April 15, 2008
remove the winamp toolbar
i love winamp, but have no use for a toolbar in my web browser.
the process is really simple. here's how to fix that.
read more...April 14, 2008
disable the office clipboard toolbar
How to prevent the Office Clipboard toolbar from appearing when you use multiple Copy commands in any Office 2000 program.
It is possible to prevent the Clipboard toolbar from automatically appearing when you use multiple Copy commands in any Microsoft Office program. This article explains how to do this by modifying the Windows Registry.
This solutions appears similar to disabling the 'clip book' in later versions.
read more...April 04, 2008
firewire sbp2port.sys code (10)
so, i have two firewire/usb combo (dual interface, powered) external drives. both drives failed to attach via firewire on my laptop --and both work fine via USB. so i'm thinking my firewire hardware is messed up on my laptop, right?. but i've also got an external firewire CD that is working -so the firewire hardware should be just fine --what gives? i've fussed with it before, spending a few hours trying to fix it, but gave up. with some free time now, i sat down to fix this for good.
read more...March 03, 2008
netgear ps121v2, works!
Appears the PS121v2 also features an actual print server interface (SMB or raw tcp, rather than the remote USB hub mode the install software attempts to use). who knew!?!
the setup just installs a remote USB hub, no other options. while this would seem like a reasonable approach for USB printers (just make it surrogate for the USB wire, how could you go wrong?). appears their software is either buggy, or simply not compatible with the better part of printers out there, including mine. i'm not sure what's going on.
like a lot of folks that posted online; i found the installer would hang at 90% complete. after restart etc, i did manage to print something. but when i got it to work, it returned an error after a single print job and required resetting the printer to clear. lame. plus, you're stuck with the default 'networked' printer name it registers (can't change, it just resets on power up, grrrr). i think most people gave up well before this point.
read more...November 26, 2007
outlook error message
i got this error message recently. none of my calendar items would update, or even open. "The item may not have been deleted correctly. If someone sent you the item, that person's copy of the item may not be updated."
i closed outlook, killed a stuck outlook process, and restarted.
everything was fine.
November 25, 2007
xbox thief deadly shadows game save
when I go to the save screen and save the game, it just hangs/locks up on the "Saving Game. Please do not turn off your xbox console."
solution:
You must set the date and time before playing otherwise you cannot save gave. In the xbox dash, boot machine to ms dash / or older dashboard that has time config screen, set date and time then load game.
read more...October 18, 2007
xbox 360 x-arcade hack
pacman challenge edition came out on the xbox 360 this summer. it's actually a great game with good gameplay. the version is time & point based, rather than level & survival like the original.
however, playing the game with the stock xbox controller (analog thumb or d-pad) isn't much fun -you really need a standard 4-way arcade joystick for proper game action/response.
D. already had an x-arcade, and swapped the built-in stick with a switchable 4/8 way joystick (one that uses governor for true 4-way action!)... but there's no interface for to the xbox360 (not yet?).
xbox 360, pac man challenge edition with x-arcade hack.
May 06, 2007
calendar sync/subscribe
looks like there are more widgets to make sync'ing/subscribing to calendars easy (easier). for example, you can 'subscribe' to my current burn calendar for 2007, using this address:
http://www.7hertz.com/download/calendar/2007/burn2007.ics
i've just been playing around with this stuff a bit, but here's how:
windows/outlook:
for outlook 2003/2007 there's a plug-in called 'remotecalendar' (posted on sourceforge), and lets you sync with calendars on the web (e.g. sync to google calendars, subscribe to the 'burn dates').
macs:
on the mac, the 'ical' program lets subscribe to a remote calendar. just choose 'subscribe', use the url for the calendar, and choose a refresh rate. there's also some software called 'spanning sync' which will let you sync as well.
google calendars:
download, then import into gcal.
palm:
try a program called isync?
April 26, 2007
kinamax usb svga 2.0
this little item gives you an additional display output on most any windows XP box.
i'm fairly impressed, it offers reasonable quality/resolution video. i picked this up so i could have third display on my tablet/laptop. while most gamers would complain the frame rate doesn't allow for full speed video, the casual office user won't notice one bit. display looks fabulous on my lcd.
read more...April 25, 2007
outlook calendar grid issue
KB924085 Causes Grid Lines In Outlook 2003 Calendar ('day week month' View) To Become Corrupted. Unfortunately if you are looking those keywords up here, you've already figured this out huh?
what happens... grid lines that surround each such are not properly painted. as far as i could tell, it seems invalidate rect or some other call isn't made for the entire box, leaving residual pixels from the desktop or prior application.
problem goes away if you uninstall KB924085.
April 04, 2007
visual studio 2005 project
Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 error message :
The project file 'C:\data\projects\misc.Web.csproj' cannot be opened.
The project type is not supported by this installation.
...turns out i needed to installed the web application project type.
read more...April 03, 2007
outlook dst problem
so i applied the dst change to my system and used the outlook update utility to move my appointments.
it caught a handful of appointments but missed a ton, actually most of them. it screwed up stuff from years ago, begging the question did anyone think about the fact *past* events probably shouldn't be changed?
March 29, 2007
step 29, swim across...
google maps displays route info for the UK now.
on a humorous note, if you map Portland to London it sends you east, tells you to swim across the ocean, and continues with directions to london.
March 24, 2007
moon dates to 2012 (ical file)
here's two ical calendar files for the moon phase/lunation, till 2012.
One just has full & new moon days (full day 'events')....the other has full, new, and quarter dates -with times noted (as 'appointments' in outlook).
read more...burn dates, ical file
here's an ical calendar file for the burn & burnal solstinox (equinox) dates, plus 'opening' gates -till 2012.
nothing 'official' here, just my calculations, maybe you'll find it useful... mostly i'm just playing around with exporting calendar data & calendaring. you can import this into outlook, google calendar, whatever. i have a another version with more dates like regionals -suppose i could post that as well if people wanted. maybe useful planning trips to catch regionals?
you can also use this with the moon calendar to project the moonlight schedule durning the event, or anytime you're on the playa really.
March 16, 2007
d-link di-524 router
picked this up at fry's and been doing pretty well. it's a basic router. just looking for another cheap option since the airlink wasn't working out. took a little time to set up. still hoping the folks at airlink will sort out the problem or send a replacement.
the d-link was actually pretty fussy at first --not reseting properly, getting stuck/frozen during boot process. grr, these routers are getting on my nerves. i had to manually reset the unit a bunch of times.
however, once i got the latest firmware in place it appeared to work properly -and that problem went away. all good.
read more...March 05, 2007
ar"420" -airlink101 router problem
i got the airlink101 ar420W wireless router to replace the linksys.
this is actually my 6th or 7th router since i went wireless years ago. tried all the major brands. it replaced the linksys i used for about 4 years until that died a slooow, long painful death (suffered from heat stroke). so this is not new territory for me (i find it curious each one uses slightly different terminology, and approaches basic tasks in a different manner). once they're in place, they there sit for years really.
honestly i was just looking for a cheap replacement, and i didn't need the absolute latest features, just the usual suspects. namely port forwarding for some random services i host at the homestead.
read more...February 20, 2007
outlook calendar tricks
set the 'event' type as the default calendar form :
create a custom form: tools / forms / design a form....
choose all day events for time setting.
publish the form: tools / forms / publish form as...
assign the custom form to the calendar: navigate to properties on calendar folder, choose the new "event" type in the drop down for the default.
if needed, delete the form by selecting properties for the folder, upper tab "Forms", then 'manage...' (button).
eh, ymmv.
Outlook Calendar Start Time Shortcuts
One of the best undocumented features of Microsoft Outlook - well, undocumented as I can tell - is the "calendar shortcuts" feature. When you create a new appointment or task, you don't need to know the exact date of the appointment or task - let Outlook figure that out for you!
For example, if your boss tells you that a particular report is due in 25 days, you don't have to manually figure out when that is - just enter 25d in the "Start Time" for the appointment (make sure that today is selected in your calendar, otherwise the appointment will be added 25 days from the day selected).
Other available operators include W (weeks), MO (months) and Y (years) as well as TODAY, TOMORROW and NEXT TUESDAY (or whatever other day you need next week). Note that these calendar shortcuts also work with Tasks as well.
cool shortcuts
here's list of a few trick keyboard shortcuts for windows, word & excel.
read more...February 18, 2007
error writing to the registry
You may encounter the following error messages displayed when trying to modify the registry values. "Error Editing Value Cannot edit
One possible reason for that failure is because Windows grants read access to many registry entries --you may need to manually grant write permission, even to the Administrator (or 'Everyone' if you like), if that's not set.
i was surprised when trying to update the "friendly name" for a external device in the driver settings, windows would not let me update the value until i granted myself write permissions --a kind of safety mechanism.
read more...January 30, 2007
disable mouse wheel in winamp
i've been a little annoyed by the mouse wheel lately, espcially in winamp where a slight slip ends up changing the volume. real problem is there isn't much you can do with system settings (can't diable the wheel) or winamp options to prevent this (not my version anyway).
i just found this plug-in for winamp (reading the forums). plus, i can still use the wheel to scroll, etc.
http://nunzioweb.com/daz/files/MouseWheel_Blocker_v1_0.exe
brilliant.
December 25, 2006
disable windows messenger
Windows Messenger.
- Go to Start\Programs\Administrative Tools\Services
- Right click Messenger, click stop
- Right click Messenger, click Properties, change startup type to disabled.
Microsoft Messenger. (Little green man icon)
- Open Microsoft Messenger
- Click Tools\Options
- Change to Preferences tab
- Deselect run this program automatically when windows starts.
- Open Outlook Express
- Under Tools/Options/General, deselect Automatically log on to Microsoft Messenger.
If you are using Outlook Express, you can also prevent users from manually running Windows Messenger by:
1. In Outlook Express, click Options on the Tool menu.
2. On the General tab, click to clear the "Automatically log on to Windows Messenger" check box.
2. Click OK.
To prevent Windows Messenger from signing in when you run Outlook:
1. In Outlook, click Options on the Tools menu.
2. On the Other tab, click to clear the "Enable instant messaging in Microsoft Outlook check box.
3. Click OK
December 04, 2006
spam poetry, my inbox moment of zen.
the worse for wear, and that his stocking was just breaking out in unhappy disclosure that I had nothing on but my little night-shirt, whole being into the large hole at the top, and ooze away at the footsteps, in the garden that I dreamed
of walking in all night.
November 20, 2006
missing template files in visual studio
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE
devenv /installvstemplates
This will rebuild your item and project template cache. Works like a champ.
October 26, 2006
dual (quad?) monitors
tired of waiting for the office to get hip, i went on ebay and picked up some cheap multi-screen cards. grabbed some spare lcd monitors. i love it.
i've got four screens at the office. one for code, one for output, for tools, for email, et al. quickly becomes essential, once you get the feel for it.
and everyone wants more screens now.
May 01, 2006
linksys, wifi drops (not) fixed
i have a linksys wireless router, worked perfectly for years. now the wifi connection randomly drops once or twice a day (not every ten minutes as other folks report), at which point my laptop cannot see my network.
reset usually does the trick, which i've been doing - but that's annoying. now, i may have found the issue...
read more...April 30, 2006
zebra 2844z printer
splurged on one of these, finally -- it's making label printing a snap.
i got the print server model (ethernet) -- so worth the extra money.
still have to set up printing fed ex labels, but should be able to do that now.
February 22, 2006
zebra LP 2844 label printer
so i really want a decent size label printer to make shipping items easier. there are new thermal label printers out there for about $100. but the label size is small. i like the 4x6" size labels, which are compatible with USPS, FedEx, UPS, et al.
decided on the zebra LP2844. curiously enough, there's a lot of those on Ebay - however *most* of them are zebra oem models that only work with ups, or only work with fedex. seems somewhat like "network locked" phones. the printer really doesn't work with other software.
read more...February 10, 2006
outlook com add-in's
Need to disable an addin or have an addin that isn't loading? Look for it at Tools, Options, Other tab, Advanced button. Some addins are listed in COM Add-ins, others are under Add-in Manager.
outlook 'find a contact' hotkey
been looking awhile for this one. i've been getting the hang of using outlook and as well as adjust to it's quirks. i like using the 'find a contact' on the standard toolbar, to pull up contact info -- but there didn't appear to be any shortcut keys associated (or that you can assign).
turns out it's just F11.
read more...December 06, 2005
pairing gloabsat bt-338 w/ acer c113
i'm noticing a trend here. when i pair up devices -- my acer c113 tablet pc (with cambridge bluetooth) tends to pair without setting a passkey. at least it doesn't
require (or appear to prompt) the user to set that, perhaps waiting for the device to connect first before prompting for that.
since the globalsat bluetooth gps unit requires the vanilla "0000" passkey -- you need to pair the device with that passkey.
i tried for a long time to get the gps connected, manually opening the com port associated with it, but it would *not* connect till i got the passkey set.
once you do that, it works like a champ. likewise with other devices no doubt.
November 17, 2005
inkernet
originally a cute term for the internet, alluding to the emerging "printing press for the masses" given the advent of the modern & widespread blog-o-sphere.
now, even more recently (and aptly so), refers to the addition of digital ink to the internet & blog experience.
this also hails the impending doom of illegible handwriting and poor chickscratch drawings on the net... see my other post (the dark side of the pen).
enable windows xp remote desktop
for along time i thought xp pro wouldn't support incoming remote desktop sessions. here's where to allow that... unusual place for this setting, no?
system properties | remote | remote desktop | allow users to conect remotely to this computer | (check)
TIP tablet input icon removal
The TIP (tablet input panel) toolbar takes up a lot of space on the taskbar, which you may want to free up. doesn't appear there's a user setting for it.
If you want to remove the button, you can do so as follows & reboot :
regsvr32 /u "c:\program files\common files\microsoft shared\ink\tipband.dll"
read more...November 16, 2005
rex 6000 irq setting
the interrupt for the com port is automatically set. curiously enough on the new laptop it set com 3 to irq 7 along with a different i/o memory address than standard.
i had trouble get the rex to work & sync when bluetooth was on, even though the com port is set aside...
read more...November 10, 2005
bluetooth com port drivers
there are differences in how bluetooth drivers assign com ports.
on one system, ports are assigned on the fly, and don't proliferate when you swap devices. on another system, pairing up the new devices creates fixed assignements for the ports that each device might use, even on each physical input port.
read more...November 09, 2005
windows xp pro file sharing
turn off "simple file-sharing". creates more trouble than it's worth. just seems to break the standard file sharing - including using the default share along with being able to specify a user account logins while networking to other machines.
Open Explorer, click Tools, Folder Options. Click View. Scroll to the bottom. Uncheck "Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)".
i say, not recommended.
read more...outlook find contacts
if you make / replace your own pst file you may want to add the contact folder to the stock find contact search input on the menubar... here's how:
right click contacts > properties > outlook address book > show this folder as an e-mail address book (check).
November 07, 2005
pairing T39 with cambridge bluetooth
i was very frustrated by cambridge bluetooth... had trouble pairing with my ericsson t39. usually, i just discover devices to pair with, enter a new passkey then answer the prompt on my laptop and enter the passkey. i'm used to not being able to pair the other way around with the t39 (one of the first phones w/ bluetooth).