Old tool: Resource Hacker

Today i want to show you about an old tool i've used : Resource Hacker.

Here's an example of what this tool can do:

Change embedded string text, pictures, cursors, icons, etc.

Let me show you how it works:

• Download ResHack from here or here.
• Extract to a folder. Make a shortcut to desktop if you like.
• Run Reshack.

• From File menu, Open ... and select an executables (must be Windows applications / Win32 PE, including Screen saver and Control Panel Applet). Example: Paint (location: C:\Windows\System32\mspaint.exe).

• Here you can see it contains Cursors (Paint has 16 cursors you can change), Bitmap (embedded pictures), Icon (embedded icons), Menu, Dialog, String Table, Accelerators, Cursor Group, Icon Group, Version Info and 24 (About info).

• I choose to change the text (String Table, 1, script #13)  Monochrome Bitmap into Black n White Bitmap.
• Click on Compile Script button to save the changes. Save the file (you can save as other file name if you like).
• Open Paint and see the difference.

Have fun with your experiment! Just remember to make a copy first!

Take note of Experienced User Level (EUL) required:
LEVEL 4

I held no responsible for any damage caused by mishandling/crash/misunderstanding of this article.

Experienced User Level® (EUL)®

Introducing Experienced User Level (also known as EUL).

Which level are you?

LEVEL 1 - Newbie. Only knows which are mouse and keyboard. And think know how to turn ON and shut down a computer.
LEVEL 2 - Amateur. Know how to use Windows and its basic applications including internet (not Facebook).
LEVEL 3 - Intermediate. Knows most things about every hardware and how to use it.
LEVEL 4 - Experienced. Know how to do PC Maintenance and fix minor Windows error. Able to replace hardware.
LEVEL 5 - Expert. Windows BSOD is not your biggest problem.
LEVEL 6 - Pro. Windows is not your type.

I held no responsible for any damage caused by mishandling/crash/misunderstanding of any articles.

My computer got infected [again]

A while ago, my dearest machine got infected by a malware. It was about Rockmelt that was lurking in the facebook not long ago. Even for me got fooled by that application which suggests me to download Rockmelt, hiding behind a contact sending message to me and to all my friends.

I didn't even know that my Windows was infected until i managed to update the anti-virus software (I think it was due to that malware, the anti-virus was unable to update properly). What i did was reinstall the anti-virus (Avira Antivir Personal) and update its database. After a few minutes, it detects explorer.exe and winlogon.exe contains TR/Patched.Gen and need to restart the pc to finish the process.

But it didn't stop there. At this point, explorer.exe is unable to load due to restrictions by the anti-virus. But somehow winlogon.exe got through. Since explorer is inactive, i have to look for an alternative to get Windows work again. Using command prompt, i searched for explorer.exe and winlogon.exe and found both backup in C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\. I copied both files to C:\WINDOWS\. At first, explorer.exe was a success but not to winlogon.exe. In short, this is useless.

 So, i  googled and found a solution: ComboFix.

• To fix this problem, first, download Combofix here.
• Disable any anti-virus, script blocking, firewall or any security software.

Warning! Please be advised that if you run this program, there is no turning back. But still, system restore point is always an option. :)

• Run Combofix. It's better to let explorer.exe unloaded (open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete and from Processes tab, look for explorer.exe and click End Process and click Yes upon confirmation).
• Follow on-screen instructions exactly as instructed. Do NOT multi-task a.k.a open other programs.
• Let the utility finished until it generates report log file.

There you have it. Another fine solution as a result from googling. :)

EUL Level : LEVEL 5

Autorun in your USB drive

This virus is very popular among cyber cafes. Whenever you plug in your USB drive, it automatically get infected by this virus. If your computer get infected, some variants will disable Registry Editor (regedit) and disable Folder Options, creating a paralyzed Windows. You need to remove the virus first before you can restore Windows back to normal.

How to repair a computer infected with this virus?

• Download Flash_Disinfector to your desktop.
• Open and follow any prompts that may appear.
• It may ask you to insert your flash drive and/or other removable drives including your mobile phone. Allow the utility to clean up those drives as well.
• Let it finish scanning before exiting.
• Restart your computer when done.

How to prevent this from infecting your computer?

• First of all, do not plug in suspicious USB drive even if you are not sure.
• Disable autorun for removable drive using either one of these methods:

Method A:

1. Run Notepad and type in:

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf]
@="@SYS:DoesNotExist"

2. Save as DeAuto.reg (select All files under the filename bar) on Desktop and run the file. Click YES.
3. Autorun should has been disabled now. To test, insert a CD with Autorun.inf such as MS-Office CD.
Note: This method may work on Windows XP and above.

Method B:


1. Download TweakUI from Microsoft. Note: Requires Windows XP with at least SP1.
2. In Control Panel, open TweakUI.
3. Locate + My Computer + Autoplay + Types and uncheck Enable Autoplay for removable drives.
4. Click OK.

Method C:

Refer to Microsoft Knowledge Base article 967715 on how to use Group Policy to disable Autorun on newer Windows version and other methods available.

• You should now can safely insert the infected usb drive for disinfection. Hopefully your current AV can disinfect the virus.
• If you don't have an Anti-Virus or would like to change to another AV, i recommend Avira Antivir Personal (Free). Download from their website. Warning! You should never install more than one AV. 
• Once you have installed Avira Antivir Personal, you need to restart the computer.
• Remember to always scan for removable drives.

Good luck!

EUL Level : LEVEL 5

Legacy Games

Here's what i have been using so far to play legacy games (which i owned but i lost them somehow) and how to play it under Windows. These are freeware or abandonware and you may freely download (or licensed where stated, which you can not download).

DOS Games

Abandonware Paradise - collections of thousands of old DOS games including Command and Conquer, Duke Nukem, Prince of Persia and Dune 2000.

Update: Until today (Feb 10) it seems that the website for english version is not working.

Abandonia - An alternative to old DOS games but does not contain as much as the above.

Update: There is another site which offers DOS and many other platforms available : The Old Computer

DOSBox - Ver. 0.74, a DOS emulator, required to play DOS games on today's Windows.


Console Games

Emulator Zone - Collections of hundreds of emulators including Nintendo and Sega.

ROMHustler - Collections of millions of ROMs for console games, arcade games, and many others.


DOS Games on Windows XP and Vista/7

1. Download and install DOSBox. Create a folder under system drive (eg. C:\DOSG)

2. Open dosbox-***.conf with Notepad, scroll to end and add this line mount c c:\dosg under autoexec.

Correct locations of dosbox-***.conf :

• Windows XP - %USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\DOSBox\dosbox-{version}.conf
• Windows Vista / 7 - {system drive}:\Users\{username}\AppData\Local\DOSBox\dosbox-{version}.conf
  

3. Download a game (eg. Prince of Persia).

4. Extract game into a sub-folder (eg. C:\DOSG\PRINCE). You must extract the file or it won't work.

5. Run DOSBox.

6. Enter folder using DOS commands (in italic fonts):

C:\CD PRINCE then C:\PRINCE\>PRINCE.EXE

More information on DOSBox can be found on DOSBoxWiki


You can also type in manually the mount command. Drive letter should always be C but also can be any letter you want.


Console Games in Windows

1. Download and install any emulator. For example, we take NES.

2. Run and configure the emulator. Take note of the ROM folder.

2. Download ROM. If it's zipped in .7z, you need 7zip to extract to folder ROM.

3. Run the emulator. From File menu, select Open. Choose the desired rom. Play!

EUL Level : LEVEL 4

MS-DOS

Remember MS-DOS 5? 6? 6.22?

What are the difference between those 3 versions?

To my experience, here's what i've learned:

5.0
- Introduction to QBasic Editor (with examples like GORILLA.BAS) and DOSShell.

6.0
- Introduction to Microsoft Anti-Virus, ScanDisk and Doublespace (disk compression tool).
- Improved version of QBasic with better interface for editor.

6.22
- Introduction to VSafe, MemMaker, Defragmentation Tool and Microsoft Backup
- Re-introduction to disk compression tool (DriveSpace)


Pictured below are actual features which i owned from our deceased PC (thank god i made a backup). Bring back memories...

I used Oracle VM Virtualbox to boot DOS 6.22 and install everything.
There is another computer emulation software called Virtual PC by Microsoft.


MS-Defrag


MS-MemMaker


MS-DriveSpace


MS-Anti Virus


If you like retro, these sites may be good for you:

Bootdisk.com
Allbootdisks.com

They don't includes above mentioned features, but you may google it on your own.

EUL Level : LEVEL 4

Computer Guide

An example on how to build, upgrade or repair your own computer. Just remember to discharge yourself before you start or you might damage some component which is void the warranty. Do NOT do this on a carpet, no matter how many times you discharge yourself, it won't do any good.

Satu contoh bagaimana memasang, meningkatkan upaya, atau membaiki komputer anda sendiri. Cuma ingat untuk menyahkan statik terlebih dahulu sebelum bermula, anda mungkin akan merosakkan komponen yang akan membatalkan warranti. JANGAN lakukan di atas karpet, tak kira berapa kali anda menyahkan statik, ia takkan hilang.

Computer Repair Service di Bertam, Kepala Batas

Juga untuk sekitar Seberang Jaya dan Pulau (waktu biasa, caj tambahan dikenakan) Parit Buntar and Bagan Serai (akan datang).
Servis merangkumiWindows troubleshoot - bluescreen, blank screen, no response, etc.

System assembly - new system or upgrade

System recovery - Virus attacks, system crash, hardware failure, driver corrupt, etc.

Servis lain
Backup, performance tuning, benchmark, maintenance, etc.

• Harga terendah.
• Pemeriksaan percuma.
• Boleh dibuat di tempat anda untuk masalah kecil.
• Cepat, murah, berkesan!

Update: Servis ini telah ditamatkan. Terima kasih atas sokongan anda! Thank you for your support!

Firefox Tweak Guide

Ikuti artikel yang teliti dari website ini untuk fungsi terkini dan cara-cara menggunakannya. Juga terdapat panduan untuk menambahkan prestasi Firefox.

Pendrive/USB stick/thumbdrive corrupted?

Scenario:
Your thumbdrive/pendrive/usb stick was unable to be detected by Windows properly due to mishandling or virus attack. All files inside has been corrupted (weird characters on folders/file names). You need to format it but "write protect error" appears and you know that there is no write protect tab.

Solution:
Note: Before you continue, please make sure that it still can be detected by Windows and shows either no files or garbage files/folders. Otherwise, this will not be succeeded.
Low Level Format Tool (effective for some cases).

You may try this software first, but if you failed, the following method may be your last hope but still the best way :)

Force Format (Repair Neo 2.9)

WARNING! Take note that once you have run this, there is no way to recover all data! And make sure that only the bad thumb drive is inserted. Any other thumb drive inserted will be wiped clean!

This is your chance to recover any old pendrive laying around. This may also work on MP3 player with mass data storage chip.

Extra Info:
If your thumb drive was soaked in water, do not use it. You must disassemble it as soon as possible and let it dry (but not directly under the sun, that will fry the chip!).



Senario:
Thumbdrive/pendrive/usb stick telah rosak disebabkan kecuaian pengguna atau jangkitan virus. Semua fail dalamnya telah corrupt. Cara terbaik ialah dengan format ia semula. Tetapi muncul "write protect error" walhal tiada write protect tab/switch.

Nota: Untuk penyelesaian di bawah, pastikan ianya masih boleh dikesan oleh Windows di mana huruf pemacu (drive letter) muncul dalam My Computer.

Penyelesaian
- Low-level Format Tool (berkesan untuk sesetengah kes)

atau cara terbaik

- Force format (Repair Neo 2.9)
Link:

Amaran: AWAS! Sebelum menggunakan Repair Neo, pastikan tiada USB drive yang lain bersambung pada sistem. Gunakan untuk satu USB pada satu masa.

Jika anda masih mempunyai USB stick yang lama dan tidak lagi berfungsi, anda masih boleh gunakan cara ini. Bagaimanapun, ia terhad untuk semua jenis USB stick yang masih boleh dikesan Windows sahaja.

Nota: Cara-cara demikian tidak diuji untuk USB drive yang berasaskan HDD. Anda bolehlah mencubanya atas risiko sendiri. Ini adalah kerana ia mempunyai cakera keras, iaitu cakera fizikal berkemungkinan rosak secara fizikal yakni kegagalan berfungsi yang kekal. Ini adalah berbeza dengan usb stick yang menggunakan memory chip.

Maklumat tambahan : Sekiranya usb stick anda dimasuki air, jangan gunakannya terus. Anda harus jemurkannya terlebih dahulu. Lebih baik jika anda bukakan casing untuk memastikan semuanya kering. AWAS: Jangan jemurkannya di bawah matahari terik, kelak ia akan rosak kekal.

Tips for buying new hardware

There are times where you need to replace/upgrade computer hardware. If you would like to buy a new hardware for your PC separately, here are some tips for you to look at before you buy.

1. New Component/Hardware

>> Consult the package of the hardware before you buy. Look for System Requirement.

Graphics card (eg. Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT)

>> PCIe and AGP are different interface. Do not confuse between these two.

- Required interface: PCIe 2.0 16x
- OS Supported: Windows XP and above

Power Requirement

>> Not all 400W PSU like what they claimed. Make sure your PSU met the required criteria.

- Extra power connector: 6 and 8 pins
- Minimum Recommended System Power: 400W

Output Display

>> These are outputs supported by the card. May have converter for VGA but results not optimized.

- Display Supported: HDMI, HDTV
- Minimum VGA Resolution: 2048x1536
- Maximum Digital Resolution: 2560x1600

2. Used parts / recondition

For this kind of hardware, make sure
1. It's still working. Have a person to certify this.
2. It will work on your system. Google to find out more if it doesn't have a manual.
3. It is not outdated. Manufacturers may have discontinued supporting this hardware and you won't be able to use it under latest Windows release.
4. It has no traces of dried liquid. This may be the reason why it must be sold.
5. It should has at least a personal warranty if you want to buy it from a person. Take note that if you bought it and unable to attach it to your system due to mismatch interface or wrong type, you may have voided such warranty.

Tambahkan prestasi PC anda

PC anda terlalu perlahan?

Perkara yang pertama harus diperiksa (mengikut kebarangkalian punca ianya berlaku):

Nota: Adalah dinasihatkan supaya anda perhatikan tahap pengetahuan PC pada setiap post dari kami. Kami tidak akan bertanggungjawab ke atas kerosakan yang disebabkan kesilapan anda.

1. Software/aplikasi (Tahap: Sederhana)
=========================
Adakah anda telah install software yang tidak sesuai (incompatible) dengan OS anda ataupun ianya kurang stabil?
-Pastikan anda membuat sedikit penyelidikan tentang sesuatu software sebelum install. Pastikan ia adalah dari sumber yang boleh dipercayai (bukan malware/worm/pirate). Ia berkemungkinan boleh menyebabkan PC anda lembab, sekaligus meragut kestabilan sistem.

Antara aspek yang selalunya kita terlepas pandang:
i. keperluan RAM dan hardware
ii. keperluan versi OS
iii. versi keluaran software tersebut (versi 0.1 atau beta atau seumpamanya)

Pastikan aspek i dan ii adalah sesuai dengan PC anda. Dan elakkan iii, jika boleh.

Gunakan aplikasi yang boleh menjaga PC untuk anda seperti

Advanced SystemCare Free


** Nasihat kami, buangkan mana-mana program/aplikasi yang anda jarang gunakan. Jika anda menghadapi masalah membuangnya, rujuklah kepada kami (atau abang Google) berkemungkinan ia adalah Malware/Adware yang degil. Pastikan anda memberi nama aplikasi tersebut (dalam Add/Remove Software) dan OS yang anda gunakan.

2. Hardware (Tahap: Expert)
==================
Pastikan hardware yang anda pasang adalah sesuai dengan ciri-ciri PC anda.

Contoh: Graphics card Nvidia Geforce 8800 GTS memerlukan PCIe 16X dan sekurang-kurangnya PSU berkuasa 500W dengan arus 28A pada +12V (tidak semua PSU yang mendakwa berkuasa 500W adalah menepati ciri-ciri ini).

Anda harus memastikan keperluan setiap komponen hardware yang ada dalam PC anda supaya ia tidak mengganggu sistem keseluruhan seperti kekerapan 'freeze' dan shut down yang tiba-tiba.

Dan pastikan driver untuk hardware tersebut adalah yang terkini (supaya isu kestabilan dari pihak manufacturer dapat dibendung).

3. Services (Tahap: Expert)
=================

Rujuklah panduan ini untuk mengetahui service yang mana harus dimatikan dan yang mana harus dibiarkan untuk kestabilan dan kelajuan sistem yang optimum.

http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm


4. RAM (Tahap: Sederhana)
=================

Ini juga boleh menjadi punca kelembapan PC anda. Tambahkan RAM sekiranya masih ada slot kosong pada mainboard. Lebih banyak RAM, lebih laju. Ingat, Windows XP hanya support setakat 3GB RAM sahaja.


5. System Restore (Tahap: Rendah/Sederhana)
=============================

Ini bukanlah salah satu punca kelembapan PC anda, sebaliknya adalah cara terakhir untuk kembali ke status asal sebelum PC anda mula menjadi lembab.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

Nota: Hanya berkaitan dengan Windows XP sahaja.

Pilihan notebook antara AMD dan Intel?

AMD

Kelebihan : Kelajuan pemprosesan yang tinggi. Grafik yang cantik.

Kekurangan : CPU cepat panas. Perlukan pengedaran udara yang optimal. Menggunakan kuasa bateri yang tinggi sekaligus memendekkan hayat bateri.

Kesimpulan : Pilihan ini adalah sesuai untuk mereka yang pentingkan grafik yang ekstrem dan kelajuan yang tinggi. Contohnya, menonton movie, edit video dan bermain game. Adalah disarankan agar penggunaan bateri dikurangkan, sebaliknya adapter digunakan sepanjang tugas berat tersebut dijalankan.

Intel

Kelebihan : Kestabilan antara kuasa dan kelajuan. Grafik yang biasa. Tahan lama.

Kekurangan : Kelajuan dan grafik yang lemah. Tidak sesuai untuk penggunaan yang ekstrem.

Kesimpulan : Sekirannya anda hanya mahu melayari internet, menggunakan aplikasi pejabat (Word, Excel dan sebagainya) dan pentingkan mobiliti, sememangnya ini adalah pilihan yang sesuai.

Dari segi perbandingan harga pula, sememangnya notebook yang mempunyai CPU Intel adalah lebih mahal. Ini adalah kerana pembuat notebook hanya dibenarkan memasang Chipset keluaran mereka sahaja. Ini akan menambahkan kos untuk menjual notebook tersebut. Manakala notebook yang menggunakan CPU AMD pula, kos untuk membuat sesebuah notebook dikurangkan dengan chipset yang menjadi pilihan mereka seperti VIA dan Nvidia.

Jadi, apakah pilihan anda? Poskan pendapat anda...

CPU Cepat panas pada notebook

Seperti diketahui umum, CPU AMD adalah tidak sesuai untuk laptop. Ia akan cepat panas dan boleh menyebabkan papan induk (mainboard) rosak. Dakwaan ini tidak dinafikan. Bagaimanapun, sekiranya penjagaan yang rapi diutamakan oleh pengguna seperti berikut dilakukan. Ini sememangnya benar kerana ujian yang telus telah dilakukan oleh pembuat (manufacturer) sebelum dipasarkan kepada umum...

1. Untuk penggunaan yang mengambil masa yang lama, adalah disarankan anda menggunakan adapter (tanpa bateri) dan laptop cooler. Boleh didapati di semua kedai komputer.
2. Hindari penggunaan di permukaan yang tidak rata, seperti di atas katil, atas riba dan di atas bantal. Ini adalah untuk pengedaran udara yang lebih baik di samping menghindari kepanasan yang melampau.
3. Pastikan liang-liang pengedaran udara (di mana udara panas dapat dirasai) adalah bersih dan tidak tersumbat. Bersihkan mengikut kekerapan penggunaan notebook tersebut.