svasutin

I'm trying to reduce the space required for my XP images. For my clients, I keep a CD back up (as well as the key, unattend.txt/winnt.sif), and store the disc on my system (which gets slipped as requested). The archive size is quickly approaching 500 GB. I was wondering, does anyone know which files store the xp product key information; since not all keys work with all CDs. This would greatly help, since I could only store one master, updated/slipped image, and then replace the files as needed by my clients. I imagine I don't need all 480 MB for each disk, perhaps only 1 MB per CD to ensure installation.

So lately I've been trying to get my home theater PC's quieter and cooler. BTW, all my systems are AMD based, so Intel systems are different. The video cards are always ATI All In Wonders (agp or pci-e). Artic Silver 3 was used as the thermal grease (trying to use this stuff up before I go with 5). I purchased a mid tower case with thermisters to monitor the CPU, VGA, and HDD temps. This is in addition to the Asus Probe utility. I also have a cheap Radio Shack audio meter (which only goes down to 50dBA). Connected to the nexus front panel fan controls are the top, side, front, rear, CPU, and VGA fans. All fans were tested at the barely on to full on settings. Except for the CPU and VGA, full off was also tested. First, I found the front case fan to be near useless. If the front fan is mounted below your hard drives, then it only serves to raise your system and CPU temp. I find placing the front fan so it blows on top and bottom of your video card to help with the video card cooling, but doesn't affect the overall internal system or CPU temperature. There is a +3 C difference if your front fan is below your hard drive(s); there is a -1 to -2 C for the video card if the fan blows around the video card. If you can't mount your fan above your hard drives, then turn it off. The side and top fans helps with overall system temperature 2 C each. Ultimately, the rear exhaust fan is the most important. The side and top, at full speed, only provide 4 C of cooling, where as the rear fan at full speed provides 6-8+ C of cooling for your system, VGA, and CPU. I think what I found was, one wants the side fan to blow closer to the CPU, but also around the top of the VGA. The rear fan serves to suck the heat from the video card and CPU. The front fan blowing over the top helps the heat from the VGA and CPU to go out the rear, rather than back up towards the CPU. The CPU I used was a Sempron 2400+ (socket A); Sempron's just seem to always run hot (48-55 C). I tried all aluminum, all copper, and al+cu heat sinks. By far, all copper seemed to be the best, followed by cu+al, and the all aluminum was 8 C higher than the all cu heat sink. Since the al+cu fan and heat sink I purchased was quieter, I went with it instead of the all cu. Unfortunately I couldn't find a VGA cooler that fit the ati aiw 9600xt agp 8x card, so, as stated above, I just connected the fan to one of the front panel fan controls. To heat things up, I tested with Furturemark PC Mark 05. Overall testing was done over a week, and took more than 12 hours. PC Mark was run 3 times to ensure the temperature stabilized. I found the test-time took over 16 minutes when the CPU temp was at or above 50 C, and saved about 1 minute when the temp was below 50 C. The difference between having the top, side, and front fans set to off, the CPU, VGA, and rear fan to barely-on was 9 C. My CPU ran at 53 C; having the CPU fan set to full, allowed the CPU to run at 44 C. Generally, the VGA ran between 39 - 55 C, and is almost always hotter than the CPU. Turning every thing on, allowed my CPU to get down to 41 C, but man was it noisy. Noise The loudest fans were the VGA fan followed by the Side window fan. The front fan makes no noise as far as I can tell. The CPU and rear fans make a hum sound, and the top and side fans have the familiar sound of air rushing. I found Aero Cool 2-ball 80mm aluminum case fans to be the quietest fans I tested; regardless of which 80mm fan was used, the side fan always made the most noise between the top, rear, front, and CPU. Generally, I am keeping the side and top off, the front, VGA, and CPU fans to barely, with the rear fan half way between barely and full. At idle, CPU=44, system=28, and VGA=40. At full, CPU=49, system=32, and VGA=50 I am wondering, what are your average system temperatures? What is your average CPU temperature? And what temperature does your video card run at? Finally, does anyone know where I can get an audio meter that can measure between 17 dBA to 60 dBA?

First, Switchfoot is on the Sony infected list. Open up Writer/Textwriter/word Save the empty document to your desktop Call it '$sys$a' without the tick marks Close your editor Minimize all your windows so you can see your desktop Click your desktop on an empty area Press the F5 key to refresh the icons Do you still see $sys$a.[doc | odf | txt | rtf ] If not, you're infected with the Sony Virus. Your best bet is to reformat BTW, some new Sony DVDs have go.exe....

Ok I'll look into those also - thanks again Right now I'm trying to digest Foobar2000 Man its powerful - so many options

Thank you for the advice. Somehow I knew you people would know good software. As for editing, no, I just need need some management. For editing I use SoundForge 4.x (WinNT Version). I'll give both of them a shot For other lusers, here's the link to Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Hey folks, Since 1998 I've kept music on my system, hence I have over 10,000 songs in mp3 and wav formats. Stupid me didn't always encode the artist, title, album into the mp3, or encode the info into the correct fields, and of course my naming convention was not consistent. My folder conventions has also changed, so I am sure I have duplicate songs (at different bit rates), I just can't find them because I some are named 'track 1.mp3'. Presently, most of my ripping and encoding has been through Nero 6.6 (Extras | [ Encode Files | Save Tracks] ). I have the CDDB stored on an external hard drive that is referenced by all my systems (1288 files, 72.3 kb, but 40.2 MB of used disk space...FAT32). Hence, any database info should be able to be stored in a location of my choice, and shouldn't use individual files. Anyway, I'm looking for a program that will help me rename my files and edit the all the mp3 fields. In theory, the software should delete the 'old' file if it is converted/recoded to an mp3, and allow me to re-enter information. Ripping mp3's from CD's I suppose would also be helpful. Ultimately, like Ms Office has the 'prompt for document properties', I would like the media manager to have a similar option. I don't mind paying for new software, but I do have access to the obvious (real, wmp10, winamp) but also have a retail Audigy 2 that includes the Creative Media Source Player 3.x. Thanks for your help

Thank you dhoffman. Yes, you answered my questions. The other day I was archiving 'removed' patches and couldn't figure out what I was missing. Sure enough, plain as day in the kb's FAQ. Guess I was going blind ~ and nuts. Thank you again.

Hello, I'm trying to figure out why a few updates were removed or not added for Win Xp SP2 MS05-012 comes in two parts 7 Feb 05 kb873333 and 18 May 05 kb894391 Isn't the second part a patch only if the first is installed? What happended to MS 05-016 kb893086 (repalces 05-005/890047) and MS 05-039 kb899588 Thank you

You might want to look into http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=289125 chcp 1252 is the default xp install code

set product key=* then you will be prompted to enter the key during setup For other keys windows assigns a name

Since you are using DHCP and wireless, you might want to pin to the start menu two scripts 'wi-fi on.cmd' and 'wi-fi off.cmd' I've had good luck with clients using these settings ~ tell them it's a privacy thing. While this does little to solve the issue, it should force the shutdown to realize there isn't a connection to be had. Wi-fi Off.cmd For XP SP2 Wi-Fi clients %windir%\system32\ipconfig.exe /flushdns %windir%\system32\ipconfig.exe /release %windir%\system32\ipconfig.exe /flushdns net stop "Wireless Zero Configuration" net stop "Network Location Awareness (NLA)" net stop "DNS Client" net stop "Remote Access Auto Connection Manager" net stop "Remote Access Connection Manager" net stop "DHCP Client" net stop "Application Layer Gateway Service" net stop "Remote Access Connection Manager" net stop "WZCSVC" net stop "Nla" net stop "Dnscache" net stop "RasAuto" net stop "RasMan" net stop "Dhcp" net stop "ALG" net stop "RasMan" %windir%\system32\ipconfig.exe /flushdns %windir%\system32\ipconfig.exe /release %windir%\system32\ipconfig.exe /flushdns Wi-fi on.cmd is the above in reverse order with stops changed to starts and release to renew. I've also had a little ~ some ~ luck with teaching the people about Fn+Fx to turn off the wi-fi adapter to save battery life. The downside is logging on to a domain is difficult; the user needs to remember to enable the adapter before (s)he selects an option from boot.ini. Final thing, I've found slightly better throughput when using Msft's wi-fi client, than Intel or linksys.

Hello, I was wondering if anyone else has had issues with their XP CD/DVD not being able to read files on the disc? Not from a bad burn, but something about, "Windows cannot find filename" during the textmode portion of the setup, or the GUI, when installing from an external USB device. The filename appears random, but repeats if you are using the same partition and volume information. The issue occurs after the diskpart/format screen, and before T-13. Essentially my system only has the hdd, audio, and video, everything else is USB. My idea is to disconnect and turn off as much as possible when I go to render. The keyboard is a Belkin usb 2.0 + 2 port low power usb 1.1 hub device. Hence everything 1.1 is connected through the keyboard (mobo usb prts 1/2 ~ 12 mbs). The keyboard is on usb port 1 (out of 6 ~ 4 by super i/o 2 on the front of the tower). When I connected the external USB 2.0 dvdrw to ports 2 through 6, the cannot find error occurs during the txtsetup, or BSoD's/"Setup cannot find the file" during the gui portion. It seems the other ports go to sleep when not in use ~ after a long format or detection. The only consistently successful installations occur when I connect the external USB optical drive through the keyboard hub. I'm looking for confirmation about this issue. Since I can boot from the drive, I don't think it is an enumeration problem (in the text portion), so I'm thinking it could be either an ACPI or motherboard bug. Thank you again for your help. Title Edited - Please follow new posting rules from now on. --Zxian

The host file is an excellent idea music.msn.com is now added This appears to have prevented WMP from connecting to other hosts. qqqqqqqqqq

Try these tweaks. I found even though I said no, messenger still shows up when olx or ol is open, and also still enabled as a bho in ms ie. The only warning is, it is extremely diifficult to reinstall, re-enable, or run ms messenger after applying these tweaks at t-12. hope this helps KillMessenger.zip

With all the buz about Sony, I looked very closely at my network traffic. On a very clean, empty, and updated FAT32 WinXP home system. I found out, WMP 10 contacts msn.music.com, and then my system contacts online vendors such as walmart. I hate walmart. I tried the standard user stuff of unchecking everyting, but it would still connect. I next turned to the reg tweaks, still no luck. I think what needs to be done is to disable the on-line guide, remove the MSN Music, and the 'Browse all Online Stores'. Essentially disable the down arrow above the play list. I guess I'm asking, does anyone have any reg tweaks for this?

Wow , So I'm in the process of trying to devise a simple way to disable, remove, and prevent the rootkit for my clients. While I can't post results, yet, this Sony thing is really bad. I strongly suggest removing ALL traces of the Sony software from the registry and other files If you have access to gpedit, under software restrictions, add go.exe to disallow. For XP Home users/clients, I don't know what to tell you. EDIT; not just the rootkit, but all the software.

Perhaps coloring might work better than tape. If users put the tape underneath, they might damage the laser eye. Disabling autorun only seems to delay infection. If the user want to listen to the CD, then the infection will continue. I've tried the $sys$nero thing, but no luck. Also, creating $sys$aries.sys and assigning permissions didn't work. I'm still working on an unInstaller. I just get hung up on some of the keys, however, it appears, when I delete certain entries, and reboot, Windows XP automatically corrects the missing entries.

Before doing this, remember you may have to re rip or re download lots of music files Basically this is what I have let ccs=ControlSet001 ControlSet002 CurrentControlSet let group1=DRMSERVER LIM OCT let group2=cor crater drmserver for i in [ ccs ] ( for j in [ group2 ] ( for k in valueOf HKLM\System\ i \Services\$sys$ j \Count ( record infected entries for Optical record infected entries for controllers ) ) ) remove reg entries hklm\software\$sys$reference HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WDM\DREDGE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WBEM\WDM HKLM\SYSTEM\ [ ccs ] \Control\CoDeviceInstallers /v {FF646F80-8DEF-11D2-9449-00105A075F6B} /f NOTE: STILL LOOKING INFO {FF646F80-8DEF-11D2-9449-00105A075F6B} remove reg entries for: HKLM\SYSTEM\ [ CCS ] \Enum\Root\LEGACY_$sys$[ group2 ] remove reg entries for: HKLM\SYSTEM\%CCS%\Services\$sys$[ group2 ] for noted controller list Set \ActiveService Value to ..\Service Value for optical ... remove files and folders from %windir%\[ system32 | system ]\$sys$filesystem remove %windir%\[ system32 | system ]\caj.dll %windir%\[ system32 | system ]\drivers\%sys$cor.sys Files I believe are associated with Sony Rootkit $sys$DRMServer.exe $sys$parking.exe crater.sys DbgHelp.dll lim.sys oct.sys Unicows.dll <-only remove from $sys$filesystem caj.dll cor.sys $sys$caj.dll $sys$cor.sys

I'm trying to verify some values for a sony remover, but I need to check some info out. Wondering if anyone can help. I don't think I can post the final remover or provide a download, but I should be able to post the algorithm and critial entries for removal. This needs to be checked on a clean system. Under HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCIIDE\IDEChannel\ You should have two entries, 1 for each channel Under each key is a sub-key called Control, with a Sting called ActiveService I need to confirm the ActiveService value should be the same as the Service key in: HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCIIDE\IDEChannel\ [channel0/1] in other words, the values of HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCIIDE\IDEChannel\ [channel0]\Service = HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCIIDE\IDEChannel\ [channel0]\Control\ActiveService If someone also checked out the settings for SATA and SCSI devices it would be great HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\ [ SCSI | SATA ] \Service = HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Enum\ [ SCSI | SATA ] \Control\ActiveService Thank you

I am wrong in my last post, news agencies are reporting Sony will pay for the shipping both ways. I suppose I didn't submit enough informaiton to get to the point where they said they would pay for shipping. My Bad svasutin http://blog.sonymusic.com/sonybmg/archives/111505.html *** November 18, 2005 To Our Valued Customers: You may be aware of the recent attention given to the XCP content protection software included on some SONY BMG CDs. This software was provided to us by a third-party vendor, First4Internet. Discussion has centered on security concerns raised about the use of CDs containing this software. We share the concerns of consumers regarding these discs, and we are instituting a mail-in program that will allow consumers to exchange any CD with XCP software for the same CD without copy protection and receive MP3 files of the same title. We also have asked our retail partners to remove all unsold CDs with XCP software from their store shelves and inventory. Please click here for exchange program details. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers and we are committed to making this situation right. It is important to note that the issues regarding these discs exist only when they are played on computers, not on conventional, non-computer-based CD and/or DVD players. Our new initiatives follow the measures we have already taken, including the voluntary suspension of the manufacture of CDs with the XCP software. In addition, to address security concerns, we provided to major software and anti-virus companies a software update, which also may be downloaded at http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html. We will shortly provide a simplified and secure procedure to uninstall the XCP software if it resides on your computer. Ultimately, the experience of consumers is our primary concern, and our goal is to help bring our artists' music to as broad an audience as possible. Going forward, we will continue to identify new ways to meet demands for flexibility in how you and other consumers listen to music. Please click here for an FAQ on this topic. *** Here's the FAQ Link http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/faq.html

Considering Sony said on Tuesday they will recall the CDs, I figured they would shoot an email to their vendors. http://news.com.com/Sony+recalls+risky+roo..._3-5954154.html Nope, today I went to a few music and tech stores and asked if they were familiar with the "Sony Issue". Only 1 person, in a PC repair department, out of 30 people, across 5 stores was familiar with the issue. I was looking over the Foo Fighters CD, and couldn't tell if it had copy protection; some of the CDs are clearly marked with "xcp" but some are not. The "information on the back" of the Foo Fighters is written in white blurry text, on a light ginger background. Nowhere can you tell it contains a rootkit; much less read the requirements; I do have good eyes. However, there is a hugh mark about "copying being illegal"<-a load of garbage. Anyway, since the malware is poorly written, and is a driver, it causes issues with devices connected to an ATA channel, but wait, there are also SATA devices.... Here's the thing, Go to tech and music stores and tell them about the issue. Point out 1) A customer plays the CD in a Windows or Apple system; does not need to copy, just listen 2) a customer clicks cancel at the prompt 3) the driver is installed anyway 1) the driver allows viruses, spy-ware, and spamming tools to be installed undetected by any AV or AS (anti-spy) 2) Since this is a known issue, however, some AV compaines have provided a link to Sony's site to download a patch 3) For users whom downloaded the patch, their browsers now allow anyone to download, install, and run anything. Sony has pulled the malware from their site, but have left users hanging while they (sony) come up with another fix. 4) Only current subscriptions of ZoneAlarms AV, Computer Associates AV (not mcafee), and the free until 31 December Msft Anti-Spy correct the issue. Caution against Msft AS as reInfection is always possible. 1) it is unknown how many CD titles are effected, to date, between 15-47 CDs. 1) Tell the owners/managers to google or yahoo! sony rootkit 2) Let the owners/managers know that Sony has already recalled the CDs, and is working with Amazon 1) customers might think their drives are bad, and so they purchase a replacement 2) the issue still exists so they return the device 3) the store drops the prices and increases its inventory 4) Ensure the techs are aware of this issue, and note the issue on any reciept, so any paid support provided can be re-embursed to their clients, or be charged to Sony directly. 5) this issue has existed since late May. It is number 2, 3, and 5 that get the attention from Tech and Support stores. Here's the other weird thing, today I recieved a pre-approved application for a Sony Credit Card. The last time I bought anything from Sony, with a credit card, was 5+ years ago, and I don't think the card had my name. However, 1) I have used my name and address for downloading the 'patch' for clients. I am wondering, if Sony could pre approve me for a card, why couldn't they also inform me of the recall? After searching the sony website, i found: http://www.upsrow.com/sonybmg/ Is an official list of titles that can be returned to Sony. However, it does not appear to be a recall, more of a, If-you-want-to-return-your-disc-send-it-to-us I guess I need to pay for the shipping and packaging. Some how I thought "recall" meant take it back to your vendor. Here is another concern. Once the DRM is removed, what is going to happen to all the encoded content. Will people need to rerip their music?

http://www.upsrow.com/sonybmg/ Is an official list of titles that can be returned. Guess we have to pay to be protected.

Considering Sony said on Tuesday they will recall the CDs, I figured they would shoot an email to their vendors. http://news.com.com/Sony+recalls+risky+roo..._3-5954154.html Nope, today I went to a few music and tech stores and asked if they were familiar with the "Sony Issue". Only 1 person, in a PC repair department, out of 30 people, across 5 stores was familiar with the issue. I was looking over the Foo Fighters CD, and couldn't tell if it had copy protection; some of the CDs are clearly marked with "xcp" but some are not. The "information on the back" of the Foo Fighters is written in white blurry text, on a light ginger background. Nowhere can you tell it contains a rootkit; much less read the requirements; I do have good eyes. However, there is a hugh mark about "copying being illegal"<-a load of garbage. Anyway, since the malware is poorly written, and is a driver, it causes issues with devices connected to an ATA channel, but wait, there are also SATA devices.... Here's the thing, Go to tech and music stores and tell them about the issue. Point out 1) A customer plays the CD in a Windows or Apple system; does not need to copy, just listen 2) a customer clicks cancel at the prompt 3) the driver is installed anyway 1) the driver allows viruses, spy-ware, and spamming tools to be installed undetected by any AV or AS (anti-spy) 2) Since this is a known issue, however, some AV compaines have provided a link to Sony's site to download a patch 3) For users whom downloaded the patch, their browsers now allow anyone to download, install, and run anything . Sony has pulled the malware from their site, but have left users hanging while they (sony) come up with another fix. 4) Only current subscriptions of ZoneAlarms AV, Computer Associates AV (not mcafee), and the free until 31 December Msft Anti-Spy correct the issue. Caution against Msft AS as reInfection is always possible. 1) it is unknown how many CD titles are effected, to date, between 15-47 CDs. 1) Tell the owners/managers to google or yahoo! sony rootkit 2) Let the owners/managers know that Sony has already recalled the CDs, and is working with Amazon 1) customers might think their drives are bad, and so they purchase a replacement 2) the issue still exists so they return the device 3) the store drops the prices and increases its inventory 4) Ensure the techs are aware of this issue, and note the issue on any reciept, so any paid support provided can be re-embursed to their clients, or be charged to Sony directly. 5) this issue has existed since late May. It is number 2, 3, and 5 that get the attention. Here's the other weird thing, today I recieved a pre-approved application for a Sony Credit Card. The last time I bought anything from Sony, with a credit card, was 5+ years ago, and I don't think the card had my name. However, 1) I have used my name and address for downloading the 'patch' for clients.

Hmmm, Suddenly, Sony is in close competition for the worst company on the face of the planet. Maybe this requires a poll

As far as I know, the AR is not always the same as the PC pixel ratio. I believe, although theories vary, and I'm usually wrong, that the aspect ratio is determined by the device it is displayed on, and not the actual picture dimensions. This is why you see so much stuff on 704x480 and not 720x480 (NTSC). 704x480 with 4x3 AR yields a view of 720x480 viewing (integer stuff) for analog signals. It is the whole, "TV adds ten lbs." thing. CRTs use lines, but some how it was figured out that the lines use 4x3 pixels when converted for PC use. The lcd/plasma tend to confuse people since they use square pixels likes computers. Consider DVD, it has two formats, full and wide. full and wide are both 720(704)x480 (NTSC). Depending upon the input signal, the image either appears full screen or widescreen, but both are the same dimensions. If have ever played a widescreen VHS tape on a normal TV, then you'd notice the people seem taller and everything looked squished; no letterbox that DVD players added. That is the effect of 16:9 on something that assumes 4:3. This is common in WMP. WMP is not the best choice to play your file. If you have DVD software, or some other media player, see if you get the same results. You mentioned a viewer, the view should display your file correctly. So, if you are coding for a TV/DVD, use 720x480, and set the AR to 16:9 (i believe you wanted widescreen). If you are coding for PC use only, then use overall 16x:9x dimensions with square pixels (x is a multiplying factor). Hope this helps BTW, you've got far too many icons on your desktop.