How will Battlefield 1942 do on the M11x?

Just curious if it will react like older games, for example random crashes, lock ups, not giving me the correct resolution options etc?



Thanks

Reply 1 : How will Battlefield 1942 do on the M11x?

I run battlefield 2 on mine perfect. Everything set to high runs smooth as silk.



I have logged 326 hours on bf2 since I got my m11x almost a year ago, never had a crash except when the 1.5 patch first came out and it would crash when you alt+tab, that has since been fixed.

72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

Over 72 hours has elapsed since the games release on Tuesday without any fix or even official mention of the HUGE ongoing problems regarding the multiplayer in Crysis 2.



Essentially, the multiplayer does not work at all. Basically, all the ranked servers are messed up leading to a infinite lobby screen where the match never starts. Playing on unranked servers is hard to do because there are so few of them and they typically have unwanted game modifiers enabled, as well of course, being unranked.



Way to go Crytek, way to treat your #1 fanbase. Then of course there's the whole fiasco regarding the lack of advanced graphics options, input lag and seriously bugged AI. Stupid, stupid, stupid of me to waste $60 on this broken, piece of crap console port.



Unless it's patched soon, this game is going to be thrown into the "played for a week and then never again bin" just like Far Cry 2 was. And I still haven't gotten over buying that POS.

Reply 1 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

Just as well Far Cry 2 wasn't developed by Crytek, otherwise you probably wouldn't have bought this game in the 1st place.



Have you not been able to play multiplayer AT ALL with this game?!

Reply 2 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

A few unranked, laggy servers filled with questionable players.

Reply 3 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

Did Crytek rush through the release without properly coding their multiplayer connectivity? It seems a few players of the game have succeeded in accessing ranked servers.

Reply 4 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

And Crysis 2 runs WORSE than Crysis 1. I get MUCH HIGHER FPS in Crysis 1 at HIGHER SETTINGS...

Reply 5 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harleyquin07 Did Crytek rush through the release without properly coding their multiplayer connectivity? It seems a few players of the game have succeeded in accessing ranked servers.

Yep, in two days I've only managed to get into one ranked server after many, many tries.



The best part of all however, is how they have not said a word about the problems.

Reply 6 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

It's such a shame. I had such high hopes for this game, and it turned out to be a complete joke. Hopefully they fix the server issues so those of you who bought the game can get your moneys worth.

Reply 7 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

Wow good thing i didn't buy this yet.. This is a joke. Although Black Ops Multiplayer had problems , this is a joke in comparison. Very nice or Crytek.

Reply 8 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crylo It's such a shame. I had such high hopes for this game, and it turned out to be a complete joke. Hopefully they fix the server issues so those of you who bought the game can get your moneys worth.

Exactly. I'm still trying to come to terms with the fact that most developers don't care about us PC gamers and just sweep us under the rug like trash.

Reply 9 : 72 Hours Since Release -- Crysis 2 Multiplayer Still Broken

I'm actually enjoying... REALLY enjoying. The SP and the MP.



And, Crysis 2 made me realize that my laptop ain't a good overclocker because I got a yellow screen while OC'd, so it showed me those clocks ain't stable ( 735/870 ).



Cheers Crytek!

Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

Hi everyone.
Here's my problem, for no apparent reason my hard drives are not listed under the disk management utility(cd drives appear). They appear on "my computer" correctly, they show up in "Device Manager"(and I have no yellow question marks).
In addition in "disk defragmenter" they appear but I'm unable to even run the analyse command(using other software I'm able to defragment them).
I've tried EaseusParttion Manager, but the drives don't appear as well.

I'm not able to use USB drives as well(I assume it is related), they appear in the right side of the task bar and they appear in "device manager" but not in "my computer" nor "Disk Management"...

I've googled this over and over again but with no results.
I'm using windows XP with SP3.

Thanks in advance

Reply 1 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

i am having the same problem just like u do. if anyone can help me out to solve this, that would be great.

Reply 2 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

If you haven't tried reformatting and then make a new OS setup, I suggest you should or try to review your bios setting.

Reply 3 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

i think its kind of malware or something.. i downloaded this program called trojan remover. it removed all the crap and now everything seems to be working.. i see all my drive letters now.. in my computer(this was shown before too) and disk management.. even usb mass storage drives are working fine too..

Reply 4 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

m/ Thanks man. It was driving me crazy(I had this problem for more than 3 weeks). I had tried HijackThis, AVG, AVIRA, SPYWARE DOCTOR, MBAM...and some of them detected stuff cleaned it but the problem persisted. I looked into the Hardware controllers, BIOS, etc...

I installed trojan remover and after a scan and a chkdsk it is solved.(less than 10 min)
Thank you very much.

Reply 5 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

Glad to hear that everything is working fine.. i had this problem for 1 day i was searching the net all day long i couldn't any solution.. then i thought it could be a virus.. so i came across that program.. it works really nice. alrite man easy..

Reply 6 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

youtalkintome still wants to make love to you though,

Good work on solving the problem.

Mark

Reply 7 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

In the forum sticky titled "WELCOME to the Windows XP Forum. Please read this message:" the hyperlink in Step #2 needs some help.

Bill Gaston
Austin, TX

Reply 8 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

I have trend office scan enterprise edition on my system and also tried their sysclean and hijack this apps, all to no avail. I ran the trojan remover and now all is well. Simply amazing that this little $24 program can accomplish what the expensive trend pack cannot. Thanks for your post...

Reply 9 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

Had this same problem. C drive would not show in Disk management, would not allow disk check/defrag, although it appeared find in Explorer and Windows seemed to work ok otherwise.
Downloaded Trojan Remover and it recovered it, detecting a trojan listed as H8SRTcbfolwbrsb.sys in the system32drivers directory, and a rootkit registry entry associated with this.
My thanks to this thread for help.

Reply 10 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

Had the same problem with Vista SP2. running Trend and found several Trojans (Troj.Gen.usehj21, troj.bubnix.r, and troj.hilot.smeo. Trend killed all of these but I still could not get a backup to run. Found a rootkit by installing Kapersky's TDDS Killer which fixed the problem. I do not know if the rootkit was part of the troj series of junk - I would think it was.

Reply 11 : Hard drive doesn't appear in "Disk management"

I did the trojan remover first and didnt work but the Kapersky's TDDS Killer did the trick, This was allot of help... Thx

Panasonic FZ100 Digital Zoom

In the CNET video review, John Goodman says he does not usually recommend digital zoom, but that for the FZ100 Panasonic its OK. What does this mean??

handbrake dvd ripping audio ac3/aac compatibility question

the default behavior in handbrake is to put 2 audio tracks in my mp4 dvd rip



track 1 is a stereo mixdown of the DVD audio (often a mixdown from 5.1 to stereo) in AAC format



track 2 is a passthrough of the audio (no transcode) in ac3 format



my question is:



why bother with both of these tracks? which devices potentially lack the capability to play 5.1 ac3 audio? Is it just iOS devices? If I play back in iTunes or other media software, will it play the lossless track by default? I'm considering dropping the stereo mixdown (track 1) to save some time and space while doing the encode.

Reply 1 : handbrake dvd ripping audio ac3/aac compatibility question

I think this explains the reasoning.



https://trac.handbrake.fr/wiki/SurroundSoundGuide

Reply 2 : handbrake dvd ripping audio ac3/aac compatibility question

perfect. +rep.

Reply 3 : handbrake dvd ripping audio ac3/aac compatibility question

Also, you can actually check which soundtrack you want to play in a video file (so long as you are using the m4v extension and container, it is a little different from the standard mpeg-4 container and mp4 file name) right within iTunes. I believe it will play the surround sound option by default but you can always select which one you want. I also think that the iPad and iPad 2 can output 5.1 surround sound through the new HDMI adapter (Apple is calling it the Digital AV Accessory) that was released alongside the iPad 2. The 4G iPod touch and iPhone 4 may also have the same abilities as they too work with the HDMI adapter and are running the same hardware as the iPad (though the A4 is debatably running at a slower speed). I am not sure about those two devices though as I have only heard success stories with the iPad and iPad 2.



So, unless you have an iPod or iPhone, there really is no reason to keep using the downmixed transcoded AAC audio option alongside the passthrough 5.1 AC3 soundtrack.

Programs for GPU OC

What programs should I use for GPU over-clocking? I can only manage about 7500 (3d mark 06) points on my R2 with CPU over-clock. And how does GPU over-clocking generally work?

Reply 1 : Programs for GPU OC

I currently use the Nvidia System Tools.



(for some odd reason when I OC'd with the other common programs like MSI Afterburner and EVGA precision, WoW crashes for me.)

Reply 2 : Programs for GPU OC

i test multiple programs.



tech powerup GPU tool, EVGA precision, msi afterburner.

Reply 3 : Programs for GPU OC

I tried Nvidia System Tools and made my system crash...???



I'm using MSI Afterburner and it works great.

Reply 4 : Programs for GPU OC

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjbg84 I tried Nvidia System Tools and made my system crash...??? I'm using MSI Afterburner and it works great.

Strange. I have installed it on both my Nvidia GPUs and it works fine. I am not familiar with your computers but I'd assume they all ran NVidia Graphics? Because the System Tools loads through the Nvidia control panel.

Reply 5 : Programs for GPU OC

Thanks, downloaded Nvidia System Tools, whats a general stale OC I can run it at? Just to test.

Reply 6 : Programs for GPU OC

I use afterburner and it works great. a GPU OC won't do much for you in 3dmark06, as it it highly CPU dependant even in the graphics test, OC'ing your CPU will give you that bump to 8K

Reply 7 : Programs for GPU OC

id try 520/850/1275 just to start out.



look at my stable clocks in my sig.

Reply 8 : Programs for GPU OC

Thanks! could only get 7445 again from 3dmark06. Got any more "3dmark" tweaks?

Reply 9 : Programs for GPU OC

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeVu Strange. I have installed it on both my Nvidia GPUs and it works fine. I am not familiar with your computers but I'd assume they all ran NVidia Graphics? Because the System Tools loads through the Nvidia control panel.

Yep, couldn't find a reason why it crashed...I was weirded out, but it was good I could not overclock until recently (with MSI Afterburner), after I cleaned my fan/vent. I was running CPU/GPU at 75/85 on idle...all due to dust.

Upgraded Firefox 4. and can't run on this mac need firefox 3

I (without thinking) automatically let firefox download the newest version, it said it would run on Mac OS 10.4 which I have on this minimac. Well....it won't work with this version, and I had overwritten Firefox 3. whatever-now I cannot find the older version to reload so I can get back on line! Using old version of Safari right now.
Has anyone got the download for Firefox 3. whatever was last version so I can load it up?
I probably have lost all my bookmarks, passwords, everything...
was planning on upgrading Mac OS 10.4.11 to OS 10.6 but one tech says it can be done another tech says this mac won't support it.
I need some help-this computer is the hub of my graphic business!

Reply 1 : Upgraded Firefox 4. and can't run on this mac need firefox 3

check this out:

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-older.html

A Mac Mini, running OS X 10.4.11 as the hub of your graphics business!

P

Reply 2 : Upgraded Firefox 4. and can't run on this mac need firefox 3

I couldn't find it using google on safari because every 'site' I checked has been 'upgraded' to download the new version 4.
I am not a computer 'geekhead' (no offense) but use my macs for doing graphic work, invoicing, running vinyl cutter, etc.
Still running blue/white, gray/white, even an old IIsi or something out back. I have a newer minimac up in the house but only to get 'online' and it holds Illustrator CS5 suite. Just can't get rid of the mini mac I"m on now-still running Macromedia Freehand as my 'main' graphic program and 12,000+ fonts plus tons of clipart. Sometime this month IF the tech can guarantee it will work I"m having this mini running Tiger upgraded to 10.6 and then I can run Firefox 4. But I followed your link, did the download, and all my bookmarks, etc. are back-it did take them 'back' from the version 4 I guess-or whatever it does. I'm back on-line!
Thanks again for your fast response.

Reply 3 : Upgraded Firefox 4. and can't run on this mac need firefox 3

Two things...

First, it is pretty clearly stated that Firefox 4 requires 10.5 or later as you can see here: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Installing%20Firefox%20on%20Mac?s=requirements&as=s

Note the yellow box right at the top.

Second... Mac Mini... Mac... Mini. Mac is the brand name, Mini is the specific model name. You don't say Focus Ford, or Chicken Noodle Campbells.

And sue me, there's a third thing... If you have an x86/Intel CPU in your Mac Mini, then odds are with a little RAM upgrade, you could run 10.6 without issue. Of course you'd probably want to have someone else do that, because on the old style Minis, they really aren't designed for the average person to take them apart. First you'd need to make sure yours is an x86/Intel Mini and not a PowerPC Mini, the latter being limited to 10.5, and it looks like the Mozilla developers have dropped PPC support with Firefox 4.

M15x 9 Cell Battery

Does this look like the correct battery?

Reply 1 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

Look like it, but I don't know if I'd get a battery off ebay, rather get a genuine one from dell.

Reply 2 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

Ya, from my current location it's too much work to try and do that.

Reply 3 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

Quote:

Look like it, but I don't know if I'd get a battery off ebay, rather get a genuine one from dell.

I second that.



Don't you have Dell reps in your country?



Have you at least tried?

Reply 4 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

I appreciate the input guys, but it's not an option. I can't really explain how things like that this can be too much hassle in a city where no one speaks your language.



I just want to make sure it's the correct battery and not the one for the old m15x.

Reply 5 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

ok, in that case you should wait until you get more input from the experts.



Looks like the right one to me, but I'm not that familiar with different M15x builds...

Reply 6 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

That's definitely the one for the newer M15x (the Area-51 battery has a totally different shape). For some reason all the genuine Dell batteries I've seen, both 6 and 9 cell, say "Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery" on the label, while the ones I've seen on e-bay all have an "SMP" logo. I have both 6 and 9 Cell batteries and they both say "Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery" and they have a Dell sticker with part numbers on both. Looks like SMP is some battery manufacturer that makes after-market batteries. The SMP one does appear to have a Dell parts sticker on it as well though. My advice is to wait for one to show up F/S here or on e-bay. I've had bad experiences with Chinese batteries off e-bay before, even the ones that claim to be genuine.

Reply 7 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

non oem batteries can cause the plug in and not charging problem so beware.

Reply 8 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

Ok, that's what I wanted to know. I guess I'll see if I can find someone to order from the locate Dell site for me.

Reply 9 : M15x 9 Cell Battery

You can always get it here for $179.99. Says it usually ships within 24 hours.



DELL 85 WHr 9-Cell Lithium-Ion Battery for Dell Alienware M15x Laptop : Laptop Accessories | Dell

Tracking Cookies found by Resident shield

I am running AVG free 2011,and recently I am getting plagued by
resident shield telling me that tracking cookies have been
detected upon opening "Three while logging on to this forum".
Question:have these tracking cookies been successfully blocked
by the resident shield or should I be taking further measures.
I am running Vista 32bit SP2 with all updates installed

I need a way to play mp3s in baby's room

I'm looking for an inexpensive way to...

-play mp3 of white noise through the night for my baby
-need the track to repeat
-wish to use a wall outlet instead of battery

Can someone recommend the cheapest solution? I don't have an mp3 player yet.

Thanks!

UPDATES - March 22, 2011

NOD32 - Update 5974 (20110322)
2011-03-22 04:36
http://www.eset.eu/podpora/aktualizacia-5974?lng=en
http://www.eset.eu/support/update-xy1

Reply 1 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Latest definition version: 1.99.1684.0
Released:Mar 22, 2011 05:30 AM UTC
Microsoft Security Essentials Version:2.0.657.0
Engine Version: 1.1.6603.0
Antimalware Client Version:3.0.8107.0
https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Definitions/HowToMSE.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Reply 2 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Latest definition version: 1.99.1703.0
Released: Mar 22, 2011 01:30 PM UTC
Microsoft Security Essentials Version:2.0.657.0
Engine Version: 1.1.6603.0
Antimalware Client Version:3.0.8107.0
https://www.microsoft.com/security/portal/Definitions/HowToMSE.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Reply 3 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

CA AV Definitions v36.1.4252 (Engine Version 36.1.8229)
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/signaturefiles/detail.aspx?CID=51155
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/signaturefiles/default.aspx

Reply 4 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

CA AV Definitions v36.1.4253 (Engine Version 36.1.8230)
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/signaturefiles/detail.aspx?CID=51155
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/virusinfo/signaturefiles/default.aspx

Reply 5 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

TrojanHunter Ruleset Update - Mar 22, 2011(2)
You should have 372244 rules
http://www.misec.net/forum/board/RulesetUpdates/1300777088

Reply 6 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Update time: Tue Mar 22 10:39:10 2011
Signature number: 6568793
Update time GMT: 1300775950
Version: 7.36724
http://download.bitdefender.com/updates/bitdefender_v9/plugins/update.txt

Reply 7 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Update time: Tue Mar 22 21:26:19 2011
Signature number: 6579647
Update time GMT: 1300814779
Version: 7.36728
http://download.bitdefender.com/updates/bitdefender_v9/plugins/update.txt

Reply 8 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Last updated: 2011-03-22 10:33:
http://www.emsisoft.com/a2/changelog/personal//?showmalware=updates
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/support/malware/

Reply 9 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Last updated: 2011-03-22 22:41:
http://www.emsisoft.com/a2/changelog/personal//?showmalware=updates
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/support/malware/

Reply 10 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

The latest iAVS update was published on: 22.03.2011 - 110322-0
http://www.avast.com/download-update
http://www.avast.com/virus-update-history

Reply 11 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

The latest iAVS update was published on: 22.03.2011 - 110322-1
http://www.avast.com/download-update
http://www.avast.com/virus-update-history

Reply 12 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

March 22, 2011
http://www.grisoft.com/us.download-update
http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-update

Reply 13 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

149.648 - Ad-Aware 8.2

150.333 - Ad-Aware 9.xx, 8.3. - March 22, 2011

MD5 checksum for Ad-Aware core.aawdef is 3341be21e098c5d5bf2ede037e4e71a0
http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/securitycenter/blog/definition-file-update-for-adaware-108

Reply 14 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

149.649 - Ad-Aware 8.2

150.334 - Ad-Aware 9.xx, 8.3. - March 22, 2011

MD5 checksum for Ad-Aware core.aawdef is 0998e331649d0dafd028f7d139a7545b
http://www.lavasoft.com/mylavasoft/securitycenter/blog/definition-file-update-for-adaware-109

Reply 15 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Latest ClamAV? stable release is: 0.97
ClamAV Virus Databases:
main.cvd ver. 53 released on 14 Nov 2010 09:58 :0500 (sig count: 846214)
daily.cvd ver. 12876 released on 22 Mar 2011 01:08 :0400 (sig count: 75972)
bytecode.cvd ver. 142 released on 08 Mar 2011 13:28 :0500 (sig count: 40)
safebrowsing.cvd ver. 28125 released on 22 Mar 2011 06:45 :0400 (sig count: 674063)
http://www.clamav.net/

Reply 16 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Date: 3/22/2011
Database version: 6131
Fingerprints loaded: 315120
http://malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Reply 17 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Date: 3/22/2011
Database version: 6136
Fingerprints loaded: 315325
http://malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Reply 18 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Version: 7.11.05.26
Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Time: 1:06 PM GMT+01:00
http://www.avira.com/en/pages/index.php
http://www.avira.com/en/threats/section/vdfhistory/index.html

Reply 19 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Version: 7.11.05.30
Date: Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Time: 9:26 PM GMT+01:00
http://www.avira.com/en/pages/index.php
http://www.avira.com/en/threats/section/vdfhistory/index.html

Reply 20 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Many new features and the look is a lot different than previous versions.

Much more information and download are here
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/fx/?from=getfirefox

Release notes:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/4.0/releasenotes/

Note: Existing users can update via "Help" >>> "check for updates".

Reply 21 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

2011-03-22 14:48
http://www.eset.eu/podpora/aktualizacia-5975?lng=en
http://www.eset.eu/support/update-xy1

Reply 22 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

2011-03-22 19:54
http://www.eset.eu/podpora/aktualizacia-5976?lng=en
http://www.eset.eu/support/update-xy1

Reply 23 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

DATs 6293 - 3/22/2011
Super DATs 6293 - 3/22/2011
http://www.mcafee.com/apps/downloads/security_updates/dat.asp
http://vil.nai.com/vil/datreadme.aspx

Reply 24 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Core Definitions 6651 - 03/22/2011 11:35AM PDT
Trace Definitions 4463 - 03/22/2011 11:36AM PDT
http://www.superantispyware.com/definitions.html

Reply 25 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Definition updates for Quick Heal Pro 2011 Daily Updates
Virus Database: 22 March 2011
http://www.quickheal.co.in/updates.asp

Reply 26 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Daily Updates
Symantec Endpoint Protection 11
Norton AntiVirus 2008 and newer
Virus Definitions created 3/22/2011
Virus Definitions released 3/22/2011
Defs Version: 130322b
Sequence Number: 121433
Extended Version: 3/22/2011 rev. 2
Total Detections (Threats & Risks): 11037871
http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/definitions/download/index.jsp

Multiple Daily Updates
Symantec Endpoint Protection 11
Norton AntiVirus 2008 and newer
Virus Definitions created 3/22/2011
Virus Definitions released 3/22/2011
Defs Version: 130322b
Sequence Number: 121433
Extended Version: 3/22/2011 rev. 2
Total Detections (Threats & Risks): 11037871
http://www.symantec.com/business/security_response/definitions/download/index.jsp

Reply 27 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Virus Signature File
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/downloads/clients/?

Reply 28 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Incremental Database Update 7674 - 22 March 2011
http://www.simplysup.com/tremover/update3.html

Reply 29 : UPDATES - March 22, 2011

Definitions 8786 - March 22, 2011
http://research.sunbelt-software.com/
http://www.sunbeltsecurity.com/definitions.aspx

POS software

I have a home party business. I'm looking for a small, low price POS software. My two requirements are an integrated customer wish list and a "frequent buyer" program.

Any suggestions?

Reply 1 : POS software

Doesn't Amazon let us create our own store and that would include their wish list system?

Reply 2 : POS software

As an independent consultant, the company provides our online store, but not a wish list or frequent buyer program. I can't use an external "store front" website.

Reply 3 : POS software

But I leverage my work by using the external store fronts. It saves me from hand crafting every client's site.

Too bad you can't use it and may have to write your own.
Bob

Reply 4 : POS software

Hi there if you have not found a solution as yet, you want to have a look at AAPOS Software from Whitech, this is a full retail Version posted on CNET for free down load no strigns attached.

Regards Dareth

Windows Live ID

So I recently discovered that my Windows Live ID has been blocked. This means (to my UTTER ANNOYANCE) that I cant access my email (which contains some very important emails) nor messenger (for social purposes). The Windows Live Support is an utter pain in the ass and 3 posts later they keep deleting them (I suppose??).

The forum format is so god awful that I dont actually know what's happening to my posts, needless to say im in the dark, very frustrated and very concerned that I might not get access to my account again.

Ive cleaned my computer of the single adware causing the problem (hypersensitive much?).

Does anyone have ANY idea how I can get into contact with these clowns to unblock my account. Keep in mind ive tried their "service" 3 times and to no avail, with NO message of anything further I should do.

To add to my problems, I have an issue with putting any of my information online, so the 4 years ago that I made the email in question, I honestly dont recall half the crap I put in, including that of the secret question, so I cant even reset my password.

All I need them to do is to look at my plea and see that im NOT part of a botnet. My suspicion is that Windows Live are infact running off bots and automatic responses themselves. Irony aside, this is kind of a problem for me.

Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

Hi , if i buy a macbook pro now can i change the processor after two years ? lol . or perhaps have someone do it for me ?

Reply 1 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

Not really. The CPU is not socketed.

Reply 2 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

Its not even a not really answer. The answer is no you cannot change the CPU ever, they are soldered directly to the board, plus the way that hardware changes a new CPU from 2013 would not be compatible with todays laptop. If you "plan" to upgrade a CPU in the future, get the best one today and plan to buy an entirely new computer down the road.

Reply 3 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

"No" is not techincally correct though... so "Not Really" fits better.



Soldered things can be removed and changed with the right equipment and skill, so saying no makes it sound impossible... so the correct answer would be...



it would be extremely difficult unless you already know enough that you don't need to ask the question.... or super expensive and very hard to find someone you can hire to do it...

Reply 4 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

doh123 is correct. difficult; not impossible.

Reply 5 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

Not practical

Reply 6 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

Well you also need to figure compatibility, Apple will not update any sort of upgrade to make newer CPU's compatible.



So you show me where you would get the "upgrade" CPU and someone that would do the upgrade and the bloke dumb enough to pay for it and then we'll call it do-able. Until then there is no CPU upgrade.

Reply 7 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

You can swap out the entire logic board, assuming you can get one for a decent price.

Reply 8 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

hmmmmmmmmm do you think the one with the i5 processor will be good for 3-4 years of use ? i'll primarily be using mac os x because i found a good p2p to use . and oh yeah , i'm learning C++ so how good is mac os x with that ? perhaps VB ? gah that's not a problem i'll put windows on it too but however , the mac os x will work for 4 years right ?

Reply 9 : Can I change CPU in 2yr old Macbook pro?

If you get the expanded Apple care you will have an extended warranty for 3 years.



The i5 is a good processor and will run Windows 8, I expect. Any new OSX should also run without problem.



If you look 4 years back from today you will see that a then high end system would have been a core 2 duo of the Santa Rosa generation. An example is the T7200. Computer of this generations are still more than capable to do office, web browsing and programming work. If you invest some additional money in an SSD some time later it will give you a nice boost in performance.



For programming in OSX you can try netbeans. There is no VB in OSX. But you can program in C++ or Object C and maybe try Java also. If you want an easy script like VB for OSX look at Cocoa.

How to set up a new TV and blue ray player with old Onyko

I have an old (old!) Onyko receiver DS-TX656. I just purchased a new Samsung 3D TV and Blue Ray player. Yes I should go out and buy a new receiver but right now I'm totally confused about how to set this system up. I have Bose speakers attached to the Onyko for surround sound.
Can someone give me some detailed instructions on how to get this configured?
Thank you!
Paula

Reply 1 : How to set up a new TV and blue ray player with old Onyko

To me, the most important connection you need to make is from the BR player to the receiver so you can get surround. Does your Onkyo have an Optical Audio-In connection? It should unless your receiver is more than 8 years old. So:

1) Connect the HDMI from your BR player to your TV. This will give you 1080p picture and it will send audio to your TV speakers.
2) Connect the Optical Audio-Out from your BR player to the Optical Audio-In on your receiver. This will allow you to get full surround audio from your discs.

None of the above should affect how you have your Bose speakers connected.

Reply 2 : How to set up a new TV and blue ray player with old Onyko

You may need to tell the blu-ray player to send audio and video to different locations but you should be able to do this.

Application Not Found...

Hey everyone. Let's see if you can help me with this. I have been trying for hours, but to no success.

I recently got a trojan from the much hated Windows Anti Virus Pro from a pop Ad that was clicked accidentally. I followed all of the steps to delete it and I thought I had, but now, whenever I try to open a file from my desktop I either get an "Application not Found", or a "Choose which file you want to use to open with.." message. I tried to go to the Start Menu to use regedit and all of that, but whatever this virus is has affected that too. When I try to use Start Menu Run, it says "Choose which file...". I don't know what to do? I can barely access any internet. Most files, I can find which file to use from a list of programs, like when I open Firefox, I just click Firefox, but for the windows applications, like Run, Control Menu, and Support Center I can't search for the program to use since I do not know which it is. Also, I have already tried System Restore and none of my Restore Points are functioning. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

Reply 1 : Application Not Found...

Do you remember how to Associate files with applications?

More at http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=XP+ASSOCIATE+FILES+TUTORIAL

Reply 2 : Application Not Found...

jrank2889, I'm assuming you're using Windows XP.


Go to the link below and scroll down to line 12 (left column) and click on "EXE (lnk and regfile) Fix for Windows XP" to download a reg file fix. Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it or right click it and choose "merge" and answer yes to the import prompt.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

If you can't run the file do the following:

Press CTRL-ALT-DEL and open Task Manager. Once there, click File, then hold down the CTRL key and click New Task (Run). This will open a Command Prompt window. Enter REGEDIT.exe and press Enter. Once regedit is open click File>Import and locate that reg file fix, hilite it and click Open.

Note: If you can't access the Internet with the problem computer use another computer to download the reg file fix onto a CD, thumb drive, or floppy and transfer the file to the problem computer.

After that .reg file is merged into the registry successfully restart your computer.

Tufenuf

Note: If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem.

Reply 3 : Application Not Found...

Thank you so much! It worked. I have been trying to fix this for hours and hours.

Reply 4 : Application Not Found...

Not sure what I did, but the instuctions worked!
thank you very much

Lost in the K-hole,
b

Reply 5 : Application Not Found...

Hi,
I have a problem:
"I recently had some virus and I deleted them , but now, whenever I try to open a file from my desktop I either get an "Application not Found", or a "Choose which file you want to use to open with.." message. I tried to go to the Start Menu to use regedit and all of that, but whatever this virus is has affected that too. When I try to use Start Menu Run, it says "Choose which file...". I don't know what to do? I can barely access any internet. Most files, I can find which file to use from a list of programs, like when I open Firefox, I just click Firefox, but for the windows applications, like Run, Control Menu, and Support Center I can't search for the program to use since I do not know which it is. Also, I have already tried System Restore and none of my Restore Points are functioning."
but my operating system is windows server 2003.
can you please help me?
Best Regards,
Saba

Reply 6 : Application Not Found...

Here's the link to his suggestion:

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6142_102-0.html?messageID=3096588#3096588

Hope this helps.

Grif

Reply 7 : Application Not Found...

Hi Grif,
Thanks for your tips,I had seen this page, but my operating system is windows server 2003 and those usefull apps or softs are for xp.
can you help me?(windows server 2003)
Regards,
Saba

Reply 8 : Application Not Found...

..it's also possible to manually edit the registry changes suggested. Download the .reg file mentioned in the earlier post by Tufenuf. Once downloaded, rename the file to .txt and open the document to see the specific registry edits the file would make.. Now open 'regedit' in Server 2003, and navigate to the registry items and manually make the changes IF they are required. Sometimes, there is no such registry entry in another operating system so it's not necessary to make a change.. On the other hand, if the registry items were corrupted or altered, then you could easily change them back.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Reply 9 : Application Not Found...

Hi Grif,
Thanks for your tips,It was so usefull and my problem has been solved,But now I have another problem.when I double click on app or software to open it,it asks me to select wich user open this file.So what I can do?(it doesn't show "Application not found".this problem has been solved with your tips.)
Best Regards,
Saba

Reply 10 : Application Not Found...

..what types of files are showing the message? Does it happen only on desktop shortcuts which lead to programs? Or does it happen when you directly open a file, such as a Word document from your "My Documents" folder? Or maybe both?

Hope this helps and let us know more.

Grif

Reply 11 : Application Not Found...

Hi Grif,
Thank you for your note.When I want to open a file that I created in a program(for example I created a word document),it doesn't ask me to select user.But when I want to open microsoft office word for creating a file or ccleaner or visual studio or sql server or oracle or... from desktop or program files,it asks me to select users.
Redars,
Saba

Reply 12 : Application Not Found...

Follow the steps below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

Hope this helps.

Grif

Reply 13 : Application Not Found...

Hi Grif,
Thank you for your note.
Regards,
Saba

Reply 14 : Application Not Found...

Hi Tufenuf,
I have a problem, my problem is like jrank's problem. but my os is windows server 2003. can you help me?
you solved jrank's problem,I hope that you solve my problem too.
Regards,
Saba

Reply 15 : Application Not Found...

Wow. I can't believe fixing that problem could be so quick and simple. Thank you so much for posting that solution. I had the same problem as the other person. My computer was rendered useless. I ran that registry thing and seconds later my computer was fixed. Well, I'm impressed.

Reply 16 : Application Not Found...

I was following what you said and went to the link but when I click on "12. EXE (lnk and regfile) Fix for Windows XP" it opens as text in a new window. I was going to try to add it manually but I am unable to open the registry editor, when typing either "REGEDIT.exe" or just "REGEDIT" into RUN it opens the list for me to select a program to open it with.

I realize the original post is a few months old but this is the only fix I have been able to find.

Thank you in advance.

Reply 17 : Application Not Found...

Andrew, Did you try this with that reg file? Right click it and choose "Merge". If that doesn't work try this.

Press CTRL-ALT-DEL and open Task Manager. Once there, click File, then hold down the CTRL key and click New Task (Run). This will open a Command Prompt window. Enter REGEDIT.exe and press Enter. Once regedit is open click File>Import and locate that reg file fix, hilite it and click Open.


Tufenuf

Reply 18 : Application Not Found...

I just used the advise to fix my windows xp for error msg "application not found". It was the quickest fix I have ever seen.
THANK YOU!!!Betty Castillo

Reply 19 : Application Not Found...

@Tufenuf, I had to create an account just to say thank you so much. I had a nasty XP Anti Malware infection on my computer and I finally got rid of it and then I had the same problem that Jrank had until I found your post. Thanks so much, you're a lifesaver!!

Reply 20 : Application Not Found...

Thanks Tufenuf. Great easy to follow instructions. Successfully sorted.

Reply 21 : Application Not Found...

I tried fallowing your steps but when i got to the part where i am supposed to locate the reg file fix i could not find it. what should i do?

Reply 22 : Application Not Found...

candace2716, Once regedit is open click File>Import and locate that reg file fix, hilite it and click Open.


If you saved that reg file to your desktop then in the "Look in:" narrow window you would use the drop down arrow button and choose Desktop then down in the large window below that locate that reg file and hilite it so that it shows in "File name" narrow window then click the Open button. You would follow these same instructions if you saved the reg file somewhere else for example My Documents, etc.

Tufenuf

Reply 23 : Application Not Found...

So I have a nasty virus and could really use some help to resolve...

When I try to open any applications, I get an "Open With" dialog asking me to choose a program to open the file. When I attempt to get to the internt and click the Internet program under "Open With", a "User" window opens. Inputting an internet address such as www.google.com in the "Address" field is the only way I can access the internet at this point. When I try to access Adaware or Spybot sites to run system scans, I continue to receive the "Open With" dialog.

Thanks to your instructions, I was finally able to get to a point where I could successfully complete a system restore. Unfortunately, the restore was a day or two short of a stable system. Any other suggestions or options? I'm running Windows XP Home. Windows v5.1 Service Pack 3.

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Reply 24 : Application Not Found...

I had same issue as OP and was starting to really get worried. Did the Reg fix and I am back and working now 100%. Thank you very much.

Reply 25 : Application Not Found...

I have just about the same exact problem, but when i went to the page you posted, it told me to save RegEdits, but when i save it, it only saves as a text, and i dont know how to run it, do you think you can help me? I'm not sure what regedits is nor if i have it.

Reply 26 : Application Not Found...

Atticusl3, Use Internet Explorer and go back to that site and right click and choose Save target as "EXE (lnk and regfile) Fix for Windows XP" and save it to your desktop. The file name will be exefix.reg

Now right click on the exefix.reg file and choose "Merge". After the merge is completed restart your computer.

Tufenuf

Reply 27 : Application Not Found...

Thank you. Once again I've used your link for Application not found. Having problems with scary virus messages, this time XP DEfender, last time Windows Security. Tells me my Firewall is switched off, which, of course, I did not do. My McAfee does not detect these supposed problems, although it deal with a trojan but XP Defender just kept popping up messages till I switched off computer and disconnected internet. Once re started messages had stopped but I was left with Application not found. Any tips to deal with this? Thanks

How do I uninstall JUST Outlook + Emails from Office 2010?

Hi - I've got MS Office Pro Plus 2010 installed. I use Thunderbird, so I want to remove just Outlook and all it's emails, to claw back some space on my laptop. But if I go into the Control Panel and Program Uninstall, it gives me a window that asks me to confirm whether I want to uninstall Office - not the choice to selectively remove Outlook. I've clicked "Yes" hoping that it will allow me to remove individual programs, but it simply starts the removal, so I've cancelled.

So - 2 questions I was hoping someone could help me with:
1) Is there a way to just remove Outlook?
2) Is there anything I need to do to ensure that the associated emails are also removed. I've removed other apps where the data remains, taking up lots of space.

Thanks,

Gus

Reply 1 : How do I uninstall JUST Outlook + Emails from Office 2010?

In older versions of Office uninstalling components was simply a question of running the setup from the installation cd and unchecking what you wanted to remove. I never tried with Office 2010.
Anyway, the program is small (so not important to remove), the data can be a lot. Just find your .pst-file and delete it. That's 95% of all data. Google OUTLOOK 2010 FILE LOCATIONS to find about the other 5%.

Kees

Reply 2 : How do I uninstall JUST Outlook + Emails from Office 2010?

Thanks Kees. Will do that, but really hope there's a way to find out how to remove the app itself. As I share the computer with someone who isn't very tech-literate, I know it'll be a matter of time before the application is launched and it'll then load up all my emails from the server! Thanks. Will remove the pst, though.

Reply 3 : How do I uninstall JUST Outlook + Emails from Office 2010?

I've just looked at the location for the .pst (C:UsersMeAppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook) and the file isnt' actually very large: only 4mb. There's a much larger file -- close to 500mb -- which is an ".ost" file. This is shown as an Outlook data file.

What are the implications of removing that?

Cheers,

Gus

Reply 4 : How do I uninstall JUST Outlook + Emails from Office 2010?

If you delete that, you'll lose the contents (mostly mail). In fact, you can delete the whole folder if you uninstall Outloook. The uninstall won't do it for you.

Did you try uninstalling from the CD/DVD? It should work. If not, do it the dirty way. Rename Outlook.exe to any other name. It can't be run then.

Kees

Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

Hi,



Looking for a new mouse, all of these get good reviews, i like the Razer due to all the buttons on the mouse, but its much more than the other 2.



Opinions would help?

Reply 1 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

Well, you picked 3 totally different mice in 3 completely different categories. It's like you're asking which car to buy, and you are choosing between a pick-up truck, a sedan, and an SUV. Technically, they are all "cars", but they are designed for completely different purposes.



The Razer Naga is a mouse with tons of programmable side buttons. It was really designed for something like MMOs, where you could bind your entire spell bar / ability bar to the side of the mouse. If you care about that capability, the Naga is the right mouse for you. If you don't play MMOs, then the added side-buttons are actually considered to be a detriment to the mouse (how many side-buttons do you really need?)



The Microsoft Sidewinder X8 is a wireless gaming mouse. If you care about wireless gaming mice, then this is the only one out of the 3 you listed that would fit the bill. But even in that case, I'd recommend that you get a different wireless gaming mouse (Logitech G700) due to its superior imaging sensor. But unless you're willing to deal with really crappy battery life that needs recharging every 1-3 days, I'd stay away from wireless gaming mice.



The Logitech G9X is a mouse that is considered by many hardcore mice geeks (me included) to have the best mouse performance, because of the laser sensor it uses (Avago S9500). That same sensor can also be found in the Logitech G500 and G700. If you care more about the performance of your MOUSE (and not the added "features" like 12+ extra side buttons), then a Logitech G500 / G700 / G9X is the right mouse to buy.

Reply 2 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

I agree with kent. As of now, The G9x mouse is still the best out there IMO, It fits perfectly in my hands and doesn't push my fingers forward.

Reply 3 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

Brilliant, thanks for the advice.



I guess i like the Naga as i seen myself programming the buttons for all types of things, opening apps in windows, coommands in RTS games like the Total War series, etc, just seems handy to have that at your fingertips.



So, scrap the X8, ok, ill stay wired, however im sure some wirless mice arnt too bad on batteries, ive got a cheapo logitech wirless, and it last weeks with constant use.



The logitech, does it have enough buttons when gaming?

Reply 4 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

The g700 has 13 buttons. Check it out. Wireless Gaming Mouse G700 It can run as wired and wireless.

Reply 5 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

Yes, the Logitech G9X has enough buttons when gaming.



A lot of the reviews I have read tend to support the idea that the Razer Naga is a good mouse if you play MMOs, but not a great choice otherwise. Having to manage 12 thumb buttons actually becomes a detriment, especially because it can be so hard to actually know which button you are hitting (since they all feel the same under your thumb).



A long time ago, I have learned to stay far away from any kind of non-standard input interface. The problem is that you end up spending quite a bit of time and effort to overcome the learning curve of how to use that piece of non-standard equipment. And once you learn it, you can't switch away from it without having to go through another learning curve of going back to standard gear. Of the many reasons not to buy a Razer Naga, I would personally never buy one because I would never want to cripple myself by being unable to effectively just pick up and use a regular mouse for gaming.

Reply 6 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

Ok, point taken, scrap the Naga



Whats the difference between the G9x and the G700 besides wireless? (Pity the g700 isnt bluetooth).



Another one ive been cobnsidering too is the Alienware tactx, a variant of the G9x apparently.

Reply 7 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

(1) The G9X and G700 have different mouse shapes, different number of buttons. The G9X has configurable weights and interchangeable grips. They are essentially entirely different mice. The only things that they have in common are that they both use the Avago S9500 laser sensor, and they are both made by Logitech.



(2) The Alienware TactX is a variant of the Logitech G9, not the G9X. It does not have interchangeable grips or adjustable weights. The only advantages of the Alienware TactX are its AlienFX colored LED lighting system, and the Alienware branding. I *LOVE* Alienware, but buy a mouse based on its performance as a mouse. To buy a mouse because of its brand or colored LEDs would be foolish.



(3) The Logitech G700 not being Bluetooth is actually a very good thing. Out of the three mouse connectivity options (wired USB, 2.4Ghz wireless, Bluetooth wireless), Bluetooth is actually the *WORST* one. The main problem is Bluetooth is that the polling rate maxes out at 125Hz / 8ms. Meanwhile, you can get up to 1000Hz / 1ms on both USB wired and 2.4Ghz wireless. The USB polling rate is why something like the Razer Orochi "gaming" bluetooth mouse doesn't perform any better in wireless mode than a $10 cheap Chinese knock-off wireless mouse.



Don't be fooled by Bluetooth. Just because Bluetooth is a "newer" connectivity technology doesn't automatically make it better.

Reply 8 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

Dont consider the alienware tactx. My cousin bought one and broke after 3weeks of use. And his not alone with that problem. That mouse is garbage.

Reply 9 : Razer Naga, Micrsoft X8 or Logi G9x

P.S. If you're considering the Logitech G9X, I'd also recommend you check out the Logitech G500. Both the Logitech G9X and G500 use the same Avago S9500 imaging sensor.



The main difference between those two mice are the shape and feel. The Logitech G500 is more suitable for those with larger hands or for those who prefer a palm-grip on their mice. The Logitech G9x is going to be more suitable for those that prefer to claw grip or finger grip their mice.

Jeep Grand Cherokee 4l. petrol auto 1996 PCM/ECU problem

This engine on this vehicle occasionally stops running. It always restarts OK. It does it about every 60 miles.
I have read the forums and shortened the PCM cover screws. One time it was ticking over but the gas pedal and gear selector did nothing. Stopped engine and restarted and all OK.
I am convinced the problem lies with the PCM and want to replace it but this does not seem straightforward. I have two queries as below.
1) Can someone explain why a replacement PCM needs to be reprogrammed by a Jeep dealer before it will work.
2) Secondly I cannot find a PCM with exactly the same numbers on it. I assume the replacement must have precisely the same numbers. Am I correct?
The existing unit has the following sets of numbers JJ90581G/P56041/T2965/167/ZBSAA.
HELP please, or I will have to scrap it which just might put me off Jeeps altogether!!

Q: work place conduct and anonymous whistle blowing

OK... so I work 2 jobs, one of them a retail electronics chain. I look at it my extra job as just a job, a necessary evil I do it mostly for the health benefits (which I needed a couple of times over the past year). Otherwise, I could support myself with freelance work.

I try to go to work, do my job, and leave. However, I found out yesterday that I am being drawn into work place politics in a particularly nasty way.

We have a manager in training (MIT). A young woman who is doing her darndest (limited by being very immature) but has picked up some glaringly bad habits along the way that the boss is aware of but has never done anything to correct (boss has his own issues).

Well, the young lady was turned in through an anonymous email to corporate HQ by some resentful employees. I did not know about it and would have advised other channels before going to this choice, had I been asked. Human resources looked into it, but could not make anything stick, so no course of correction has been made. The MIT is of course, resentful. And as - I am told - been playing a guessing game wondering who turned her in. In the course of wondering out loud, she has narrowed her suspicions down to 2 people. A new employee of 4 months and me. The new employee came to me yesterday, warning me of this situation. He found out about it by overhearing the two people who turned the MIT in, laughing with our boss... over the situation and the mistaken identity !!!!!!!

What to do? This 30 year old guy is looking for guidance (it's an extra job for him too) because we are both being played as fall guys in a very ugly situation. I am not very happy but I need the extra income and benefits. I could move to 2 other chain locations within a 20 mile radius, but if I did, then the shadow of being a "narc" would follow me (I already got unexplained dirty looks from a friend of the MIT who works at another location). I obviously can't go to my boss to rectify the situation and confronting the MIT with "I didn't do it" is going to accomplish little while getting me deeper into the bickering.

Any ideas?

Reply 1 : Q: work place conduct and anonymous whistle blowing

Find a time when most if not all are together and then bring it up. Although at first embarassing and everyone will hate that it was brought so glaringly into the open, it will let the steam off the situation and flush the conspirators on both sides into the open.

Shine a light into a dark place.

Reply 2 : Q: work place conduct and anonymous whistle blowing

I don't know what the habits are but you've got to think this "MIT" is wet behind the ears and still testing the waters. One should never feel intimidated in their job. I'm not sure how comfortable you are with your HR department as being a true ally but I'd start by going there first and having a heart to heart with someone laying out all that you know or have heard. It's not always best to go directly to the source of the problem without consulting HR first. My two cents.

Reply 3 : Q: work place conduct and anonymous whistle blowing

But I'm with the others. Bring it out into the open, and let the boss sort it out. That is his job.

Mark

Reply 4 : Q: work place conduct and anonymous whistle blowing

Someone told on the MIT.

The new employee told you that you were both under suspicion.

Saying it wasn't you will make the real informant come forward?..Not likely.

Years ago there was a safety concern on a job I was working on. Someone else on my crew notified the Department Of Labour, and they came on the site and checked it out. I was "blamed" for calling them. I told some fellow workers that I wasn't me,(when questioned about it) but I knew who did it (because that person told me). I didn't tell them who was the person that called.

Unless you know who did it...you won't bring everything out in the open.

If someone else brings it up...You didn't do it, and you don't know who did.

OR

You don't know who did it...BUT you know who didn't.....YOU.

Reply 5 : Q: work place conduct and anonymous whistle blowing

... I found out after the complaints were made, but before I was drawn into the fray. The irony, of course is that the one who dropped the dime on the MIT is one of the MIT's "closest" workmates (along with 2 others). Their end game - after their gambit to get the MIT in trouble has failed - is to point the finger of suspicion at everyone else.

I could care less about all the hurt feelings of the people who are infighting but this is a commission job. These kinds of shenanigans can hurt the quality of prospective customers that are fed my way. 30 plus hours at work of this crap and the other 30 I spend at my home job makes for a long week. I don't need this middle school crap.

Reply 6 : Q: work place conduct and anonymous whistle blowing

Post a link to this article for the boss and the MIT?

It comes in handy when I'm talking about customer service. That's because delivering good customer service requires front-line workers to receive support from co-workers - in effect, a chain reaction of teamwork that is consistent from beginning to end. And the chain of assistance is only as strong as its weakest link.

Not dealing specifically with whistle blowing...but when workers aren't happy...the customers/competitors can tell.

Tell the boss and the MIT to settle it behind the Gym after school?

Metaboli

Has anyone heard of this or used it?



Unlimited gameplay on hundreds of games for 6.95 BP for PC Gamers and 12.95 BP for premium access to new games.



Looks like you can download as many games are you want and play on their site. Of course the normal set seems to be select games from 2007 (UT3) and earlier.



The new recent games are not that new like Riddick 2, Cryostasis. But there are some gems like Torchlight, The Witcher, Overlord (and expansions). and Company of Heroes. New/Recent games are not new or recent games released, but new/recent games that are added to their collection like King's Bounty, Civ IV... etc.



Unlimited access to your games and at last 1 new game added a week.



Interesting. It's not like an OnLive system. It seems more aking to Steam/Direct2Drive but with a monthly fee access to all their games. The games are downloaded and installed on your PC, not on their server.

Reply 1 : Metaboli

I'm confused at just how it works...



It says you can start playing the game before it even finishes downloading. How? Even Steam has to download all of it and install it before playing.



?



Plus it says the games are updated directly on their servers so no worrying about updates or patches.. Wut?

Reply 2 : Metaboli

Quote:

Originally Posted by H.A.L. 9000 I'm confused at just how it works... It says you can start playing the game before it even finishes downloading. How? Even Steam has to download all of it and install it before playing. ? Plus it says the games are updated directly on their servers so no worrying about updates or patches.. Wut?

You can play on Steam before it finishes downloading, or at least Steam PR marketing was all over that.



My guess it's like Steam? You have a client and you download and update your games.

Reply 3 : Metaboli

Quote:

Originally Posted by mushishi You can play on Steam before it finishes downloading, or at least Steam PR marketing was all over that. My guess it's like Steam? You have a client and you download and update your games.

steam should let you play before download finishes - Steam Users' Forums



IDK? I use Steam and I've never seen it. Steam is about the least "physical" I'll go in game buying. Metaboli just seems too good to be true. Gametap was bought by Metaboli in '08 and I've read it's gone down-hill big time. I've never used either, so I can't comment there...

YoWindow won't download

Hi,
I just bought YoWindow from Download.com. and it won't download. I've tried several times and it doesn't work. This has happened before. I ended up going to the website of the software.

What do I do about YoWindow?

Thanks,
Chris Kahn

Reply 1 : YoWindow won't download

Sorry, that's the best we can suggest at the moment.

Download.com is proving difficult for some users and the cause is being investigated. There's an ongoing discussion about it here;
http://forums.cnet.com/7723-12543_102-518175.html

I attempted to goto http://repkasoft.com/ who is the developer of this download, but the web site's server failed to respond. Hopefully you will have better luck.

Mark

Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

First, let me explain what happened. I have a system that was using a 550 Watt power supply. I have a UPS with surge protection on this system (yes, everything was plugged into the proper jacks for battery or surge). Now, I tend to leave the system on so the kids can access it with their Xbox through the network, so it runs pretty well 24/7. I know this is not the best thing to do, but I have replaced power supplies in the past and expect one to go down now and then. However, I did not foresee what was about to happen.

The power supply cooked itself one afternoon. It was so bad that the odor of burnt electrical filled the house. In the process it cooked two of the three hard drives I have in the PC and the PCI video card. I was able to replace the control boards on the hard drives and recover the data, however the video card is toast. In reviewing the UPS monitoring software log I did not find any external power issues. I spoke to a tech at the power supply company about damage caused to other PC components and he said that, "Nothing lasts forever". Yeah, especially customer loyalty when I get that kind of answer. (I would love to mention the name of the power supply company, but I have been advised not to at the moment)

Anyway, here is my question: Is there a power supply, other hardware or method that offers a way to put inline surge protection on the 12 volt power lines that feed the hard drives and DVD/CD drives inside the PC?

I would appreciate any ideas.

Reply 1 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

While it may seem that we would or could add this, your good power supply such as those at PC Power and Cooling (see google) have such protection inside the PSU. The cheap supplies don't have this because they are made for the lowest price possible.

But there is another thought today. Given 1TB drives can be had for under 99 bucks including some USB enclosure, why wouldn't we have a backup of our stuff?

In fact, is this not a test of your backups and you discovered that your backup plan failed?

So that's my thoughts here.

1. Get a great PSU.
2. Backup.

Bob

Reply 2 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

dies but to take out other peripherals really compounds the consequence.

Re some line device... I'm sure there are some but I haven't ever heard of any.

Like you ....my system is on 24/7, it's built with quality components and it's protected by a good UPS. Sad if that's not enough. Share the PSU brand when you can...I don't have any problem with a component failure but not one that takes out everything else with it.

Keep us posted.

VAPCMD

Reply 3 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

What it a surge or was it a fault of the PS? Truly, there is a difference. I do not believe you bought cheap knowing you needed 24/7 duty. Did the replacement PSU state rated overload protection. You may have issues and recourse with the maker of that PSU. And yes, I also want to know the maker of that PSU.

Have you read your warranty? (Have never used UPS protection.) Like you my system is 24/7, but for a scheduled video recording regiment. What I have is a Tripp-Lite surge protector. The $20,000 Ultimate LifeTime Warranty of repair or replacement of any device connected is sufficient. Shame you did not have a "whole house" surge protector, as then the Power guys would be paying.

BTW: I do believe the 12v line is for the drive motor, the 5v line is for the circuit board. The thought of installing fast-acting fuses into each line would be tedious, and I believe counter-productive.

Reply 4 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

I have the coverage offered with the UPS or I could run it through the home policy, but in the end the power supply, 2 hard drives and video card only amount to about $350.00. My wife's 10,000 pictures on the other hand.....they are worth a marriage, if you know what I mean (wink, wink, nudge, nudge). Maybe I should get her to call the insurance company.

Anyway, I brought the UPS out to our IT guy at work and he checked it out and said it is fine. His guess is that it was all related to the Power supply failure. Not a surge from the house power. I showed him the control boards from the hard drives that were damaged and he told me the chips that were damaged on them were the motor control chips. Looks like they had mini explosions on their surface. I won't be buying any Antec power supplies in the future.

Regardless of all of this, my intention here was to find a solution to help prevent it from happening again. Maybe someone out there, with an aptitude in electrical engineering, will read this and see an opportunity. All I want is a in-line fuse or fusible link for SATA or PATA that just plugs in between the drive and the power source.

Reply 5 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

You, some common tools and inline fuses and we're done.

But I see you may want to get a quality power supply and there I can give the nod to PC POWER AND COOLING. These are heavy, costly units because they don't leave out the over voltage protection and the "other parts."

Bob

Reply 6 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

I advise to walk away from that system and/or componets, but get whatever data you can. Quite frankly, do you really want to trust this PC again? It boils down, learn from this and get better system out of it. No, there is no direct UPS for HD, unless you're protecting some rain system in yet another case. Whatever PSU you had, simply didn't measure up. While, I've seen various degrees of self-destruct there's nothing for the common user to get that helps protect, unless you pay the $$$. Seriously, check your electrical outlets and verify they're truly grounded and even add surge protection at the ckt. bkr.. Then make that AC circuit dedicated to your PC. Buy a very good UPS to incluce a separate line conditioner. Now, buy a good PSU of brand you can count on. After all you want to save marriage then spend the bucks now. Once, everything is new and in place, await the next downtime for whatever reason as the tech said, nothing lasts forever, but that keeps me in business. Yes, i replace PCs after insurance reports, yada, yada and recommend upon finding. But, usually cheap is cheap and you get what you pay for. As always make back-ups to store elsewhere.

tada -----Willy

Reply 7 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

I don't trust the system anymore. I believe if I am going to spend the money on a quality system I should just end up getting a server type unit for the home network. Ultimately that was all I was using this PC for anyway.

I really like your idea of a dedicated power source right from the breaker panel with a GFI breaker. That and the PC Power & Cooling PSU will be part of my next system.

Any opinion on a solid HD?

Reply 8 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

IMHO, there are only a few HD makers and each is equal to the other. So, in these cases picking one with a good warranty or what may define your needs should be considered. I tend to lean on Seagate and Hitachi, but I'm sure others may suggest otherwise. Of course, if some vendor offers some good price that alone maybe all that's needed considering the above. As far as I know, there are no HD model# to stay away from at least for now in my POV.

tada -----Willy

Reply 9 : Surge Protection for Hard Drive?

Satisfied to see that you were able to replace the control boards on the hard drives and recover the data. You can find an electrical protection for hard drives call Safer Evolution. Safer Evolution is a small case to be placed between power supply and hard drives. Safer Evolution protects lines 5V and 12V, in order to prevent electrical damage on hard drive.

http: // www.freemindtronic.com/

Olivier

New hardware renders PC useless

PC won't start after installing a new dvd drive. I put the old one back in and surprisingly everything works again.

I can't think of anything that would make a dvd drive incompatible with a computer. Anyone else?

Reply 1 : New hardware renders PC useless

I observed one case where that happened with a hard drive. Replaced the drive and it started up and worked just as expected.

VAPCMD

Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

Any idea on how to uninstall/reinstall Media Player 12? Or fix 12? There are no fixes that I can find. Can not uninstall. Computer would not allow me to download Media 11 either.
Specs:
OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
Version 6.1.7600 Build 7600
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Latitude E5500
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7250 @ 2.00GHz, 2001 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. A13, 8/11/2009
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:Windows
System Directory C:Windowssystem32
Boot Device DeviceHarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7600.16385"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 2.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 1.96 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.02 GB
Total Virtual Memory 3.91 GB
Available Virtual Memory 2.69 GB
Page File Space 1.96 GB

Reply 1 : Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

is a feature of win 7 rather than an installed application so removal is different from the usual.
Go to Start > Run, and type optionalfeatures.exe.
A small window will appear with a list of windows features, in the list is Media features, expand this section and there is Windows Media Player with a tick in the box, simply remove the tick, it will also remove Windows Media Center. Click OK and it will remove them. You will have to reboot your system because it removes them like updates, outside of the windows environment.
When everything has calmed down you can reinstall them by reversing the procedure.
I tried this out on a working WMP and it worked OK but I can't swear that it will work so easily on a corrupt version.

Reply 2 : Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

I will try that.

Reply 3 : Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

Here is another option to try - http://www.mydigitallife.info/2010/01/12/how-to-uninstall-and-re-install-windows-media-player-12-wmp12-in-windows-7/. Just out of curiosity, why do you prefer Windows Media Player 11 over 12?

Cheers,
Cassandra

Reply 4 : Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

This worked for me, Media Player 12 back to normal after an uninstall/reinstall, Thanks, TeZ

Reply 5 : Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

I really appreciate you trying to help, but that didn't work, as my media player 12 is corrupted, now please don't give me the rename the folder, that doesn't work, does anyone have a REAL solution...come techies, drop the video games and give me a helping hand...

Reply 6 : Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

Try it again.

Reply 7 : Windows Media Player 12 is Corrupted .. Help

Hello,

In most of the windows operating system Windows media player does not support. It shows error of installing. f

Thanks,
John Farris

Computer has begun to power down on its own

For some reason my computer has begun to power down on its own when it gets caught up on internet explorer. I usually find myself going from page to page and it will take the page longer to load and all of a sudden it will power down as if I held down the power button. My computer is an HP Pavilion purchased in 2005-2006 it has XP Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3 as the OS. AMD Turion 64 Mobile 512mb of RAM. I run McAfee VirusScan Enterprise Version 8.0. Any insight on why this may be occuring would help greatly and maybe get me on the track of fixing this issue. Thanks.

Reply 1 : Computer has begun to power down on its own

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-1.html

Reply 2 : Computer has begun to power down on its own

I regularly blow out the fan on my laptop with a compressed can of air. The last time i dis this was about two weeks ago. I also make sure that there are no obstruction between the surface and the fan intake where ever my computer lies.

Unable to connect to any antivirus site

I'm getting this nasty virus/spyware that seems to infect several people too in expert-exchange or different forums in here. I am using windows XP Pro and was using AVG Free.

First symptom was that all google search result was redirected to some weird website. I had to copy/paste the URL to another tab in order to go to the site. Used spybot S&D to clean some spywares, and the symptom was gone. Few hours later, my AVG stopped getting updates and the first symptom came back. Spybot can't find anything this time.

Tried to scan using AVG, but it does not find anything either. I noticed that the virus definition was not updated, and keep failing to update (update control cannot file be found). So I tried to go to avg.com or grisoft.com to get the updates myself, but was always redirected to 127.0.0.1 (localhost). Can't even use IP to connect there. I tried IE8, firefox and opera with no luck.

So then I went and tried all other free antivirus softwares out there: BitDefender, Combofix, Stinger and still no luck to find any virus/spyware.
When I tried to ping ANY antivirus server: symantec.com, mcafee.com, avg.com ...I always got redirected to 127.0.0.1.

I also checked my HOSTS file and it looked normal. I booted to ubuntu to view the HOSTS file to make sure it's not the virus/spyware that is tricking me.

Currently, whatever is in there broke my XP for good. The keyboard does not work anymore in XP. I am using ubuntu now, and want to use this as my primary OS if not because of all the programs that I have in windows.

Probably one of the antivirus software I used has removed the virus, but cannot undo all of the damages that it has done, or maybe not?

Is there no antivirus software out there that has a solution to this?

Reply 1 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or alternate download link

* Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
* Double-click on Download_mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
* When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
* When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
* - Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
* - Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
* Then click Finish.
* MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue.
* If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.

* On the Scanner tab:
* - Make sure the "Perform Quick Acan" option is selected.
* - Then click on the Scan button.
* The next screen will ask you to select the drives to scan. Leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
* The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
* When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
* Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.
* Back at the main Scanner screen, click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
* Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
* When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to restart your computer. (see Note below)
* The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.

* -- Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts. Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

**If you encounter this message:"c:program filesmalwarebytes' Anti-Malwarembamext.dll Unable to register the dll/ocx: RegSvr32 failed with exit code 0x5" Click on ignore mbamext.dll


...

Download and scan with SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users

* Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
* An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
* If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download and unzip them from here.)
* Under "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences button.
* Click the Scanning Control tab.
* Under Scanner Options make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):

Close browsers before scanning.
Scan for tracking cookies.
Terminate memory threats before quarantining.

* Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen.
* Back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
* On the left, make sure you check C:Fixed Drive.
* On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
* Click "Next" to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
* After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
* Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
* A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
* If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes".

Reply 2 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

I hope this will work fine.

Reply 3 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

I also get redirected to a go.google if I connect directly on the link off the search page, AND I can't update my avira, malware, I had spybot and superantispyware but I just removed them before this. I had avast and removed it too. I can't connect to any antivirus type sites, like housecall trendmicro, I did get to live.microsoft and I am scanning there. I downloaded the mozilla firefox browser so that I could try connecting that way but it says there is no internet connection (which is also what malware and avira think.
One other thing, I tried to uninstall and then load a new avira but the program is not listed on the add/remove programs page and it has no uninstaller included with it. I see it gives directions to uninstall through the XP add/rem pgms page, but alas, it is not there. I alse tried ccleaner to remove it but same problem. Any advice would be great and I am tracking this link, I hope that is enough to get me back here!!

Reply 4 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

Just wanted to add that microsoft.live scan found nothing. Absolutely nothing. I tried to unpack my spybot S&D but since it can't connect to the internet, it won't install. So basically there is a huge block between antiviral anything and the internet. I am out of ideas so I sure hope someone here has a suggestion. I do have another computer NOT infected, so maybe I should be downloading something there and installing it? Open to suggestions. I could post a HJT log if it will help.

Reply 5 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

On a friend or family member's computer, download the Malwarebytes installer and update files from the links below, copy them to a CD or flash drive, then transfer the files to the problem machine and use them.. I use the sites below to download the installer file and the manual updater:

Once downloaded, rename the program installer "mbam-setup.exe" file to something else like "Gogetum.exe", then copy the installer file and the update file to a CD or flash drive.. Transfer the file to the problem machine, then install the "Gogetum.exe" file, then run the update to get the program current.. After that, run a full system scan and delete anything it finds.

Malwarebytes Download Link (Clicking on the links below will immediately start the download dialogue window.)
http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe

Malwarebytes Manual Updater link
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/database/mbam-rules.exe

Hope this helps.

Grif

Reply 6 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

Just want to give an update on my situation. I just gave up using windows altogether not long after my first post.
I have been using Ubuntu and has been very satisfied with it. So far, I can do whatever I was able to do in Windows in there.

Thanks for all the suggestion though. But, the biggest problem is that you have to update the antivirus definition before the malware can be found and removed. However, the malware has effectively block any connection to any antivirus update server. Thus, no update can be done.

Reply 7 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

good luck with your new system. I may be right behind you. since my last post I tried insalling combofix, as per a suggestion (from another computer) and the updated malwarebytes. Then I shut it off and it won't turn back on again. I read it could be related to the window sp2 that I downloaded so I could qualify to post on a tech website. It just boots to where the desktop would load and cycles off and on. I can get into setup (del) and safemode (f8) but it doesn't help. I tried booting last good config, it made no change. I disabled auto shut down on failure and determined the fatal system error 0xc0000135 (0x00000000) (0x00000000) was the code. I have this laptop to go online with luckily. i am considering dropping off the thing at a computer repair store but I live in a small town and I am not sure about the tech level out here. Any suggestions? The XP disc is IN the computer as I had the whole thing built 5 years ago by a computer programming friend and that's where he put it. Knowing that I lose discs.
Thanks for your time!

Reply 8 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

...it becomes faster and more effective to simply format and reinstall everything from scratch.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Reply 9 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

I had the same issue for a week and at last I tried Malwarebytes and followed the instruction...it worked!!!

I was not able to browse malwarebytes and other antivirus sites. I downloaded malware from other system and installed. After installing, I was not able to run malware application. I tried renaming the application it doesn't work!!! then I copied malware folder and renamed malware folder name and application name....then I was able to run the application . It perfectly removed trojan virus. After an effort I am back to normal...

Reply 10 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

I hope someone can help. I was infected with a virus or viruses. I looks like one called itself Security Guard the other Protection Systems. I have Windows XP 5.1 sp3, I was running AVG. Once I was infected I couldn't open any antivirus software. I shut down. When it came back up a had one desktop icons only my background, no task bar, crtl-alt-delete did nothing just got to look at the pretty picture. Shutdown started in safe mode, black screen nothing else. Finally bootted in safemode with cmd prompt. Was able to get explorer.exe running and could now navigate somewhat. I did some investigating and manually removed corrupt files from registery and folders saw where I should run malaware bytes. Download to thumb drive installed, when you go to run it will not work. I see where it loads mbam.exe but when it goes to run it isn't there. I loade combofix and it ran. I then tried superantispyware it loade and ran, it detect and clean several items. After all that background. It looks like I'm half way clean with the big exception I have no anti virus software installed. I removed AVG with hopes of reinstalling to make it wrong. So all this brings me to my problem. I can not get to any website that has to do with antivirus. I have an internet connection and can naviagate to anything as long as it doesn't have to do with antivirus.
Any ideas of what to do from here?

Reply 11 : Unable to connect to any antivirus site

You can still do a manual update on avg, by going to the avg site and downloading current definitions, then just direct avg to the directory of the download.

or just reinstall the antivirus again.

Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

Hi,I am in a great panic...our computer,containing all the medical records of our handicapped children,has been hit by the Window Diagnostic virus.It has erased ALL the folder and files off our desktop so we cannot access any of them.We are SO scared that these files have been erased forever. Also,we were trying to access some files on an external HD when the attack occurred and it also seems to have been hit by the virus too.The only difference is we can still see the folders on that drive but when we try to open any of them,we get the 'folder empty' message.This external HD has years' of very important work on it and we are so upset and scared that we are not going to get those files back. We have tried running rkill and malwarebytes but it won't allow us to do so. Nor can we access the internet as our browsers have been blocked.When we try to boot in 'safe mode' or 'safe mode with networking',we are not allowed to do so as a very brief blue screen with text (too fast to read) flashes up and then the computer is automatically restarted not allowing us access to 'safe mode'. We are running Windows XP. PLEASE help us to remove this nasty virus and restore our important files and folders and we are so very upset and worried that we have lost all our years of work. Many thanks.

Reply 1 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

Looks like they are lost forever. All you can do:
1. Have look at the external disk from another PC.
2. Get the hard disk out and have a look at that on another PC (use an enclosure or a USB to IDE/SATA cable, you can buy them in your local computer store).
If the files still are gone find the money to send both disks to a professional data recovery company and let them see what they can recover. Should be around USD 2000 for the 2 disks.

On your new PC (or on the new hard disk of your current PC, once you've reinstalled XP on it) be sure to schedule a daily backup of all changes in the data to an external disk that you DISCONNNECT when not in use for the backup and a regular full backup of all the data to an external backup service somewhere on the Internet.
And maybe use a better antivirus?

Kees

Reply 2 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

praise yourself lucky. What Carol says certainly looks hopeful, and the part for the external disk can easily be checked by connecting it to another PC. Even if you can't clean the hard disk, you should be able to get your files off to another PC by connecting it as an external disk also. Then - with all your data safe - you can format the disk to get rid of this nasty virus.

However, this doesn't in any way lessen the need for a good backup procedure to prevent a real disaster from occurring in the future. We can't press that enough.
Same, of course, to have a good look at your antivirus program.

I really hope you succeed. Then Carol deserves a big thank you, don't you agree?

Kees

Reply 3 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

I just finished removing this virus from my computer.

1. The first thing you want to do is use a non-infected computer to down load a program rkill (Its free on line)and save it to a thumb drive.

2. Use a non-infected computer to download Trojan killer (it costs $45.00)
once the Trojan killer is installed open my computer double click on the C: drive, and open the folder that says Program files. Open Program Files and copy the folder GridinSoft Trojan Killer and paste it on to you thumb drive. After the folder has been coppied to the thumb drive you need to open it on the thumb drive change the trojankiller.exe to iexplore.exe.

3. Plug the thumb drive in to the infected computer and run rkill; you may have to reboot the computer and run rkill as soon as you can open the thumb drive. Once rkill has stopped the process of the virus run scan with Trojan Killer.

4. After you have scanned and removed the virus (it takes a while) you can open my computer and double click the C: drive. At the top of the window there is a Tools tab, click it and select folder options. Go to the View tab and there should be an option that says show hidden folders select it and click apply. All the files and folder should show up and all you have to do is right click on them and select properties and uncheck the Hidden option under attributes.

You will have do this for your documents and setting folder on you C: drive as well. you may need to open the documents and settings folder and unhide the folders in it but changing the attributes of the folder should change the attributes of all the subfiles and sub folders as well.

I hope this helps.

Reply 4 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

atlanticgirl..

In "Remove Windows Diagnostic (Uninstall Guide)" it states when describing this specific rogue:

'To further make it seem like your computer is not operating correctly, Windows Diagnostic will also make it so that certain folders on your computer display no contents. When opening these folders, such as C:WindowsSystem32 or various drive letters, instead of seeing the normal list of files it will instead display a different folder's contents or make it appear as if the folder is empty. This is done to make it seem like there is corruption on your hard drive that is causing your files to not be displayed.'

Windows Diagnostic is relatively new, and I don't know much about it yet. I don't want to get your hopes up. But I see too many "seems" and "appears" in the above description to convince me the files are definitely gone.

It also says in the removal guide:

'It is possible that the infection you are trying to remove will not allow you to download files on the infected computer. If this is the case, then you will need to download the files requested in this guide on another computer and then transfer them to the infected computer. You can transfer the files via a CD/DVD, external drive, or USB flash drive.'

DID you do this? Have you tried a Rescue Disk such as Avira's, which boots outside Windows?

Carol

Reply 5 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

atlanticgirl..

Some malware will change your settings to use a proxy server. It may (or may not) be the case, in this instance, but check it anyway.

Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools>Internet Options>Connections Tab. Click on the LAN settings button. See if there is a check mark next to "Use a proxy server for your LAN". If there is, UNcheck it and click OK. Then OK, again.

Carol

Reply 6 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

Carol, as someone else who has been hit by this, let me say I'm really glad to see someone take an active interest in it. Your words here are encouraging.

I followed the removal instructions at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-windows-diagnostic

And it seems like I've gotten the malware removed, but my files are still missing. As with the OP, I'm strongly motivated to recover the data, as it is the sum of a lot of work. (2+ years, and I need it to graduate).

I did follow the instructions, running rkill and malwarebytes. Malwarebytes has quarantined 6 files and 1 registry entry.

During the phony error messages, before I got it cleaned out, it threw out warnings about hard drive errors and being unable to save some files, etc. But the messages seemed consistent with the description of phony warnings, so I wasn't too worried.

Anyway, I *think* I have it cleaned out. But as I mentioned, my files are still missing. My OS is windows Vista, and when I navigate to the users folder in my c drive, the admin account folder is missing; there's only a guest and public folder. (As a backdoor?-> )I can use the search function to find a few specific files in the downloads folder of my account, but I can't find them all that way. Further, when I navigate to the download folder in the directory pane (not through the c drive/users), it appears to be empty. Also, the documents, pictures, music, etc, folders appear to be empty when checked like this.

The three or four quick icons (firefox, show desktop, cycle active pane, etc) that sit in the (system tray? Taskbar?) Immediately to the right of the start button have also disappeared.

As a point of interest, on start-up, a calendar program called rainlender, that I've been using for a long time throws an error message that it cannot open a .log file that is kept in c:usersadminuseraccount.rainlender2 ainlender2.log. It says " (error 5: access is denied.)

The hard drive capacity/usage seems to be what it was before this problem, if I remember correctly?

I have not tried a rescue disk, and unrelated, the optical drive is dead, but flash drives work for loading things if I couldn't download them. It seems to be able to navigate the web fine.

While searching (for this post it seems ), I came across this link http://www.socialblogr.com/2010/09/how-to-restore-files-hidden-by-virus-on-windows-7.html, which discusses what sounds similar on a windows 7 computer, while I have vista, I'm wondering if this is a direction we should consider?

I'm wondering is if the files are still there and can be restored without resorting to more dramatic means, such as a recovery program?

Reply 7 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

they may just be hidden. I got some friends on another forum to hold my hand and walk me through unhiding things.

they referenced this:
http://moniroth.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/unhide-folder-after-clean-viruses/

this is what worked for me-
go to start-> run-> type cmd

then type all this in at once.

attrib C:*.* /d /s -h -r -s


press Enter key.

my background still seems jacked up and there are a few wonky bits here and there, but it looks like my files are visible again.

carol, does this all make sense? my friends reccomend saving all the files on another drive and doing a fresh install if I can swing it.

Reply 8 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

^ I mean I know I trust the folks who steered me in that direction, I just mean, can you explain it for the OP if she needs it worked out?

Reply 9 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

My girlfriend encountered the same problem today and I walked her through. Removing the virus yet still all her files are hidden and they are very important. I saw the command you posted and I was just wondering if it is 100% safe. I'm uncomfortable using the command prompt and from what I understand you can seriously mess up your computer with commands. I didn't want to tell her to type it in not knowing what it would do and if it was safe.

If you could explain what it does and if it's completely safe that would be great. It might be too late since she's going to the computer store. But just for reference for others.

Reply 10 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

would work if you know someone with a Mac.

Remove the hard drive from your machine and connect it to the Mac.

As Windows, and the virus, will not be running, all the files on that drive will be visible to the Mac and can be recovered onto the Mac HD.

Any windows virus that is present on the disk will not have any effect on the Mac

P

Reply 11 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

I'm having the same problem and I still can't see my files. Did you have any success getting your files back?

Reply 12 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

Hi,
I had the same virus, removed with the same procedure and now have the same issue - no programs in start menu or files in explorer.
I'm sure that all files are still on the hard drive though, because when i re-ran Malwarebytes and performed FULL SCAN i can see it checking all my files and programs, so they must still be there, so are hopefully just hidden.
I'm going to try "C:*.* /d /s -h -r -s" in cmd prompt after the scan completes. That will probably be tomorrow, but i'll let you know how i get on.

Reply 13 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

I had this same problem. I did a system restore to an earlier date and my hard drive came back but I still could not see any files. Ran Microsoft Secutiry Essentials and Malwarebytes which did not detect anything but my files still appeared to be missing.

Like Galahad said below I could tell the files were still there because Malware was scanning all of them.

Then I figured it out. In My Computer I right-clicked on the My Documents folder and looked at the properties. The "hidden" box was checked. I unchecked the box and applied the settings to all of the sub-folders and now I can see everything again.

Reply 14 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

I got help through Microsoft doing all that but I had to unhide each folder because it wouldn't do it automatically. Plus my comp is now running slow, my Windows Defender is corrupted, and the sound it makes is still there when my desktop loads. Does anyone experience this as well? The sound won't go away.

Reply 15 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

I just finished removing this virus from my computer.

1. The first thing you want to do is use a non-infected computer to down load a program rkill (Its free on line)and save it to a thumb drive.

2. Use a non-infected computer to download Trojan killer (it costs $45.00)
once the Trojan killer is installed open my computer double click on the C: drive, and open the folder that says Program files. Open Program Files and copy the folder GridinSoft Trojan Killer and paste it on to you thumb drive. After the folder has been coppied to the thumb drive you need to open it on the thumb drive change the trojankiller.exe to iexplore.exe.

3. Plug the thumb drive in to the infected computer and run rkill; you may have to reboot the computer and run rkill as soon as you can open the thumb drive. Once rkill has stopped the process of the virus run scan with Trojan Killer.

4. After you have scanned and removed the virus (it takes a while) you can open my computer and double click the C: drive. At the top of the window there is a Tools tab, click it and select folder options. Go to the View tab and there should be an option that says show hidden folders select it and click apply. All the files and folder should show up and all you have to do is right click on them and select properties and uncheck the Hidden option under attributes.

You will have do this for your documents and setting folder on you C: drive as well. you may need to open the documents and settings folder and unhide the folders in it but changing the attributes of the folder should change the attributes of all the subfiles and sub folders as well.

I hope this helps.

Reply 16 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

When you start up your comp and the desktop is loading, do you get a that annoying sound it makes? It's physically gone but I still get it's start up sound. How can I remove this?

Reply 17 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

After unhiding my files I ran rkill and then Malwarebytes again. Malware bytes did find a couple of trojans that were labeled WindowsDiagnostic and HDD. Hopefully this works and you don't need to spend the $45 on Trojan Killer.

Wish these people had better things to do with there time than create trojans and viruses.

Reply 18 : Windows Diagnostic virus - lost folders and files

I got hit with this virus as well and after following the removal instructions on bleepingcomputer a lot of files were missing still.

To my relief, they were just hidden. All of your stuff is still there.

The attrib command is a good solution, but I recommend a slightly different set of options. The -s and -r options are removing the system and read-only attributes, and it does not appear that the virus affects those settings. You really don't want to remove the system flag from actual system files, which the attrib command listed above WILL do. I would just do this:

Log in as an adminstrator
start->run->cmd
cd c:
attrib c:*.* /d /s -h