How To Subscribe and Unsubscribe is at the end of this note. Mailing List Trouble? See http://langa.com/help.htm
Questions about the advertisers? See the end of this note. Please also see legal notices at the end of this note. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version of this newsletter is available
<a href=" http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-02-07.htm ">here</a>

The LangaList
Standard Edition

2005-02-07

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) Restoring Just the Registry In XP

Hi Fred.  I have a couple of questions for you. For windows 95 , ME and 98 "scanreg/restore" was the ticket for a quick registry restoration in DOS. Now however I am confused with the emergency console which seems to do nothing and all of the cool back up options such as "restore" in windows xp. What I'm after is a registry back up in the DOS mode like "restore" does in windows, surely there is a super bat file out there somewhere that will do the deed? Also if I back up the system state in a .bak file what good is it if I can't reinstall it in the emergency console? Friend of the LangaList, Doug

XP has no separate DOS per se, so DOS-based solutions aren't the answer. Even booting from a true DOS floppy may not help; if XP is set up on an NTFS partition (as it usually is) DOS won't even see it. (DOS sees only FAT-based partitions.)

But you're on the right track with regard to the "system state;" To restore your whole XP registry, restore the "system state" from a backup. This is explained in "How to use Backup to restore files and folders on your computer in Windows XP:" http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309340  There's even a video tutorial to show you how.

With regard to restoring the Registry if you can't get Windows started, Microsoft says:

Backing up the system state also creates updated copies of the registry files in the \Repair folder. If you cannot start Windows XP... you can replace the registry files manually by using the steps in the "Part One" section of the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: "How to recover from a corrupted registry that prevents Windows XP from starting" ( http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545 )

Still more info:

How to back up, edit, and restore the registry in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;322756

And some general info:
http://www.google.com/search?q=restore+registry+xp

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

--- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) ---

"Hi Fred, I was receiving your free newsletter for a while and
subscribed to the plus edition with a few reservations. After a few
weeks however, I think it would be cheap at twice the price. The Plus!
newsletter is great! I have recommended it to a few of my less computer
literate friends and they have told me that they are learning things at
a prodigious rate. I find your hints and links invaluable and await each
issue. Please keep up the good work.--- Tom Sobieski"

It's not expensive--- only around $1/month, or pennies an issue!
Get all the details:

http://langa.com/plus.htm

--------------( the above is an advertisement )--------------

2) Kazaa Sleuthing

Dear Fred,  I should have known better, but armed with Win Patrol Plus (Highly recommended http://store.yahoo.com/winpatrol/winplusmemre.html ) and the new Microsoft antispyware  program, I decided  to test just how evasive Kazaa really is.

Boy, was I surprised!.. well ,not really ,but it was amazing how many adware programs and assorted tracker files were added to my system. At final count well over 600(!) assorted nasties resided in  the registry and everywhere else including Internet Explorer. Cydoor and Gator were prominent among them.

I am glad to say that WinPatrol with its comprehensive and informative data base and Microsoft with its very  thorough search and warnings were able to completely scourge my system of these insidious programs and files.

If you want to share, stick with shareaza ( http://www.shareaza.com/ ) which triggers no alarms.

I shudder to think of the number of unprotected users who have unknowingly allowed their systems to be  so comprehensively hijacked.... Let the user beware!
 
Cheers, Fred Spector

Thanks, Fred.

The Kazaa site uses very careful language to describe the software's behavior: Because users grant explicit permission for Kazaa to install itself on their PC, the Kazaa publishers say it's thus not spyware, because it's not covert.

But most users disagree. In fact, most people who look into it in any depth do think that Kazaa contains and/or fosters, spyware. See
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=kazaa+spyware
http://groups-beta.google.com/groups?q=kazaa spyware

Whatever your take, as there are spyware-free alternatives, why take any chance with Kazaa? My rule of thumb: When in doubt, leave it out.

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

3) FILE0000.CHK?

Hi Fred, OS is WinXP.  I have some extensive files on my HD that won't show on Win Explorer.  They are listed on my backup program as C:\FOUND.001\FILE0000/CHK, etc.  How can I get rid of them?  Thanks, Bob Evans, San Antonio, TX

Before we directly answer your question, let's talk about what those files are:

CHK files are scraps discovered and recovered by Chkdsk (in XP), Scandisk (in Win98) or a similar tool. If a program (or Windows itself) crashes, any in-process file operations may be disrupted, leaving files or file fragments in an indeterminate state. For example, if a file move is in progress, the new data may be written, but the old data may not yet be marked as deleted--- it remains on the disk, no longer part of an active file that the OS knows about, but not deleted either.

Chkdsk and Scandisk find files and fragments like that by comparing what the disk's tables or indices say is on the disk with what's actually there: They convert orphaned pieces of files, leftover snippets of data (and the like) back into normal files, just in case you lost something important, or so that the fragments can then be disposed of properly. These recovered file fragments are assigned generic, numeric-based names in the order in which they're recovered (FILE0000.CHK, FILE0001.CHK, FILE0002.CHK, etc.) In the case of a bad crash, there can be a *lot* of these recovered files.

If you haven't lost any data (and in XP on NTFS, you usually won't), all these CHK files are redundant and can be deleted. But if you've lost data, you'll want to examine the CHK files to see if the data you want is in there. You can use the normal search tools to look inside CHK files, or open them with Notepad. There also are automated recovery tools, such as http://www.ericphelps.com/uncheck/ , which can help when you're facing a pile of mysterious CHK files.

But, coming full circle back to your question: To make XP display all files, including normally "hidden" and "system" files, see item #2 here: http://www.informationweek.com/story/IWK20011204S0009 The same technique, with slight variation, works in all versions of Windows. Once CHK files are visible, you can manipulate them the same as you would any other file.

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

4) Free: Graphical Front End To Cleanup Batch Files

Hi Fred, A gold star for you on your newsletter! Best in the business IMHO!

I have a couple friends and family members that are subscribers to your newsletter and I get to be their "geek friend" when it comes to topics you cover that, well, make their eyes kinda roll back in their heads. It's fun teaching them about some of the more advanced topics you cover. In particular the inner workings of batch files (scripts).

As I was walking one of them through what each one of the batch commands does I had a light bulb go off in my head. "Why not write an application that not only does what the Batch files do, but also shows people a quick way to understand some of the inner workings as well?" I went right to work and they loved it!!

All of the settings that are in cleanmgr and the creation of the batch file are wrapped up into a single point and click interface. Plus, the ability to add any other file locations the user may want cleaned using a simple directory selection box. Add to that the ability to actually edit and then run the complete script right from the GUI and it has the makings of a quick and fun assistant to any clean up task. One stop shopping! <grin>

The app also saves the .bat file so the user can schedule it as a part of their normal scheduled clean up routine.

I have it available on my website at http://www.thezjooj.com in the downloads section. The application is completely free (Spyware free and adware free as well).

Currently the app only supports Windows 2000 and Windows XP but I am working on Windows 98. If you think others may use it please let me know. Hope this helps and a sincere thanks to you for the wonderful newsletter.

Kindest regards, Zjooj

Thanks, Zjooj!

To understand what the cleanup files are doing, see the information here: http://langa.com/cleanup_bat.htm . Zjooj has taken the concepts there and written a small app that makes setting up the batch file point-and-click simple!

His site also figures in the next item, below:

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

5) Free: Save, Edit, Share "Office Places"

Hi Fred, Have to say your newsletter is the best! Always love it! I sure wish it was daily. Maybe someday?

Anyway... I just finished reading the "Customize Your Windows  Places" article (#12 in http://www.langalist.com/plus/newsletters/2004/2004-12-20plus.asp#12 ) and thought I would share a really great find concerning Microsoft Office.

It's called OPiE 2.0 Office Places Editor ( http://www.thezjooj.is-a-geek.com/downloadsnew.asp). I like this one a bit more than what Microsoft offers because, for starters, I can save as many Office Places as I want with this app. It is really slick how easy it works!

First I select and save 10 Places\locations (that is still the limit) but then I can save those 10 as an .ope file with a name like "WorkPlaces.ope". Next I reset the list back to defaults and create a different set of 10 that I can save as "HomePlaces.ope".

Now when I am at work I load the "WorkPlaces.ope" and when I am at home I load the "HomePlaces.ope". The amount of lists that can be saved is endless and the app makes for one heck of a great productivity enhancement. The install and use is the basic "follow the bouncing ball" procedure. No DLL registrations or stumbling around in Windows Explorer required and, best of all, it is FREE! (I always love that part <grin>)

It is extremely easy to use, not to mention the fact that I can backup the lists so that when I get a new PC (or the one I am using takes a "foofoo" on me) I don't have to select all of the Places again. I can just simply load my backed up .ope file into OPiE and I am back in business. This app has been a real treat.

Hope some of my fellow LangaList subscribers find it useful as well. Kindest regards, CGullet

Thanks, CGullet! I sure hope Zjooj's servers are up to the onslaught they're about to receive! <g>

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

6) Three More Winners!

"Rchilliak" "rftallini" and "sean.kelly" each won a FREE full one-year subscription to the LangaList Plus! edition by using the "Recommend To A Friend" form at http://langa.com/recommend.htm .

You see, each month I choose three winners of a new FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to the LangaList Plus! edition. (Existing Plus! subscribers get their current subscription extended by a full year.) 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://langa.com/recommend.htm

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

7) Specialized Answer To A Soldier's Problem

This was news to me; and may be to others as well.

Hi Fred! This is in regards to the soldier in Iraq who is having problems with his computer, that you wrote about in your last Langalist "Long-Distance Fixes" http://langa.com/newsletters/2005/2005-01-20.htm#2 ).

I am a soldier in the U.S. Army, and I noticed that you recommended the soldier download and install AVG Antivirus and ZoneAlarm. However, something that many soldiers don't seem to realize (and I hope you'll help make them aware of this), is that the U.S. Army has a contract with both Norton/Symantec, McAfee, and Trend Micro, which allows soldiers to download and install Norton/Symantec, McAfee, and Trend Micro Antivirus, Firewalls, and other system security software that they sell to corporations. These are not just your standard consumer versions, but the full corporate versions of their software, such as Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate edition version 9.02, Symantec Client Security, and McAfee Virus scan Enterprise. This software is available to soldiers completely free, provided they have access to their Army Web account.

All a soldier has to do, is log on to the web, (which I understand is hard to do over in Iraq due to limited bandwidth/systems available), go to their AKO (Army Knowledge Online; http://www.us.army.mil/ ) account, log in, and click on Antivirus Services (on the left of the Army Website Portal for AKO). This then takes them to the links where they can download the appropriate software that they want).

I hope you find this information useful! Marc Wayman SFC, USA

Thanks Marc!

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

8) They Loaded The Code

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://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://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://langa.com/randomlink.htm

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

tim llewellyn
http://www.timllewellyn.com/

"My Computer Page"
http://www.beavesspellfire.741.com/computer.html

Immanuel Baptist Church
http://www.immanuelhomepage.org/Index.html

Englisch in Dormagen
http://www.englischindormagen.de/

Out of Kilter (blog)
http://outofkilter.blogspot.com/

Steve & Karen Online
http://www.skonline.us/

terra forma
http://www.timster.net/terraforma/Galleria/index.html

Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue
http://www.thehedgehog.co.uk/

web solutions for little people
http://www.keep-left.org/

art pages
http://uk.geocities.com/jakinbox1234/index.htm

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

9) PDF Alternative

Recent mention of Adobe issues resurrected an on-and-off thread about alternative PDF writers:

Good morning Fred, Thanks for a great newsletter - I look forward to reading it twice a week!

I just wanted to offer one other alternative site for those who may want to write PDF files from their documents.  The website is http://www.exp-systems.com, where they offer both a free program, PDF Redirect, and an upgraded program PDF Redirect Pro.  The free program is remarkable, is very simple to use, and handles large files very well.  The Pro version has more added features over the basic free version.  One very nice thing is that the Pro version has a 90 day trial period, and costs only $19.99 to purchase the license for.  Both will even create a PDF file from an "E" size architectural drawing without losing any detail.  I think it is probably the best free PDF writer I have tried, so much so I decided to purchase the licensed copy to support the good works.

Once gain, thanks for the best newsletter on the net! ---Bill Karle

Thanks, Bill.

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

10) Just For Grins

Hi. The following is amusing [and real!]:

http://www.abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzabcdefghijk.com/

AbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzAbcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzAbcdefghijk.com -
The World's Longest Alphabetical Email Address

"It is so long that... Some web forms are unable to read your email
address, Some email software cannot be configured, People have a hard
time typing in your email address, Companies think that your email
address is fake, The Longest Alphabetical Email Address on Earth!
and... It's FREE!"

---YC Lin

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• "Port 1025" Troubles
    (what is it? how can it be closed/hidden?)
• Snooping or Stalking?
    (a scary kind of hacking, and how to stop it)
• Simple, No-Bloat Media Players
    (and they're free!)

The Plus! edition is only pennies per issue, and comes with a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE from Fred. How can you lose? Check out the details: http://langa.com/plus.htm

Click to email this item to a friend
http://langa.com/sendit.htm

return to top of page

(Give a gift subscription to the LangaList Plus edition!
Click <a href= " http://langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">here</a>)

See you next issue, 2005-02-14!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

An easier-to read formatted HTML version is available in the "Current Issue" section of http://langa.com.  (The HTML version of each issue normally is available by 9AM EST [UT-5] of the issue date.) All past LangaList issues are also available at the Langa.Com site.

return to top of page

Administrivia:

UNSUBSCRIBE (instant removal!): http://langa.com/leave_langalist.htm

SUBSCRIBE (it's free!): http://langa.com/join_langalist.htm

CHANGE ADDRESS? LIST TROUBLE? HAVE QUESTIONS? OTHER PROBLEM? NEED HELP? See http://langa.com/help.htm

This newsletter is SPAM PROOF and requires two levels of subscriber confirmation before delivery begins: See http://langa.com/info.htm

About the advertisers: http://langa.com/privacy.htm#ads

Disclaimer: http://langa.com/legal.htm  In brief: All information herein is offered as-is and without warranty of any kind. Neither Langa Consulting LLC, nor its employees nor contributors are responsible for any loss, injury, or damage, direct or consequential, resulting from your choosing to use any information presented here.

This newsletter is a service of Langa Consulting LLC and is Copyright © 2005 Fred Langa / Langa Consulting LLC. All worldwide rights reserved. LangaList: ISSN 1533-1156

return to top of page