by Jason on July 13, 2009
Recently I inadvertently downloaded a piece of software with a virus that my anti-virus did not catch until after it damaged my PC. ESET NOD32 eliminated the culprit but it had already executed it’s payload during a software install and my Windows Task Manager was affected and would not start. Unfortunately I was in a hurry to clean my system and didn’t catch the name of the malware.
When I would attempt to run Task Manager, in any fashion, I would receive an error “Windows is unable to find file ‘taskmgr.exe’” If I made a copy, renamed it to “whatever.exe” and executed the application it would work flawlessly.
I know what you are thinking. Software, virus, run Spybot Search and Destroy! Sure, I already did that. Via a BartPE environment. No dice. I also ran A/V scans with Symantec, ESET, McAfee and AVG from BartPE and other boot disks. It was like banging my head against the wall.
Finally I decided to get creative and I fixed my problem. Most likely there was a registry key issue but I never found it. Here’s what I did.
Install Process Explorer from MS Technet, a great tool by Mark Russinovich. After you have downloaded the tools run Process Explorer (procexp.exe).
Click on the Options menu and then “Replace Task Manager.” This simply replaces taskmgr.exe with procexp.exe, a more powerful utility. If you run Task Manager, Process Explorer will execute. Flawless.
Replace Task Manager in Process Explorer
That worked but I wanted Task Manager fixed. It was a matter of pride. I just reverted the change in Process Explorer by clicking Options and then “Restore Task Manager.” Boom. Task Manager is now working perfectly.
Restore Task Manager in Process Explorer
I beat my head on this for a few days. I’m hoping to spare you the same headache. It was quite frustrating being unable to properly use Task Manager. Personally, I prefer Process Explorer so I have configured my system(s) to use Process Explorer instead of Task Manager.
Popularity: 11% [?]
by admin on June 18, 2009
I knew it was just a matter of time. AT&T did not systematically disable tethering because they “aren’t ready.” Personally I think they truly aren’t ready to support the additional bandwidth usage and do not have a final pricing plan, but I digress.
Now you can configure your iPhone to enable tethering. Use at your own risk, I am not liable for any breach in the TOS.
*Update – Tethering runs in the background so you can still play games on your phone while someone surfs out on your laptop or computer. You can also make and receive cell phone calls without interrupting the data session. Glad to know it works as one would hope. Tethering works via USB or via Bluetooth.
Popularity: 6% [?]
by admin on June 18, 2009
CNET.com reports that the 3.0 update for the iPhone fixes 46 security holes. Vulnerabilities in mobile phone OS’ aren’t a new thing but I find this number to be particularly troubling.
First, the fact that these vulnerabilities were not fixed until a major update is unsatisfactory. Many of these fixes that were rolled out in 3.0 patched holes that allowed “application termination or arbitrary code execution.” If this was an issue with Microsoft software that community would be up-in-arms about it. The iPhone is less of a phone and more of a medium to stay digitally-connected to the world, including social networks and banking applications. The potential for someone to exploit an iPhone and steal data is very real and Apple needs to take this threat seriously.
Secondly, I am surprised that these weren’t discovered by any of the various groups “hacking” the iPhone. The community needs to get better at identifying and disclosing these risks and holding Apple accountable. How many months until the next major, or minor, update to the phone? And in those months how many vulnerabilities will not be patched until the upgrade occurs?
If we as professionals, and users, are to hold Microsoft’s feet to the fire to fix their software should we not hold other vendors accountable as well? Threats to our data are ever-increasing and ever-evolving and as the world shifts to true mobile computing the risks of private data disclosure are becoming more prevalent. Let’s hope that the major software and mobile phone providers get on the train early to secure their devices. Without their assistance and diligence we may as well publish our Social Security Numbers on our blogs.
Popularity: 6% [?]
by Jason on June 10, 2009
Windows Vista User Account Control (UAC) is synonomous with bloat, annoyance and a waste. It’s disappointing that such a needed feature was implemented so poorly. Most people, including myself, turn UAC off immediately when they have a Windows Vista system in front of them. The Windows Team and Mark Russinovich discuss Windows 7 UAC in a four part series. Take a look, it’s great. You must enjoy a geeky read for the article.
Popularity: 7% [?]
by Jason on April 6, 2009
Windows 2008 Windows Server backup replaces the old Windows Backup (ntbackup.exe). Windows backups were always questionable in my opinion and it was worth the price to larger companies to purchase something more robust, like Veritas, EMC Networker or Commvault. Now with Windows 2008 Server Backup, small and medium organizations may want to take another look at their backup solutions. Let’s lift up the hood and take a better look at Windows 2008 Server Backup.
Windows Server Backup boasts several improvements over previous versions. First and foremost, backups are done using the Volume Shadow Copy service, improving backup times as well as backing up open files. After your first full backup you can configure your backups to only backup file changes, drastically reducing time and space.
Restoration is much simpler. You can restore a particular file for a particular day without having to worry about incremental or differential backups.
Windows 2008 Server Backup allows you to backup your data to disk only and not tape. You can then rotate disks off-site as necessary for storage. Disk-based backups improve backup times as well as provide a more stable media for your data. Windows will automatically manage your backups on each disk and will overwrite older backups to make space for new backup files. This simplies your backup solution saving you from worrying about space.
Windows 2008 Server Backup is a simplied solution fit for small to medium organization with a limited number of servers. It will backup your data quickly to disk and simplify your backup management solution. It won’t be a fit for large organizations but it will work great for those who are looking to improve their backups.
Popularity: 7% [?]
by Jason on March 31, 2009
I StumbleUpon’d this and I can’t stop playin’. It’s not even a game yet addictive.
http://balldroppings.com/js/
Popularity: 5% [?]
by Jason on March 26, 2009
Twitter, like any tool, can be misused. This can happen intentionally or by accident. What are some of risks of using Twitter at work?
Twitter is a tool used to share information. With this in mind, the risks of using Twitter are primarily focused on two things, the information displayed on Twitter and the software that is used to post on Twitter.
Information disclosure is the number one risk with Twitter. Not all disclosure is purposeful, and at times different pieces of data can be puzzled together. This sort of operational information can put your company at risk from its competitors. Small pieces of information can be cobbled together for a competitor to gain insight into your operations or products.
Secondly, Twitter has a website to “tweet” from as well as a myriad of 3rd party applications. These applications are coded in many different languages and frameworks. Every piece of software installed adds to the attack surface of your desktop systems. Care should be taken in who can install software.
Restrictions should be put in place on Twitter, just as restrictions should be in place for other “2.0″ sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Identi.ca, et al. Only authorized users should have access to these sites and tools to limit exposure of your operations and reputation.
Popularity: 5% [?]
by Jason on March 4, 2009
This is an article I wrote about WikiPad on my personal blog at Likertland.com. WikiPad is an intuitive, easy to use personal wiki that runs on Windows (and Mac if you are savvy).
WikiPad Revealed
I still use WikiPad, but not for Getting Things Done (GTD). It would work great for that but I have had issues moving WikiPad files between Mac and Windows. I could always put a Wiki online for personal use but that could be open to exploits and if my wiki has sensitive information in it I do not want it publicly available.
My wiki has been setup for IT information management to maintain tidbits of things I’ve fixed and how I have fixed them. I’ve also setup tree’s for each OS with Wiki Works linking between pages. It makes it simple and fast to find the information I am looking for.
Popularity: 24% [?]
by Jason on February 27, 2009
Reading through my RSS feeds I found an article from ExtremeTech comparing routers and switches and how most home based routers, i.e. Linksys, D-Link, are not really routers.
Here’s my favorite quote:
“…it is technically incorrect to call most home routers, well, routers. I’m about to go off on a rabbit trail here, but this can be a fun piece of trivia to stump your local tech store rep with…(or not).”
Now, I’ve only been doing this for 13 years, but the author of the article is completely incorrect. His reasoning that these “routers” aren’t routers is because they don’t use routing protocols such is BGP, OSPF, RIPv1, RIPv2 etc.
“Most home routers do not run any routing protocols (EIGRP, BGP, OSPF, etc). Some do support RIP for very basic networks, but RIP is not needed for home use (as you only have one routable IP address issued to you by your ISP), and your ISP, and the Internet for that matter, know where to find you.”
I may just be argumentative today, but these routers ARE routers. Why, do you ask? They do not run any routing protocols, but inherently connect one network (an internal network) to an external network (the Internet). They have an internal ROUTING table that routers use because they ROUTE traffic between two separate networks. This is the true definition of routing. The existence of routing protocols has no bearing on a Linksys home router being a router, considering that they have ONE static route based on information it receives from the ISP.
If you want to be more technically informed, these home routers are a basic OSI Layer 3 switch, which has ROUTING functionality. They have ONE static route based on the DHCP address that the router receives via the ISP. The router uses the DHCP packet to collect the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway.
Yes, everyone, it IS a router. And a switch.
Popularity: 6% [?]
