Angell's

Password Security

2012-01-26T12:55:00.000-06:00

We recently had a customer who was permitted to change their password to something that was very easy to guess (that has been remedied). Here are a couple of suggested sites that can help you use good passwords.

Test the strength of your passwords:
https://www.microsoft.com/security/pc-security/password-checker.aspx

How to create passwords that are easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/passwords-create.aspx

Useful network utilities

2011-07-13T10:54:00.002-05:00

I used this yesterday to identify speed issues at a customer’s home. Turned out there were four routers on channel 6 (his was one, moved to 7), four on channel 11 and two on channel 1, all of which I could connect to in his home office. It also showed me signal strength so I could adjust the location of his wireless adapter to get the best connection.
http://www.passmark.com/products/wirelessmonitor.htm (30 day free trial)
WirelessMon is a software tool that allows users to monitor the status of wireless WiFi adapter(s) and gather information about nearby wireless access points and hot spots in real time.

Overlook Fing (Freeware)
http://www.over-look.com/site/index.php/download
Network discovery tool

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad Apps:

Overlook Fing (Free)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/overlook-fing/id430921107

IP Network Scanner Lite (only shows first five devices, paid app is $5.00)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ip-network-scanner-lite/id335517828?mt=8

System Scope Lite (Full version is $4.99)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/system-scope-lite/id428822597?mt=8

Ping Scope Lite (Full version is $.99)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ping-scope-lite/id431500107?mt=8

Not quite Network Utilities
These are not specifically "Network Utilities", but I have found them to be very useful.

WinDirStat (Free)
http://windirstat.info

Eraser (Free)
http://eraser.heidi.ie

Web Browser

2011-04-11T13:10:00.000-05:00

Being in the computer field and being an online application developer I am often asked which browser I use. The answer is, all the major ones. I have Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Opera all installed on my office computer (Windows Vista). On my home desktops (Windows 7) I have Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox. On the PowerBook I have Safari and Firefox. On the Asus Netbook and my Windows XP test machine I only have IE (versions 7 and 8). The iPad and iPod are of course running Safari.

Of course now you will ask, "Yes, that is what you have installed, but what do you use?" The answer is, all of them! For example, at work there is a web cam I need to access, but the interface will not work with either Chrome or Firefox so I have to use IE for that page. I also have a time sheet program that is my homepage in Chrome that I open and then keep that page open all day. Etc., yes, I use them all and when I am working on a site design, I make certain I can view the site on everything I have. If I can get the site to look right on all I have, I have never had a complaint from a client saying it didn't look or work right for them.

Microsoft Mathematics

2011-04-11T12:26:00.000-05:00

Back when I was in college, we didn't have graphing calculators. I remember writing a program in my sophomore year that would do my homework for me. Back then, we would have to manually enter points in the equations and then plot them on a piece of paper. After doing about 10 problems that way, I wrote a program that would go through a loop of points, plug them into the equation and then print out the final graph. Next morning I got up and my homework was done. When I turned them in, my instructor asked if he could keep those graphs because they were more accurate than anything he had previously worked with.

A couple of years later I saw a program that would do 2D and 3D charts on the computer, but I haven't seen that application since the graphing calculators became common place. I guess I just haven't kept up on the software side of things. Microsoft came out with v4 of their Mathematics application back in January.
http://www.microsoft.com/Mathematics

Search an Entire Database

2011-03-10T12:44:00.003-06:00

How often have you needed to search an entire database for a particular piece of information? Common problem, many different solutions are available on the internet. In my case I needed something that I could run from an intranet web site, written in classic ASP, that searched an in-house SQL 2005 database. Here is the code I finally came up with that will search all fields of all tables, with a selection to choose which database. Set the four values in the configuration section and edit the script timeout variable as needed.

<html><head><title>Database Search</title></head><body>
<%
'-------------------------------
'Set these values:
sqladdress = "ServerName"
sqluser = "Username" 'Usually the SA account
sqlpass = "Password"
filename = "SearchDB.asp" 'Name you saved this file as
Server.ScriptTimeout = 90 'Maximum number of seconds that a script can run before it is terminated
'-------------------------------
if Session("SearchDB") <> "True" then Response.Redirect "default.asp"

On Error resume Next
DBName = request.querystring ("DBName")
SearchText = trim(request.querystring ("SearchText")&" ")
NewSearch = request.querystring ("NewSearch")
exact = request.querystring("exact")
hide = request.querystring("hide")
if len(DBName) > 0 and len(SearchText) > 0 and NewSearch <> "Y" then
    response.write "<p>Searching <b>" & DBName & "</b> for <b>" & SearchText & "</b>"
 if exact = "Y" then response.write " using exact match"
 response.write ".</p>"
    response.write "<p><a href=""" & filename & "?NewSearch=Y&DBName=" & DBName & "&SearchText=" & SearchText & "&exact=" & exact & """>New Search</a></p>"

 SearchText = replace (SearchText, "'", "''")
    sqlopen = "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=" & sqladdress & ";"
    sqlopen = sqlopen & "Initial Catalog=" & DBName & ";User Id=" & sqluser & ";Password=" & sqlpass & ";"
    sqlopen = sqlopen & "Connect Timeout=15;Network Library=dbmssocn;"
    Set dbcon = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
    dbcon.Open sqlopen
    Set dbcon2 = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
    dbcon2.Open sqlopen
    Set dbcon3 = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
    dbcon3.Open sqlopen

    Set rs = dbcon.Execute("SELECT * from sys.tables ORDER BY name")
    while not rs.eof
        TableName = rs.fields("Name")
        if TableName <> "dtproperties" then
            response.write "<p>Table - <b>" & TableName & "</b><br />"
            Set rs2 = dbcon2.Execute("SELECT * from " & TableName & ";")
            for each f in rs2.Fields
                FieldName = f.Name
    if exact = "Y" then
                 strSQL = "SELECT * from " & TableName & " WHERE " & FieldName & " = '" & SearchText & "';"
    else
                 strSQL = "SELECT * from " & TableName & " WHERE " & FieldName & " LIKE '%" & SearchText & "%';"
    end if
                Set rs3 = dbcon3.Execute(strSQL) 'text search
                If Err.number <> 0 then
                    if err.number <> -2147217913 and err.number <> 424 and err.number <> 3704  and err.number <> -2147217900 then
      txtMsg = "Warning:<br />    " & Err.Source & " | " & Err.Number & " | " & Err.description & "<br />    " & strSQL & "<br />"
     else
      'These errors will only occur when Exact Match is selected.
      '424  Object required
      '3704  Operation is not allowed when the object is closed.
      '-2147217900  The data types ntext and varchar are incompatible in the equal to operator.
      '-2147217913  [Various type conversion errors.]
      if hide <> "Y" then txtMsg = "Note:    " & Err.Source & " | " & Err.Number & " | " & Err.description & "<br />"
     end if
                    err.clear
                    if isnumeric(SearchText) then
                        strSQL = "SELECT * from " & TableName & " WHERE " & FieldName & " = " & SearchText & ";"
                        Set rs3 = dbcon3.Execute(strSQL) ' numeric search
                        If Err.number <> 0 then
       response.write "Warning:<br />    " & Err.Source & " | " & Err.Number & " | " & Err.description & "<br />    " & strSQL & "<br />"
                            err.clear
                        else
                            while not rs3.eof
                                response.write FieldName & " - " & rs3.fields(FieldName) & "<br />"
                                rs3.movenext
                            wend
                        end if
                    else
                        response.write txtMsg
                    end if
                else
                    while not rs3.eof
                        response.write FieldName & " - " & rs3.fields(FieldName) & "<br />"
                        rs3.movenext
                    wend
                end if
                rs3.close
            next
            response.write "</p>"
        end if
        rs.Movenext
    wend

    dbcon3.Close
    Set dbcon3 = Nothing
    dbcon2.Close
    Set dbcon2 = Nothing
    dbcon.Close
    Set dbcon = Nothing
 
 response.write "<p>Search Complete.</p>"
else
    sqlopen = "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=" & sqladdress & ";"
    sqlopen = sqlopen & "Initial Catalog=;User Id=" & sqluser & ";Password=" & sqlpass & ";"
    sqlopen = sqlopen & "Connect Timeout=15;Network Library=dbmssocn;"
    Set dbcon = Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
    dbcon.Open sqlopen
    %>
    <form action="<%=filename%>" method="get">
        <p>DB to search <select name="DBName" id="DBName"><option value=""></option><%
            Set rs = dbcon.Execute("SELECT name FROM sys.databases WHERE state=0 and name NOT IN ('master', 'tempdb', 'model', 'msdb') ORDER BY name;")
            while not rs.eof
                tmpName = rs.fields("Name")
                response.write "<option value=""" & tmpName & """"
                if tmpName = DBName then response.write " SELECTED"
                response.write ">" & tmpName & "</option>"
                rs.Movenext
            wend
        %></select></p>
        <p>Text to find <input name="SearchText" type="text" size="40" value = "<%=SearchText%>" /></p>
        <p>Exact match <input type="checkbox" name="exact" value="Y"<%if exact = "Y" then response.write " checked"%>></p>
        <p>Hide Errors <input type="checkbox" name="hide" value="Y" checked></p>
      <p><input name="submit" type="submit" value="Begin Search" /></p>
 </form>
    <%
    dbcon.Close
    Set dbcon = Nothing
end if
%>
</body></html>

How to reset SQL Server SA Password

2011-02-25T13:00:00.000-06:00

The problem is that you don’t know the password for the SQL Server SA account, and for whatever reason the Windows account you are using is being told you don’t have permissions to change the SA account properties. If you can't login to Management Studio using Windows Authentication this will not work for you.

First, you need to get the name of the SQL Server Service that is running, do this by clicking on Start and running services.msc.

Scroll to SQL Server (name), there may be more than one, if so, get the information for all of them if you are not certain which is the instance for the account you need to reset. Double-click on the line and record the Service name.

Open a command prompt and enter:
          NET STOP [Service name]
          NET START [Service name] /m
This will start the service in single user mode, which will allow you to make changes to the SA user account.

Start SQL Server Management Studio and login to the instance using Windows authentication. Go up to File and close the object explorer. Now click on New Query and enter this code:

          USE [master]
          GO
          ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE=[master],
          DEFAULT_LANGUAGE=[us_english], CHECK_EXPIRATION=ON, CHECK_POLICY=ON
          GO
          USE [master]
          GO
          ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH PASSWORD=N’password’ MUST_CHANGE
          GO

In the code above where it says “password” you will enter your new password. You may have to change this again later so be prepared with two options for what you want your final password to be. Now execute the code. If there were no errors, exit from Management Studio and stop and restart the service:
          NET STOP [Service name]
          NET START [Service name]

Go back into Management Studio and login with the SA account using the new password you assigned. WARNING, you may get prompted to change the password, if so proceed with what will be the new final password.

One time when I did this I still had a problem because the SA account was not enabled. After doing the above, I had to create a new login that I gave sysadmin rights to that I then used to enable the SA account. I then deleted that temporary login. If I remember right, I did this while still in single user mode.

You may need to go back into Services and manually start dependent services that were shutdown when you first stopped the SQL Service.

Credits to the two sites that provided me with the help I needed to accomplish this:
http://deepakrangarajan.blogspot.com/2008/01/forgot-sa-password-in-sql-server-2005.html
http://worthposting.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/sql-server-reset-sa-password/

Teach Your Children ...

2010-12-15T11:37:00.000-06:00

... Do not rely on technology.

In the course of my work I often get confronted with the issue of people having unwanted items such as viruses, spyware or porn on their computers. Often the biggest question they have is, "Where did this come from?" There are so many different sources in this age, that it is nearly impossible to answer that question. So instead I will tell you a story about a person who knew the answer. (Excuse the vagueness below, I am writing this to not give away any hints regarding the identity of the family or any member thereof.)

This person was a conscientious parent. They have up-to-date anti-malware protection that does real time scanning as well as a content filter application that does constant monitoring of internet traffic that is set to block adult sites. They use iGoogle and have the default image search filter set to "SafeSearch Strict". Most people would think this is sufficient! Now the kicker: this persons' child did a search on "w_____ and j______ c____" on Google images, and on the first page received multiple nude images. As many children do when confronted with something new, they clicked on an image that was of a type they had never seen before. This took them to another page that had hardcore pornography. At this point the child went and told the parent what had happened. Seeing what was on the screen convinced the parent their protection was not enough, but still being a skeptic, the parent did what the child said they had done. It worked, no alerts from the content filter or malware protection.

The moral of the story, "Teach your children, do not rely on technology."

Priesthood Helper

2010-10-11T10:25:00.000-05:00

I didn't get much of a response in my search to have someone write this app, so I went ahead and did it as an online web application. The URL for using it on your mobile device is www.angells.com/ph. For more information from a computer you should go to www.angells.com/PriesthoodHelper.

Comments or support for the app should be posted to this blog entry.

Priesthood Helper

2010-10-06T11:35:00.000-05:00

Wouldn’t it be useful to have an app that could help you fulfill your responsibilities as a holder of the Melchizedek priesthood? I envision an app with four parts:

Home Teaching
How to perform priesthood ordinances
Line of Authority
Recommend Reminder

From what I have been able to find, no such app currently exists. I have sent this idea to a couple of app developers and we will just have to wait. However, while we are waiting there is something you can do.

To start with, you will need:

LDS Tools – Free official app from the church
http://new.lds.org/pages/mobile-apps?lang=eng
Gospel Library – Free official app from the church
http://new.lds.org/pages/mobile-apps?lang=eng
LDS Priesthood Ordinances - $0.99
http://itunes.apple.com/app/lds-priesthood-ordinances/id350019084?mt=8
PDF Reader Lite – Free PDF viewer app
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pdf-reader-lite/id368377690?mt=8
Pocket Informant – Full featured PIM
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pocket-informant-calendar-todos/id302503702?mt=8
CutePDF Writer – Print driver to create PDF files from Windows applications
http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp

Solution:

Home Teaching
Use LDS Tools – My Lists, New custom List. Call it HT Route and then add your companion and families to the list.
How to perform priesthood ordinances
This is done using either the Gospel Library or the paid app, you do not need both. The paid app makes it much easier to lookup just the ordinances, but the Gospel Library adds many more features. If you use method 2 or 3, you might want to create a note to remind you where the information is.

Method 1: Use the LDS Priesthood Ordinances app for $0.99

Method 2: Use the Gospel Library - Curriculum, Melchizedek Priesthood, Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood, Part B, Lesson 5, Performing Priesthood Ordinances.

Method 3: Use the Gospel Library - Other, Home and Family, Family Guidebook, Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings.
Line of Authority
Method 1: Add the information in the Notes apps.

Method 2: Create a 3x5 landscape document with the information. Save or convert the file to a PDF document. Use PDF Reader Lite to transfer the file to the device and then use this same app to view it on the device.
Recommend Reminder
Use Pocket Informant, it can do up to 30 day reminders (recommends expire 2 years from the month of issuance).

A single app putting all this together in one place and with some customized functionality would be nice. For more information, you can follow a discussion of this concept at http://tech.lds.org/forum/showthread.php?p=48937#post48937.

Halloween

2010-09-07T13:44:00.001-05:00

It's that time of the year again.

Fright Catalog

Halloween Express

Halloween Online

Cowlacious

Haunted House Association

Windows Up Time

2010-08-12T20:08:00.000-05:00

In the System Event Log of Windows you will sometimes see an entry from the EventLog showing "The system uptime is ... seconds." Just how many days:hours:minutes:seconds is that?

Open a command window and type:

systeminfo | find /i "up time"

National Debt Clock

2010-03-22T01:34:00.001-05:00

Learn more about
us debt.

National Debt Clockgreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

Desktop Wallpapers

2010-03-11T09:34:00.000-06:00

I have always collected high resolution images, going all the way back to my DOS days. Early on just for viewing, then when Windows came out for desktop backgrounds. There are many excellent wallpaper sites around the web, I am not going to try to post them all, just the ones I found in the past ten minutes.
http://images.google.com/ (old reliable standby - adjust the resolution for what you need and then search)
http://www.freefunandgames.org/wallpapers.asp
http://www.usingmac.com/2008/7/28/200-mind-blowing-nature-wallpapers
http://www.travelblog.org/Wallpaper/
http://www.wallpaper-place.com/
http://www.popularwallpapers.org/
http://stock-photos-windows-wallpapers.blogspot.com/
http://www.psxextreme.com/home/ps3-wallpapers.asp

Chili Cook-off

2010-03-09T10:17:00.007-06:00

One year ago I started this blog with my first post cheering the fact that I lost the hottest chili contest for the first time in many years. We recently completed this years chili cook-off, but this time there was a twist. My main competitor for the hottest chili had a death in the family that week and would not be entering. With my greatest (only) competition out of the way I decided to make my favorite chili, which is also very hot but much more flavorable. [As a side not, I have several preferred chili recipes: Southwest, White (2003 winner best chili, http://thecabin.net/stories/031803/sty_0318030035.shtml), Hot and my Favorite.] The results of this years cookoff? I didn't win the hottest chili, but I got second place for the best overall.

15 Internet Annoyances

2010-02-19T09:30:00.003-06:00

I found this list of Internet Annoyances out at PC World. I can't really improve on what they have, so I'll just share it.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/189198/15_internet_annoyances_and_how_to_fix_them.html

Top Free Software

2010-02-15T13:15:00.003-06:00

First, the absolute essentials:
Windows Updates (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com)
Flash [browser plugin] (http://www.adobe.com)
Shockwave [browser plugin] (http://www.adobe.com)
Reader [PDF file viewer] (http://www.adobe.com)
Java [enable playing of java apps] (http://www.java.com)
Quicktime [media player] (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download)
Security Essentials [anti-virus] (http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials)

Next come the very Useful:
CCleaner [system cleanup] (http://www.ccleaner.com/download)
CutePDF [PDF writer] (http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp)
VLC [media player] (http://www.videolan.org/vlc)
Open Office [Office Suite] (http://www.openoffice.org)
Gimp [photo editor] (http://www.gimp.org/downloads)
Irfanview [graphic viewer] (http://www.irfanview.com)
FreeCalc [calculator] (http://www.moffsoft.com/freecalc.htm)
Windirstat [directory statistics] (http://windirstat.info)

And then there are the misc:
IESpell [Add spell check to IE] (http://www.iespell.com)
Stellarium [planetarium] (http://www.stellarium.org)
Wallmaster [manage desktop wallpaper] (http://www.tropicalwares.com/wallmast.html)
Filezilla [FTP Client] (http://filezilla-project.org/download.php?type=client)
CRON-o-meter [diet tracking software] (http://spaz.ca/cronometer)
Google Earth [virtual globe] (http://earth.google.com)
Windows Live Essentials [Misc Collection] (http://download.live.com)
Audacity [Sound Editor] (http://audacity.sourceforge.net)

Finally, the alternatives*:
Google Docs [Office Suite] (http://docs.google.com)
Firefox [web browser] (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ie.html)
Chrome [web browser] (http://www.google.com/chrome)
Safari [web browser] (http://www.apple.com/safari)
AVG [anti-virus] (http://free.grisoft.com)
Avast! [anti-virus] (http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download)
PCTools [anti-virus] (http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus)
Avira [anti-virus] (http://www.free-av.com)
Clamwin [anti-virus] (http://www.clamwin.com)
ZoneAlarm [firewall] (http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm)
Comodo [Firewall] (http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/free-download.html)
* These are listed as alternatives either because Windows already comes with something that does this, or because I have listed an item above that performs the same function.

Disclaimer: I didn’t have to pay for anything, but I have made voluntary contributions to many of these projects in the past.

This list is not meant to be all inclusive, so here are some other lists of free software:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2338803,00.asp
http://100-downloads.com
http://www.opensourcewindows.org
http://lifehacker.biz/articles/best-open-source-software
http://downloadpedia.org/Open_Source_Windows

Expert makes "stupid" comment.

2010-02-11T10:25:00.003-06:00

"I'd switch out of Internet Explorer, if you use it. Serious flaws are regularly discovered in IE. I recommend Firefox, although there are other good browsers."
RE: http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=8167&page=3

One more computer "expert" who ignores the simple fact that serious flaws are regularly discovered in all browsers. The only reason IE is a greater vulnerability is because it is the default browser on the most popular OS in the world. Those who write malware target the largest user base. In areas where alternative browsers and OSes are gaining a greater user base there is also a growing trend targeting users of those systems.

In fact, much of the malware that spreads via browsers is browser independent. This class of malware relies on social engineering scare tactics and not browser vulnerabilities. In this respect, people running Windows and IE are less vulnerable because they do not have the false sense of security that comes with someone running a different OS or browser.

For a comparison, I refer you to this story on cnet, http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-10444561-245.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20. This article discusses Mac vs. PC, but take it to the next level and you also get IE vs. alternative browser. From the article: "More than half of Americans believe that PCs are 'very' or 'extremely' vulnerable to cybercrime attacks, while only 20 percent say the same about Macs", "Mac users are victims of cybercrime just as frequently as PC users", "Mac users are just as vulnerable to Web-based attacks like phishing as PC users are, and Mac users who fall prey to phishing tend to lose more money on average than PC users do" and "Viruses are a diminishing percentage of what we're seeing ... A lot of attacks have to do with social engineering and that kind of attack is platform agnostic."

Learn How To Play Piano

2010-01-30T09:03:00.002-06:00

This is a series of lessons that teach you how to play piano for yourself, fom the beginner all the way to the late intermediate/ early advanced stage of piano.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Lypur#p/c/253192EED47525A8

40 lessons, I don't know why he put "How to Teach Yourself Piano Online" at #40.

Internet Explorer is not Evil, Mozilla is not the cure

2010-01-19T12:29:00.004-06:00

This morning I was reading an article that France and Germany have recommended that people not use Internet Explorer, this following an attack against Google utilizing a zero-day exploit in IE. An exploit that is primarily in v6, it can be done in later versions as well, but only if the user opens the system up to it.

After reading that, I had a funny conversation this afternoon. I had finished doing a malware removal from a system and was talking to the user who said "How could I have a virus, I don't use Internet Explorer."

As most experts acknowledge, using alternative browsers will only be effective for as long as IE is the dominant browser. People that target exploits in IE do so because they have more targets, give another browser more users and they become the target. Check the vulnerability comparisons between IE and other browsers and you will see that IE is not the only one that has had problems.

Haiti Earthquake

2010-01-19T11:47:00.004-06:00

We have all been hearing about the after effects in Haiti regarding getting them the help they need. Let's put some things into perspective:

Haiti is a little smaller than Maryland (27,750 sq km vs 32,133 sq km). It has a population a little less than North Carolina (9,035,536 vs 9,222,000). The population density is greater than Massachusetts (843 per sq mile vs 828 per square mile). There is only one major airport in the entire country. Haiti is considered one of the 50 poorest nations in the world, it is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. 80% of the population is considered to be living in poverty.

Do I have any great inspirational or mind blowing point I am trying to make here? Just this:

Donate to American Red Cross
http://arc3.convio.net/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_subsrc=RCO_ResponseStateSection

Donate to LDS Philanthropies Humanitarian Services
https://secure3.convio.net/ldsp/site/Donation2?1280.donation=form1&df_id=1280

How to remove a "hidden" partition that Windows will not touch

2010-01-06T09:30:00.004-06:00

This basic process will work with just one drive in the system, but I am writing these directions targeted to those who want to remove partitions from a second drive. Usually when such a partition exists on the only drive in the system it has a purpose and should not be removed.

Attach the drive with the unwanted partition to an existing system and make certain it is recognized in the Disk Manager.
Go to the run window. In Vista and Windows 7 just click the start button, in Windows XP click Start / Run.
Type diskpart and press Enter.
Type list disk and press Enter.
Select the disk containing the “inaccessible” partition by typing select disk x, where x is the number of the disk, and press Enter.
Once the disk is selected, type list partition and press Enter.
Select the “inaccessible” partition by typing select partition x, where x is the number of the partition, and press Enter.
Type delete partition override and press Enter.

That's it. Go back to Disk Manager and you will see that the partition no longer exists.

Return Unto The Fold

2009-12-27T15:06:00.002-06:00

There is a story about two men who were in danger of dying. In order for both to live, one had to yield to the other. The first man said to the second, “My soul is prepared, how’s yours”. This idea is how I strive to live my life at all times. None of us know when we will die. No man knows when Christ will return. If the unexpected were to happen, I hope to be ready. But how can I if I have not done all I could to bring others back to the fold of God. When I say bring others back to the fold, I am talking about all mankind. Were we not all members of the Lord’s kingdom before we came to this earthly existence? To all of us who have already been brought back into the fold it is our calling, duty, and responsibility to share the eternal truth with those who do not have a full understanding of God’s purpose for us.

2009-12-23T21:03:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to stand up and cheer the first time I heard this! Thanks Ray!

Let There Be Light

2009-12-17T12:45:00.001-06:00

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." and man created darkness. For true light comes only from God. When you follow man’s uninspired philosophies you are moving away from the light and into Lucifer’s darkness.

Event 6161, PrintSpooler

2009-12-17T12:28:00.003-06:00

I have a Windows 2008 Server with various users connecting via RDP. None of the users can print. When clicking on print, all appears to work, but nothing is printed. Checking the event log records this:

The document Test Page, owned by administrator, failed to print on printer ______ on ______ (redirected 1). Try to print the document again, or restart the print spooler.
Data type: RAW. Size of the spool file in bytes: 135467. Number of bytes printed: 0. Total number of pages in the document: 1. Number of pages printed: 0. Client computer: \\______. Win32 error code returned by the print processor: 5. Access is denied.

I found various references stating that this could be fixed by giving the users write permissions to the C:\windows\system32\spool folder. I tried that, but kept getting an Access Denied error with one of the files and still wasn't able to print. I resolved the problem by created a new folder in a non-system location, and gave users permissions to that folder. Then go to Printers / File / Server Properties / Advanced. Change the Spool folder to point to the new folder.