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.     I wanted to get this in…

  • 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.…

  • 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…

  • 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: In the startmenu, click run…

  • 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…

  • 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: 900 MHz Intel Celeron CPU 1024 MB RAM 16 GB SSD 8,9” TFT 1,3 Mpix WebCam Atheros 802.11g WLAN card SDHC card reader Output/Input: 1xVGA 3xUSB 1xRJ-45 TP NIC 1×3.5mm Minijack audio out 1×3.5mm Minijack audio…

  • Removing the File Association Web Service Dialog

    I’m often annoyed by this dialog box when I open unassociated filetypes: Luckily, the annoyance is simply removed thus: Startmenu > Run Type regedit and press enter Find the folder HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Policies/Explorer Create a new DWORD value called NoInternetOpenWith, with a value of 1 Update: I’ve tried this on Windows 7, and it works there as…

  • 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: Go to System >…

  • 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…

  • 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: First, you need…

  • 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. The cause The cause of the problem is a Microsoft recommended hotfix,…