Fixing broken Internet Explorer

So one of your friends, “not you of course”, has managed to nuke Internet Explorer and they are unsure how they did it. You’ve eliminated the possibility of viruses and adware, so this just leaves you and a broken IE. Before you begin to even consider running a repair install of the OS, let’s try to do a repair on IE instead.

THE REPAIR PROCESS

Start the Registry Editor by typing regedit from the Run box.

Go to :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Active Setup \ Installed Components \ {89820200-ECBD-11cf-8B85-00AA005B4383} and then right-click the “IsInstalled value.” Click Modify. From there, you will change the value from 1 to 0.

All right, go ahead and close the editor and reinstall IE from this location.

/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG

If messing with the registry and something goes horribly wrong, you can use “Last Known Good Configuration (F8 Safe Mode)” or a Restore Point to get back to where you were before, with your settings. Then you can try again, this time taking care to watch the portion of the registry you are changing. Most people who have troubles with this end up changing the wrong registry key.

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mIRC Commands

/ Recalls the previous command entered in the current window.
/! Recalls the last command typed in any window.
/action {action text} Sends the specifed action to the active channel or query window.
/add [-apuce] {filename.ini} Loads aliases, popups, users, commands, and events.
/ame {action text} Sends the specifed action to all channels which you are currently on.
/amsg {text} Sends the specifed message to all channels which you are currently on.
/auser {level} {nick|address} Adds a user with the specified access level to the remote users
list.
/auto [on|off|nickname|address] Toggles auto-opping of a nick or address or sets it on or off
totally.
/away {away message} Sets you away leave a message explaining that you are not currently paying attention to IRC.

/away Sets you being back.
/ban [#channel] {nickname} [type] Bans the specified nick from the curent or given channel.
/beep {number} {delay} Locally beeps 'number' times with 'delay' in between the beeps. /channel
Pops up the channel central window (only works in a channel).
/clear Clears the entire scrollback buffer of the current window.
/ctcp {nickname} {ping|finger|version|time|userinfo|clientinfo} Does the given ctcp request on
nickname.
/closemsg {nickname} Closes the query window you have open to the specified nick.
/creq [ask | auto | ignore] Sets your DCC 'On Chat request' settings in DCC/Options.
/dcc send {nickname} {file1} {file2} {file3} ... {fileN} Sends the specified files to nick.
/dcc chat {nickname} Opens a dcc window and sends a dcc chat request to nickname.
/describe {#channel} {action text} Sends the specifed action to the specified channel window.
/dde [-r] {service} {topic} {item} [data] Allows DDE control between mIRC and other
applications.
/ddeserver [on [service name] | off] To turn on the DDE server mode, eventually with a given
service name.
/disable {#groupname} De-activates a group of commands or events.
/disconnect Forces a hard and immediate disconnect from your IRC server. Use it with care.
/dlevel {level} Changes the default user level in the remote section.
/dns {nickname | IP address | IP name} Uses your providers DNS to resolve an IP address.
/echo [nickname|#channel|status] {text} Displays the given text only to YOU on the given place
in color N.
/enable {#groupname} Activates a group of commands or events.
/events [on|off] Shows the remote events status or sets it to listening or not.
/exit Forces mIRC to closedown and exit.
/finger Does a finger on a users address.
/flood [{numberoflines} {seconds} {pausetime}] Sets a crude flood control method.
/fsend [on|off] Shows fsends status and allows you to turn dcc fast send on or off.
/fserve {nickname} {maxgets} {homedirectory} [welcome text file] Opens a fileserver.
/guser {level} {nick} [type] Adds the user to the user list with the specified level and
address type.
/help {keyword} Brings up the Basic IRC Commands section in the mIRC help file.
/ignore [on|off|nickname|address] Toggles ignoring of a nick or address or sets it on or off
totally.
/invite {nickname} {#channel} Invites another user to a channel.
/join {#channel} Makes you join the specified channel.
/kick {#channel} {nickname} Kicks nickname off a given channel.
/list [#string] [-min #] [-max #] Lists all currently available channels, evt. filtering for
parameters.
/log [on|off] Shows the logging status or sets it on or off for the current window.
/me {action text} Sends the specifed action to the active channel or query window.
/mode {#channel|nickname} [[+|-]modechars [parameters]] Sets channel or user modes.
/msg {nickname} {message} Send a private message to this user without opening a query window.
/names {#channel} Shows the nicks of all people on the given channel.
/nick {new nickname} Changes your nickname to whatever you like.
/notice {nick} {message} Send the specified notice message to the nick.
/notify [on|off|nickname] Toggles notifying you of a nick on IRC or sets it on or off totally.
/onotice [#channel] {message} Send the specified notice message to all channel ops.
/omsg [#channel] {message} Send the specified message to all ops on a channel.
/part {#channel} Makes you leave the specified channel.
/partall Makes you leave all channels you are on.
/ping {server address} Pings the given server. NOT a nickname.
/play [-c] {filename} [delay] Allows you to send text files to a window.
/pop {delay} [#channel] {nickname} Performs a randomly delayed +o on a not already opped nick.
/protect [on|off|nickname|address] Toggles protection of a nick or address or sets it on or off
totally.
/query {nickname} {message} Open a query window to this user and send them the private message.
/quit [reason] Disconnect you from IRC with the optional byebye message.
/raw {raw command} Sends any raw command you supply directly to the server. Use it with care!!
/remote [on|off] Shows the remote commands status or sets it to listening or not.
/rlevel {access level} Removes all users from the remote users list with the specified access
level.
/run {c:\path\program.exe} [parameters] Runs the specified program, evt. with parameters.
/ruser {nick[!]|address} [type] Removes the user from the remote users list.
/save {filename.ini} Saves remote sections into a specified INI file.
/say {text} Says whatever you want to the active window.
/server [server address [port] [password]] Reconnects to the previous server or a newly
specified one.
/sound [nickname|#channel] {filename.wav} {action text} Sends an action and a fitting sound.
/speak {text} Uses the external text to speech program Monologue to speak up the text.
/sreq [ask | auto | ignore] Sets your DCC 'On Send request' settings in DCC/Options.
/time Tells you the time on the server you use.
/timer[N] {repetitions} {interval in seconds} {command} [| {more commands}] Activates a timer.
/topic {#channel} {newtopic} Changes the topic for the specified channel.
/ulist [{|}]{level} Lists all users in the remote list with the specified access levels.
/url [-d] Opens the URL windows that allows you to surf the www parallel to IRC.
/uwho [nick] Pops up the user central with information about the specified user.
/who {#channel} Shows the nicks of all people on the given channel.
/who {*address.string*} Shows all people on IRC with a matching address.
/whois {nickname} Shows information about someone in the status window.
/whowas {nickname} Shows information about someone who -just- left IRC.
/wavplay {c:\path\sound.wav} Locally plays the specified wave file.
/write [-cidl] {filename} [text] To write the specified text to a .txt file.

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Keyboard shortcuts

Getting used to using your keyboard exclusively and leaving your mouse behind will make you much more efficient at performing any task on any Windows system. I use the following keyboard shortcuts every day:

Windows key + R = Run menu

This is usually followed by:
cmd = Command Prompt
iexplore + "web address" = Internet Explorer
compmgmt.msc = Computer Management

dhcpmgmt.msc = DHCP Management
dnsmgmt.msc = DNS Management
services.msc = Services
eventvwr = Event Viewer
dsa.msc = Active Directory Users and Computers
dssite.msc = Active Directory Sites and Services
Windows key + E = Explorer

ALT + Tab = Switch between windows

ALT, Space, X = Maximize window

CTRL + Shift + Esc = Task Manager

Windows key + Break = System properties

Windows key + F = Search

Windows key + D = Hide/Display all windows

CTRL + C = copy

CTRL + X = cut

CTRL + V = paste

Also don't forget about the "Right-click" key next to the right Windows key on your keyboard. Using the arrows and that key can get just about anything done once you've opened up any program.


Keyboard Shortcuts

[Alt] and [Esc] Switch between running applications

[Alt] and letter Select menu item by underlined letter

[Ctrl] and [Esc] Open Program Menu

[Ctrl] and [F4] Close active document or group windows (does not work with some applications)

[Alt] and [F4] Quit active application or close current window

[Alt] and [-] Open Control menu for active document

Ctrl] Lft., Rt. arrow Move cursor forward or back one word

Ctrl] Up, Down arrow Move cursor forward or back one paragraph

[F1] Open Help for active application

Windows+M Minimize all open windows

Shift+Windows+M Undo minimize all open windows

Windows+F1 Open Windows Help

Windows+Tab Cycle through the Taskbar buttons

Windows+Break Open the System Properties dialog box



acessability shortcuts

Right SHIFT for eight seconds........ Switch FilterKeys on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +PRINT SCREEN....... Switch High Contrast on and off.

Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK....... Switch MouseKeys on and off.

SHIFT....... five times Switch StickyKeys on and off.

NUM LOCK...... for five seconds Switch ToggleKeys on and off.

explorer shortcuts

END....... Display the bottom of the active window.

HOME....... Display the top of the active window.

NUM LOCK+ASTERISK....... on numeric keypad (*) Display all subfolders under the selected folder.

NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN....... on numeric keypad (+) Display the contents of the selected folder.

NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN....... on numeric keypad (-) Collapse the selected folder.

LEFT ARROW...... Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder.

RIGHT ARROW....... Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder.




Type the following commands in your Run Box (Windows Key + R) or Start Run

devmgmt.msc = Device Manager
msinfo32 = System Information
cleanmgr = Disk Cleanup
ntbackup = Backup or Restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)
mmc = Microsoft Management Console
excel = Microsoft Excel (If Installed)
msaccess = Microsoft Access (If Installed)
powerpnt = Microsoft PowerPoint (If Installed)
winword = Microsoft Word (If Installed)
frontpg = Microsoft FrontPage (If Installed)
notepad = Notepad
wordpad = WordPad
calc = Calculator
msmsgs = Windows Messenger
mspaint = Microsoft Paint
wmplayer = Windows Media Player
rstrui = System Restore
netscp6 = Netscape 6.x
netscp = Netscape 7.x
netscape = Netscape 4.x
waol = America Online
control = Opens the Control Panel
control printers = Opens the Printers Dialog


internetbrowser

type in u're adress "google", then press [Right CTRL] and [Enter]
add www. and .com to word and go to it


For Windows XP:

Copy. CTRL+C
Cut. CTRL+X
Paste. CTRL+V
Undo. CTRL+Z
Delete. DELETE
Delete selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin. SHIFT+DELETE
Copy selected item. CTRL while dragging an item
Create shortcut to selected item. CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item
Rename selected item. F2
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word. CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word. CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph. CTRL+DOWN ARROW
Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph. CTRL+UP ARROW
Highlight a block of text. CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text within a document. SHIFT with any of the arrow keys
Select all. CTRL+A
Search for a file or folder. F3
View properties for the selected item. ALT+ENTER
Close the active item, or quit the active program. ALT+F4
Opens the shortcut menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Close the active document in programs that allow you to have multiple documents open simultaneously. CTRL+F4
Switch between open items. ALT+TAB
Cycle through items in the order they were opened. ALT+ESC
Cycle through screen elements in a window or on the desktop. F6
Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer. F4
Display the shortcut menu for the selected item. SHIFT+F10
Display the System menu for the active window. ALT+SPACEBAR
Display the Start menu. CTRL+ESC
Display the corresponding menu. ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name
Carry out the corresponding command. Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu
Activate the menu bar in the active program. F10
Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu. RIGHT ARROW
Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu. LEFT ARROW
Refresh the active window. F5
View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer. BACKSPACE
Cancel the current task. ESC
SHIFT when you insert a CD into the CD-ROM drive Prevent the CD from automatically playing.

Use these keyboard shortcuts for dialog boxes:

To Press
Move forward through tabs. CTRL+TAB
Move backward through tabs. CTRL+SHIFT+TAB
Move forward through options. TAB
Move backward through options. SHIFT+TAB
Carry out the corresponding command or select the corresponding option. ALT+Underlined letter
Carry out the command for the active option or button. ENTER
Select or clear the check box if the active option is a check box. SPACEBAR
Select a button if the active option is a group of option buttons. Arrow keys
Display Help. F1
Display the items in the active list. F4
Open a folder one level up if a folder is selected in the Save As or Open dialog box. BACKSPACE

If you have a Microsoft Natural Keyboard, or any other compatible keyboard that includes the Windows logo key and the Application key , you can use these keyboard shortcuts:

Display or hide the Start menu. WIN Key
Display the System Properties dialog box. WIN Key+BREAK
Show the desktop. WIN Key+D
Minimize all windows. WIN Key+M
Restores minimized windows. WIN Key+Shift+M
Open My Computer. WIN Key+E
Search for a file or folder. WIN Key+F
Search for computers. CTRL+WIN Key+F
Display Windows Help. WIN Key+F1
Lock your computer if you are connected to a network domain, or switch users if you are not connected to a network domain. WIN Key+ L
Open the Run dialog box. WIN Key+R
Open Utility Manager. WIN Key+U

accessibility keyboard shortcuts:

Switch FilterKeys on and off. Right SHIFT for eight seconds
Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN
Switch MouseKeys on and off. Left ALT +left SHIFT +NUM LOCK
Switch StickyKeys on and off. SHIFT five times
Switch ToggleKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds
Open Utility Manager. WIN Key+U

shortcuts you can use with Windows Explorer:

Display the bottom of the active window. END
Display the top of the active window. HOME
Display all subfolders under the selected folder. NUM LOCK+ASTERISK on numeric keypad (*)
Display the contents of the selected folder. NUM LOCK+PLUS SIGN on numeric keypad (+)
Collapse the selected folder. NUM LOCK+MINUS SIGN on numeric keypad (-)
Collapse current selection if it's expanded, or select parent folder. LEFT ARROW
Display current selection if it's collapsed, or select first subfolder. RIGHT ARROW

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Tips to Easily Choose Good Secure PINs and Passwords

As it is necessary to be able to remember passwords and PINs readily, we are tempted to use something that we are already very familiar with to make it easier. We are also tempted to opt for universal passwords and PINs for everything because it is easier to remember just one set rather than several different sets. Unfortunately, it is dangerous to do this as a smart identity thief can break them with relative ease.

Basing a password on the real name or user name of a user should always be avoided. Also avoid basing passwords on information that can found with a bit of research on you, such as your spouse's name, child's name, type of car you own, a phone number or vehicle license tag, your address, a parent's name, your date of birth, etc.

A common method used by identity thieves to break a password is the dictionary method of attack. This method uses a dictionary in any language to try large numbers of words to see if an actual word is in the password. Reversed words, frequent misspellings and look-alike letter replacements are also checked.

Breaking PINs is approached in much the same manner. The thief begins with easy to remember number combinations like sequential numbers, duplicated numbers or numbers that can be years or birth dates.

One solution that is popular is to use a sentence that is easy to recall and use the first letter of each word in the sentence for the password. Using this method, Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you" translates into the password "anwyccdfy"

To make it more complex, mix in some upper case letters and maybe "K" for Kennedy. The year the speech was given can also be added to make the password "Anwyccdfy1961". It looks complicated but it is easy to recall the year, the speaker and the quote.

Since a great many passwords are case sensitive, the use of upper case letters greatly increases the difficulty of breaking such a password. Symbols can be used with some systems, so using an easy to remember question mark and a dollar sign will make the password "Anwy?ccdfy$1961" makes it an even better password.

A change like this adds length to the password, making it far more difficult for an identity thief to break. A password should be a minimum of eight characters but fourteen or more, like the example above, is best.

With a PIN, your options are typically more limited, usually to four numbers. It is best to select numbers at random and avoid repetition. You can also use an obscure combination such as phone extension of an employer a few jobs ago, especially if the company no longer exists. Obvious combinations, such as part of your phone number, vehicle tag number, or your birth date, are where a thief is likely to begin testing, so these should be avoided.

To enhance the security of your passwords, you should:

Use a separate password for each program or application, don't use a common password for all.

Keep all passwords private, don't share them with anyone who doesn't really need to know.

Every three or four months, change your passwords.

So not use your passwords on shared computers such as in a public library or cyber café as there could be keystroke software installed.

If someone says they are from your bank or some such place and asks for your password, do not give it. Banks and other similar places will never ask for your PIN or password.

- Leon Edward

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Hide private files in JPEG pictures

Requirements :
- Winrar
- An jpeg image file
- A file (whatever it is)

Let's say I want to hide a file (secret.pdf) into an image (lisa.jpeg)

* Create a folder on your hard drive, i.e. C:\Hide and put in all of the files that you want to hide into that folder include the image file.

* Now select all of the files that you want to hide, right-click on them, and choose the option to add them to a ".rar" file. Only select the files you want to hide, not the picture.
Name it whatever you want, i,e. “secret.rar”.
* Now you should have a folder that looks something like this with files, a JPG image, and a compressed archive:

* Click on Start, and then click on Run. Type in “CMD” without the quotes and press Enter. You should now see the command prompt window open.
Type in “CD \” to get to the root directory. Then type CD and the directory name that you created, i.e. “CD Hide“.

* Now type in the following line: “copy /b lisa.JPG + secret.rar lisa.jpg” (without quotes) and press Enter.
You'll see this :

The picture file will have been updated with the compressed archive inside! You can actually check the file size of the picture and see that it has increased by the same amount as the size of the archive.

Last, delete the secret.pdf (original file) & secret.rar except lisa.jpg

Two simple ways to access the file :
-change "lisa.jpg" extension to lisa.rar and open the file using winrar.
-right-click on the jpeg file "lisa.jpg" and choose Open With and then scroll down to winrar.

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Moving mouse cursor without mouse

Here's what you could do :

-Log onto your computer with administrative rights.
-To activate this feature, press Alt+Shift+NumLock keys, all at once and you will receive a small MouseKey box.
To keep MouseKeys on, click on Ok button or click on cancel button to cancel MouseKeys box.
Click on Settings button, if you want to adjust the mouse cursor detail settings.

Here a new dialog box will appear with the title "Settings for MouseKeys", now you can manage all mouse settings for example mouse cursor speed, acceleration and some other features.

Now using Numeric keypad, you can move your mouse pointer.
The controls are:

1,2,3,4,6,7,8 and 9 keys are used to move the mouse cursor into different directions.

Key 5 is used as mouse click button.

Insert key used to hold down mouse button.

+ key used to double click on any object.

Delete key used to release the mouse.

NumLock button to disable this keyboard mouse feature.

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Increase Windows Shutdown Speed

Click on start>run>regedit

Navigate to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\

Find the

WaitToKillAppTimeout value.

Set it to ‘1000′ (the default should be 20000).
Find the

HungAppTimeout value.

Set it to ‘1000′ (the default should be 5000).

Again, stay on regedit,

navigate to

HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop

Find the

WaitToKillAppTimeout value.

Set it to ‘1000′ (the default should be 20000).
Find the

HungAppTimeout value.

Set it to ‘1000′ (the default should be 5000).




















Last step
navigate to

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\

Find the

WaitToKillServiceTimeout

Set value to ‘1000′ (the default should be 20000).




















Here we go, it's done.

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Solve Slowing Down Desktop

After installing Internet Explorer 7, ctfmon.exe was causing some random issues and slowing down desktop.
Removed ctfmon.exe and all the issues were resolved.

ctfmon.exe was able to disabled as follows

Go to

Start>Control Panel>Regional and Language Options

Click on

Languages tab>Details>Advanced tab

and then put a check next to

Turn off advanced text service

then hit Apply.

When you hit apply ctfmon.exe will be removed from Task Manager process list permanently.
This will helps anyone else who is having slow desktop issues.

Repeat step will be required when reinstalling any component of Microsoft Office, or Internet Explorer 7.

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Easiest way to check dead links on rapidshare etc

1. Go to firefox address bar and type :

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/748

Click the green "Add to Firefox" button and install Greasemonkey.
Greasemonkey allows you to customize the way a webpage displays using small bits of JavaScript.
After installing Greasemonkey, restart Firefox.

2. Go to firefox address bar and type

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/190

Click the green "Add to Firefox" button and install Linkification.
Linkification converts text links into genuine, clickable links.
To view and set options, you can
(1) use the Linkification right-click context menu,
(2) right-click the status bar icon and click "Options", or
(3) click Tools->Extensions, and double-click the Linkification item.
After installing Linkification, again, restart Firefox.

3. Go to Rapidshare Links Checker Script Page

http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/9467

To the upper right, click on the install button.

The Rapidshare Links Checker
Automatically checks rapidshare.com, megaupload.com and filefactory.com links from the page that you are visiting.

The script can check hundreds of rapidshare.com megaupload.com and filefactory.com links in a split of a second (300 links in 0.1 - 0.3 sec and 900 links in 0.5 sec on my ADSL connection).
There is no limit in the number of checked links, you will not be blocked from rapidshare.com even if you check 2000 links at once.
This script is very fast because is checking all the links in batch, not one by one using the original link checker pages of the file host (rapidshare.com megaupload.com and filefactory.com)
When a link is dead the text-decoration of the link is changed to line-through.

Sample of the results :

Additional script (to checks links for rapidshare.de netload.in easy-share.com mediafire.com megashares.com depositfiles.com) :

http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/24953

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5 Easy Steps to Speed Up Firefox Browser

1. Go to address bar and type "about:config", hit enter.

2. Set "network.http.pipelining" to "true"








3. Set "network.http.proxy.pipelining" to "true"








4. Set "network.http.pipelining.maxrequests" to some number like "30".
It means browser will make 30 requests at once.








5. Right-click anywhere and select New-> Integer.








Name it "nglayout.initialpaint.delay" and set its value to "0".
nglayout.initialpaint.delay is the amount of time the browser waits before it acts on information it receives.










Happy browsing!

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Restart windows without restarting your pc

Windows Vista :
Select Start, then hover over the right arrow that is to the right of the padlock icon until the pop-up menu appears that contains “restart” as one of it’s choices.
Hold down the SHIFT key while clicking on the “restart” choice.

Windows XP :
Select Start. Select “Shut Down…”.
Change the drop-down combo box under “What do you want the computer to do?” to “Restart”.
Hold down the SHIFT key while clicking on the “OK” button.

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