And More: Murphy’s Law – Tech Edition

Its late, 2:20a as I write this. (and why am I up, do I really live this Tech life even when I’m off the clock? OK I’ll get back to my post and stop talking to myself in my head as I write this.) I’ve come across a site that well fits the rules of any tech person. Murphy’s-Laws (www.murphys-laws.com/murphy/murphy-technology.html (http://www NULL.murphys-laws NULL.com/murphy/murphy-technology NULL.html)) for technology actually hit close to home on many of the laws, so I don’t know if I really should laugh, or be kind of scared. You can find the complete set of laws from Murphy on their site.

Here is just a sample from the list –

Murphy’s technology laws

Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
Whenever a system becomes completely defined, some damn fool discovers something which either abolishes the system or expands it beyond recognition.
Technology is dominated by those who manage what they do not understand.
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker that came along would destroy civilization.
The opulence of the front office decor varies inversely with the fundamental solvency of the firm.
The attention span of a computer is only as long as it electrical cord.
An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows absolutely everything about nothing.
Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he’ll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he’ll have to touch to be sure. great discoveries are made by mistake.
Always draw your curves, then plot your reading.
Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.
All’s well that ends.
A meeting is an event at which the minutes are kept and the hours are lost.
The first myth of management is that it exists.
A failure will not appear till a unit has passed final inspection.
New systems generate new problems.
To err is human, but to really foul things up requires a computer.
We don’t know one millionth of one percent about anything.
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
Arthur C. Clark
A computer makes as many mistakes in two seconds as 20 men working 20 years make.
Nothing motivates a man more than to see his boss putting in an honest day’s work.
Some people manage by the book, even though they don’t know who wrote the book or even what book.

Windows How-to: Speeding up your pc using MSCONFIG

Everyone who uses a computer understands that the more programs you have running on your computer at the same time, the more chance that your computer will either run slowly or even crash. The thing that the average computer user doesn’t know is that every time you boot your computer a lot of your installed programs will start and run in the background, meaning you wont know they are running unless you know where to look. A few of these programs running in the background are needed, but the majority of them really should not be running. Knowing where to look and what to look for can help you significantly increase your computer’s performance and reliability by turning off those programs.

Microsoft wrote a program into windows called “MSCONFIG” (Microsoft System Configuration Utility)which is designed to help you troubleshoot computer problems but it can also be used to turn startup programs off to get your computer booting faster, running faster and having less issues overall.

To do this you need to do the following(I’m using Windows XP in my example, however the concept is the same in Windows Vista):

1) Go to Start – Run

2. In the run box type MSCONFIG then click on the OK button.
Open: MSCONFIG

3. A window labeled System Configuration Utility will open. Look for the tab that says Startup and click on it. (*DO NOT CHANGE ANY OF THE OTHER SETTINGS ON THE OTHER TABS UNLESS YOU ARE SURE OF WHAT YOUR DOING.)

4. You should now see the programs scheduled to start every time you turn on your computer (long list isn’t it, this is why it takes some of you 5 minutes or more to start your computer).

This window shows the name of the “Startup Item” and the windows location of the item under “Command” plus the registry change (The registry will be addressed in a different post, but for you that don’t understand what a registry is, image that it as a lot of little pieces that when together make up a brain). Any item with a check next to it will start every time you turn on the computer.

In my list (which is from my own PC) I have

WindowsLiveSync – Which i use to access files on my pc when I’m not at home. (I choose to have it run automatically)

IDrivestartup and IDrive tray – Which are part of my online back up software (I want to run automatically so that I don’t have to worry about)

VPN Client – Which I use to connect to my office (I chose to have this run automatically)

MultiRes – Which controls the 2 monitors that I have connected to my pc (I need to have this to run to monitors at the same time)

There is also gamevance32 (Which runs when my son plays some of his online games), Grovemonitor (which is a feature of the Microsoft Office Groove program), Wcescomm (Which is used to sync your phone and your pc), dumprep (which creates a file if your pc crashes telling you technical details – that most people wont understand anyways), Yahoo Messenger (Instant Messenger), and PG2 (which is a filter for peer to peer sites – I do believe their are legit reasons for P2P but that also is for another post). Of the items I just listed starting with gamevance32, none of them are required for my machine to run, and are only needed IF AND ONLY IF I choose to run the program associated with it. What will happen by unchecking these is that you will tell windows that you do not want these programs running until I chose to start the program at which time these files will start, you are in no way uninstalling the program from here, just conserving the resources in your pc that can then be used for what you really want to do.

If your not sure what a specific item on your list does, you can check out the following site http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php (http://www NULL.sysinfo NULL.org/startuplist NULL.php) .

The site by Paul Collins (which is in my bookmarks and has helped me many a time, Thank you Paul if you see this) lists (as of April 29, 2009) 18659 different programs that can be found in the start menu (not that you will have all 18 thousand) ,what the program is for, and even if its a required program or not.

(*Remember, only uncheck the programs that you recognize and can verify don’t need to be running all the time. If your not sure, leave it running, while you find out what it is. I’m warning you now, as I don’t want to hear that your pc wont work because you did something, just use some common sense.)

5. Once you have unchecked anything that you find that you don’t need running from startup click the OK button.

6. You will see a message telling you that you must restart your computer before these changes will take effect. Click on “Yes” and your computer will automatically reboot. Click Exit without restarting if you have other things open that you need to close first before restarting. (*In either case your changes will take affect on your next restart)
XP restart dialog box

7. After you restart you will see the following message. When you see it click on the box on the left where it says “Don’t show this message or launch the system configuration utility when windows starts” to put a check in it, before clicking ok. (*If you don’t and just click ok you will see this message on start up every time until you do.)

8. That is all there is to it, your machine should now run faster and be more responsive as you have taken some unneeded weight off your pc.

-> If you discover that something you unchecked is needed or chose to run it automatically (Like having your instant messenger start when windows starts, just run MSCONFIG again and put a check back next to that item.

Recommendation: Online Radio Streaming

As a tech, especially one that spends allot of time in “dungeons” (otherwise known as server rooms) I need to find something to listen to while working 12, 15, 20 hours straight at a time (you would be surprised how long you can spend in a server room and not know it, maybe its the lack of windows and humans in most). So for me its Genome Music Project otherwise known as Pandora Radio. You can create your own radio stations, and …. well this piece from the Pandora About page explains better than i can

“With Pandora you can explore this vast trove of music to your heart’s content. Just drop the name of one of your favorite songs or artists into Pandora and let the Genome Project go. It will quickly scan its entire world of analyzed music, almost a century of popular recordings – new and old, well known and completely obscure – to find songs with interesting musical similarities to your choice. Then sit back and enjoy as it creates a listening experience full of current and soon-to-be favorite songs for you.”

Pandora can be found at http://pandora.com/ (http://pandora NULL.com/) . You can register for a free account that will hold your selections for future use. The free account does have a short 30 sec add that comes up between songs, but that add is rare (As I write this I’ve been listening to Pandora for about 2 hours and so far one 30 sec add).

They do offer a paid service that says it eliminates the adds but since I see an add so rarely, I comfortably use the free service.

My current “stations” consist of

– Chicago (The band not the musical) Radio

– George Thorogood Radio (Hey I have to be “Bad to the bone”)

– Foreigner Radio

-Def Leppard Radio

-Going Under Radio (Evanescence)

*As always I do not work for Pandora Radio. Just passing on information, that I can recommend as a user.

Software: Old Versions of software

With all this talk of Windows 7 and other upcoming releases, I figured I should bring up a good point. There are people out there with computers that work just fine for their needs (not everyone needs a quad-core with 4 gig’s of ram and a terabyte drive, and if you have no idea what that is, then this next suggestion is for you) without all the bells and whistles of the latest and greatest.

The problem is that at some point these new versions of software will no longer work with your “Classic” equipment. That is where http://www.oldversion.com/ (http://www NULL.oldversion NULL.com/) comes into play. They have a selection of older versions of some of the most popular programs and utilities. The site is very simple and shows everything that they have available in the following categories – Communications, Graphics, Multimedia, Internet, File sharing, Utilities, Security, Enterprise, FTP.

With in selection they will show a list of all the versions available and a link to the software maker and they latest version of that software. Everything posted is a complete version (No hacked versions here).

From the old version website:

About OldVersion.com
Sometimes upgrading to a newer version can be a good thing. Other times, your computer may not be compatible with the new version, the new version is bloated, or all the options you liked are no longer available. OldVersion.com has been supplying the online community with old versions of various programs since 2001

*As usual, this is to make you aware that I am in no way associated with OldVersion.com. This is just one of many tools that I have been able to use repeatedly over the years to slow the issues faced by customers, friends and family.

Windows7: The Release Candidate is now available for download.

Microsoft has now released the RC (Release Candidate*) for download from the Microsoft website.

Windows 7 can be downloaded from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc (http://technet NULL.microsoft NULL.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205 NULL.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc) or http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/windows/windows-7/download NULL.aspx).

There are both 32bit and 64bit versions. (Keep in mind that you can install a 32bit version on a 64bit system, but you CAN’T install a 64bit version on a 32bit version.

Here is some Windows 7 information from the Microsoft website http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/windows/windows-7/download NULL.aspx)

This is pre-release software, so please read the following to get an idea of the risks and key things you need to know before you try the RC.

You don’t need to rush to get the RC. The RC will be available at least through July 2009 and we’re not limiting the number of product keys, so you have plenty of time.
Watch the calendar. The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you’ll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You’ll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use. (Learn more about installing Windows (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/windows/windows-7/installation-instructions NULL.aspx).)
Protect your PC and data. Be sure to back up your data and please don’t test the RC on your primary home or business PC.
Tech details/updates: Before installing the RC, please read the Release Notes (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/downloads/details NULL.aspx?FamilyID=139ff495-0cd2-4e88-be98-1090867ab28f) and Things to Know (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/downloads/details NULL.aspx?FamilyID=139ff495-0cd2-4e88-be98-1090867ab28f) for important information about the release.
Keep up with the news. You can keep up with general technical information and news by following the team blog. And, you can get non-technical news, tips, and offers by subscribing to (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/windows/newsletter NULL.aspx) the monthly Exploring Windows newsletter.
Keep your PC updated: Be sure to turn on automatic updates in Windows Update in case we publish updates for the RC.
Installation: You can install the Windows 7 RC on a PC running Windows Vista without backing up the PC—but we encourage you to make a backup for safe keeping. If you’re running Windows XP or the Windows 7 Beta, you’ll need to backup your data, then do a clean installation of the RC, then reinstall your applications and restore your data. If you need to do a backup, please see How to back up your PC (http://www NULL.microsoft NULL.com/windows/windows-7/pc-backup NULL.aspx) for more details and a suggestion for how to backup a PC running Windows 7 Beta or Windows Vista.

(* Release candidate (RC) refers to a software (http://www NULL.infopackets NULL.com/#) version with the potential to be a final product, ready to be released to the public for final testing. In this stage of product stabilization, all product features have been designed, coded and tested through one or more Beta test versions with no known software defects.)

Tech: Internet Explorer 8 – Something curious

I don’t know if anyone else has noticed, on the yahoo site, there are links saying “Yahoo recommends upgrading to IE8”. However, if you enjoy yahoo games you also will see the following message “For best experience playing our parlor games we suggest not upgrading to the latest version of Internet Explorer for the time being”.

I just find the irony in this to be funny. I figured I would point this out in case someone had not noticed. Those who enjoy yahoo games, have a valid reason for waiting to upgrade.

Return: After being down the past couple of weeks

Due to a computer melt down, I have been unable to post for the past 2 weeks. Its amazing that a small zap (the kind that you get when someone else shocks you) due to static, could take out the Power supply, motherboard. After waiting for the past 2 weeks to get my warranty replacements, I’m now back up and running.

Conflicker – Test your pc

A very simple test has been developed to check and see if your pc has been infected with the Conflicker worm. If you go to confickerworkinggroup.org (http://www.confickerworkinggroup.org/infection_test/cfeyechart.html (http://www NULL.confickerworkinggroup NULL.org/infection_test/cfeyechart NULL.html)), you will get a page where you should see 6 images. There is also a chart below the 6 images showing how to interpret if your infected or not.

Conflicker – It just wont go away. (UPDATE)

Something that was brought to my attention. In my previous post, I said to install Malwarebytes and Avast Antivirus, if your infected. If you have an already installed Antivirus you will need to uninstall it prior to installing Avast as having 2 antivirus programs could cause more problems and its not recommended ever.

Conflicker – It just wont go away.

There are reports that new payloads are being downloaded to machines infected with various versions of Conflicker. The conflicker worm will connect via p2p and download files that can be very annoying (if your lucky) and could cause you to have your information compromised (if your unlucky) once they are on your machine. One of the payloads that it seems to download is for a program called spyware protect 2009.

This program will look like a legit program telling you that your machine has been infected, but in fact, it is designed to trick you into giving up personal and credit card information. This is not a real program, if a fake program that was written by someone who wanted to get information and money out of people.

The best way you can remove Spyware Protect 2009 is to download and install Malwarebytes (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php (http://www NULL.malwarebytes NULL.org/mbam NULL.php)) and Avast (http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html (http://www NULL.avast NULL.com/eng/avast_4_home NULL.html)) AV so that the machine installs both.

If your machine is already infected you may not be able to access those sites so you may need to download them on another pc and then burn the installs to a cd. **Do NOT put the downloads on a USB flash drive or external hard drive as those devices will also get infected as soon as you plug them into the machine that is infected. The only safe way is to burn the files to a cd as files can not be saved to cd without a 3rd party program (Nero, Roxio, etc…). Once they are installed make sure you run the software update button so that they have all the latest fixes….

Once you have completed the install and updates. Shut down your pc (NOT Reboot) and then once its completely off, turn it on and immediately start pressing the F6 key on your keyboard (Yes those keys serve a purpose). You should see a screen asking you if you want to go into safe mode as well as a number of other options.

Select safe mode and let the pc log in safe mode. In safe mode your screen will look a little funny and not all your files will appear, that is because safe mode a version that only starts just enough of the Windows operating system to turn on, but all the additional bells and whistles that everyone is used will not be operating.

Once you are in safe mode run a full scan of your entire pc using Malwarebytes and then avast. The scans will discover most of the infects and ask if you want to remove them say yes to all. Lastly an option in avast is a scan on boot up. Configure the boot up can and reboot…..

To set up Avast boot up scan:

Boot time Avast Antivirus Scanning

Avast Antivirus offers a "boot time" virus scan of your PC. This allows the antivirus engine to scan all of the files on your hard drive before any other programs load – useful in cases where you have an infection which cannot be cleaned because the "file is in use"

To schedule a boot-time scan using Avast:

Right click on the blue a logo at the bottom right of your taskbar and then select the "Start avast! Antivirus" option from the menu which appears
Avast will run a memory scan on your PC and you’ll see this screen while the scan completes and the control panel opens. Just let this finish
Once Avast! loads, you’ll see this strange looking control panel – don’t worry, we don’t need to decipher any of the buttons – we just want to click using the right mouse button anywhere in the grey area.
When you right click on the control centre, you’ll see a new menu. From this menu, select the "Schedule Boot-Time Scan…" option:
You’ll now get a new screen, as shown below. Select the option "Scan all local disks" and tick the "Advanced Options" box. Select the options "Move infected file to Chest" and "Allow delete or move" from the two menus in the bottom half of the window, before pressing Schedule:
Once you have presses OK, you will be given a prompt to reboot your PC. Check that you have no unsaved work open and then click "Yes". Your PC will reboot, and before Windows reloads, Avast will perform a virus scan.

The virus scan will take about 30-45 minutes on your PC, and should be completely automatic. The scan will be complete when your PC reloads Windows, and you need take no further action.

And as always – Make sure that you go to the Microsoft Updates site (http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-US (http://update NULL.microsoft NULL.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default NULL.aspx?ln=en-US)) and make sure your system has the latest updates installed.

Commentary:

For all those who are none tech, if you had a small drip in a pipe in your house would you fix it at that moment or would you let it stay dripping so that it got bigger and then burst the pipe causing a flood and a mess. Updating your windows machine is just like that pipe, update it now and its no big deal, wait and you will have a mess.

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