Install Windows Live Writer behind Proxy

Below are workaround for to install Windows Live Installer behind corporate Proxy. Unless your network admin open up some port you are not able to install Windows Live suite of application. Finally I had found some workaround.

1. Surf to Microsoft Update Catalog http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Home.aspx

2. In the search box enter Live Writer, add item 2 and item 3 into the download basket then checkout and download.

3. When download finished, you will find lot's of filed in the download directories. This are the setup files for various language, at this point I don't have any clue to check the language, what I did was try each and everyone till I found the English setup files.

Note: Below are the English setup file name for Live Writer, for others live application this method should work.

Update for Windows Live Writer (KB 944990)
all-writer_d7defb065c3589db582523b6fec989e0aa15e98b.cab

Update for Windows Live Writer (KB 946058)
all-writer_98208e1045c9a7601507b61ed94e27ba598ff527.cab

Launchy 2.0

Launchy 2.0 is release, IMHO this is a must have utilities for Windows. With this launching of Application so so much easier. Better that the one comes with Vista Star Menu inline Search.

System.Data.OracleClient requires Oracle client software version 8.1.7 or greater

Received above error when try to run an application done by my colleague, after hours of finding and uninstall and re-installed the Oracle 10g client it was cause by the NTSF file permission. Apparently the .NET data provider are run under difference authentication. What I did to solve this was to apply the File Securities permission to all the files and folders under oracle home folder. Same issue also affecting the ASP .NET application.

Details of relate to this issue are at link below;
Link

Lastly, reboot of PC is a must. :-)

VIA EPIA LN10000EG doing widescreen

Finally my EPIA Mini-ITX Mainboard are able to show in wide screen resolutions. Has try to configure it for 2 days and finally manage to do it. To cut story short you need to change the Panel Type to "03" to activate 1280 x 768 screen resolution.

My AdSense Account Problem

When I login to my AdSense I receive this Error!











So I click the Apply for an AdSense account, after fill in everything and lick Submit following errors appears. Had email Google on this, let check how log it taken them to reply.







Update (20-Nov-07): This was solve by resetting my AdSense password. This is because my Google Account password is difference from my Google AdSense password.

ntos.exe - BSOD

Today I received BSOD after boot-up and it was cause by winlogon.exe, after some Google it end up I was affected by virus. Below is a brief guide on how I fixed my PC.

Download hijackthis and do a system scan. After you Scan your PC then paste the log into this site http://www.hijackthis.de/ for Analysis. The just follow the guide to Fixed those errors.

Live Write Not Working with WordPress - Fixed

If you like me having following error when posting using Live Writer following are the fixed.

Error
403 Forbidden error on the xmlrpc.php filed when Update Account Information in Live Writer or when publishing post.

Solution
Edit your .htaccess file and add in following line of code

<Files xmlrpc.php>
SecFilterInheritance Off
</Files>

This solution was found here

Crazy

I think someone go crazy... Look at the bid price... Promotion from HP Malaysia.

Update: This blog was uploaded very late because my Live Writer gives me 403 error. Finally it's fixed.

XP Optimization

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html this link provide a good information about optimizing your Windows XP system.

GMail New Version

Yes... I am using the new version of GMail which having following new features;

• mail prefetching
• updated contact manager
• filter messages like these

For details about the new features check out this link

Thunder Inbox Corrupted

My Thunderbird 2.0 fail me, my Inbox with size of 500MB was gone :sad: . Well blame it on myself for not backup the mailbox, so I decided to use GMail as my Default Email client for my corporate email. With this I can sleep in peace because Google will do my backup :-)

If later I decided not to use GMail as my email client, I can still rely on it to auto Archive all my company email. :cool:

Update:
After further investigation, it was cause by Symantec AntiVirus which quarantine my Inbox when a virus was detected. So the blame was not on Thunderbird.

Put the Outlook Calendar on your Desktop

This program did what it claim, if you have lots of appointment and need it shown on the desktop this is a must. http://www.michaelscrivo.com/projects/outlookdesktop/

Google vs. Microsoft: Call it a draw over time

You should read this!!!
Google vs. Microsoft: Call it a draw over time

HTC Touch Dual Review

HTC had announce the Touch Dual keypad and comes with 3.5G cool... below are the first review I can find on the net.

http://smape.com/en/reviews/htc/HTC_Touch_Dual-rev.html

Microsoft OneNote Mobile

If you are looking for OneNote Mobile install file look no further it's available in your Office 2007 Installation CD. To install star your OneNote the select Tools->Options from the menu. Next select the OneNote Mobile tab then click the Install button.

HTC Touch ReInstall Log

After solve my Chinese input I continue with my re-install of applications. Below just a list of applications I used for my Touch.

• Restore my SMS / MMS / Contact using PIM Backup
• PCMKeyboard & PocketCM
• Spb Phone Suite
• Spb Mobile Shell
• Inesoft Address Book
• Spb Finance
• Resco Picture Viewer
• Resco Audio Recorder
• ListPro
• eWallet

HTC Touch - Reading Chinese

After play with the PPC for few days one complain I have was there is a delay of about 2 seconds when you activated the SIP to change your input method. After some trial and error this was cause by the CE-Star which I installed, uninstall the CE-Star did not solve this problem so the only way is to perform a Hard Reset. After finding the cause of the problem I decided to find a replacement for the Chinese input for my HTC Touch. Below are details on what I had found.

To read and input Chinese follow this guide
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=WM5_Tweak_Language_Chinese

This only solve on of the problem, because IE still not working.. to solve this you need to

1. copy wince.nls from your CE-Star CD to PPC \Windows folder.
2. download reloadnls from http://geocities.yahoo.co.jp/gl/hou_ming_2/comment/20060323/1143109827 and place it in \Windows\Start Up
3. Execute it once manually, you need this step to sort of sign the exe in WM6

Java Not working in Firefox

If after reinstall Jave and still not working then this solution might help you. Just copy C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_12\bin\NPOJI610.dll file to FireFox plugin folder.

OSX86 using SATA

Finally upgraded my OSX86 to run in SATA. Previous my OSX 10.4.8 was running using IDE and since the drive start giving me error I decided to upgrade it to SATA. Below just a summary of steps I used;

1. Intall the AppleNForceATA.kext (SATA driver for nForce chipset)
2. Delete all the partition in the destination drive then use Disk Utilities to create a blank partition. Do not user the First Aid option cause this will not create a bootable partition for you. I learn this the hard way.
3. Use SuperDuper to clone the HDD

The hardware I used for my OSX86 are below;

• MoBo Abit AN8 Ultra (nForce 4 Ultra Chipset)
• CPU AMD Athlon X2 3800+
• 2GB RAM
• 80GB SATA II
• USB Mouse & Keyboard (yet to figure out how to use PS/2 Keyboard)
• Dell 17" Ultra Sharp LCD

NTLDR is Missing

When I boot up my Virtual PC today and was shock to saw this message... after a quick investigation found out that it was cause by a new drive was added to my system. What I found was the new drive added was actually a USB Drive which I plugged in. :?

doPDF

This program act like a Printer Driver which allow you to create PDF, IMO it's better that CutePDF Writer. Ghostscript are not required. Another nice features will be it allow you to print PDF document which are protected by Adobe DRM. :-) So far only FinePrint PDF FactoryPro allow you to print protected PDF.

Lastly it's free for both personal and commercial use. Download it from http://www.dopdf.com

Adobe DRM Text

Recently bought an Adobe DRM eBook and when I want copy the text and paste it to notepad the end result was a bunch of encrypted text. So I decided to try to decode the text, so this the end result. An application whcih are able to decode encrypted text in PDF file protected by Adobe DRM. So far try a few ebook from the same publisher have not try others. :-)

Download DRM Text Decoder
Use at your own risk!

FireFox Showcase - Good Add-On

Found a pretty good add-on for forefox, give this a try.... you going to love it.

http://showcase.uworks.net/

FOXIT Reader

A while ago I had change my default PDF reader from Adobe Acrobat Reader to Foxit Reader, well it work well for few months. I like Foxit because it's fast to load and use less memory and space. It support PDF Form and Javascript (so no problem for those corporate forms) unfortunately found following functions which cause me to switch back to Acrobar Reader.

• Text selection are not as good as Acrobat Reader, selecting a block of text are difficult.
• When you print to a PDF File like CutePDF Write the PDF file created became image. You can't select the text and search for text no longor working. Why I want to print a PDF file to another PDF file are separate issue and will not discuss here. :evil:

Free Tools for your Video Production

Found this article which highligh all the Freeware / Shareware with small fees which allow you do perform the audio and video post production need. Check out the article here

15 Must-Have Freeware Programs for Filmmakers

A very handy utilities - Launchy

Found a very useful application call launchy, it's a software laucher where you can throw your start menu away. In Windows VISTA one of the new features I like most will be the availabilities to search for installed application from the start menu and this application allow me to have it in XP. Below is the explanation about the tools from the official website.

Launchy is a free windows utility designed to help you forget about your start menu, the icons on your desktop, and even your file manager.

Launchy indexes the programs in your start menu and can launch your documents, project files, folders, and bookmarks with just a few keystrokes!

Download your free copy from http://www.launchy.net

Free Firewall for Windows Vista

At last some good quality firewall for Windows Vista, head to http://www.pctools.com/firewall/ and download a copy yourself, the name is call PC Tools Firewall Plus. After you download register for your free registration code at this URL http://www.pctools.com/firewall/register/. PC Tools reminds me of my favorite file manager back to MS DOS days. Is it from the same company?

Speed up when Open Windows Explorer

Pickup some good tips today on how to speed up your Windows Explorer. Enjoy!

Q. When I open Windows Explorer, it takes a few seconds before it displays information. How can I eliminate that delay?

A. I fixed this problem by simply removing invalid entries from my system path. When Windows Explorer starts, it traverses the PATH variable, and invalid entries can extend the time necessary for Windows Explorer to initiate. To solve the problem, you need to ensure that each item in your PATH variable exists.

To do so, open the Control Panel System applet, and access the Advanced settings (on the Advanced tab). Click the Environment Variables button. Under System Variables, view the PATH variable and check each entry that makes up the path. (Entries are separated by a semicolon.) Remove any incorrect entries, and click OK. Click OK on the main Environment Variables dialog box.

Can't view CHM Files

If you open a CHM files and found out that the contents is not available this mean you are using SP2. Below is some guide on how to solve it.

Apply followings registry settings

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\HTMLHelp\1.x\ItssRestrictions]
"MaxAllowedZone"=dword:00000001

If still can solve it, the right click the files then select Properties follow by the Unblock button. If you can't view the Unblock button then make sure that you don't have a # sign in your filename or path.

Refer to this Microsoft KB for more details. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896054/

RAR

Today say release of VHD for Windows VISTA so I decided to download it and I was surprise to saw Microsoft using RAR as one of the distribution format for their download. IMHO this is a good move at lease for me because I am using FDM which can't handdle single file size bigger then 2GB. Check the screen below;

Microsoft VISTA VHD

Vista Dreamscene is Cool - think again!

Dreamscene in Windows Vista Ultimate is cool, yeah from first view. After you read this article you may agree with me that it is no more cool. It just suck up too many resources on you computer. Below is the comparison when dreamscene turn on and turn off. It took up average 25% of CPU resources to have it run. For comparison the third screenshot shown the CPU resources when I am playing a XviD video (100% less CPU power needed as compare to Dreamscene)

Resource Monitor with Dreamscene turn On

Windows Vista DreamScene

A field of thistle, with a bee gathering pollen

Windows Vista Ultimate - DreamScene Content Pack

Just found out that Microsoft had release a new update for Ultimate version user. It's call DremeScene Content Pack oops a 51.3MB download...

Total four videos included and they are:

• A field of thistle, with a bee gathering pollen
• The rushing water of a forest stream
• A streetlamp reflected in a puddle, with softly falling rain
• Orange wisps flowing in a computer-generated scene

Firewall for Windows VISTA

After few months Windows VISTA release finally some Firewall is available, below is the list of some of the Firewall for VISTA.

Jetico Personal Firewall v2 Beta
Norton Internet Security 2007
Trend Micro Internet Security 2007
Vista Firewall Control

Will install and post my feedback on the above product. My main aim is getting a free firewall for Vista. From comodo forum the version 3 beta will support Vista and schedule to release in April 2007.

update
Found another firewall which is in beta and claim to work with Vista. It's call Look 'n' Stop Personal Firewall. You need to apply this patch to get it work.

Vacuum Cleaner DIY Repair

Last week my home vacuum cleaner broken hence I try to DIY repair, after open up the machine found out that the carbon brushes worn out. Looks like this is the cause of the break down. Try to buy carbon brushes in Petaling Jaya but not available after some searching the looks like shops selling carbon brush are located along Jalan Loke Yew. Bought mine from this shop Valee Carson & Trading Sdn Bhd at 26-7 Jalan Loke Yew. From the company web site it looks like a very modern shop once I reach the shop it just a normal trading shop. :-) I mean chinaman type.

 
Google Maps Link

Search Kuala Lumpur map by street name

Streetdirectory map services is back online. But a bit slow access it. Anyhow this it the link to it. http://www.streetdirectory.net.my

VistaBootPRO to the rescue

I am running low in disk space do decided to get myself a 500GB harddisk and replace my two years old 80GB primary harddisk. My current setup have two HDD with total capacity 240GB. So the fastest way to migrate my HDD was perform a Disk Copy from 80GB to 500GB, this should be easy unfortunately not the case. Bum into several error and luckily manage to fixed it. It mainly cause by;

1. HDD too big
2. Windows VISTA Boot Manager (BCDEDit)

Below is the problems I have and how I managed to solve it, thanks to VistalBootPRO. This is the must have tools if you running VISTA and have dual-boot. I will skip the HDD too bit issue because it was fixed easily by PQMagic. It simply detect and change the partition type to ExtendedX (can't really remember the message, because I just click the Yes button).

After fixing the partition type I can now see my Boot menu, but when I select Windows XP it said my ntldr is missing and asked be to put in my XP CD and perform a repair. When I plug in my old 80GB HDD then it can boot, my guess was something to do with the boot record. So I boot into VISTA and lunch the VistaBootPRO and found out the the record in the Windows XP Boot Drive was pointing to {none} (refer pix below). Google for some tips and immediately I change the rive to my new HDD TaDa... back to normal.

To edit the Boot Record follow the steps below;

1. Click the Manage OS Entries button
2. Select the OS from the OS List window
3. Check the Rename selected operating system
4. Make the necessary changes
5. Click Apply button.

ITIL v2

Working into this.... WOW big topics

Boot Manager in Windows Vista

I decided to change my dual boot setting from auto countdown to wait until user select, hence I uncheck the boot setting. Oops Mistake Now I can't perform dual boot, this is because it always boot the default OS. In my case it's Windows XP, now I have a problem... I can't change the boot setting in XP because Vista use a new book manager The Boot.ini in no more there... Luckily found this tools which allow me edit Vista Boot settings in XP.

Introducing VistaBootPRO 3.1 from PROnetworks. Download from here.

Free Firewall

If you like me hate the Windows Firewall then get this free one from Comodo. This is a very powerful firewall and sometime I think it's too details. Alternatively you may want to use Kerio Personal Firewall from Sun-Belt Software. Kerio provide less question ask but enough for you to decide what traffic you allow and deny.

Vista User Experience 03-Feb-07

First note, still not download of DreamScene, I think this small apps giving Microsoft problem that's why they can't release it. I saw someone demonstrating it and it crash the system which cause the PC need to perform a reboot.

Now I am having problem on how to enable a Defrag program I install to start every time I reboot my PC. Currently this program was blocked by Windows Defender (see attach pix). Looks like I need to Google for solution or should I try live.com :-)

Visual Basic 6 Crash

If your VB6 crash while loading a project, high chances are the OCX file that you used is either not registered or at difference location as registered in the VB Project file. To fixed you need to find out which OCX is giving you error. You can follow this guide to fixed it - Open a new Project and add in the References or Component one by one. If you don't know what components is used you can use Notepad to view the contents of the .vbp file.

Free Disk Defrag Tools

If you are running Windows 2000 go get the O&O Defrag 2000 Free Edition http://www.oo-software.com/ else this is a good and free defrag tools it's called IOBit SmartDefrag you can download it from this location http://www.iobit.com currently in Beta 2.01 but very stable and I have no problem running it at Windows Vista.

Windows Vista Ultimate Extra

Two of the VISTA Ultimate was release, to download click on your VISTA Ultimate Link and it will be available thru the Windows Update.... But where is my DremeScene? This is the features everyone is waiting for....

I have BitLocker and Hold Em Poker installed, DreamScene where are you?

Free Anti-Virus which work in Windows Vista

These week I was busy playing around with multiple OS namely XP, Vista Ultimate and OS X 10.4.8 (yup I am running OS X Tiger) ;)

Interms of UI I start appreciating the OS X (let me use for more weeks before I commend). My Once Care trial was expired luckily AVG to the rescue :) Yup I am running AVG 7.5 Free Edition on my Windows Vista Ultimate. ZDNet have a very good review on Windows Vista I recommend go read it.

ZDNet Windows Vista Ultimate Review & Comparison

Counting down to Windows Vista Launch

With Windows Vista lunching approaching below are some site which give you more user experience on it.

http://www.windowsvista.com - official site
http://www.windowsultimate.com - for Vista Ultimate users
http://www.windowsvistatnt.com - Tips & Tricks
http://www.seewindowsvista.com
http://www.showusyourwow.com - "Wow"

BTW I just install OS X Tiger 10.4.8 and learning to use it.... from my pass experience I think I will still stick to XP for many months and changing to OS X did not make sense for me.