Geek’s Corner

TweakVI Basic enables you to tweak and optimize Windows Vista. It provides access to many hidden or difficult to find features and settings that allow you to optimize your machine and tweak it to your needs. The set of features include desktop customization, Internet Explorer tweaks, CPU cache tweaks, CD/DVD drive performance tweaks and much more. The program also includes EasyBCD, a Vista Boot Configuration Manager that enables you to configure the Vista Bootloader. Other features include Firefox optimization (FireTune), wallpaper randomizer, system information, Outlook/Windows Mail tweaks and more. A commercial version is also available that offers additional features.

This software is fully freeware, download it now.

Microsoft released its Windows Malicious Software Removal Tools lately. This removal tool can check whether computers running under Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 are infected by any specific or prevalent malicious software or Malware which can damage your computer such as Blaster, Sasser and Mydoom. Once the removal tool has completed the detection and removal process, the tool will report the action outcome whether any Malware has been detected and removed. The tool will thence create a log file named mrt.log in the %WINDIR%\debug folder. The monthly update of this removal tool will soon be available from Microsoft. Users can set the automatic update features to Automatic in order to get the latest update version automatically delivered and installed.

User can review the KB article, KB890830, for the list of malicious software that the current version of the tool is capable of removing as well as usage instructions. Also, please be aware that this tool reports anonymous information back to Microsoft in the event that an infection is found or an error is encountered. The above KB article contains information on how to disable this functionality and what specific information is sent to Microsoft. Users are also advised to review KB article, KB891716, before deploying this tool in an enterprise environment. Download the x64 version of Malicious Software Removal Tool via the link here

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 1 (Vista SP1 RC1) can now be downloaded and installed via Windows Update . The previous two hacks to install SP1 beta and SP1 RC Preview no longer works, and must be removed to the official Vista SP1 RC to be shown up and available to install in Windows Update. But it’s possible to upgrade install if you have previous version of SP1 Beta installed.

To trick to download and install windows Vista SP1 RC1 (v.668) via Windows Update is to download the following batch command script, which taken care of everything - remove old registry keys and add in new registry key to Windows Update to target your machine as a valid Vista SP1 RC testing computer.

Download SP1RC_WUHack.cmd

Right click on the SP1RC_WUHack.cmd and then select “Run as Administrator” and confirm User Account Control prompt to merge the registry values and keys to the system registry. Then go to Windows Update and check for updates. The hack to download Vista SP1 RC from WU works on English version of Vista, and it comes with all Vista languague MUIs. Thus users should be able to install Vista SP1 RC1 on any editions of Vista regardless of language locale. Else wait till official release of SP1 RC next week for standalone installer package, or follow the trick to force service pack for non-English Vista to show up in Windows Update.

All users, especially those never install Vista SP1 Beta or RC1 Preview via Windows Update, will likley have to install 3 important prerequisites updates/hotfixes before Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is offered, as they’ve been updated. The 3 updates is Update for Windows Vista (KB935509) - v1.008, Update for Windows Vista (KB938371) - v1.028, and Update for Windows vista (KB937287) - Build 6001.17052 (x86 or x64). After restarting computer (important step, although system doesn’t prompt you to reboot), check for updates again in WU or Microsoft Update (MU), and you will see 1 important update available with size from 51.0 MB to 539.2 MB, which is Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 1 - Build 6001.17052 (x86 or x64).

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 RC is near stable and near perfect release of SP1 test code before final release of SP1 in the first quarter of 2008. However, although it’s more stable than most previous version of betas, care should be taken before installing it, especially on production system as it may still causes system errors.

This is the software publisher’s description.

Unique tool for optimizing the File Cache Management in Windows Vista, XP, Windows 2000, Windows 2003, and Windows NT. With the help of this software, it is possible to achieve enormous performance improvements. Depending on your specific configuration and resources, you can double you performance speed without an additional Hardware or reductions in system stability.Through intelligent management of the file cache by O&O CleverCache, more memory is made available to the system, increasing overall performance. To achieve this, the software Every time your computer is booted, the system’s memory configuration is detected. This software then adjusts its system settings to optimally respond to this configuration. In addition, users can take advantage of a diverse series of pre-defined profiles designed to enhance performance during specific applications or games. Users also have the ability to define individual profiles.

With the help of O&O CleverCache’s Mem-O-Free function, the main memory can be defragmented, improving the speed at which applications and games can utilize memory resources. An additional function, Mem-O-Safe, reduces the risk of data loss in the event of a system crash by quickly transferring the data stored in memory to the hard disk. By way of the Status Monitor it is also possible to monitor the CPU, main memory, system cache, and hard disk, as well as gather additional information useful in tuning you system.

This is best memory optimisation Ive ever used and since been using it for almost 6 months now I can vouch that it does improved my Winxp/Vista performance tremendously interms of multitasking as it prevents and optimise memory caching so much so that system does not write to harddisk but cache swaps to memory instead.

If youre thinking of maximising your system performance to the max that dont look any further..celvercache is the tool indeed.

Windows only: Freeware application CoolMon monitors your systems vitals with attractive desktop-embedded widgets. In very basic operation, CoolMon displays information like RAM usage, hard drive space, and CPU load, but with the right plugins you can embed just about anything on your desktop—like new email alerts, weather, the song you’re currently listening to, and so on. Setup for CoolMon is a little quirky, so check out Simplehelp’s post guide if you’re having trouble. CoolMon is freeware, Windows only.

Maybe you have read about Windows vista SP1 update hack, but Windows XP SP3 comes with this hack again, The pre-release of Windows XP SP3 maybe not very good idea, but it can improve stability and OS performance.

If you want to download Windows XP SP3 before other users, you can Download Windows XP SP3 hack. After that, extract, execute the file and update your Windows XP, that’s all.exo.blog test Windows XP with officebench and the result is Windows XP Service Pack 3 (v.3244) delivers a measurable performance boost to this aging desktop OS. Testing with OfficeBench showed an ~10% performance boost vs. the same configuration running under Windows XP w/Service Pack 2.

(Lower is Better)

Microsoft didn’t give any promises about performance boost in Windows XP SP3, so this is just a bonus from Microsoft.

Alternatively you can download the XP SP3 RC2 Build 3244 via torrent  if you do not want to do the hack.

Taiwanese mobile phone maker High Tech Computer (HTC) is already working on a Google phone, and will start selling it in the second half of next year, an executive said.The company was rumored early on to be making a handset for Google as was South Korean handset giant Samsung Electronics. But with the Monday launch of Google’s mobile phone software, called Android, HTC was able to lift the veil of secrecy around its plans.Android, an open source software platform that includes an OS, is designed to take advantage of Internet services for mobility, exactly the target for HTC’s new handset, said John Wang, chief marketing officer at HTC. He declined to give specific details about the hardware makeup of the phone.

The strength of Google’s new platform is its flexibility, since it will allow companies to innovate with their own software and services, said Wang.The Google phone that HTC is working on could end up causing it some headaches. HTC is known as the world’s largest maker of handsets that use Microsoft Windows Mobile software, a rival to Android. Should Android’s popularity take off, HTC could cannibalize some of its own sales as well as those of partner Microsoft.

That’s certainly not HTC’s intention.”Our commitment to the Windows Mobile platform is unwavering,” Wang said, adding that many mobile phone OSes currently compete in the market.

Android could become a potent new rival to Windows Mobile and other handset OSs. At the launch ceremony, Google announced that over 30 companies had climbed on board its Open Handset Alliance, including HTC, Qualcomm, and Motorola.

Source: Networkworld

Comodo’s long awaited version 3.0 has just been released. This firewall is available for Vista and XP. Comodo 3.0 includes a new HIPS component. From the Comodo site-

“Complete protection from Hackers, Spyware and Identity theft
Secures against internal and external threats
Host Intrusion Prevention System stops malware ever being installed
Delivers total end-point security for Personal Computers and Networks
Free Download. No charges or license fees ever.
Install now for out-of-the-box protection against identity theft hackers, Trojans, scripts and other unknown threats”

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

“Built from the ground upwards with your security in mind, this award winning firewall constantly monitors and defends your system from inbound and outbound attacks. Version 3.0 now features a fully fledged Host Intrusion Prevention System to protect your critical operating system files and block viruses and malware before they ever get the chance to install.

It features a friendly graphical user interface; highly granular configuration options; easily understood and informative alerts; wizard-based detection of trusted zones and much more. Comodo Firewall Pro delivers enterprise class protection and can be used ‘out of the box’ - so even the most inexperienced users will not have to deal with complex configuration issues after installation.”

“Constantly monitors and defends your PC from internet attacks
Gain complete control over which programs are allowed internet access
Patent-pending Clean PC mode maintains any new computer as a virus free computer
A-VSMART prevention technology is a next generation Anti Virus, Spyware, Malware, Rootkits and Trojans (VSMART) platform that prevents harmful applications from getting installed on your system
Host Intrusion Prevention System can stop malware ever being installed
Stay protected against new threats via automatic online updates
Real time traffic monitoring enables you to react instantly to threats and identify bandwidth bottlenecks.

Easy to use interface and quick setup
No license fee - complete protection at no cost for networks and home users”

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/

Getting annoyed of the ads projected underneath your MSN Messenger or even the new Live Messenger 8.5 from Microsoft? Now i will show you how to get rid of the ads for good..

So far, I only see a half banner ads at the bottom of Windows Live Messenger main window. I haven’t see any ad on message window yet.

Anyway, let’s get rid of the ad!

Patch Windows Live Messenger

In order to remove the ads, we need to modify the Windows Live Messenger core. Fortunately, someone created the tool to patch it.

1. Download and run A-Patch for Windows Live Messenger.
2. After launching A-Patch, tick the “Patch MSN Messenger” option. The A-Patch is a powerful tool to remove many objects from Windows Live Messenger but we are focusing on removing ads here.

3. Click “Next” button twice until you are at “Page 2” of A-Patch. Tick the “Remove Advertisement“.

4. Again, click “Next” button until you are at “Page 4 and 6“. Tick the “Remove Advertisement” at all this pages! .

Once you are happy with the changes made press ” Apply”. Remember to quit Windows Live Messenger first. After applied the patch, you can launch your ads free Windows Live Messenger. Enjoy!

Note: If anything goes wrong after patching Windows Live Messenger, you can restore the backup copy by running A-Patch again (select “Restore Backups“).

Digital Signage is a form of out-of-home advertising in which content and messages displayed on an electronic screen, or digital sign, can be changed without modification to the physical sign, typically with the goal of delivering targeted messages to specific locations at specific times.Digital signage offers superior return On Investment compared to traditional printed signs. Digital signs may be LCD or plasma display panels, electronic billboards, projection screens, or other emerging display types like Organic LED screens (OLEDs) that can be controlled electronically using a computer or other device, allowing individuals or groups to remotely change and control their content (usually via the Internet). The content displayed on digital signage screens can range from simple text and still images to full-motion video, with or without audio.

Net Display Systems offers Digital Signage software for displaying ANY type of information on ANY public display. With its award winning PADS software, Net Display Systems can handle all possible situations from displaying Flight information (FIDS) or Digital Signage content with multimedia advertisements, live TV or even news feeds from a central location in your network or even through the Internet. Wether youre in the Government, Finance, Retail, Education, or Hospitality sectors, We have the Digital Signage solutions for you.

For more info on Digital Signage Brunei do contact Intune Multimedia