Computer Help

Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI): Free Vulnerability Scanner for Your PC

2008-12-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

You may have applied all the security updates for the Operating System via Automatic Updates or Windows Updates Website correctly. But, what about the third-party programs installed on your PC? Vulnerabilities in Windows and third-party software are identified and reported by security professionals and vulnerability assessment Websites such as Secunia.

There isn’t a common Website which issues updates for all software products in one roof, which makes patching insecure programs difficult. To identify vulnerabilities in third-party software installed in your computer, use the Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)

The Secunia PSI is a free security tool designed with the sole purpose of helping you secure your computer against vulnerabilities in programs. The Secunia PSI will detect programs installed on your PC and determine if any of the detected programs require your attention. It also provides direct download links to update old and insecure programs.

Check this link for more information:

http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/secunia-personal-software-inspector-psi-free-vulnerability-scanner-pc/

The differences between XP and Vista folder locations

2008-11-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

http://www.simplehelp.net/2008/04/30/the-differences-between-xp-and-vista-folder-locations/

How To Create Windows Activation Floppy?

2008-11-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Windows XP activation can be backed up to a floppy for later retrieval in case of a reinstall. How is this done?

Navigate to the %systemroot%\system32 folder. Copy the wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files to the floppy. Reinstall XP. After the install is complete and the XP Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) window appears—where you’d normally activate the product—decline to activate and let the installation complete.

Restart and use [F8] to bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu. Select Minimal Safe Mode here. Navigate to the %systemroot%\system32 folder. Rename the existing wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files. Using the floppy diskette, copy the previously backed-up wpa.dbl and wpa.bak to the %systemroot%\system32 folder. Reboot; XP should be activated.

Windows Aero in not listed under Color scheme in "window color and appearance".

2008-04-06T17:02:00.001-07:00

Windows Aero in not listed under Color scheme in "window color and appearance".

1. Open command prompt.

2. Type net stop uxsms and Enter

3. Type net start uxsms and Enter

:-)

Enable the BCC field in Windows mail in Vista

2008-04-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

To enable the BCC field in Windows mail proceed as follows:

1. Open Windows Mail
2. Click the Create Mail button on the main toolbar
3. The New Message window will now open
4. In the New Message window click on View on the main toolbar and, from the drop down menu, select the All header option
5. The BCC dialogue box should now appear in your email window

A Utility to clear recently used email addresses (auto-complete)in Windows Mail

2008-03-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

Utility to clear recently used email addresses in Windows Mail

http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/264/1/Utility-to-clear-recently-used-email-addresses-in-Windows-Mail.html

Please copy the entire link and paste it in the address bar of an Internet Explorer and press Enter Key on the keyboard.

Unable to open PPS and PPT attchments directly from Windows Mail..!!

2008-03-06T15:47:00.000-08:00

If you are not be able to open PPT or PPS attachments directly from the windows mail. In order to resolve the issue, we need to make a few changes in the registry.

Please look in to the below web link to get the information on the changes which we need to make in the registry:

http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/149/1/Unable-to-open-PPS-attachments-directly-from-Windows-Mail-in-Windows-Vista.html

How to change graphics hardware acceleration setting in VISTA

2008-03-06T15:44:00.001-08:00

Click Start, click Control Panel, click Appearance and Personalization, click Personalization, click Display Settings, and then click Advanced Settings.

Click the Troubleshoot tab, and then click Change Settings.If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.

Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to the Right.

If you reduce the Hardware Acceleration setting, you may experience more issues with video rendering.

Click OK three times, and then close the window.

Number pad not working in Vista

2008-03-06T15:30:00.001-08:00

Please perform these steps if number pad is not working in Vista :

1. Click on Start -> Control panel

2. Click on Ease of Access

3. Click on Make mouse easier to use link.

4. Uncheck "Turn on mouse keys"

5. Click Apply.

6. Click OK

How to change the Registered Owner Name in Windows Vista

2008-03-06T15:27:00.001-08:00

How to change the Registered Owner Name in Windows Vista

NOTE: Before proceeding to edit the Registry be sure to make a backup copy.

1. Click the Start Button
2. From the Start menu click Run
3. In the Run dialog box type: regedit
4. The Registry editor will now open
5. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version
6. Once you have reached the Current Version key take a look in the Right Hand Pane and look for 'Registered Owner'
7. Right click the Registered Owner key to edit it
8. To edit the key Right click the entry and select Modify
9. At the same time you might also like to change the Registered organisation. This option is situated just above the registered owner option.
10. To edit the key Right Click the entry and select Modify

Change the size of virtual memory in Windows Vista

2008-03-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

If you receive warnings that your virtual memory is low, you'll need to increase the minimum size of your paging file. Windows sets the initial minimum size of the paging file at the amount of random access memory (RAM) installed on your computer plus 300 megabytes (MB), and the maximum size at 3 times the amount of RAM installed on your computer. If you see warnings at these recommended levels, then increase the minimum and maximum sizes.

1. Open System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.
2. In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4. Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.
5. Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.
6. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.
7. Click Custom size, type a new size in megabytes in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.

Increases in size usually don't require a restart, but if you decrease the size, you'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. We recommend that you don't disable or delete the paging file.

How to change the default installation drive/folder/directory in Vista

2008-03-02T19:21:00.000-08:00

Steps to change the ProgramFilesDir registry value to use the default location for the Program Files folder:

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit , and then click OK.

2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

3. In the details pane, right-click the ProgramFilesDir registry value, and then click Modify.

4. In the Value data box, type the default location for the Program Files folder, and then click OK.NoteThe default location of the Program Files folder is systemdrive\Program Files. For example, if Windows is installed on drive C, type C:\Program Files in the Value data box.

5. Exit Registry Editor.

Ref:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/933700

Improve SATA disk performance in Vista

2008-03-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

Do you have a SATA disk drive in your computer? If so, you improve performance out of your hard disk. This speeds up the performance of your hard disk by enhancing write caching.

Press and hold Windows Key on keyboard and press R. It will open Run Window. Type the following in the open box and click OK

devmgmt.msc

OR

Click Start, and then right-click Computer. Select Properties, and then click Device Manager in the left panel of the window.

Click on the + sign near Disk Drives (Expand Disk Drives)
Right click on your hard drive and select Properties.
On the Policies tab, check Enable advanced performance.
Hit OK and close Device Manager.!!

How Can I add Custom resolution in Windows Vista

2008-03-02T19:00:00.001-08:00

One of my customer came across an issue with custom resolution in Windows Vista. I checked in many forums and what I can see is in Windows Vista you cannot set Custom resolution??? But I am Not Sure. However, new Nvidia graphics cards may support it. If you wish to know more about what is Custom resolution and how to set it in Windows XP, please visit the link provided below:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/custom_resolutions.html

Custom resolutions allow end users to the ultimate flexibility to add virtually any resolution and refresh for their display. If users want to use a unique resolution or refresh rate that is not available through windows control panels, this control will let users manually add any mode. The software will perform a check to make sure the end user defined resolution and refresh rate are supported by the graphics card!!

How to change graphics hardware acceleration setting in Vista

2008-03-02T17:22:00.000-08:00

To change graphics hardware acceleration setting in VISTA, Please perform steps provided below:

Click Start, click Control Panel, click Appearance and Personalization, click Personalization, click Display Settings, and then click Advanced Settings. Click the Troubleshoot tab, and then click Change Settings.If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or provide confirmation.

Move the Hardware Acceleration slider to the Right. If you reduce the Hardware Acceleration setting, you may experience more issues with video rendering.

Click OK three times, and then close the window.

Adjust taskbar preview size in Windows Vista:

2008-03-02T17:17:00.001-08:00

Taskbar thumbnail preview in Windows Vista is a great new feature that allows you to quickly see a window without having to fully open it from the taskbar. Instead, you can just hover your mouse over the taskbar item and a small preview window will be displayed. Please note that it is possible customize the size of the preview thumbnails. Please check the link:

http://www.tweakvista.com/Article39187.aspx

You may download the Thumbnail Sizer from the link provided below:

http://mpj.tomaatnet.nl/AveThumbnailSizer.zip

Thumbnail Sizer allows the user to change the size of Vista's Window thumbnails that show when one hovers over the taskbar button for the window.

Hi All

2008-03-02T15:27:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,

I decided to start my AAHHOO blogger because I love all my dearest AAHHOO's. In this Blogg, I will put interesting topics (mostly techie) so that all AAHOO's can access it from anywhere !!!