The Tech Crusaders

Welcome Back !!!

 Few months back I wrote a review on “How to download YouTube video” but that time even I had no idea of this Ant Toolbar and after using this toolbar I’m sure you’ll not install any other video downloader.
Ant Toolbar is a cool, free and very useful tool that you can integrate with your browser (Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox) and download videos easily from most popular site like YouTube, Google Video, etc. with just a button click. I have so many add-ons installed in my browser but I was so influenced by this ant toolbar that I though I just have to write about it.

Features of this toolbar:

• Easily download videos from a variety of streaming sites such as YouTube, Google video and save them to your hard drive.
• Integrated Flash video player with your browser so that you can instantly play the videos you have downloaded even when you’re not connected to internet.
• Is totally free and contains no adware or spyware at all.

People just try this once. I really insist on that. Just give it a shot and I bet you won’t regret on your decision. Here’s the download link.

written by rajit \\ tags: Ant Toolbar, Download Videos, Toolbar For Your Browser

I’ve seen many sites that offer iPhone unlocking solutions (some user software and some hardware). Even I’ve mentioned about few of the sites that offer unlocking services in my blog. The fact is that I don’t have an iPhone (I carry an old Nokia mobile phone) and I’m not rich enough to experiment all those hacking methods myself. My view is my own and all I wish to do is give information to my readers.

Today, I struck upon a site - UnlockediPhone.info. Obviously it was about iPhone unlocking solutions. I went through their site, faqs, testimonials, news section and it was just great. Well, they haven’t just claimed to be the best in unlocking any versions of iPhone (including 2.1 and the latest 2.2.1) than their competitors but they’ve provided the 10 reasons too to prove the fact.

1. No more dropping networks like with other iPhone Unlock Solutions
2. All functions working, instead of only a few!
3. 100% Reliable/Stable & Safe Unlock solution, unlike many other solutions available.
4. Completely Plug & Play, no software or programming required like many other solutions (Anyone can do it - no knowledge required at all ).
5. No crashing Dailers, erroneous number formatting like with other solutions!
6. Works with any GSM network, in any country!
7. Access to thousands of Free applications via Cydia and Installer ( Appstore ofcourse also works).
8. No hidden Fees! World wide Shipping is included in the price!
9. 24 hours (live) support by our experianced support team - we have been unlocking iPhones since they first came out!
10. Satisfaction Guaranteed! (or your money back)

Some interesting fact that I found which I didn’t notice before elsewhere were – many unlocking solutions who are claiming to have been able to unlock iPhone 3G 2.2.1 versions via a software only solutions are all scams. They are just opportunists trying to cash out money making false promises. Another thing is that many unlocked iPhones were locked after the latest Apple updates.

So, what UnlockediPhone.info basically is, is it’s a full iPhone unlocking service, currently able to fully unlock any versions of iPhone - even unlock iPhone 3G with latest 2.2.1 firmware version. They don’t give you any software that unlock the iPhone but what you need to do is buy an Unlock 3Gsim ($37.95) from them, slide the unlock Sim card over your existing Sim card and wallah !!!! - the unlock is done. It’s as easy as it sounds and no special knowledge needed at all. Price includes lifetime update and support.

written by rajit \\ tags: iPhone, iPhone Unlocking Software, Unlock 3Gsim, unlock iPhone

File extensions- a suffix to the name of a computer file, indicate the encoding convention (file format) of its contents. It is what differentiates one file from another and file extension problem is one of the annoying problems that one may face while using computer.

Just few days ago a friend of mine posted this in a forum –
I uninstalled FoxFire and now all my web page shortcuts won’t load with Internet Explorer. I have tried to set the file association by using “Open With” and checking always uses this program to open this file. This has not worked. Can anyone help?

Usually, when softwares are uninstalled, it doesn’t remember to changes the default editor back to the previous software (if there was any) you were using. So, you’ve to change it manually. I knew my friend’s problem had something to do with the registry settings due to which the html pages were finding it difficult to open because changing the “Open With” of the file should have worked but it didn’t in this case. I suggested him to do a free scan at ComputerFileExtensions.com and he said it worked. Their registry fixing software fixed the problem. Actually it was at ComputerFileExtensions.com that I read - the overwhelming majority of problems with file extensions come from registry errors. So, I had referred it to my friend.

ComputerFileExtensions.com is where you can ask for help if you have any kind of file extension related problem (File extension TORRENT, File extension DLL, File extension BIN, anything) because it has one goal in mind and that is to help you fix your file extension problems. You can select from their most popular list of extensions of even use their search facility to get remedy for the extension that you are having problems with. They let you download a free Award Winning Software that finds out registry problems and fix then with a single click. So, next time you hop into any extension problem, you know where to go.

written by rajit \\ tags: File Extension, File Extension Problems, Registry Errors

Here am I with a simple tweak which can be used to log on to Windows XP automatically but let me alert you beforehand that by doing this you are making your PC accessible to anyone without requiring to enter any username or password. So, if you use this tweak, be ready to bear the consequences.

Well, I’m going to show you two ways of doing this. The first one is a simple registry hack.

1. Start -> Run -> Regedit
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
3. In the right pane, Modify/Create the Value Data Type(s) and Value Name(s) as detailed below.

Data Type: String Value, Value Name: DefaultUserName
Setting for Value Data: [Enter the account name to be automatically logged on]
Data Type: String Value, Value Name: DefaultPassword
Setting for Value Data: [Enter the account password]
Data Type: String Value, Value Name: AutoAdminLogon
Setting for Value Data: [0 = Disabled / 1 = Enabled]

4. Exit Registry and Reboot

The above process is little bit risky as it involves edition of registry values which should be done with extreme caution. A slight mistake and your OS can crash. So, be sure you have backed up the registry before editing it. The next method is pretty easy with no risk at all, except after completion of this method anyone can log onto your PC (this is a big risk after all).

1. Click Start -> Run and type “control userpasswords2” without any quotes and enter ()
2. User Account Dialog box will appear
3. Uncheck “Users must enter a username and password to use this computer”
4. Click Apply.
5. You’ll be asked to fill a form (username, password, re-type password) for automatic logon. After filling it up, press OK.
6. Reboot

written by rajit \\ tags: Auto Login, OS, Windows

It’s been a while I’ve posted in this blog. That’s because I’m pretty busy lately with some other stuffs. Taking a rest from everything I thought today I’d browse other’s blogs. Well, I love tweaks and a friend of mine has recently published a new blog PCMagics.com which has many computer tips & tweaks. So I wanted to check his new blog…you know see what it has got.

Well, his most recent post was a tweak on “Creating a Folder Lock” yourself without using any other softwares. I thought it’d be a cool trick but after reading the full post I figured out it was a total crap so I just couldn’t help criticizing about his post and also making my readers aware not to use that method at all to lock your folder. First just let me tell you what he had written.

Let us suppose you want to lock c:\picture folder

Follow the following steps

1. Open a notepad and type “ren picture picture.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D}” without quotes.
2. Save it as lock.bat in c:\
3. Again open another notepad and type “ren picture.{21EC2020-3AEA-1069-A2DD-08002B30309D} picture” without quotes.
4. Save it as key.bat in c:\.
5. Double Click Lock.bat to lock the folder and key.bat to unlock the folder.

Note: Once you activate lock.bat, Control panel will be open if you try to open the folder. Keep the key.bat safely in your pen drive or so to unlock the folder later on.

The method above in blockquotes is copied from his post. I just can’t understand why he is making 2 batch files which do nothing than just renaming the folder that you’re trying to lock. You can simply right click (or press F2 key) and rename the folder. My personal funny part is that note in which he has asked to keep the key.bat file safely in pen drive because according to him it holds the key to unlock the locked folder. Wake up dude!!! Just right click the locked folder and rename it to anything else and open it.

So, my advice is not to listen to his advice. It is better you use some folder locking softwares. Some of the links from where you can download folder locking software are below. The first one is free full version but others are trial I guess but you can find plenty more if you just have few minutes to spare over the net.

http://www.fspro.net/folder-lock-box/
http://folder-lock.en.softonic.com/download
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utilities/PGP_Encryption_Utilities/Folder_Vault.html

written by rajit \\ tags: Folder Lock, Lock Your Folder, Secure Your Files, Tweak

Today a friend of mine asked me how she can download YouTube videos. Well, I am using Firefox and for me it was not problem as I had installed Fast Video Download add-on. But the problem was when she told me she used some older version of IE and I didn’t have any idea in that. So, then as usual I tried to Google it out where I got this link http://www.downloader9.com that gets you a normal download link of YouTube videos. I have pasted the screenshot of the page and as you can see there is no any hard work you have to do.

Here is how you can download YouTube videos using this site:

1. Enter the YouTube video URL, e.g. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPUJIbXN0WY
2. Click on “Get YouTube Video” and a download window will appear - save it to your PC.
3. Rename the downloaded video with a .flv extension, e.g. from get_video to transformers.flv
4. Lastly you need to have flv player installed in your computer to watch the video or you can also use some converter software to convert the .flv extension video files into any other preferable format.

Some geeks would think that since this process gets you the download link  of YouTube videos, it might as well get flash video’s links from other site too but I have tried this already and it just works for YouTube only. I know it would have been better if we could download from other sites too.

Well, there are other softwares too which you can use to download YouTube videos and convert into other playable formats. But in case you don’t want to install anything then the above process is probably the best way.

written by rajit \\ tags: Video Download, YouTube, YouTube Video Download

I saw this tweak in a friend’s blog about how one can edit manufacturer and support information of system properties. Actually, I think it’s a useless tweak and I can’t just figure out why someone would want to edit manufacturer logo and support information and put something rubbish instead. In my view a tweak should be something that should make a function more efficient but in this case it seems like just for fun which I don’t prefer.

Still, what the hell !!! It sure would be fun to have your face instead of your manufacturer’s logo huh? I have tried it now in my Windows XP but I don’t know if it’d work in other versions of OS (should would if it can find the appropriate files). Here’s the trick I copied from that fren’s blog:

• Navigate to the Windows system directly, normally “C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM” for Windows 95, 98 and Me and “C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32? for Windows NT and 2000, and “C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32? for Windows XP.
• Find the INI file called “OEMINFO.INI”.
• If there isn’t one, create the file by opening a notepad name it as OEMINFO.INI.
• Copy and paste the following in the OEMINFO.INI file.

[General]
Manufacturer=Your Company, Inc.
Model=Your Computer Model
SupportURL=http://www.yoursite.com

[Support Information]
Line1=first line of support information
Line2=second line
Line3=third line
…
LineN=nth line
(You can create as many lines as you need by incrementing the line number)

To change the logo file,

• Again go to the Windows system directory ( “C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32? )
• Find OEMLOGO.BMP and if there isn’t create one with your desired logo.
• Remember the standard Windows bitmap file is 160 x 114 pixels in Windows XP

After the changes have been made in the file and saved just check the system properties (System Properties from Control Panel or simply right click My Computer and then select properties) and you’ll see that the logo has been changes and also the manufacturer information has been modified. The details you entered in the [Support Information] section will show up when you click on the Support Information button. Just see what my friend has done to the system properties of his computer. HAHA !!! Funny huh??

written by rajit \\ tags: Edit Manufacturer and Support Information, Edit System Properties, Support Information, System Properties, Tips, Tweak

I don’t know how many of you have noticed this but I noticed this just yesterday that I couldn’t rename the recycle bin. Then as usual I Googled it out… I found 3 ways from different resources which I am going to mention here.

The first one is pretty simple but you need a software TweakUI for that. After installing it just do this:
1. Click Start / Settings / Control Panel
2. Open TweakUI
3. Click on the Desktop Tab.
4. right-click the Recycle Bin and rename it.

The second and third are both a little tricky. They are both playing with registry settings so you need to first back up the registry before editing the values in case of any problems later on.

Second Way:
1. Click Start / Run
2. Type regedit and press enter.
3. Open the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT folder
4. Open the CLSID folder
5. Open the {645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E} folder
6. Open the ShellFolder folder
7. Change the “Attributes” data value from “40 01 00 20″ to “50 01 00 20″. Once completed change the “CallForAttributes” dword value to “0×00000000″ (double-click and change value data to 0). You must change both of these values to get the rename to appear.

After doing this you will be able to rename the icon like any other icon. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and click Rename and rename it to whatever you wish.

Last but not the least is the third way:
1. Click Start / Run
2. Type regedit and press enter
3. In the registry editor go to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache
4. Double click on the following value: @C:\WINDOWS\system32\SHELL32.dll,-8964
5. Change the value to whatever you wish.
6. Click OK and close out regedit
7. Click on a blank area of the desktop and select refresh from the context menu.
8. After the screen refreshes, you recycle bin will be renamed to whatever you decided.

written by rajit \\ tags: Recycle Bin, Renaming Recycle Bin, Tips

It’s a little bit out of the track but today I just decided to blog about another blog … a new start. Still, I’m keeping everything under technology and computer stuffs. I don’t want to ruin my niche writing about something really stupid like some credit card, payday loans or some other things that my readers don’t prefer to read about in my blog.

Actually, I struck upon this blog by Stylish Web Design as I was looking for some information on user accounts in Windows Vista because I was much used to Xp previously and I had to configure User Account Control in my Laptop which has Vista as its operating system. This techno design blog was a big help to me and I couldn’t help refer this blog to my readers as it’s all about sharing the knowledge one has with others who need it, isn’t it? It has really got some good stuff on Web designing, Internet, Programming and other technology related stuffs. One of their posts on spyware community was also very useful. Do read it too.

It’s not that old blog though; started off just fresh this year on January. They are updating the blog frequently with news and reviews in tech crunches. So, if you are a tech freak then do check it out. If you like what you read you can even subscribe to it for latest updates. 

written by rajit \\ tags: Internet, Programming, technology, Technology Blog, Web Design

The usual process of changing your password is very simple almost familiar to everyone I guess.

1. Go to Start -> Setting -> Control Panel
2. From the list select User Accounts and pick an account to change (its better if you log in as an administrator, only then you are allowed to change the password)
3. Select change password
4. Enter the old password, new passwords, new hint and enter

In the next restart you’ll be allowed to log in only with the new password. This process as you may see will ask for your old password to change your password. But you’re a human and many times humans tend to forget their passwords. What then? With this process you’re never going to be able to change the password. But, if you have an additional administrator account whose password you do remember, there is a small backdoor way to change the password of any other account (limited or even another administrator) and you won’t even need to enter your old password. You have to first log in with an administrative privileged account. After that just follow these instructions:

1. Start -> run
2. Type ‘lusrmgr.msc’ (without quotes) and enter. (This will open Local User and Group management window. You can get this window by right clicking the ‘My Computer’ -> ‘Manage’ and from the Computer Management window, in the left pane under Computer Management’s System Tools select Local User and Group.)
3. Under ‘Local Users and Groups(Local)’ select ‘Users’
4. In the right pane right click the username whose password you want to reset
5. Select ‘Set Password…’
6. A warning dialog box will appear, read it carefully and click ‘Proceed’
7. Enter and confirm the new password and click ‘OK’. A message will appear that your password has been changed.

You’ve successfully changed the password of an account (even administrator account) without even knowing the old password. Now, logoff and login with the username whose password you just changed. If you still can’t login, restart the system and then try again. Sneaky!!! Huh?

written by rajit \\ tags: Change Window's Password, Tips