jaclaz

MakePE3: jaclaz

Something like these: has been installed on that PC. Cannot say more, up to you to find which program it is. jaclaz

Naaah, you first... jaclaz

If this is what you need you can probably find it here: http://www.partitionsupport.com/utilities.htm You can use FINDPART FINDFAT, CHSDIR or CYLDIR utilities. Something that may be of help is this batch: (probably needing to be fixed/adapted/whatever, as it was left in a semi-abandoned state before testing/bugfixing could be carried) jaclaz

OK, maybe I am getting an idea of the situation (though I am not entirely sure HOW that could have happened ). So, given that there are THREE parts of the filesystem (let's say conventionally "thirds"), first "third" physically before the $MFT and second "third " after the end of it and before the $MFTmirror, and third "third" after it till the end of the volume. Are files in ALL "thirds" displaced by the same amount of sectors? 1985*512=1016320 which is at first sight a "strange" number 1985+63=2048 and 2048*512=1048576 sounds more "like it". Let's start thinking in terms of "Lego blocks". We have 7 "main" blocks: bootsector (16 sectors in size, but the ONLY meaningful one for this is first one) "first third of data" $MFT (size depends on overall size of volume) - normally this is at LCN 786432 dec "second third of data" $MFT mirror (first 4 records of $MFT if I recall correctly) - normally this in the middle of the volume i.e. Size_in_sectors/cluster_size/2 third "third" of data backup bootsector (after the end of the volume, i.e. outside the filesystem but within partition space) All addresses are relative to beginning of the volume, so (and I am not sure to have it right) if you have a file that should be at Absolute sector (say) 10,000, you instead find it at Absolute sector 8,015, you need to have the beginning of the volume (actually the bootsector or block #1 above) 1,985 sectors BEFORE. If it's the other way round, i.e. you find the beginning of the file that should be at Absolute sector 10,000 on Absolute sector 11,985 you need to have the beginning of the volume 1,985 sectors LATER. In other words, you need to check: the current MBR entry for that partition the current bootsector that you can find at the first sector of address specified in the above the backup bootsector that you can (possibly) find on last sector of the partition, i.e. in last sector of address specified in the above Then: Verify that bootsector and backup bootsector are the same. Verify that at the "other" theoretical address, i.le. if "current" is at Absolute sector 63, check at Absolute Sector 2048 or, viceversa, there is another bootsector (with different data). Correct the MBR to set the partition start at the correct offset. If you can post these sectors (make a RAW copy of each of them, name them meaningfully, compress them together in a .zip file) I can have a look at them and give you some more "exact" help. A tool suited for this kind of checks is tiny hexer (optionally making use of my "Structure viewers" for it), reference: http://reboot.pro/8734/ but you can of course use any disk editor you are familiar with. jaclaz

Another (italian) happy bunny in the basket! In the meantime, jaclaz

Well, he also got a reply on the "other" forum, that strangely reminds me of this : http://www.metacafe.com/watch/824477/6_volt_battery_hack_youll_be_amazed/ A VID=8888 PID=8888 as well as VID=6666 PID=8888 or similar are "typical" of "fake" USB sticks. Someone also submitted test results here: http://usbspeed.nirsoft.net/?pdesc=UDISK+USB+Device&vid=34952&pid=34952 (plese do note the Write speed of that 32 Gb stick ) Most probably the only way to know what is inside it is to actually and physically open the stoopid stick, example: http://www.myblog.bloggybloggy.com/fixing-hacked-usb-memory-stick-08-04-2008/ jaclaz

I am not sure to get what the problem is. If the data is accessible, the easiest would be to backup the data, re-format properly and restore. The $MFT and $MFT mirror can be *anywhere* as long as their location is correct in the bootsector. The bootsector is first sector and cannot be moved. The bootsector backup is last sector (actully outside the filesystem) and cannot be moved. Changing contents of the $MFT is tricky business (and simply FORGET about doing it "manually"), Can you expand on the actual problem? jaclaz

The links you posted are invalid. Please just run ChipGenius and post a screenshot of it. DO VERIFY the link you post by clicking on it after you posted the message! jaclaz

Just for the record, I remember very well System Commander (and you will find a few members here that will swear by it) but at the time I found it wanted to (and it actually did) take command on my disk and was uninstalled in the sheer time needed to understand how to do it. I guess it was the single most "aggressive" piece of software I had ever seen (later the good guys at Symantec made Norton Antivirus that simply outclassed System Commander in this aspect ). And actually yes, one of the features I like about grub4dos is it's command line capabilities that allow experimenting without needing to pre-made menu.lst entries every time. If ALL you want to do is that, there are alos simpler bootmanagers, namely partita (oldish, not anymore recommended): http://jaclaz.altervista.org/Projects/USB/USBstick.html http://www.pedrofreire.com/crea1_en.htm And the revamped OS-BS MBLDR (recommended): http://reboot.pro/334/ http://mbldr.sourceforge.net/ BTW, I don't seem to remember that it supports booting from logical volumes inside extended by itself (but this can be fixed manually) , and anyway it will probably only manage the "whole" extended partition ONLY (i.e. the actual entry in the MBR). jaclaz

Very good. I was trying to induce you to have start of the volume at a "non-queer" or "non-bizare" position and have the actual storage area aligned to cluster size (by making arbitrary FAT(s) sizes and/or hidden sectors), but of course the same result can be done as you did, by shifting the beginning of the volume until the beginning of the actual storage area (after a given size of FAT(s)+hidden sectors) gets aligned to cluster size. Very nice find. jaclaz

If you are positive that that is the ONLY problem, you could use: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/234216/en-us http://www.robvanderwoude.com/shutdown.php Cannot say if you can use the above as part of the "normal" shutdown procedure, i.e. shutdown initiated by the push on the power button. Or if it can be integrated in this (rather complex, but usually effective) approach: Or something like: http://users.telenet.be/jbosman/applications.html and switch the server from remote. jaclaz

I know it is a big BUMP, but just happened to find this: http://www.remotepowerswitch.com/rps-atx2.htm so the original idea wasn't as bad as it may have seemed . jaclaz

0V = - (minus) jaclaz

See if the info that Currports give (under 9x/Me it is limited) is enough to get to kill the process that is keeping the connection open : http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/cports.html jaclaz

Sure it can . (yes and yes) But, for the record, BootIt NG is not in any way "more complex" than another bootmanager, most probably is what you want to achieve that is "complex", and *any* tool capable of "delivering" will need some time to get familiar with it and with it's syntax/approach. One may debate whether a given syntax is more intuitive than another, but basically it's personal, just as an example I find grub4dos' syntax more intuitive then Syslinux/memdisk/isolinux's one, but you will find many people that think that it is the other way round, example: http://reboot.pro/8546/ jaclaz

Yes, if it's a four pin Molex (for ATA/IDE HD's or CD/DVD's) the two central wires are Black (Ground). If you have a multimeter you can check them against the "outer ones". The Red one is 5 V. The Yellow one is 12 V. Even if you cannot see the colours of the wires the connector has two cut edges that you can use as reference with the image I posted. If both cut edges are on top, facing the connector, you have from left to right: 12V,0V,0V,5V Now, imagine an octopus. Each tentacle is connected to the body of the octopus on one side, right? Since we have wires instead (and no body) simply connect one side of EACH ground wire together, example: You need to connect the other end of each "tentacle" to a GND. This particular octopus has only 4 (four) tentacles: connected to the black wire of the PSU connected to the ground of the adapter connected to the battery 0 V connected to the Hard Disk GND pin (the one next to Tx and Rx) Do you get the picture, now? jaclaz

AFAIK the ONLY way is to use FDV's (Fred De Vorck) files. Here: http://www.vorck.com/windows/ Cannot say how that will "mix" with new IE versions. jaclaz

It is possible that you have only SATA power connectors (though it's UNlikely). But things don't change much, you should have more than one of them "free". Or however have any number of "other connectors" available with a black wire. In the worst case you can connect to the actual motherboard ground. In the worst case you can get one of these: http://www.idaf.it/index.php?topic=410.140 from *any* car supplies shop. jaclaz

The problem is detailed in point #6 (the one before #7) in the read-me-first. If your PCB is completely gone, you wouldn't have the "garbage" characters. (mind you it is possible that part of the PCB is gone, but it is unlikely). What is the problem in taking one of the (MANY) black cables coming from the PSU, and attach to it a (black) wire and connect this latter to all the rest? You surely have from the PSU a common Molex connector: unused. The BLACK wires in it are BOTH a GROUND (or 0v) connection, you have to have that connected to ALL the other ground wires or pins. This creates an equipotential "base" level. It is possible that the actual RS232 to TTL adapter is defective, but I doubt it, if loopback tests work allright. You did actually carry a loopback test, didn't you? That is point #8 of the read-me-first. jaclaz

Rest assured that you are projecting the same feeling here. YES, YES, YES! It's about two days that two people here are trying to tell you in every possible language that EVERYTHING (ALL devices) must be GROUNDed together! AND the SAME ground cable HAS to be connected to the 0V of the battery AND to the black cable coming from the PSU you are using to power the hard disk! FORGET whatever you have seen ELSEWHERE. READ what is HERE. DO what is written! We did not take the time to write it (again and again) if it was not: The general idea of a set of instructions is: DO what is written in them (and NOTHING else) EXACTLY OR (freedom is essential ) GO somewhere else Settings for hyperterminal are CLEARLY detailed in BOTH the recommended guides: http://www.mapleleafmountain.com/seagatebrick.html and in the read-me-first, that by now you should have READ and followed EXACTLY. jaclaz

Good , which means "bad". Some settings should be ENABLED; some DISABLED : What happens when you send a magic packet? http://www.matcode.com/wol.htm http://community.spiceworks.com/how_to/show/1543 What are the settings in your BIOS? Review this: http://www.rm.com/Support/TechnicalArticle.asp?cref=TEC438020 The page you mention has a link to an old article that can be found here: http://web.archive.org/web/20050321142614/http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=TT1041772 do you have such an utility as TCAUDIAG ? (part of windiags from 3com), some more info here: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/p/4836254/4959240.aspx#4959240 jaclaz

WHERE did you find these settings? HOW did you set them? Generally speaking, to have WOL working with lan cards (not the ones integrated in the motherboard) often a cable need to be connected from the card to the motherboard. jaclaz

MSDINST is NOT available to the "public". It is inside the OPK for XP (SP3) here: http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/downloads/pages/opks.aspx Windows XP Service Pack 3 OPK http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/downloads/Pages/windows_xp_sp3_opk.aspx It is "reserved to OEM's. With MS new policies you may be able to register yourself as OEM, but really cannot say. But as said we have alternatives tools for it, do check the whole idea of "Offline Sysprep": http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?showforum=43 though I don't think it is really what you need/want, seemingly all you need is to have the SATA/AHCI driver slipstreamed to your install CD, which is an entirely different thing. What is your goal (as opposed to HOW you think you can reach it)? Create a "dedicated" install CD for that HP 8100. Creata a "dedicated" sysprepped image for that HP 8100. Something else. (please specify) You seem like dangerously near to slipping on a chocolate covered banana : http://homepage.ntlworld.com./jonathan.deboynepollard/FGA/put-down-the-chocolate-covered-banana.html jaclaz

Maybe you can get away with something like these: http://www.polar-electric.com/DTMF/Index.html http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=18988 http://www.dxzone.com/dx23841/wintone-dtmf-decoder.html jaclaz