How to hide a folder or file in Windows without extra software

Here’s another great tip floating around the internet:

Many times you face this situation; you want to hide some personal data from the other person using your computer. However most of the person uses any software for that which can be troublesome sometime. So here is the trick to lock any folder in windows without any software.

Suppose you want to lock the folder “private” in C: drive.

The path for the folder is C:\private.

Go to C:\ then create a text file and type command
ren hitman hitman.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}
Now save this text file as hide.bat

Create another text file and type in it
ren hitman.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} hitman
Now save this text file as show.bat

Now you can see 2 batch files “hide” and “show”.

Press “hide” and the folder hitman will change to control panel and you cannot view its contents. Press “show” and you will get back your original folder.
You can move this folder to anywhere on your drives. But make sure you click on “hide” or “show” file when it is placed in C:\; else it wont work. Always remember the folder is to be locked and “show” and “hide” files should be in same folder at the time of using them, after use you can move it.

Note: To rename your text files as bat files?
Just go to my computer->tools->folder options->go to the view tab.
Now uncheck the ‘Hide extensions for known file types’ then click apply.
Now rename your text files as bat files.

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Sympatico users and “Page can not be displayed”

It seems every couple of days we get another call from a frustrated client that receives the typical runaround from Bell Sympatico internet representatives telling them their computer must be at fault.

In frustration, they call us in to get to the bottom of the problem. Almost routinely we find it boiling down to two factors.

One is the Sympatico Security Suite. We’ve seen it block internet access, so despite showing that you’re connected, you can not surf webpages, nor will your messengers connect to the internet. The issue is compounded by the fact that we’re finding the Security Suite to cause numerous issues, hinder computer performance, yet still manage to see the computer riddled with infection. Thus, the preferred option is to remove the Suite and install AVG 8 in it’s place.

The second, and by far the most prevalent, is the DNS servers. A DNS (or Domain Name Server) converts www.domain.com into an address: numbers which look like 192.168.1.1. These numbers are like street addresses. .COM addresses, while easy for the end user to remember, mean nothing to the internet. Every device on the internet has a unique numerical address, and the DNS server’s job is to find that server and point you to it.

Sympatico has a little known issue with their own DNS servers. They refuse to admit it, and to date nothing has been done about that we know of. However, we consistently find that once we point the user’s computer away from the faulty servers the “page can not be displayed” error goes away. Indeed their web surfing is consistently faster.

We don’t anticipate the issue being resolved any time soon, never mind having Sympatico actually admitting the problem. Thus, if you have problem viewing web pages as a Sympatico subscriber (typically intermittently between log ons to the network), give us a call. We’ll repair your web surfing issues or the call is free.

We will also intervene with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) on your behalf to ensure that any required service by your ISP, whether it be Bell or Rogers gets done right, along with suitable compensation for your inconvenience.

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Critical Microsoft security notice for Server users.

This came by email from Microsoft. If you’ve not seen this in your inbox yet, please read the following carefully. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Subject:    Alert – Critical Product Vulnerability – October 23, 2008 Microsoft Security Bulletin Release (Out of Band)

Due the urgency of this bulletin, you have received this notification in English. If your specified language preference is French, we will send you a French language version as soon as it becomes available. Thank you for your understanding.

This alert is to provide you with an overview of the new security bulletin released (out of band) on October 23, 2008. Microsoft has released security bulletin MS08-067, Vulnerability in Server Service Could Allow Remote Code Execution (958644), to address a vulnerability in all currently supported versions of Windows. This security update was released outside of the usual monthly security bulletin release cycle in an effort to protect customers.

Executive Summary

This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in the Server service. The vulnerability could allow remote code execution if an affected system received a specially crafted RPC request. On Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 systems, an attacker could exploit this vulnerability without authentication to run arbitrary code. It is possible that this vulnerability could be used in the crafting of a wormable exploit. Firewall best practices and standard default firewall configurations can help protect network resources from attacks that originate outside the enterprise perimeter. The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting the way that the Server service handles RPC requests.

Recommendations

Microsoft recommends customers prepare their systems and networks to apply this security bulletin immediately once released to help ensure that their computers are protected from attempted criminal attacks. For more information about security updates, visit http://www.microsoft.com/protect.

New Security Bulletin Technical Details

Public Bulletin Webcast

Microsoft will host a Webcast to address customer questions on the bulletin:

Title: Information Regarding an Out-of-Band Security Bulletin Release (Level 200)

Date: Friday, October 24, 2008 11:00 A.M. Pacific Time (U.S. & Canada)

URL: http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032394179&Culture=en-US

Regarding Information Consistency

We strive to provide you with accurate information in static (this mail) and dynamic (Web-based) content. Microsoft’s security content posted to the Web is occasionally updated to reflect late-breaking information. If this results in an inconsistency between the information here and the information in Microsoft’s Web-based security content, the information in Microsoft’s Web-based security content is authoritative.

If you have any questions regarding this alert please contact your Technical Account Manager or Application Development Consultant.

Thank you,

Microsoft CSS Security Team

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Free online data storage!

What happens when your hard drive crashes?  Have you ever thought about what you would lose if you were unable to get any of the information back from your computer?  Family and vacation photos, music, resumes, emails, family budgets and much more.

The solution is to create regular backups of your data on a regular basis.  Typically that meant burning the information to a CD or DVD.  Another solution is online backups.  Until recently you had to pay for most online storage.  We’ve seen the occasional computer company offering it as an “upsell” to their clients.

Now Microsoft has announced a FREE online data storage called SkyDrive.  You can access your files from anywhere in the world, share them with others if you wish, and password protect them for your privacy.  You can use it for anything, such as photos, documents or music.

Windows Live Skydrive offers 5GB of space, absolutely free to do anything you wish.  It’s too good a deal to pass up.  Sign up for yours today and take the worry out of the next time your computer crashes on you.

Visit the Windows Live Skydrive website here.

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Warranty..What happens after the sale?

An interesting thing continues to be brought to our attention, that being how companies address issues with warranty.

We have seen a few different approaches:

1. Pay extra for an “extended” warranty.  Not a bad idea in theory, although there are so many “exclusions” that it renders many extended warranties useless, used only as “extra profit margin” on your purchase.
2. Pay handling fees per incident.  Some companies will charge shipping and handling fees to honour your manufacturers warranty, typically because they chop prices so low they can’t afford to take care of the shipping.
3. A “service and support program”.  The idea is that on top of your purchase price, you pay extra to actually get any service after your purchase.  In other words, the same as 1), but sold as a mandatory part of your purchase for something you should be receiving anyways.

At Northern Protocol Inc. we handle it a little differently.  For the first year, we take care of any warranty or support issues you have on any computer system sale.  No extra charges, no hidden fees, no mandatory “programs”.  If you have a problem with your hardware that hasn’t been abused or subjected to power problems (lightning, etc), we fix it at no charge, no questions asked.

In the first month of your purchase, we swap the part out immediately, at no cost.  Recently we had a very unfortunate bad batch of power supplies.  They come in boxes of 10 and we lost every single one in the first month.  Not only did we replace them at no charge to the clients, we upgraded them at no cost to a better brand and stopped carrying the faulty product completely.

After the first month, we ship it back to our suppliers or the manufacturer at no cost to you.  Typically our suppliers give one to three year depot warranty on their products.  As they are located in Markham, turn around time is *usually* pretty quick.  When a manufacturer gives us and/or our clients poor service, we stop selling their products.

Although we research products very carefully, unfortunately every now and again we get caught with a bad batch.  Should you bear the cost for that?  Definitely not.  You trust us with all your computer repair and sales needs.  We gladly go the extra mile to ensure your trust is well placed.

Our commitment to every client is to give them the best product for the money and we cheerfully stand behind everything we repair and sell 100%.  If it’s not right, we’ll make it right at no cost to you.

If for any reason you’re unsatisfied with your product and service, ask to speak to me, Aaron.  I will make sure that you are well taken care of.

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Is your data safe?

An article in the Barrie Advance yesterday brings to light a real problem.  A man pawned a computer at a local pawn shop and the staff, snooping on his computer, found illegal content and subsequently called the police.  We certainly don’t condone or in any way support illegal conduct, and certainly police action was warranted.

However, the underlying message is far more sinister.  It brings to light that when you bring your computer into a pawn shop or otherwise sell it, staff and buyers are snooping.  There is absolutely no reason for a purchaser to be digging through your personal data.  All they have to do is put a Windows disk in and perform a fresh install of Windows.

This article demonstrates that your legitimate personal data, such as your accounting, family photos, etc and indeed your identity, is at serious risk.

Tools are available to recover deleted data, whether from a format or otherwise.  A format, system recovery or deleting your files is not sufficient to protect you. 

We offer a confidential data shredding service, making it impossible to recover any data from your discarded or otherwise disposed of hard drives.  We shred data to a specification that surpasses military grade specification.

When your data security and personal identity is important to you, either retain your hard drive or bring it in to us to be properly treated before disposal.  Environmentally friendly recycling is also available at no additional charge.

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Why do manufacturers continue to sell lines with known defects?

After reading my comments on memory, hard drives and motherboards, it’s easy to ask “why do manufacturers do it?”  The answer, unfortunately, is money.  Building products with better quality components often costs more, driving up the price of the product, impacting sales volumes.

One example is the Caviar SE drive that I’ve posted about more than once.  Redesigning a product and retooling a plant to manufacture the new product costs millions of dollars.  A little known fact is that there’s an “acceptable loss” policy in place.  As long as a manufacturer loses less than a certain percentage of product before the warranty expires, they’re still recording profits.  In the case of Caviar SEs, we’ve been alerted that the acceptable rate of loss is as high as 40%!

When we lose 10% of a product, we drop the line altogether.  To us, it’s not a matter of money, however.  To us the faulty product is usually associated with the vendor as opposed to the manufacturer.  As we pride ourselves in our reputation for quality, we take product failures seriously and move quickly to remedy them.

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What does “refurbished computer” mean anyways?

One of the most common sales pitches you see today for used computers is “Refurbished computer! Only $…..”.  The question is, what exactly is “refurbished”?

There are two types of refurbished.  The only genuine “refurbished” computers are those performed by the manufacturer, bringing the machine back to like new condition with a manufacturer’s warranty.

A machine that has been factory refurbished will say it right on the box, typically “factory certified refurbished”.  They carry a manufacturers warranty against defects, typically 90 days or more (up to a year).  Any defective part that resulted in the machine being returned is replaced, the unit goes through QC (Quality Control) and then it is wholesaled off to the channel, typically through wholesalers.

Often, factory refurbished computers will also accompany manufacturer tech support, especially in the case of laptops and desktops.

The most common type of “refurbished” is what you see a lot of in Barrie.  A vendor will take a used computer, take a Lysol wipe and a can of air to it, do a fresh install of Windows and send it back out the door.  If need be, they’ll grab a used part off the shelf and throw it in (new parts drive the cost up).  This is not “refurbished”.  It’s “used” with a “spit and polish”.

It is a deceptive marketing tactic in that it gives the purchaser the false impression that the machine has been fully inspected and recertified against defects.  There are no checks and balances in place.

Quite often “off lease” computers or “trade ins” are mislabeled as refurbished, coming with a 30 day warranty (unless the vendor feels generous, in which case you may see a 90 day warranty).

Off lease or used computers do not undergo the scrutiny that genuinely refurbished products endure.  In fact, we found one vendor in the south end that sells “refurbished” product that actually turned out to be obviously used, including worn keyboards with the letters fading.

“Used” or “off lease” computers only warranty is what the vendor provides.  It is up to them whether they will honor it or not.  Proceed with caution.

When a vendor tells you it’s “refurbished” here are some key questions to ask:

• Did the manufacturer refurbish this unit?
• Does it carry a manufacturers warranty?
• Can I see the manufacturer provided paperwork and warranty forms?
• How long is the warranty?
• Do I have manufacturer tech support?

If the vendor “hums and haws”, starts fidgeting and making excuses, you know right away it’s “used”.  If they can’t be honest about their product, what is your guarantee that they’ll be honest afterwards?

Refurbished computers can typically offer great value.  Used computers can often offer nothing but headaches and aggravation.

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Memory is memory, isn’t it?

RAM (Random Access Memory) is where the computer stores information while it’s in use.  This is “volatile” memory, meaning that when the computer is turned off, all the content in RAM is lost.  The amount of RAM, and the quality, is critically important to the performance of your computer. 

Too little RAM, the computer is constantly dumping information back to your hard drive before getting the next batch, seriously hurting the performance of the computer and the lifespan of your hard drive.

Poor quality RAM gives performance and reliability problems.

All memory modules (RAM) essentially look the same.  Yet some, such as Kingston ValueRAM don’t perform as well as OCZ, some are prone to failure, such as Hynix or Vdata, and some simply won’t work in some computers.

The difference is in the actual modules (the black chips that you see on the RAM) and the PCB (the green board the chips are mounted on).  There are only a few key memory manufacturers.  Micron, for example, is a huge one making modules for a large number of RAM manufacturers.  Samung is also one of the biggest.

What many don’t know is that RAM modules have several levels of quality, or “yields”.  Manufacturers like Kingston pull modules from cheap, offshore manufacturers for their ValueRAM.  They carry a limited warranty and are prone to failure.  Other manufacturers will hand pick from various “yields”.  There are three or more bins of varying qualities of chips.  The more expensive brands will hand pick from the top one or two yields to make their RAM, and will offer lifetime warranties. 

These modules are typically known for their performance and reliability.  Some yields are well known among geek circles for their ability to be “overclocked”, or pushed beyond rated specification.

The PCB (“printed circuit board”) also makes a difference.  There are two main designs for the circuit boards, one that follows the JEDEC standard, one from a company called “Brain Power”.  The Brain Power board, while cheaper, actually outperforms the reference standard.  OCZ uses the “Brain Power” design.

Large OEMs like MDG and HP often use cheaper RAM to keep the price down.  The modules are from cheaper yields, and can often suffer from premature failure.  While they typically work out of the box, we find that within reasonably short order it’s not uncommon for them to malfunction or fail altogether.

As you see, not all memory is created equal, and poor quality RAM can lead to problems such as corrupt data, blue screens, random reboots or sluggish performance.

We recommend modules from Micron, Crucial (owned by Micron), Mushkin, Patriot, Corsair, OCZ, Kingston HyperX and Kingston’s ECC RAM for servers.

Brands we have seen problems with are Hynix, TwinMOS, Vdata, Ultra, Buffalo, some Samsung and pretty much all the “OEM” brands (in other words, cheap no-name brands that vendors label “OEM”).  OEM actually stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer”.  Rather than call it “generic” or “no-name”, which doesn’t really say “buy me” they mislabel it as “OEM”.

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