Friday, September 10, 2010

Switch from IDE to AHCI

It looks it is possible to switch from IDE to AHCI after Windows was installed in IDE mode.
All you have to do is to change the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\msahci\Start key from 3 to 0.
 The details are here: http://ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?69682-Change-from-IDE-to-AHCI-after-Installation

Increase in performance due to AHCI is minor (few percents) while the problems created by this new technology are gigantic (compared with IDE) especially if you use Windows XP!
 Think twice if you want to invest the time to activate AHCI.

How to install Win XP on a computer that already has Win 7?

1. Note: If you already have an empty partition to install XP on it, use it and jump to step 2.
Shrink the existing partition (use Computer Management-> Disk Management) to make room for the second partition. For Windows XP you need minimum 4GB. In the space that you just freed, create the new partition. Format this partition as NTFS.

2. Install Win XP. You will see that your computer will boot automatically to Win XP and you cannot access Win 7. Don’t worry.

3. Insert the Windows 7 Installation CD and restart your PC. Boot from CD.  It will show you a first menu. Select "System Recovery", and then select "Startup Repair". Reboot again and log on to Windows 7. Windows 7 will automatically recognize the Win XP installation/partition. Done.

You have both operations systems now.

Paragon Partition Manager v11 - Free key

Paragon decided to give a free (lite) version of Partition Manager.

Here is the activation key:

PRODUCT KEY:   PSG-161-FRE-PL-9735770
SERIAL NUMBER: 06747-5B5D1-BBFB5-A23B6


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Recommended download:

 

Scareware and other unnecessary software programs

Scareware

Scareware comprises several classes of scam software with malicious payloads, or of limited or no benefit, that are sold to consumers via certain unethical marketing practices. The selling approach uses social engineering to cause shock, anxiety, or the perception of a threat, generally directed at an unsuspecting user.
Some forms of spyware and adware also use scareware tactics.

Scareware and Fake Antivirus

A tactic frequently used by criminals involves convincing users that a virus has infected their computer, then suggesting that they download (and pay for) fake antivirus software to remove it.
Usually the virus is entirely fictional and the software is non-functional or malware itself.
According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), the number of scareware packages in circulation rose from 2,850 to 9,287 in the second half of 2008. In the first half of 2009, the APWG identified a 583% increase in scareware programs.
The "scareware" label can also apply to any application or virus (not necessarily sold as above) which pranks users with intent to cause anxiety or panic.


Software that is not good for you

There are also many "companies" that are selling you software which was supposed to fix your registry and magically boost your computer speed. This is usually garbage software which pretends to find and fix errors in your computer but actually it does nothing (good) for you.

Examples:
www.optimize-your-pc.com
www.fix-pc-errors.com
http://registrywizard.com/faq.php
http://www.solvepcerrors.com

We all know DotNet sucks

We all know DotNet sucks. But how bad it sucks?
James S. Gibbons put this to the test. And the results are impressive. DotNet is 'coding horrors' came to life.

I cannot image the person that really chooses to use in interpreted language like DotNet.