Working in IT, there are times I reformat a PC I’m not familiar with, and have a bit of trouble finding hardware drivers. The reason being is that I don’t know every piece of hardware in the machine, since I didn’t build it.
Here is how I find out the model number of the peripheral. Below, you will see a picture of the network card driver info. The NIC card is installed just fine, but let’s say it wasn’t– we would still have the “Details” tab.
To get to this screen:
Right-click My Computer> Properties > click the Hardware tab > click the Device Manager button > click Details
By clicking the details tab, I am able to see the device ID.
In the beginning of the line PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_10BD&SUBSYS…. VEN stands for the Vendor, this being Intel and DEV for the device in question. All I have to do is go to pcidatabase.com and enter the DEV id 10BD into the device search.
As you can see, we now have the model details of the card, all I have to do is go over to the vendor’s (Intel) website, and do a search for 82566DM on their drivers page, and download.
A lot of times, when a computer has been attacked by malware, the malware creators like to disable the task manager, to make the repair hard and tedious.
Below you will find the many ways to re-enable Task Manager:
These are the ways the task manager is opened
• Press CTRL-ALT-DEL on the keyboard
• Press CTRL-SHIFT-ESC on the keyboard
• Right-click on a blank area on the start bar and choose Task Manager
• Click on Start, Run and type TASKMGR in the run box and press Enter
First we’ll begin with the various registry modification methods for
correcting this problem.
Method 1 – Using the Group Policy Editor in Windows XP Professional
1. Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc and click OK.
2. Under User Configuration, Click on the plus (+) next to
Administrative Templates
3. Click on the plus (+) next tSystem, then click on Ctrl+Alt+Delete Options
4. Find Remove Task Manager in the right-hand pane and double click on it
5. Choose the option “Not Configured” and click Ok.
6. Close the Group Policy Window
Method 2: Change the Task Manager Option through the Run line
1. Click on Start, Run and type the following command exactly and press Enter
Method 3: Change Task Manager through a Registry REG file
1. Click on Start, Run, and type Notepad and press Enter
2. Copy and paste the information between the dotted lines into
Notepad and save it to your desktop as taskmanager.reg
————————————
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
After removing a nasty malware infection (virus) using security software (my guide here), you need to clean the traces of the infection that your anti-virus failed to remove. This is essential in preventing another spread of the attack. This is where iClean comes into play.
iClean is a portable application that can be run from anywhere, including a Flash drive. iClean will display information about the computer system in six tabs.
Processes: Displays all running processes with the option to check processes and kill them or kill and delete them.
Services: A list of all running services with the option to delete multiple services at once.
Registry: Several security sensitive Registry settings are displayed here including programs that bypass firewall rules, toolbars and browser helperobjects with the option to repair, backup and restore settings.
Startup Folders: Displays a list of startup items that are loaded during system start with the option to enable, disable or clear them.
Hosts: The Windows hosts file that is used by malware to redirect internet traffic.
We’ve all watched a movie, or given a presentation on our computers, only to get annoyed by the screen saver kicking in. I know you can just change your power settings, and have your computer set to stay on, but no body really wants that configuration full time. It can cause image burn-in, and even increase your electric bill. If you share this peeve of mine, then Caffeine is for you! It sits in your task bar, and keeps your PC awake by sending a simulated key-press signals every 59 seconds (configurable to time setting of your choice). The best part is, you can launch it when you need it- very quick.
Caffeine is totally free, and lite (only 13 KB). Just make sure you set the key-stroke time earlier than the time set for your screen-saver to initiate.
A frequently asked question, for now the only way to save your buddy list in Aim 6.5 is to download the plugin called Buddy List Options.
This plugin enables you to Import and Export your buddy list so that you can transfer them to your friends and buddies.Its expected this feature will be included into the Aim series one day.
When you use multiple anti virus software on the same computer- you are asking for trouble. Anti virus software creates registry entries, and firewall setting that remain in the computer- even after you uninstall it. But with the solutions below, you can assure yourself that the given anti virus program will be removed for good.
Because using the default Windows uninstaller just isn’t enough.
8 removal tools to completely remove your
Anti-virus software like Kaspersky, AVG,
McAfee, Panda, Avast, Avira Antivir and Nod32.
KAVRemover
KAvRemover is free utility that helps you to completely remove all Kaspersky Labs products safely. The Kaspersky products include Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0\7.0\2009 , Kaspersky Internet Security 6.0\7.0\2009, Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 for Windows Workstations and Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 for Windows Servers.
AVG Remover utility removes all parts of AVG installation on your computer, including registry items, installation and user files on your disk, etc. AVG Remover is a lifesaver in case the AVG has refused to be removed or the repair installation process has failed repeatedly.
Norton Removal Tool 2009 is a handy tool to remove several Norton security products including Norton Anti Virus, Norton Internet Security, Norton AntiSpam and more, from your Windows. This app was a must on our flash drives during my Geek Squad years. Norton is a stubborn one.
McAfee Consumer Product Removal tool (MCPR.exe) removes all 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 versions of
McAfee consumer products. The removal tool deletes all traces of the following products in Windows 2000, XP, and Vista.
This option should only be used after you remove your
anti-virus software from your Windows, simply double click on the NOD32 Removal Tool, select ‘Yes’, and wait for a confirmation before it finishes its job.
Sometimes it´s not possible to uninstall avast! anti-virus the standard way – using the add/remove programs in control panel. In this case, you can use Avast! uninstallation utility aswClear.
We all search for information using search engines. A lot of us have come across a forum we need to access for that information, but the forum may require us to register and sign in first. This is annoying- signing up to a forum, just for a 1 time visit. I decided to make this post, which will guide you around doing this mess.
Let me explain the science behind the following technique: most sites and forums will block unregistered users, but they NEVER block Google Bot. We are basically going to switch our User Agent to Google Bot, which will allow us to freely browse almost any site or forum without registering.
First grab the Firefox add-on called “User Agent” here and install. Next, go to Tools > User Agent Switcher > Options and then Options again.
Select User Agent from the left sidebar and click Add. In the description field type:
Details are in on the Windows 7 pricing structure Microsoft will use during launch. Microsoft released the box art and the Windows 7 flavors you can choose from last week.
The options Windows 7 will comes in is:
Windows 7 Starter pricing N/A- For developing markets, and an option for netbooks. Windows 7 Home Basicpricing N/A- For developing markets
Windows 7 Home Premium $120 for upgrade; $200 for full version- it’s great that they are starting off with Home Premium, and not sticking in a “Basic” version lijke they did in Vista.
Windows 7 Professional$200 for upgrade; $300 for full version – I’m assuming the pro edition will include Terminal Services, and Remote Desktop (RDP) functionality like it did in XP.
Windows 7 Ultimate$220 for upgrade; $320 for full version – the ultimate version of Windows. Basically, the Enterprise version that regular people can buy. It has BitLocker, notably, and a few other advanced features. It seems like visibility of this will be low, outside of a few “special promotions” from vendors occasionally, to minimize confusion.
Half price pre-order deal:
People in the US, Canada or Japan who already own a PC running XP or Vista will be able to pre-order the upgrade disc for half the price of what it will retail for. The pre-order deal starts Friday, June 26th, and will run for a limited time.
The Deals:
Windows 7 Home Premium, usually $120, will cost $50, and Windows 7 Professional, usually $200, will cost $100. Windows 7 Ultimate is not part of this discount plan, but it might get its own incentive plan later on.
If you buy a PC starting Friday, June 26th, you should be covered under a FREE upgrade plan. So you can buy that Vista laptop, or desktop over the weekend, and should be able to get a free Windows 7 upgrade once it is available.
After removing a nasty malware infection (virus) using security software (
We’ve all watched a movie, or given a presentation on our computers, only to get annoyed by the screen saver kicking in. I know you can just change your power settings, and have your computer set to stay on, but no body really wants that configuration full time. It can cause 
We all search for information using search engines. A lot of us have come across a forum we need to access for that information, but the forum may require us to register and sign in first. This is annoying- signing up to a forum, just for a 1 time visit. I decided to make this post, which will guide you around doing this mess.
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