PC Serve Blog

Check out Windows 7 Vs. Windows Vista

2009-12-16T14:11:00.001-08:00

Hi,

I want you to take a look at: Windows 7 Vs. Windows Vista

Poll: Which Antivirus Application is Best?

2009-11-25T02:49:00.000-08:00

Poll: Which Antivirus Application is Best?

PC Serve - London PC Repair and Computer Maintenance support services

2009-11-14T04:35:00.000-08:00

PC Serve - London PC Repair and Computer Maintenance support services

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer

2009-06-09T02:27:00.000-07:00

To remove Windows XP SP3 from your computer, use one of the following methods. Important After you remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer, we recommend that you visit the following Microsoft Web page and then install the latest security updates:
http://update.microsoft.com/ (http://update.microsoft.com)

Method 1: Use the "Add or Remove Programs" item in Control Panel
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Click Start, and then click Run.
Copy and then paste the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:
appwiz.cpl
Click to select the Show Updates check box.
Click Windows XP Service Pack 3, and then click Remove.
Click Finish to restart the computer after the removal process is complete.

Method 2: Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder
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Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK.
When the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Removal Wizard starts, click Next.
Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP3.

Method 3: Use the System Restore process
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Note Before you use System Restore, make sure that you have restarted the computer at least one time after you installed Windows XP SP3. By restarting the computer, you allow for any remaining servicing processes to finish.
Click Start, and then click Run.
Copy and then paste the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:
%systemroot%\System32\restore\rstrui.exe
Click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.
Click the date on which you installed Windows XP SP3, and then click Installed Window XP Service Pack 3 in the Restore Point box.
Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP3.

Method 4: Use Recovery Console
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Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in WindowsIf you cannot remove Windows XP SP3 by using one of the previous methods, follow these steps:
Insert the Windows XP CD in the CD drive or in the DVD drive, and then restart your computer. When you receive the following message, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD:
Press any key to boot from CDNote The computer must be configured to start from the CD drive or from the DVD drive. For more information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD drive or from the DVD drive, see the documentation that was included with your computer, or contact the computer manufacturer. You can also use a bootable floppy disk to start Windows XP. For more information, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:
305595 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305595/ ) How to create a bootable floppy disk for an NTFS or FAT partition in Windows XP
When you receive the Welcome to Setup message, press R to start the Recovery Console.Note Multiple options will appear on the screen.
Select the correct Windows XP installation.Note You must select a number before you press ENTER, or the computer will restart. Typically, only the 1: C:\Windows selection is available.
If you are prompted to type an administrator password, do so. If you do not know the administrator password, press ENTER. (Typically, the password is blank.)Note You cannot continue if you do not have the administrator password.
At the command prompt, type cd $ntservicepackuninstall$\spuninst, and then press ENTER.
At the command prompt, type batch spuninst.txt, and then press ENTER.Note The Spuninstal.txt file appears. As the file scrolls down, you will see errors and the files that are being copied. This is typical behavior.
After Windows XP SP3 is removed, type exit, and then press ENTER.
Restart the computer in safe mode. To do this, press F8 when the computer restarts.Note After you restart the computer, the computer may stop responding, and you may see a black screen. The mouse will work. In this case, restart the computer again by turning the computer off and then back on. The second restart will let you log on.
When the computer restarts, Windows Explorer (Explorer.exe) does not run, and the Windows icons and the Start button are unavailable. To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, and then click Task Manager in the Windows Security screen.
Click File, and then click New Task (Run).
In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\RpcSs
In the details pane, right-click ObjectName, click Modify, type LocalSystem in the Value data box, and then click OK.
Restart the computer
Use one of the previous methods to remove Windows XP SP3 from your computer.

3G Email Server Settings

2009-04-30T04:06:00.000-07:00

Email Settings Overview

In order to be able to send email via a 3G Broadband modem, it is essential to either use SMTP authentication with your mail or domain hosting company or use a VPN connection to a business network. If you have neither of these, then it is possible to configure your email client, such as Outlook or Outlook Express to use your own 3G services providers own SMTP server. If you use a home or work broadband connection, then the settings will need to be changed back to send email using that connection - so make a note of the settings before you make any changes.

SMTP Server Settings (for Outbound / Sending Email)

Vodafone 3G SMTP Servers

smtp.vodafone.net
send.vodafone.net
smtp.vizzavi.co.uk

Three 3G SMTP Servers

smtp-mbb.three.co.uk
smtp.three.co.uk

T-Mobile 3G SMTP Servers

smtp.t-email.co.uk - May need to use SMTP Auth and tick "Use In mail settings"

Orange 3G SMTP Servers

smtp.orange.net
smtp.orange.co.uk

O2 SMTP Servers

smtp.o2.co.uk - GPRS and 3G

Virgin SMTP Servers

mail.virgin.net
smtp.virgin.net

Error “Invalid Update Control CTF File” When Updating AVG Anti-Virus 8.0

2009-04-16T03:35:00.000-07:00

You need to rename/remove the CTF temp files in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Avg8\update\download…. Dont delete all the .bin files in there unless you want to re-run all updates since your original installation (reinstallation seems to cause a problem in IEs Link Scanner which causes IE to Crash). Only rename/remove the avginfo files that end with .ctf.

There were two .CTF files (avginfoavi.ctf and avginfowin.ctf) in that folder, and deleting them fixed the problem indeed.

Note: The Application Data folder is hidden by default. You need to enable Windows Explorer to show hidden files in order to view the Application Data folder. Alternately, type the above folder path in the Start, Run dialog and press {ENTER} to launch the folder.
Windows Vista users: Delete the .CTF files from the following folder:
C:\ProgramData\avg8\update\download
Script to automate the task

I’ve scripted the above so that it can help if you want to run the task in multiple PCs. Download del_avg_ctf.zip and save to Desktop. Unzip the file and run the script del_avg_ctf.vbs. The AVG Update .CTF files should be deleted automatically. The script runs fine in Windows XP and Windows Vista systems.

Webdav Write Access in Vista

2009-04-16T03:25:00.000-07:00

Although, it is not the most elegant solution (the best solution beinga Microsoft fix for this issue). If you run Excel, or any Office application in Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode, you will be granted"Write Access" to the file on your webdav.You can do this by accessing the application in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12.

1.) Right Click on the Application (ie. excel.exe)
2.) Click "Properties"
3.) Click the "Compatibility" Tab
4.) (if you're an administrator) click "show settings for all users"button
5.) Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and selectWindows XP (Service Pack 2)6.) Apply the changes.Now you should be able to open your file on the webdav server withwrite access.

How to turn off the fancy Windows Vista Aero interface

2009-04-16T03:21:00.000-07:00

Windows Vista has a fancy new Aero interface that makes the windows look like glass and provides very cool 3D effects. Performance tests have shown that Aero won’t slow your computer down. However, you might want to disable Aero if you prefer a simpler user interface or if you need to take screenshots.
To disable Windows Aero and return to a simpler time, follow the steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Appearance and Personalization.
3. Under Personalization, click Change the color scheme.

4. In the Appearance Settings dialog, click Windows Vista Basic, and then click OK. Or, if you prefer a Windows 2000-style interface, click Windows Standard, and then click OK.

Windows Vista will think for a bit, and then it’ll turn off all the 3D effects.

Data Recovery

2008-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

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Importing Outlook Express in Windows Mail

2008-09-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

Needed to recover from a crashed system running XP and Outlook Express onto a new PC running Windows Vista which comes with Windows Mail and I had had a file level backup to recover from.

The goods news is it's quite simple and works, as long as you don't needed the mail profile which you'll have to recreate as it's stored in the registry and thus wasn't accessible with a file level backup.

Create a directory under the current user's Documents, such as Documents\OEMail. This directory needs to be within the user's space, such as under Documents, in order to prevent possible UAC permissions problems.
Copy all the .dbx files from one Outlook Express Identity into this directory, ensuring that folders.dbx is included.
You need to check that you have write access to the files, doesn't make sense I know but that's MS programmers for you: Go to Edit Select all in Windows Explorer and select all the dbx files. Then right click on the selection and choose Properties and ensure that the read only attribute of the files is unchecked.
In Windows Mail go to File Import Messages and choose Outlook Express 6 format and choose to import from a directory.
Then use the Browse button to browse to the directory of dbx files. Make sure that when you set the directory that what is listed in the path is correct (NOTE: Vista can put the wrong path in here sometimes, so instead of c:\mypath it puts c:\mypath\mypath, so check the path to verify that it is correct, and if it is not correct then fix it by clicking the Browse button a second time and then leave the selection blank and clicking Okay.).
Then select the files from which you wish to import messages and click Import, by default it will import all folders, which in this case included some 9,000 deleted items!

Convert iTunes files to MP3

2008-09-16T04:40:00.001-07:00

Want to play your unprotected iTunes music on another device that doesn't support the iTunes file format?

This guy details using iTunes to convert your files into mp3 files without downloading additional applications: Blog article by myrightbrai

Instant Repair

2008-09-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

Got internet access but you have PC problems? We provide instant online support which allows us to remote connect to you within seconds and while you’re online we can fix your problems over the internet.

Windows Media Player

2008-08-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

Strange issue on a fully patched XP Pro system running Windows Media Player 11 (WMP11) when trying to view an .asx web presentation that has worked before:

Windows Media Player cannot play the file because the specified protocol is not supported. In the Open URL dialog, try opening the file using a different transport protocol (for example, 'http:' or 'rtsp:')

The solution, a simple folder rename, yours could be 9, 10 or 11:
USERPROFILE%\local settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Media\11.0