Fuss Free Computing

I hear a lot of stories regarding the state of Windows users find themselves.
However you can be certain that 90% of the time it is the users' fault.
I have another article on how to maintain the longevity of the hardware but this post specifically aims to teach you how to maintain the state of your operating system.
It is tried and tested on my system therefore I don't see how it is not applicable to anyone else.
Ok here goes

Rule 1: Don't install any software you don't know

I know it is difficult since they let you download for FREE right? No.
Only download reputable software from reputable sources.
Do not install software that forces you to download and run it to access certain resources.
A lot of freeware advertised in banners are either spyware or malware in their own rights.
Good software spreads by the word of mouth. Ask your IT-Savy friends for advice on Freeware.

Rule 2: Do Not Download & Run Files not expected from friends

Do not assume that mail coming from friends are safe. Some Malware do spread from contact list so unless you are expecting the mail and or attachments from friends just trash the mail. You can tell whether the mail is genuine from the way the text is phrase as well.

Rule 3: Less is more

Contrary to freebies in computing more software = less performance.

If we take a logical approach, more software = more code/data to be executed.
Assuming processing is constant,  performance drops. Logical?

So install what you actually will use and software that brings real benefits to your computing experience, avoid programs that tries runs itself on startup because it brings delay to boot time execution.

Rule 4: Only Optimization is Windows Optimization

Out of the so many Windows optimization the only real optimization is the Windows built in ones.(You can find the optimization below documented in documents published in WHDC (Windows Hardware Developer Central).
Open Command Prompt with Elevated Rights & type the following:

C:\Windows\System32)Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks

You will see harddisk lights light up as Windows started optimizing itself.
It is safe to assume that it is completed once Harddisk Activity lights ceases.
Next run Windows Defragmenter 
Open Command Prompt with Elevated Rights & type the following:

C:\Windows\System32)Defrag C:\ /v /u

The /v /u flags will inform you about the status of completion.

Finally Open Command Prompt with Elevated Rights & type the following:

C:\Windows\System32)Defrag C:\ /v /u /b

The /b flag will tell Windows to perform an optimization known as boot optimization to reduce boot time.

Some other Optimization does the same optimization as documented by Microsoft so installing them is like doubling the work so you actually do not need to install any third party software optimizer.

However Windows Defragmenter is a necessary evil inherent because of the way NTFS, Microsoft File System allocates Disk space, defragmentation is the only solution to defragment non-contiguous files especially after a lot of reinstalls and uninstalls.

Rule 5: Delete the "Setup.exe" after installing

Whenever you download and install a software like Firefox you get a installer called Setup.exe. If I were to use an analogy it is like the packaging whenever you buy a product after you take out the product you can throw the box away. Over time these EXEs built up when you install software wasting unnessary space on the harddisk. Just like your real house do some house keeping on your harddisk.

Rule 6: Do Not Install Toolbars

This is a fair new occurrence you see many software publishers offering toolbars for Web Browsers some come bundled with "freeware". In any case Do Not install them.

Why? Because the Web Browsers Authors do not specifically test the toolbars to work properly alongside the browsers. There is no guarantee it will not affect your browser in any negative manner.

Rule 7: Disable AutoRun & AutoPlay

 Even though Microsoft beefed up Windows Security with UAC and malware that auto launches itself from the thumbdrive can still cause some unnecessary damage. If you need to launch an executable just launch it manually and save yourself the unnecessary risk of a malware attack. To disable it just access Control Panel click on AutoPlay and disable it for all devices. If autoplay is disable NO MALWARE can attempt to launch itself into your system unless you launch it manually.

Lastly to get a free and good anti-virus look no further than Microsoft Security Essentials.

Why do I recommend this software because it is free for every Genuine Windows, and updates are tested before release.

I believe you heard horror stories of 3rd party Anti-Virus killing your Operating Systems.

1)I believe that Microsoft test their definition files and patches before release.

2)A good anti-virus isn't overly suspicious. Microsoft Security Essentials have good detection rate but at the same time it isn't overly zealous like a suspicious policeman thinking every citizen is a potential criminal like some other 3rd party OS.

3)I have tried MSE and it plays nice on Windows Vista and  above Operating System without being a resource hog. Some people believe that a Security Software should protect us against all know threats even drive by sites but I believe an Anti-Virus software is the last line of defense against malware, users safe surfing and computer usage habits is the FIRST defence. Just following the few simple rules should guarantee a fuss free computing even on Windows. Paying more for Macs isn't the solution, sure using a less common OS might reduce the chance of encountering malware since the malware programmers tend to target the majority but ultimately it is the usage habits that matters.

Secure Your Windows CD-Key (For Vista and 7)

As you know everytime you activate a Windows Installation your Product Key can be retrieved via Software means.
Don't believe me?
Download this and retrieve your Product Key in Clear Text.
So is there an alternative solution so people will not steal your Product Key from your computer when you are not looking?
Yes there is.
Open Command Prompt with Administrative Permission and Run the following commands.

slmgr /cpky

If you try to retrieve your Product Key again with the same software, you will get this.

The Registry Entry Containing the Product Key has been cleared and Windows remains activated!

Optimize Windows Vista Boot

What you should do to conserve and optimize disk space and boot time.

1) After download software like Firefox, after installation please delete the installer.

eg. Setup.exe

New Versions will come out and internet download speeds are so fast, so there is no point keeping it.

2) Do this weekly:
Start>> All Programs>> Accesories>> System Tools>> Disk Clean Up

Check Everything Except for Hibernation File.

Or download and install a autodiskcleanup script I created

CCleaner is a extra ware that does the same thing it uses System Resource hence I don't use this.

3) Open Control Panel >> Administrative Tools >> Services

Disable "SuperFetch"

Stop "Superfetch"

Reason being Superfetch isn't very efficient, very often it overfetches Programs you rarely use, increasing boot time as a result.

4) Clean temporary Directories.
They are:

C:\Users\{Your User Name}\AppData\Local\Temp
C:\Windows\Temp
C:\Windows\Prefetch (Delete the ReadyBoot Contents before ReadyBoot folder)
I have created a batch file to kill superfetch.
Download and run with Administrator permission here (Superfetch Killer)

5) Here is a Windows Batch File that clears useless file recursively in all directories.

Batch file is provided by mydigitallife

Open in Notepad to see the script content.
To Run, Right Click "Run as Admin"

Next run sdelete to zero the harddisk space and return all unused space

Use the command:

sdelete -c

After that do a Disk Defragmentation and Reboot

Using this method my Acer Aspire 4530 now boots in 5 Rolling Bars instead of the previous 18 &

My 5 year old Desktop has the following specification:

Intel Pentium 4 HT 2.8GHZ 512KB L2 Cache (NorthWood)

4GB DDR RAM 400MHZ

250GB WD 16MB Buffer Cache

875P Motherboard

Currently the dinosaur is running Windows Vista rather speedily so try it!

Reformating & Disk Erasure of Harddisk

For some of you who seldom perform OS re installation you might not know the differences clearly.

First, reformatting is usually done when the operating system is corrupted beyond repair.

Usually when your machine is bogged down a lot of malware, reformatting solves the issue faster than finding fixes for each malware.

Personally, I prefer reformatting because certain types of malware corrupts System Files beyond repair.

What reformatting does is that it destroys the partition tables and recreate them.

In Windows it would be C:\ partition.

The old data is still present but it is no longer readable by normal methods as all the references to the old data is overwritten (It is like the content page is destroyed hence the book appears as new because all indexes are gone, the old data is still present but there is no link to access them properly) but this is a "as good as new" for end users who want a new OS installation.

Disk Erasure Tools is usually used by organizations with highly sensitive information.

Tools such as DBAN or Secure Erase removes all traces of data by overwriting the whole hard disk with other data.

Differences between DBAN and Secure Erase

• DBAN writes by Sector therefore when bad sectors are redirected data erasure maybe incomplete. However Secure Erase writes by Cylinders so complete data erasure is guaranteed.
• DBAN takes a longer time compared to Secure Erase.

Why is this so?

Secure Erase is the standard included by hard disk manufacturers to clear sensitive data as a feature requested by governmental organizations.

Quoted from the Data Sanitisation Tutorial

Complete eradication of user data off drives can be accomplished by running data Secure Erasure utilities such as the freeware “HDDerase” downloadable here. It executes the Federally-approved (NIST 800-88) Secure Erase command in the ATA ANSI standard, which is implemented in all recent ATA drives greater than 15-20 GB. A similar command in the SCSI ANSI standard is optional and not yet implemented in drives tested. Normal Secure Erase takes 30-60 minutes to complete. Some ATA drives also implement the standard Enhanced Secure Erase command that takes only milliseconds to complete.

It uses a standard ATA set hard disk native instruction set to wipe the entire drive quickly.

You might have heard that 1 or 2 pass of overwriting might not be enough to clean the hard drive however this is not true as nowadays hard disk comes in high density capacity.

For a similar sized hard disk 5-10 years ago it can only contain like 30 or less GBs.

Hence when you overwrite such high capacity hard disk it is impossible to recreate the original data.

An analogy I can think of would be you have 2 trays of coloured arranged sand, one fine, one coarse.

If you imagine each particle to be data, if I substitute half with sand particles of another colour randomly, the tray with the fine sand will look more messed up then the tray with coarse particles.

Sdelete is like a DBAN inside Windows.

What it does using the -c (clean command) is it takes all the unused hard disk space and overwrites them.

You can also use it to overwrite the data region for a particular file.

Usually when you delete something in Windows it only remove the reference to the file and marks the region from occupied to unused.

When you use sdelete, it will remove the reference to the file and overwrites the region with random data before marking it from occupied to unused.

I hope you understand more about hard disk from this simple introduction.

Game Benchmark on Aspire 4530

The benchmark of the game someone asked for.

The resolution playable at this framerate is 640X480 Fullscreen. 

How to upgrade Vista 32bit to 64bit using your original license key

Firstly I don't support piracy, please do this only if you have the original Vista License Sticker (Above) on your System.

The reason I am doing this post is because OEM Vendors usually install Vista 32bit on Retail Systems, however you can get more performance on your system if you used a 64bit OS instead, it is unfair to users to bear the system limitations.

What this guide is good for?

• You want a bloatware free Vista Install at the same time you don't want to purchase another Vista License.
• You want to upgrade your original 32bit Vista to 64bit Vista
• You lost the original recovery partition and do not have the recovery cd and yet you don't want to buy the recovery cd or a new Vista License.

NOTE: This will only work for Laptops or OEM Desktops preloaded with OEM Vista as these Systems has a special SLIC 2.0 BIOS which enables OEM Activation.

Do not message me HERE on how to make this work on Systems that do not have OEM Vista preloaded with it.

Lets take for example the Acer Aspire 4530 Laptop (Tested).

On a Vista Client 32bit OS it can only utilise up to 2.8GB of RAM regardless of the Total RAM available.

(Maximium usable RAM is 3GB in all 32bit Vista Editions)

However on a Vista Client 64bit OS it can support up to 3.8GB of RAM

(Assuming you have the maximum 4GB installed)

The performance difference is significant 1.0GB difference.(the missing 0.2 is due to 9100MG Integrated Graphics).

Backup All Your Important Data Before Proceding !

1. Firstly google and prepare all the 64bit Vista Drivers you need.
   
2. Next take any retail copy of Vista (or download an uncracked version from Bittorrent. There is no need to get a retail CD-Key as we will be using OEM CD-Key) and install the type you own.
   

Example if you have a Vista Home Premium License Sticker, install the Vista Home Premium Version.

• Uncheck Automatically Activate When Online, and Do Not type in any Product Key.
  

After installing and setting up the OS, download the Acer OEM Certificate and put it inside :

C:\Windows\system32\OEM

If you don't have the folder, create it.

Then open up a Command Windows with Vista Administrative Permission and Enter the Commands below.

slmgr.vbs -ilc C:\Windows\System32\OEM\Acer.xrm-ms

Next, choose one of the Acer OEM Keys shown below the version you have installed in your system:

Note the OEM Keys are NOT UNIQUE meaning EVERY Acer Laptop which has Vista Preloaded is using one of the following CD-Keys, depending on the version of Vista.

Then Activate

Then install the 64bit drivers.

You are done.

Note: The Activation is done offline, you do not need any internet connection to do this.

If you have other Vendor laptops, PM me for their respective OEM Certs and CD-Key if you need it.

Use this keyfinder to check your current OEM License Key and match it to the appropriate OEM Certificate

Gateway & Emachines Cerfitifcate Download

HP & Compaq Certificate Download

Toshiba Certificate Download (There are 4 Certs try the correct one)

ASUS Certificate Download

Sony Certificate Download

Fujitsu Certificate Download

The Windows 7 Clean Install Instruction is here

Windows 7 Wallpapers (Include Latest RC)

Here is the Updated Windows 7 wallpaper Collection

The latest release it up to RC (Release Candidate)

I have place the Original Windows 7 Wallpapers + RC Wallpapers + Windows 7 Beta Wallpapers into one zip file.

I have also rename & tag some of them to avoid file clashing with the original Vista Wallpaper.

After you download you can safely extract them to
C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper
They will not overwrite your original Vista Wallpapers.

Download them here

If you are using Windows Xp and would like to download Vista Wallpapers,click here

You can simply extract them to your Wallpaper Folder they will not overwrite your original Wallpapers or the Windows Vista Wallpapers as well.
Enjoy

Windows Vista Wallpapers

For Windows Xp/Windows 7 users who wish to have the Vista Wallpapers Collection, I have uploaded them here 

If you are interested in Windows 7 Wallpaper, click here

If you are using Windows 7 please rename the files before extracting to your Windows 7 Wallpaper Collections.

Windows Vista SP2

Windows Vista Service Pack is out (not officially).
Your can download it now using a bittorrent client

Windows Vista SP2

(english, japanese, spanish, german and french)

BUILD: 6002.18005.090410-1830
FILE: Windows6.0-KB948465-X64.exe
SIZE: 605,410,472 bytes
CRC32: 1737E14D
MD5: A3BCB1FFDB366397FA5FAB0898EB098D
SHA-1: BE8D74ADC029FA7350FC1F0D32BEF853C0519A92
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUILD: 6002.18005.090410-1830
FILE: Windows6.0-KB948465-X86.exe
SIZE: 365,230,920 bytes
CRC32: 3368C777
MD5: C9394FD32DB15619328AF4FF0315750A
SHA-1: 106C0484D7449CC4B70353C21D0C0D63E4BA66C3

Torrent:
X86 here
X64 here

Upon completion of Update and Reboot
Click
Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> Command Prompt
Then Right Click "Run as Admin"
Then enter:

Compcln.exe

This will clean up the updates to save disk space if you are certain you are not going to uninstall any updates

Check PC Performance In Depth Details with WinSAT in Vista & Windows 7

Open up a Command Prompt with Adminstrative Permission

To do that follow this step:

Go to

Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> Command Prompt

Right Click, Choose Run as Administrator while selection Command Prompt

Next in the Command Prompt Windows,

Type in

cd C:\Users\**User Name\Desktop

** Replace User Name with your User Account Name in Vista

Press Enter,

You should see the Command Prompt as:

C:\Users\**User Name\Desktop>

Then type the following:

winsat formal -v >> winsat_result.txt

Wait for Windows System Assessment to finish

You should see a new text file called winsat_result.txt in Desktop.

Open it using wordpad to see the full System Assessment Details

Why I don't buy Macbooks

This is article written based on my perspective on Computers.

When I decide to write this I am already prepared to be flamed by Apple Fans (or Fanatics =P)

I always felt buying Macbooks is never recommended because Macbooks don't offer much value for money at all.

Being a hardware enthusiast, I find Macbooks specifications pathetic compared to most other vendors offering.

For example a 2008 Macbook White cost 2K for a normal Intel Processor and X3100 Intel Graphics.

That kind of specs is easily matched by an Acer Laptop with the sames specifications at 1.6K.

Even in 2009 , a Macbook Black holding a normal Intel Processor and a Integrated Nvidia Graphics 9400M G cost around 2K+ is superceded by an Acer Laptop that has 9300M GS Nvidia Dedicated Graphics + an higher Clock Intel Processor.

I know the next argument would be built quality, and Mac OS X etc.

But simply said most Laptop qualities are just as good sometimes better than Macbooks.

I find an Aluminium Construction simply not offering any major advantage over plastic construction other than simply the looks and feel.

Plastic Polymers ARE supposed to be better or a more advance material than metals.

In many scientific field polymers are highly advocated and has more application than metal.

It seems that the success of polymers that make it so common, has ironically made it look like some cheap everyday material.

In a Laptop construction, using plastic polymers simply makes more sense.

• Better comfort for user due to poor heat conduction.
  
• Zero Electrical Conductivity.
  
• Light Weight and high Polymer Strength

Moreover Acer Laptops look better each day yet their laptops are value for money with improving qualities.

Next people always assume Mac OS X can justify for the higher premium for Macbooks.

Firstly, we take a look at the components of Mac OS X

At the Core of any Operating System is the Kernel.

For Mac OS X it is Darwin.

What makes up Darwin?

It is a hybrid Kernel consisting of NEXTSTEP Mach MicroKernel and BSD Components.

BSD Components are actually BSD Code and Apple took it (For Free) without paying under BSD License(Which states any Source Code taken must be acknowledged, which Apple DID NOT since many Macbook owners know nothing of the BSD code taken).

Mach is a Microkernel component which Apple acquired after purchasing NEXTSTEP.

AQUA is the interface UI which Mac Fans swoon over.

So basically OS X is UNIX-based.

However FreeBSD and GNU/Linux are also UNIX-like yet they are FREE.

I am not a Windows Fanboy(And Windows OS Design does have some major flaws I hate) however when I pay for a Windows Based Laptop, it cost much lower than a Macbook even with the Windows License included.

For those Fanboys who insist on Mac OS X you can download Hackintosh Distributions and install, and also buy a proper Mac OS X License to soothe your gulity conscience.

For users like me, Viruses and Trojans are no threat since I have backups and I ain't silly enough to open some virus infected attachment or Trojan without proper protection.

Moreover I can get my Windows System up and running in less than half a day, since I know my system components and drivers inside out.

Sure Windows Vista can be slow and sluggish but if you know the knobs you can fine tune it to be fast enough for comfortable usage.

In addition, Apple has poor past reputation.

The company attempted to construct benchmarks in order to make PowerPC (Apple was using IBM PowerPC chips then) appear superior to x86 Processors so as to convince people to buy them.

Guess what processors they are using now?

Also, the Apple ads that continually bashed Windows shows how silly Apple advertising are.

It shows the level of maturity of Apple Marketing and most of the "facts" they advertised are exaggerated.

They are funny, but when I want to buy computers I am more concerned about the facts.

Would I buy laptops from "kids maturity level marketing"?

If you want to convince me to buy your system, show me the real facts and figures.

Converting from IDE to AHCI in Windows Vista

When you do a fresh install on Vista
First select to boot in IDE mode by selecting IDE in BIOS
After completing the install
Do the following

1. Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2. If you receive the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
3. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci
4. In the right pane, right-click Start in the Name column, and then click Modify.
5. In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
6. On the File menu, click Exit to close Registry Editor.

Restart and select AHCI in BIOS

This only applies when you are reformatting your computer from scratch from a Vista Install CD
If you are doing image recovery the above is already completed


From Microsoft Help & Support

Vista Cursor For Windows Xp

I am sure Xp users are bored of seeing Hour Glass after a while
I have Linked 2 Sets of Vista Cursor
( I didn't make any of them and I have forgotten where I got this from)

Vista Cursor Black
Vista Cursor Blue

• Extract the file to a folder

• Right Click the Install.inf and Select Install

• Go to Mouse Property in Control Panel
• Select the newly installed Mouse Cursor Set
  
• Apply then Save the Cursor Set

And you are done !

Windows Networking Guide

Here is a interesting site contain information regarding Windows Networking

For Windows Vista, Server 2008 Guide see here

There are also many other interesting knowledge regarding networking there to check out

If you are not comfortable with modifying values via commandline there are downloads available too

Explaining Windows Xp/Vista Startup

Note: This is applicable to BOTH Windows Xp and Vista as msconfig is present in both OS

Another reason why Windows Boot are often very slow because Programs Add themselves to the startup automatically making Windows Start the Programs on EVERY boot whether you need it or not

Start>> Run>>Type "msconfig" >> Enter

You should see this

To disable a particular startup simply uncheck the box next to the entry

If you want to remove a particular entry from msconfig scroll to the left you should see the following

The box in Red indicates the location of the registry entry which the program you installed added in order to start automatically

To remove it

Start>> Run>> Type "regedit" >> Enter

Navigate to the location in Red

You should see something like this:

To remove the entry from msconfig simply delete it from here

• Always make sure the program you removed is non-essential otherwise certain important third party will not run

An example from the above is "NvCplDaemon" which is actually Nvidia Graphics Control Panel

• Unless you really don't need it, it is safer to disable startup from msconfig rather than deleting the registry entry

Ultimate Windows Tweaker Update

Edit:
There is an update to Ultimate Vista Tweaker, however the updates do not introduce new significant tweaks

Tweak Vista to remove as many unwanted functions as possible to make it faster and more responsive
Ultimate Windows Tweaker is actually a front-end for Windows Registry no additional Services or Programs is installed into your system
Get it here
You can alternatively find the registry entries manually and tweak it however it is not worth the time when someone already made a user friendly front end

Tweaks I used
____________________________________________________________________


I disabled the annoying pop up balloon tips because pop ups really irritates me
____________________________________________________________________


I set the Shutdown time to a lower setting
It is not good to set it to the lowest because Vista has lots of services, setting it too low can cause Service Abortion pop ups which is not a good thing and the default shutdown time is too long

I set Menu Speed to fastest because Vista animation is rather slow hence it irritates a user who wants to do real work This tweak will make Vista more responsive

Disable Vista built in Zip if you use third party compression tools no use having 2 identical tools on the machine (Most of the time 3rd party compression tools are better

Disable ReadyBoost because it is really useless
You are better off buying RAM upgrades

Disable Tablet Input if you are NOT using a Tablet
____________________________________________________________________

Disable Autoplay
Autoplay can sometime cause Virus Programs on Thumbdrive to be executed you will not want to test Vista security or your Anti Virus's abilities by enabling this

Disable Windows Mail if you are using Outlook or Thunderbird or anyother Email Client

Disable Windows Media Center if you are not using your PC as a entertainment Centre for TV Programmes
____________________________________________________________________



Hide your server from browsing list so when you connect to a network other PC will not know you are connected to the network

If you don't use Remote Desktop into this machine disable it

Disable File Access to this machine from other PCs in the network for better security

Disable IPC for other users again a security setting

Disable Recent share so your network access history to other Computers will be safe from prying eyes (this is not Internet History but LAN History)

Auto Discovery of Media is redundant (If you want the media files just copy it to your PC :P)

Set the bandwidth setting according to your network performance (Mine is high)
____________________________________________________________________

Maximising Vista Indexing

For those Tech Savy readers you might have heard of advices such as turning off Windows Xp Indexing Services
This is true for the old Indexing Search feature for Windows Xp
The new Indexing feature in Vista is a much improved feature
It is also available for Windows Xp by a different name Windows Search 4.0
For Windows Xp users you need to download it here

You can speed uo performance by making Windows Search Index only Important & Critical Folders
Here is how to do it:



You need to add C:\Windows and C:\Program Files to the list of Index Location.

(If you have a lot of Programs installed do not index C:\Program Files as it will cause high harddisk activity.)

So Windows will be able to locate files for launching or boot much faster


After that you need to let Windows idle so it will start indexing all locations
After Indexing is complete you are done !