Sep 30, 2007

Speedup Folder Browsing In Windows Xp


Speedup Folder Browsing In Windows Xp

Hello everyone.I am back with another tip that will make you browse your folders faster in windows Xp.You may have noticed that everytime you open my computer to browse folders that there is a slight delay. This is because Windows XP automatically searches for network files and printers everytime you open Windows Explorer. To fix this and to increase browsing significantly:

* Open My Computer
* Click on Tools menu
* Click on Folder Options
* Click on the View tab.
* Uncheck the Automatically search for network folders and printers check box
* Click Apply
* Click Ok
* Reboot your computer

Enjoy & feel free to post your Comments.

Sep 28, 2007

Create your Own Fonts Online

I've been thinking to post about some cool webpages.Which are of common use.Well here is one where you can create somthing of your own.Over at BitfontMaker you can create your own fonts online and then download them to your computer. The site works for both Windows and Mac.

Sep 26, 2007

Autopatcher site forced to be closed by Microsoft


Microsoft sent a cease and desist to autopatcher.com. AutoPatcher was a program users could download to install all updates to windows instead of using Microsoft's Windows updates, this allowed a much faster patch process than offered by Microsoft.

AutoPatcher was an alternative to Microsoft's Windows Update developed by Antonis Kaladis and Jason Kelley, and a comprehensive collection of up-to-date security patches, addons and registry tweaks collated into a single package designed to update a Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows 2000 SP4, Windows Server 2003 SP1 or Windows Vista system from a local file, without the need to use Windows Update or connect to a network each time.

Distribution of the program was stopped on 29 August 2007, after more than four years of existence, as a result of several Cease and Desist orders being given to the team, Neowin and some download mirrors. Microsoft stated this was for "security reasons" but would not further clarify.

AutoPatcher was designed for:

  • Users that format their hard disks or reinstall Windows frequently
  • System administrators seeking to quickly deploy updates to multiple Windows PCs.
  • Security conscious users seeking to avoid prior connection to the Internet with an insecure computer, in order to download the patches needed to secure their systems.
  • Users with a slow connection to the Internet could download AutoPatcher using a faster connection on another computer, and burn it to a CD or flash drive.
  • Users seeking flexibility in patch deployment (AutoPatcher includes for convenience, a number of common "add-ons", and allows for a configuration to be saved and redeployed on other machines)

Sep 24, 2007

Create A XP Boot Disk from System Files


As a hedge against being unable to start XP, you can create a boot disk specifically for Windows XP that may allow you to boot the operating system. This can occur when the active partition boot record or other required files become corrupted.

Using Windows XP, place a blank floppy in drive A and format the disk. Navigate to the root folder of the system (in most cases this will be C:\) and copy the following files to the floppy disk.

Boot.ini
NTLDR
Ntdetect.com

If you can't see the files, click [Tools] and [Folder Options...] in the Menu Bar of Windows Explorer. Click the [View] tab and click the radio button next to [Show Hidden Files and Folders]. Remove the check mark next to [Hide Protected Operating System Files (Recommended)] then click [Apply] and [OK]. The files should now be visible in Windows Explorer. If the files still cannot be copied, right click each file, click [Properties] and remove the checkmark from the Read-Only attributes. Reset whatever attributes were unchecked after the copy procedure is completed.

In addition to the files listed above, check the same directory for bootsect.dos and ntbootdd.sys files. If they are present on your system, copy them to the same floppy diskette.

The disk is used as any other boot disk, inserting it into the floppy drive (A:\) and initiating a cold boot. Make sure the BIOS is set so that the A:\ drive is first in the boot sequence.

Sep 23, 2007

Change Hard and CD-ROM Drive Letter in XP


If you want to change your hard drive letter or your cd-rom drive letter, this is the tip you want.


1. Click the start button

2. Go into Administrative tools (either in the start button or in "All Programs"

3. From Administrative Tools, go into "Computer Management"

4. In "Computer Management", click on "Disk Management" under "Storage" from the left menu

5. You should see a window from the lower right hand corner open (it shows all the hard disk drives and cd-rom drives)

6. To change...

...hard drive, click on the hard disk with a blue horizonal bar, the box should be shaded; next right click that box that you desire to change the letter then click on "Change Letter Drive and Path"

...cd-rom drive, click on the box that you desire the drive letter; next right click that box that you desire to change the letter then click on "Change Letter Drive and Path"

7. click the "change..." button

8. from the "assign the following drive letter", select the letter you want to assign to the hard drive or the cd-rom drive

9. click ok

10. click ok

11. (optional) redo the whole step to reassign other hard drives or cd-rom drives


There! You have succeeded in changing the hard drive or cd-rom drive letter. Enjoy!

Notes: You can not change the drive letter of your boot or system drive this way. You can not assign drive letters that are already in use. Assign temporary letters as a workaround.

Sep 21, 2007

Google Introduces "Google Gadget Ads"

Yesterday Google launched Google Gadget Ads, customized "mini-sites" that run as ads on AdSense publisher websites. These ads are interactive, engaging, and will appeal to your users, simultaneously providing value to advertisers while getting visitors to stick around your site. The end result is that advertisers get more engaged users, users have a richer ad experience, and publishers opted in to image ads may see increased competition for their ad space.

What does a gadget ad look like?Below is the image of a gadget ad that is built to advertise AdSense program.


Gadget ads can take a number of shapes, sizes, and formats. If you're interested in seeing other cool gadget ads, you can check out at Google Gadget Ad Center. Also, rest assured that gadget ads must adhere to Google's editorial policies, so there won't be any distracting "punch the monkey" ads.

Ready to start displaying gadget ads on your website? While there's no guarantee that they'll appear on your site, you can increase the chances that they'll be shown by making sure you're opted in to image ads and using one of the image ad formats. Please note that the most popular sizes for gadget ads are the rectangle, leaderboard, and skyscraper formats.

For More Details : Adsense Blog

Sep 19, 2007

Yahoo Mash: A Social Network Site from Yahoo !! Free Invitations Available


Yahoo launches mash — Yet another social networking site. Let’s chalk up another place to waste some more productivity on.

Most new websites seem to at least look enticing at first glance. I’m not really sure if they could have made this look anymore less interesting.

I joined after receiving several emails that someone “created a profile” for me (which is the new way of getting an invite, apparently).You can find me Here . Of course, it’s still in beta so who knows what kind of wonderful things will roll out next. Hopefully something a little more than a freak of nature ( scribble of a pet (facebook fluff-friends?), lame questions, and only a few modules (facebook applications?) to choose from.After browsing the site a little more I managed to find a few features that were slightly entertaining. Your friends are able to update your profile for you — changing anything from the layout to adding and editing modules.



Here is how Yahoo Mash Looks like right now.It's Currently in beta so u can only sign up if are invited to join the program.Thats why i've decided to give away some free invitations.All u have to do is to comment this post with your email & i will invite to the program.

Sep 18, 2007

Delete A File That Is Seemingly "Undeletable" in Xp

Delete A File That Is Seemingly "Undeletable" in Xp

Every so often you'll run across a file you want to delete that defies every effort made to send it packing. There are no guarantees when you encounter this situation, but give the following procedure a try and see what happens.




Open a Command Prompt Window via Start | All Programs | Accessories | Command Prompt

Leave the Command Prompt Window open and close all other open programs.



Go to Start | Run and type [taskmgr.exe] in the Open: line. Click OK.
In the Image Name column, highlight [explorer.exe] and click End Process button.

Very Important: Leave Task Manager open and return to the Command Prompt Window



In the Command Prompt window, navigate to the directory that contains the file to be deleted.
At the command prompt type DEL where is the file to be deleted.

In the example above, the file TestFile is being deleted from the root of drive C



Return to the open Task Manager window and click File | New Task to open the Create New Task window.


Type "explorer.exe" in the Open: line to restart the Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Click the OK button to close Task Manager and complete the operation.


Sep 17, 2007

Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent



Microsoft has begun patching files on Windows XP and Vista without users' knowledge, even when the users have turned off auto-updates.


Many companies require testing of patches before they are widely installed, and businesses in this situation are objecting to the stealth patching.

Files changed with no notice to users

In recent days, Windows Update (WU) started altering files on users' systems without displaying any dialog box to request permission. The only files that have been reportedly altered to date are nine small executables on XP and nine on Vista that are used by WU itself. Microsoft is patching these files silently, even if auto-updates have been disabled on a particular PC.

It's surprising that these files can be changed without the user's knowledge. The Automatic Updates dialog box in the Control Panel can be set to prevent updates from being installed automatically. However, with Microsoft's latest stealth move, updates to the WU executables seem to be installed regardless of the settings — without notifying users.

When users launch Windows Update, Microsoft's online service can check the version of its executables on the PC and update them if necessary. What's unusual is that people are reporting changes in these files although WU wasn't authorized to install anything.

This isn't the first time Microsoft has pushed updates out to users who prefer to test and install their updates manually. Not long ago, another Windows component, svchost.exe, was causing problems with Windows Update, as last reported on June 21 in the Windows Secrets Newsletter. In that case, however, the Windows Update site notified users that updated software had to be installed before the patching process could proceed. This time, such a notice never appears.

For users who elect not to have updates installed automatically, the issue of consent is crucial. Microsoft has apparently decided, however, that it doesn't need permission to patch Windows Updates files, even if you've set your preferences to require it.

Microsoft provides no tech information — yet

To make matters even stranger, a search on Microsoft's Web site reveals no information at all on the stealth updates. Let's say you wished to voluntarily download and install the new WU executable files when you were, for example, reinstalling a system. You'd be hard-pressed to find the updated files in order to download them. At this writing, you either get a stealth install or nothing.

A few Web forums have already started to discuss the updated files, which bear the version number 7.0.6000.381. The only explanation found at Microsoft's site comes from a user identified as Dean-Dean on a Microsoft Communities forum. In reply to a question, he states:
  • "Windows Update Software 7.0.6000.381 is an update to Windows Update itself. It is an update for both Windows XP and Windows Vista. Unless the update is installed, Windows Update won't work, at least in terms of searching for further updates. Normal use of Windows Update, in other words, is blocked until this update is installed."
Windows Secrets contributing editor Susan Bradley contacted Microsoft Partner Support about the update and received this short reply:

  • "7.0.6000.381 is a consumer only release that addresses some specific issues found after .374 was released. It will not be available via WSUS [Windows Server Update Services]. A standalone installer and the redist will be available soon, I will keep an eye on it and notify you when it is available."
Unfortunately, this reply does not explain why the stealth patching began with so little information provided to customers. Nor does it provide any details on the "specific issues" that the update supposedly addresses.

System logs confirm stealth installs

In his forum post, Dean-Dean names several files that are changed on XP and Vista. The patching process updates several Windows\System32 executables (with the extensions .exe, .dll, and .cpl) to version 7.0.6000.381, according to the post.

In Vista, the following files are updated:

1. wuapi.dll
2. wuapp.exe
3. wuauclt.exe
4. wuaueng.dll
5. wucltux.dll
6. wudriver.dll
7. wups.dll
8. wups2.dll
9. wuwebv.dll


In XP, the following files are updated:

1. cdm.dll
2. wuapi.dll
3. wuauclt.exe
4. wuaucpl.cpl
5. wuaueng.dll
6. wucltui.dll
7. wups.dll
8. wups2.dll
9. wuweb.dll


These files are by no means viruses, and Microsoft appears to have no malicious intent in patching them. However, writing files to a user's PC without notice (when auto-updating has been turned off) is behavior that's usually associated with hacker Web sites. The question being raised in discussion forums is, "Why is Microsoft operating in this way?"

How to check which version your PC has

If a system has been patched in the past few months, the nine executables in Windows\System32 will either show an earlier version number, 7.0.6000.374, or the stealth patch: 7.0.6000.381. (The version numbers can be seen by right-clicking a file and choosing Properties. In XP, click the Version tab and then select File Version. In Vista, click the Details tab.)

In addition, PCs that received the update will have new executables in subfolders named 7.0.6000.381 under the following folders:

c:\Windows\System32\SoftwareDistribution\Setup\ServiceStartup\wups.dll
c:\Windows\System32\SoftwareDistribution\Setup\ServiceStartup\wups2.dll

Users can also verify whether patching occurred by checking Windows' Event Log:

Step 1. In XP, click Start, Run.

Step 2. Type eventvwr.msc and press Enter.

Step 3. In the tree pane on the left, select System.

Step 4. The right pane displays events and several details about them. Event types such as "Installation" are labeled in the Category column. "Windows Update Agent" is the event typically listed in the Source column for system patches.

On systems that were checked recently by Windows Secrets readers, the Event Log shows two installation events on Aug. 24. The files were stealth-updated in the early morning hours. (The time stamp will vary, of course, on machines that received the patch on other dates.)

To investigate further, you can open the Event Log's properties for each event. Normally, when a Windows update event occurs, the properties dialog box shows an associated KB number, enabling you to find more information at Microsoft's Web site. Mysteriously, no KB number is given for the WU updates that began in August. The description merely reads, "Installation Successful: Windows successfully installed the following update: Automatic Updates."

More Details : Windows Secrets

Sep 16, 2007

Add sound to almost every event in Windows Xp


XP comes with a new set of sounds that will surely add pizzazz to the way you work in Windows. But there's one problem -- you need to actually turn on the Windows default sound scheme before you'll be able to hear them.


To turn on the Windows XP default sound scheme, follow these directions:

Single-click the Start menu.
Single-click the Control Panel.
Single-click the Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices icon.
Single-click the Sounds and Audio Devices icon or the text labeled "Change the sound scheme."
Make sure you're on the Sound tab and locate the pull-down menu under Sound scheme.
Select the Windows Default option and press Apply. Windows will ask you if you want to save the previous sound scheme. Since there wasn't a sound scheme already loaded, just choose No.

If you look under the text labeled "Program events," you'll be able to sample your new sounds or customize them with your own. Read Customize Events Sounds if you'd like to learn how to do this yourself.

Sep 15, 2007

"Blogger Play" Tool to see images uploaded to blogger in real time

Today blogger launched Blogger Play, a neat little toy cooked up to show you photos and blog posts as you’ve never seen them before.

Shortly after Blogger launched photo uploading two years ago, one of bloggers engineers whipped up a web page that would show us the pictures that were being uploaded in real time. The result was fun, often beautiful, but above all, compelling. They couldn’t stop watching.


Over the years they’ve kept this photo scroller as part of the Blogger offices, on a monitor or projector, as an interesting (distracting?) slideshow, and a reminder of the diversity and vivaciousness of Blogger blogs. The fame of the scroller spread within Google, until one day they were asked, “so, when are you launching this?”


http://play.blogger.com/


So here it goes blogger launches the tool that enables you to watch the pictures that are being uploaded in real time.All you have to do is click the link above than just sit back & watch.

For More details :Blogger Buzz

Sep 14, 2007

Remove Windows Messenger from Xp


To remove the ability for anyone in the world to pop up messages on your computer,
you can disable the Messenger service.

  1. Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
  2. Click Performance and Maintenance
  3. Click Administrative Tools
  4. Double click Services
  5. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
  6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties
  7. Click the STOP button
  8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar Click OK

Want Cricket Scores ??? let Google Help


With the start of the Twenty20 world championship, cricket fever is upon legions of enthusiasts. To make it easier for you to indulge your interest in a game John Fowles characterized as "chess made flesh," we've simplified your search for cricket scores. Just type [cricket] in a Google search box and you'll see a brief score of all the current cricket matches. A single click will also give you access to a detailed cricket score card.

If you're a diehard India fan, then type [cricket Pakistan] to get results for Pakistani matches. Of course, feel free to replace Pakistan with the country of your choice for country-specific results.

For More Details Google Blog

Sep 13, 2007

Customize your user icon in Xp


If you plan on getting a copy of XP, one of the first things you're going to do is set up a user account. Why not give your user account its very own picture? It's OK if you don't want to use a picture of your own because Windows comes with at least 20 beautiful pictures to choose from.

Here's how you can customize your user account icon.

Single-click the start menu and choose Control Panel.
Single-click the User Accounts icon.
Find the user account you'd like to change the icon for and click on it.
Click the text that says "Change My Picture."
You'll have the option to either pick one of the predefined icons or choose your own.
If you like one of the predefined icons, just highlight the one you like and click the button labeled "Change Picture."
If you'd like to use your own picture, just click the magnifying glass or the text labeled "Browse for more pictures." This will launch a dialog box directing you to navigate to where your new picture is stored. After you find it, just click Open to save your new changes.

Password Recovery Disk


Take preventive measures against losing user-level passwords.

It doesn't matter if you never again remember a Windows user password. Thanks to XP's Forgotten Password Wizard, your conscience will be free and clear -- should your mind happen to accidentally misplace your user password.

I highly suggest you create a password recovery disk the minute you create your user account. Why? In order to create a password recovery disk you're going to need your password. Write it down the minute you create your user account and then proceed to creating your very own password recovery disk.

Here's how to launch the Forgotten Password Wizard:

Single-click Start menu, Control Panel, and User Accounts.
Click your user account name.
Under Related Tasks on the left, click "Prevent forgotten password" to launch the wizard.

Now that you've launched the wizard, let it walk you through creating the recovery disk. Make sure the disk you use is formatted and in the drive. After it's finished creating the disk, label it and stash it away for an emergency.


If you happen to forget your password, all you need to do is click your user icon at the logon screen. Even though you don't have your password, go ahead and click the green arrow just like you would to finish logging on to your computer. This will launch a little yellow dialog box directing you to use your password recovery disk.

Nero 8 leaked before official release


Now this is what happens when you try hard to prevent a software from leaking before its Release. Nero 8 which was supposed to be released officialy on October 1st ended up being released yesterday on Demonoid. The leaked version is real and it has been verified by a lot of downloaders. It comes as an ISO file of about 960MB and you can find it very easily on Mininova or Demonoid.

The Leaked version includes :

  • Nero Mobile
  • Nero Home
  • Nero Scout
  • Nero StartSmart
  • Nero Burning ROM
  • Nero Express
  • Nero WaveEditor
  • Nero SoundTrax
  • Nero Vision
  • Nero Recode
  • Nero ShowTime
  • Nero MediaHome
  • Nero PhotoSnap
  • Nero CoverDesigner
  • Nero Toolkit
  • Nero BackItUp
  • InCD
  • Nero SoundBox
  • Nero ImageDrive

Now I wonder what Nero is going to do because one of the most awaited releases from the Nero family has been leaked even before making it to the stores and is there for everyone to download and use.

Sep 6, 2007

Google + Social Media Sites = Quality Free Stuff


Google + Social Media Sites = Quality Free Stuff – If you are on the hunt for free desktop wallpaper, stock images, Wordpress templates or the like, using Google to search your favorite social media sites is your best bet. The word “free” in any standard search query immediately attracts spam. Why wade through potential spam in standard search results when numerous social media sites have an active community of users who have already ranked and reviewed the specific free items that interest you. All you have to do is direct Google to search through each of these individual social media sites, and bingo… you find quality content ranked by hundreds of other people.

Examples:

Sep 5, 2007

Orkut Now available in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu


In quest to make orkut universally accessible, Orkut is now available in 5 new languages: Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu. Indians have always been a vibrant part of the orkut community, and we continue to see more Indians joining orkut every day.Since there are many different nuances to these languages, orkut wants to hear your feedback. To help them improve the translation or tell us what language you'd like to see orkut in, you can visit this community on orkut: Indian Language Translations. They chose these languages initially because together they cover 80% of India. They do recognize India has more than 400 different spoken languages, but think these 5 are a good start, and hope that introducing orkut in these regional tongues brings orkut closer to many more of you to bridge the gap between language and technology. Viewing the orkut site in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil or Telugu (or any one of our other 12 languages) is easy.
  1. Click the settings button under your profile photo (or click the blue settings link at the top of any page).
  2. On the general tab, choose your preferred display language from the drop-down menu at the top of the page.
  3. Click save changes.
If you are having trouble reading languages on the "Settings" page, it is likely that your browser scripts have not been updated. For Internet Explorer, proceed to "Tools" and then "Windows Update". Here you should accept the Windows XP Service Pack 2 update. All languages are included in this update.

We hope this will help many more people enjoy orkut in their own language every day.


For more details
Orkut Blog

Now orkut allows users to Crop their Profile Images


"It's super easy: just select the file, click upload and you'll see a cropping window on the next page. Drag the window with your mouse to select the part of the photo you'd like to be your picture. You can also change the size and the shape of the window by dragging the corners to include or exclude as much of the backdrop as you'd like. When you're done, click the 'crop photo' button, and, voila, you will have a new profile photo. Or, if you think the original photo is good enough, click 'use original' and the whole, uncropped image will become your profile photo. If you would like to experiment further with photo options, just click 'cancel' and upload another photo."

For more Details Orkut Blog

Sep 4, 2007

Google Trick - Find the Face Behind the Result


This is a neat trick you can use on a Google Image search to filter the search results so that they include only images of people. How is this useful? Well, it could come in handy if you are looking for images of the prominent people behind popular products, companies, or geographic locations. You can perform this search by appending the code &imgtype=face to the end of the URL address after you perform a standard Google Image search.