How I kill time…. :)

November 19, 2009 marked the public debut of Google Chrome OS. It is available for download for everyone to install and play around with. The OS can be downloaded from gdgt or via torrent. Check out http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/19/guide-install-google-chrome-os/ which has further details on how to download and how to install the OS.

Ever wondered how twitter works? I came across this interesting article which might help you understand that, atleast theoretically http://epeus.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-twitter-works-in-theory.html

To put the iPhone into recovery mode so you can do an iTunes firmware restore follow these steps:

Step One

Open iTunes and connect the iPhone to your Mac.

Step Two

Press and hold the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.

Step Three

As soon as the screen goes black release the Sleep/Wake button. Continue holding the home button until you iTunes pops up a message telling you that it has detected an iPhone in recovery mode.

The iPhone will look like this:

More details <http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=367>

Most people cannot figure out how to install Windows XP, 2000, or 2003 from the I386 folder. It is really quite simple. They are looking for a file named Setup.exe or Install.exe. Well, it’s neither of them. If you have Vista or 2008 or newer like Windows 7 there is no I386 folder that you can install from.

I guess Microsoft did not want just anyone to install Windows without inserting the CD and using the Autorun. But Autorun does not work if you are installing from a DOS window, so now what.

OK, here it is plain and simple, if you open the I386 folder and scroll down to the W’s you will find Winnt.exe and Winnt32.exe. The Winnt32.exe is the setup program used when you are in Windows. The Winnt.exe file is for DOS.

However, I have found that sometimes I run across a Windows 2000 installation CD that errors out when I try to use the Winnt32.exe. So I simple start the install while in Windows using the Winnt.exe file. It’s a little slower but it works fine.

If you want to install the Recovery Console, you need to use the switch /cmdcon when starting Winnt32.exe. This switch only works on the Winnt32.exe file.

Below is a list of switches that you can use, Winnt32.exe can handle up to 8 switches.

Pasted from <http://easydesksoftware.net/I386.htm>

If you don’t use Windows XP’s built-in search often; (like every day), disabling indexing can significantly speed up your PC.

By default Windows XP indexes files on your hard drive and stores them in memory to speed up its’ built-in search. But if you rarely use Windows search, turn off indexing to free up memory and CPU horsepower for the files and applications you actually do use. A few simple how-to steps after the jump.

To turn off indexing:

1. Open up “My Computer.”
2. Right-click on your hard drive (usually “C:”) and choose “Properties.”
3. Uncheck the box at the bottom that reads “Allow Indexing Service to…”
4. Click OK, and files will be removed from memory. This removal may take a few minutes to complete.

To disable the indexing service:

1. In the “Start” menu, choose “Run.”
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
3. Scroll-down to “Indexing Service” and double-click it.
4. If the service status is “Running”, then stop it by pressing the “Stop” button.
5. To make sure this service doesn’t run again, under “Startup Type:”, choose “Disabled.”

Windows search will still work if you perform these steps, but it will work more slowly than if indexing was enabled.

Ever had a problem while installing Chrome? So many times the installation fails due to a proxy blocking your Chrome download or a simple firewall blocking access to the software. How to get Chrome in such a scenario?

It’s pretty simple, just go to http://www.google.com/chrome/eula.html?standalone=1 and Agree to the terms and condition and download your software and install it offline or any machine. No need to download the software on each an every machine. Just download once and execute it on all machines in your current setup!

These are instructions on how to unlock and jailbreak your iPhone 2G on the 3.0 iPhone firmware using RedSn0w for Windows. Before beginning make sure you have updated to iTunes 8.2.

Step One

Create a folder called Pwnage on your desktop.

Download the following files and place them in the Pwnage folder you just created:

- RedSn0w

- BL 3.9

- BL 4.6

- 3.0.0 (2G): iPhone1,1_3.0_7A341_Restore.ipsw

Extract the RedSn0w zip file to the Pwnage folder.

Step Two

Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes.

Select your iPhone from the list of devices on the left. Now hold down shift and click the Restore button. Restore is preferred as it won’t create any wasted space on your iPhone.

Navigate to the Pwnage folder on your desktop and select the firmware ipsw. Click the Open button to continue.

Step Three

Once iTunes has finished updating your iPhone to the desired firmware you may launch redsnw0w.exe from the Pwnage folder on your desktop.

Step Four

Once RedSn0w opens click the Browse button

Step Five

Select the firmware ipsw we placed in the Pwnage folder on our desktop then click Open

Step Six

Once the firmware has been verified click the Next button to continue.

Step Seven

Make sure Cydia and Unlock is selected and click the Next button.

Step Eight

We will know need to set the location of our bootloader files.

Click Browse and select the 3.9 bootloader file from the Pwnage folder on your desktop.

Click Browse and select the 4.6 bootloader file from the Pwnage folder on your desktop.

Click the Next button to continue.

Step Nine

Please plug your iPhone into the computer and make sure its OFF then click the Next button

Step Ten

RedSn0w will now guide you through the steps to get into DFU mode.

Hold down both the Home button and the Power button for 10 seconds.

Release the Power button and continue holding the Home button until RedSn0w detects the device.

Step Eleven

Your iPhone will now reboot

Step Twelve

RedSn0w will then begin uploading the new RAM Disk.

Step Thirteen

Once this is complete you will be notified that RedSn0w is done. Click the Finish button.

When your iPhone finishes reboot (5 minutes or so). It will run BootNeuter then be unlocked and jailbroken with Cydia on the SpringBoard.

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Pasted from <http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=4302>

How to patch without running WGA validation

The following steps will allow you to install all Windows security patches on a new build of XP, without installing or running WGA on the machine:

• Step 1: Install and activate XP. For XP SP2 only (not XP SP3), you must also download and install the patch described in KB article 898461, which updates the installer program and ensures that your system will receive future updates.
  
• Step 2: In either version of XP, click Start, Control Panel, Security Center, Automatic Updates. Choose Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them.
  
• Step 3: Whenever you see a yellow-shield icon in the notification area (previously known as the system tray), click the icon and then choose Custom install.
  
• Step 4: Scroll to the bottom of the patch window and uncheck Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474), as shown in Figure 1. (For more info, see Microsoft KB article 905474 to read the company’s description of WGA Notification.)Figure 1. Uncheck KB905474 to prevent WGA from being installed on the system.

  
  

• Step 5: After you click Install, check Don’t notify me about these updates again in the resulting dialog to prevent WGA from being included in future Windows updates (see Figure 2). Click OK.

  Figure 2. Check this option to avoid being offered WGA Notifications as part of future updates.

  
  

  From this point forward, every time you update your system, review the patches being offered to you and deselect those you don’t want before proceeding with the installation.
  

  Microsoft occasionally updates the WGA Notifications tool, so you can count on its being offered to you again, despite your choice in Step 5 above. The explanation Microsoft officials gave me for this decision is that the company feels it’s wise to reinstall WGA periodically to ensure that customers haven’t been the victim of unscrupulous consultants who use illegal media when reinstalling your operating system.
  

  There’s a flaw in this thinking: the reason many of these consultants use the wrong media is that Microsoft doesn’t make it easy to get replacements for your Windows installation discs. It’s also difficult to get up-to-date installation media unless you’re one of Microsoft’s enterprise-level customers.
  

  Microsoft’s recommendation that you set your machine to update automatically as the best way to protect it is also flawed. These days, our PCs aren’t just simple e-mail and Web terminals. They’re crucial to all our work, and if they’re disabled we can’t make a living. For example, if a Windows update causes our Internet connection to break because of a conflict with a third-party security program — as has happened many times in the recent past — we might be unproductive for hours or days.
  

  Also, if you enable Automatic Updates, you may be as dismayed as I was to learn that Microsoft treats legitimate customers like thieves. The WGA Notifications patch described in KB article 905474 automatically installs if Automatic Updates is empowered to act without permission. In that case, you either have to run the WGA tool the next time you reboot or press Cancel every time you start your system.
  

  

  If you install WGA Notifications on XP, this dialog box will reappear each time you reboot until you click Next and run the process.
  

Guide To Unlock & Jailbreak iPhone 2G (2.2.1 Firmware) Using QuickPwn 2.2.5 (Windows)

Apple recently has released firmware 2.2.1 for iPhone. It’s not recommended for the upgrade, particularly you’re already using firmware 2.2. Firmware 2.2.1 does not come with any big new feature and only focus on bug fixes. However, not every reader are the same. Some readers are considering the upgrade for whatever reasons. Some may find firmware 2.2 is not stable enough and want to upgrade to 2.2.1. Some may just trick by iTunes and accidentally upgrade the firmware.

This guide is specifically for iPhone 2G (also known as 1st generation iPhone). QuickPwn 2.2.5 is the easiest tool to unlock & jailbreak was developed by Dev Team. These instruction will be shows to you on how to unlock & jailbreak your iPhone for Windows users. This guide is designed for those who own iPhone 2G (2.0/2.0.1/2.0.2/2.1/2.2) and plan for jailbreak & unlock.

Preparation for Jailbreak & Unlock

Step 1:
Make sure you have upgraded to iTunes version 8.0.2 and backup your iPhone data by synchronizing it with iTunes 8.0.2.

Step 2: Download QuickPwn 2.2.5, Bootloader 3.9, Bootloader 4.6 and iPhone 2G firmware 2.2.1. Save them all in the same folder. Extract/unzip QuickPwn22.zip. Make sure you have all the files in place before continue.

Installing iPhone 2.2.1 firmware via iTunes 8.0.2

Step 3: Just connect your iPhone to your computer via USB cable and launch iTunes. Select your iPhone in iTunes. You might see all information about you iPhone and the button “Upgrade” and “Restore” appear in iTunes window.

Step 4: Hold the “SHIFT” key and click the “Restore” button simultaneously. The iTunes file dialog will pop up for you to select the firmware file. Locate the “iPhone1,1_2.2.1_5H11_Restore.ipsw” that you have downloaded in previous step and click “Open”.

Step 5: iTunes will then restore your iPhone with firmware 2.2.1 automatically. Keep your iPhone connected, don’t touch anything and wait until the process complete.

Unlock & Jailbreak using QuickPwn 2.2.5

Step 6: Your iPhone should completely restore to firmware 2.2.1. But it’s still locked right now.

Step 7: Launch QuickPwn 2.2.5 to start jailbreak & unlock. Make sure your iPhone connect via USB cable and then click blue button to proceed.

QuickPwn 2.2.5

Step 8: You are required to provide the firmware 2.2.1 IPSW file. Click “Browse” button to locate the “iPhone1,1_2.2.1_5H11_Restore.ipsw” were you had downloaded in Step 2. You should see a big tick if your firmware file is correct. Then click blue arrow button to proceed.

Step 9: You are required to configure the settings for QuickPwn. Normally, you could mark all checkboxes (i.e. Add Cydia, add installer, Replace boot logo & unlock iPhone). If you would like to keep the Apple logo already in your iPhone, just left “Replace boot logo” unmarked. Click blue arrow button to proceed.

Step 10: Locate the bootloader 3.9 and 4.6 files that you have downloaded at Step 2 by clicking “Browse” button. QuickPwn will show a big tick if they are correct. Then click blue arrow button to proceed.

Step 11: Make sure your iPhone should still be connected with USB cable. QuickPwn requests you to confirm it once again before unlock & jailbreak process will begin. If you’re ready, click blue arrow button to proceed.

Step 12: QuickPwn automatically puts the iPhone into recovery mode. After that, you’ll be instructed to hold Home button for 5 seconds. Then hold home and Power buttons together for 10 seconds. Next, release Power button and continue to hold home button until your iPhone is in DFU mode (QuickPwn will inform you automatically when you’re in DFU mode).

Step 13: During unlocking & jailbreaking process, your iPhone screen shows downloading jailbreak data and flashing NOR progress. What you have to do just keep waiting and don’t touch anything to your iPhone.

Step 14: QuickPwn will let you know the jailbreak process is successful. Your iPhone will be restarted and automatically launch BootNeuter to perform unlock. This process will take 3-5 minutes to complete. Just wait until the process been done and your iPhone will be rebooted again.

Step 15: Now unlocking & jailbreaking process has complete with iPhone firmware 2.2.1 Finally, sync back your iPhone to restore your backups data with iTunes 8.0.2.

Pasted from : http://rdsbc.blogspot.com/2009/02/guide-to-unlock-jailbreak-iphone-2g-221.html

Close Windows Messenger if its open, or active in your System Tray.

Click Start, Run and enter the following command:
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\inf\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Note: This will prevent a long delay when opening Outlook Express if you have the Contacts pane enabled.

To prevent this, click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express

Right click in the right pane and select New, Dword value. Give it the name Hide Messenger Double click this new entry and set the value to 2.