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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2002-07-22

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

1) He's Ba-a-a-a-a-a-ck

Man, I needed that vacation. <g> But, I'm back in the saddle again--- ok, it's really just an office chair--- and resuming normal publication. I hope to include a few interesting tech items from my vacation in an upcoming newsletter, perhaps later this week.

Onward!

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2) Improving "System Restore" In WinME and WinXP

"System Restore" is built into every copy of Windows XP and ME. In theory, it's sort of a system-level "undo" command that lets you recover from a failed software installation, a software conflict, or other similar problems.

Microsoft describes it this way: "System Restore actively monitors system file changes, so that if something goes wrong with your computer, you can restore your system to a previous state without losing data." Microsoft even once billed System Restore as "the end to DLL Hell."

And that's true, as far as it goes. But--- if the volume of reader mail I get about System Restore is any indication--- many, many XP and ME users are confused about exactly what System Restore can and cannot do.

Win9x users need to know about System Restore, too, for two reasons. First: Odds are you'll run into it at some point in the future. And second: It's one of the key features of XP and future operating systems from Microsoft, so knowing about it can help you decide if making a move away from Win9x is worthwhile.

System Restore can be useful, but as is so often the case with Microsoft software, the default settings are so generic and inefficient that they can cancel out much of the potential: You see, depending on how you use it, System Restore can be a help--- or a hog!

In the current InformationWeek column (online now, for free, at http://www.informationweek.com/897/langa.htm ), I'll show you how to overcome the four main limitations of System Restore. We'll also discuss the biggest misconceptions about what System Restore can and cannot do.

I'll then give you click-by-click instructions on how to take full control of System Restore, and illustrate three different usage plans, all of which are much more efficient that Microsoft's sloppy default settings. One of these three plans will be right for you, letting you tap into only exactly as much of System Restore as you really need, without the waste and inefficiencies of the default settings.

Come check out the article at http://www.informationweek.com/897/langa.htm . See you there!

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3) Free Pseduo-Photocopier

Hi Fred, Here’s something your readers might want to know:

A few months ago I discovered a program that turns your scanner and printer into a very simple to use photocopy machine. It’s called Photocopier and it’s free! Its copies are very good. I know from friends that some scanners come with a photocopy program, but mine didn’t. And some of my friends find this Photocopier better than the one they got with their scanner. Moreover, the author is Dutch, just like me, and that makes me like this little gem even more!

There's also a Photocopier Pro, which is shareware, but in most cases the free version can fit the needs.

You can find Photocopier at http://www.nicocuppen.com .  Regards, Toos Jansen

Thanks, Toos.

I don't know why some scanners make it hard to perform this simple task, but many do. If your scanner takes multiple steps to accomplish a simple photocopy-type function, you might want to check out "Photocopier."

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4) Shut XP Not Just *Down*, But *Off*

Reader Russ Theberge writes:

As a result of your Win 98 'cleanup.bat' series of articles a few months ago ( http://www.langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm ) , I became interested in .bat files in general and in Win98, I constructed a simple 'backup.bat' file that backed up the files and folders that I wanted backed up. The last line of this backup.bat file shut down the machine.

Recently I migrated to XP, keeping Win98 (dual boot) for my 'security blanket' :^)

After having finally gotten relatively comfortable with my new O.S., it was time to create a new 'backup.bat' file. All went well until it came time for the last line, the shutdown line. The shutdown command in XP only brought me to 'It is now safe to turn off your computer' It seems that XP's shutdown command shuts down Windows just fine but stops there and does not power down the PC.

After a little digging, I found this freeware utility 'shutdown.exe' written by Andrej Budga and available here  http://www.budja.com/shutdown/

It powers down the set just fine either from the command line or in a .bat file. --- Russ

Thanks, Russ.

Actually, XP's built in "shutdown" command has a dozen software switches and modifiers that expand its functionality beyond the brain-dead default "log off and just sit there" mode. <g> For example, "Shutdown -f -r" (minus the quotes) will force any open apps to close, shutdown Windows, and then reboot your PC. It works from a command line, or from within a script or batch file.

To see all the available options, click Start/Help, and then search on the term "shutdown."

But if the built-in command doesn't cut it, the freeware tool can be good. It actually not only shuts down the PC, but also can:

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5) Speaking Of Batch Files: Convert .Bat to .Com

Fred, Thought you or your readers, may like this old (1990) program we used so much back in the old days. It still works as far as I know and some of you readers may enjoy it. It quickly converts a batch file into a .com file. Very good to hide or compress the big batch files.  Great stuff in your Plus news letters. Best Regards, Bob Collina

http://nlsn.free.fr/batch-down/Bat2Exe.ZIP

Thanks, Bob.

A ".com" program is an old kind of executable file, sort of like an .exe file. Batch (.bat) files are just plain text script files; converting them to the .com format makes them execute faster, and (as Bob says) also hides the actual contents of the batch file from prying eyes, should you have that need. On the other hand, leaving batch files as plain text makes them easier to understand, modify and debug. But it's good to know about the .com option, and have it available if you need it. See also http://www.computing.net/dos/wwwboard/forum/9854.html .

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6) Macro Express

Dear Fred, I've been using Macro Express for a year or so now - a utility for writing or capturing macros. It is available for a 30 day free-trial at http://www.macros.com , and $40 US after that.

I think it is the easiest macro software to use. You can use wizards, capture mode or a scripting editor with commands selected from a menu. The main "trick" is to insert delays or pauses for text playback so that steps occur at the right time.

Version 3 allows you to capture controls within applications and refer to these specifically rather than having the macro click on things "blindly".

It's not bug-free, but I've been using it successfully to add functionality to applications I can't do without but haven't been "ergonomically" designed. Since it has timer/schedule functions it could also run equivalent functions to bat files; I have never got into the latter because I haven't had time to find and learn the commands.

Regards,

Tony Restifo, Sydney, Australia

Thanks, Tony. I don't know why more people don't use macros--- they're a great timesaver.

Good macro tools are a kind of recorder: You (in effect) tell the tool: "Watch what I do, until I tell you to stop. Then, whenever I say so in the future, repeat those recorded actions exactly." Some macros are simple, but others can be amazingly complex, running your PC like a player piano!

Commercial macro tools (like Macro Express and QuicKeys) abound; but there are free tools too: Check your favorite download area. Some tools are application-specific (such as macros for Word or Excel); others are system-level, and can do almost anything.

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7) $10,000 For Your Trouble?

If you think the LangaList is a worthwhile read, just use the following link to recommend the LangaList to a friend. You just may win $10,000(!), your friend just may find a new source of useful information; I just may gain a new subscriber (full details also available via this link): http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=143182

Or, win a no-strings $30 Gift Certificate for any item at Amazon.Com--- books, software, hardware, kitchenware, toys... (Full details available via this link):
http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm

Either way, thank you, and good luck!

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8) Recover Data From "Erased" Memory Sticks

We've talked about how data can be recovered from "erased" hard drives; well, exactly the same principle holds for some other forms of memory, too, including the memory sticks used in some digital cameras and MP3 players:

Hi Fred: I accidentally erased a memory stick. It was full of pic's from my father's memorial service, including the scattering of his ashes on Sugar Mtn, NC- ending with the deck collapsing and 18 of our quests falling and getting injured! (...most of the injuries were not serious.) Anyway my husband in his excitement erased the stick thinking he had saved it to the PC. Well I was devastated to lose pictures to remember this event and only be left with the accident memories! Well I called photo places and looked at sites and found (on a google search) http://www.datarescue.com/photorescue/  I down loaded the trial version and purchased a memory stick reader (which I did not need) and they all came back!!! All 97 of them plus what ever else was on there. I had to purchase the program in order to save them to my HD, but it was well worth the $29.00! It read it right off my camera. I thought you might like to pass it on the all digital camera users. --- Monica

Nice detective work, Monica! Most forms of computer memory emulate PC hard drives: "Erased" data often isn't really erased, but simply marked as unused space. The right software often can identify the original data, and restore it to full use.

Data that's not only been erased but also overwritten still usually can be recovered, although that takes far more elaborate and expensive tools. But recovering from simple "oops!" types of accidental file deletions usually isn't hard (or costly) at all.

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9) They Just Keep Coming And Coming and Coming...

Over two thousand of your fellow readers have "Loaded the code." Please click over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join them! (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://www.langa.com/link.txt )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm

Water Never Sleeps
http://www.waterneversleeps.com/

Tech Board
http://www.thetechboard.com/

DHK Bookmarks
http://dhkbookmarks.home.attbi.com/main.htm

JOHNSON CONSULTING
http://www.tconl.com/~rjjohnso/jcpage2

QuickLearn Computer Training Services
http://quicklearncomputertraining.com/

Am I There Yet?
http://banneshee.diaryland.com/

Partners In Play
http://www.partnersinplay.org.uk/

Jimmy's Home
http://j-bels.netfirms.com/

Tura Beach, New South Wales
http://vk2ce.com/welcome.htm

Windows Guide Network (WinGuides)
http://www.winguides.com/

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10) An Install/Reinstall Tip

In the last issue, we talked about backing up your INF files and device drivers to make OS reinstallation much easier. This reader suggests a related manual approach that should work (or that can be adapted) to any version of Windows, any time:

Hi Fred, After countless installs of windows, all flavors from 3.1 to win98 SE2, I was surprised to find out that I could not find one tech who was doing what I did. To me it made sense and while it's easier on a system that is being reformatted or reinstalled, it can be done on a new system as well. Here's what you do.

If it's a reformat/ reinstall… Identify all the hardware on your system and copy the INF files for each piece of hardware to a floppy disk. While many bits are generic windows supported, many others have their own unique setups. Ever have windows "Not" find your modem? The idea is to collect all the actual setup files, either from the INF folder itself, the windows\inf\other folder, or locate them on the floppy or CD from the manufacturer. If you are not certain which ones to copy from the floppy of CD, copy them all to a properly formatted floppy disk.

Then do your format and reinstall with this little twist. When you get to the "Setup needs to restart… Remove all Floppies…" Leave the boot disk in and restart. When you get to the dos prompt switch to the A:\ prompt and type copy *.* C:\windows\inf where C is the letter of the drive you installed windows. When done remove the floppy and restart so that setup will resume.

The twist is that now widows has the setup files for the actual hardware installed on that system, (including the modem ;~) and when it looks for the hardware can identify it all and use the manufacturer's setup. You may be asked for the CD's with drivers on it and you get a really solid and trouble free install with this method.

Plus you do not get countless entries in the registry for hardware installs that were not correct.(0000. 0001, 0002 etc.)

For a new system that you may have built or rebuilt you can use the same technique, you just need access to the original setup disks for the "newest" hardware that you have installed. This works especially well on a new system with the latest and greatest hardware and saves literally hours of hardware troubleshooting. --- 2McAbre aka Jon

 Thanks, Jon!

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11) Just For Grins

Steve Gibson (of ShieldsUp fame, at http://grc,com ) sent along this note:

Subject: http://www.waitallday.com/

This is rather funny. (And clever) Watch the "status" bar at the bottom of your browser. You'll (presumably) need scripting enabled. )

It's purely visual and web-based: I can only point you too it. It's harmless and amusing; the page is designed so that it appears never to finish loading, instead, a series of increasingly bizarre status-bar messages goes on and on and on....  8-) 

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12) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• Free 2000-page "PC Hardware Bible"
• Add "Command Prompt" To The Context Menu
• Free PopUp Ad Buster

Today's LangaList Plus! Edition contains all ten items above, plus about 30% more content including: A free online version of a 2000 (!) page reference book on PC hardware, including all the charts and tables of the original 22-pound/10-kilo printed book; an ultra-simple (and Microsoft-sanctioned) way to add a "command prompt" menu item to your context menus; and a free popup ad stopper one reader says is "truly great!"

Complete Plus! Edition info: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm 

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See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
( editor@langa.com )
( fred@langa.com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win $10,000!I)

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