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The
LangaList
Standard Edition
2003-08-21
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!
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1) Hacking Into Your
Own PC
It's an
adage among computer security professionals: If someone has unlimited electronic
or physical access to your PC, then given enough
time, money, talent and effort, they can break in. This is true for any OS, bar
none: Windows, Linux, Mac, whatever.
But the reverse also is
true: If you limit easy electronic and physical access to your PC,
you
can keep essentially all casual hackers at bay, and seriously impede even
professional-level data thieves.
For example, you can help control electronic access to
the system with good firewalling and network practices (see Firewall Feedback
http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20020412S0009 and How Much Security
Is Enough?
http://www.informationweek.com/840/langa.htm ), and you can control physical
access through simple expedients such as locking your office door; or, if that's
not an option, through BIOS-level passwords, security access keys, "dongles" and
the like. (Examples.
http://www.google.com/search?q=usb+security+access+key )
However, all that security can come
back to haunt you if you forget your password(s), or if you legitimately need to
access someone else's password-protected PC. This happens fairly frequently in
totally above-board circumstances such as when a worker or family member has
become ill or incapacitated, and has left behind a password-protected PC; in
cases where simple user-error has caused someone to forget his or her own
password; and so on.
If you have a legitimate need to access a password-protected PC, then you
probably also have unhindered physical access to that system. That means that
for you--- unlike the hackers and crackers who should not have easy access to the
system--- it's not that hard to hack into the system and reset or otherwise
bypass the passwords.
In the article now posted at InformationWeek.Com (
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=13100343 ),
we'll sample some of the very best tools available to solve the most common
types of OS- and application-level password problems in XP. Then we'll also
discuss resources for an enormous range of tools that can solve almost any
password-related problem.
Click on over to
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=13100343
,and you may never have to worry about lost passwords again!
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2) Free Memory
Diagnostic Tool
Dear Fred, Following your recent article on memory problems, my laptop crashed on startup and the Microsoft Online Crash Analysis kicked in and suggested a hardware/memory fault. It recommended downloading the Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic tool from
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp . Another great utility for diagnosing memory (and solving my problem). Thanks for LangaList Plus. Cheers, Dr. Martyn Sherriff
The free "Windows Memory Diagnostic" from Microsoft is actually a DOS-like
low-level tool that runs on any system based on Intel Pentiums or Celerons; AMD
K6s, Athlons, or Durons; and other "x86" compatible CPUs. The download file
contains both the tool and a kind of installer application that lets you
automatically create a special-purpose boot floppy, or an ISO image you can burn
to a boot CD. You then boot from the floppy or CD, and the memory diagnostic
tool will run automatically.
The diagnostic test starts by filling your RAM with all ones, all zeros, and
various regular patterns of ones and zeros. Any discrepancies between what is
written into RAM and what is read back out indicates a problem with one or more
RAM modules. The test can pinpoint the failure location, so you'll know exactly
which RAM module is giving you trouble.
The test speed depends on the speed of your system (CPU and RAM speed) and
how much RAM you're testing. The base test runs in a matter of minutes on most
systems, but the thorough tests can take many hours--- it's *very* thorough.
RAM is usually quite reliable, but RAM problems, when they occur, can be very
hard to pin down. Tools like this can help a lot. Thanks, Martyn!
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3)
Reader-Recommended XP Newsletter
Fred, I thought I would pass along another nice resource for weekly Windows XP news.
http://www.winxpnews.com/ Plus Subscriber, Luke C. Gabello
Thanks, Luke. We've mentioned that site before in conjunction with specific
items (eg http://langa.com/u/1e.htm ),
but somehow hadn't mentioned their newsletter itself. Glad we can do so now!
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4) BootIt Upgrade
I visited the BootItNG link you gave in your July 3rd issue (okay, so I'm
behind a little). The good news is that there's an update which you may or may
not have already seen: "Version 1.51 made available on Aug 12, 2003"
http://terabyteunlimited.com/downloads/bootitng.zip
Enjoy! Joseph Maddison
Thanks, Joseph. One of the nice things about BootIt is their liberal
upgrade/update policy. For example, if you have any registered version from 1.0
onward, you're eligible for free updates to all versions through 1.99. Nice!
More info:
http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q=bootit&sp-a=0008002a-sp00000000
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5)
"How My System Became Toast..."
Hi Fred: You have again pulled my fat out of the fire. My experience of the last few days may serve as a warning to your other readers about the urgent need for both backups and virus protection/firewall protection, and the value of a
dos-based image (apropos of today's discussion
http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=10818064 ). Here's how my system became toast.
Your recent material on backups caused me to be more attentive to the system and not just to backup my data. So, I just recently got ghosting software (Norton 2002) and used it immediately. A few days ago I installed some
software and as usual I turned off all other running programs after scanning the software for viruses, of course so since I was off line I shut down my antivirus and firewall and everything else and set the new software to work.
It was a lengthy job involving gigabytes of data, and my wife needed the
computer while the job still had hours to run so, forgetting my protection was not there, I connected her to the internet and went to work. That evening I found the boot sector of my hard drive was malfunctioning, the partition definition was off, and it began showing bad sectors things that made me think virus and it was so bad I couldn't get windows to start anymore. The restore disk that came with the machine was useless - it required Windows to work and the windows files were on the now unusable hard disk. So, using the dos rescue disk (which I made a few years ago following your advice way back then) and
my drive image which I had ghosted just a few days ago, I was able to reformat
the partition and reinstall the perfect working copy. Had I not heeded your advice, it would have been an unmitigated disaster. As it turned out, I only lost
some time. Like you, my wife depends on this computer for her job and she was a nervous wreck about this. Thank you yet again you continue to prove that
your newsletter (I am a plus subscriber) gives the best return on any investment I've ever made.
Incidentally, using froogle.google (another tip I believe you passed on) I found I could get the 2002 version Norton ghost for about $15 on the web including shipping; but looking further I was able to get the 2002 Norton System Works which includes Ghost plus a lot more for $14, also including shipping. I don't know what's new for the 2003 editions, but 2002 seems to
work just fine. So thanks again for another pointer that paid off in a big way.
---Ken Dooley
Sooner or later everyone--- everyone!--- will have some kind of software or
hardware problem that will either make them glad that they have backups, or
fervently wish that they did. Trouble is, I've said it so often I think some
readers have tuned it out. Maybe hearing a real-life case from a fellow reader will help
convince the disbelievers!
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6) Three More
Winners!
"Kris" and "Krosnest"
each won a FREE full one-year subscription to the LangaList Plus! edition.
Reader "Kream1," who already was a Plus!
subscriber, won a FREE one-year extension to his Plus! subscription. They won
these subscriptions by using the "Recommend To A Friend" form at
http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm .
You see, each month I choose three winners of a FREE
ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to the LangaList Plus! edition. To have a shot at winning,
just use the following link to recommend the LangaList to a friend. Your friend
just may find a new source of useful information; I just may gain a new
subscriber; and you just may win! (Full details also available via this link):
http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm
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friend
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7) Still Debating XP
Pro vs Home?
I am a reader of your Langalist and am looking to buy a new computer for use
in my home. I've been told that Windows XP Pro is superior to Windows XP Home
for all applications, including home usage. What do you recommend? Many thanks, Mike Schilling
The Home version actually is a subset of XP Pro--- Home is Pro with some features removed,
hidden, or neutered to make them "friendlier." Thus Pro is slightly more capable than Home---
but it also costs a lot more.
I personally prefer Pro--- it's what I run on my own
systems here because I don't want to run into Home's artificial limitations. But other
family members use the Home edition to good effect on their PCs.
For lots more detail, including feature lists and help in choosing which
version is best for you, see
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-03-03.htm#5
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friend
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8) More Reader Sites!
Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please
click over to
http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join the hundreds and
hundreds of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (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 From Among All Listed
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm
Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm
How fast is your connection?
http://speed.forret.com/
WITTS COMPUTER WALLPAPER
http://wittswallpapers.com/
USS Casa Grande LSD
http://www.usscasagrande.com/
Mishawaka Class of 1974
http://www.mhs74.com/
The Masked Blogger
http://www.thepixelpalette.com/mt/the_masked_blogger/
Clay Aiken Fan Site
http://www.route53.com/clayaiken.html
Omnimaxx BBS
http://www.omnimaxx.com/forums/index.php
Digital Sauces
http://www.digitalsauces.com/
economy body parts and autoglass
http://economybodyparts.com/
eq2000
http://www.saturngirl.net/eq2000/
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friend
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"Thanks for your newsletter which last night made fixing a problem
with a clients
laptop a lead pipe cinch. The beast would not shut down
while running Win 98 SE (sound familiar?). Well, it sounded familiar to me
so I searched my Langa Plus archives and came up with a blurb
written in 1999.
A couple of minutes downloading,
applying the patch and a reboot... voila, the
beast was tamed
and now behaves itself. Thanks again."---Phil
The Plus! Archives are
offered free to Plus! subscribers;
the archives place the full content of every LangaList ever published---
Standard and Plus! editions--- right on your local hard drive.
It gives nearly instant
answers to any question
we've ever covered in the last five years!
Get all the details on The LangaList Plus! Edition, (and the Archives!):
<a href=" http://www.langa.com/plus.htm ">Click!</a>
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9) "The OS Files"
Fred, Just came across this site and thought your readers might find it useful. It
seems to be very informative on any operating system you're interested in. It
includes "Summary, News, Requirements, Compatibility, Interface, Installation,
Variants, Versions, Downloads, Links, Publisher, Support, Pricing, Alternatives,
Secrets. It seems to me to be a great way to learn about different operating
systems in the event you want to change or are just curious. It's called The OS
Files (your total operating systems portal) http://www.theosfiles.com/ The site's
Mission says
"This is the one-stop secret portal for every x86 Operating System!... My goal is to provide news, information,
background, links and availability for every current and planned OS that runs on
the PC platform, with a minimum of fuss or fluff...."
Your newsletter has saved my bacon numerous times and
I no longer have to "reformat and start from scratch". Thank you! ---Karen Swartz,
Loyal Plus subscriber.
Thanks, Karen, excellent find! Of course, no one site can truly cover
everything, so TheOSfiles tries instead to be a convenient front end to
additional, in-depth information on other sites that specialize in the 40 or so
various OSes it covers. Nice resource!
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friend
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10) Just For Grins
Our recent discussion on power protection devices triggered some interesting
email, like this exchange I had with reader "Richard." He wrote:
Not to kick a dead horse... well, ok. To kick a dead horse... In the 'protecting your computer from electrical danger' item
(
http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-07-31.htm#2 ) you mentioned:
>In the interests of full disclosure, let me further point out that
>unplugging your PC also won't protect it against other rare-but-real
>dangers, such as earthquakes, vulcanism, tsunamis, nuclear explosions,
>building collapse, solar flares, civil unrest, or the occasional meteor strike. <g>
I think you meant to say 'volcanism'. Although come to think of it, vulcanism probably wouldn't be all that good for most computers either
:-) ---Richard
Richard wasn't the only one--- many readers thought I'd mistyped or that I
was referring to Star Trek aliens. I explained to those who wrote that "vulcanism"
is an accepted alternate spelling for "volcanism." I personally
prefer the "u" form because the root of the word is the name of the Roman god of
fire and metalworking, Vulcan(us); the Romans imagined that the glow from Mt.
Etna's lava flows was the light from the fires of Vulcan's forges.
But the "o" form is more familiar because that's what was settled upon in the
1600s, when the then-new science of geology needed a term to describe
mountains like Mt. Etna--- mountains we now simply call "volcanoes."
Richard wrote back:
Speaking of vulcans--- the tv variety--- and etymology that may someday become difficult to reconstruct, there is a numbered asteroid with the designation 2309: "Mr Spock."
A commission of The International Astronomical Union is the official keeper of astronomical nomenclature and designations. (Well it may be a working group and not a commission, but never mind that)
Asteroids are assigned numbers issued in sequence as sufficient observations are collected and processed to determine a 'definitive orbit'. The discoverer has the option of suggesting a name. The name should have some astronomical
relevance, not be politically or otherwise touchy, and is subject to approval by the nomenclature commission.
Anyway, as related in a note in the magazine Sky & Telescope several years ago, asteroid 2309/Mr. Spock is not named for the Star Trek character. It is named for a cat belonging to an observatory staff member. The cat had become an observatory mascot. The cat was named after the tv character, but the asteroid was clearly and explicitly named for the cat.
---Richard
With some 60,000 bits of interplanetary debris cataloged, there are many
strangely named space objects indeed, as this partial list shows
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/lists/MPNames.html and as this more-readable
general article explains:
http://technology.cincinnati.com/freetime/060603_skywatch.html
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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:
-
Free NTFS Batch File
Floppy-Maker
(reader's
free tool make it a snap!)
-
Controlling Your Modem
Options
(speed
up, slow down, adjust volume, more)
-
Two Freeware Gems
(a
registry editor and a long-filename tool for CDs)
Plus! edition subscribers not only get much more
content in every issue (like the above), but also have access to a private web
site with over 100,000 words of special content and features not found in *any*
issue of the newsletter; along with dozens of private downloads and much more---
all for just $1 per month!
Check out:
http://www.langa.com/plus.htm
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(Want to give a gift
subscription to the LangaList Plus edition?
Click <a href= "
http://www.langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">here</a>)
See you next issue!
Best,
Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )
An easier-to read formatted HTML version is
available in the "Current Issue" section of
http://www.langa.com.
(The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the
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