75 Security Applications - Free

Opensource - Freeware can be one of the best ways to protect your computer.   Earthweb has 75 of the best applications that can help protect your computer from, hackers, malware, viruses and other activities.  Check it out at http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/osrc/article.php/3743776 .  Excellent article to help protect you and your assests.  Software for Windows and Linux.

Free Laptops! Well…12,000 each week.

Gizmodo recently reported that 12,000 laptops are stolen every week.   Portable devices are an IT Managers nightmare.  Keeping up with the laptops becomes a nightmare.  This nightmare is not limited to laptops.  Portable devices from jumpdrives (thumbdrives), blackberries and ‘Palm’ devices are included in the nightmare.  Keep these devices with you!  Lock them away and not in a car!….Read More.

Oh, and one last thing.  The CyberAngel provides encryption and tracking services.  Check ‘em out at www.thecyberangel.com

The End of the Internet

Finally I have reached it!    Link

Crazy Case Mod

CPU Speed Test

A simple test of your CPU.  Download  Includes stats for worldwide CPU scores.

Tiny 7″ Monitor for Tiny Motherboards

This tiny 7″ screen would be perfect for the atom motherboardsLink

Alot of people emailed me on why I would like to see these components survive, well imagine the uses of an automated home.  Although x-10 mad me crazy with their banner ads several years back, they are one of may vendors who offer an automated home (lights on/off, appliances, security cameras).  This type of use would allow a dedicated computer to perform tasks for you.

3GB Barrier - Fix XP and Vista

32bit processors and operating systems have a limitation of 3GB.   Programs are limited to 2GB of RAM.  These tweaks increase the OS’s ability to recognize more RAM and increase the ceiling for programs that can recognize more than 2GB of RAM.

Tweaks can be dangerous if you don’t check everything twice!

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx  <- Reference

To get more from Windows XP, you have to modify your Boot.ini file.  You have to be familiar with windows explorer.  (You must show hidden and system files.  If the boot.ini file is read only, uncheck it to make changes.

Windows XP

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT   <-yours may be different!
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT=”Windows XP Professional” /PAE /3GB  <-add this

The /3gb switch allows programs written specifically to use more than 2gb of ram.

Windows Vista

To add to Vista’s boot process, from a cmd line (you must run the cmd line as an administrator)-
type:
BCDEDIT /SET PAE ForceEnable

In Vista, To get programs written for more than 2gb of ram:
BCDEDIT /Set IncreaseUserVa 3072

Note: In Vista, you can type BCDEDIT and hit enter to see the PAE  and UserVA settings

Turn on Menu Items in Vista Explorer

For the life of me, I don’t understand why Microsoft plays peek-a-boo with Menu’s.  First it was with Internet Explorer and we all had to right click where the menu was suppose to be to get IE’s menu back.  Now with Vista, moving around can be a hassle.   This tip puts File, Edit, View, Tools and Help on top.

Click Organize, Layout and select the Menu Bar. 

Boot Up Using Both Processors in Vista

  1. In Vista’s Start Search type msconfig and hit the “enter” key 
  2. Select the Boot tab and click the Advanced Options Button

  3.  You will see that you are using “1″ processor
 

   4.  Check the box next to Number of Processors - Use the drop down and select “2″

  5.  Click OK and OK, Reboot…

IT Boring?

Tala Ko wrote an interesting blog about IT.  She’s right!  IT is NOT boring.

http://talako.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/it-a-boring-field-for-a-career/   Read her clipping from zdnet.

The article from Computer Weekly she mentioned.  Link

Give me a break.  What field could you be in that is involved with every career in the world?

Windows 7 - Get with the Program

Many users have complained about Windows Vista. I have noticed that this is because of the lack of sufficient hardware and users NOT wanting to change. As time goes by, Operating Systems will not wait for us (the end-user).

Several websites have theories on Windows 7 (the next OS). From all of the screenshots, it appears to be much like Windows Vista and it will offer touch screeen capabilities.

You will have to change. Whether it is Windows Vista, Windows 7 or (Linux) Ubuntu. With Web 2.0- Wiki, RSS, PodCasts, blogging and changes here, you will change.   Are you blogging yet?

We are at a transitional stage where change is becoming more frequent. You can ride the XP bus until 2014, but in this world, to stay competitive, you will change or fade away….technology will not wait.

You can fight with Microsoft, deny Linux or ignore Web 2.0, but you will be lost.  Linux is coming up, Microsoft is changing and the World Wide Web is not waiting for you.  You will have to educate yourself.  You will have to change or,  you can be a lamer.

 

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows

One of the best diagnostic tools for repairing a computer is free.  The Ultimate Boot CD for Windows offers several features that repairs Microsoft Windows.

  Site Link

From their website:

UBCD4Win is a bootable recovery CD that contains software used for repairing, restoring, or diagnosing almost any computer problem. Our goal is to be the most complete and easy to use free computer diagnostic tool. Almost all software included in UBCD4Win are freeware utilities for Windows®. Some of the tools inlcuded are “free for personal use” copies so users need to respect these licenses. A few of the tools included in UBCD4Win are paid for and licensed software owned by UBCD4win. On occasion we work with software companies/authors for permission to include their software in our download or have requested their software better support PE. Users can freely share copies of UBCD4Win with friends but selling UBCD4Win for a profit is not acceptable. We have worked hard for many years helping people for free with this project, others should not make money from our hard work. If you are a dialup user having a hard time downloading UBCD4Win, please visit our ordering page. UBCD4Win is based on Bart’s PE©. Bart’s PE© builds a Windows® “pre-install” environment CD, basically a simple Windows® XP booted from CD. UBCD4Win includes network support and allows you the ability to modify NTFS volumes, recover deleted files, create new NTFS volumes, scan hard drives for viruses, etc. Our download includes almost everything you need to repair your system problems. This project has been put together to be the ultimate recovery cd and not a replacement OS (Operating System). Please visit the “List of Tools” page for a complete list of what is included in the latest version of UBCD4Win.

 

I Right Clicked on One of Vista’s Icons

I just installed Service Pack 1 on Vista, got on the net, seemed O.K.  Then I right clicked on my computer and waited….. 30ish seconds to get to Properties under My Computer. After that, right click  was fine.  I rebooted waited for AVG, the sidebar and other stuff to load.  Right click , and waited… what is this?  You gotta love it!

After that all O.K.

Other Microsoft OSs don’t do this.  Is there really an Engineer out there looking at these things?

Vista Another Performance Tip - System Restore

System Restore can use 15% or more of your total harddrive.  These restore points can slow your system down.  You have one choice.  Turn it off.   Sounds good huh?  Remember, you can lose everything.  Backup your critical files.  In order to do so, navigate in the control panel to the Backup and Restore Center.

Click on Create a Restore Point, under system protection, uncheck your drive.  Remember, you have to back up your system in the event of a OS or hardware failure.