Author: Marcus

My tl;dr (too long, didn’t read) on Windows 8

Every one is a critic but I’d like to sum it up quickly:

Pros:
  • Built in pdf viewer
  • Built in ISO mounting
  • MUCH faster boot times and everything is generally snappier 
  • WAY BETTER multi-monitor support (taskbar on each screen is amazing)
  • WAY BETTER task manager (includes MS config to edit start up programs)
  • Much needed improvements in Windows explorer (Ribbon similiar to Office)
  • “Refresh your PC” setting that allows you to basically do a re-install without booting your W8 disk
Con:
  • Metro start screen (press Win+D to go to desktop)


Unlocker – Delete stubborn files in Windows



 If you’ve ever been unable to delete a file in Windows, and can’t figure out what program’s using it, Unlocker is the answer.


Example Windows Error Messages:

  • Cannot delete folder: It is being used by another person or program
  • Cannot delete file: Access is denied
  • There has been a sharing violation.
  • The source or destination file may be in use.
  • The file is in use by another program or user.
  • Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.
Click here to download: http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker

Right click the folder or file and select Unlocker. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear. Click “Unlock All” and you are finished!


Pandora Chrome Extension

  In a previous post I talked about the Windows Pandora Gadget; I wanted to find a similar way to play Pandora on OSX and came across a solution for cross platform compatibility (using Chrome).


I found a Chrome extension called Anesidora that plays Pandora without the need to have a tab open for Pandora.com and it never plays ads. Anasidora was previously hosted in the Chrome extension store but has been taken down. Once i found a download site i was able to install the extension however, it would not let me log in! The hosted download is a later version that has a simple bug and here is how to fix it:


Edit: I have found a site that hosts a working version thanks to a Facebook friend:
http://chromeunderground.blogspot.com/2011/04/pandora-extension.html


1. Go here and download the extension (using Chrome) http://pandora-extension.googlecode.com/files/Anesidora-1.3.2.crx


2. You’ll get the issue where it won’t let you login. This is because of a bug in version 1.3.2. The Web Store version was up to 1.3.7 I believe and had fixed this issue, but in the 1.3.2 version the bug still exists.

3. To fix it you have to hunt for the file “anesidora.js”
On OSX extensions are located at: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions
On Linux, extensions are located at: ~/.config/google-chrome/Default/Extensions/
On Windows XP, extensions are located at: C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
And on Windows Vista/7, extensions are located at: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Extensions
For Windows, you may have to ‘Show All Hidden Files’ to see the AppData directory in Vista/7, or Local Settings directory in XP.

This is worth it stick with me!


4. You’ll know you’ve found the right folder when you see the a folder “1.3.2.0”.

5. When you’ve found that folder, open it, and then open the “js” folder, and you’ll see the file “anesidora.js”. Open that with your favorite text editor, and do a search for “v3” (use ctrl+f). There should only be one occurrence. It will say v30 or v31 to start with, but it needs to say v32.

6. Change it to v32, save it, and restart Chrome. You should now be able to login and enjoy the wonderful experience that is Anesidora.

Please comment below if you run into any issues so i can modify my post with more clarity if need be.


Microsoft Security Essentials (Antivirus)

       If you’re running Windows you’re going to want to run up-to-date antivirus software. There is no need to pay for antivirus anymore because Microsoft Security Essentials is free if you have a genuine copy of Windows (not pirated). It protects against viruses, spyware, and other malware without being a resource hog in return not killing system performance like many other anti-virus’. No anti-virus software is fool-proof so you will still have to browse safely and make sure to run Windows updates, which Microsoft Security Essentials is integrated into. Once MSE is installed it will reside in the system tray in the bottom right hand corner of your task-bar; make sure to keep an eye out for the little castle looking icon and if it’s orange or red, it needs attention.


The download page can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/mse.aspx

Internet Connectivity Diagnostics

      I wish i would have found this troubleshooting guide sooner. Networking problems are a computer problem that i cannot simply solve by connecting remotely to a machine so i usually end up troubleshooting over the phone which isn’t the most convenient. This diagnostic map was put together by a networking tech support guru to whom i owe many thanks! Print off the map or view it on another computer while trying to solve internet connectivity issues.


http://mind42.com/pub/mindmap?mid=0f55a05d-f7ca-47f6-a800-8afa3f20c526


Monoprice





    I buy all of my cables exclusively from Monoprice.com because of their low prices, quantity discounts, helpful reviews, and online chat for both customer service and tech support. I wanted to bring Monoprice to the attention of my readers in part of the rise of HDMI cables and the ridiculous marketing strategies companies like Monster cable conduct to ensure you need the best. The average consumer will not need the best cable out there because for the most part it is unnecessary, especially for short cable run distances. It never pays to go with the most expensive first; Monoprice offers a solid return policy and satisfaction guarantee so if the cable is not up to your standards a quick return is all that is required. 


HDMI Cable price comparison
Monoprice: $4.34 (10ft.) VS. Monster: $69.95 (13.12 ft.)


Do you NEED the best?  


Ninite

     I’ve mentioned Ninite in “Removing Malware” but wanted to dedicate a post to this nifty site. Ninite has a categorized list of some of the most useful applications and bulks the installation files together to streamline the installation process. Ninite fully automates the installations so you don’t have to click “next”, says no to installing toolbars, chooses the correct version for your PC (32 or 64), installs the app in your PC’s language, and updates the app if it is already installed. The site comes in handy if you have to wipe your operating system and need to re-install the applications; this can save HOURS. I’ve discovered many new apps that i had never heard of because of this site and best of all most of them are free.

On a personal machine this is what i would choose to download on a fresh Windows install:



Blue Screen of Death

 

  
    


















    One of the most dreaded error messages for a Windows user is the blue screen, or the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) as it is popularly known, which suddenly pops up informing you that something is seriously wrong with Windows. What this screen essentially means is that Windows has crashed and needs to reboot to recover. The most powerful troubleshooting tool out there is Google. Type in the error code you are receiving and try to narrow down the results. Another user has almost certainly come across the same issue you are facing.

 
Problems causing BSOD:
 
The BSODs are generally associated with five problems faced by Windows:
 
-Software or device drivers may have a problem
 
-A hardware device is malfunctioning , or was removed while Windows was running, or does not fully support Windows. On older machines, outdated BIOS information can also cause errors.
 
-Hardware or hard disk errors during installation of Windows.
 
-Corrupted startup files, hardware, and driver software during Windows startup can also be the cause. This type of error will always require troubleshooting before Windows can start up normally.
 
-Intermittent errors that appear randomly. These can be caused by an overheating processor, a defective memory system, a dying or dead hard disk , or faulty software and device drivers.


WOT: Web Of Trust

    I recently came across a browser add-on called WOT. This application is great for increasing security in your daily web browsing. The application alerts you when you come across an insecure or untrustworthy site. Most notably, it blocks your browser from loading un-wanted pages and pop-ups in return, preventing malware from accessing your machine. 
   
    
    WOT works for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Internet Explorer and is available for download here: https://www.mywot.com/en/download  You don’t have to register in order to use the add-on however, select a setting after installation (basic is recommended).