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Showing posts from 2007

Destrukto Virus Removal

To manually remove this virus, do the following: 1. Download a replacement to task manager such as Process Manager by Sysinternals at http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/4241. 2. Open a command prompt window and go to windows\system32 and get ready to rename WSCRIPT.EXE by typing rename WSCRIPT.EXE WSCRIPT.TMP (or delete it). 3. Run Process Manager and kill the WSCRIPT process and then run the rename or delete command on the WSCRIPT.EXE. 4. Once WSCRIPT.EXE is renamed or deleted, you will most likely get a Windows message that system files are changed or deleted. Cancel the dialog box when prompted. The script will no longer be able to pop up the DESTRUKTO Internet Explorer page. 5. Download a registry editor such as mpam4_regedit_xp from http://www.patheticcockroach.com/mpam4/ind...?p=61&id=14. 6. Run the registry editor and reverse the key changes the virus made. Change them back so everything is enabled: ran.regwrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

TestDisk - Best FREE Tool for Partition Recovery

Nothing beats a free software that can do what other commercial software can't. If you are looking for a partition recovery software, this one is for you. This open-source software saved me today from a possible one to three-hour work in recovering partitions that suddenly disappear. It only took less than five minutes to recover missing partitions. You can run this program from windows or you can use Test Disk Live Rescue CD . The only downside of this program is it still uses dos interface even when you run it in windows instead of more friendly-user GUI. So you might need to read first the documentation before using it. As for me, i don't care as long as it gets the job done. From their website : TestDisk is a powerful free data recovery software! It was primarily designed to help recover lost partitions and/or make non-booting disks bootable again when these symptoms are caused by faulty software, certain types of viruses or human error (such as accidentally deleting a Part

"Incompatible modem codec detected, please check your modem card" error

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Somebody brought in an HP Pavilion ze4900 laptop yesterday (the exact model is ze4938ea according to the sticker), and the owner said that she cannot connect to the internet neither via dial up nor her broadband connection. This laptop came from abroad (middle east) and she just started using it this week to replace her desktop. So i powered it up, and whenever i start the default dial-up connection, this error shows up: Motorola SM56 Modem Helper Incompatible modem codec detected, please check your modem card. Whenever you receive an error while trying to start a dial-up connection, the first thing to do is check whether the computer has the correct driver for the modem installed. I go to the HP support website, fired up the Automatic Detection option to know the exact model of this laptop, and check for the appropriate driver. My suspicion is right. According to the driver download page of HP Pavilion ZE4938ea this laptop uses a CONEXANT modem, and the error shown above is for MOTORO

Funny UST Scandal Avi.Exe Remover

Funny UST Scandal Virus Removal Tool Automatic remover = Download this: Funny UST Scandal Avi.exe Remover Manual: Software used to build the virus= AutoIt V3 drop Files- killer.exe(4084 kb) in c:\windows\ lsass.exe(3920kb) in c:\documents and settings\all users\start menu\programs\startup smss.exe(4088kb) in all root drives and in c:\windows autorun.inf(1kb) in all root drives with a script [autorun] open=smss.exe shell\Open\Command=smss.exe shell\open\Default=1 shell\Explore\Command=smss.exe shell\Autoplay\command=smss.exe Funny UST Sandal.avi.exe(228kb) in all root drives Registry Entries-HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon=shell(killer.exe) HKCU\Software\Microsoft\windows\Currentversion\Run=runonce(c:\windows\smss.exe) HOw to remove this lame virus???? -first download taskiller in http://www.rsdsoft.com/task_killer/index.php4 and install it to your computer because you cant use taskmanager to terminate the virus(the virus automatically close taskmanager). -run t

How to: Slipstream Windows XP Service Pack & Making an Unattended WinXP Installer using NLite

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This is a must especially if you always install windows, or you do it for a living like me. This also applies to WIndows 2000 and Windows 2003 Advantages: 1. You can integrate service packs, hotfixes, updates, drivers and themes to your installation cd so you don't need to redownload and install them everytime you need to reinstall Windows 2. You can even integrate programs that you regularly install after fresh installation of XP like antivirus, instant messaging programs like YM, Adobe reader, etc. so that you don't need to install them later 3. You can also remove unwanted programs/components from within windows. 4. nLite provides customize installation, you can make a fully unattended Setup CD so you just insert the cd, start installation, and take some coffee. What you need: 1. nLite. If the download link don't work, there are some mirrors here . 2. .Net framework (nLite relies on this to work) Note: you don't need to reinstall it, if your machine already have

IBM Thinkpad Error 0175: Bad CRC1, Stop POST task

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A friend sent a laptop here in my shop. It's an IBM Thinkpad T20. After updating the bios, the said laptop won't boot. It shows this error: 0175, Bad CRC1, stop POST task. All google search points to one direction: a bad EEPROM and the only “solution” according to them is motherboard replacement. I can’t believe it is the only solution out there. Maybe someone can help me? Any suggestion, question or violent reaction? Feel free to leave a comment. View Random Post

Disable Automatic Updates Nag Screen "Do You Want to Restart Your Computer Now"

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This always pops in every ten minutes or so after a successful windows update. Automatic Updates Updating your computer is almost complete. You must restart your computer for the updates to take effect. Do you want to restart your computer now? Restart Now, Restart Later But if you are in a middle of something and restarting your pc is not an option, it can become really annoying. Here's some tips to make to make it rest in peace. WinXp Pro (Not for XpHome users) 1. Start>Run 2. In the run windows type "gpedit.msc" sans quote. Group Policy will appear 3. On the left pane, navigate through Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update. 4. On the right pane double-click on "Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations" 5. A windows will appear. You can disable it totally, or you can set the minutes when it will prompt again. 6. Now click OK and close group policy If you are an X

What's in a Computer Technician's Toolbox?

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Before you leave your shop/house and make a housecall, you should always check what's on your box. Here is a checklist of common tools you "might" need 1. Screwdriver - Even if it's a software problem that you will fix, you will never know when you will gonna use it. (Several times, i forgot to bring this, and i always blush when i asked the owner if he has one. What's a computer technician without a screwdriver?) 2. Paper Clip - Yes. You read it right. This small piece of metal saved me couple of times when i didn't bring my own cd/dvdrom. YOu will always encounter a CDROM/DVDROM drive that refuse to open. 3. PC speaker - You don't want to guess what's the problem of the CPU when you find out that it doesn't have pc speaker to help you know immeadiately the problematic part of the computer 4. CMOS Battery - Some motherboards especially those old ones need to have new battery to get rid of those annoying "CMOS CHECKSUM ERROR Press F1 blah b

DSL Modem Password List

I'm planning to put up password list of known DSL modem here in the Philippines, but as i browse pinoydsl.net i happen to stumble on this thread . The good people there already compiled a list. I will copy it here, then edit, add the corresponding ip address of each modem too, and their respective provider. Special thanks to dslmaster. He's the threadstarter. If you want to add something to this list, feel free to post in the comment section. Zyxel Series 600, Model 650R-31 ADSL modem/router Default Username: admin Default Password: 1234 rovider: Bayantel ip address: 192.168.1.1 username: admin password: datanet1 username: ZXDSL password : ZXDSL Speedtouch 530 username: adminpldt password: adminpldt speedstream 5100 username: admin password: admin username: admin password: password username: admin password: 1234 username:adminpldt password: adminpldt username:adminpldt password: 1234 Username: admin Password: mktdsltf Aztech 305eu modem username: admin password: epicrouter use

Identifying Beep Codes

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Beep codes produced by a computer is very important for a Computer Technician. YOu can save a lot of time troubleshooting by just listening to these beep codes. That's why it is very important to bring your own PC speaker when you are in the field. I always encounter PC's that doesn't have a PC speaker, or if there is one, it is connected the wrong way (+ to - and vice versa) so make sure to check it first before doing anything else. Old-school PC speaker Small but terrible. This is what i bring whenever i'm on the road. THe most common beeps that you will encounter 95% of the time in repairing PC's are: 1 beep - computer ok continous beeps / long beeps - memory error continous short beeps - bios boot block/corrupted bios 1 long beep followed by 3 short beeps - video card error They are the most common/standard beep codes that you will encounter daily as a Computer Tech. However if you happen to came across other beep codes that are not listed above, you can check

Missing Drivers, Unknown Device, and Other Devices

Sounds familiar? Yes, as a computer user we are very familiar with these words. A missing driver can cause a lot of headaches for us computer technicians. Fortunately, there’s a lot you can do if you find yourself in this situation. First, you can easily search Google for the missing drivers, or you can visit the manufacturer’s website and search there. But what if you can’t find an appropriate driver for your hardware because of being obsolete or the device manager can’t tell what is the offending hardware? You can easily make your own Windows XP CD and integrate driverpacks and latest updates from Microsoft. You can find that it will help you a lot in the future especially if you are on the road and your client doesn’t have an internet connection or on dial up (it will take a lot of your precious time if you use it for downloading large files.) Sounds easy to make? You bet. Here is what you need: 1. Windows XP installer, preferably with integrated SP2. (you can download SP2 here or

HP Pavilion dv4000 sent in for repair

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A laptop was brought in my computer repair shop today. It was an HP Pavilion dv4000. It has a widescreen LCD, 512 MB Memory, a 100Gb hard disk, DVD writer and an Altec Lansing speaker. The owner said that it is newly formatted. But the problem is he cannot connect to the internet because the driver for his modem is missing. Upon inspection it turned out that it not just the modem driver but several other devices don’t have its drivers installed. He requested that I format it again, install the appropriate drivers and software that he might need because he doesn’t have the back up cd or driver cd that came with it. About the drivers, I can easily go the HP website and browse for the drivers, but I decided not to and instead make my own Windows Xp installer, slipstream the latest updates and add driver packs into it. (Click here for my blog article about making your own Windows Xp installer cd with complete drivers) The result is a fully functional laptop, with the latest updates and dr

Reset Codes for Canon Printers - Canon Waste Ink Tank Reset Procedures

Canon Waste Ink Tank Reset Procedures Canon GENERIC "S" SERIES RESET CODE Waste Ink Counter Reset. 1. Turn off the printer. 2. Press and hold the RESUME button, then press and hold the POWER button. 3. Release the RESUME button, Next press and release the RESUME button two(2) more times in succession. Note: you are still holding the POWER button). The printer's carriage will "reset" or move momentarily. If the above was properly performed the printer will enter the Service Mode". 4. Press the RESUME button 4 times, this will select the clear waste ink counter function. The lamp will alternate (change) color with each key press. 1. Service/Factory test printout, including ink sensor check. 2. EEPROM - Info printout. 3. EEPROM - Initialization. 4. Reset the Waste ink counter. 5. Printer model setting. (More selections beyond this point - However it is best leave them unaltered - You have been warned!) After selecting the desi

Parts inside your printer are at the end of their service life

A Service Error where you get a message telling you that "Parts inside your printer at the end of their service life, contact your dealer for replacement", or "Parts inside your printer require maintenance or replacement, call your service company", is normally a Maintenance Request Error. The maintenance request error is actually a Waste Ink Ink Pad Error and usually your remedy is: 1. Replace the Waste Ink Pad/Pads with a new one/ones (many people ignore this one, and they just follow #2) 2) Reset the Internal Waste Ink Pad Counter by using this utility Affected Printers: Epson Stylus Сolor 400 Epson Stylus Сolor 440 Epson Stylus Color 480 LPT Epson Stylus Color 480SXU / 580 Epson Stylus Сolor 600 Epson Stylus Сolor 640 Epson Stylus Сolor 660 Epson Stylus Сolor 670 Epson Stylus Color 680 / 777 Epson Stylus Сolor 740 Epson Stylus Сolor 760 Epson Stylus Сolor 800 / 850 Epson Stylus Сolor 860 Epson Stylus Color 880 Epson Stylus Color 900 / EM-900C Epson Stylus Color

Prevent Autorun Viruses from Infecting Your Pc - How to Disable Autorun in Flash Drives

If you are looking for the Funny UST Scandal avi.exe remover, visit this link: http://techpinoy.blogspot.com/2007/11/funny-ust-scandal-aviexe-remover.html Prevent autorun.inf Viruses from Infecting Your Pc Prevention is better than cure. Here are some examples of autorun viruses which rely on the autorun function of Windows to infect PC’s and flash drives. Funny UST Scandal.avi.exe (latest one in the Philippines) Autorun.vbs win32.autorun.k copy.exe imgkulot taga lipa are autorun.vbs recycler FS6519.dll.vbs strawberry from baguio W32/Perlovga (copy.exe | host.exe) VBS_RESULOWS.A (Hacked by Godzilla, Hacked by Moozilla) Bha.dll.vbs w32automa worm (Autorun.vbs) Trojan.Win32.VB.atg | Win32/Dzan | Worm_vb.bnr (tel.xls.exe | mmc.exe) W32/RJump.worm (RavMonE) Worm.Win32.Delf.bf | W32.Fujacks (spoclsv.exe) W32.Fujacks.BH (Fucker.vbs) WORM_AGENT.PGV (soundmix.exe) W32/Hakaglan.worm (RVHost.exe) Trojan.Win32.VB.ayo [AVP] (Macromedia_Setup.exe) Trojan.VBS.DeltreeY.