Recent Posts

826

General Software Discussion / Re: recover an SQL .mdf file that is currently written to a bad sector

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 23, 2015, 07:24 AM »

Okay, this bit is marginally insane...but the sensible options appear to have been exhausted.. It seems that the db is attesting to be both valid and corrupt at the same time. I say this once before with a db that hadn't been properly maintained for a few years, and had some of it's slack space on a bad sector.

Probably best to hear from Shades before trying this, but...

If you run the MSSQL maintenance routine (Shrink database/files) on the db to compact the db it may allow you to get the actual data "out" while leaving the (presumed) corrupt slack space where it is.

It's a dangerous, and quite possibly insane idea. But if the current instance of SQL is indeed the only thing that can read the db, then maybe it can be leveraged (e.g. tricked into) copying the db for you.

Shades??

827

Living Room / Re: Bing moving to encrypt search traffic

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 21, 2015, 01:07 PM »

And it's quite possible that you're right. The problem is that they passed up the chance to just say that in plain English, choosing instead to dance around the specifics ... And that - These days - throws up a flag.

-Stoic Joker (June 21, 2015, 07:47 AM)

I think, more specifically, these days everything has to go through the marketing department where they sprinkle technical announcements with their special blend of buzz words and obfuscation that blurs the original, intended version of an announcement.

-Innuendo (June 21, 2015, 12:36 PM)

Understood. I just think these Prancing Nancys desperately need to be boiled in their own juices for not using Plain English on critical pieces of information. Any attempting to sell me on a technology, without the clear technical details...is an excruciatingly bad idea. IRL I am notoriously brutal with vendors that wish/desire/make the mistake of playing word games. If you want my money...you better be crystal GD clear about what is to happen/be delivered or you will rue the day we met..

828

Living Room / Re: Bing moving to encrypt search traffic

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 21, 2015, 07:47 AM »

Does anyone have an actual referrer string?

-TaoPhoenix (June 20, 2015, 03:21 PM)

I'd be very surprised if it's anything more than the standard referrer string that informs a web site what web site the visitor is coming from that has been around for eons.

-Innuendo (June 20, 2015, 03:50 PM)

And it's quite possible that you're right. The problem is that they passed up the chance to just say that in plain English, choosing instead to dance around the specifics ... And that - These days - throws up a flag.

829

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 21, 2015, 07:28 AM »

I haven't had to sign in with my Microsoft account. I guess that's due to it being an upgrade from an existing Windows 7 installation.

-Deozaan (June 21, 2015, 02:22 AM)

For a clean install if you want to use local accounts. You have to select the Company Owned Computer option ... Then it's the same game as Win8.x. If you select the It's My Computer option it's MS Live accounts only (during the OOBE).

830

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 20, 2015, 02:51 PM »

FWIW I finally got a Windows 10 Reservation prompt, on my Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop (It's a trash can rescue). It's currently running (acceptably) Windows 8.1 with 3GB of RAM and a Celeron 2.2GHz (1 core) CPU.

If I was sure I could upgrade it now and still get/have/qualify for the final...I'd make the jump today. I haven't seen anything in 10's behavior that made me think it'll use/need any more resources than 8.1.

831

Living Room / Re: Bing moving to encrypt search traffic

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 18, 2015, 11:22 AM »

Oh Baby, Security Theater at its finest..

I joust love this part:

However, to further protect our users’ privacy, we will not include the used query terms.  We will still provide some limited query term data available without compromising the security of customer data through our various webmaster and advertiser tools

...And just WTF is "Query Term Data"?? They go into 3 paragraphs of smokescreen to attempt to outline what is(/n't) about to happen. But they never clarify - like by example - what it is.

Here's a for instance: I do a bing search for Nipple Clamps, select a site from the Bing results, and Bing tells the site OP that I was looking for what exactly???

You can't put a logo on a Plain-Brown-Wrapper without defeating its purpose.

832

General Software Discussion / Re: LastPass hacked

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 16, 2015, 07:20 AM »

That's exactly the reason I never used LastPass

-Ath (June 16, 2015, 01:27 AM)

Same here. How ultimately is having one password that opens all accounts really different than using the same password for all accounts? The end result is the same if an attacker picks the right entry point.

833

General Software Discussion / Re: cannot copy/paste in word

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 14, 2015, 08:27 AM »

I don't use it...but maybe try CTRL-U (UNDO)
http://efficiency365...d-shortcuts-in-word/

-DeXXus (June 14, 2015, 04:13 AM)

That'll conflict.
Ctrl+U has always been Underline selected text. It goes with:
Ctrl+B = Bold selected text
Ctrl+I = Italicize selected text

These have been around forever, and still apply to 365...which does/should/did have all the standard Ctrl+ hot keys by default. Me thinks (regarding the OP), something got fiddled with..

834

Living Room / Re: PayPal about to claim rights in all IP sold/licensed using PayPal for payments

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 10, 2015, 11:22 AM »

from
http://www.makeuseof...ap-tech-news-digest/
(makeuseof.com news digest - so you will have to scroll ~half-way down the page)

-tomos (June 10, 2015, 10:19 AM)

Wait... Yahoo Maps is going away at the end of June?!?! Damn it!

835

General Software Discussion / Re: WildOpal - hypothetical new idea for a "find and replace" program

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 10, 2015, 08:03 AM »

Never having had time to delve into RegEx much, this looks like it will be quite handy.

836

T-Clock / Re: T-Clock 2010 (download)

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 09, 2015, 06:35 AM »

You need to install the MS Visual C++ 2010 redistributable package for the bitness (x86/x64) you're running.

837

General Software Discussion / Re: Windows 10 Announced

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 08, 2015, 07:24 AM »

I've been trying to tease a prompt out of several of mine for weeks to no avail. I'm wondering if this may have some bearing on the situation: Microsoft bars more enterprise devices from seeing Windows 10 upgrade 'nag' campaign

838

General Software Discussion / Re: Dumb question but maybe somebody knows how. Probably a form of Sync.

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 08, 2015, 06:45 AM »

One of my techs has one of these: C2G 30504 33in USB 2.0 to IDE/Serial ATA Drive Adapter Cable

It has proven to be about twice as handy as it looks...and it looks pretty handy to start with..

839

Living Room / Re: The End of my Macbook Pro Experiment

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 06, 2015, 06:35 PM »

I ordered a Dell Precision M3800 for a client a few months back. It's extremely light, fast, and has an easy to use well laid out keyboard. Text on the 4k screen is indeed just as tiny as one would expect...but it does run nicely at lower resolutions that are easier on older eyes.

840

Living Room / Re: OneDrive v. Google Drive?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2015, 03:05 PM »

It started out as Windows Live Folders in beta.  When launched, they called it skydrive.  Then because of (stupid) trademark ruling and the fact they didn't want to pay sky for nothing, it became onedrive.[1]

-wraith808 (June 03, 2015, 02:00 PM)

The folks (idiots) that were in it from the beginning (like me) got free "loyalty upgrades" a few years back. Which is why I (became foolish enough to try actually using it) have 50GB of free (for "life..." - Ha!) storage on OneDrive.

841

Living Room / Re: OneDrive v. Google Drive?

« Last post by Stoic Joker on June 03, 2015, 02:55 PM »

Sync Stability[/b]
If Microsoft had this part of the system under control, I would just give them the crown. It’s a better UI at a better price. However, the sync stability has been a nightmare. They are trying to embed this into the operating system, but honestly, they just fucked it up royally. Constant sync errors and confusing UI makes me worried about losing files constantly. The error icon is constant and the solution (re-open the file) is sketchy at best. Microsoft Office asks me the question, “Do you want to keep the server version or yours?”. This would be fine if they gave me a way to DIFF the two versions. How the hell should I know which is the right version?! They were supposed to be sync’d. No one else is editing!

You can see how Sync problems are by far the most infuriating issue. The importance of a stable sync can not be exaggerated.

-IainB's Quoted Article (June 03, 2015, 11:11 AM)

While they're right about OneDrives abysmal sync behavior, IMO they're also a bit too kind. If you're syncing multiple locations/devices (I do) to the OneDrive the sync devolves into total chaos. And god help you if you make the mistake of opening a file in both locations - not editing it, just opening it - because now you'll have 3 copies of the file (renamed by location) all of which are just a teensy bit different...enough to throw sync errors until hell wont have it.

Mine currently say 4 files couldn't be synced. Now as to which 4 files that might be I haven't a $&%^#%^#%$&$ clue...because it doesn't apparently feel that that information is pertinent.

842

General Software Discussion / Re: why MS Word breaks format

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 30, 2015, 07:12 AM »

but in my experience mixing formatting (by pasting) in any Office software leads to problems of one kind or another

-tomos (May 29, 2015, 12:18 PM)

Correct. A common cause of large Word documents corrupting is when multiple authors use different formatting methods. One of our clients had this issue a few years back until they got together on a uniform formatting method. And they haven't had another self-destructing document emergency in about 5 years since.

Pasting text with complicated formatting will frequently make a mess of things in my experience, so I've gotten in the habit of always using the right click Paste Special - strip formatting - option.

843

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 30, 2015, 07:02 AM »

^Guilty - There was a rash of iPhone crashes at our office the other day ... Which strangely coincided with a lot of giggling coming out of the IT department.

...Reason unknown.

844

General Software Discussion / Re: Processes and/or folders to exclude from malware scanners for Exchange email

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 29, 2015, 06:57 AM »

I did find out their techs refuse to help people because this apparently is only noticed by businesses (those running exchange server) and the Malware bytes we bought and paid for was only Premier./  The best they had (i thought)  but they say it is Not for use in businesses.

-questorfla (May 28, 2015, 11:06 PM)

O_o That's a hell of a hair to split. If I go to Hotmail.com, I get redirected to Outlook.com...(just like for the full blown hosted MS Exchange)...because that's where everything MS mail is sent these days. So given the behavior you've described it should be just as error prone when mom & pop home user X tries to access their Hotmail/Live/Outlook account.

I say set up a test using a straight-up-free-for-home-use Outlook account...and if/when that fails the same way, nail'em to the door with it.

845

Living Room / Re: Interesting "stuff"

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 26, 2015, 06:46 AM »

Free Ransomware Decryption and Malware Removal ToolKit

-Arizona Hot (May 25, 2015, 02:32 PM)

This definitely needs more attention ...(Ransomware Decryption and Removal Tool)... I hadn't realized the option even existed.

846

General Software Discussion / Re: Processes and/or folders to exclude from malware scanners for Exchange email

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 24, 2015, 07:16 AM »

Is there any provision for wildcarding in the MBAM exclusions? Because if you could do a wildcard exception for *Outlook.com or 207.46.0.0./16 (the MS owned IP block that Outlook.com runs on) that should cover everything flowing between OL & Ex.

847

General Software Discussion / Re: Processes and/or folders to exclude from malware scanners for Exchange email

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 22, 2015, 07:06 AM »

I'm a bit confused here... Windows/desktop AV software isn't going to be able to see/catch/prevent hostile Email attachments flowing through an Exchange server. And there shouldn't be that many software installs happening on the Exchange server. So... What problem are we trying to solve?


I'm generally adverse to running AV on an Exchange server, as any of the activities that would cause one to encounter something they would catch should never be happening on a server anyhow. Direct access to any of our servers are stringently controlled (e.g. strictly forbidden). What I do use is a combination Spam and AV filter that sits between the SMTP receivers and the Exchange MB db that deletes or quarantines anything untoward as it comes in before it gets to exchange. In the 3 years we've been running it I've never seen the AV FP yet.

848

Living Room / Re: WAP (the ICANN "Whois Accuracy Program") - things you may need to know.

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 21, 2015, 03:40 PM »

So what does this mean to little guys like me who own a random domain?

-TaoPhoenix (May 21, 2015, 11:46 AM)

It means your right to privilege of privacy (or the illusion thereof) is irrelevant because the NSA, DHS, and other ultra nosey government agencies are gagging hard to create a completely dystopian police state. And it's for the people to understand that the sudden and instantaneous destruction of their livelihood and all they may hold dear - even if entirely "accidental" ... Is necessary and good for the betterment of all, or at least the - more equal - part of the all that matters..

The Whois Accuracy Program (WAP) was created by ICANN, the body that oversees internet namespaces such as .com/.net/.org etc in co-operation with various Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA) in attempt to increase accuracy of data supplied in domain Whois records

-the Article

e.g. The Fuzz want to be able to capriciously fast track the incarceration of any site operator at any time for any reason. because...the boogyman damnit!

This is just more pointless idiotic nonsense that is being rammed down people's throats that they need to spit out and scream bloody murder about until everybody up the chain is at risk of permanent hearing loss.

849

Living Room / Re: WAP (the ICANN "Whois Accuracy Program") - things you may need to know.

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 21, 2015, 11:32 AM »

Fine, So now in "honor" of WAP Day ... Every June I'll change my whois information to something new, and completely off the wall because it none of their damn business who I am or where the hell I'm at.

Did the check clear??? Good...now go have a nice chat with the letters F, and O...

850

Living Room / Re: New Virus or ??

« Last post by Stoic Joker on May 19, 2015, 05:02 PM »

Thanks for the update. I've been thinking that mouser needs to come up with a new award just for you because of the unique level of OMFG What??!? class issues you consistently encounter. It is always truly intriguing to join in your issue threads.