[langalist] LangaList Standard Edition 2003-06-09
fred at langa.com
fred at langa.com
Sun Jun 8 21:15:58 PDT 2003
You are currently subscribed as: chat at freebsd.org
UNSUBSCRIBE: Click
<a href=" http://lyris.dundee.net/u?id=28011777C&n=T&l=langalist ">here.</a>
ADDRESS CHANGE / OTHER PROBLEMS: See info at the end of this note.
LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156.
Advertising rates and info available at http://www.langa.com/ratecard.htm .
Questions about the advertisers? See the end of this note.
Please also see the legal info at the end of this note.
Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! See http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm !
Want the HTML edition (and more) delivered right to your mailbox? See
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/plus.htm ">this.</a> To read it online, click
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-06-09.htm ">here</a>
The LangaList
Standard Edition
2003-06-09
A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware,
Software, and Time Online
Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!
Contents:
1) More CD Shrapnel!
2) Question Re: Upgrading To XP
3) Professional Network Security
4) Another HomePage Hijacker On The Loose
5) Looking For Easy, Lightweight Rollback Tools
6) Is This Information Useful?
7) Outpost Firewall Updated
8) They Just Keep Coming And Coming...
9) Another Way To Remove System Files (XP, 2K)
10) Just For Grins
11) Plus! Edition Highlights:
"Platform for Privacy Preferences"
When To Give Up On A Problem
Revealed: All(?) Hidden Google Options
--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---
Free tech support! Free shipping!
Limited lifetime warranty! Compatibility guarantee!
"Dear Fred: As a subscriber of yours I have to say that your comments
about Crucial are not enough. I have Crucial memory in all my computers
and they are just the greatest company and the very best place to
purchase memory. Their tech dept. even clued me in to a go around to
install 768 MB RAM in Win 98 SE which normally does not like over 512,
but the go-around works. They are the greatest!--- Marsh Pomroy"
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/sponsors/crucial.htm ">Click!</a>
--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------
1) More CD Shrapnel!
In "Exploding CDs" ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-05-
29.htm#5 ) I wrote "Shrapnel 'blowing out the front of the drive' seems
extreme--- and possibly apocryphal--- but it could happen."
Could, and did!
I would like to tell you of 2 incidents where this happened to
me. I was installing new CD-ROMs into 2 different customers
machines when both exploded with the first use after
installation. What I felt was unusual was that they were 2
different brands (both rated at 52x ) using brand new
UNLABELED CDs that had just had been thru a CD-RW to burn
data. When they exploded it damn near made me change my pants
cause it sounded like a shotgun blast! Fortunately they didn't
eject the bits of plastic at great velocity but it sure was
embarrassing! The good news was when the local distributor
replaced both drives straight away (mind you after falling
around on the floor laughing!!) with no questions. Regards,
Arthur Smith
I too had a CD disintegrate while using it. It was a MS Office
set-up disk in a 52X Delta CD. The pieces didn't come out of
the unit but it blew the tray door open and knocked the tray
out of its track. I was able to salvage the unit. I spoke to
MS and they told me it happens sometimes. They sent me a new
office set but I had to pay $25.00 for it. Keep up the
excellent work. V/R Del Paxton
Hi Fred, Oh yes! That happened to us a few years back. I had
bought a Pentium III 450 just for the kids games. Brand new.
The PC was just a few months old. Had a 48X CD Rom. Samsung, I
think. [My daughter] Kristen was playing the game, and I was
in the same room on the other side doing something, when all
of a sudden there was a sound of a loud exploding pop. Kind of
like fireworks. Large ones. And Fred, there wasn't any
indication of this going to happen. Everything sounded normal.
There wasn't any excessive noise coming from that drive. And
the game had only been running for about 10 minutes. Anyway,
Kristen screamed and went sideways off the chair away from the
PC. I realized it was the computer, so I ran across the room
and turned the surge strip off and then pulled the power plug
out of the wall, grabbed Kristen and got out of the room. I
waited a little bit to make sure nothing else was going to
explode, and went back in. Sure enough, that explosion blew
the whole face plate off the CD drive itself, and the CD
drawer was stuck out about 2 inches. And there it was. All the
pieces of sharp bits of the CD laying around. As I got to
looking around the room, a lot of the pieces had shot across
quite some distance. I gathered all of them up and put them in
a plastic bag. The PC was sitting just to the right of the
monitor on top of a desk. Thank goodness it didn't shoot any
pieces into Kristens face. They were very sharp, with some
larger, knife-like pieces.... I disconnected all the cables to
the PC and took the side of the case off and removed the whole
CD Rom drive. I managed to get the drawer open further. There
were a few small pieces and a lot of sharp slivers.... I took
the plastic bag full of the remains of the CD and my receipt
and the box for the software, back to Target. Showed the girl
the bag with the pieces and told her what had happened....
They didn't have a problem at all giving me my money back.
Thanks Fred! Claudia Siebenmark
Wow! Elsewhere in her note, Claudia suggested NOT to put your system
where the CD drawer is anywhere near face level. Makes good sense!
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---
"Dear Fred, first let me say that originally a friend introduced me to
the Langa List. At that time I was a Standard Edition subscriber, I
thought I was being thrifty by not spending any money. Eventually my
friend went to the Plus and he kept telling me about all the great stuff
he was finding there. So I went for it. If I had known how much extra
information, downloads and other tidbits I was missing out on I would
have subscribed to the Plus a long, long time ago! The money was well
worth it. Keep up the good work!" ---Mike Styczinski
Thank you, Mike!
The LangaList Plus! Edition is just $1 per month, and is ad-free, spam-proof,
and contains even more content--- tips, tricks, advice, downloads....---
than the Standard Edition you're now reading.
Get all the details:
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/plus.htm ">Click!</a>
--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------
2) Question Re: Upgrading To XP
Fred: Perhaps you can help me with this question. My computer
is running Windows ME. I want to upgrade to Windows XP. I
would like to clean out the hard drive and do a fresh install.
Is there a way to do this with an Upgrade version of Windows
XP without having to reinstall ME first? ---Dan
Yes indeed. The "upgrade" version of XP (like previous versions of
Windows) usually doesn't require that a previous version of Windows
actually be installed on the hard drive, as long as you can prove that
you have the previous version of Windows, and thus do qualify to use the
less-expensive "upgrade" version of the new OS. You can use the
"upgrade" CD to install even to an empty hard drive, if you wish.
Usually, it goes like this: At some point during the setup process,
you'll be asked to insert the original setup CD from the qualifying
previous version of Windows. The new version of Windows sniffs the old
CD to see if it's legit, and if it is, then allows the "upgrade"
installation to proceed, even if the hard drive is empty.
There can be snags and it doesn't always work. For example, it can be
hard--- or impossible--- to upgrade some OEM (vendor) versions of
Windows this way because you won't have the actual qualifying CD to show
as proof of upgrade eligibility. This is especially the case where
vendors only provide "recovery" CDs and not an actual OS CD. In
instances like that, you'll have to install at least a minimal version
of the old OS onto the clean hard drive before performing the upgrade.
And some specialty upgrade versions of Windows--- such as those on
TechNet CDs--- must be installed from within a running copy of Windows.
In these cases, there is no good way to install these versions of
Windows to an empty hard drive.
But if you have the normal setup CD for a version of Windows that
qualifies for an upgrade, you're usually all set. Make a backup, wipe
the hard drive (eg fdisk), pop in the XP CD (you don't even have to
reformat the drive first), feed in the old CD when asked, and you're off
and running.
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
3) Professional Network Security
Hi Fred, I have done all the Network scanning tools out there
(well most of them). We used Linux for the better part of ten
years, but as the products which run on NT got better, {Linux
heads please notice, I said the PROGRAMS GOT BETTER, I never
said the windows PROGRAMS ARE BETTER} we slowly moved on, When
I found this program, all the linux boxes were retired.
http://www.gfisoftware.com/
This program is a must have for any windows based network
tech. It allows for custom reports in XML format and for
network wide patch deployment, by using this program I have
exposed weakness in the DOD / ANG network as well as other
"HARDENED" networks, casinos, banks, Loan companies, Doctors,
Medical Billing offices. It works well over the web (VPN) as
well as the local lan.
The price of Security your network should not be based on the
price of the product but the value of the network you wish to
secure. But Hey as an Old 2600 Phreak (hacker in today terms)
I know what I can do to a network with a tiny hole, so I am
always looking for that hole in my systems. ---Ryan
Most of the GFI tools (there are many) have free trials, and some are
completely free for noncommercial use. Even the commercial versions
aren't that expensive on a per-PC basis (LANguard is around $12 per
seat, for example).
Certainly worth a look. Thanks, Ryan!
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---
Have You Noticed The Repeat Advertisers In The LangaList?
Many advertisers come back issue after issue
because advertising in the LangaList
is both EFFECTIVE and AFFORDABLE.
Give it a try for your product, service, web site
or organization. It costs less than you think
and you'll like the results!
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/ratecard.htm ">Click!</a>
--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------
4) Another HomePage Hijacker On The Loose
They seem to come in waves--- evil sites and software that try to take
over your browser by locking it to a homepage not of your choosing, or
by forcing toolbars into the browser, or worse. I don't know what these
sites are thinking--- how can they imagine that this behavior will win
them customers? But it must somehow work, as this bad behavior is
common.
Fred: Recently we began having problems with Internet
Explorer. The home page redirects to [URL REMOVED] Originally
it put all sorts of shortcuts on my desktop plus an unwanted
toolbar (one called eargckstcbl) which I cannot remove from IE
or any other Microsoft Windows program it appears in (Word,
Windows Explorer). I have controlled it by blacklisting it in
my Popup Killer Software but I really want to eliminate it
from the computer altogether.
Also, we get an error message nCase Alert which when prompted
to get a "fix" redirects us again to this unwanted website.
Help! What can we do to get rid of this problem .... Anything
you can do would be most appreciated. --- Al and Janice Barth
The simplest fix may not work, but it's worth a try: Set your homepage
back to where you want (via Tools/Internet Options/Home Page), and then-
-- while you're in the same dialog box--- delete all temporary internet
files, including offline content; and delete all cookies. Next, click
to the "Programs" tab and select the "Reset Web Settings" button. That
may help to force things back to normal.
Close the Internet Tools dialog, and then try to remove the toolbar by
right clicking on any blank space of the toolbar area (except the one
you are trying to delete) and uncheck (deselect) the offending toolbar.
If this doesn't work, you can try using Regedit to search the Registry
for any instance of the bad homepage's name or URL; and for the name
"eargckstcbl" or any other obvious word uniquely associated with the
unwanted home page or toolbar. Delete any such references.
Spybot ( http://beam.to/spybotsd ), AdAware (
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/) and PestPatrol ( http://www.safersite.com/)
all may help, too:
These links may also help:
http://www.google.com/search?q=unwanted+toolbar+ie
http://www.google.com/search?q=unwanted+toolbar
http://www.langa.com/iereg.htm
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2000/2000-07-10.htm#2
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
5) Looking For Easy, Lightweight Rollback Tools
Hi Fred! Thanks for providing such a great service. LangaList
is the only newsletter I find worth subscribing to.
I'm still using Win98, but my laptop is now way past its prime
and a new one is in the cards. I intend to move to XP, but
hope you can provide an XP suitable alternative to my favorite
program, Powerquest's Second Chance. I know this is no
substitute for regular backups, so I keep those. But, for
everyday use, installing test programs, drivers, config
changes, reg patches, etc. it is a godsend. I keep my system
running reasonably slickly, reverting to a previous state
every week or so, keeping only the new files I've created, or
downloaded. New programs only get a permanent place when
they've earned it. If I get 'crashes' or conflicts, I'll do a
revert and things are back to normal.
I am severely disabled, so plugging in CD writers and backup
discs is a big issue, so reverting to proper backups isn't
easy. In fact, I've only had to do it once.
Now, I'm looking for the same facility using XP. System
Restore only keeps the system files in order. Backup and
mirror programs have their place, but don't allow an easy
complete reversion, with a simple method to highlight and keep
changes I like. What can you suggest? I'm not buying a new
laptop until I've heard your ideas! Thanks, Tony
Well, a lot of people like Roxio's GoBack (
http://www.google.com/search?q=goback ), which provides an intermediate
level of protection--- more than System Restore, less than a full
backup. It can be a space and cpu hog, but if you need that kind of
intermediate capability, and if you keep it in check (don't let it chew
on everything, all the time), and don't expect it to take the place of
full, regular backups or images, it can be OK.
Symantec/Norton offers various Registry snapshot/backup tools that can
monitor changes, and also help you undo deleterious ones.
There also are many, many other tools in this category:
http://www.google.com/search?q=system+snapshot
http://www.google.com/search?q=system+rollback
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
6) Is This Information Useful?
If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, maybe a friend would
find it useful too! Just use the following link to recommend the
LangaList---your friend may find a new source of useful information and
you just may win one of three FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS to the
LangaList Plus! edition given each month. (If your name is drawn and
you're already a Plus! subscriber, your current subscription will be
extended by a full year.)
Check out the details at http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm . Thanks for
recommending the LangaList--- and good luck!
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
7) Outpost Firewall Updated
We've mentioned Agnitum and its "Outpost" firewall many times (see
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=agnitum&as_sitesearch=langa.com ).
Now, there's a new version:
Fred, I thought you would be interested to know that Agnitum
http://www.agnitum.com , the developer of Outpost personal
firewall has just released their new version 2.0. It's been
nearly a year in development and revision and I must say that
it is without rival. Outpost Pro has set a new standard for
what a personal firewall should be and I'm sure their
competition is going to be scrambling to try and keep up.
Current users of Outpost Pro v.1 are entitled to a free
upgrade even if their license has expired. This in itself is a
strong indication of the type of company Agnitum is and how
they value their customers. The "Pro" version is available as
an upgrade or you can download it as a 30-day Trial. The free
version 2 has yet to be released but it should be out shortly.-
--Jeff
Outpost Firewall Version 2 Security Features:
New Anti-Leak feature monitors components of each application
you run.
New Stateful Inspection firewall technology provides superior
security to packet filtering.
New Windows Boot-up protection defends your system before any
malicious programs can be loaded.
System and application level filtering define broad and
precise restrictions.
TCP, UDP and ICMP level filtering define access for data
packet transmissions.
Internet attack blocking (nuke, etc.) averts attacks that can
cause system crashes.
Port scan detection denies access to intruders.
Stealth mode Support makes your computer invisible to
attackers.
MD5 authentication offers added protection for encrypted
messages.
E-mail protection guards against dangerous attachments and
worms.
Firewall engine resides on the lowest possible level of the
operating system...
[much more info on site]
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
8) They Just Keep Coming And Coming And Coming...
Almost 3,000 of your fellow readers have "Loaded the code." Please click
over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join them! (If
you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will
appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see
http://www.langa.com/link.txt )
Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites---
some professional, some very personal:
View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm
Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm
Camsul--- "nuclear web browsing"
http://www.camsul.com/
7th Squadron 17th Air Cavalry
http://www.ruthlessriders.net/
Mike Works-4-bandwidth
http://work4bandwidth.blogspot.com/
Disney Vacation Packages
http://www.thevacationplace.com/vacation_packages.htm
ARIZONA DESERT GARDENING
http://myweb.cableone.net/tfcox/
Barb's Cozy Computer Computer Corner
http://home.insightbb.com/~sassykitts/home.html
2800 doorknob-hanging signs
http://doorknobsigns.sohounion.com/
Barbara Feldman: Welcome to my Office
http://www.barbarafeldman.com/
Lombard Flowers (Oregon)
http://www.lombardflowers.com/
Smartzone for Webmasters
http://www.aussiebattler.com/smartzone/webmasters.htm
CQ Systems
http://www.cqsystems.net/index.html
Karl's Driver Site
http://www.karlsforums.com/
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---
CyberGuys!
Your LOW COST, Nationwide Computer Accessory & Supply Source!
Check out the great deals now:
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/sponsors/cyberguys.htm ">Click here!</a>
--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------
9) Another Way To Remove System Files (XP, 2K)
After reading "Adding Optional System Files, After Install" (
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-05-29.htm#7 ), reader Richard
Dent suggested another way to get at some normally hard-to-remove files
in XP and Win2000:
Fred, In answer to Roy Bird's question related to adding and
removing optional Windows components I think it's worth
mentioning the file SYSOC.INF located in either c:\winnt\inf\
or c:\windows\inf\ in Windows 2000 and XP.
This is the file that stores the list of optional components
that can be installed or removed and you'll notice that quite
a few items have the word HIDE next to them which means these
items won't appear as options when you go to the add/remove
screen.
I like to edit sysoc.inf to remove all occurrences of HIDE -
leave all the commas there - so I can see a complete list of
optional components.
What are the HIDEs doing there in the first place? Perhaps
it's Microsoft protecting us from ourselves or from the
mistaken belief, some of us have, that we can get along
without Windows Messenger on our system. ---Richard Dent
Thanks, Richard. We mentioned the SYSOC trick some time ago (
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=sysoc&as_sitesearch=langa.com ).
Indeed, it can be used to reveal a number of normally-hidden system
components, making them easier to control.
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
10) Just For Grins
Reader "kdt15" sends in this two-part gem:
We've all been interviewed for jobs. And, we've all spent most
of those interviews thinking about what not to do. Don't bite
your nails. Don't fidget. Don't interrupt. Don't belch. If we
did any of the don'ts, we knew we'd disqualify ourselves
instantly. But some job applicants go light years beyond this.
We surveyed top personnel executives of 100 major American
corporations and asked for stories of unusual behavior by job
applicants.
The lowlights:
1. "... stretched out on the floor to fill out the job
application."
2. "She wore a Walkman and said she could listen to me and the
music at the same time."
3. " A balding candidate abruptly excused himself. Returned to
office a few minutes later, wearing a hairpiece."
4. "... asked to see interviewers resume to see if the
personnel executive was qualified to judge the candidate."
5. "... announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a
hamburger and French fries in the interviewers office - wiping
the ketchup on her sleeve"
6. "Stated that, if he were hired, he would demonstrate his
loyalty by having the corporate logo tattooed on his forearm."
7. "Interrupted to phone his therapist for advice on answering
specific interview questions."
8. "When I asked him about his hobbies, he stood up and
started tap dancing around my office."
9. "At the end of the interview, while I stood there
dumbstruck, he went through my purse, took out a brush,
brushed his hair, and left."
(continued next issue...)
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---
50-80% OFF RETAIL!
Computer Closeouts!
Overstocks!
Liquidations!
Free Stuff, Too!
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/sponsors/cso.htm ">Click!</a>
--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------
11) Plus! Edition Highlights:
"Platform for Privacy Preferences"
(how to use it; or add it to your site)
When To Give Up On A Problem
(sometimes, starting over is the best choice)
Reference To Many Hidden Google Options
(free download guides you to tons of little-known options)
Just 14 cents an issue--- a dollar a month--- gets you additional
special features, 30% extra content and special links on a private web
site. All that, plus a money-back guarantee!
Full Plus! Edition info: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm
Click to email this item to a friend
http://www.langa.com/sendit.htm
See you next issue!
Best,
Fred
( Editor at Langa.Com )
---
Need Help? Have A problem?
UNSUBSCRIBE: From your chat at freebsd.org mail account
(this is the account you used to sign up with), send an email to
leave-langalist-28011777C at lyris.dundee.net , or click
<a href=" http://lyris.dundee.net/u?id=28011777C&n=T&l=langalist ">here.</a>
SUBSCRIBE (it's free!): Create and send a new email to
subscribe-langalist at lyris.dundee.net
CHANGE ADDRESS? LIST TROUBLE? HAVE QUESTIONS? OTHER PROBLEM? NEED HELP?
See http://www.langa.com/help.htm
This newsletter is SPAM PROOF and requires two levels of subscriber
confirmation before delivery begins: See http://www.langa.com/info.htm
About the advertisers: http://www.langa.com/privacy.htm#ads
Disclaimer: http://www.langa.com/legal.htm In brief: All information herein
is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither Langa Consulting,
nor its employees nor contributors are responsible for any loss, injury,
or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from your choosing to use any
information presented here.
This newsletter is a free service of Langa Consulting and is
Copyright (c) 2003 Fred Langa / Langa Consulting LLC. All worldwide rights reserved.
LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156. See website for formal legal notices.
More information about the freebsd-chat
mailing list