WMP doesn’t get track data information

If you rip a CD music to your computer using WMP (Windows Media Player), it would automatically try to connect to internet to get the track data information, such as the title of the song, the album, the artist etc.

By default, as it get the data, it will automatically entry the data to the file. The setting is in the tools menu of WMP.

The data is available for most original CD. So, if once you rip a CD but the data don’t come out, there are two most possible reasons; First, the CD might not be original. Second, problem with internet connection. By default, the internet connection is set as the same with the “Internet Connection” or “Your browser”.  You can check the setting in the WMP menu.

Once I found a case but not because of those two reasons. I solved it by re-install the WMP. Download the installer from the Microsoft’s site and re-install it. You might need a genuine Windows to download it, but better to go to the official one than from other sites you don’t know the security.

 

Printer and Scanner driver dissappeared

The computer user called me that she couldn’t print because the printer driver was missing. When I came, I saw a shortcut linked to %User%ApplicationData%defender.exe in the desktop. Then I realized that it might be a virus.

I run hijackthis to make sure but no suspected ones there, seems the owner had cleaned the virus using Malwarebytes, my favorite anti malware software.

When I tried to reinstall the printer driver, it didn’t work, said “Printer Spooler Service couldn’t run”

This is the solution:

• Go to Registry Editor (Start -> Run -> Regedit)
• Find HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print, and expand it, you will find foder “Providers”
• If you expand the folder “Providers”, there should be ONLY folders “LanManPrint Services” (with subfolder “Server) and “Internet Print Provider”. But in this computer I found another folder with [random character] name. I deleted this folder
• Reboot

As miracle, the printer and scanner driver came back as initial.

Picture Resizer

A picture from digital camera contain data we often don’t need it, and usually has big resolution – all make the picture heavy. For uploading in blogs and sending through email it will need much effort and time.

There are many small free software to make it light, and my favorite is PIXresizer from Bluefive Software, http://bluefive.pair.com/pixresizer.htm

The interface is such simple and easy to handle, it has no advertisement, but fulfil what we need. It doesn’t support all format but for the most common ones. It works also for batch files in an few clicks.

You can go to the website to download and try it.

Fake Antivirus: XP Internet Security 2011 disables .exe

The Malware was send by email. A message from DHL (package courier) says that you get a package and asks you to click a link, that’s how the malware being installed.

This is the symptoms:

1. XP Internet Security 2011 window, ask you to click for scanning and remove the viruses detected.
2. You can’t open any file, each time you click, that malware window comes.  It disabled your Antivirus.  If you click and click, sometimes the file/program run after the malware’s window. You can’t close the malware’s window by clicking the cross sign in the top-right corner. So, let it be and do the work in multi windows.
3. You can’t go to internet. If you click the browser, it shows a warning if your computer is infected etc.

Solution:

1. Try to run Hijackthis, and locate the virus. You might not able to ask for analyzing to www.hijackthis.de since you might not able to go to internet. You have to be careful here.  I found the virus :  %user profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\sbp.exe
2. Use Unlocker to delete it.  It deletes only with re-boot. I couldn’t find the process in Task Manager.
3. After delete that virus, you might be frustrated since you can’t run any program.  Seems the virus have changed the registry for running .exe; Everytime you click an .exe, a dialog box comes asking what application to open. So, we have to repair the registry:
4. Use Regedit through DOS command. You can’t use directly Start -> Run -> Regedit as ussual.
5. •    Click Start, Run and type Command
   •    Type the following commands :
   cd\windows (click “Enter”)
   regedit (click “Enter”)
   •    If Registry Editor opens successfully, then navigate to the following key:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ exefile \ shell \ open \ command
   •    Double-click the (Default) value in the right pane
   •    Delete the current value data, and then type:
   “%1″ %*
   (quote-percent-one-quote-space-percent-asterisk.)
   •    Navigate to:
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
   •    In the right-pane, set (default) to exefile
   •    Exit the Registry Editor.
6. After step 5, you will be able to run Malwarebyte. Let it clean up the rest.
7. Finally, use CCleaner to clean the temporary files and registries.

Fake Antivirus: “Windows Restore”

After clicking “something”, the Fake Software installed, then dialog box and windows come and come again. Clicking whatever program will produce that windows, saying that the computer is infected and destroyed and should run the program named “Windows Restore”. The horrible warning window came non stop.  It disabled Task Manager, and hide all programs and files.  My favorite tool, Malwarebytes Antimalware couldn’t run.  By experience, I didn’t click the button “Cancel”; but click the cross sign in top-right corner.

This is the steps I did to solve the problem:

1. Using HijackThis, I found two .exe files of the virus. It was in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft; I couldn’t easily deleted. I used Unlocker to delete them (deleted after re-boot)
2. After re-boot, the windows of  “Windows Restore” didn’t come out anymore, but all file & programs still hidden. After start up, an error message  came out saying it failed to find C:\WINDOWS\iS-2REFT.exe; The computer couldn’t shut down, hang in “Windows is shutting down”.
3. At that point, I could run Malwarebyte, so I run full scan. Caught 9 infected registries and files. But it didn’t solve the symptoms : all files in desktop were hidden.  Finally I change the attributes of the files manually.
4. The Symantec Endpoint AV caught Bloodhound.MalPE;  after being quarantined, the next day it caught again.
5. I downloaded and installed the newest version of CCleaner and did cleaning files and registries. The registries cleaning solve the error message in start up problem. But suddenly, I couldn’t open Add/Remove Software.
6. I run once more Malwarebyte, this time it repair the registry for enabling Task Manager.
7. For shutting down problem, I solved using Regedit (Start -> Run -> Regedit), then search Registry (using menu Edit -> Find) “WaitToKill” and set the value to 2000 (originally 20000)
8. Finally I “Turn off  System Restore”.  Setting through right click “My Computer”, click Properties, then tab “System Restore”

After that steps, the computer works normal and Symantec Endpoint gets no virus anymore. I will come back after several days to turn on the System Restore if there is no more problem.

 

My Notes in Facebook

I couldn’t write notes in my FB, since I didn’t find the “Note” link in the left column of my FB profile neither Homepage.

After googling, I found this link. First, I sign in, then open this link in a tab. A note page will come out, click “write a note” and it will bring you to write your note in your FB.

Google Chrome vs. Kaspersky

Google Chrome could not be installed. Try to install with the stand alone, it stuck to the same error.

Finally it went through when I disabled Kaspersky. After installation, I enabled again.

For safety, I used stand alone installer.

Virus makes Hard Disk Full

The computer has Windows XP with Symantec End Point AV.

Error message said “Hard Disk Full”.

Can’t run AntiVirus, since no “space” at all. Even can’t uninstall it.

I check using Windows Explorer, only end up to “Document and Settings” folder is the one having big size. If I enter to the contents of that folder, I couldn’t find the file having a big size. It’s mysterious! I set everything unhidden. So, I was sure no hidden files.

In safe mode, just the same.

If I delete some files, after some times the mysterious file/folder growth again and fulfill the HD again.

No AntiVirus could run, even the online Bit Defender just stuck.

Almost gave up and reinstall the Windows.

Finally I found a small program “WinDirStat“. When installed, it is only 0.68 MB. I installed it in the Safe Mode.

With this amazing program, I found that the culprit is a folder of Symantec End Point. It is in the “All Users/Applications/Symantec/Quarantine”

I delete the whole folder “Quarantine”. Then all went well.

ODBC in Windows2000

I wanted to connect the PC with Win2K to MSQL server. I had had difficulty to find the ODBC setting.

Click Start -> Run -> type odbcad32.exe

Then Create new data source …. etc. as you need.

Embed MIDI in Firefox

To play MIDI in my web page, I use code. When I tried in local computer, it worked in all browser (IE, Firefox and chrome). But after uploading, mean run through internet, Firefox doesn’t sound the music, while IE and chrome do.

Finally, I found out that I had made mistake in encoding. I put “\” instead of “/”. This is the correct one:

http://folder/music.MID

I had encoded “folder\music.MID” instead of “folder/music.MID”;

To play MIDI file, the browser need plug-in, and I use quick-time. So, if you have encoded correctly and the site doesn’t sound in the local computer, you should check your plug-in.