Recent Posts

801

Living Room / Re: Windows 10 April 2018 upgrade woes - anyone any ideas?

« Last post by 4wd on June 03, 2018, 08:45 PM »

You have no option to prevent WU from installing updates in the Home version.

That's indeed what I've found in practice.  I've been able to fight with it to delay for a while (sometimes a long while), but in the end, it always wins.  I could disable it, but that has never been tenable to me.

-wraith808 (June 03, 2018, 03:31 PM)

Yep, always been the case with W10Home, it's why I avoid it.

Seems to be a long thread about it here ion Windows 10 - doesn't seem to be a panacea: https://www.tenforum...update-minitool.html

-Carol Haynes (June 03, 2018, 01:12 PM)

All except the last page and a half pertain to previous versions that required another piece of software to run, (as mentioned by IainB back here), the last version (2016-12-20) is basically standalone.

It's too bad wsoffline won't let you pick and choose what updates to install since you could leave the update service permanently disabled then.

Re. OP problem with the drive, I have one computer here that uses a Seagate 2.5" 500GB HDD, it has to run with the HDDs set to not spin down because the Seagate will lock up the machine when it tries to spin up after sleep, hibernate, etc.  Works absolutely fine from power on and it's been like that since it was installed as a new HDD on Windows 8.1.
Very strange considering it's basically a laptop HDD and designed for that ... must be a BIOS thing but unfortunately it's an old board so no new updates.

802

Living Room / Re: Windows 10 April 2018 upgrade woes - anyone any ideas?

« Last post by 4wd on June 03, 2018, 02:22 AM »

Windows Update MiniTool still works, you can use it to choose, (un)hide, and install updates.



Install via Chocolatey or download from a software repo, eg. MajorGeeks

803

Found Deals and Discounts / On1 Effects 2018 *free* until Aug 31, 2018.

« Last post by 4wd on June 02, 2018, 10:36 PM »

On1 Effects 2018

ON1 Effects 2018 is the ultimate tool for adding effects or style to your photos. Effects 2018 includes hundreds of stackable filters, presets, borders, and textures to help create your style. Whether you're looking to add an HDR look, convert to B&W, bring out more detail, reduce noise, or enhance a portrait, don't use five separate plug-ins when ON1 Effects 2018 is your one-stop solution. Effects 2018 works as both a plug-in for Lightroom® and Photoshop® and as a standalone application.

NOTE: Requires you create an On1 account for product activation.

804

Living Room / Re: From the Tinfoil Hat Department - FaceBook Listening?

« Last post by 4wd on May 26, 2018, 11:42 PM »

Recent BBC Panorama episode:

Thought it was interesting using the TV to order stuff via Alexa and for those of you with IP cams, it may pay to check access to them.

805

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 - Collection of Hacks, Tweaks, Improvements

« Last post by 4wd on May 23, 2018, 07:12 AM »

For anyone who hasn't heard of BlackViper, outside of Microsoft he's probably the best source of what services do what in Windows and which ones can safely be set to manual, disabled, etc.

BlackViperScript by madbomb122 is a PowerShell script that displays a GUI and allows you to select various service configurations based on BlackViper's recommendations.

It allows you to perform a dry run to show what will be changed as well as perform a backup, (to .csv and/or .reg).



He also has another PowerShell script that allows you to tweak various aspects of Windows 10: Win10Script

806

General Software Discussion / Re: Compare folders with identical files, but .. different file names

« Last post by 4wd on May 22, 2018, 08:19 PM »

Seems the script should be stored in some folder that 'my' Directory Opus does not have. I have no 'script' folder, nor Dopusdata, nor something that even looks like that.

-dcwul62 (May 21, 2018, 09:02 AM)

hi dcwul62, I was hoping to try installing this and was wondering what version of dopus are you using? (I have 11 on this machine and 12 on my desktop -- I will try it anyways, but will probably only get to it later in the week.)

-tomos (May 22, 2018, 02:31 PM)

The shortcut /scripts also takes you to the relevant directory, type it in the lister path.

807

General Software Discussion / Re: Compare folders with identical files, but .. different file names

« Last post by 4wd on May 21, 2018, 09:54 AM »

the script didn't work, at least not with me. Reason why I am posting here...
I had the toolbar button alright (meanwhile removed), but got a Windows error.

-dcwul62 (May 21, 2018, 09:02 AM)

As was mentioned, it's a script addin, you need to install it: Preferences->Toolbars->Scripts and drop it on the interface.

Also please note that I am just an 'end-user' ...

As am I but I do know how to use the forum search and it's also in the manual.

The thread 'Hide identical file names' - that one is new to me. Thanks.
However, actually the issue is that the file names are not identical, the hashes are identical.

You need to reread what I wrote:

A modified script from here hides selected files, ...

-4wd (May 20, 2018, 01:35 AM)

It's got nothing to do with hiding identical file names other than only keeping the parts of the script that were necessary to hide selected files.

808

Non-Windows Software / Re: Wanted - Free (or cheap) wifi calling app for Android

« Last post by 4wd on May 21, 2018, 02:33 AM »

Can you tell me a little more about the Twilio side of things? Exactly what do I need to sign up for or buy, and roughly how much would it all cost (monthly, yearly?)

-app103 (May 20, 2018, 10:37 PM)

I've got it mostly for a presence in the USA for verification but the simple costs are shown here Pay-as-you-go Phone Number pricing

Local Number: $1/month
Call costs are based on the terminating/orignating number location, there's two CSV files at that link that pretty comprehensively list all locations, (including overseas), by phone prefix.

Originating (outgoing):  Generally USA Zone 1 seems to be $0.007/min
Terminating (incoming): $0.0085/min Voice, $0.0075/SMS, $0.01/MMS

By default the numbers are enabled for Voice, Fax, SMS, MMS, and outgoing calls to USA numbers only.

I just created an account and deposited $20 which gives me a phone number for 20 months, (less if I use it for calls/SMS naturally, since costs will be deducted from that $20).

SMS logs are kept in your account so you can view any received/replies, for example:



Note: Haven't had it long, I'm still playing around with it to see what I can do.  Used to have an Australian VoIP but they were a little expensive in comparison.  Short version, it was cheap enough so that I'd have 20 months to work out what I wanted it for

They have free trial accounts if you want to have a play: Try Twilio

There's also comprehensive API docs available if you want to create your own application.

809

Non-Windows Software / Re: Wanted - Free (or cheap) wifi calling app for Android

« Last post by 4wd on May 20, 2018, 08:05 PM »

CSIPSimple from the Play Store and a number from a VoIP provider, I use Twilio.

810

General Software Discussion / Re: Compare folders with identical files, but .. different file names

« Last post by 4wd on May 20, 2018, 01:35 AM »

The tool should therefore 'hide' identical files.

-dcwul62 (May 19, 2018, 07:59 AM)

They gave you the answer on the DOpus forum.

The first seven files on the right are renamed copies of the last seven on the left plus an extra file thrown in on the right to show it wasn't in the left side.

Start:



Files that have identical MD5 hashes are selected on both sides.

Result:


A modified script from here hides selected files, (simple search of the forum), leaving the files that aren't identical to any on the other side.





Hide button:

Code: Javascript [Select]

1. function OnClick(clickData)
2. {
3.         var cmdSource = clickData.func.command;
4. //      cmdSource.ClearFiles();
5.  
6.         var cmdDest = DOpus.create.command;
7.         cmdDest.SetSourceTab(clickData.func.desttab);
8.  
9. //      cmdSource.RunCommand("Select DESELECTNOMATCH SOURCETODEST=in");
10. //      cmdDest.RunCommand("Select DESELECTNOMATCH SOURCETODEST=in");
11.         cmdSource.RunCommand("Select NOPATTERN HIDESEL");
12.         cmdDest.RunCommand("Select NOPATTERN HIDESEL");
13. }

UnHide function is identical to the one on the forum that Leo posted.

811

Living Room / Re: The quest for a completely silent PC

« Last post by 4wd on May 16, 2018, 08:59 AM »

Possibly for the gaming crowd they needed a higher cooling capacity than just straight passive.

Plus it has more "bling" 

812

Living Room / Re: The quest for a completely silent PC

« Last post by 4wd on May 16, 2018, 08:22 AM »

Took him a lot longer than necessary, Zalman had a silent computer case years ago, so long ago it's been discontinued (about 12 years): TNN 500AF

813

General Software Discussion / Re: desktop sharing tool

« Last post by 4wd on May 13, 2018, 11:17 PM »

If both ends have Microsoft accounts there's Quick Assist (Windows 10) or Remote Assistance (pre-10 which didn't require a Microsoft account IIRC).

https://www.howtogee...eshoot-a-friends-pc/

Haven't tried Quick Assist but have previously used Remote Assistance and it worked fine for what I was doing.

814

General Software Discussion / Re: Unstoppable Copier -- freeware that saved my bacon

« Last post by 4wd on May 11, 2018, 07:40 PM »

By doing that, you can repurpose the disk again (for non-essential stuff) for years to come.

-Shades (May 11, 2018, 09:34 AM)

This is still spinning it's wheels after an additional 6 years, when it first occurred I just told it to initiate what passes for a Low Level Format these days to map out the bad blocks.

815

Living Room / Re: Help with laptop

« Last post by 4wd on May 11, 2018, 07:20 PM »

Being an Intel graphics adapter there's usually hotkeys associated with screen rotation, traditionally it was Control + Alt + (cursor key)

ie.
Ctrl + Alt + Left = Rotate 90° counter-clockwise
Ctrl + Alt + Right = Rotate 90° clockwise
Ctrl + Alt + Down = Rotate 180°
Ctrl + Alt + Up = Normal orientation

816

General Software Discussion / Re: finding an old password program ...

« Last post by 4wd on May 10, 2018, 09:49 PM »

And one more: MultiHasher

Not a password program but it will show text hashes using multiple algorithms at once which you try:

817

Coding Snacks / Re: Rename folder and files before deleting

« Last post by 4wd on May 10, 2018, 12:54 AM »

I did a CCleaner Wipe Drive on my SSD yesterday, results are as per attachment.

-dcwul62 (May 10, 2018, 12:38 AM)

That is going to take a fair bit more time than just doing specific files and clearing the MFT plus it puts unneeded write cycles on the SSD.

ie. If a block is wiped on the first running of CCleaner and there has been no change to it, (no data written to that block), when you next run CCleaner it will wipe an already wiped block.

It's not designed to keep track of block writes and only wipe those that have been used between runs, you're needlessly shortening the life of your SSD, (considering it will do 1 -> 3 writes on each and every block that is marked as free).

... too much focused on on the thought that using file shredders on SSD should be avoided.

-dcwul62 (May 08, 2018, 08:42 AM)

Unnecessary writes to the SSD should be avoided, it's why all my temp files go to a RAM drive.

818

General Software Discussion / Re: Unstoppable Copier -- freeware that saved my bacon

« Last post by 4wd on May 10, 2018, 12:36 AM »

And how do you get the list of files it skipped?

-mouser (May 10, 2018, 12:32 AM)

Well, tbh, haven't looked at the logging of it since I'd just use Beyond Compare to do a directory comparison.

The verbose switch does show skipped files plus you can output to a log file, (console, log file, or both).

Code: Text [Select]

1. :
2. :: Logging Options :
3. ::
4.                  /L :: List only - don't copy, timestamp or delete any files.
5.                  /X :: report all eXtra files, not just those selected.
6.                  /V :: produce Verbose output, showing skipped files.
7.                 /TS :: include source file Time Stamps in the output.
8.                 /FP :: include Full Pathname of files in the output.
9.              /BYTES :: Print sizes as bytes.
10.  
11.                 /NS :: No Size - don't log file sizes.
12.                 /NC :: No Class - don't log file classes.
13.                /NFL :: No File List - don't log file names.
14.                /NDL :: No Directory List - don't log directory names.
15.  
16.                 /NP :: No Progress - don't display percentage copied.
17.                /ETA :: show Estimated Time of Arrival of copied files.
18.  
19.           /LOG:file :: output status to LOG file (overwrite existing log).
20.          /LOG+:file :: output status to LOG file (append to existing log).
21.  
22.        /UNILOG:file :: output status to LOG file as UNICODE (overwrite existing log).
23.       /UNILOG+:file :: output status to LOG file as UNICODE (append to existing log).
24.  
25.                /TEE :: output to console window, as well as the log file.
26.  
27.                /NJH :: No Job Header.
28.                /NJS :: No Job Summary.
29.  
30.            /UNICODE :: output status as UNICODE.

Main reason I guess for using robocopy is that it can copy pretty much everything to do with a file, NTFS ACLS, Owner, auditing, and probably the ADS.

Could also multi-thread it, (/MT:x), but probably not the thing to do on a suspect HDD.

819

General Software Discussion / Re: Unstoppable Copier -- freeware that saved my bacon

« Last post by 4wd on May 10, 2018, 12:09 AM »

As an alternative there's always the included Windows robocopy:

Code: Text [Select]

1. robocopy <srce> <dest> /MIR /R:0 /W:0

Mirror copy, no read retries, zero wait time.

Code: Text [Select]

1. /MIR :: MIRror a directory tree (equivalent to /E plus /PURGE).
2. /R:n :: number of Retries on failed copies: default 1 million.
3. /W:n :: Wait time between retries: default is 30 seconds.

820

Living Room / Re: W10 Laptop wish list

« Last post by 4wd on May 08, 2018, 04:28 PM »

You need to clarify your USB ports, USB 3.1 has to do with signalling protocol.
USB 3.1 Gen 1 is the same as the old 3.0 (5Gbps).
USB 3.1 Gen 2 doubles it to 10Gbps.
Ports can look like the usual Type A except for the colour of plastic, (but only if the manufacturer follows the standard).

Then you have Type C which is a physical port type, the new reversible connector, (it's possible to  have USB 2.0 Type C ports).

So I think you might mean:
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (or 2) Type A (same as the USB 3.0)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (or 2) Type C

The Type C will most likely have the Power Delivery standard and be used for charging it.

821

Post New Requests Here / Re: [Request] Small tool to connect to wlan

« Last post by 4wd on May 07, 2018, 08:55 PM »

You can use the Windows netsh command:

Create a profiles for users on a Workgroup and disable Homegroup options & wifi
Script to autoload xml profiles
ON/OFF TaskBar button for Automatic log-on and connect to Internet.
Enables/disable internet access based on a time schedule

Plus there's other Windows tools in those threads if you prefer a GUI based solution.

822

DC Website Help and Extras / Re: Fundraiser 2018 Money - Help Decide Where it Goes

« Last post by 4wd on May 07, 2018, 06:08 AM »

@skwire: Thanks for the nomination but anything anyone feels I should receive can go to mouser to apportion as he sees fit or to help with hosting costs.

Although, given my recent posts to some ... errrr ... frustrating(?) members of the community I am sorely in need of a replacement.

823

Coding Snacks / Re: Rename folder and files before deleting

« Last post by 4wd on May 07, 2018, 05:06 AM »

Is this a SSD you are using in this test? Fileshreders like Eraser, BCWipe, etc. work well on conventional HDD's
but they say they don't work well on a SSD.

-dcwul62 (May 07, 2018, 12:20 AM)

I have to wonder whether you read anything, the very first lines in my post:

A clean SSD with just one folder and two files, Recuva set for DeepScan, show everything:

Two files on an SSD:

-4wd (May 06, 2018, 09:21 PM)

And if you looked at the images:



Apacer make SSDs, not HDDs.

Opus itself does have a secure delete of files.

Two files deleted, top one using DOpus secure delete, (since you were asking over there), the bottom using Moo0 FileShredder:

-4wd (May 06, 2018, 09:21 PM)

As shown in my 2nd image, the one where it shows FileShredder has trashed the name, the file size, the attributes, and the timestamp, (and it does it twice).

Ideally it would look like this screenshot, all with Z...ZZ  names and folders

Or indeed my 3rd screenshot, you know, the one with completely randomised names.

When you run Recuva on your SSD (if you have one), then you will see that a lot of data is revealed.

The very first image shows everything Recuva found on the SSD before I deleted anything, the following images show everything it found on the SSD after deleting the two files.

How about you just download FileShredder, Anti-Recovery, and/or SDelete and try them on your system?

PS.

... SSD (if you have one) ...

I have eight (8) of them.

824

DC Gamer Club / [Android] Defense Zone 2 HD *FREE* again

« Last post by 4wd on May 06, 2018, 11:44 PM »

Defense Zone 2 HD is free on the Play Store again.

825

Coding Snacks / Re: Rename folder and files before deleting

« Last post by 4wd on May 06, 2018, 09:21 PM »

A clean SSD with just one folder and two files, Recuva set for DeepScan, show everything:

Two files on an SSD:


Two files deleted, top one using DOpus secure delete, (since you were asking over there), the bottom using Moo0 FileShredder:


After Moo0 Anti-Recovery (with just the MFT options selected, takes a couple of seconds):


And just for an added extra, single file deleted with Microsoft's own SDelete:


You'll note the file name has partially become the original folder name, you could easily write a PoSh script that renames the folder, runs SDelete on the file(s), and then changes the folder name back.