TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Archive for May, 2009

The release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 not only heralded a long-awaited update of the operating system, it also meant the end of two common Windows Vista anti-activation exploits – the Grace Timer exploit and the Paradox OEM BIOS activation crack. But those who think they can escape by not updating to Service Pack 1 would be sadly mistaken.

That’s because Microsoft has surreptitiously released an anti-hack detection update via Windows Update. Those who chose to have Windows Vista establish updates automatically would have this update installed and running by now. If you chose to manually select updates to be installed, you should find this update listed.

This update enables Windows Vista to detect activation exploits that bypass product activation and that interfere with usual Windows operation. An exploit is a form of code that replaces or modifies authentic Windows components. When exploits are inform on a system, it indicates that a code or hardware vendor may have tampered with genuine Windows to enable the sale of counterfeit software.

Therefore, the security and the privacy of the computer are put at risk. After this update is installed, you module know if exploits are inform on the system. In truth, the KB940510 update installs an anti-hack detector that looks for the two most common hacks – the Grace Timer exploit and the Paradox OEM BIOS activation crack. If none of them are detected, then the update silently exits.

If these exploits are detected though, you module be sent to a Microsoft website that module teach you \”how you can vanish the exploits”. Removing the exploits module require you to use a legal product key to alter Windows Vista. However, if you refuse to vanish the exploits, Windows module disable them anyway, forcing you to alter Windows Vista using a legal product key.

SEATTLE — Microsoft is pulling backwards from a system that disables programs on users’ computers if it suspects the software is pirated, opting instead for a gentler approach based on nagging alerts.

Microsoft said late Monday it module roll out the new edition of Windows Genuine Advantage with the first “service pack” for Windows Vista, due in the first quarter of 2008.

When computer users activate a copy of Windows Vista or try to download destined software from Microsoft’s website, the Windows Genuine Advantage system scans their PCs for signs of pirated software. Today, if the tool finds an unauthorized copy of Vista, the shiny Vista user undergo disappears and other features are suspended.

In the new version, PC users institute to have a pirated copy of Vista module continue to be able to use their computers, but with unmistakable signs their operating system is a fake. The desktop wallpaper module turn black, and a white attending module appear alerting users to the problem. Each instance they log in, they module be prompted to buy legitimate software, and every hour, a reminder bubble module appear on the screen.

Users with a high tolerance for botheration can put off switching to genuine software indefinitely, but those who relent and buy a real copy of Windows can do so at reduced prices — $119 for Windows Vista Home Premium, half the regular retail price.

A lot of people want to know how to remove the MSN Messenger service from XP… here’s how:

Locate SYSOC.INF in the Windows\INF folder (hidden file and folder), Open it in Notepad and locate the line: msmsgs=msgrocm.dll,OcEntry,msmsgs.inf,hide,7

Remove the word “hide” from the line and save the file. You will now have an entry in add/remove programs.

Do what you will

OR (XP Pro Only) leave it installed, but tell Windows to never let it run. If you’re running XP Professional, you can use GPEDIT.MSC to prevent Messenger from loading. Otherwise, even disabling it in startup won’t cause it to “always” not run. NOTE: Outlook, Outlook Express and some Microsoft web pages can still make it load.

I have recieved some email that say this fix slows down outlook when starting, that is because outlook wants to start messenger when it starts, the easiest and fastest way to disable messenger and still have a quickj starttime with outlook is to rename the exe file, located here c:\program files\messenger\msmsgs.exe, to something other than msmsgs.exe, such as msmsgsnew.exe.

Once you’ve created a user account, password-protect it to keep other users from viewing your files, Favorites, and cookies. Why? You may not want your child to see the note that you’re sending to his or her teacher, or you may be planning someone’s surprise party. (Note: Anyone with an Administrator account can still see them.)

Worried about remembering your password? Create a hint to help you when you initially create it by following the prompts during setup. XP stores the password hints in the Registry at

Hkey_local_machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Hints.

What if the hint doesn’t help? Any user or Administrator can create a password reset disk, which you can use to log on and create a new password. Go to Control Panel > User Accounts and select “Prevent a forgotten password” in the Related Tasks box on the left.

Follow the wizard’s instructions.

After creating the disk, find a safe place for it. Don’t forget the password or where you put the disk. Someone else could use it to change your password without you knowing it.