made the injunction against Limewire because its use was predominantly synonymous with pirating. As soon as some other program is stupid enough to do the same thing and they're within the grasp of the RIAA/MPAA then it'll happen again.

4635

Living Room / Re: Can I use a remote pc's static ip because I haven't got one?

« Last post by 4wd on October 27, 2010, 08:15 PM »

In theory, couldn't your friend run a small port redirection service?  (I remember seeing a simple one in the AutoIt forums some time ago.)  If your friend has a router which is sufficiently intelligent then maybe his computer wouldn't need to be on, just set up a rule within it.  Then again, will the redirected traffic pick up the static IP of the redirector or just forward the IP of the redirectee?

Or a proxy?  (AnalogX Proxy is the one I usually use for a local proxy, it might stretch to what you want.)

Of course, it probably all depends on what protocol is required for access.

4636

Living Room / Re: Laptop choice: better CPU or more RAM ?

« Last post by 4wd on October 27, 2010, 08:04 PM »

My vote goes for choice number 2 also.  See if they can toss in an extra 2GB for a reduced price, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Is there any reason for a lean towards Thinkpads, (other than the price), my understanding was that since Lenovo took them over the quality has gone a bit downhill as of late 2009/early 2010 at least.  But hey, that may have been model specific, etc, etc.

4637

General Software Discussion / Re: remove objects from photos

« Last post by 4wd on October 27, 2010, 07:44 PM »

Impressive results, but is that a stand alone app, or just a plug-in? ...Or both?

-Stoic Joker (October 27, 2010, 06:54 AM)

Both, you get the .8bf as well as the standalone, (in the Lite version also) - you don't even have to install it.  Just extract the installer with UniExtract and start using.

4638

General Software Discussion / Re: "Search Everything" with saved searches would be cool.

« Last post by 4wd on October 26, 2010, 10:21 AM »

apparently Search Everything does not list links (windows hard links), and I see no option to include those files in the search. These are important when searching for files within the windows directory.

-hpearce (October 26, 2010, 07:03 AM)

From the forum here:

"Everything" will also only show physical NTFS files.

With Windows Vista or later there are a few hard links in your system directory which may not be indexed.

and here:

In "Everything" "objects" refer to physical NTFS files and folders.

Other programs may report more items such as shell items and hard links or less items such as hidden NTFS folders.

4639

Living Room / Re: Just when you thought all the good ideas were taken!

« Last post by 4wd on October 25, 2010, 05:45 AM »

Ergonomic coffin:

-kyrathaba (October 24, 2010, 08:30 PM)

I'm pretty sure that would only be for our silicon-enhanced friends, (and I'm not talking computer)

I'm still waiting for the reverse-cycle microwave.

4640

General Software Discussion / Re: Best Executable Compressor Programs

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2010, 06:42 PM »

What's your perceived need of executable compression anyway?

-f0dder (October 22, 2010, 01:30 PM)

The only place I use it is to maximise free space on my "tool" flash drive.

4641

Living Room / Re: "White" Magic

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2010, 06:39 AM »

Some believe wearing fetishes will turn bullets into water

How do they feel about shelling?

-cranioscopical (October 21, 2010, 09:35 PM)

Turns it into wine.

4642

General Software Discussion / Re: The mysterious case of disappearing scroll wheel functionality...

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2010, 01:26 AM »

If it's only particular to HTML content then maybe it is content related, eg. script, ActiveX, etc.

Have you tried the browsers in safe mode, (I believe IE8 has one)?

Resetting IE to default settings (Internet Options->Advanced->Reset)?

Disable scripting, Java, etc?

Maybe it's a sneaky way to get you to donate to WizMouse

Maybe do a system backup then try a System Restore to the previous day if a point exists?

4643

Living Room / Re: How to avoid paying taxes and save billions

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2010, 01:10 AM »

OT: I loathe buying books here. The prices are simply through the roof. I went into a book store the other day and just about choked. $50 book going for $120. (Ok, $49.99 going for $117.99.) I hate feeling like I'm getting fleeced.

-Renegade (October 21, 2010, 10:23 PM)

Still OT: That's why I don't buy books here

The library, AbeBooks, local Probus book swap, op shops, local book fair (this Melbourne Cup Day), CFA jumble sale and library book sales are the only places I get books these days.

4644

General Software Discussion / Re: The mysterious case of disappearing scroll wheel functionality...

« Last post by 4wd on October 22, 2010, 12:45 AM »

I get that occasionally, as well as it only scrolling in one direction no matter which way the wheel is moved.  Used to happen on my Logitech MX500, still does on my Coolermaster Storm Sentinel, (which doesn't require any external driver for it's functions).

In all times, (on Win7), if I close DeskAngel the scroll wheel will return to normal function, then I can run DeskAngel again.  So maybe I'm 'resetting' the input handler?

The one direction scroll is a known problem from XP days, (oddly enough MS 5000/6000 are the main ones I've seen during a search), and I read an explanation once of why it happens, usually the only way to fix it was to reboot.

Have you tried exiting Wizmouse and see if it returns to normal operation?

4645

Living Room / Re: What books are you reading?

« Last post by 4wd on October 20, 2010, 05:07 PM »

Here are the elements I recall : at the beginning of the story, a mother and her son (or daughter) are living in our world but are in fact of some kind of a royal family from another realm somehow connected to ours, and some people would like them to disappear so that the throne remains theirs.

It would be a "fantasy" novel from DK.

-MerleOne (October 20, 2010, 03:47 PM)

Have you checked the list at his website, maybe one of the titles will jog your memory - there are excerpts from the ones still in print.  Maybe his earlier SciFi stuff, (all out of print)?

Dean Koontz

He has/does write under a few pseudonyms - almost all the books I've read under his name, (and Leigh Nichols), have been Suspense/Thriller with a touch of SciFi, (barring childrens and non-fiction).

4646

Living Room / Re: build/upgrade or buy/build a new one?

« Last post by 4wd on October 20, 2010, 04:53 AM »

Was that Windows you picked not a retail with both 32 and 64bit versions?

-Bamse (October 20, 2010, 03:31 AM)

The retail and upgrade versions include both 32bit and 64bit OS DVDs, no need to restrict yourself to 64bit only.

You might find that 32bit is better because you have hardware that has no 64bit drivers, eg. scanner, printer, etc that you can't afford to replace at the moment.  Later when you've updated/replaced them, then you can reinstall with Win7 x64.

@Jammo: What hardware do you have for which no manufacturer provided 64bit drivers exist?

40gb is enough today but what about the future  

-Bamse (October 20, 2010, 04:33 AM)

Why then, SSDs will be much cheaper and you'll be able to afford to have two!  

Personally, I'd still look for a combo deal of Core i5/motherboard/RAM rather than just upgrade your current RAM, (I agree with mouser and bamse), but it comes down to a balancing act of wallet vs need.

Only you can decide.

4647

Living Room / Re: Hidden Taxes... ever considered these?

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2010, 10:41 PM »

Can you claim the computer, Internet connection, and printer and supplies as a tax deduction? That is, you are forced to print the forms yourself, so you are forced to have a computer, printer and Internet connection, so what's to say that you didn't purchase it all for the express purpose of doing your tax forms? It may seem a bit assanine, but it is perfectly possible. After all, fight fire with fire, right?

-Renegade (October 19, 2010, 09:42 PM)

That's pushing your luck a little far if they decide to audit you, (eg. 'Why do you have so many games installed on your business computer?") 

But you are within your right to claim any usage for your business or on their behalf, (eg. they want you to submit form XYZ obtainable by printing the downloadable version on their website), as a tax deduction.

4648

Living Room / Re: Hidden Taxes... ever considered these?

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2010, 07:55 PM »

In consideration of this it occurred to me I was subsidizing the government via...

• The use of my computer.
• The use of my paper.
• The use of my printer and ink.
• ... Well, you get the idea....

...

I'm not sure WHAT we can do about any of these types of oppression.

-CodeTRUCKER (October 19, 2010, 12:12 PM)

You claim the costs involved on your Tax Return, that's what I do, so I don't end up paying any more tax than what I should, (of course that's a purely subjective amount ).

If you already do your Tax Return via computer then you should already be claiming some of its cost as a tax deduction - you add a little more.  Same with the printer and its supplies.

About the only thing you can't claim is your time, (in Australia anyway).

4649

Living Room / Re: build/upgrade or buy/build a new one?

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2010, 07:16 PM »

As recommended, to get the 2x2GB now, so I CAN expand upon it later, should I upgrade to a 64-bit MoBo.

-Jammo the OrganizedFellow (October 19, 2010, 04:37 PM)

You've already got a 64bit capable system:

Core 2 Duo E6550

SPECIFICATIONS
Processor Number   E6550
# of Cores   2
# of Threads   2
Clock Speed   2.33 GHz
L2 Cache   4 MB
Bus/Core Ratio   7
FSB Speed   1333 MHz
FSB Parity   No
Instruction Set   64-bit


You need only install a 64bit OS to use it.

Also, you can save another $2 by getting the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade since you already have XP Professional.  An upgrade of XP requires that the Win7 OS be installed from scratch anyway so you might as well save some money.

You also get XP Mode if you want to play with it, (but not BitLocker).  Here's a version comparison.

4650

Living Room / Re: build/upgrade or buy/build a new one?

« Last post by 4wd on October 19, 2010, 04:57 AM »

I came across this Solid State Drive from Intel, it's a 40GB size at $99. http://bit.ly/dwO4Fc

-Jammo the OrganizedFellow (October 18, 2010, 02:21 PM)

Dear God, that is a slow drive - try this one at the same price: Mushkin Enhanced MKNSSDCL40GB-DX

Uses the SandForce 1200 controller which is currently more stable than the newer SandForce 1500 but still blazingly fast compared to the Intel you found.

You can pick up SandForce 1200 powered SSDs at very reasonable prices these days, eg. AU$138 for 50GB A-RAM Ultra-II SSD (VERY reasonable for Australia).

If you wanted to upgrade your system, go for a Core i5/motherboard combo deal and 4GB of DDR3 RAM.  Add a decent size HDD, (1TB), because they are faster than what you have plus the above SSD.

Keep all the other components.

Sell your old DDR2 RAM, motherboard and CPU.

Another thing:

Do you really need BitLocker?  Truecrypt is free.
Do you really need XP Mode?   It's been generally found it's slower than running VirtualBox, VMWare, Parallels or VMLite.