JoeMSFN

Doesn't explicitly say Win 2003, but you can try Free AV. I like it because it doesn't require "registration" to install and/or update. Also it found a virus NAV 2003 (kept up to date) didn't find. So if your using Win 2003 Enterprise Edition for non-commercial/personal use then feel free to give it a try. Otherwise, we've had good luck with Trend Micro's server protect product. Good luck trying to find a free antivirus that's licensed for use in a commercial environment! If you do, post the link AND PM me! (so others get the info, and so I won't miss it if it gets added later. (please).

Can't tell you how many times I've recently had to flash a BIOS on a laptop that didn't have a floppy drive. So I run the BIOS boot disk maker (which as far as those go, they always write their own bootsector anyways). and make a bootable CD from that floppy. But to answer your question , grab yourself a copy of rawrite for windows. Then head over to that "boot disks" site mentioned earlier. That way you can write those boot images to floppy.

Another util to download (and install) is 7-zip. It lets you right-click and extract (or try to) ANY file! So you don't have to rename SFX files to .zip or run them and try to find the temp folder before it gets deleted a minute later. Using that to bust open installers lets you look at what might be copied (not always helpful but a good route). Also in some of these installers you'll find a nonstandard .CAB file like data1.cab.... To open those up, (and look at .ini and other cool stuff mentioned above, but bound up in that .cab) head on over to http://www.myplc.com/sony/i6comp_howto.htm and grab yourself a copy of "i6comp" Unzip it and (burried in a subfolder) copy "i6comp.exe" and put it in a folder in your "path". I chose \Windows\System32 Then create a file called "i6.bat" and fill it with the following... mkdir data cd data @echo off i6comp x ..\data1.cabPut that in a folder in your path. I chose \Windows Not sure why I chose those two folders, but they work for me. Then open a command prompt whereever you have one of those nonstandard .CABs, just type i6 and it will (well obvious from above) use the i6comp command and extract data1.cab's contents to the data sub folder. Note: you might want to have "open command window here" powertoy / reg hack installed. (Very handy for the above procedure). Using those two tools (7zip and i6comp) has helped me explore installers without actually installing. Also you might want to do some searching for msiexec.exe's command line options (hint: /a) for getting inside of .msi files....

nonone, try installing XP on your smaller drive and then format/partition your larger drive as a secondary..... Does windows see the whole thing? If not it's probably a BIOS issue. Go to mother board/PC manufacturer and get an updated one. Also (before trying the above), go into your BIOS setup and see if your BIOS recognizes the full drive size. If not try the BIOS update here (if available). You could always try a RAID card and not use the RAID function (if worst came to worst). Also (kinda slow) if you have USB 2.0, and your BIOS supports USB drive booting, you could try going that route. I've never seen XP SP2 not using a full drive in an external enclosure on a computer whose BIOS doesn't support "big" drives. (yeah I know that's just crazy, but I like doing stuff just to try it). My middle two suggestions are probably best.

I had a client who had a Gateway (back when they had "retail" stores). The hard drive was a brand name (Maxtor, Western Digital... I forget which brand, but it was something like that). It was an "OEM" hard drive. The HD manufactuer said to get it exchanged/repaired through the PC manufacturer. That's fine and all except I had already put a new HD in thier computer, installed windows and returned it to the client. So I took the drive to Gateway and they said they needed the computer it came in originally!!!!! I asked why and they said to verify it's defective. My comment that they have a "tech room" and they should have spare computers to verify it in didin't go very far with them. Well I'm not going back to my client just to get a computer to exchange a HD. I'm not out money and they didn't care since they got the computer back quick. So my point is WATCH OUT for OEM drives! You might not be able to exchange it at all if it's defective. As far as anything else, yes IcemanND is correct. You may get a longer warrantee with retail, or the warrantee may be only exchangeable with the distributor (OEM) vs the manufacturer (retail). So consider carefully grasshopper. Read your fine print and ask many questions.

That's one massive "thumbnail" image.

That's OK. Many native english speakers don't know the language that good either.

Hope providing a link to another (of my) posts doesn't count as cross posting. Yes as far as the Malicious Software Removal Tool KB890830 and registry imports goes... See my post on this.

Umm... you actually have a burner also. Right? I know your receipt might say it. I know the badge on the optical drive's drawer might have all the cool logos. But does the model number that windows sees actually match up with a burner drive? (I ask since on my laptop I upgraded to a 4x (ug) cd burner, but used my old plastic trim, so it looks like a crummy reader when it's actually a writer! (it lies, but it matches my case ) The other thing is does windows recognize it as a burner? There is a massive volume of info on this subject.

I've found AdAware (freebie version) is very effective for after the fact problems. I'm leaning more towards it now (used to be a big SpyBot head). I (when cleaning junked up PCs)... 1. Scan with AdAware (free) [don't quarrantine, it'll do it automatically] 2. Set kill bits with Spyware blaster (why this 2nd? becuz then step 3 will tell me that I already have JavaCool's SpywareBlaster installed ) 3. Run SpyBot Search & Destroy (enabling the additional immunizations) then scan 4. (optional) if the computer user isn't a total dummy (er... inexperienced) then I enable the Spybot Resident "Tea Timer". It intercepts every little browser change and startup registry entry and asks you Yes/No and "remember this answer" for everything it intercepts (well until you say remember ) Spybot, in advanced mode, has some very cool options for startup items (without the annoying message that MSConfig gives), activeX, Browser Helper Objects, search page lists, etc. Be VERY careful with anything that advanced (especially HiJack This) as you can severly mangle your system. You may still have a straggler or two on your system after this, but that's why I like those advanced mode options. I've also had to have a command prompt open to the malwares folder with a "rename" command from BLAH.exe to BLAH.otherthanexe and the task list openned. So when I ended the process, it couldn't rerun or worse, rename itself.

That is histerically funny!!!!!!!!! What a novel way to "disable" the admimistrator account.... HA HA HA!!! Thank you ITinVA for the follow up... you just got my morning off to a good start.... This is good material for those admin joke sites....

I too use this copy CD to hard drive method. What I do/did is copy my SP0 files to my hard drive, perform a slipstream to SP2 on those folders, copy that to a folder to something called "XPSP2-use" and modify that "use" folder. That way, I don't have to wait for the slipstreaming of SP2 (plus I heard the result will be smaller if you slipstream from RTM or gold or SP0 without all that SP1 / 1a business). Then if I mangle my "use" folder, (like being a tad to agressive with my file/folder pruning), I can just copy the "full" version back to it. Oddly enough, the boot image for the CD has dissappeared from the more recent distro of XPCREATE I'm using. Fortunately I kept the image from an older one. Um... So to actually answer your question , YES! But you'll have to learn to program .cmd files and edit "xpcreate.cmd" or just do what I and the others have suggested. However our methods involve tying up a decent chunk of your HD.

I forgot about a previous item being confusing as far as which one to download (two of them fit the bill for what to DL). Well RyanVM I do concurr with your suggestion, except I prefer a different URL.... I just get my updates from http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp. I just pick "Windows XP SP2" for an OS. click on "Advanced search options", then type in the KB number into the search box. I've NEVER had a problem with the one it says I need. It also has links to the "updated drivers". Pretty cool eh? B)

ForgotPassword I just do it the way GM does it on his current hot fix page. I leave it named "NDP1.1sp1-KB867460-X86.exe". However I have had problems (not with this specifically, just strange, bizarre problems) unless I turn my anti-virus off, just after freshly rebooting. I rarely ever have an issue then. I'm not kidding either. I Actually reran "xpcreate.cmd" after rebooting (and AV off) without changing anything else (even reused my FULLly erased CDRW) and an install that complained about some .MAN file in "i386\ASMS\some numbered folder" went away.... no other difference other than a reboot (as I learned to keep the AV off from a previous mis adventure). Oh yeah... I had to burn the ISO my self with ISO powertoy or DeepBurner or CD Burner XP Pro since whatever GM was using for a command line burner was giving me problems also.

EULA ?!? There was a EULA with this most excellent .cmd file? I hope GM is ok with what I did.... any lawyering from the EULA about my actions would be appreciated.... I.... copied and modified the "xpcreate.cmd" to "makeiso.cmd" It does just that... takes the contents of CDROOT (or is that FILESCD) and makes an ISO again... I do this since once all the packing and cabbing and such are finished, I usually am left with a few registry tweaks and a RunOnceEx.cmd or two and why wait for all that packing and cabbing and such again when all I'm doing is editing a text file, adding non slipstreamed programs and making an iso? Please oh please be ok with this....... :Edit GreenMachine... maybe make this a standard feature with a command line option to your "xpcreate.cmd" file?

For the Malicious Software Removal Tool Since On http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830 I read this: note: The tool is never installed (via windows updates) I just add the registry entry... ;--- KB890830 ------ [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\RemovalTools\MRT] "Version"="E5DD9936-C147-4CD1-86D3-FED80FAADA6C" After all, what's the point of putting 250KB of files on your CD when the above few bytes will do. I did a registry compare and that's the only thing added. WindowsUpdates thinks KB890830 is installed if you just add the above registry entry. (just tested last night). I say this only cause this is an unattended install CD and I don't need to check my fresh install for trojans! (I scan my XPCreate CD creating computer). If you are doing an upgrade, then wholeheartedly put that on your disc (heck install the antispyware beta from MS also).

Hey! Just realized the title of this thread is "Is Firefox & Thunderbird better than IE & Outlook?" and there was only a pole question for Firefox.... what gives? Well Outlook EXPRESS vs Thunderbird...? Thunderbird!!!! Outlook vs. Thunderbird...?? Comparing Outlook to Thunderbird is an apple to orange sort of thing.... Outlook does so much more (or tries to at least) than just email... If you ONLY use if for email, then it depends on if you access an Exchange Server or not. Now someone needs to comeup with an extension for Thunderbird for exchange server... :edit Thank you soulin for that SuSE happy info.

Love them tabs.... Can't say how many times I'll use IE (on a computer without Firefox), middle click on a link and instead just wind up scrolling all over Plus Outlook Web Access is displayed in "lean" (vs with IE in "rich") mode. Makes OWA much faster (search for message isn't available though). Actually what turned me onto (Mozilla/Netscape 6 or 7) initially (cuz that's what I used before Firefox/Thunderbird whatever it was called wayback when) Was BOOKMARKS... I like my bookmarks all in one HTML file. I can post it to a web site... all with clickable links!. Plus since some sites don't change the "TITLE" tag with each page, IE would make you rename it (after all Favourites are FILES... and thus must be unique) when you made it a favourite. Where Firefox lets you add all the same named bookmarks you want!!! Must admit, without , Open Book extension adding bookmarks is kinda clumbsy... as well as managing them after the fact... But "one of these days, I'll go through and sort them all!" (yeah right..) :Edit.... One last thing I forgot "This Frame" context menu.... With my choice of "Open in New Tab" etc. Helped me break out of tiny window/frame (such as in "http://www.geocities.com/elx9196/") Ah nice WIDE readable area. Though sometimes requires turning off JavaScript so the site doesn't re-enable the micro content window with HUGH navigation pane. Oh yeah... thinking about it. That's another thing (I like about Firefox). Tools->Options->Web Features.... easy to understand... and I can configure what I WANT javascript to do (or not). In IE, lets see Tools->Options->Security->Custom Level. or is it under the "Advanced" tab? Lots of options... but really confusing if your not in there 24/7. And one more thing well maybe two... The cookie options (in FF) are WAY COOL (and once again, very understandable). "for the originating web site only" is the best setting I've ever seen. I keep mine at Allow, for originating site, until I close Firefox. With the only exception being AOL's screen name service web page (needed for webmail with them). :ANOTHER edit... I've found Firefox adjusts Text size on sites that IE just leaves micro small.

Well it has to do with who will respond with an IP when someone/thing does a lookup for your domain. If you have a Static IP, it's easy..... (typically a business, or a $$$ home connection). If you have a Dyamic IP (typically cable modem / PPPoE dsl/ or dial-up) then it's a little more involved (not hard... just a couple of extra steps). Two ways to do it. If you have a static IP, just use your registrars configuration web page (you'll be given a ID and password when you register your domain), and enter your public IP address. Your registrar's name servers will handle all name to IP lookup requests. If you have a dyamic IP, you have to tell your registrar (via configuration page) that you want someone else's name servers to handle the IP address lookup for your domain. (make someone else's servers "AUTHORITATIVE"). Then your DDNS providers name servers will handle all name to IP lookup requests. An example from the FAQ of dyndns.org is this. However you have to make sure your DDNS providers are updated with your current public IP. (via software or router discussed earlier). Hope I cleared up something and didn't just repeat myself

Just a guess.... (edit: Just realized matrix0978 started and finished your reply while I was typing this novel ... hope this info helps you out though...) If you have a router, whatever port the web server answers (usually port 80) needs to be directed to the private IP address of the web serving computer. (or you could use DMZ if that is available... it directs all ports). As far as the internet is concerned... If you have a static public IP address, you can usually change that with your domain registrar via a web site configuration page. If you have a dynamic public IP address, you need to subscribe to a Dynamic DNS Service (DDNS). The free ones let you pick from a limited list of domain names and would replace the "www" with something of your choosing... i.e. if MSFN offered the service, I could have "JoeMSFN.msfn.org". Since it sounds like matrix0978 has his own, he'd have to pay for that service. They make you pay, cuz you have a custom domain. You'd probably have to tell your domain name registrar to make your DDNS provider's name server authoritative for that domain. This gets to the question.... with a dynamic IP, how does the DDNS get updated with my ever changing dynamic IP? A computer on your network runs a client program that updates the DDNS with your public IP and 5 or so minutes later, your new public IP is on the net..... So if you visited JoeMSFN.msfn.org (not a real domain AFAIK) you'd always be directed to my new public IP. (and since I use a router, it would direct the incoming port 80 request to the webserver on my network). Some routers are capable of doing this also (Netgear for sure..) however the list of DDNS providers supported are limited.. Netgear routers support (at least) http://www.dyndns.org/ another a friend told me about is http://www.no-ip.com/ Also do a search engine of your choice for "dynamic dns providers"

The only reason I said 1-3 is cause it averages out that way. Some days I'm on the (darn. can't see the pole options while posting) well one of the higher ones (usually exploring all the forum topics and links to other posts) but other days I need sleep

Not sure if this is a totally good idea lest you backup bad or messed up data/programs over a backup of good files. Since you can never be sure when the data was corrupt. If you do the automated route I would suggest adding to the file name some sort of YYYY-MM-DD--HH-MM-SS_backupfilename.xxx (xxx being the three letter compressed file format of your choice). If your really cleaver maybe even putting the day of the week in there too (I bet most people can remember it was good up until last Wednesday) This allows the directory listing to sort by when the backup was made and you can go to the most recent copy of the data before it became bad/corrupt. This has the added advantage that if a file is deleted (or irreperably edited) they (or you most likely ) can go back and retrieve it. I used this for a client's office where the secretary runs a batch and it copies the data to a hard drive (well it doesn't compress it, but it's an external drive anyway) and does the above with the folder name. Periodically she burns them to DVD. All the "My Documents" folders point to a shared folder on the "server" and I've tried to make it clear... My Docs gets backed up. Desktop won't... Excuse my rambling... hope this is food for thought.

I've had one client that had ME and was the fastest / most stable thing alive. Then again kids never got ahold of it and installed programs supported by advertising software. He only checked email, viewed his financial websites, and kept his antivirus subscription current. Now I've also seen it choke big time the second advertising software and hosts of "internet enhancement" programs get installed. I suppose it's up the the wise choice of the users to keep it running fine.

Probably depends on if you have a "hidden" 3rd partition I believe it's called a management/diagnostic/restore partition or if your "D drive" is used for that. I recently dealt with a VAIO laptop with this. My client didn't want to wait for Sony's help so I "forced cloned" (continue with errors) his failing HD to a new one, then used partition magic to merge the C and D partitions. Not sure if the diag (or whatever it is) partition still worked, but my client didn't care since windows and his software seemed to work just fine. Another option would be to use a partition resizing utility and just make enough on the "D drive" for a virtual memory swap file. Also you might want to ask a more knowledgeable VAIO specific group:. VAIO Village

edit: @evilvoice ooops just read yours after I sent my reply. Anyway I supposed my original post below is germane still. I didn't even think of the file you mentioned. Just a silly question, but are you trying to run DirectX9.0c redist or something similar durring your unattended install? It is one of the few "installers" I know of that ask for an extraction directory/folder. Then you have to run the real installer that it exracts. Perhaps that is what's going on. If you haven't ruled out such a thing, how 'bout posting your RunOnceEx type file (minus of course any serials that get passed via command line, if there is such a thing). I'd hate to see us going crosseyed trying to anayze a possibly good winnt.sif file when it 's actually somwhere else.