Have you noticed that the CDs that you buy or the CDs that comes with books runs automatically when you insert the CD into your CD drive. This is because of the 'Autorun' facility in the CDs.
But using this Auto Run feature you can only execute executable programs. Therefore the webpages and any other files cannot be opened automatically using Autorun.
Imagine that you want to copy the powerpoint presentation that you created or the Word document into a CD and pass it to your friend. Will it not be nice if the powerpoint presentation or the document opens automatically when the friend inserts the the CD into his computer?
Now every computer comes with a CD writer. You may wonder whether the CDs that you create using your CD writer can use the Autorun facility. Yes you can.
You have to create a file named 'autorun.inf'. You can create this file using a normal notepad. You have to copy this file in the root folder of the CD. If you want to use any icon then you can also copy an icon file into the root folder.
How to execute an executable file in a CD automatically.
For example assume that you have a myprogram.exe file and myicon.ico file. And you want to run myprogram.exe file automatically when the CD is inserted
Keep both these files in the same folder.
Open a notepad and type these three lines in the notepad
(autorun)
open=myprogram.exe
icon=myicon.ico
save this file as 'autorun.inf'.
If your executable file is not in the root folder then you have to specify the full path. (eg. open=myfoler/myprogram.exe)
To create autorun cds for non executable files
If your file is not an executable file like .xls, .doc, .htm, .html, .mp3, .wma, .wav, .mpg, .avi, .jpg, .bmp, .zip or any other file then how to write the autorun.inf file.
Let us assume that you have index.htm file as the autorun file. Then the autorun.inf file will be as follows:
(autorun)
open=start index.htm
icon=myicon.ico
In this case when you insert the CD, a small black window will open and close very fast and then you will see the index.htm file in Internet Explorer.
If you do not want the dos window to open then create the autorun.inf file as below:
(autorun)
shellexecute=index.htm
icon=myicon.ico
However the shellexecute will not work in Windows 98 or older versions. It will work in Windows XP and the newer versions of Windows. In earlier versions you can use the DOS batch file. So you will have one more file autorun.bat in addition to autorun.inf
(autorun)
open=autorun.bat index.htm
icon=myicon.ico
and the autorun.bat file will as follows:
echo off
"start % 1
"exit
How to use autorun.exe
In the above example we used two files autorun.bat and autorun.inf. However the use of autorun.bat is not a wise option. Because a batch files cannot handle errors.
Therefore you can use the free autorun.exe instead of autorun.bat
autorun.exe file is provided by Tarma software research freely. Anybody can use this software. You can download autorun.exe from www.tarma.com/products/index.htm . Download this file and copy it to the root folder of the copied CD.
The autorun.inf file should be as follows:
(autorun)
open=autorun.exe index.htm
icon=myicon.ico
Showing posts with label Tutorials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tutorials. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
How to deal with a virus on a LAN?
Follow some or all of these steps to insure safety on your network or PC. This is for viruses only. If you'd like to find information concerning Trojans, Data Miners and other Spam prevention, please visit this post.
1) Preventative Maintenence
a) Purchase a REAL TIME anti-virus solution from a major vendor. Wether it be McAfee, Norton (Symantec), Trend Micro or Sophos, it's worth the little money it costs to get a 1 year subscription. Keep your virus definitions up to date with the vendor that you purchase your virus definitions from.
b) Schedule, at the least, weekly virus scans on your network or personal computer. You really should be praticing this procedure more than once a week, but this is a bare minimum.
c) Keep open folder and drive shares to a minimum. One of the first things that most viruses try to do is replicate itself. Stop damage to your LAN by minimizing the number or network shares that you have connections to and/or available.
d) Keep anonymous downloads to a minimum. Most of you share/receive files over some sort of P-2-P file-sharing application. Some of these files, although they appear to be ok, are really viruses just waiting to be opened. What's the first thing that you do after downloading that new Metallica song?????? Well, try and play it of course.....people KNOW this!
2) Actions to Take
So, what happens if you are infected?????
a) If you are present an notice that your PC is infected, the first thing that you should do is disconnect from your LAN immediately! I've seen people infected with viruses and on here asking for help. I understand why but as a precautionary measure on a LAN, disconnect from your network right away. This will minimize potential immediate infections on other PCs on the same LAN. Whatever you have to do.....do it fast: Disable your LAN, unplug the LAN, turn off the switch, turn off the gateway/router,, whatever it takes.
b) For those with a second computer to help you out, try and find out as much as possible about the virus that you are dealing with. A lot of information can be found at your particular vendor's site. A lot of these sites have removal tools as well.
c) Run a search on google.com concerning your virus. It's absolutely amazing what you might find!
This should get you started.
1) Preventative Maintenence
a) Purchase a REAL TIME anti-virus solution from a major vendor. Wether it be McAfee, Norton (Symantec), Trend Micro or Sophos, it's worth the little money it costs to get a 1 year subscription. Keep your virus definitions up to date with the vendor that you purchase your virus definitions from.
b) Schedule, at the least, weekly virus scans on your network or personal computer. You really should be praticing this procedure more than once a week, but this is a bare minimum.
c) Keep open folder and drive shares to a minimum. One of the first things that most viruses try to do is replicate itself. Stop damage to your LAN by minimizing the number or network shares that you have connections to and/or available.
d) Keep anonymous downloads to a minimum. Most of you share/receive files over some sort of P-2-P file-sharing application. Some of these files, although they appear to be ok, are really viruses just waiting to be opened. What's the first thing that you do after downloading that new Metallica song?????? Well, try and play it of course.....people KNOW this!
2) Actions to Take
So, what happens if you are infected?????
a) If you are present an notice that your PC is infected, the first thing that you should do is disconnect from your LAN immediately! I've seen people infected with viruses and on here asking for help. I understand why but as a precautionary measure on a LAN, disconnect from your network right away. This will minimize potential immediate infections on other PCs on the same LAN. Whatever you have to do.....do it fast: Disable your LAN, unplug the LAN, turn off the switch, turn off the gateway/router,, whatever it takes.
b) For those with a second computer to help you out, try and find out as much as possible about the virus that you are dealing with. A lot of information can be found at your particular vendor's site. A lot of these sites have removal tools as well.
c) Run a search on google.com concerning your virus. It's absolutely amazing what you might find!
This should get you started.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Network Adapters
A network computer is connected to the network cabling with a network interface card, (also called a "NIC", "nick", or network adapter. Some NICs are installed inside of a computer: the PC is opened up and a network card is plugged directly into one of the computer's internal expansion slots. 286, 386, and many 486 computers have 16-bit slots, so a 16-bit NIC is needed. Faster computers, like high-speed 486s and Pentiums, often have 32-bit, or PCI slots.
These PCs require 32-bit NICs to achieve the fastest networking speeds possible for speed-critical applications like desktop video, multimedia, publishing, and databases. And if a computer is going to be used with a Fast Ethernet network, it will need a network adapter that supports 100Mbps data speeds as well.
These PCs require 32-bit NICs to achieve the fastest networking speeds possible for speed-critical applications like desktop video, multimedia, publishing, and databases. And if a computer is going to be used with a Fast Ethernet network, it will need a network adapter that supports 100Mbps data speeds as well.
Networking : Cabling Basics
The two most popular types of network cabling are twisted-pair (also known as 10BaseT) and thin coax (also known as 10Base2). 10BaseT cabling looks like ordinary telephone wire, except that it has 8 wires inside instead of 4. Thin coax looks like the copper coaxial cabling that's often used to connect a VCR to a TV set.
Which type of cabling is best for you? Thin coax and 10BaseT can both be used exclusively or together, depending on the type of network that you're putting together.
Small networks, for example, may want to use 10BaseT cabling by itself, because it's inexpensive, flexible, and ideal for going short distances. Larger networks (usually with 10 or more computers) may use a thin coax backbone with small clusters of 10BaseT cabling that branch off from it at regular intervals.
Which type of cabling is best for you? Thin coax and 10BaseT can both be used exclusively or together, depending on the type of network that you're putting together.
Small networks, for example, may want to use 10BaseT cabling by itself, because it's inexpensive, flexible, and ideal for going short distances. Larger networks (usually with 10 or more computers) may use a thin coax backbone with small clusters of 10BaseT cabling that branch off from it at regular intervals.
Network Printing
In client-server networks, network printing is normally handled by a print server, a small box with at least two connectors: one for a printer, and another that attaches directly to the network cabling. Some print servers have more than two ports--they may, for example, support 2, 3, or 4 printers simultaneously.
When a user sends a print job, it travels over the network cabling to the file server where it is stored. When the print server senses that the job is waiting, it moves it from the file server to its attached printer. When the job is finished, the print server returns a result message to the file server, indicating that the process is complete.
Print Servers are available for both client-server and peer-to-peer networks. They're incredibly convenient because they let you put a printer anywhere along your network even if there isn't a computer nearby.
However, users often opt not to use a print-server with their peer-to-peer network. Why? Because every computer's resources are available to everyone on the network, Sally can print a job on John's printer--just as if Sally had a printer attached to her computer.
Remote access allows users to dial into their home networks from anywhere in the world. Once a connection has been established over ordinary phone lines by modem, users can access any programs or data on the network just as if they were seated at one of its local workstations. Some remote access servers only provide access to a file server's disk drives.
Others can provide access to both the file server and direct access to any PC's hard disk on the network. This saves time because it allows a remote user to communicate directly with any network user without having to go through the file server.
Modem sharing lets local network users dial out from their individual network computers to access the Internet, bulletin boards, America On-Line, and more. After firing up their favorite communications software, local users establish a link with the remote-node server over the network, which opens up an outgoing telephone line.
Users' individual PCs don't need modems, which is a big money saver--only a single modem & phone line are required for tens or hundreds of users. In the case of peer-to-peer networks, by contrast, every PC requires its own modem for access to the outside world.
When a user sends a print job, it travels over the network cabling to the file server where it is stored. When the print server senses that the job is waiting, it moves it from the file server to its attached printer. When the job is finished, the print server returns a result message to the file server, indicating that the process is complete.
Print Servers are available for both client-server and peer-to-peer networks. They're incredibly convenient because they let you put a printer anywhere along your network even if there isn't a computer nearby.
However, users often opt not to use a print-server with their peer-to-peer network. Why? Because every computer's resources are available to everyone on the network, Sally can print a job on John's printer--just as if Sally had a printer attached to her computer.
Remote access allows users to dial into their home networks from anywhere in the world. Once a connection has been established over ordinary phone lines by modem, users can access any programs or data on the network just as if they were seated at one of its local workstations. Some remote access servers only provide access to a file server's disk drives.
Others can provide access to both the file server and direct access to any PC's hard disk on the network. This saves time because it allows a remote user to communicate directly with any network user without having to go through the file server.
Modem sharing lets local network users dial out from their individual network computers to access the Internet, bulletin boards, America On-Line, and more. After firing up their favorite communications software, local users establish a link with the remote-node server over the network, which opens up an outgoing telephone line.
Users' individual PCs don't need modems, which is a big money saver--only a single modem & phone line are required for tens or hundreds of users. In the case of peer-to-peer networks, by contrast, every PC requires its own modem for access to the outside world.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Credit Card Number And Password Hacking !
Your best firewall may fail to stop your Credit Card no. theft! watch this video to prevent it!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Fighting Unknown Problems
Hardware problems are quite difficult to tackle, worse if under Windows. There was once when installing a software, I accidentally inserted the Audio hardware diskette. Thinking it was harmless, I went on, thinking I can always "undo" everything again. How wrong was I. The next moment I restarted Windows, I got the blue screen of death. Yeah, Windows is very nasty when it comes to hardware.
Find The Culprit
Always calm down. Try to solve the problem yourself before resolving to formatting or sending to your computer dealer. First, know what's happening and the cause of it. In my case, the installation must have overwrite my old setting and replaced the wrong file. There must be a reason why Windows is acting improperly.
Logging Back On
First, try to log back on. If you can't log into Windows, don't panic. Restart the computer. When the text "Starting Windows 98..." appears, press F8. A menu will appear. Choose "Safe Mode" to continue. Safe mode will take some time to load. When you are in Windows, go to Control Panel, System. Click on the Device Manager tab. Find the faulty hardware driver and delete it. Open autoexec.bat and config.sys (both are hidden files in your root directory) with notepad. If the hardware is a CD-ROM or sound card, it will probably write add some lines. Check whether there are backup file (autoexec.bak, autoexec.b~k e.g.) since most installation will back up the 2 important files. If there is, simply replace them with the backup files. If there isn't, put "REM " in front of every line that loads the hardware.
Repairing
When you restart, your computer is probably ok, since you have deleted all instances of the hardware drivers. But the hardware isn't functioning. re-install the hardware drivers, restart and you're done! If the problem persists, your probably have a system conflict go to the next page for more.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Winrar - Tutorial on how to use winrar
After you have installed WinRAR any RAR format file should look like the
X3_1959.rar file that has been downloaded to the desktop for this example.
Double click on the RAR file.
These are the list of compressed files within the RAR file. As you can see there
are two bios's (X3_1959.bin for v1.0-v1.5 Xbox and X3_1959_v16plus.bin for v1.6 Xbox)
Also there is a folder called x3_erase which includes an xbe file that is a utility to
format the X3 Eeprom in case you ever forget your X3 Config Live Password.
The readme.txt file is simply a text file giving you some brief information.
To unpack these files click on the Extract To button.
You can select any path to extract the files. However in this case we are
going to unpack the files to the desktop in a directory called X3_1959
Here is the newly created folder on the desktop.
Double click on it to see what's inside.
And there you have it. All your files correctly unpacked and ready
for you to flash your X3 mod.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Simple Windows Xp Tips for learners
Windows XP has a snazzy new interface. Don't be intimidated by all those colorful new dialogs. Consult these tips to get XP's good looks to work for you
Turn back the clock
Gray is definitely out. The folks at Microsoft bathed Windows XP in color. Don't like XP's look? To switch back to the Classic look that resembles Windows 2000, right-click the desktop, select Properties, click the Themes tab, and choose Windows Classic from the drop-down list. Voilà ! You're back to comfy shades of blue and gray--not to mention having all those familiar icons.
Click "Switch to Classic view" in the upper-left corner of the Properties dialog to bring back the familiar Control Panel icons of earlier versions of Windows. To get back to a Start menu that looks more like Windows 2000's, right-click in an empty portion of the Start menu's left-hand column, select Properties, and go to the Start Menu tab. Select Classic Start Menu. To bring the new look back, just reverse these steps
Customize the Start menu
The Start menu gets more real estate in XP than in previous versions, and it's more customizable. To make the Start menu display only the applications you want, rather than the default determined by Microsoft, right-click in an empty section of the Start menu's left column, and select Properties > Start Menu > Customize. Here you'll find a list of your most frequently used programs. (XP keeps track of what you use and what you don't, then updates this list dynamically.) Don't want your boss to know that Pinball, Solitaire, and Quake all make your list? Go to the General tab, click Clear List, and set the counter to zero
In XP, your favorite programs are displayed in the top left column of the Start menu. Microsoft starts you off with Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.
Want to display a different set of applications in this spot? Right-click an empty portion of the Start menu's left column and select Properties > Start Menu > Customize. At the bottom, deselect the program you no longer want displayed in the "Show on the Start menu" dialog, and, using Windows Explorer or My Computer, navigate to the program you want instead. Right-click the program and select "Pin to Start menu." To rename the new shortcut, right-click it and select Rename. Note: You can't pin files, just programs
Organize your desktop
The only default icon on XP's desktop is the Recycle Bin, but we think it's a good idea to add a shortcut to Computer Management, a quick and dirty way to get to such important tools as the Event Viewer, Local Users and Groups, Shared Folders, the Device Manager, and Disk Management. To surface this handy management dialog, click Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Administrative Tools. Right-click the Computer Management shortcut. Select Copy from the dialog menu. Right-click an empty portion of the desktop and select Paste Shortcut. Use this procedure to add shortcuts to anything else; use Windows Explorer or My Computer to find your target.
Simple Key Board Short Cuts.
Windows XP shortcuts on your keyboard
Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to keep things moving when you're using your computer, and they let you perform tasks without lifting your hands from the keyboard. These are some of the basics that you should know--at least if you want to cut down on the number of times you reach for the mouse every day
1. Ctrl Alt Del is the mother of all keyboard shortcuts, affectionately known as the "three-fingered salute," since it's so useful when your Windows box locks up. Pressing the combo once (simultaneously) opens the Windows Task Manager. (From within the Task Manager, you can force-quit a crashed program, see a list of processes or applications running on your machine, check performance parameters such as how hard your CPU is working, or track your network usage.) Is your machine totally locked up? Reach over, grab the mouse and click Shut Down.
2. Ctrl S saves the file you're working on. Ever lost your homework, a spreadsheet at work, or some video you've been editing? Hit Ctrl S (simultaneously) to save. Hit it early and often! (Want to open a file from within the program you're running? Ctrl O universally opens the File/Open window.)
3. Ctrl C copies text, files, or icons that you've highlighted, Ctrl V pastes them where you point your mouse (hey, you can't completely eliminate using it), and Ctrl X cuts whatever you've highlighted out of the document (or folder, photo, movie clip, or whatever it is you're working on). Ctrl A highlights the entire file you're working on or everything in a folder or on your desktop.
4. Alt Tab lets you switch on the fly between all of your open windows. Press the combination once to switch to your last open window or multiple times to switch to any other open window. Holding down Alt Tab will bring up a system window that shows you what apps are running and which one you're switching to.
5. Ever wonder why almost every Windows program has the F in File underlined, not to mention the E in Edit, and so on so forth across the top of the Window? Hit Alt that letter to open that particular menu; you can either use the arrow keys to move around within that window, or keep your eyes peeled for more underlined letters to use more Alt key combinations.
6. The Windows key (the one that looks like the Windows logo, or a flag) R opens the Run dialog. From here, you can launch a command-line window by typing cmd, but you can do a lot more. You can, for example, paste in a folder path, such as C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\Expenses, and Windows will open it automatically. You can also use the Run dialog to open Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, or Notepad. Just type winword to launch Word, type excel to launch Excel, and notepad to launch Notepad.
7. Windows E launches Windows Explorer, defaulting to My Computer.
8. F2 renames a selected file or folder. (This is so much easier than right-clicking!)
9. F3 launches Search if you're on the desktop or in a folder.
10. Windows M minimizes all open windows, and Windows D shows your desktop. (These results look similar, but they're slightly different; Windows M minimizes all windows that support the command, while Windows D actually raises the desktop to the top.) This is a great one for when the boss pops up in your cubicle. Once the boss gone, hit Shift Windows M to bring up your minimized windows, or Windows D to drop your desktop back down again.
11. F5 Makes Refresh to the page.
Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to keep things moving when you're using your computer, and they let you perform tasks without lifting your hands from the keyboard. These are some of the basics that you should know--at least if you want to cut down on the number of times you reach for the mouse every day
1. Ctrl Alt Del is the mother of all keyboard shortcuts, affectionately known as the "three-fingered salute," since it's so useful when your Windows box locks up. Pressing the combo once (simultaneously) opens the Windows Task Manager. (From within the Task Manager, you can force-quit a crashed program, see a list of processes or applications running on your machine, check performance parameters such as how hard your CPU is working, or track your network usage.) Is your machine totally locked up? Reach over, grab the mouse and click Shut Down.
2. Ctrl S saves the file you're working on. Ever lost your homework, a spreadsheet at work, or some video you've been editing? Hit Ctrl S (simultaneously) to save. Hit it early and often! (Want to open a file from within the program you're running? Ctrl O universally opens the File/Open window.)
3. Ctrl C copies text, files, or icons that you've highlighted, Ctrl V pastes them where you point your mouse (hey, you can't completely eliminate using it), and Ctrl X cuts whatever you've highlighted out of the document (or folder, photo, movie clip, or whatever it is you're working on). Ctrl A highlights the entire file you're working on or everything in a folder or on your desktop.
4. Alt Tab lets you switch on the fly between all of your open windows. Press the combination once to switch to your last open window or multiple times to switch to any other open window. Holding down Alt Tab will bring up a system window that shows you what apps are running and which one you're switching to.
5. Ever wonder why almost every Windows program has the F in File underlined, not to mention the E in Edit, and so on so forth across the top of the Window? Hit Alt that letter to open that particular menu; you can either use the arrow keys to move around within that window, or keep your eyes peeled for more underlined letters to use more Alt key combinations.
6. The Windows key (the one that looks like the Windows logo, or a flag) R opens the Run dialog. From here, you can launch a command-line window by typing cmd, but you can do a lot more. You can, for example, paste in a folder path, such as C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\Expenses, and Windows will open it automatically. You can also use the Run dialog to open Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, or Notepad. Just type winword to launch Word, type excel to launch Excel, and notepad to launch Notepad.
7. Windows E launches Windows Explorer, defaulting to My Computer.
8. F2 renames a selected file or folder. (This is so much easier than right-clicking!)
9. F3 launches Search if you're on the desktop or in a folder.
10. Windows M minimizes all open windows, and Windows D shows your desktop. (These results look similar, but they're slightly different; Windows M minimizes all windows that support the command, while Windows D actually raises the desktop to the top.) This is a great one for when the boss pops up in your cubicle. Once the boss gone, hit Shift Windows M to bring up your minimized windows, or Windows D to drop your desktop back down again.
11. F5 Makes Refresh to the page.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Changing Visual Effects
To change visual effects such as fade menus, mouse shadow, visual styles on buttons, drop shadows for icons, slide open boxes and buttons etc.:
1. Right click on My Computer
2. Select Properties
3. Click on the Advanced tab
4. Under Performance, click on the Settings button
5. From here you have a list of items you can select.
1. Right click on My Computer
2. Select Properties
3. Click on the Advanced tab
4. Under Performance, click on the Settings button
5. From here you have a list of items you can select.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Make Your Own PDF Files For Free
I’m sure you have had to open a PDF file at one time or another. And you most likely have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Acrobat Reader is a free program that you can use to open PDF (Portable Document Format) files. Think of a PDF as a snapshot of anything that you can print to a printer but printed to a file instead. You cannot edit these files unless you have the proper software and they can even be protected so you can’t change or even print them.
But how do you make a PDF file? If you have the Adobe Acrobat Writer and about $500 then you can do it that way. Or if you want to do it for free then you can use pdf955. This is free software that will let you make PDF files the same was as the expensive Adobe software. Keep in mind that Adobe Acrobat does more than make PDFs but if that’s all you need then pdf955 will do the job.
Quote from their website:
Pdf995 makes it easy and affordable to create professional-quality documents in the popular PDF file format. Its easy-to-use interface helps you to create PDF files by simply selecting the "print" command from any application, creating documents which can be viewed on any computer with a PDF viewer. Pdf995 supports network file saving, fast user switching on XP, Citrix/Terminal Server, custom page sizes and large format printing. Pdf995 is a printer driver that works with any Postscript to PDF converter. The pdf995 printer driver and a free Converter are available for easy download.
You can get the software and instructions at http://www.pdf995.com/
But how do you make a PDF file? If you have the Adobe Acrobat Writer and about $500 then you can do it that way. Or if you want to do it for free then you can use pdf955. This is free software that will let you make PDF files the same was as the expensive Adobe software. Keep in mind that Adobe Acrobat does more than make PDFs but if that’s all you need then pdf955 will do the job.
Quote from their website:
Pdf995 makes it easy and affordable to create professional-quality documents in the popular PDF file format. Its easy-to-use interface helps you to create PDF files by simply selecting the "print" command from any application, creating documents which can be viewed on any computer with a PDF viewer. Pdf995 supports network file saving, fast user switching on XP, Citrix/Terminal Server, custom page sizes and large format printing. Pdf995 is a printer driver that works with any Postscript to PDF converter. The pdf995 printer driver and a free Converter are available for easy download.
You can get the software and instructions at http://www.pdf995.com/
Thursday, March 01, 2007
How To Find Your IP Address
There are many ways to find your IP address just in case you ever need to do so.
ne way is from a command prompt. To open a command prompt the easiest way is to go to Start, then Run and type in cmd (command for Windows 95/98) and click OK. You will see a black box with a cursor like the image below.
If you just want to find your IP address you can type in ipconfig and press enter. You will get a listing similar to this.
You will notice 3 pieces of information. The first is the IP address which is the address of your computer on the network. Then you have the subnet mask which determines what subnet your computer is on within the network. Finally you have the default gateway which is a node on the network that serves as an access point to another network, in most cases out to the internet.
If you need to know more detailed information you can type ipconfig /all to get a listing of other IP related information.
This option gives you information such as your host (computer) name, DNS & WINS information and your MAC or physical address of your network card.
Another way to get your IP address is from your network connection properties. Right click your My Network Places and select properties. Then right click your Local Area Connection icon and select properties again. You will see a window similar to the example below.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties.
Here you will see you IP address information
If you are getting your IP address automatically (using DHCP) there will not be anything listed in the boxes and this method will not work to find your IP address.
One final way I will mention to obtain your IP address is to click on the local area connection icon in your taskbar.
Then click on the Support tab to display the following.
ne way is from a command prompt. To open a command prompt the easiest way is to go to Start, then Run and type in cmd (command for Windows 95/98) and click OK. You will see a black box with a cursor like the image below.
If you just want to find your IP address you can type in ipconfig and press enter. You will get a listing similar to this.
You will notice 3 pieces of information. The first is the IP address which is the address of your computer on the network. Then you have the subnet mask which determines what subnet your computer is on within the network. Finally you have the default gateway which is a node on the network that serves as an access point to another network, in most cases out to the internet.
If you need to know more detailed information you can type ipconfig /all to get a listing of other IP related information.
This option gives you information such as your host (computer) name, DNS & WINS information and your MAC or physical address of your network card.
Another way to get your IP address is from your network connection properties. Right click your My Network Places and select properties. Then right click your Local Area Connection icon and select properties again. You will see a window similar to the example below.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on Properties.
Here you will see you IP address information
If you are getting your IP address automatically (using DHCP) there will not be anything listed in the boxes and this method will not work to find your IP address.
One final way I will mention to obtain your IP address is to click on the local area connection icon in your taskbar.
Then click on the Support tab to display the following.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
File Transfer Protocol
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP), a standard Internet protocol, is the simplest way to exchange files between computers on the Internet. Like the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which transfers displayable Web pages and related files, and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), which transfers e-mail, FTP is an application protocol that uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols. FTP is commonly used to transfer Web page files from their creator to the computer that acts as their server for everyone on the Internet. It's also commonly used to download programs and other files to your computer from other servers.
As a user, you can use FTP with a simple command line interface (for example, from the Windows MS-DOS Prompt window) or with a commercial program that offers a graphical user interface. Your Web browser can also make FTP requests to download programs you select from a Web page. Using FTP, you can also update (delete, rename, move, and copy) files at a server. You need to logon to an FTP server. However, publicly available files are easily accessed using anonymous FTP.
Basic FTP support is usually provided as part of a suite of programs that come with TCP/IP. However, any FTP client program with a graphical user interface usually must be downloaded from the company that makes it.
As a user, you can use FTP with a simple command line interface (for example, from the Windows MS-DOS Prompt window) or with a commercial program that offers a graphical user interface. Your Web browser can also make FTP requests to download programs you select from a Web page. Using FTP, you can also update (delete, rename, move, and copy) files at a server. You need to logon to an FTP server. However, publicly available files are easily accessed using anonymous FTP.
Basic FTP support is usually provided as part of a suite of programs that come with TCP/IP. However, any FTP client program with a graphical user interface usually must be downloaded from the company that makes it.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
How WI-Max works
Wi-MAX refers to the standard interoperable implementations of IEEE 802.16, an air interface standard. It isn't designed to replace Wi-Fi (which is the implementation of the IEEE 802.11) just yet, and in fact it can't be accessed directly by a laptop PC on the go. Some cable and telephone companies see a potential for Wi-MAX in use to connect remote communities, where the cost to update underground lines or wires would be prohibitively expensive. Wi-MAX can be used to deliver direct Internet access to a wireless LAN for businesses in these communities. In addition, the technology is seen as having the potential to add more wireless hotspots in urban areas for true city-wide broadband almost anywhere.
"Wi-MAX can deliver broadband all the time, almost anywhere for voice, video and data," says Carlton O'Neal, vice president of marketing for Alvarion, a telecom solution provider. He compares the technology to mobile phones, and how landlines where everywhere, adding, "Today the cellular phone is the personal communicator. That is what Wi-MAX can do for computer users."
"Wi-MAX can deliver broadband all the time, almost anywhere for voice, video and data," says Carlton O'Neal, vice president of marketing for Alvarion, a telecom solution provider. He compares the technology to mobile phones, and how landlines where everywhere, adding, "Today the cellular phone is the personal communicator. That is what Wi-MAX can do for computer users."
WHAT IS WI-MAX
Wi-MAX is a radio technology that utilizes fixed antennas to provide two-way broadband connections to users at up to 30-mile distances, although in practice the better range tends to be three to five miles. But this range is still great enough to be attractive as a broadband option to businesses that otherwise might be off the grid. The Wi-MAX Forum, which was formed in April of 2001, has described the technology as "enabling the delivery of the last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to cable and DSL." Today the forum has more than 400 members, including such companies as Sprint and Intel.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Computer Memory - RAM, ROM, Cache, Virtual Memory
Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM) are essential computer memory. Virtual Memory and Cache are other terms we often hear related to computer memory.
What is RAM?
As the name suggests, Random Access Memory can find and access the data randomly. Sequential access is the opposite of Random access. In Sequential access, to retrieve the data that is stored in the middle, all the data from the beginning has to be read sequentially until the searched data is found. So it takes time. Where as in RAM, the data can be directly jumped to the middle if necessary without having to read the data sequentially. So the reading is faster. In computers and printers RAM is used. In fact, RAM is the most important memory in computers and printers.
Types of RAM.
Dynamic RAM and Static RAM (SRAM) or two types of RAM. Of these, Dynamic RAM is cheaper and commonly used. Static RAM is very fast. A dynamic RAM has to be refreshed many thousand times in a second. Static RAM does not have to be refreshed.
RAM is a volatile memory. Hence, when there is a power cut, all the data in the RAM memory is lost. RAM is always referred to as the Main Memory. RAM is a READ / WRITE Memory.
All the programs and data that we use in computers have to be first transfered to RAM from hard disk before it can be used. Therefore the higher the RAM size the faster is your computer.
What is ROM - Read Only Memory
ROM also uses Random Access method to read data. The only difference is that the data written to a ROM memory can only be read. You can write to it.
Since RAM is volatile, the data is erased when the computer shuts down or power is cut, but ROM is non volatile. Therefore the data in ROM is always there even when there is no power.
All the computers have a ROM. The most essential programs that are required to start the computer are stored in this ROM memory.
Calculators, Laser Printers use ROM.
PROM - Programmable Read Only Memory - is a part of ROM memory. When manufactured the PROM is empty. Then data is written to it using a special device.
EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory - is a type of ROM that can be erased using Ultra Violet rays and then re prorammed with different data or programs.
EEPROM - Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory - is a type of ROM that can be erased by using current.
What is Virtual Memory?
A part of the hard disk can be used as a Virtual Memory. Generally the size of the virtual memory in a computer is 2 or 2.5 times greater than the RAM memory size in that computer.
Assume you are starting an application. But there are already many programs started previously that is occupying the RAM space. And the remaining space in RAM is not sufficient to use the new application that you are starting. Then the virtual memory is used. Now the Operating System comes into play. It decides which are the applications that are not currently used and then moves them from the RAM memory to the Virtual memory in Hard Disk. Therefore the RAM is now free and the new application can occupy the space and be started.
If the program that is moved to the virtual memory is used again then the Operating System brings that application back from virtual memory to the RAM and some other idle application is moved to the virtual memory.
Therefore the virtual memory is also referred to as Swap memory.
What is Cache ?
A part of the main memory (RAM) can be used as Cache or it can be separate chip.
The commands that are often used, or data often used will be kept in this static RAM. This static RAM is called Cache memory.
But there are also Cache memory that comes independently from RAM. Level 1 (L1) and Level 2 (L2) are types of cache memory. The cache integrated inside the microprocessor is categorised as L1 cache. For example Pentium Processor comes with 16KB cache. This is SRAM.
The cache between the Microprocessor and the RAM is L2 Cache. This is also SRAM category.
What is RAM?
As the name suggests, Random Access Memory can find and access the data randomly. Sequential access is the opposite of Random access. In Sequential access, to retrieve the data that is stored in the middle, all the data from the beginning has to be read sequentially until the searched data is found. So it takes time. Where as in RAM, the data can be directly jumped to the middle if necessary without having to read the data sequentially. So the reading is faster. In computers and printers RAM is used. In fact, RAM is the most important memory in computers and printers.
Types of RAM.
Dynamic RAM and Static RAM (SRAM) or two types of RAM. Of these, Dynamic RAM is cheaper and commonly used. Static RAM is very fast. A dynamic RAM has to be refreshed many thousand times in a second. Static RAM does not have to be refreshed.
RAM is a volatile memory. Hence, when there is a power cut, all the data in the RAM memory is lost. RAM is always referred to as the Main Memory. RAM is a READ / WRITE Memory.
All the programs and data that we use in computers have to be first transfered to RAM from hard disk before it can be used. Therefore the higher the RAM size the faster is your computer.
What is ROM - Read Only Memory
ROM also uses Random Access method to read data. The only difference is that the data written to a ROM memory can only be read. You can write to it.
Since RAM is volatile, the data is erased when the computer shuts down or power is cut, but ROM is non volatile. Therefore the data in ROM is always there even when there is no power.
All the computers have a ROM. The most essential programs that are required to start the computer are stored in this ROM memory.
Calculators, Laser Printers use ROM.
PROM - Programmable Read Only Memory - is a part of ROM memory. When manufactured the PROM is empty. Then data is written to it using a special device.
EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory - is a type of ROM that can be erased using Ultra Violet rays and then re prorammed with different data or programs.
EEPROM - Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory - is a type of ROM that can be erased by using current.
What is Virtual Memory?
A part of the hard disk can be used as a Virtual Memory. Generally the size of the virtual memory in a computer is 2 or 2.5 times greater than the RAM memory size in that computer.
Assume you are starting an application. But there are already many programs started previously that is occupying the RAM space. And the remaining space in RAM is not sufficient to use the new application that you are starting. Then the virtual memory is used. Now the Operating System comes into play. It decides which are the applications that are not currently used and then moves them from the RAM memory to the Virtual memory in Hard Disk. Therefore the RAM is now free and the new application can occupy the space and be started.
If the program that is moved to the virtual memory is used again then the Operating System brings that application back from virtual memory to the RAM and some other idle application is moved to the virtual memory.
Therefore the virtual memory is also referred to as Swap memory.
What is Cache ?
A part of the main memory (RAM) can be used as Cache or it can be separate chip.
The commands that are often used, or data often used will be kept in this static RAM. This static RAM is called Cache memory.
But there are also Cache memory that comes independently from RAM. Level 1 (L1) and Level 2 (L2) are types of cache memory. The cache integrated inside the microprocessor is categorised as L1 cache. For example Pentium Processor comes with 16KB cache. This is SRAM.
The cache between the Microprocessor and the RAM is L2 Cache. This is also SRAM category.
Video conference Tutorial in Instant Messengers
One of the services provided by the Internet is the Instant Messenger (IM). Using Instant Messenger, two or more people can type and chat with one another or even talk to each other just like using a telephone. You can also send SMS to your friend's mobile phone using IM. You can also use Video Conferencing using IM. You can even use Web camera to see each other's face while in conference.
Two most popular Instant Messaging software widely in use is Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger. Here we can see the steps to do video conferencing using these two IM. Remember that you can also use AOL or ICQ to do video conferencing.
Things required to do video conferencing
* You need a computer with a powerful processor.
* You need Internet connection
* You also need web cameras, Speakers, Microphones or headset.
* You need Yahoo/Hotmail/MSN accounts to use yahoo or msn messengers.
* The person with whom you want to do video conference should also have all these facilities.
* If either of you do not have a camera you can still do conferencing using text and voice but not video conferencing.
What type of Internet connection you need?
You may wonder whether dial up connection is sufficient to do video conferencing or you need a broadband connection. To understand more about this you will have to know a bit technical detail about video conferencing.
Frames per second (FPS) refers to the number of frames (pictures) per second that will be visible on the screen. You can get a continuous video only if the FPS is high. In TVs 25 FPS is used. Though we cannot expect to have 25 FPS in computers while video conferencing we should at least have 12 FPS. With this requirement you will agree that you need broadband connection for effective video conferencing. If you just want to see the face now and then you can use dialup which can produce 1 or 2 FPS.
How to configure for Video Conferencing
* Install the web camera and install the required driver software. Insert the Speaker and microphone or the headset into your sound card.
* Now start the Instant messaging software. Before you start using Video conferencing you need to configure the audio and video settings in the IM software.
* In MSN messenger click Tools->Audio/Video Tuning Wizard. In Yahoo messenger click Help=>Audio setup wizard. Just follow the steps given in these wizards and complete all the steps.
* In Yahoo Messenger click Messenger=>Start=>My webcam option. Now the video wizard will start and detect your webcam.
* Now connect to Internet. Start Messenger and login to the Messenger server using your login name and password.
* Now from your IM select the friend (if he is online) you want to do video conferencing and give the 'video conferencing' command.
* Now you can see your friend's face in your computer and your face will be shown in your friend's computer. You can talk to your friend using your headphone and you can also type messages in the IM window if you need.
Two most popular Instant Messaging software widely in use is Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger. Here we can see the steps to do video conferencing using these two IM. Remember that you can also use AOL or ICQ to do video conferencing.
Things required to do video conferencing
* You need a computer with a powerful processor.
* You need Internet connection
* You also need web cameras, Speakers, Microphones or headset.
* You need Yahoo/Hotmail/MSN accounts to use yahoo or msn messengers.
* The person with whom you want to do video conference should also have all these facilities.
* If either of you do not have a camera you can still do conferencing using text and voice but not video conferencing.
What type of Internet connection you need?
You may wonder whether dial up connection is sufficient to do video conferencing or you need a broadband connection. To understand more about this you will have to know a bit technical detail about video conferencing.
Frames per second (FPS) refers to the number of frames (pictures) per second that will be visible on the screen. You can get a continuous video only if the FPS is high. In TVs 25 FPS is used. Though we cannot expect to have 25 FPS in computers while video conferencing we should at least have 12 FPS. With this requirement you will agree that you need broadband connection for effective video conferencing. If you just want to see the face now and then you can use dialup which can produce 1 or 2 FPS.
How to configure for Video Conferencing
* Install the web camera and install the required driver software. Insert the Speaker and microphone or the headset into your sound card.
* Now start the Instant messaging software. Before you start using Video conferencing you need to configure the audio and video settings in the IM software.
* In MSN messenger click Tools->Audio/Video Tuning Wizard. In Yahoo messenger click Help=>Audio setup wizard. Just follow the steps given in these wizards and complete all the steps.
* In Yahoo Messenger click Messenger=>Start=>My webcam option. Now the video wizard will start and detect your webcam.
* Now connect to Internet. Start Messenger and login to the Messenger server using your login name and password.
* Now from your IM select the friend (if he is online) you want to do video conferencing and give the 'video conferencing' command.
* Now you can see your friend's face in your computer and your face will be shown in your friend's computer. You can talk to your friend using your headphone and you can also type messages in the IM window if you need.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Image Resizer
Image resizer is a power toy tool that can be downloaded from microsoft website. www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/
xppowertoys.mspx
As the name suggests, 'Image resizer' is used to resize the image files in our computer. These images can be a JPG, BMP or other image format files. Once you download this power toy tool from the above webpage and install it in your computer,
01 you can open the windows explorer and select a few image files and right click to see a menu.
02. From this menu select 'Resize pictures'
03. Then select the preferred size that you want for these selected pictures
04. Then click 'Ok' to save all these files with the size you selected.
Though this tool is very easy to use, you may still have to make some settings to tune this tool. You can only resize the pictures into four different sizes. In this, the first three sizes can be used to resize the photos or pictures in landscape format. The fourth option, 'Handheld PC' can be used only with Pocket PCs.
If you need to fine tune this tool, do not use the 'default size' option. Instead select 'Advanced' and select the 'custom option'. For both 'portrait and landscape' type of pictures select the maximum size of pixels (resolution). In both boxes use the resolution that you selected. This is the maximum size therefore do not worry that all files will be resized to this. Usually 600x800 size is suitable for sending emails and storing in websites. However if you need to print it out then select higher resolutions.
Your high resolution original pictures will be renamed and retained by Image Resizer, therefore do not worry that resizing will delete the original files.
xppowertoys.mspx
As the name suggests, 'Image resizer' is used to resize the image files in our computer. These images can be a JPG, BMP or other image format files. Once you download this power toy tool from the above webpage and install it in your computer,
01 you can open the windows explorer and select a few image files and right click to see a menu.
02. From this menu select 'Resize pictures'
03. Then select the preferred size that you want for these selected pictures
04. Then click 'Ok' to save all these files with the size you selected.
Though this tool is very easy to use, you may still have to make some settings to tune this tool. You can only resize the pictures into four different sizes. In this, the first three sizes can be used to resize the photos or pictures in landscape format. The fourth option, 'Handheld PC' can be used only with Pocket PCs.
If you need to fine tune this tool, do not use the 'default size' option. Instead select 'Advanced' and select the 'custom option'. For both 'portrait and landscape' type of pictures select the maximum size of pixels (resolution). In both boxes use the resolution that you selected. This is the maximum size therefore do not worry that all files will be resized to this. Usually 600x800 size is suitable for sending emails and storing in websites. However if you need to print it out then select higher resolutions.
Your high resolution original pictures will be renamed and retained by Image Resizer, therefore do not worry that resizing will delete the original files.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Tweak UI
What is Tweak Ui?
Tweak Ui is a short form for Tweak User Interface. Microsoft windows operating system comes in different versions. The default user interface of the Windows operating system can be modified in other words tweaked to suit our personal look and feel. Some just put up with some irritating features, thinking that it comes with windows and therefore cannot be changed.
The Tweak Ui is an useful windows utility (tool) that can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com . Take care to choose the right version for your windows operating system. Once you download and install this application you can then locate this application under 'control panel' of your computer with the name 'Tweak UI'.
Tweak Ui is a short form for Tweak User Interface. Microsoft windows operating system comes in different versions. The default user interface of the Windows operating system can be modified in other words tweaked to suit our personal look and feel. Some just put up with some irritating features, thinking that it comes with windows and therefore cannot be changed.
The Tweak Ui is an useful windows utility (tool) that can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com . Take care to choose the right version for your windows operating system. Once you download and install this application you can then locate this application under 'control panel' of your computer with the name 'Tweak UI'.
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