I copied this fix from the HP forums. It took me a little bit of time to research this.

You should delete 1 extra (parasite) zone from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\ with pseudo-graphic number, you’ll see it before zone number 0.

It seems this is a bug of Adobe flash player update, though I am not sure.

The pseudo-graphic number they speak of before zone number 0 looks like a miniature upper case “L”.
Delete that registry entry and all is well.

On my customers P.C. the pseudo-graphic was in the shape of a square, after deleting the entry the scanner began to work again.

Today I had a customer’s PC with every windows update failed on WinXP. To resolve this issue I took the following steps.

Open a command prompt and type:

net stop wuauserv

cd C:\windows

rd /s SoftwareDistribution

net start wuauserv

The “net stop wuauserv” command will stop windows automatic updates.

CD if you don’t know what the CD command does then go read up on basic DOS.

The “rd /s SoftwareDistribution” deletes the Windows update cache.

And “net start wuauserv” starts the automatic update service.

OK I found this little bit of info. while doing some random net surfing.

I had to do this with sudo, although the website I found this on didn’t

mention this. Open a terminal and paste this next line of code into the terminal.

sudo defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1

Press enter/return.

Now mount your network drive and open Time Machine preferences.

Choose Disk Location or Change Disk Location and woohoo!  You now can choose

mounted network shares as your backup location.

Time Machine will give you an error 45 if you try to backup now. To avoid this follow

the next steps. Find out your computer_name and Mac address. Put this next line

of code into a terminal.

sudo hdiutil create -size 320g -type SPARSEBUNDLE -nospotlight 

-volname "Backup of <computer_name>" -fs "Case-sensitive Journaled HFS+" 

-verbose ~/Desktop/<computer_name>_<mac address>.sparsebundle

Be sure to put your computer_name, and hard drive size in the proper 

locations, and also your Mac address minus the colons ":"

If you can't find your Computer_name or Mac address then I can't 

help you, forget what you saw here and hang your head in shame. 

Once the command is finished running it will place a sparsebundle

 file on your desktop. Copy this sparsebundle to the network share

 and BAM !  Time to backup. 

(You can delete the file from your desktop once it is 

copied to the network share.)

Today a customers Macbook wouldn’t mount DMG’s in fact it would give an error such as 0x0000c9. I found this little piece of info. on a forum in the middle of no where on the net.

1. Warning always backup the files that you are about to delete just in case you need them. (blah blah blah)

2. Find /System/Library/Extension.kextcache   and

/System/Library/Caches/com.apple.kernalcaches/ .

3. Delete them and reboot.

This will remove user Caches and rebooting will allow the OS to rebuild the cache.

Because of the large amount of spam I have been receiving I have changed post / access policies. I have decided to allow only U.S. , Australian, and Canadian IP addresses to view this site. Posts can no longer be made without a login. If you don’t like it then don’t come back.

Thanks,

Admin

This may seem strange to some of you old timers but this took me forever to figure out. I have a Cisco router at home and needed a console cable to configure it.

Well there isn’t any hyperterminal in Linux or Mac. Although there are a crap load of places trying to sell their own Linux version of hyperterminal out there, don’t buy them.

Simply go to a command prompt and navigate to your /dev directory. Find the proper device name for your console port. (mine was ttyS0  <–that is a zero)

Then enter this command. “screen /dev/ttyS0″ and boom you are in the router.

On my Mac I have to use a USB to Serial cable so my device is different. “screen /dev/tty:usb_serial”

Once you are done you need to know how to exit back to bash. Type “Ctrl+a”then”k”.

One of my favorite win XP tweaks were for windows once they were minimized in the task bar.

Open up the registry and locate this key.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

add new string value called “MinWidth”

Here is another reason to keep company users away from Facebook.

Face Like

When will people learn. Why would people still put their information on line if you know

it is unsecured ?

In this news story Google decides to remove Microsoft Windows from its employees computers.

Google to remove Microsoft Windows

From my point of view google is doing the right thing. MS has played around long enough.
Apple OS and Linux are more secure. Windows is the only OS that can get malware by simply navigating to webpages. With Linux and Os X you have to be a dumb ass and manually install the tainted software.

HOW TO FORCE CLIENTS INTO USING OPENDNS WITH DD-WRT

At home to keep the ankle biters from going to the wrong websites I use OpenDNS. However it can be bypassed if someone changes the dns server on a box.

Well not anymore! By installing DD-WRT on my Linksys router I have a sexy feeling of control that only linux can give me. (by the way if you need to know how to install dd-wrt onto your router then freaking use google and read the dd-wrt wiki.)

I needed to have full restriction of certain parts of my network with OpenDNS and allow certain IP’s unrestricted access. IPTABLES to the rescue.

Adding these lines of code to my router firewall allowed me to do that.

NEVER QUIT LEARNING, AND NEVER THINK YOUR SECURITY IS GOOD ENOUGH!

Basic Password policy.

Most important is make a policy and stick to it!

1. Minimum of 8 characters.

2. Passwords must contain at least 1 capital letter.

3. Passwords must contain at least 1 non-alphanumeric character (for example, !$#,%)

4. Maximum length of 15 characters.

5. Never give out your passwords. (if you do change it after that person logs off of the computer)

More privacy issues from Facebook.

NY Times

ZDnet Blog

Interesting quote from the zdnet blog.

“72 percent of the firms surveyed said they’re concerned that employee behavior on these sites puts their infrastructures and sensitive data at risk. Yet, 49 percent of these firms allow their staff unfettered access to Facebook, up 13 percent from a year ago.”

That is just stupid. If you know certain sites put your infrastructure at risk then why allow employees to go to the sites?

Where I come from, social networking sites have nothing to do with actual work duties.

Get back to work! Your break is over bitches!

I am not a security expert but from the first semester in college to the last semester my teachers drilled security into my head.

1. Security should be left to the professionals. Just because you have a Masters Degree in Biology doesn’t mean you can build a fucking space shuttle, does it? When a technician warns you of dangerous internet usage in your business you should listen to him. (after all he or she did go to school for this shit. didn’t they?)

2. Keep Operating systems updated with current security patches. But wait, will that cause conflicts with my older programs?

Sometimes it will, if a security update breaks one of your older programs you should make a plan to buy the new version of the program or move on to another program that does the same job. Think of it this way. In the old days when skeleton locks were found to be obsolete did the population stay with their old locks? No they changed to dead bolts and better doorknobs even if it meant changing the entire door. …….(After all your personal information is at risk. Bank accounts, credit cards, children’s information, and employee info.)

3. Keep Anti-virus / Anti-spyware programs updated.

4. Scan on a regular basis.

5. Just because you have Antivirus / Anti-spyware programs installed doesn’t make you bullet proof. Nothing is perfect.

6. Listen to the warnings of your technicians.

7. Do not allow personal PC’s on a business network. (ever!)

8. Make a security policy and stick to it.

9. If business laptops are brought home, use group policy settings to lock them down. Also use a proxy of some kind to redirect traffic through your content filter in your business. Even if the laptop is halfway across the world this can be done.

10. Listen to the warnings of your technicians. They didn’t go to school just to sit in front of a keyboard and look sexy.

Technicians usually stay interested with security and read up on many issues. (they did go to school for the shit didn’t they?)

1. You should always backup your information. Whether it is on a USB Flash drive, portable USB Hard disk, Server, or CD/DVD. (never get caught without a backup)

2. Make a schedule and stick to it. The schedule can evolve as your information changes. For the love of everything that is alive back your stuff up !

3. Test your backups. From time to time you should restore your system from a backup to ensure your backup program is working correctly.

You can do this by using a second hard drive or a second PC to restore to. But make a plan and stick to it.

4. SCAN FOR VIRUS AND MALWARE / SPYWARE BEFORE BACKING UP.

5. If you pay a technician to backup your information, ask him to test the backups from time to time. Hand him a blank hard drive and ask him to restore to it.

6. If he cannot do this then maybe you have the wrong person doing the wrong job.

1. Now for anti-spyware tools. Malwarebytes / Superantispyware / Spybot-(for immunization) / HijackThis / and Combofix are all the tools I need. I do use these tools on a live bootable CD of windows. UBCD4win is a godsend.
2. Sometimes you have to learn when to say when. If a PC is so badly infected that it will take you 8 hours to clean it, just wipe it and reinstall Windows. At some point it will cost you or the customer more than it is worth.
3. You should be scanning your computer on a regular basis. If you are a dumb ass and are always infected then scan everyday. Learn to surf the internet safely.
4. At minimum scan weekly. Always update before you scan. I don’t give a shit if your anti-spyware auto updates, click the damn update button.
5. F.F.S. why in the world a multi-billion dollar company like Microsuck can’t protect itself from viruses is beyond me.
6. I don’t care what you say ! It is a billion dollar company! It should have the best programmers / researchers that money can buy.
7. If every Winblows machine were to crap out tomorrow, how many companies would be shit out of luck ? Why aren’t they held responsible? Should they be held responsible?
8. Little tip: Social networking sites (myspace, facebook, twitter) all have privacy and security issues. They are targeted by crackers to spread virus and spyware……. so don’t put your real information on them. Do not allow sites such as these on company networks. (Porn too.) Once a site is infected it can spread malware to thousands of people before it is disinfected. The same infection can travel on your local network in no time.

1. First of all programs like Norton and McAfee are resource hogs. They are well known to virus writers and I have seen too many computers that were infected even though they had either of the 2 mentioned anti-virus programs. And I don’t mean just a little infected, I mean totally and utterly PWNED by infections. Basically Norton and McAfee suck. THERE I SAID IT.
2. AVG 9 has also become a resource hog. However AVG will hold its own when detecting infections.
3. I do not run windows computers, but on my wife’s PC and son’s laptop I insalled Avast Home. It doesn’t bog down your PC and it does a great job on detections.
4. You should be scanning your computer on a regular basis. If you are a dumb ass and are always infected then scan everyday. Learn to surf the internet safely.
5. At minimum scan weekly. Always update before you scan. I don’t give a shit if your anti-virus auto updates, click the damn update button.
6. F.F.S. why in the world a multi-billion dollar company like Microsuck can’t protect itself from viruses is beyond me.
7. I don’t care what you say ! It is a billion dollar company! It should have the best programmers / researchers that money can buy.
8. If every Winblows machine were to crap out tomorrow, how many companies would be shit out of luck ? Why aren’t they held responsible? Should they be held responsible?
9. Little tip: Social networking sites (myspace, facebook, twitter) all have privacy and security issues. They are targeted by crackers to spread virus and spyware……. so don’t put your real information on them. Do not allow sites such as these on company networks. (Porn too.) Once a site is infected it can spread malware to thousands of people before it is disinfected. The same infection can travel on your local network in no time.

1. When your computer will not give video.
2. Pull out all of the RAM then power up the PC. IF you don’t get a POST beep you have either a bad CPU or bad Motherboard.
3. If you do get a POST error put the RAM back in and bootup. Sometimes just reseating the RAM will help.
4. Some companies such as HP will not give an error for RAM, the PC will not give video on boot.
5. If you have video during P.O.S.T. but not after windows boots, reinstall windows. Don’t fight the bullshit because it isn’t worth it.

1. 1. When windows will not boot because of a corrupt registry file.
2. Boot to a live CD like Ultimate Boot CD 4win. Open the remote registry app. and load all hives.
3. Click around in the registry and make a small change, then change it back. (find the number 1 and change to 2 then put it back)
4. Now boot to windows and you should be back in business. If this didn’t work UBCD4Win also has a tool to restore a registry to an earlier point.
5. If none of this worked then bite the bullet and reinstall Winblows. Do not waist your time and customers money by fighting a junk Operating System.

1. 1. When you don’t have a PSU tester or even if you do. You can test the PSU by using a paperclip. Locate the 20 or 24 pin connector from the PSU. Now bend the paperclip like a horse shoe and touch it to the GREEN and BLACK wire (any black wire will do). If the PC boots then your power supply is working. The computer will turn off once you remove the paperclip. There should be only 1 green wire on a 20 pin or 24 pin PSU.
2. Now test the power switch. You can do this by using a jumper, paperclip, or small screwdriver. Touch the connectors that the power button is connected to. If the PC powers on then you have a bad power button. If it doesn’t power up then you have a bad motherboard.

1. When the computer does not POST. Pull the RAM out and reboot. If the computer still doesn’t give a POST beep then the problem is either a bad CPU, or bad Motherboard.

2. When the computer issues a series of beep codes go to the manufacture website and search for the codes there. Companies like Dell sometimes do not have beep codes but do have certain lights that will flash giving a code to lookup. If the PC is generic or Custom built PC then go to the Motherboard manufacture website.

1. The commands below will remove a stuck print job.
2. net stop spooler
3. del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.shd
4. del %systemroot%\system32\spool\printers\*.spl
5. net start spooler

This site will be a collection of PC tips, thoughts and bitches. If you don’t like it then don’t come back. I am not here to make you happy or angry. I am only telling it like it is.

When your technician gives you advice you will have a choice to make.

1. Listen to him, after all he is the one who is educated in the matter. ( he or she did go to school for this shit right?)

2. Use a search engine and do your own research to prove the technician wrong.

3. Get a second opinion. (from someone who did go to school for this shit.)

4. However your technician should always be willing to do research on the internet, continue learning because the I.T. field is always changing, and he or she should be open to suggestions.

5. I admit that I am not the perfect technician, but I have a good work ethic and always give my customers their money’s worth.