Ramblings, ideas, problems, and solutions

Category: Operating systems

  • Breadcrumb address bar in Windows XP

    One of my favorite features in Windows Vista is the very usable breadcrumb address bar as seen below. What I love about it is that it simplifies navigation back to a folder higher in the hierarchy. In addition it visualises the path to the folder really well.
     
    > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Welcome Center
     
    I wanted to get this in Windows XP as well, and, as it turns out, there’s an app called QT Address Bar that does this for you. It’s a shell extension that gives you the same functionality in Windows XP. There’s a little bit of post-config involved, but don’t worry, here’s how to do it:
      (more…)

  • Update your computer now!

    I rarely write posts off the cuff, but this warrants it. Microsoft has released Security Bulletin MS08-059, along with a hotfix for the problem detailed. There are already exploits in the wild to take advantage of the hotfix.
     
    What I ask is simply this: Update your computer. Run Windows Update, and update your computer.
     
    Here’s the bulletin from Microsoft:
    Bulletin Identifier – Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-059
    Bulletin Title – Vulnerability in Host Integration Server RPC Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (956695)
    Executive Summary – This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft Host Integration Server. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an attacker sent a specially crafted Remote Procedure Call (RPC) request to an affected system. Customers who follow best practices and configure the SNA RPC service account to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than customers who configure the SNA RPC service account to have administrative user rights.
    Maximum Severity Rating – Critical
    Impact of Vulnerability – Remote Code Execution
    Detection – Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer can detect whether your computer system requires this update. The update may require a restart.

  • Resolving COM port conflicts in Mobile broadband cards

    I was called out to help with a problem that had stumped a few of our more experienced techs. The problem was that a user was unable to use her Mobile Broadband USB device.
     
    The specific device we use is supplied by one of the major norwegian telecoms, Telenor. It is a Globetrotter HSDPA USB dongle. The nifty thing about it is that it is totally plug and play. It installs itself, with drivers and connection software, when plugged in.
     
    The problem occurs when the install goes wrong. By default, the dongle installs itself set to use the first two consecutive COM ports available for uplink and downlink respectively. The solution to my clients problem was simply to change what ports the dongle used, followed by a restart.
     
    Here’s how you implement the solution:
      (more…)

  • Finding the name of a service

    In my last post, I showed you how to use a batch script to start a service from a desktop shortcut. The command we used was the net start command. In order to use it, you need to find the name of the service you want to start. Here’s how: (more…)

  • Creating a shortcut to start a service.

    I’ve finally got my HTPC up and running with Team Mediaportal‘s lovely Media Center replacement Media Portal. One of the issues I faced while getting it up and running, was getting it to work with my MCE Remote. The solution to this was a third-party app called IR Server Suite. Once installed, every function in my MCE Remote worked like a charm. Until I rebooted the computer that is.
     
    For some reason, the service that IR Server Suite uses to override Windows Media Center, and reroute signals to Media Portal, does not start properly. Although I am trying to solve the problem, a more immediately interesting issue is creating a better workaround than having to go to Services and manually start it.
     
    The solution came to me while at work, as I remembered that a few of our servers have services that at times need to be restarted. This is done through shortcuts on the desktop of the server to save time. The shortcut leads to a batch file, using the NET START command. Here’s how my batch file looks like:
     
    @echo off
    net start inputservice
    exit

  • Trying out the Asus EeePC 900

    Hardware
    Hardwarewise, there’s nothing truly astonishing about the Eee. Let’s have a look at the specs of our unit:Asus EeePC 900 (more…)

  • Removing the File Association Web Service Dialog

    I’m often annoyed by this dialog box when I open unassociated filetypes:

    (more…)

  • Running commands and programs on startup in Ubuntu

    In a previous post, I showed you how to disable the Caps Lock key in Ubuntu. The problem with this method is of course that it only lasts for the duration of your current session. To resolve this problem, you need to have the command run automatically at startup.
    Here’s how: (more…)

  • Disabling Caps Lock – Ubuntu

    Whenever I get a new keyboard for my desktop computers, the first thing I do is remove the Caps Lock key. It’s a useful key to be sure, but I dislike it. It’s much better in my mind to use the Shift key. As a result, I have been looking for a way to disable it, which I knew was possible in Linux at the very least.

    (more…)

  • Installing Uplink on Ubuntu Linux

    Uplink is a really fun game that I’ve played on and off over the years. Having gotten my Ubuntu-computer up and running, I felt it would only be natural to pick it back up. Installing it isn’t as straightforward as in Windows though, as I quickly realized. This is how it’s done:

    (more…)

  • WLAN problems after Windows Update

    I’ve been seeing a problem lately with a few computers. After installing the latest security updates, their WLAN card stops working. It is unable to acquire a dynamic IP address from any router, and setting a static IP address does not work either.

    (more…)