My Blog - Computer Questions and Answers

My blog with computer questions and answers, pc help, links and miscellaneous computer related information.

Personalia:

Name:	Geir Åge Hovland Geir Aage Hovland
Hometown:	Kristiansund: .GIF | .JPG | .PNG
Residence:	Kongsvinger, Norway
Marital status:	35 and single

Contact info:

E-mail:	support@sundrytools.com
MSN:	msn@sundrytools.com

About SundryTools:

SundryTools.com was launched April 23rd. 2003 by Geir Aage Hovland, and are primarily a collection of freeware files, free full version PC games, sundry freebies, IT resources and other things you can find on the Internet. Orignally SundryTools.com started as the host for SundryTools XV, a free multi-functional tool, hence the name SundryTools (sun'dre) adj. Various; miscellaneous. SundryTools' History... June 1st. 2008 I started another freeware project: PasteCopy.NET; A fully automated free portable Windows Clipboard Manager. November 4th. 2009 I launched Cloud-Freeware.com as a part of SundryTools.com, with a collection of free cloud software & online games, online services & tools, online resources and other free tools available in the cloud. SundryTools' History: In September 1998 I learned programming when I was studying computer science at Molde College. I really found an interest and started potter with a small application I called 'WakeUp'. I also made a few other tools; 'StartUp' (October 1998), 'KillAll' (May 1999), 'TimeZone' (December 1999) and finally 'Tray Manager' (February 2001). In February 2002 these project was discontinued, when I started working as a system developer in a private firm. Later I started the working with joining these applications into one application I called 'SundryTools'. In January 2004 the first beta version was ready, and the first official version was released April 6th. 2005. After version 2 the application was completely redone, and got the name 'SundryTools XV'. 'XV' was added to differ between my homepage sundrytools and the application SundryTools. XV is a acronym for XP/Vista optimized. SundryTools XV is today distributed at several software archives like CNet, Tucows, Softpedia, ZDNet, PC World and FreewareGuide. In addition the application has been published in the Norwegian computer-related website hardware.no, and also at MSFN.org and have received several Software Awards.

What's New

March 8th. 2010: Tomorrow I'll post a few new pictures, before I start re-design my sites.

While building my sites and applications I see things that could be improved and new features to be added. I also get a lot of feedback with comments and suggestions, which I'm greatful for. At the time I have a lot of things on my to-do list, and the hardest part is to figure out what to do first.

• A few new photos are awaiting to be added to my photo collection
• Next on my list is a new design for all 3 sites, this would mostly be new logos, backgrounds and other minor changes
• I have about a 1000 freeware files and links, that needs to be tested, reviewed and added to my list if they pass my tests
• Both freeware files and links have limited comments and description, and I'll try to update and add extra info
• The blog is also something I will try to improve, don't know how yet, but it will include SEO tips, how to's, and other information related to computing and programming
• PasteCopy.NET has a few known bugs, and when I'm done with all of the above, I'll rewrite the entire application and add the rest of the new features I'm planning. Hopefully the final release 1.0 is ready by summer 2010
• Finally my plan is to rewrite SundryTools XV, and convert to .NET and release a final 5.0 version, but this would perhaps be sometimes in 2011

I do also have a few other projects on my mind, but for now there aren't enough time to even consider starting. The most important thing on my to-do list is to release a final version of PasteCopy.NET with all the features I have planned, and all known bug fixed.

External links on sundrytools.com & cloud-freeware.com are tested with Google Safe Browsing diagnostic, Norton Safe Web, McAfee SiteAdvisor & WOT

• Jan. 13th. 2010: PasteCopy.NET 0.9.6 released with a brand new skin
• Nov. 18th. 2009: Just finished re-scanning my 35mm photos
• November 5th. 2009: New redesigned SundryTools.com launched
• November 4th. 2009: www.cloud-freeware.com launched
• June 19th. 2009: sundrytools.com reached 200.000 visitors
• June 22nd. 2008: sundrytools.com reached 100.000 visitors
• June 1st. 2008: www.pastecopy.net launched
• April 23rd. 2003: sundrytools.com launched

Computer Questions and Answers

• "MSXML 6 Service Pack 2 Failed" may occur when installing applications dependent on SQL Server Express Edition installed. To simply uninstall the thing does not seem to be a solution when it gives you the same error message during the uninstallation. In this case you should use Windows Installer CleanUp to uninstall MSXML.
• Notepad++ "load langs.xml failed": In the installation folder for Notepad++, delete langs.xml, and copy langs.model.xml, and save it as langs.xml.
• Password checker: Test the strength of your passwords
• If you have black stripes in "Add/ Remove programs", or if program is missing from the list, My Uninstaller can remove these.
• Add/Remove Program Error 1719: The Windows Installer service could not be accessed".
• "Windows cannot access specified device path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access this item" Run Fixswen.inf. On Windows Registry errors use SubInACL
• Logitech QuickCam drivers newer than 8.1.1 causes:# Windows XP Start Menu Going all Black, "All Programs" won't work anymore, and right side of Start-Menu (Administrative Tools etc.) won't expand.
• SATA Controller without connection: # Kernel stack inpage error + "No drive attached to fastrack, the BIOS is not installed".
• "You either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Macromedia's Flash Player": Flash Player detection failure. Try installing flash from a setup file.
• Save Target As and Print Target Commands Are Unavailable: Microsoft Support
• Improve DSL connection with RASPPPOE PPP over Ethernet (short: PPPoE).
• Uninstall Windows Messenger (v. 4.7 in XP): 'Start' - 'Run': RunDll32 setupapi,InstallHinfSection BLC.Remove 128 %SystemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf
• Unpack MDAC: 'Start' - 'Run': C:\mdac_typ.exe /c /t:C:\MDAC20
• Get rid of the "This page contains both secure and nonsecure items" warning: In Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options, click the Security tab; make sure that in "Select a zone..." window that Internet is selected. Click Custom Level and scroll down about half way to "Display mixed content" in the Miscellaneous section. Change it from Prompt to Enable.
• Windows & .NET: What version of the .NET Framework is included in what version of the OS?

Windows Registry Changes:

Enable Encrypt in context menu: Make a Dword32 key: "EncryptionContextMenu" in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Close crashed applications: (1000 = 1 second)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\HungAppTimeout=4000 (standard = 5000)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WaitToKillAppTimeout=4000 (standard = 20000)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\WaitToKillServiceTimeout=4000 (standard = 30000)

If you have 512 megs or more of memory, you can increase system performance by having the core system kept in memory:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\MemoryManagement
DisableExecutivePaging =1

Microsoft Windows Lifecycle:

License Availability Roadmap - Microsoft Windows Lifecycle (Dateformat: 'dd.mm.yyyy'):

Link Collection / References

» Blog » Computer Security:

» Blog » Fun Stuff:

» Blog » htaccess & redirects:

» Blog » Miscellaneous:

» Blog » Programming Resources:

» Blog » Windows Resources: