Pimp Your Gmail

The default Gmail design is too simple and plain white, unfortunately Gmail does not provide skins and themes. However, with the little help from Google Redesigned you can redesign the whole Gmail to black candy like theme. Gmail Redesigned is an opensource project started by Globex Designs to fully redesign the look and feel of the popular Google Gmail service.

All you need to pimp your Gmail is Firefox and Stylish Firefox add-on, then follow these steps:

1. Open the following stylesheet in a browser tab.
   http://www.globexdesigns.com/gmail/gmail.css
2. Click on Install
3. Right-click the Stylish icon in the bottom right corner of the browser
4. Click on "Add File to Stylish"
5. 
   

These are the preview of Stylish Black theme for Gmail. (click to enlarge)

Besides that, Google Redesigned also provided theme for Google Calendar and to do so:

1. Open the following stylesheet in a browser tab.
   http://www.globexdesigns.com/gcal/gcal.css
2. Click on Install
3. Right-click the Stylish icon in the bottom right corner of the browser
4. Click on "Add File to Stylish"

This will be the new look of your Google Calendar:

1. 

Technorati Tags: gmail,google redesigned,globex

Microsoft Released Guide to Tweak Vista

If your Vista isn't speedy as you wish, grab a copy of 14 page PDF document on Windows Vista Performance and Tuning by Microsof. Microsoft's suggestions include disabling unneeded startup items, disabling unwanted services, disabling visual effects or to adjust search settings.That’s a basic set of tasks that most experienced users do after installing an operating system. So, experienced users will probably not find anything new in this guide.

 

Download Windows Vista Perfomance and Tuning [via gHacks]

Windows Update Screwed Torrents Speed

Before I proceed, I would like to share one common tweak/hack/patch among torrent downloaders to boost the download speed. If you are a Windows XP SP 2 user, your TCP connections are limited to a maximum of 10. This might affect your download speed because it won't let you connect to as much peers as you want. However, you can fix this by download this patch. Some people reported that their antivirus detected the patch a Virus, but afraid not. By applying the patch you can set the maximum allowed connections to any number you want - between 50-100 is acceptable. Try this and you will see a significant change in the download speed. However, if you are an avid torrent downloader you might realized after installed the recent Windows update the download speed is decreased.

Recent Microsoft update for Windows XP SP2 user upgraded the *tcpip.sys version from 5.1.2600.3324 to 5.1.2600.3394 thus reverted the TCP connection to 0 which obviously killing the download speed drastically. My BitComet average download speed is from 20kbps-60kbps dropped drastically to 1kbps-12kbps. Initially, I assume it was due to the Internet connection problem but the situation still remains same for couple of days. I even tweak my WiFi router and changed the Internet IP address hoped the download speed back to normal. Somehow, I happened to check the settings in BitComet to look for any changes and I saw at the Current Half TCP Connection shows 'This TCPIP.SYS is cannot be modified' and the new half open limit is '0'. It is changed, I setup open limit more than 0 and Current Half TCP Connection shouldn't show such message. Besides that, BitComet have a tool to patch the tcpip.sys and when I ran the tool I was prompted an error message stating the tcpip.sys version cannot be modified.

After cracked my head for couple of minutes to look for an answer, I found out the tcpip.sys is upgraded because of the Windows update that I installed couple of days ago. As a result it is pointless to run the current patch as it is unable to downgrade tcpip.sys to previous version. So, the only way to fix this by removing the update and you can do that in two methods:

• Click on Start Menu>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore. Open System Restore restore your system to later date, to any date before you installed the Windows Update.
• Or, for an easier way click on Start Menu>Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs. After browse all the way to bottom and look for Security Update for Windows XP KB951748 then uninstall it. Restart your computer, if you already patched you will see previous setting or if you didn't you can run the patch now.

I uninstalled the update and now I enjoying the download speed that I had before.

*tcpip.sys - a file in Windows XP SP2 limits socket connections

Technorati Tags: microsoft,torrent,download,speed,kb951748,tcpip.sys

Data Recovery Tools

USB flash drives have a space constraints, data deletion and replacement is unavoidable. But, how if you accidentally delete crucial data on it? Most of us thought if the files in USB flash drives is deleted there is no way for recovery. However, what we don't know is there are few data recovery tools able to that. Ever wondered why there are new amateur XXX 3gp clips released frequently? As an example, take the so called I-deleted-my-sweet-moments-clips-with-my-baby-in-my-memory-card (thought) and sent to phone shop for repair,upgrade or trade in. Then, the phone shop guy with let's-dig-out-what's-in-this-handphone *grin* attitude and there you go, make your own conclusion.


Now isn't it data recovery tool handy? However, recovery also depends on how critical the damage is. In this article, I short listed a few freeware data recovery tools that might come handy in case of emergency ONLY okay, not for 'digging' your friend's USB flash drive. These tools are able to recover data from all types of media such as hard drives, flash drives and optical media etc.

1. Recuva
Latest version boasts of a great success rate of recovering deleted data)

2. UndeletePlus
Also includes a secure file eraser, a set of file recovery tools, a database recovery tool for popular desktop email clients such as Outlook and Eudora, and an emergency disk image maker.

3. ShadowExplorers
For Vista Home Premium users

But again, recovery only possible if the data hasn't been overwritten.

How to Resize Partition in Windows Vista?

Having more than one partition is a good idea especially in case of emergency. In case you have to format your hard disk, only you know how hard it is to look for back external hard disk to back up your data. For Vista user there is an integrated tool to resize your partition hard disk. In a situation where most of the Vista installed notebooks came with only one partition (as I seen) this might became handy.

1. Click Start and right click on Computer and click Manage.
2. A pop up window will appear. On the left window, select Disk Management under Storage
3. Select the partition you want to resize, then right click it and select Shrink Volume
4. Enter the amount of space to shrink in MB. However, the partition which Vista sits on must be at least 30GB to be safe.
5. After resizing is done, there will be another partition, which needs to be reformatted in order to use it. Right –click the unallocated partition and click New Simple Volume.
6. Follow through the setup wizard. You will be asked to assign the drive letter, format the partition, and specify the volume size. That’s all.

Technorati Tags: resize,partitioning,vista

How to Resize Partition in Windows Vista

If I'm not mistaken, a PC with pre-installed Windows Vista came with only one partition. My friend asked me once how to resize the partition in Windows Vista without reformatting. Just imagine hundreds of GB stored in one partition (I prefer to create 2 partitions - one for installation files and another for multimedia files). Besides that, having more than one partition can be helpful in case, you want to reformat - you can easily back up your data to another partition without troubling yourself to look for an external hard disk.

So, if you want to resize your partition, Windows Vista has an integrated tool to resize your hard disk. Let me show you how.

1. Click Start. Right click on Computer and click Manage
2. A pop up window will appear. On the left window, select Disk Management under Storage.
3. Select the partition you want to resize, then right click it and select Shrink Volume.
4. You will be asked to enter the amount of the resulting partition. Go ahead and enter whatever digits you prefer. However, the partition which Vista sits on must be at least 30GB to be safe.
5. After the resizing is done, there will be another partition, which needs to be formatted in order to use it. Right click the unallocated partition and click New Simple Volume.
6. Follow through the setup wizard. You will be asked to assign the drive letter, format the partition, and specify the volume size. You are did it .

How to Surf Internet without Internet Browser?

Ever find yourself sitting in front of a computer where Internet Explorer or Firefox was blocked by IT Administrator – and restricted you from install any software? If that PC is running Windows XP, then there is chance for you to still surf Internet.

Using Windows Applications

1. Open Calculator, Start> Program Files> Accessories> Calculator or press Windows+R and type ‘calc’ in the run box, click OK.
2. In Calculator, go to Help> Help Topics.
3. Right click on the left hand side of the title bar and click on ‘Jump to URL’.
4. Type in the URL and make sure include the ‘http://’ at the beginning.

Basically what you are looking at is Internet Explorer 6 inside a help window, but this version of program isn’t quite smart as Internet 6. This was tested in Windows XP SP2 with Internet Explorer 6 and I’m not sure whether it will works in Internet Explorer 7 installed computer.

Using Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition
Mozilla Firefox, Portable Edition is the popular Mozilla Firefox web browser bundled with a PortableApps.com Launcher as a portable app, so you can take your bookmarks, extensions and saved passwords with you.

Download

How to Run Old Programs or Games in Vista?

Back when Windows Vista was launched, lots of complained received from users claimed that most of the programs unable to run in Windows Vista. Those applications might have compatibility issues when running in Vista, making the program unable to run, distort display, cannot right click and etc. Windows Vista is different from Windows XP in kernel design, graphics, security control and the list goes on.

To make this problem ease, Program Compatibility mode can come to rescue. Program Compatibility mode allows users to run programs not compatible or not compliant with Windows Vista, such as those written specifically for earlier versions of Windows or using features that no longer exists.

To run a program or executable in Vista compatibility mode:

1. Right click on the .exe or shortcut of the program that needs to be run in compatible mode.
2. On the right click contextual menu, select Properties.
3. Click on the Compatibility tab.
4. In the “Compatibility mode” section, check the Run this program in compatibility mode for: options’ checkbox. Then, in the drop down list, select the operating system that you want Vista to emulate in the compatibility mode. In most cases, Windows XP (Service Pack 2)

Program Compatibility mode is not the guarantee way to make old programs work in Vista. And also, Program Compatibility mode feature should not be used with certain applications such as anti-virus, disk management utilities, or system utilities as it may cause data loss.

Source: MyDigitalLife

How to Watch Removed YouTube Videos

I already mentioned about Deletube capability that can let user to view the removed videos from YouTube and of course with one condition YouTube didn't remove those videos completely from their server.

Besides Deletube, you may try:

FtvTeen.com
You can find some deleted or removed video clips from these websites. You can search for the deleted clips by name or by ID. However, these websites may contain adult content that is illegal for below age viewers.

TubeMall UndeleTube
UndeleTube is another service provided to view the removed video clips from YouTube. It works pretty well.


via MyDigitalLife

How to Download Windows XP Service Pack 3?

First of all I'm sorry for the long absence, quite busy lately till didn't have enough time for blogging.

Microsoft has finally developed the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release Candidate 1 which will be the last service pack for the Windows XP. This new service pack promises a good set of bug fixes and some new features borrowed from Vista. However, the service pack is currently available for Beta Testers only.

So, if you desperate enough to give a try Daily Apps provided a simple trick to download Windows XP SP3 RC1 from Microsoft website.

• Download this file ( WindowsXPSP3Hack.cmd ). Once you have downloaded the file, login as administrator and run the file by double clicking it. Wait for the Confirmation Message on screen.
• The Above file adds a few entries to the Windows Registry that makes Microsoft think that you are a part of the Private beta program.
• Check for new updates on Windows Update. You should now see Windows XP SP3 listed in the available updates.
• Download and install it. Reboot whenever necessary.

Actually this hack will fool Microsoft website that you are one of the Beta Testers so you can download the service pack without any problems.

How to Watch Removed YouTube Videos?

Sure everyone used to watch couple of videos in YouTube and embed it in your blog or MySpace, Friendster etc. or maybe uploaded your own videos. Maybe sometimes you stumble onto some popular vidoes that not longer on YouTube because of its offensive contents or copyright violations.

If you happened to end up like that staring at YouTube message - 'this video has been removed due to terms of use violation' then you can check out Delutube. Just try to enter the YouTube video ID to see if the video available.

Delutube let you to watch those removed video from YouTube by playing the video from YouTube folder. Hence, if you YouTube removed the video from the folder then it will disappear from Delutube as well.

Delutube

Download HD Quality Trailer from Apple

I got a friend that prefer watching trailer to decide whether to watch it in cinema if its out. He also collector of very nice and cool movie trailers but he often complains because there is no decent website high definition trailer download. IGN one of the site that offer trailer download.

However most of you might prefer watch trailers in Apple website right but there is a trick you can't download it. If you a Firefox user then this might be helpful, if you are then you need to download Greasemonkey extension - click here to download and install Greasemonkey.

For next step head to here, for further information regarding installing the script. Don't worry there is no hassle to install just one click and you ready to go. Check the demos as well to get know how does it functions.

Enjoy..

How to Hack Password Protected Windows XP

Felt lost and angry because you dumb enough to forget your Windows logon password? You should be . The most common or classic hack is CTRL+ALT+DEL trick, if you don’t know about this don’t worry I will explain it along with the other tricks.

Trick 1:

1. At logon screen type CTRL+ALT+DEL 3 times and a small window will pop up after that.
2. Delete the existed username and type Administrator, leave the password box blank.
3. Hit Enter, now you able to login into Windows
4. Then, go to Start Menu>Control Panel>User Accounts. You can delete your account password and save new password (something that easy to remember so you won't forget again)
   

*Usually when fresh copy of Windows XP installed in PC or laptop, there is a hidden account and that’s Administrator account. By default the Administrator account is not password protected, that’s why by using this trick you can access to Administrator account. However, some smart user set password for Administrator account as well made this trick unusable.

Trick 2:

If Trick 1 didn't work out you can download Winternals ERD Commander to override the Windows XP password. How to do it? Watch the video below.

Hacking Win XP Password

Before you start Google Winternals ERD Commander, I would like to tell you that Winternals ERD Commander is not cheap and Winternals offerings no longer available for purchase since Microsoft acquires Winternals on July 17, 2006. Don’t get me wrong for provided useless trick because you can download the Winternals ERD Commander through P2P and torrents sites – I’m downloading it. Look for me if you couldn’t get it.

Acknowledgement:

This post is meant for educational purposes only and any act that one indulges into crime and privacy intrusion, the problem is solely yours. There quite numbers of solution but those are after login hacks not before login. If I missed anything kindly let me know.

Disable Writing to USB

How would you felt when you assignments, projects or you classified data copied easily just by sticking a tiny cute thumb drive into your laptop or PC by some undesired users? You felt frustrating or angry? Whatever, lets learn a simple registry hack that disable any writing to a thumb drive .

1. Click Start > Run and type regedit
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ System\ CurrentControlSet\ Control
3. Right click and select New > Key, to create a new folder and name it as StorageDevicePolicies
4. Click that folder and in the window on the right, right click > New > DWORD Value and name it as WriteProtect
5. Double click on it and give a value 1 under Value Data box

*1 – disable writing to USB

*0 – allow writing to USB

How Long Your Hard Disks, CDs and DVDs Live?

First all I'm sorry for not updating my blog for almost a week. Damn, sure I missed loads of latest news. Actually I was kinda busy and was down with flu. Hope it won't happen again. So lets get it on.

How long you planned to save your data in digital storage when that the storage media live for only few years, after which is data loss is inevitable?

Average Lifespan 5 to 10 Years

1. Floppies
2. CD/DVD
3. Hard disk
4. USB Stick
5. Flash Memory

Normal Lifespan: 10 to 15 Years

1. VHS Tape
2. MiniDV Tape

Normal Lifespan: 20 to 30 Years

1. Magnetic Tape
2. DVD-RAM

According to an independent study carried out by NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology, Gaithersburg/USA), a DVD-R can lead a life up to 30 years only if stored under ideal conditions and that is – 25 degree Celsius temperature, no fluctuations, no exposure to light and consistent 50 percent of humidity. However, even the burnt CDs or DVDs will be no longer readable after a few years if handled in normal condition.

Damage to the CDs or DVDs can be caused in the most varying ways. The most common cause of damage is when CD’s or DVD’s get so badly scratched when placed rashly on a table that the saved data can simply no longer be identified by the read head in the disk drive.

Damage on upper layer even worse, fine scratches have ability to destroy the reflection layer on which the laser is reflected. Such damage can cause by:

• Labeling a black CD or DVD inappropriate writing tool such as ball pen or pencil – use special CD markers.
• Stickers are even more dangerous as the cheap products, the solvents in the adhesive reacts with the polycarbonate surface of the blank CD or DVD – leads to corrosion of reflection layer.

Image by iStockphoto

Firefox Extensions Causes Problems

The major advantage of Firefox is its extensions, they can provide unique and useful features but at the same time they can cause problems. Certain extensions can cause your browser crash, excessive CPU usage and memory leaks.

Cybernetnews listed handful of famous extensions that cause problems with any known fixes. You may find answers for your confusions for your erratic behavior of your browser.

Cybernetnews [Firefox Extension Cause Memory Leaks and Crashes]

Revive Dead Thumb Drive

Can thumb drive dead, I mean can it dead and stop functioning? I never experienced it before but I found an article how to revive your dead thumb drive in a forum. Hence, I thought it would be helpful for those who might face such problems.

There’s a “Magic Potion” that can take the drive back from death and it’s from a wizard called HP and the magic utility is called HP Boot Utility.

Officially HP Boot Utility is for HP drives. But not “only” for HP drives. Yes it can be used with almost every flash media including some memory cards too.

Download Magic Potion

Usage Method
After installation the utility will place a shortcut in 'HP System Tools' in the 'Programs' start menu folder.

To make your drive key bootable and/or capable of flashing firmware:

• Place your hp USB drive key in an available USB port.
• Select the 'HP Drive Key Boot Utility' shortcut in the 'HP System Tools' folder.
• Complete each step presented by the application.

During the interview process, when asked to select the drive letter your key is using, if the drop down box is unpopulated please note that the drive key is either not properly connected to the system or is of drive type "fixed disk". To determine the type of a USB mass storage device, enter "My Computer" and right-click on the USB drive key and choose "Properties." The drive type will be displayed in the Properties pane. If the drive is labeled "fixed disk" or "local disk" the following steps must be followed to assign a drive letter to the USB drive key prior to running the HP Drive Key boot Utility.

• Insert the Drive Key.
• Login as Administrator.
• Select Start-> Programs-> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management.
• Select Computer Management (local) -> Storage -> Disk Management (local).
• Select "Change/Add Drive Letter" for the disk to map the Drive Key to.
• Choose a drive letter.

For a list of available firmware, please visit the ROM Updates page.

For SmartStart CD and Firmware Maintenance CD functionality, use the HP USB Key Utility to copy your SmartStart CD and Firmware Maintenance CD on to your portable USB key storage device.

via Bellgates (TMS Forum member)

Banana and a Scratched Optical Disc

The title, does it ring any bells? Most of us smoothed an optical disc with toothpaste, cold water or whatever tools or tactics you name it. How about smooth the optical disc using banana? Sounds weird? Watch the short video demonstration using banana to fix the scracthed optical disc.

via Geeks Are Sexy

How to Move My Documents Folder?

By default the My Documents is in specified location and moving it manually will not work. So, you have to do the following steps to move My Documents to your preferred location:

Click on Start>My Document, right click on My Document and click on Properties.

Click Move button and select the new location, click OK.

Choose whether you wish to move your existing documents across this location.

Now Windows will recognize the location as the home of My Documents. Besides that, you can now rename My Documents to something else.

Folder Options Gone? Again?

A lot of viruses today hides the Folder Options menu in the Windows Explorer, which will make it hard for you to show hidden files. There are a few ways to recover it (Some of them already been dicussed in KeshZone. Feel free to check out the archive) such as using Registry Editor (run > regedit.exe) or Group Policy Editor (run > gpedit.msc). However, there's a new virus that'll make none of the previous solutions work; named W32.SillyFDC (click the virus name for more info). I somehow managed to recover the Folder Options using Remove Resrictions Tool/RRT. It'll also help you recover Task Manager, Registry Tools and some other things that a virus will hide. All the credit goes to the program writer. Yeah~!

Additional links:
-Sergiwa.com
-Softpedia.com