Monday, December 31, 2012

Don't use your real email to register on all websites...use this instead

BugMeNot

BugMeNot is a database of usernames and passwords for websites that force you to register. If you encounter one of these websites, visit bugmenot.com and plug the address of the website into the box. Use one of the username and password combos to log in. If they no longer work, you can help by registering your own disposable account (see below) and adding it to the BugMeNot site.

You can integrate BugMeNot into your browser, if you like. Just install the Firefox add-on, Chrome extension, or add the bookmarklet from the BugMeNot website.

Monday, December 24, 2012

Create your own folder to find stuff with Win 8




Windows 7 users were delighted when they found out about a secret feature called GodMode. It basically lets you create a folder with a special name that somehow then gives you access to just about all of the controls, options and settings for the OS.
Luckily, you can enable GodMode in Windows 8 too! To get started, just create a folder on the desktop and name it whatever you like. After that, right-click and it and choose Rename. Now just add the following to the end of the folder name:
.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
As you can see, you need to include the . before the opening bracket. Here’s my mine looks like:
All Settings.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
godmode windows 8
When you do this, the icon on the folder changes into one that is exactly the same as the Control Panel.
windows 8 settings
However, if you click on the new GodMode icon, you’ll get a folder with a bunch of links to all kinds of settings on Windows 8. It’s nice because it even breaks it down by category.
godmode settings
Now you can access every single setting and option in Windows 8 from one folder! So if you are having a hard time finding a particular setting or control panel item, just open this folder and do a search. It’s great because you can narrow down the huge list by typing in a few keywords.
search settings
Sweet! So that’s how you enable GodMode in Windows 8. However, there is also another way to get access to a lot of settings in Windows 8. The new Start Screen has a built-in search option that lets you search all system settings. Go to the Start Screen and type in the word Settings.
search settings
You get a pretty big list of 91 settings you can adjust. Just swipe with your finger or scroll with your mouse to access all of the settings.
settings windows 8
Courtesty OTT

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Check your LastPass logins for security breaches...here's how

LastPass recently introduced LastPass Sentry, a new feature to help LastPass users be more proactive about their online security by alerting them when their email address is included in the latest breaches of online sites and services (think LinkedIn).

The update means that a full check can be performed locally against your entire LastPass vault to look for accounts that may have been affected by a breach, in addition to the ongoing monitoring of your LastPass account email address.

How LastPass Sentry now works:

  1. Sentry still performs daily checks, with the latest updates to the PwnedList database, to see if LastPass account email addresses are on the list.
  2. If a match is found, an email notification is sent to the LastPass user, notifying them of the domain that was breached and the potential risk. 
  3. Users can also run the LastPass Security Challenge (from the LastPass Icon's Tools menu) and select the option to look for breaches of their stored accounts. 
  4. If any matches are found between the PwnedList database and the data in your vault, notifications are sent to the affected email addresses with information on the breach and a reminder to update your passwords.
  5. We then recommend updating the password for any affected accounts, and any other accounts using that password (which the Security Challenge will help you identify), using LastPass to generate a new, strong password.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Sleep Deprived PC..see why.....

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Have you ever expected your PC to go into sleep mode only to come back and find it is still powered on? We know we certainly have, here’s how to check what’s keeping it awake.

How to See Which App is Blocking Your PC from Going into Sleep Mode

Press the Win + X keyboard combination or right click in the bottom left hand corner of your screen to bring up the Windows Tools Menu, then launch an admin command prompt.

When the command prompt opens, type the following command:
powercfg /requests

You can see from the screenshot above, that I have 1 Process (VLC Media Player) as well as 2 Drivers that are preventing my PC from going to sleep. That’s all there is to it.

Courtesty HTG

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

How to completely shut down Windows 8

What is Hybrid Boot?

Hybrid Boot is a new feature in Windows 8 that takes the Hibernate feature we all know and love and improves upon it to bring us faster boot times. In your PC you have multiple sessions, more specifically you have session 0 which is reserved for the kernel session and session 1 which is normally your user session. In traditional implementations of hibernation when you click hibernate your PC takes everything that it currently has in memory (RAM) and writes it to the hiberfil.sys file on your hard drive, this includes both session 0 and session 1 data.
With Hybrid Boot, instead of hibernating both sessions it only hibernates session 0, it then closes your user session.  So now when you start your PC back up, it reads session 0 from hiberfil.sys and puts it back into memory, and starts a new user session for you. The result is dramatically faster boot times, with no effect on our user sessions.

How to Quickly Do a Full Shutdown

Right click on your Desktop and create a new shortcut.

When you are asked what you would like to create a shortcut to, type the following:
shutdown /s /t 0

Then give your shortcut a name.

Once you have created your shortcut, right click on it and head into its properties.

Now click on the Change Icon button.

I will just be using one of the default icons that comes with Windows, but feel free to choose your own.

Finally you can pin the shortcut to the Start Screen for easy access.

To do a full shutdown all you need to do is click on the shortcut.

That’s all there is to it.

Courtesy HTG

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Secure Boot..my foot!....disable it right now....

  • Boot machine while pressing F10
  • Find Secure Boot in the menu tree, ignore warnings
  • Disable Secure Boot feature
  • Enable legacy boot options
  • Enable specific legacy devices, such as USB devices
  • Save and reboot while holding down F9 
All new computers have Windows 8 with  Secure Boot UEFI bios.....



Monday, December 3, 2012

Buffering......reboot for improved performance

If you want your connection speed to improve, thus decreasing buffering, you should reboot your home internet connection from time to time.
REBOOTING YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY
Step 1: Unplug the Electrical Source from both your Modem and Router.
electrical plug Rebooting your Internet Connection to Improve Reliability
Step 2: Verify that no lights remain illuminated on either device. Should there still be anything lit, you’ll need to remove the battery from the hatch door at either the bottom or side of the device.
Step 3: Wait 15 Minutes, giving your Internet Devices time to cool down.
Step 4: Reconnect the Modem first and wait 30 Seconds.
Step 5: Reconnect the Router next and wait 30 Seconds.
Step 6: Open a web page on your computer to verify that you’re back online.


This is especially helpful for those of you who are streaming video content.....XBMC users who are getting script errors should try this.......

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Raspberry Pi- Berry Boot.....what ? check it out!

For those of  you brave enough to grab a Raspberry PI for about 35 bucks here is an easy way to set it up.....you have several options for operating systems to install....also XMBC is available for the PI directly from RASPBMC
The installers offered here require a wired network connection with DHCP on the Pi’s first bootup, this is the recommended installation method and you should use this install type where possible.
If you wish to install Raspbmc to a USB drive, create a file on the fat partition called ‘usb
Raspbmc has a simple UI installer - just pick your platform below.
Installing on Windows (2000/XP/Vista/7)
Installing on Mac OS X (10.5 or later) and Linux




In addition to running on the Raspberry Pi, Berryboot also supports Android tablets, TV sticks and boards that have an Allwinner A10 processor.
For more information see the BerryBoot A10 page

Download link Berryboot for the Raspberry Pi: berryboot-20121126.zip
 

Walkthrough


If your Pi is connected to the Internet BerryBoot will try to detect your location based on your IP-address, and set the right timezone automatically. Verify that it is correct and press “ok”

Select where you want to store the operating system files, and press “format” You can install the operating system files on the SD card itself or an external USB stick/disk. Be aware that if you choose an external drive, the files of the operating system will be stored there, but you still need to keep the SD card in the Pi to boot from.
WARNING: all existing files on the disk will be erased.

Select which operating system you want to install. You can add more later.

It will download the files from the Internet automatically.

In the Berryboot menu editor you can install more operating systems, rename them, delete them, etc. Press “exit” to exit the editor and start using the operating system you installed.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Set up Local Account with Windows 8 not Windows Live Login User

The default option of Windows 8 installation is to use Microsoft Account to log in Windows. If you want the traditional way, i.e. use local Windows account, there is an explicit option to override the default.

Just pay attention to setup screen, you’ll find it – click “Sign in without a Microsoft Account”:

Choose between Microsoft and Local Account to sign in Windows 8

Then on next screen the installer outlines the pros and cons of these two account types:

Click Local Account button to complete Windows 8 installation, so you won't have to use Microsoft Account to log in Windows.

If you still want to choose “Local Account” for signing in Windows 8 (as a matter of privacy or you’re using broadband with low monthly quota), just click the right button to proceed.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Gmail, meet Google Drive -- and behold 10GB file transfers

Anyone who has ever had to send enormous files across the Internet has a new option. Google announced today that it has integrated Google Drive with Gmail, allowing users of both services to insert files from Drive directly into their messages.

























Notably, file sizes can be up to 10GB, or 400 times larger than is allowed in a traditional attachment. The team also built some "smart assistant" technology into the feature to make sure recipients of your shared files have the necessary permissions. Like a smart assistant, Gmail will also double-check that your recipients all have access to any files you're sending. This works like Gmail's forgotten attachment detector: whenever you send a file from Drive that isn't shared with everyone, you'll be prompted with the option to change the file's sharing settings without leaving your email. It'll even work with Drive links pasted directly into emails. The feature is rolling out over the next few days to users who have already upgraded to Gmail's new composing window.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Easiest way to close Windows 8 Apps

The simplest method is by hitting Alt-F4 on your keyboard, which, like with Desktop apps, immediately terminates the app. Windows 8 Task Manager: Simple view, for closing Metro apps The other option is pushing your mouse all the way to the top of the screen until your pointer becomes a hand, clicking, and then dragging the Metro app to the bottom of your screen. This is quite tiresome with a mouse, but it’s the easiest way of closing Metro apps on a touchscreen. You can also do the same thing from the Metro task switcher. Swipe in from the left (or use the hot corner), move your finger back towards the edge, and the task switcher pops up. From here, you can drag the thumbnails to the bottom of the screen to close them. The one exception is if you’re on the Metro Start screen; you can’t close apps from there, for some reason (probably a bug). If you are using a mouse, you can right click a thumbnail and select Close — and this works from the Start screen, too.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Download FB Photos the easy way!

Pick&Zip is a free software that will allow you to backup and download Facebook pictures in a single zip or pdf file. Now you can also download videos! Download tagged photos of you With this free software you can download photos where you have been tagged even if you have not uploaded them. Backup your Facebook pictures Pick&Zip is a great solution to backup all your Facebook photos, with just a few clicks you can download all your albums and tagged photos. Build your selection If so you prefer, you can make a selection of the pictures you like best among your own, your fan pages and those of the groups you belong. Download Facebook videos Now you can download videos from your Facebook profile, from your friends or videos where you have been tagged! Login HERE (the green login button at the top) with your FB account and it give Pick & Zip permission to access FB and then you will be logged in and can access all your photos for download..... it works GREAT!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Ads----Keep Your Browser as Clean as Possible...here's how...

get the OPT-OUT PLUGIN for Firefox by clicking on the link...

then go into Google Ad preferences and make sure you go to delete all companies who have
cookies stored on your browser....HERE

go to about ads info page HERE

down at the bottom "CHOOSE ALL COMPANIES" to opt out of.....

give it a go and safe searching without all the nosy companies sending you stuff!

Restart Windows Update in Win 7

How to Reset Windows Update in Windows 7 and Vista

information   Information
This will show you how to reset Windows Update view update history, and how to reset and re-register Windows Update Components if you are having a problem updating with Windows Update.





OPTION ONE

To Only Reset Windows Update History

Note   Note
Resetting Windows Update using this option will clear the view update history details list (cache).

This will not actually uninstall any of your currently installed Windows Update. They will just not be listed anymore. Any new Windows Update installed after the reset will show up in the view update history list as normal though.
1. Click on the Download button below to download this file below.
Reset_Windows_Update_History.bat

download
2. Click on Save, and save the .bat file to your Desktop.

3. Right click on the downloaded .bat file, and click on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC click on Run, then Yes (if administrator) or type in administrator's password (if standard user).

5. You will now see a elevated command prompt open and run. When it's finished, it will close automatically.

6. If opened, close and reopen Windows Update to verify that it has been reset.
Windows Update - Reset-reset.jpgWindows Update - Reset-update_history.jpg
7. Resetting the Windows Update history will also restore the default language packs being listed in Windows Upate again in the Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions after you check for updates next.
Windows Update - Reset-language_packs.jpg



OPTION TWO

To Reset and Re-register Windows Update Components

NOTE: This option is the Windows 7 version of: How do I reset Windows Update components?. It will reset Windows Update Components and re-register the BITS files and the Windows Update files to help fix Windows Update errors. This option will not clear the view update history details list as it does in OPTION ONE above.
1. Click on the Download button below to download this file below.
Reset_Reregister_Windows_Update_Components.bat

download
2. Click on Save, and save the .bat file to your Desktop.

3. Right click on the downloaded .bat file, and click on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC click on Run, then Yes (if administrator) or type in administrator's password (if standard user).

5. You will now see a elevated command prompt open and run. When it's finished, it will close automatically.

6. Restart the computer afterwards to apply.

7. If this still does not help, then run the Microsoft Fix it tool here:
How do I reset Windows Update components?



OPTION THREE

To Reset and Re-register Windows Update Components AND Reset Update History in One Easy Click


Note   Note
This is simply an amalgamation of the two files mentioned above. Note that this file needs to be run with administrative privileges and that your computer will automatically restart.
1. Click on the Download button below to download this file below.
Reset_Windows_Update_Full.bat

download

2. Click on Save, and save the .bat file to your Desktop.

3. Right click on the downloaded .bat file, and click on Run as administrator.

4. If prompted by UAC click on Run, then Yes (if administrator) or type in administrator's password (if standard user).

5. You will now see a elevated command prompt open and run. When it's finished, your computer will automatically reboot itself.

New Ubuntu 12.10 can be installed on UEFI BIOS

Download it HERE

Can replace Windows 8 in case you are not thoroughly thrilled with it....

Check it out....
  1. Using a DVD?

    It’s easy to install Ubuntu from a DVD. Here’s what you need to do:
    Put the Ubuntu DVD into the DVD-drive
    Restart your computer. You should see a welcome screen prompting you to choose your language and giving you the option to install Ubuntu or try it from the DVD.
    If you don’t get this menu, read the booting from the DVD guide for more information.

    Using a USB drive?

    Most newer computers can boot from USB. You should see a welcome screen prompting you to choose your language and giving you the option to install Ubuntu or try it from the CD.
    If your computer doesn’t automatically do so, you might need to press the F12 key to bring up the boot menu, but be careful not to hold it down - that can cause an error message.
  2. 2

    Prepare to install Ubuntu

    • We recommend you plug your computer into a power source
    • You should also make sure you have enough space on your computer to install Ubuntu
    • We advise you to select Download updates while installing and Install this third-party software now
    • You should also stay connected to the internet so you can get the latest updates while you install Ubuntu
    • If you’re not connected to the internet, we’ll help you set up wireless at the next step
  3. 3

    Set up wireless

    If you are not connected to the internet, you will be asked to select a wireless network, if available. We advise you to connect during the installation so we can ensure your machine is up to date. So, if you set up your wireless network at this point, it’s worth then clicking the Back button to go back to the last screen (Preparing to install Ubuntu) and ticking the box marked ’Download updates while installing’.
  4. 4

    Allocate drive space

    Use the checkboxes to choose whether you’d like to Install Ubuntu alongside another operating system, delete your existing operating system and replace it with Ubuntu, or – if you’re an advanced user – choose the ’Something else’ option
  5. 5

    Begin the installation

    Depending on your previous selections, you can now verify that you have chosen the way in which you would like to install Ubuntu. The installation process will begin when you click the Install Now button.
    Ubuntu needs about 4.5 GB to install, so add a few extra GB to allow for your files.
    Not sure about this step? Windows users can use the Windows installer, which will install and uninstall Ubuntu in the same way as any other Windows application. It’s simpler and completely safe.
  6. 6

    Select your location

    If you are connected to the internet, this should be done automatically. Check your location is correct and click ’Forward’ to proceed. If you’re unsure of your time zone, type the name of the town you’re in or click on the map and we’ll help you find it.
    TIP: If you’re having problems connecting to the Internet, use the menu in the top-right-hand corner to select a network.
  7. 7

    Select your preferred keyboard layout

    Click on the language option you need. If you’re not sure, click the ’Detect Keyboard Layout’ button for help.
  8. 8

    Enter your login and password details

  9. 9

    Learn more about Ubuntu while the system installs…

    …or make a cup of tea!
  10. 10

    That’s it.

    All that’s left is to restart your computer and start enjoying Ubuntu!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Keyboard Cleaning--Here's some tips


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Your keyboard is one of your most important peripherals, but it’s bound to get clogged with dirt and grime over time. Dust off, scrub down, and clean up your number one input device safely with these tips.
There are plenty of ways to clean depending on what afflicts your workspace. We’ll break it down by type, but first thing’s first: unplug your keyboard! Some of these cleaning methods can theoretically do some damage to your keyboard if there’s power going to it, so be sure it’s unplugged and the batteries are taken out.

Dust

keys
(Image credit: Ioan Sameli)
A common problem in offices, dust can really make typing unpleasant. It’s an easy fix, however. For daily maintenance, you can use a small soft-bristled dusting brush, like the one below.
Back Camera
A small hand-held vacuum cleaner or a can of compressed air will work well.
air duster
(Image credit cogdogblog)
For more caked on dust, try the brush/hose attachment of a larger vacuum cleaner to help scrape off dust bunnies.
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Germs

Daily use can breed a whole different kind of filth on your precious keys. Be wary of disinfectant sprays; many are strong enough that you wouldn’t want to keep your hands in contact with them for very long. Try to find ones that are electronics-friendly. Personally, my favorite option is to use an isopropyl alcohol solution.
Be sure to use isopropyl and NOT ethyl, as the harsher ethyl alcohol can take the lettering off of the keys. Anything about 60% alcohol or more is fine; higher concentrations don’t really help kill more germs, but it also won’t hurt.
Back Camera
Take a little alcohol solution and moisten an old rag or a paper towel with it. Do NOT pour it into the keyboard. Trust me, a wet napkin is enough. Scrub it over the tops of the keys, and use a wet cotton swab to go down in between them.
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Back Camera

Spills

What’s worse than accidentally turning on Sticky Keys? Spilling your soda and getting real sticky keys. First thing’s first, unplug your keyboard. Dump out any excess liquid and mop up as best you can with paper towels. While it’s best to clean while the keyboard is still wet to minimize the stickiness, the process is much the same whether you spilled your soda 30 seconds ago or 30 days ago.
To get rid of sticky keys, we’ll need to pop off the keys and clean the keyboard more thoroughly. If you have a standard keyboard, you’ll be able to find references to where all the keys should go if you don’t already have the layout memorized. For custom keyboard, it might be helpful to draw a quick map or take a picture with your digital camera so you know where everything belongs when you go to put things back together.
For desktop keyboards, take a butter knife or a screwdriver and try to pry up one corner of the keys. You don’t need to use a lot of force; you should feel a pop and the key will come right off.
Back Camera
Back Camera
For laptop keyboards, your fingernail should be enough to pull the plastic up. Start with one corner and move to an adjacent one. Be extra careful, since the mechanism is made of plastic and you don’t want to break it.
laptop keys
(Image credit: footloosiety)
Once the keys are off, you can better use a paper towel and maybe some alcohol solution to clean the keyboard base. Careful with those metal bars!
Back Camera
To clean the keys you can wash them in warm water and/or use some cotton swabs. To put the keys back on, just place them over their correct position and press them until you hear a snap. They shouldn’t feel mushy or sticky anymore, and if they do it’s probably because they either didn’t set properly in the base or it’s in the wrong place. With keys that have metal bars, make sure the bars are properly attached to the keys and that the ends line up in the slots on the keyboard (compare the above and below images).
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Chiclet-style keyboards are great because they prevent a lot of dirt from getting underneath, but unfortunately I’ve still not found a good way to clean them of sticky spills. If you know of a good way, share it in the comments!

Food Particles and Grime

Geeks’ diets aren’t always the best. Aside from spilled soda, you may find potato chip grease, Cheeto crumbs, or popcorn pieces stuck under the keys, making them feel mushy while typing. As with liquid cleanup, pop off the keys as best you can. Take a vacuum, then a can of compressed air to really flush out everything underneath.
under keys
(Image credit: James Bowe)
For really grimy spots, try using a pencil eraser. You might be surprised as how well the rubber will peel off dirt. Just be careful that the eraser-dust doesn’t fall back in the keyboard.
eraser
(Image credit: charliebobgordon)
If you’ve tried everything to cut the dirt and grease, then I’ve got one last method for you. Take a soft-bristled toothbrush that’s wet with a bit of alcohol to your keyboard. You can clean the removed keys with a toothbrush and some soapy water. Your keys will be looking brand-new in no time!
Back Camera

Courtesy HTG