Tricks 2 Trick

Security is becoming more and more important as new viruses and worms (Lovesan Worm, Blaster Worm...etc) keep being unleashed. That's why it's important to make sure your system is protected.Put your system to the test. Here are some great websites that will test your security:


Hackerwhacker.com

GRC

Testmyfirewall

Auditmypc

Later today Google will enter the browser marketplace and you will be able to download what looks like a ground breaking new web browser called 'Google Chrome'. It appears to have some very nice features and if Chromes multiple process architecture can beat the way Firefox hangs on some web pages, and it doesn't suffer from the flood of memory leaks that Firefox does then I'm all for it.

Download Google Chrome here (later today)
Check out Google Chrome comic book
Screenshots


More on Google Chrome

Google Chrome is an open source web browser developed by Google (named after the user interface frame of web browsers). It builds on components from other open source software, including WebKit and Mozilla, and is aimed at improving stability, speed and security, with a simple and efficient user interface.





The beta for the Windows version is will be released today. Google will host a press conference that day at 18:00 GMT. Mac OS X and Linux versions are under development and will follow the Windows version.

Keep in touch for latest updates......

The default Windows Explorer file copy function does not have features like resuming copy, controlling speed etc. SuperCopier is a replacement for Windows Explorer’s copy functionality. SuperCopier replaces Windows Explorer file copy and adds many features. These include transfer resuming, copy speed computation and control, improved copy progress display, copy list editable while copying, copy list saving/loading, and an error log.
The feature I liked most is the transfer resume functionality which is much needed in Windows Explorer.

Download SuperCopier here

Screenshot :

It is much difficult to guess if a game will work on your current PC specification or what do you need to upgrade in order to play a game properly. But this website makes it easy to do so. Although there is an index of games from which you can select a game or search for only indexed games.

http://gameadvisor.futuremark.com/

It is a common tactic of malware nowadays to disable certain helpful Windows functions that can help get rid of those malware. Some of the functions that are usually disabled are the Task Manager, the registry editor, Folder Options, show hidden files and folders, Run dialog from the start menu and the Search function of Windows.Usually malware is responsible for disabling the search function. Here are some ways to get back the missing Search option in Windows.




Method 1: Using the Group Policy Editor

To use the group policy editor, do the following:

Go to Start –> Run –> gpedit.msc

The group policy editor will open. Now go to the following key:

User Configuration –> Administrative templates –> Start Menu and Task Bar

In the right hand pane, select “Remove Search menu from Start menu”

Most probably it will be set to enabled. Just disable it once, click Apply and then select “Not Configured” and again click Apply. OK.

Usually the Search function is enabled instantaneously. If it is not enabled, go to Start –> Run –> cmd
and issue the following command:
C:\>gpupdate /force

This will force the settings to be applied instantaneously.

Method 2: Using the REG command

Sometimes it is better to add the registry through command line rather than going through all the manual processes of opening the registry editor, finding the correct key and changing it. So I am giving the command line solution to enabling the search function of Windows. To enable search function, just go to Start –> Run
and copy and paste the following command and press OK to proceed.

REG ADD “HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer” /v NoFind /t REG_DWORD /d 0

This will enable the search function in general (as this will enable the search option in HKEY_Local_Machine). If you are still experiencing problems, go to Start –> Run and copy and paste the following command which will enable the search function specifically for the current user:

REG ADD “HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer” /v NoFind /t REG_DWORD /d 0

* First start a movie in any player.

* Then open Paint.

* Now, in the player when the movie is being played, press "Print screen" button on your key board.

* Now, Press ctrl+v in Paint

* Leave the movie player open and don't minimize it.

* Open Paint now and see the movie in the Paint!

Have you ever felt bugged-up with the Start-up and Shutdown jingle of your Windows XP or Vista ? If yes, here is the solution, now you use any of your favorite voice or music or dialogue as your PC’s shutdown and start up.

It’s a simple 4 step process.

1.Choose the track which you want to play at start-up and shutdown jingles,

2.Now rename these files as “Windows XP Startup.WAV” and “Windows XP Shutdown.WAV” respectively.

3.Now Go to “C:\WINDOWS\MEDIA”, here you will find files “Windows XP Startup.WAV” and “Windows XP Shutdown.WAV”, move them to some other locations, this step is required for, in case you need to revert back these sounds, else you can ignore this step.

4.Now the files you have chosen and renamed, just copy-paste or cut paste them in “C:\WINDOWS\MEDIA”, here you go, now you can enjoy the new Start-up and shutdown.

Limitations are

* It should be in .WAV format.
* The size of file should not be large, prefer keeping them within in 1 Mb, otherwise your startup will take a bit longer.

If the file you want to make your start-up or shutdown is not in .WAV format, you can easily convert them using Jet Audio 7, or any other converter.

Do you use the Run feature in Windows XP? For most, this feature remains unused (or rarely used). Why is that? Well, First off nearly all of the Run Commands Correspond to a particular Control Panel Item or a Utility, Tool or Task that can be accessed through Windows. There are, however, tools and utilities that I bet you never knew you had that can be accessed through the Run feature. The main reason most people don't use the Run feature is because they don't know the Commands. So, to solve that problem, I decided to put them together.

For XP

AC3 Filter (if installed)
ac3filter.cpl


Add/Remove Programs
appwiz.cpl


Calculator
calc


Certificate Manager
certmgr.msc


Character Map
charmap


Check Disk Utility
chkdsk


Disk Cleanup Utility
cleanmgr


SQL Client Configuration
cliconfg


Command Prompt
cmd


Computer Management
compmgmt.msc


Control Panel
control


Accessibility Options
control access.cpl


Administrative Tools
control admintools


Add/Remove Programs w/Add New Programs Preselected
control appwiz.cpl,,1


Add/Remove Programs w/Add Remove Windows Components Preselected
control appwiz.cpl,,2


Add/Remove Programs w/Set Program Access & Defaults Preselected
control appwiz.cpl,,3


Display Properties (w/Appearance Tab Preselected)
control color


Display Properties
control desktop


Fonts
control fonts


Keyboard Properties
control keyboard


Mouse Properties
control mouse


Network Connections
control netconnections


Printers and Faxes
control printers


Scheduled Tasks
control schedtasks


Component Services
dcomcnfg


Display Properties
desk.cpl


Device Manager
devmgmt.msc


Phone Dialer
dialer


Disk Management
diskmgmt.msc


Disk Partition Manager
diskpart


Direct X Troubleshooter
dxdiag


Private Character Editor
eudcedit


Event Viewer
eventvwr.msc


Microsoft Excel (if installed)
excel


Windows Explorer
explorer


Firefox (if installed)
firefox


Windows Firewall
firewall.cpl


Fonts Folder
fonts


Microsoft Frontpage (if installed)
frontpg


Shared Folders
fsmgmt.msc


Group Policy Editor (XP Prof)
gpedit.msc


Add Hardware Wizard
hdwwiz.cpl


Internet Explorer
iexplore


Iexpress Wizard
iexpress


Adobe ImageReady (if installed)
imageready


Internet Properties
inetcpl.cpl


Regional Settings
intl.cpl


IP Configuration (Display Connection Configuration)
ipconfig /all


IP Configuration (Display DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /displaydns


IP Configuration (Delete DNS Cache Contents)
ipconfig /flushdns


IP Configuration (Refreshes DHCP & Re-Registers DNS)
ipconfig /registerdns


IP Configuration (Release All Connections)
ipconfig /release


IP Configuration (Renew All Connections)
ipconfig /renew


IP Configuration (Modifies DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /setclassid


IP Configuration (Display DHCP Class ID)
ipconfig /showclassid


Java Control Panel (if installed)
javaws


Game Controllers
joy.cpl


Java Control Panel (if installed)
jpicpl32.cpl


Logs You Out Of Windows
logoff


Local Users and Groups
lusrmgr.msc


Windows Magnifier
magnify


Mouse Properties
main.cpl


Files and Settings Transfer Tool
migwiz


Sounds and Audio
mmsys.cpl


Microsoft Syncronization Tool
mobsync


Microsoft Movie Maker
moviemk


Malicious Software Removal Tool
mrt


Microsoft Access (if installed)
msaccess


System Configuration Utility
msconfig


Outlook Express
msimn


System Information
msinfo32


Microsoft Paint
mspaint


Remote Desktop
mstsc


Network Connections
ncpa.cpl


Nero (if installed)
nero


Notepad
notepad


On Screen Keyboard
osk


Paint
pbrush


Performance Monitor
perfmon


Performance Monitor
perfmon.msc


Adobe Photoshop (if installed)
photoshop


Power Configuration
powercfg.cpl


Microsoft Powerpoint (if installed)
powerpnt


Quicktime (If Installed)
QuickTime.cpl


Quicktime Player (if installed)
quicktimeplayer


Remote Access Phonebook
rasphone


Real Player (if installed)
realplay


Registry Editor
regedit


Registry Editor
regedit32


Resultant Set of Policy (XP Prof)
rsop.msc


Local Security Settings
secpol.msc


Services
services.msc


System File Checker Utility (Sets Cache Size to size x)
sfc /cachesize=x


System File Checker Utility (Purge File Cache)
sfc /purgecache


System File Checker Utility (Return Scan Setting To Default)
sfc /revert


System File Checker Utility (Scan On Every Boot)
sfc /scanboot


System File Checker Utility (Scan Immediately)
sfc /scannow


System File Checker Utility (Scan Once At The Next Boot)
sfc /scanonce


Shuts Down Windows
shutdown


File Signature Verification Tool
sigverif


System Properties
sysdm.cpl


System Configuration Editor
sysedit


Windows System Security Tool
syskey


Task Manager
taskmgr


Phone and Modem Options
telephon.cpl


Telnet Client
telnet


Date and Time Properties
timedate.cpl


Windows XP Tour Wizard
tourstart


Tweak UI (if installed)
tweakui


Utility Manager
utilman


Driver Verifier Utility
verifier


Windows Address Book
wab


Windows Address Book Import Utility
wabmig


Windows Picture Import Wizard (need camera connected)
wiaacmgr


Windows Version (to show which version of windows)
winver


Microsoft Word (if installed)
winword


Windows Management Infrastructure
wmimgmt.msc


Windows Media Player
wmplayer


Wordpad
write


Security Center
wscui.cpl

For Vista

Display Adapter Troubleshooter
AdapterTroubleshooter


Authorization Manager
azman.msc


Bitlocker Wizard
bitlockerwizard


Color Management
colorcpl


Computer Management Launcher
CompMgmtLauncher


Control Panel
control


Credential Backup and Restore Wizard
credwiz


Defragment User Interface
dfrgui


Driver Package Installer
dpinst


DPI Scaling
dpiscaling


DVD Player
dvdplay


Event Viewer
eventvwr


Firewall Control Panel
FirewallControlPanel


Firewall Settings
FirewallSettings


Windows Shared Folder Management
fsmgmt.msc


Bitlocker Notifier
fvenotify


Fax Cover Sheet Editor
fxscover


Help Pane
helppane


Iexpress (Self Extracting Package Creator)
iexpress


iSCSI Initiator
iscsicpl


Logoff from Windows (Warning: when you run this it will log you off immediately)
logoff


Language Pack Installer
lpksetup


Windows Mobility Center (only available on mobile pcs)
mblctr


Microsoft Sync Center
mobsync


Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool
msdt


Remote Assistance
msra


User Accounts
Netplwiz


ODBC Data Source Administrator
odbcad32


Optional Features Manager
optionalfeatures


People Near Me
p2phost


Performance Monitor
perfmon


Presentation Settings (only available on mobile pcs)
presentationsettings


Printer Migration
PrintBrmUi


Encryption File System
rekeywiz


Windows Backup Utility
sdclt


Accesibility Settings
sethc


Windows Share Creation Wizard
shrpubw


Software Licensing (Windows Activation)
slui


Sound Volume
sndvol


Snipping Tool (an Advanced Print Screen function)
snippingtool


Sound Recorder
soundrecorder


Sticky Note
StikyNot


System Properties (Advanced preselected)
SystemPropertiesAdvanced


System Properties (Computer Name preselected)
SystemPropertiesComputerName


System Properties (Data Execution Prevention preselected)
SystemPropertiesDataExecutionPrevention


System Properties (Hardware preselected)
SystemPropertiesHardware


System Properties (Performance preselected)
SystemPropertiesPerformance


System Properties (Protection preselected)
SystemPropertiesProtection


System Properties (Remote preselected)
SystemPropertiesRemote


Ditilizer Calibration Tool
tabcal


Trusted Platform Module
TpmInit


Problem Reports and Solutions
wercon


Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
wf.msc


Windows Fax and Scan
wfs


Windows Image Acquisition (requires a scanner)
wiaacmgr


Windows Update App Manager
wuapp


Windows Standalong Update Manager
wusa

Bored of having to look at the same kind of icons and eyecandy everytime.Give your XP a new look.Download and install these free transformation packs, and transform XP to look like any other OS.

Vista Transformation Pack [Download]

Vista Transformation Pack does all kinds of appearance tweaks, and makes Windows XP look like Vista. From icons, transparency to new sounds, this pack does it all to make your XP look like Windows Vista.

Mac OS Transformation Pack [Download]

Transforms XP to look like Mac OS-X 10.5. Some important components like Windows Explorer and other shell files are patched to mimic Mac OS X appearance. Work only with Windows XP SP2 (English version).

FlyakiteOSX [Download]

Again, make your windows look like Mac OS X. However, it’s much more comprehensive than the above one. This enhancement utility does everything from registry tweaks, visual styles, sounds, icons to imitate the appearance of Mac OS X. See other screenshots here. If you’re using iTunes then make sure to deselect ‘iTunes Multi-Pugin’ option (under ‘Software’) in the installation wizard.

Fedora Transformation Pack [Download]

This tool is intended for making XP resemble the Fedora Linux. Though the utility just packs a simple visual style, it does include icons, screensavers and wallpapers, and other Fedora-like skins for programs.

Ubuntu Transformation Pack [Download]

This pack contains visual styles, icons and other patches that can give the brownish Ubuntu look to Windows XP. If you just can’t get Ubuntu working on your PC, but still love its looks, you can download this pack. [via]