Bye Bye Nero

I still remember it was a long long time ago when there so many CD Burning software out there. Nero was certainly not hte first. I believed I started off with a very small one which I believe was later acquired by Roxio and its it merged into what you have today in the Roxio family of products. I had also tried Sonic Foundary, which if I am not wrong, is now part of Sony. But my favorite was Nero.

I had been with Nero since the early days. I believe I saw it expanded into multiple products and of course got bloated with all the extras as well. The latest I was with is 9.4. However, I had to call it quits now. The basic reason is that it simple cannot install successfully onto my Vista x64 SP2.

The fault may lie in the installer, but however, it was combined into a single EXE making debugging difficult. Not only that, it is extremely hard to remove Nero from the computer cleanly. The is this Nero Cleaner software (by Ahead of course) here:
http://www.nero.com/enu/support-nero8-tools-utilities.html

However, even this fails in my Vista. I spend almost 2 days trying to install, failed, remove, reinstall etc... In the end I simple ask myself. Do I really need Nero? In fact, I do not install ALL the components of Nero. I only mainly uses Recode (which was originally DVD Shrink, and you wonder why its illegal when its free and legal when its now Nero...) and Nero Burning ROM. The rest is simple bloatware for me.

So, after some thoughts, I decided its time to say goodbye to Nero. I no longer need it. Its not really that Vista came with a fantastic burning software, but I found CD Burner XP (Free!) :
http://cdburnerxp.se/

This is actually what I needed to burn files, VCD etc. It even support Bluray.

Of course, I do not forget Recode. I had AnyDVD all the time, so it does not matters. But converting from DVD9 to DVD5 is cool and a good waste of CPU resources. So here we have DVDFab for that:
http://www.dvdfab.com/

Its not all free, but if you wish to use the decryptor only, it is. Its still a good pay compare to Nero 9. Now I have to sell that off to some sucker... :)

Fedora 11 on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1

Again, its time to boot up Fedora 11 on the classic MS VPC...
If you remember, it totally crashed in Fedora 10 without some tweaking, and yes, as expected, it did so again in F11...

So, before we even talk about the installation, you will need to ensure you select the basic video option, then press [tab] and append "vga=0x32D noreplace-paravirt" to the back and press [enter]. This will allow you to boot up all the way into the installer.

Next, it will complain about disk is not initialize. Well, its because you had not formatted your HDD. thats perfectly normal. Just let Fedora do it.

For me, I needed the common applications and some development, so I selected both the "Office productivity" and " Software development" option during the installation.

Will update this, waiting for it to complete now...

R4 for NDS using YSMenu Update June 2009

Its becoming inevitable. Many of the newer ROMs on the NDS using R4 (Not R4HD) is giving errors about not able to create save files and quitting. Trying to update it to version 1.18 does help for some, but not all. The solution is to use another firmware. The one I will talk about here is YSMenu.

Now, the trciky part about YSMenu is that the author does not allow premade firmware to be posted online. But I will show you that Maikel's Automater (R4YSAuto) will make it simple.
First you will have to download that from:

http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=103879

But you know my style. I always prefer to have everything done for you. So, don't worry about the download first. But for YSMenu, you have no choice. Since I cannot host it, you will have to download from:

http://home.usay.jp/pc/etc/nds/

Its in Japanese, but here is how to do it, use search. Find YSMenu. First link is the summary at the top, next link is the right one. you should be getting "YSMenu0903211700.zip".

Now, grab my prepacked R4YSauto here:

http://www.mediafire.com/?axnniyjnzdx

The main difference is that I had made the R4YSauto works with the latest YSMenu "YSMenu0903211700.zip" while the original requires you to rename it. Well, it will be the same if you use a newer one anyway. In addition, I had also included the latest usrcheat.dat as of 2 June 09.

Now, all you need to do it to unpack the R4YSauto to a directory. Then throw the "YSMenu0903211700.zip" into the same directory and run r4.bat. Answer the question accordingly, basically "R4" and "Firmware" are hte important choices. The rest can varies.
Then you will have you firmware. Unpack it into your MicroSD and its done.

Popular Book Store is vulnerable!

See about about it from:
http://securitylabs.websense.com/content/Alerts/3413.aspx

I just want to bring your attention that you should not visit the site and neither should you trust Nettrust or whatever they said they were protected by. It just show that it failed.

Abstract:
Compromised Site: Popular.com.sg
Date:06.05.2009
Threat Type: Malicious Web Site / Malicious Code
Websense® Security Labs™ ThreatSeeker™ Network has discovered that the home page of Popular Bookstore in Singapore has been compromised, and is infecting site visitors with malicious code.
Popular Bookstore Web site:
The homepage at www.popular.com.sg has been injected with malicious code. Normally this page would just redirect users to https://www.popular.com.sg/jsp/index.jsp (where the main site operates), but malicious obfuscated code has been injected into that page.
Screenshot of the malicious injected code:
Popular Bookstore is an integrated business company comprising publishing, distribution, bookstore operations, and franchising. The Web site is very reputable and popular in Singapore.
We have been monitoring this attack because earlier, the obfuscated code resulted in an Iframe leading to the exploit site at karlast.com. Currently, the Iframe has changed and redirects users to the exploit site at suptullog.com.
Websense Messaging and Websense Web Security customers are protected against this attack.

Gigabyte Ultra Durable 3 supports Windows 7

See it all at:
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/WebPage/mb_090522_windows7/tech_090522_windows7.htm

In particular, EX58-UD3R has Windows 7 Logo Certification!

Mcafee Webshow H*Commence Episode 1

Windows Vista / Windows 2008 SP2 x64

Sorry I missed out on the previous post. The links were for the 32 bits version only.
Here is the 64 bits version of the SP2:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=656c9d4a-55ec-4972-a0d7-b1a6fedf51a7&displaylang=en

Ebay punishes Linux sellers as pirates

I found out that I was not alone. Many others who sells linux and other software from FSF, GNU or GPL are suspended, banned or otherwise by Ebay.

Here is one case dated back to 2003:
http://www.linux.com/archive/feature/33254
http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/171/RipOff0171047.htm
https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/general-10/ebay-threatens-to-delete-my-account-for-selling-linux-296019/
http://www.lawguru.com/cgi/bbs/message.php?i=139125480&view=a

There is even a forums for ebay suspended users:
http://www.modeeworld.com/forums/ebay-suspensions/

I think the whole idea why free software does not take off is because there are organization like Ebay which still probably lives in a well or something.

Windows Vista SP2 and Windows 2008 SP2

Strangely both of them are using the same file... In any case, here it is finally:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a4dd31d5-f907-4406-9012-a5c3199ea2b3&DisplayLang=en

This download if for 5 major languages. I bet you the English only is much smaller.

Ebay still don't get it!!! LINUX IS PIRACY

I made a complain about Linux and ebay reply with this:

Thank you for writing eBay in regards to your removed listing.

We carefully reviewed the following listings:

XXXXXXXXXX - Mandriva ONE 2009 Free x64 64 bits DVD
XXXXXXXXXX - Mandriva ONE 2009 Free x86 32 bits DVD

and found that we took the correct action. Your listing was removed
because it violated the eBay Unauthorized Copies policy.

For more information on listing unauthorized copies on eBay, please
visit:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/replica-counterfeit.html

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Georgia
eBay Customer Support

and its very clear to ebay that Linux falls under:

Counterfeits, unauthorized replicas, unauthorized items (such as counterfeit watches, handbags, or other accessories) or unauthorized copies (such as copies of software programs, video games, music albums, movies, television programs, or photographs) are not permitted on eBay. Unauthorized copies include (but are not limited to) copies that are pirated, duplicated, backed-up or bootlegged. It is illegal to sell unauthorized copies of media.

So, I guess ebay stand is that as long as its Microsoft, thats original. Linux is nothing but a counterfeit of Windows. Well, tell that to the world!

Apple Java is still not patched (after 6 months!)

Apple JVM has a critical vulnerability which enable malicious code execution on OSX based Apple. This vulnerability which was acknowledged early this year by Sun, has a couple of working exploit floating around and a PoC at the URL below:

http://landonf.bikemonkey.org/static/moab-tests/CVE-2008-5353/hello.html

There should be no reason why this is not patched, even after 6 months by Apple. In fact, this exploit was used in CanSecWest, but was disqualified because it has been patched by JRE 6 Patch 11. However all version including JRE 6 Patch 10 and below are affected. The catch though was that all has been patched except Apple.

So, my advice is : Apple people should disabled JAVA in both Safari and Firefox until this is fixed. Yes, that means no Internal Banking too. Run your Windows Vista via dual boot if you have to.

Secondly, also disable running of "Safe" download in your OSX.

Well, or be like me, DON'T USE OSX. :) Nope, sorry, I just notice not everyone knows how to install Windows Vista on a Mac.

Sophos Antivirus speaks Klingon

Yes, for all the Star Trek fans out there, there is a free (30 days) antivirus from Sophos now for download at:

http://www.sophos.com/klingon-anti-virus/

Well, its not all Klingon, there is also an English version for the Earth people there as well.

Blog Gone HD

Well, not really, but I had changed to a new template which allows the blog to be widen like in a HD 16:9 mode. I hope, this will allow me to post richer content without disrupting the layout too much.

I hope you will like this new format.

Soler 風的季節 MV

ATI Catalyst 9.5 Suite is out!

Finally, after the long wait. I found this from the TechPowerUp website with direct links to all version of hte Catalyst 9.5 drivers. If you has read my previous post you will know that mainly the upgrade is necessary for anyone on the HD 4770 cards and using crossfire. I am installing right now. Hope this finally fixes the issues.

ATI Catalyst 9.5 for Windows XP 32-bit Windows XP 64-bit Windows Vista/7 32-bit Windows Vista/7 64-bit

Update : Works perfectly with CrossFire. After reboot, automatically enabled. Yeah, kicks some ass in Furmark with 150 fps and COH with 70fps average :)

Modding the Epson TX100 Inkjet Printer with CISS

CISS is very popular nowadays. In fact, it is even cheaper than to use 3rd party ink cartridges. However, printer makes like Epson would want to make life hell for you because they insist that 3rd party ink are pirated and they are losing money selling you printers at hundreds of dollars. Whether you believe this or not, CISS is the way to go.

This model I am particularly talking about is the Epson entry level TX100. The difficulties in fitting in CISS is that it has 3 closed compartments and moving in bettwen them doesn't give much room for the CISS tubes. In fact, Epson ensure you have make a mess by moving the printer head occasionally at high speed from left extreme to right extreme just to tear our your tubes. Plus, the 2 compartments have plastic blocking any 3rd party objects so that when the printer detects a lag in the movement of the print head, it will refused to print. Anyway, people who had modded this will know what I meant.

I had found a way to put in the CISS without cutting off any parts of the printer. Well, there are some ways that involves sawing off part of the plastic, but I will show you why you do not need to now.

Firstly, you will need to get cheap holders like the ones shown in the diagrams below. Make sure they stick well. Do not bother with expensive mounting tapes. I had tried 3M's super heavy weight, the tube just come out with the movements. Lets first identify the secret of how this is going to work. We are going to put the tube over this small hole as shown here :

Next, we will mount the first point as shown:

After putting in the first clip we need to put one or 2 more at the other side as follows :

I would suggest we have these 2 reversed holding. the inner one holds down (to prevent springing up) and the outer one hold up (to prevent falling into the rail track).

As for the remaining, just make sure you measure and allow or the print head to move in right and left extreme. Then tape the remaining as follows :

For the last portion, notice I did not use the clips because it will rise the scanner and you may find that you cannot close properly. Just normal mounting tapes will be good for this.

In addition, if you want to, you can find a compartment behind the printer. Open it and you will see a white tube. Take that out and connect it to a waste ink container (which you can make from CD cake box etc). However, even if you do so, the printer will eventually complain the waste ink is full. You will still need a software to reset it before you can use it.

RIP Lenovo System Update

I remember I praised this system update application from Lenovo not long ago. It is a great software to obtain a one-stop download for all affected applications for Lenovo systems. However, I did not know why, this application has suddenly stop updating.

Browsing from Lenovo website, I found this article:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-72207.html

From the look of it, it seems they had decided to stop supporting this application and change the way how update can be delivered... Well, I know what you may be thinking. Windows Update integration. Well, we will just have to keep our fingers crossed.

Anyway, R.I.P. Lenovo System Update.

Grub Option for Ubuntu 9.04 on Virtual PC 2007 SP1

I seems to see some people run into issues after a reboot with Ubuntu 9.04 on the MS Virtual PC 2007 SP1. I did not have this issue and Ubuntu boots fine. However, maybe its some setting in GRUB that is preventing a proper boot up... Anyway here is my configuration for menu.lst:


title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic
uuid a6c101f9-5125-4826-8a28-266a9398162b
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=a6c101f9-5125-4826-8a28-266a9398162b ro quiet splash
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic
quiet

title Ubuntu 9.04, kernel 2.6.28-11-generic (recovery mode)
uuid a6c101f9-5125-4826-8a28-266a9398162b
kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.28-11-generic root=UUID=a6c101f9-5125-4826-8a28-266a9398162b ro single
initrd /boot/initrd.img-2.6.28-11-generic

title Ubuntu 9.04, memtest86+
uuid a6c101f9-5125-4826-8a28-266a9398162b
kernel /boot/memtest86+.bin
quiet

Oh, and lastly, do remember to eject your CD / DVD before rebooting, otherwise you will keep going back to the installation screen!

ATI Crossfire X Issue with Vista 64 bits 6GB RAM

I was very vert disappointed with ATI driver support. Although they only comes out once per month or less, their drivers are much more unstable as compared to Nvidia's which I think we have at least 1 or 2 per week. I wonder just how much differences are there in the 2 teams in terms of skills and number.

Anyway, I realized that even till today's Catalyst 9.4, the Radeon HD 4770 is not supported fully. For Windows 7, its a total no go, although there is article that mention that HD 4770 drivers will be build in in the final release:

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13231&Itemid=1

I have RC release and it is not at all supported for now.

The biggest issue comes when people like me tries to be powermongy about the graphics card. The (in)famous CrossFire X(tm) configuration. As you can see from this review:

http://en.expreview.com/2009/04/28/first-look-at-radeon-hd-4770-crossfire-benchmark.html

There is definitely a reason why I should go for a 2xHD4770 CrossFire X instead of the HD4890 or HD4870.

The big problem is that CrossFire X is not really supported well on Vista 64 or 6GB of RAM in any order or both, which I have. After staring for it and getting blue screens plus "incompatible display" error 43, I got pointed to a "special" driver by a friend from some hardware benchmark site. Thanks again, and I respect your request not to mentioned who and which site you are from.

In any case, there is a beta driver which works in the above configuration from here:
http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/GPU-6-HotfixthatfixesErrorCode.aspx

I hope this post helps any of your out there with Error 43 and CrossFire X issues.

Installing Ubuntu 9.04 on Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 SP1

The default installation hangs somewhere. This is similar to Fedora Core 10 that I describe before. The solution is somehow similar.

Boot Ubuntu 9.04 up. On the first screen, choose [English].
Then press [F4] and select [Safe Graphics].
Then press [F6], but do not select any option. Instead press [Escape] and it will allow you to change the command line. Remove the option "quiet splash --" and replace it with "vga=791 noreplace-paravirt" instead.
Press [Enter] to start the installation.

I will expect more issue with the grub menu and other options later on, but my VM is still installing as I type here, so I won't know at this point of time. I will update again on a later post if there is any other issues.

Update: Yes, as pointed out by a commenter below, it is also possible to access command line by pressing [Esc]. However, you had better somehow remember the whole command, because it is not echoed onto the screen.

Update: Also note that during the bootup, it will take a while at the message that said squashfs.... Do not panic. That is normal.

Update: Near the end of the installation, at about 97%, there is a long wait to remove software packages. This is normal.