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Front Range PC Users Group Newsletter k-Byte |
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| v. 19, n. 5/6 May/June 2002 | Users Helping Users |
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Contents 1 State of the Group - Rick Mattingly 2 About k-Byte 3 April/May Meeting Reports - Mike Meyer 4 Free Internet Discussion Group 6 Scum Out, Scum Out, Wherever You Are! - Dave Helmer 7 The Big View 7 Hard Drive Failure - Michael Vincent 8 Windows 98 Tip - Rick Mattingly 8 Tech Tip - Saving JPEGs 9 DCC Protocols 10 FotoSlate Review - Rick Mattingly 11 Colorado No-Call List 12 Windows XP Crashed? - Charlie White 14 Calendar of Events 16 June/July Calendars 18 Membership Application 20 File Association - Rick Mattingly 25 Stop That Spam 25 Spammers Could Faace Fines 26 New Logitech Digital Camera 29 Absolute Protech Pro 29 Top Ten Reasons Wht Dogs Are Better Than Cats - Humor 30 Trading Post 31 FRPCUG Contacts State of the Group by Rick Mattingly Yippee-summer is here! Now, if we only had some water to go with it. Of well, guess we can't have everything we want. Summertime is filled with outdoor events. But, please remember that FRPCUG does have some excellent presentations lined up for our monthly meetings coming up. In June we will have an Alpha V representative on hand to provide a presentation of the popular Alpha V database application. Alpha V has been around for a long time and enjoys a large following of faithful users of this economical yet powerful database application. The July meeting will feature a presentation on the subject of capturing still images from streaming video sources, such as television and camcorder. This capability has been a recurring question from our members so don't miss it. Have a great summer and we will see you at the meetings. Published bi-monthly, k-Byte is the official newsletter of the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group (FRPCUG): our mailing address is PMB 152, 305 W. Magnolia, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521. Opinions expressed in k-Byte are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the group or its members. Publication of information in k-Byte constitutes no guarantee of accuracy. Use of any information found in this publication is at the sole risk of the user. Neither k-Byte, nor its officers, nor k-Byte, nor its editors or contributors assume any liability for damages resulting from use of information in this publication. Submissions Articles, letters and short items of interest on computer-related topics are welcome and encouraged. All items submitted for publication are subject to editing. Send your contribution to the editor via e-mail attachment or submit on disk. If you have questions about a submission, please contact the editor for information. Copyright k-Byte is copyrighted ©2002 by the Front Range Personal Computer Users Group. Unless otherwise noted, other nonprofit users groups may reprint or quote from any articles appearing in k-Byte without prior permission, provided that proper author and publication credits are given and that a copy of the publication in which the article appears is sent at no cost to k-Byte at the above mailing address. User groups wishing to exchange newsletters with FRPCUG are invited to send a copy of their newsletter together with an exchange request. IBM PC, OS/2, Compaq, MS-DOS, UNIX, Windows and other trademarks occasionally mentioned in k-Byte are registered trademarks of International Business Machines, Inc., Compaq Corporation, Microsoft, Digital Research, AT&T or their owners respectively. Neither FRPCUG nor its newsletter k-Byte are connected in any way with any manufacturer or seller. We, however, gratefully acknowledge sponsorship of our group by Data Service Center, Jim Becker, owner. Advertising Classified advertising is free to members for non-business ads. See “Trading Post” for pricing for camera-ready display ads. Charges for ad makeup from sketches, etc., are available on request. Deadline for camera-ready and classified ads is listed in the Calendar of Upcoming Events. Deadline for ad-makeup is the same as for articles. About FRPCUG FRPCUG is an independent nonprofit computer society, open to anyone interested in MS-DOS, OS/2, or UNIX microcomputers. Its purpose is to provide an educational and scientific forum of mutual benefit for members of the micro-computer community. FRPCUG holds a monthly meeting and conducts various special interest groups (SIGS) and seminars. Members have voting privileges, subscription to k-Byte newsletter, SIGs and selected seminars. Annual dues are $25 for individual/family membership and $50 for corporate/group membership. April Meeting Report by Mike Meyer 29 people attended the April 2002 meeting. During the Announcements Period, President Rick Mattingly informed the membership that the April Board meeting would have to be postponed until later in the month, possibly the 24th. Rick mentioned that the club's website was about 80% complete and requested that users notify him by e-mail of any problems encountered. He further mentioned that next month's meeting topic would be on home and small business use of wireless networks. Rick then showed a very handy new product called the “Otter Box” (approx. $49), which is a water-proof container for use in the field for hand-held computers (e.g., Compaq IPaq). The Main Program was presented again this month by Rick Mattingly and covered a very handy product called "Visual Day Planner" a powerful and unique printable calendar planner that is customizable for both individual and workgroups usage. This product (Vers. 7.3) sells for about $30 (+S & H) and is available on-line from inKline Global, Inc. It can be set up as the Desktop Wallpaper for your computer, so you can see immediately what scheduled events are coming up. The calendar can be set to update itself on a regular basis (e.g., hourly), and the appearance also can be customized with respect to fonts and colors. The View feature can easily be set to month, week, or day, and also to vertical or horizontal columns. Over 150 pictures can be "dragged and dropped" directly into the planner, and there is plenty of room to add others, according to the supplier of the product. A free CD, containing many more icons, is available for a limited time for on-line shoppers. The calendar planner also has a "Recurring Tool" function with alarm capabilities to handle regularly scheduled events. Another nice feature of this product is the ability to use it for workgroup activities and share the information over a local network. Access to specific areas can be restricted by the system administrators to those who need to have that access. Rick Mattingly handled the Open Forum Session with an extensive discussion of his experiences with the need to properly back up your hard drives, especially with the size of today's hard drives. He specifically emphasized the need to back up your data files, rather than the programs themselves. The latter usually can be reloaded without too much difficulty from the original disks that came with the products. May Meeting Report by Mike Meyer 26 people attended the May meeting. During the Announcements Period, President Rick Mattingly stated that the June monthly meeting program will cover the Alpha 5 database program and will be presented by a product representative. He then warned the membership that a large number of viruses currently are making the rounds and some are especially troublesome for Microsoft products. Rick again emphasized the need for regularly up-dated anti-virus programs to protect your computer, as well as firewall programs, especially if on-line for lengthy periods of time. Further group discussion included the need for adequate surge protection and for consideration of other critical factors (e.g., electrical storms and power failures.) The Main Program proved to be quite interesting, covering the subject of wireless networking for home and small business applications. It was presented by Adam Renken, Solutions Advisor for the local Gateway Country store. He first passed out folders containing product information and pricing to the membership. After a brief formal presentation, the balance of the program consisted primarily of an Open Forum-type format. A distinct advantage of the Wireless Home Network Solution is the ability to share files, printers, and the Internet, using a single broadband, high-speed connection and from any room in the home. There is no need to have multiple phone lines or Internet accounts. Additionally, it isn't necessary to re-wire areas of the home to handle all the necessary hardware connections. Prices range from about $250 to $500, depending upon the nature of the installation (e.g., desktop only or desktop/notebook.) They include all the necessary wireless equipment, on-site setup, in-home orientation, and a 3 year limited warranty. According to Gateway, up to 16 wireless PCs can be connected to an individual system. There are some basic system requirements, such as the operating system (Windows 98 or higher). A signup sheet then was passed around to the membership by Adam and Rick, so a group demonstration of a typical wireless system could be scheduled at the Gateway Country store. During the always popular Open Forum Session, there was considerable discussion about the need for and the proper use of "firewall" programs, especially with respect to wireless systems. Additional discussion centered on hard-wiring vs. wireless and combinations thereof. Very helpful comments were contributed by Rick, Chuck McJilton, and Dave Trump. JYM Information Systems and the Barnes & Noble Book Store on South College Avenue in Fort Collins are sponsoring a monthly "Internet Safari" discussion group. This group meets at 7 PM in the Barnes & Noble Book Store the first Monday of each month. This is an open discussion and we examine current issues involving the Internet, how to use the Internet and subjects raised by those present. This group is open to the public without cost or obligation. This is a good chance learn how others are using the Internet.  Compaq iPaq installed on Targus folding portable keyboard An e-Security Alert by Dave Helmer "It has come to our attention that the RadLight 3.03R5.2 (by Radlight) software intentionally tries to uninstall Ad-aware components from your system, without requesting your permission or knowledge." Ann - ChristineÅkerlund bee@lavasoft.de Team Lavasoft Well it seems that RadLight is the latest bit of scumware* making the rounds on the Internet, and it not only wants to steal your privacy, it will actively take steps to allow it to do so. This is an excerpt from it's EULA**; "You are not allowed to use any third party program (e.g Ad-aware) to uninstall applications bundled with RadLight. Such programs will be removed." Got that? Understand it? Ad-Aware, and presumably others, will be automatically REMOVED from your system if you install RadLight affiliated software. For those of you who have been ignoring my other columns on e-security, Ad-Aware (www.lavasoft.de) is a great little utility for getting rid of ad serving programs, programs that are very often closely associated with spyware, and that consume internet bandwidth by pushing ads to your computer. To be honest, it was only a matter of time before this sort of thing started happening. We as users object to being e-raped by the software we install, so we put things like Anti-Virus, Anti-Trojan, Anti-Ad and other security and privacy enhancing software on our computers to try and protect ourselves. Now the scumware* is fighting back, deliberately de-installing those protective tools, using tactics and techniques that are Trojan-esque in performance. Realize that the idea/concept of adware is not necessarily a bad one. Good software developed by a small programmer with no real way to market it and make money, is subsidized by the income from bundling ads with the application. The good software gets distributed, people are using it, and the programmer is getting paid. Why not release that good software as freeware, shareware, or donationware? When's the last time you actually sent money to one of those? How many free/share/donate programs are installed on your computer that you keep forgetting to pay for? Yeah, that's what I thought. Where adware went wrong is when it started being associated with spyware, software that tracks your usage of the Internet, or some other personal data that you (probably) don't think is anyone's business but your own. Bottom line, if you consistently download "cool" applications from the internet, you are at severe risk of contracting some form of scumware. Read the EULA and pay attention to what else is being put onto your system during that install. *Scumware - any program that deliberately and intentionally, with malice aforethought, attempts to damage or destroy systems, invade privacy or steal data or bandwidth from a largely comatose (vis-à-vis e-security) e-public. Included in this definition are Virii, Trojans, Adware and Spyware programs. **EULA - End User License Agreement. You know, that thing you're supposed to read and agree with before installing any software program? You do read them, right? CUGG May newsletter To take advantage of the absolute most desktop real estate for your Windows Folder, File Explorer or Internet Explorer press F11 (Kiosk Mode). This will expand the active windows to fill the complete screen. Pressing F11 will toggle the window view back to the previous settings. If, after pressing F11, you find a toolbar at the top of the screen and desire even more space in the view, right-click the toolbar and choose Auto-Hide. The toolbar will shrink to a thin line. To access the toolbar simply touch the line with your cursor and it will expand so that you may access features contained within the toolbar. Hard Drive Failure Almost every personal computer has a hard drive. This device is a mechanical/electronic data storage device that houses the non-ROM data for your computer. So what happens if your hard drive crashes? What is a hard drive crash? Can you limit the damage? Inside your hard drive is a tiny read/write head that floats just above the drive. Jolts, normal usage, and other events can eventually cause your hard drive's head to touch the drive, causing failure. The saying is "It's not IF your hard drive will fail, it's WHEN." You can limit your damage by backing up your data frequently to tape, CD, ZIP, or other media. You can also back up to another hard drive. If you value your data, set up a backup regiment for yourself today! Also, if you transfer one hard drive to another computer, let the old hard drive become a non-essential drive, so that if the older drive crashes, your loss is limited. Michael Vincent - eMazing.com by Rick Mattingly Drag and Drop is a convenient option available within modules of Windows 98, such as when using Windows Explorer. Using Windows Explorer as an example, the user may Drag and Drop files from one folder to another or to a floppy disk. However, the results of this operation are somewhat confusing to some in that the results may be unpredictable. LEFT-Clicking, Dragging and Dropping a file has different results depending if the target is within the structure of the same hard drive or another drive, for example. In some circumstances, this operation will result in Copying the file while in other circumstances it may result in the creation of a shortcut to the target. Probably not what you had in mind at all, especially if you intended to Move the file! The solution to this quandary is to get in the habit of always RIGHT-Clicking the subject file. Drag and Drop using the Right-Click will always produce consistent results because a pop-up menu is provided when the mouse button is released. The user may then choose the exact action desired from this menu.  Canon Powershot S30 "Sorry Dude!" Tech Tip - Saving JPEGs Do you want to preserve the quality of your JPEG images when you are enhancing them? If so, then don't save them. This may seem like strange advice, but each time you save a JPEG image, you lose a bit of data and a bit of quality. This is because a JPEG is a lossy format, meaning that in order to compress the file to the size that it does, it loses some information. Right now, you're asking, "Hey, I thought I was always supposed to save my images as I work?" It is always a good idea to save often when modifying a photograph, in order to be able to revert to the saved image if you don't like one of the changes. A better option may be to work on the image in a format that is lossless rather than lossy. A TIFF file has a larger file size, but you won't lose any quality when you save the image, so you can save it as often as you want. When you've achieved perfection with your TIFF image you can then save the file as a JPEG to save space. ACD Systems - http://www.acdsystems.com DCC Protocols Connecting two computers together via cables is no easy task. If you have attempted to do this using the Windows Direct Cable Connection (DCC) wizard and are still experiencing problems, then it could be because of a missing protocol. Right-click on the Network places icon and select the Configuration tab. Add the protocol IPX/SPX. After adding, select it within the Configuration tab and click the Properties button. Now, bind IPX/SPX to the Dial-Up adapter on BOTH the host and guest computer. A Software Review by Rick Mattingly With the unprecedented popularity of optical scanners and digital cameras we are being inundated with graphic files. And, fortunately, inexpensive inkjet printers now do a marvelous job of printing these images on demand. However, one common issue is the ability to easily format the print job to take maximum advantage of that expensive inkjet photo grade paper on final output. An excellent solution to this problem is afforded by "FotoSlate" by ACD Systems. You may recall that ACD Systems is also the vendor for "ACDSee," a premier graphics viewer application. ACDSee has been around for a long time. If you haven't seen this product in a while, it's time to have another look as it may be all the graphic tool many users will ever need! ACD Systems provides a number of excellent plug-in interface applications for use from within ACDSee, including FotoSlate, the subject of this review. Even though FotoSlate may be utilized as a plug-in within ACDSee, it may also be run stand alone without ACDSee. OK, so what is FotoSlate? A description from FotoSlate's own Help file may describe it best: "With FotoSlate™, you can create, save, and print multiple page layouts of your digital images. FotoSlate includes hundreds of templates that use a variety of layouts and paper sizes. You can use templates that incorporate images and text, or you can create your own templates using the integrated Template Designer. Drag images onto templates, and add formatted text captions. You can include specific file information in layouts and recall and edit saved layouts. Use the Page Alignment Test option to save ink and photographic paper. FotoSlate can run as a stand-alone product (operated independently of other ACD Systems products), or as a plug-in for use with ACD Systems plug-in enabled software. You can use FotoSlate's Image Editor to edit individual images with tools like shrink to fit, rotate, flip, color and light levels, crop, blur, sharpen, despeckle, sepia and colorize." FotoSlate is powerful yet a 'piece of cake' to use. This application is an inexpensive "must have" to take control of all those image printouts. Minimum system requirements: · Microsoft Windows 95 / 98 / NT 4.0 / 2000 / ME / XP · Intel 486DX with 32 MB RAM · 15 MB free disk space · Internet Explorer 3.0 or later Cost: $29.95 (Free trial also available) FotoSlate is available from ACD Systems at http:www.acdsystems.com/. ACD System software products are also available at many stores which offer computer software products. 
FotoSlate Desktop ViewPhoto images added in left panel and desired layout template in right panel. Drag photos into the template panes and autosize each to fit. Click in text bar under each panel to add text, if desired. User may also choose to print sheet with multiple copies of same photo. Lots of different layout templates come with application or design your own! "In 2001, the Colorado General Assembly passed legislation that allows consumers to protect themselves from many unwanted telemarketing calls. If you do not want to receive telemarketing calls or faxes, you may use the Website at http://www.coloradonocall.com or call the toll free number 1-888-249-9097 to register your telephone number. This site enables consumers to add or remove their residential telephone or fax numbers to the Official No-Call List. Please do so by entering your telephone or fax number, zip code and e-mail address (optional). It is a violation of the law to add or remove someone's number without his or her authorization." Stamp out unwanted telemarketing calls - Log on or call and register your telephone number today! A salvage mission into the depths of Windows XP, explained by a non-geek by Charlie White PC users, you all know what it is: That dreaded Blue Screen of Death. That's right, the BSOD. You've installed a seemingly innocent application, restarted your computer, and suddenly you see this horror in front of your eyes: A big blue screen with some cryptic message on it. Try restarting again, same thing. You're dead. What will you do? What WILL you do?? Well, don't let it ruin your day. Remain calm. If you're using Windows XP, I can help you fix it. Come with me, down into the bowels of Windows XP, where only the high priests go. It'll be fun! I'm going to show you how to bring your computer back to life, and restore it to the point where things went south. You might want to print this article and squirrel it away for that fateful day when this happens to you. Or if you don't want to print it (and who prints anything these days, anyway?), and you get a big ugly blue screen, just get on another computer somewhere and come back to this Web page for comfort and advice. I can get you out of this mess. I know, because I was in the same mess and I got myself out of it. Here's what to do: First, get the Windows XP CD you used to install your operating system. By the way, this routine only works with Windows XP, either Professional or XP Home Edition. If you don't have a bootable XP CD, get one and have it with you at all times, because you never know when the dreaded BSOD might strike. But before you do anything with that CD, try restarting your computer again. Sometimes, for some odd reason, this works. Usually not, though. If you've tried that and everything else you can think of, and you can't even boot into Safe Mode, this is the mission for you. Put the XP CD in the drive, and restart. When it says "press any key to boot from CD," go ahead, press any key and you're on your way to recovery. The Recovery Console, that is. If it doesn't give you a choice to boot from your CD drive, go into your computer's BIOS and make the adjustment for it to boot from CD. PCs brands and motherboards are too diverse for me to give you specifics on this, so follow the prompts and you can make that CD boot happen without too much trouble. Look at your screen when it boots up, and it always says "hit DEL for BIOS settings" or something similar. If you can't get it to boot from CD, just give up and call for support or take your computer to the nearest computer store for professional help. OK, troops, are you still with me? Good. It'll look like you're re-installing Windows XP, but don't worry, you're not. This is just a screen showing you that your computer is loading enough files from the CD to actually do something, anything but that awful blue screen. Now when you see the screen that asks you if you want to install Windows, don't! Just hit R for recover, and you'll see the ominous Recovery Console. Don't let that intimidate you; the Recovery Console is your ugly, black-suited friend. It will have a dark, bleak screen, with the following stuff: --------------------------------------------------------- Microsoft Windows(R) Recovery Console The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality. Type EXIT to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer. 1: C:\WINDOWS Which Windows Installation would you like to log onto (To cancel, press ENTER)? --------------------------------------------------------- Go ahead and hit the number 1 on your keyboard, or whichever number corresponds to the operating system you were using when havoc struck. Enter your administrator password, and then hit enter. You're in! Now it's time to run with the big dogs! Do not be afraid, dear reader, I am here to help you. If you type the following commands into your computer, it will work magic, akin to going back in time. There are three parts to this process, but believe me, they take much less time than reinstalling Windows XP and all your applications. So follow along with me, and keep in mind that each command must be typed exactly as you see it here. Please note that this procedure assumes that Windows XP is installed to the C:\Windows folder. Make sure to change C:Windows to the appropriate windows folder if it's at a different location. The copy commands will answer you with a little "file copied" message. The delete commands just move on to the next line. Because of the way your Web browser displays individual lines, a command might look to you like it's two lines, so I've separated each command by an empty line. But anyway, type the whole command in one line, and when you've finished typing that command, hit the Enter key. Be sure to include the spaces I've included between each word here: md tmp copy C:\windows\system32\config\system C:\windows\tmp\system.bak copy C:\windows\system32\config\software C:\windows\tmp\software.bak copy C:\windows\system32\config\sam C:\windows\tmp\sam.bak copy C:\windows\system32\config\security C:\windows\tmp\security.bak copy C:\windows\system32\config\default C:\windows\tmp\default.bak delete C:\windows\system32\config\system delete C:\windows\system32\config\software delete C:\windows\system32\config\Sam delete C:\windows\system32\config\security delete C:\windows\system32\config\default copy C:\windows\repair\system C:\windows\system32\config\system copy C:\windows\repair\software C:\windows\system32\config\software copy C:\windows\repair\sam C:\windows\system32\config\sam copy C:\windows\repair\security C:\windows\system32\config\security copy C:\windows\repair\default C:\windows\system32\config\default Now you can relax for a minute. You've made it through the first part! Way to go! Now what did you just do? I'll tell you. You first made a temporary directory called "tmp" (md tmp), and then into it, you copied all the files that boot up Windows. Then you deleted all those startup files, one of which is the stinker that got you into this mess in the first place. After that, you copied into that same place fresh startup files from a special repair directory. When you reboot, Windows will look for those files where it always does, and there won't be a stinker in the bunch. The only thing is, there won't be all your settings for all those applications you run every day, either. But not to worry. Right now, you're sitting in something like a lifeboat -- it's not the original ship, but it'll get you back to where you need to go. We'll get everything back to that comfortable place, but only after we go through steps 2 and 3. Now type exit and watch your computer restart into Windows XP again. Be sure not to tell it to boot from the CD this time. But wait. That's not the way you had XP set up before this disaster struck! That's OK. We're in a lifeboat right now -- this isn't your comfy cruise ship, not just yet. Hang in there. I'm going to show you how to restore your system to the way it was the moment before you told it to install that errant application, or whatever it was you did, so follow along and we'll go to part 2. Part 2 Here's where you'll copy the saved registry files from their backed up location by using System Restore. This folder is not available in Recovery Console and is normally not visible -- Microsoft is protecting you from yourself by hiding it from you and locking it away from you. But we have the keys. Before you start this procedure, you'll need to change several settings to make that folder visible: 1. Start Windows Explorer. 2. On the Tools menu, click Folder options. 3. Click the View tab. 4. Under Hidden files and folders , click to select Show hidden files and folders , and then click to clear the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box. 5. Click Yes when the dialog box is displayed that confirms that you want to display these files. 6. Double-click the drive where you installed Windows XP to get a list of the folders. If is important to click the correct drive. 7. Open the System Volume Information folder. This folder appears dimmed because it is set as a super-hidden folder. If you're using the FAT32 file system, this will be easy. If you're using NTFS, it won't let you open the folder, but here's how to get around that: Right-click on that system volume information folder and select Sharing and Security. Then click the Security tab. Click Add, and then in the box that's labeled "Enter the object names to select," type the name of the user that's at the top of the Start menu -- that's probably you. [Damn it, why do they say object names when it's people's names? I guess that's Microsoft for you.] Anyway, make sure you type the name the way it's listed there on the Start Menu. I made the mistake of typing my first name only and it wouldn't let me in. Type first and last name if that's how it's written on the top of the Start menu. After you've typed that in, click OK a couple of times and finally that monster will let you in. OK. Now here you are, in the inner sanctum where only the high priests go. Be not afraid, all ye who enter here. As Microsoft so eloquently puts it: NOTE : This folder contains one or more _restore {GUID} folders such as "_restore{87BD3667-3246-476B-923F-F86E30B3E7F8}". 8. Open a folder that was not created at the current time. You may have to click Details on the View menu to see when these folders were created. There may be one or more folders starting with "RP x under this folder. These are restore points. 9. Open one of these folders to locate a Snapshot subfolder; the following path is an example of a folder path to the Snapshot folder: C:\System Volume Information\_restore{D86480E3-73EF-47BC-A0EB-A81BE6EE3ED8}RP1Snapshot From the Snapshot folder, copy the following files to the C:\Windows\Tmp folder (you can use your mouse, you're in Windows now, remember?): _registry_user_.default _registry_machine_security _registry_machine_software _registry_machine_system _registry_machine_sam This is how Microsoft explains this: "These files are the backed up registry files from System Restore. Because you used the registry file created by Setup, this registry does not know that these restore points exist and are available. A new folder is created with a new GUID under System Volume Information and a restore point is created that includes a copy of the registry files that were copied during part one. This is why it is important not to use the most current folder, especially if the time stamp on the folder is the same as the current time." Anyway, you're still not done. Don't worry, the magic is about to begin. Believe me, if you do this in front of your friends, they'll start thinking you're some kind of god. So, heavenly father, get ready to dazzle 'em. Now it's time to place those files you just made visible to the Recovery Console where they belong. And to do that, we need to get back into the Recovery Console. So, make sure your CD is in the drive, and restart Windows, this time hitting any key when it tells you to do that if you want to boot from CD. Yes, you want to boot from CD, so you can launch your old cryptic pal, the Recovery Console. Type R after it goes through that file-reading routine that looks like an install but isn't. Then you're back into our dark-suited friend with its ominous command line. It's kinda like going into the basement to fix some broken pipe or something. But we're not scared. The command line is our flashlight and friend. Here we go: Part 3 In part three, you delete the existing registry files, and then copy the System Restore Registry files to the C:\Windows\System32\Config folder: From within Recovery Console, type the following commands: Del c:\windows\system32\config\sam Del c:\windows\system32\config\security Del c:\windows\system32\config\software Del c:\windows\system32\config\default Del c:\windows\system32\config\system copy c:\windows\tmp\_registry_machine_software c:\windows\system32\config\software copy c:\windows\tmp\_registry_machine_system c:\windows\system32\config\system copy c:\windows\tmp\_registry_machine_sam c:\windows\system32\config\sam copy c:\windows\tmp\_registry_machine_security c:\windows\system32\config\security copy c:\windows\tmp\_registry_user_.default c:\windows\system32\config\default Now. You're done! Type exit and your computer will reboot into whichever restore file you chose. But wait. If it's not the right one, that's OK, you can now go into your System Restore area and pick a different restore point if you want. There's a whole calendar full of them in there. I bet you didn't know that Windows XP is watching just about every move you make, taking notes all the while. It can restore about any state you had on that machine. And the best part is, even when it's doing all that, it's still 10% faster than Windows 2000 according to our extensive tests here at the Midwest Test Facility. Here's how to get into that restore area if you're not happy with the current restore point: 1. Click Start, then click All Programs. 2. Click Accessories, and then click System Tools. 3. Click System Restore, and then click Restore to a previous Restore Point. Sheesh, before this I hated the command line. Many of you probably still do. But when it saves your butt like this, you have to feel grateful. I should send out a badge of courage for all you intrepid souls who followed me into these dark gallows, the basement of Windows XP. I hope this routine was successful in bringing your computer back to life. I know how it feels to have your computer down for the count. As a wise old man once told me, "When your computer crashes, it's like your dog just died." He was so right. - IMPORTANT NOTICE - FRPCUG meetings are held at the Fort Collins Senior Center. Check below for directions to the Senior Center. June General Forum Meeting We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 pm. Meeting Agenda 7:00 - 7:15 Announcements 7:15 - 8:30 Alpha 5-A live demonstration of Alpha 5, an excellent low cost database application. 8:30 - 8:45 Break 8:45 - 9:30 Open Forum July General Forum Meeting We will meet at the Fort Collins Senior Center on Tuesday, July 2 at 7:00 pm. Meeting Agenda 7:00 - 7:15 Announcements 7:15 - 8:30 Video Capture-Capturing image still frames from streaming video sources. 8:30 - 8:45 Break 8:45 - 9:30 Open Forum See you at the meetings! Directions The Fort Collins Senior Center is located at 1200 Raintree Drive. This site is situated at the northwest corner of the Shields and West Drake intersection, on the north side of the Raintree Shopping Center. Check the marquee at the main entrance for directions to the specific meeting room. Up-Coming SIG's, Seminars and Meetings Board Meeting FRPCUG's executive board meets on Wednesday of the week following the General Forum Meeting at 7:00 p.m. All members are welcome and are encouraged to attend. These meetings are held at the offices of JYM Information Systems: 311 S College Avenue in Fort Collins. LINUX SIG This SIG, supports LINUX and other non-Windows operating systems for PC compatible hardware. This includes all distributions of LINUX, the BE Operating system, and OS2. These meetings are held at the offices of JYM Information Systems: 311 S College Avenue in Fort Collins. For more information contact Chuck McJilton at 493-2987 or email linuxsig@jymis.com. Northern Front Range Netware Users Group NFRNUG meets at 5:30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife building, 2101 Oakridge Drive in Fort Collins. NFRNUG meetings are open to any users that are involved with Novell networking products and integration of other networking products into the Novell environment (Unix, NT, Mac, etc.). Contact Jim Stephens at 303-541-3376 or jcsteph@concentric.net or contact Chuck Kluko at 970-663-4770 or c.kluko@ix.netcom.com for further membership information. Yearly dues are $000.00 (yes, FREE) with pizza and pop served at 5:00 pm prior to meeting. Saturday labs and training sessions open to NRFNUG members only, space is limited. Rocky Mountain Internet Users Group Meets on the second Tuesday of 'odd' months at NCAR in Boulder. Meetings start at 7:00 pm, but members are encouraged to arrive at 6:30 pm for informal networking and refreshments. NCAR is located in Boulder at 1850 Table Mesa Drive. For more information see the RMIUG Web site at: http://www.rmiug.org/. Telecommuncation SIG The Telecommunications SIG covers topics related to computer communications hardware and software including modems, xDSL, networking, ISDN and the Internet. The meetings are held at 7:00 PM on the third Thursdays of each month at the offices of JYM Information Systems: 311 S College Avenue in Fort Collins. For more information contact Chuck McJilton at 493-2987 or email telecomsig@jymis.com. Web Design SIG If you're an HTML author/WEB page designer, or would like to learn, contact SIG coordinator Doug Boicourt at 495-6949 or e-mail db@jymis.com for the date and location of the next SIG meeting. Internet Safari This free Internet discussion group meets the first Monday of each month at the Barnes and Noble book store 4045 S. College. This group covers any topics and questions relating to using the Internet and is open to beginners and experienced Internet users. Meetings start at 7:00PM. For more information call JYM Information Systems at 416-9286 or email info@jymis.com. Upcoming FRPCUG Meetings Along with presentations of new hardware and software, we will certainly continue to present tips, hints, solutions, as well as what is new with Public Domain and Shareware offerings. If you have ideas for presentations which you would like to see at future General Forum meetings or seminars, please let us know. We would appreciate the input and opportunity to improve your meetings. Know of a another computer-related meeting in our area? Please let us know so we can post it here. 4 FRPCUG General Forum Meeting 7:00PM 12 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00PM NRFNUG Meeting 5:00PM 16 Father's Day 20 Telcomm SIG 7:00PM 27 LINUX SIG 7:00PMJuly 2002 2 FRPCUG General Forum Meeting 7:00PM 4 Independence Day 10 FRPCUG Board Meeting 7:00PM NRFNUG Meeting 5:00PM 18 Telcomm SIG 7:00PM 25 LINUX SIG 7:00PM by Rick Mattingly File Association in Microsoft Windows is a function whereby the user may double-left click on a filename within an application list, such as File Explorer, resulting in the subject file opening within the application which created it. For example, clicking on a file named "Myletter.DOC" would result in Microsoft Word starting and automatically loading Myletter.DOC for editing. File Association is a great time saver -- unless the result is something other than what the user expected! When the Windows operating system is first installed part of the installation process involves the scanning of file types on the drive and the automatic association of the file types with valid available applications. After initial operating system installation new file types are typically registered for File Association automatically as new software applications are installed. While this may be convenient it often leads to frustration when a new application suddenly takes over the File Association of a file type unexpectedly. This occurrence is one of my personal pet peeves since it usually occurs when the installation process involved with a new software application takes it upon itself to reregister file types without affording user option or even prior notice. Often, the worst culprits in this situation are graphic software applications. One minute your JPG files are associated with your favorite graphic software and suddenly you find that that new software application has hijacked the file type! The solution in such case is to manually reset the File Association for the hijacked file type. This is accomplished through the View menu option of any file folder, such as My Computer which is conveniently available on the desktop. Using the My Computer folder as an example: open My Computer and choose 'View > Folder Options' from the top menu bar. From the Folder Options windows choose 'File Types'. In the 'Registered File Type' window scroll down to the subject file type and choose it. Now, click on the 'Edit' tab. In the resulting 'Edit File Type' window choose the 'Edit' option once again. The resulting windows will now display the program which is currently registered for this file type under 'Application used to perform action:'. 
An example of this might be an entry of "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\PhotoEd\PHOTOED.EXE" "%1" for the JPG graphic file type. In this example the Microsoft Photo Editor application is registered as the tool for the File Association of JPG files. Note that the full drive/folder path is described and that quotes are required to support long file names. Also note the additional entry of "%1" at the end of the command line. This entry is known as a "variable" and is required to open both the software application and the target file automatically. In such case when the filename entry is double-left clicked the registered command line will first start Photo Editor followed by the "%1" variable entry automatically loading the target file name.
Let's say that we do not want the JPG file format to open automatically with Photo Editor, but rather with your other graphic editor, "Super Ed." Click on the Browse button and maneuver through the folders to locate the Super Ed program [If you not sure where Super Ed is installed or what the executable file name it, locate the application in your Start Menu. RIGHT-click the menu entry and choose 'Properties'. The Properties line will display the exact full path and executable name that you are looking for]. Left Click on the Super Ed executable (say supered.exe). The result will be that the original command string of "c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\PhotoEd\PHOTOED.EXE" "%1" will now be replaced with "c:\Program Files\Super Ed\SUPERED.EXE" "%1". If the command variable of "%1" is not automatically entered manually add it by typing it in. Remember to add a space between the two commands (between the quote marks). Click OK on each open window to save your changes and exit Folder Options.
Now, open File Explorer, locate a JPG file and double-left click. File Association should open the file with Super Ed. File Association revision complete!By the way, be aware that you can have multiple file associations registered for a particular file type. In this case, the first association registered becomes the default and will be the function which results when double-clicking that file type. But, as a multiple file association file type, you may now also opt to RIGHT-click that file type and choose 'Open With' from the resulting menu to open the subject file with the alternate application shown in the resulting list. The process described above is also the basic steps used to manually create a NEW File Association for any file type. However, we'll save a description of differences involved for another time to avoid confusion. The word spam (not to be confused with SPAM, a meat-related product from Minnesota) on the Internet refers to thousands of copies of the same piece of unwanted e-mail, sent to either individual e-mail accounts or Usenet newsgroups. It's also known as junk e-mail or unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE). The message usually consists of unsavory advertising for anything from get-rich-quick schemes to even pornographic offers. Spam doesn't necessarily have to be commercial, but it has to be unsolicited; if you asked for it, it's not spam. Many spams include a line that instructs you how to get off their lists, something like "Send us a message with the word REMOVE in it." But don't bother, spammers' remove lists almost never work. In fact, they are usually a method for verifying that your address is real, and they are more likely to send you more spam. Check out these Web sites for information about spam and how to fight it, technically, socially, and legally: Fight Spam on the Internet!: a spam overview http://spam.abuse.net/ Coalition Against Unsolicited Commercial E-mail: anti-spam laws http://www.cauce.org Network Abuse Clearinghouse: a complaint forwarding service http://www.abuse.net Oh, and in case you're wondering, the name comes from the Monty Python skit in which a group of Vikings sing the word Spam repeatedly in a march tempo, drowning out all other discourse. If you're new to the Internet, pick up a copy of The Internet For Dummies, 8th Edition, by John R. Levine, Carol Baroudi, and Margaret Levine Young -- your goof-proof guide to a great time online. http://www.dummiesdaily.com Spammers Could Face Fines Reuters - May 17, 2002, 12:20 PM PT A bill aimed at limiting unwanted junk e-mail was approved and sent to the floor by the Senate Commerce Committee on Friday with unanimous support from Democrats and Republicans. It would strengthen the Federal Trade Commission's enforcement authority by allowing it to impose fines of up to $10 each on e-mails that violate existing laws against spam, with a cap of $500,000. Sen. Conrad Burns, a Montana Republican and co-sponsor of the legislation, said the bill would help both e-commerce and consumers burdened by unsolicited junk or pornographic e-mails. Please-Let it be so! Logitech Pocket Digital Camera Offers Ultimate Portability. Fits in Your Pocket So You Never Miss a Moment Fremont, CA - April 17, 2002 - Logitech (NASDAQ:LOGI) (Switzerland:LOGN, LOGZ) today introduced an innovative credit card size digital camera, Logitech® Pocket Digital™. With a unique, thin design and sturdy brushed aluminum surface, Logitech Pocket Digital offers a sleek way to capture and share digital pictures. The product will be available May 2002 in leading retail outlets and online for a list price of $129.95.  "Logitech Pocket Digital is for people who want to capture spontaneous moments, but don't want to carry a bulky camera. Because the product is only the size of a credit card, you can take it along anywhere you go," said Bruce Friedricks, director of product marketing for Logitech's Video Business Unit. "What's more, it looks great." Although it measures a scant ½ inch thick, Logitech Pocket Digital can hold up to 52 images at up to 1.3 Megapixel resolution. The innovative Autobrite™ image processing feature ensures that the camera can effectively capture images containing a mix of bright and dim areas. It has a built-in lithium polymer battery that automatically recharges through the USB cable each time the camera connects to the PC during picture download, offering users less hassle and less clutter during battery recharge. Pocket Digital also features a protective sliding lens and viewfinder cover. This camera will ship with Logitech's Pocket Digital 5.0 software, which includes: MGI® Photosuite® 4 SE, offering image editing and easy emailing of pictures; Autobrite™ image processing technology for wide dynamic range; and single click download for easy and instant image transfer. If your notebook is stolen, you can feel pretty hopeless about getting it back. But if you've installed Absolute Protect, you'll be alerted when someone uses your computer to log on to the Internet. After a specified time period has passed, Absolute Protect begins looking for an Internet connection. When it finds Internet access, it makes a short connection to the manufacturer's server, which detects the location of the computer and records it in a Monitoring Report that is made available online or e-mailed to you. This process cannot be detected by the user or by current antivirus products. If the computer is not connected to the Internet for five days, Absolute Protect uses a modem to silently dial the phone number(s) you specified during installation. You can then use Caller ID to detect the phone number from which the call was made. In many cases, the program can even survive hard-drive reformatting. Version: 5.29 Price: Shareware Download Absolute Protect Pro now at: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,18400,tk,hsx,00.asp Top Ten Reasons Why Dogs Are Better Pets Than Cats: 1. Dogs will tilt their heads and try to understand every word you say. Cats will ignore you and take a nap. 2. Cats look silly on a leash. 3. When you come home from work, your dog will be happy and lick your face. Cats will still be mad at you for leaving in the first place. 4. Dogs will give you unconditional love until the day they die. Cats will make you pay for every mistake you've ever made since the day you were born. 5. A dog knows when you're sad. And he'll try to comfort you. Cats don't care how you feel, as long as you remember where the can opener is. 6. Dogs will bring you your slippers. Cats will drop a dead mouse in your slippers. 7. When you take them for a ride, dogs will sit on the seat next to you. Cats have to have their own private basket, or they won't go at all. 8. Dogs will come when you call them. And they'll be happy. Cats will have someone take a message and get back to you. 9. Dogs will play fetch with you all day long. The only thing cats will play with all day long are small rodents or bugs, preferably ones that look like they're in pain. 10. Dogs will wake you up if the house is on fire. Cats will quietly sneak out the back door. FOR SALE: Gateway 800C Desktop w/Monitor, 20GB Hard Drive plus Epson Stylus Color 777 printer. Less than one year old. Only $600 complete. Contact Frances in Fort Collins at (970) 224-0776. FOR SALE: FUJI MX-1700 Zoom digital camera. 1.5 MP with 3X digital zoom and 2" LCD monitor. Like-new condition in box with manual, cables, software and two Smartmedia cards. This subcompact digital camera has it all and takes gorgeous vivid color photos - $250. Contact Rick Mattingly at (970) 223-6618 or email rmatt@jymis.com. Members: Place your FREE ad here! About Trading Post k-Byte runs classified ads in Trading Post for three consecutive issues. Trading Post ads up to 10 lines (or 70 words) long are free to FRPCUG members: $5 for non-members. To place an ad in Trading Post contact Will Horton at 223-2154 or email whorton@will-design.com. Commercial Advertising Specifications (Monthly rate) Full Page (8 1/2” X 7”) $30 Half Page (3 1/4” X 7”) $20 One Third Page (3” X 4”) $15 Business Card (2 3/4” X 1 1/2”) $ 5 We offer a substantial discount for repeat ads and continuing contracts. For additional charge, we will design your ad for you. Contact Will Horton for information on this service at 223-2154 or email whorton@will-design.com. |