This means your Wireless profile setting is corrupt and it is better to recreate so that Windows Vista starts saving the wireless profile and password. Follow below steps to recreate the profiles.

1. Goto Windows Services and Stop WLAN AutoConfig service.
2. In regedit find the following key and delete all the sub keys under it.

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Wlansvc

3. Now go back to Windows services and restore the WLAN AutoConfig service
4. Add the wireless profiles again and save the password. The wireless profiles will start appearing in your Manage Wireless window.

Hope this has helped your resolve the issue. If you have any questions please let me know.

Well when it comes to digital camera the border classification would fall as said below,

1. Point and Shoot
2. Advanced or SLR-like
3. DSLR

Here I’m going to talk only about Point and Shoot Digital cameras.

Why Point and Shoot?
If you’re looking for a digital camera that automates everything it has then you should be going for this. Point and Shoot stands for that you ‘point’ and ‘shoot’ the picture; the camera does the rest for you like auto focus, exposure control and more. I would suggest this if you’re a beginner and who doesn’t feel comfortable in using advanced features. Also it would suit depends on the usage; this suits best if you intend to use camera for party, function or to capture more lively things. In those cases you will never have time to control the camera’s advanced functionality and this is the place where point and shoot does the real help.

If you think point to shoot type camera is what you’re looking for then read future to decide upon the specification.

Form Factor
Ultimately when it comes to Point and Shoot camera, you need to decide up on the Form factor before you proceed with the selection. I personally prefer to have something handy when it comes to point and shoot camera. I would say “No” to bulkier designs even if it comes with more sophisticated feature. Well it depends on individuals’ mindset on how they want it. I would suggest going with compact camera if size doesn’t matter you much.

Form factors commonly available to you are,

1. Ultra-compact
2. Compact
3. Standard
4. Large

Megapixel (Sensor photo detectors) – Do you print photos?
Pixel refers least single point in a graphic element. A megapixel is commonly used term in digital cameras to refer million pixels in an image and also used to express the number of sensor elements of digital cameras or the number of display elements of digital displays. A camera with an array of 3264 x 2448 sensor elements is commonly said to have “8.0 megapixels” (3264 x 2448 = 7,990,272). Here is a useful Megapixel calculator.

For Web / Email purpose 6 Megapixel camera is more than enough. You need to go to higher megapixels, if you want to print out the high-resolution images . For optimal use anything between 6MP ~ 10 MP would be great. You need to have a good balance between the budget and megapixel.

Sensor – Does that matter?
The sensor is heart of digital camera. It records the image in digital format when you take a picture. CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) are two types of sensors. CCD is known for superior image performance than CMOS. However, CMOS is cheaper comparatively and consume less power than CCD. Sensor type shouldn’t bother you if you have good lens and better image quality.

Zoom –
Normal P&S camera can’t have high zoom ratio. Anything between 3x to 5x optical zoom is decent enough. Digital Zoom is different from Optical zoom.  Optical zoom is achieved by the lens used by the camera. Digital zoom is software technique to zoom the captured image by optical lens. Give more importance to Optical zoom.

Image Stabilization
Image Stabilization (IS) is technology that helps reduce blur in image due to vibration or shaking. You should be more concerned about IS when you take picture without a tripod and it would be a case with most of PS (point and shoot) photographers. Widely, there are two types of IS, optical and digital. Optical IS is much preferable than digital IS, since Optical IS is hardware based where as digital IS just increases the ISO (ISO at higher level will lead to noise). Optical IS will typically will have a built-in sensor to detect camera shake and stabilizer to compensate such movements. So ask for Optical IS before you buy rather than falling a victim of marketing gimmick which calls out by fancy name such as anti-blur or anti-share etc.

Memory
The memory can be extend as much you want these days. Make sure you have little space in internal memory in the camera so you can use it when you’re memory cards are full.

Viewfinder
Viewfinders are used to compose and frame a scene. There are two types, Optical and Electronic. Electronic few disadvantages it consumes extra power and not clear and bright has Optical Viewfinder. Few camera models sport hybrid viewfinder. When you choose a camera, make sure you have the viewfinder that is more comfortable for you to capture the moments.

The above parameters are for your comparing guideline. Before purchasing you will have to compare the value/benefit of each and select a camera that better suits you.

Hope this will be of help to someone. Let me know if it does. Cheers.

Steps to use the script:

1. Save the below script as lsplit.ksh

   propDIR=./
   propFile=$propDIR/SSNRange.txt.prop
   inpFile=$1
   date
   startLineNo=1
   count=1
   while read line
   do
   startLineNo=`echo $line | cut -f1 -d,`
   endLineNo=`echo $line | cut -f2 -d,`
   if [ "$endLineNo" != "" -a "$startLineNo" != "" ]; then
   echo "Cut here from $startLineNo to $endLineNo"
   sed -n "$startLineNo","$endLineNo"p $inpFile > $inpFile.split.$count
   count=`expr $count + 1`
   fi
   done < $propFile
   date

2. Create a properties file SSNRange.txt.prop which would contain the range of records or lines. Example of properties file is as follows
   

   1,400
   401,1504
   1505, 7000

3. Run the script

   $ lsplit.ksh infile.txt

4. Three output files will be created
   • infile.txt.split.1 –> Creates a file with first 400 lines
   • infile.txt.split.2 –> Creates a file with lines starting from 401 to 1504
   • infile.txt.split.3 –> Creates a file with lines starting from 1505 to 7000

Advantages of this script:

• File is split based on line numbers are records.
• No manual editing is required the correct the first and last records
• Easy to handle it in batch

Courtesy: Santhosh Fabian

For Window XP to Disable

1. Open start > Run

2. Type the command regsvr32 %systemroot%\zipfldr.dll /u

3. Press ok on the popup message

4. The change will take effect immediately, but you may have to restart Windows for all features of the built-in ZIP support to disappear

For Windows XP to Enable

1. Open start > Run

2. Type the command regsvr32 %systemroot%\zipfldr.dll /u

3. Press ok on the popup message

4. The change will take effect immediately, but you may have to restart Windows for all features of the built-in ZIP support to be available

Where %systemroot% normally is C:\windows\system32

For Windows vista to Disable

1. Open Start > Run

2. Type “regedit.exe and click ok

3. Navigate to the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID

4. Export the values under the key HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31} and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}

(This process is to backup those keys incase later if this feature needs to be enabled)

5. Delete the keys HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31} and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}

(The key keys HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31} is associated with the zip file and the key

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262} is associated with cab files. In case you need to disable one of the feature zip/cab you can do it by deleting the corresponding keys.)

6. Restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

Alternate Method:

1. Download the reg file here

2. Double click to install

3. It is successful, restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

For Windows Vista to Enable

1. Open Start > Run

2. Type “regedit.exe and click ok

3. Go to File > Import and select the files that are taken backup in step 4 (For Windows vista to Disable).

4. On successful import, restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

Alternate Method:

1. Download the reg file here

2. Double click to install

3. It is successful, restart the computer for the changes to take effect.

Assume a script “script1” is running in the foreground for a long time and this script needs to be retained even if the telnet session is closed. Here are the steps which needs to be followed.

1. On the telnet screen press <CTRL + Z>. This will temporarily stop the script or process to run.

   $ ./script1.ksh
   [1] + Stopped (SIGTSTP)        ./script1.ksh

2. Type in the command “bg” to run the process in background

   $ bg
   [1]     ./script1.ksh&

3. Identify the session process ID. This can be done by giving the “ps” command in the prompt.

   $  ps
   PID      TTY   TIME  CMD
   4882522  pts/7  0:00 ps
   4984988  pts/7  0:00 -sh

4. Identify the PID of the script which is is shifted to background. In our case “script1” This can be done by ps command piped with grep as below.

   $ ps -ef | grep script1.ksh
   user1 4399240 4984988   0 08:57:49  pts/7  0:00 grep script1.ksh
   user1 5029960 4829226   0 07:57:23      -  0:00 /usr/lpp/ars/bin/script1.ksh

5. Now with all the PID’s collected, use “nohup” command

   $ nohup -p 4984988
   $ nohup -p 5029960

This will make the script or process not to be terminated even if the telnet session is closed.

NB: The telnet session process 4984988, will be running at the background unless it is killed.

Courtesy: Santhosh Fabian

Advantages of nLite and vLite:

1. These software are freewares.
2. Windows service packs can be slipstream to the original installation disk
3. The hot fix or patches can be integrated.
4. Drivers can be integrated
5. Customized boot can be created.]
6. Installation can be made unattended by giving default values.
7. Windows installation components can be added / removed.
8. Registry tweaks can be done before installation.
9. Burn it into a bootable image file or CD.
10. Saves installation time and reduces manual intervention

Freeware usage:

nLite -> Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003

vLite -> Windows Vista, Windows 2008

*All editions of the above OS is supported.

How to use it?

1. Download nLite or vLite from their official websites.
2. Install the nLite/vLite package.
3. Choose the location of original windows installation disk.
4. Choose the modification that needs to be done in windows installation in the tabs Integrate/Remove/Setup/Create.
5. Provide all the inputs as a part of customization.
6. Finally burn it to CD/DVD.
7. Use it for your future installation.

Note: The developers claim that not to get support from Microsoft for any installation errors which is created by nLite/vLite.

Logon unsuccessful:
Windows is unable to log you on.
Make sure that your user name and password are correct.

You may get the below error when you try to connect using “Net Use” command:

System error 5
has occurred. Access is denied.

How to get rid of it?

There are 2 solution for this problem

1. You can create an explicit share of the required device.
2. You can modify the registry to enable LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy key.

Creating explicit share for the device:

1. Open Explorer
2. Choose the folder or drive
3. Right click on the folder or drive and click on share
4. If you have password protected sharing enabled, select which users can access the shared folder and their permission level. To let all users have access, select Everyone in the list of users. By default, the permission level is “Reader.” Users who have this permission level cannot change files or create new files in the share. To let a user change files, change folders, create new files, and create new folders, use the “Co-owner” permission level.
   If you have password protected sharing disabled, select the Guest account or the Everyone account. This is the same as simple sharing in Windows XP.
5. Click on share and then press OK

This method is safe and can be done by beginners.

Modify registry to enable LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy Key:

Here is also an alternate which requires some expertize in the operating system. Here are the steps.

1. In Run prompt type regedit to open registry editor
2. Browse through the following sub key
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
3. Create a new entry with the below information
   Key Name : LocalAccountTokenFilterPolicy
   Key Type : DWORD (32-bit)
   Key Value : 1
4. Exit registry editor.

To disable this option modify the registry key value to 0.

Warning: If you are trying out this method user need to have a knowledge on windows registry. If some of the keys are modified incorrectly it may cause a serious problem to the operation system for proper functioning. Backup registry before doing any changes.

Imagine you have two columns A and B. Column A has the data which needs to be compared against column B. Here I would show you 3 excel formulas to archive this.

1. MATCH
2. COUNTIF
3. VLOOKUP

Here is the syntax

1. =Match( value, array, match_type )
2. =CountIf( range, criteria )
3. =VLookup( value, table_array, index_number, not_exact_match )

Here is a example usage :

1. The below syntax can be used if we want to find out a match and mark the result as ‘Y’ or ‘N’ and consolidate it.

   =IF(ISNA(MATCH(A1,$B$1:$B$100,FALSE)),"N","Y")

2. The below syntax is used to find the count of the matches in the resultant column. If the count is 0, then there is no match. If the count is 1 then there is 1 match. If the count is 2 then the matched data count is 2 and so on.

   COUNTIF($B$1:$B$100,A1)

3. The usage below is similar to the first option where there is change in the function idiom

   IF(ISNA(VLOOKUP(A1,$B$1:$B$100,1,FALSE)),"N","Y")

Where to use what?

Now the question is, of all of them which performs the same function and now where to use what function. The MATCH/VLOOKUP can be used to find out the existence of the data in the column but COUNTIF can be used to find out the existence of data and to find the number of instances the data exists.

Which one is faster?

MATCH/VLOOKUP is more faster than the COUNTIF, since COUNTIF has to look up the entire array to throw out the count. But MATCH/VLOOKUP terminates it loop once it find the data in the array.

There are more functions too in excel for comparison of data. I shall explain it when I come across it.

1. Goto command prompt.
2. Type “NET USE” (with out codes) to view all the connections active or inactive.

Status       Local     Remote                    Network
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unavailable  M:        \\192.168.0.100\Music     Microsoft Windows Network
OK                     \\192.168.0.103\m$        Microsoft Windows Network
The command completed successfully.

3. Type “NET USE \\<remote_resource_name>” (with out codes and replace <remote_resource_name> with the actual name) to display the complete details.

Local name        Z:
Remote name       \\<remote_resource_name>
Resource type     Disk
Status            OK
# Opens           2
# Connections     1
The command completed successfully.

4. To disconnect this resource use the command without codes as “NET USE \\<remote_resource_name> /DELETE
5. Now you are available to connect the remote resource.

Here are the other ways to disconnect through GUI if the connection is visible.

If the connection is mapped to the drive letter.
1. Open the Windows explorer
2. Goto Tools and choose the option Disconnect Network Drive
3. Choose the drive letter and click Disconnect.

If the connect is not mapped to the drive letter.
1. Right click on MyComputer
2. Choose Disconnect Network Drive and it display the all the resources connected
3. Choose the resource name or the drive letter and click OK

If you are the old version of windows the the problem is much simple. To reset a password in windows 98, there is nothing much complex since the there is not much tight security.

For Windows 9x

1. Boot the system in dos mode
2. Go the windows directory
3. Search for *.PWD file
4. Delete the *.PWD file.
5. Reboot it and now you are in with the blank password.

But on later versions of the windows the security features are made so complex that it involves some complex steps to reset your password in case you forget it.

For Windows 2000/XP

1. Get back you windows bootable CD. Boot it.

2. Proceed to the the screens until you get the option to a) install windows or b) repair windows

3. Press ‘R’ to repair windows and then choose the appropriate options until reboot.

4. Your machine will be back in windows GUI mode. You need to enter to the command prompt by pressing “Shit + F10”. This step differs for windows 2000 and XP.

• For windows 2000 press “shift + F10” when you see the screen “Registering Components”
• For windows XP press “shift + F10” when you see the screen “Installing devices”

5. Now you are in the command prompt. From here you need to invoke the control panel.

• For Windows 2000, Type “control.exe” in command prompt
• For Windows XP, Type “nusrmgr.cpl” in command prompt

6. Now you could be able to access control panel.
7. From there choose user management to reset your password.
8. Once done, close the control panel and allow the repair process to get completed.
9. Finally reboot your computer
10. Now you can be in with your new password.

Here is an alternate way too if you have a free distribution of Linux know as Knoppix. Here are the steps.

1. Download the free version of Linux from http://www.knoppix.org/
2. Download the a package to change the windows password from here
3. Install the package chntpw as below

Knoppix@ttyp1[knoppix]$ alien –to-tgz chntpw_.deb
Knoppix@ttyp1[knoppix]$ tar xvzf chntpw.tgz ./usr/sbin/chntpw
Knoppix@ttyp1[knoppix]$ mv ./usr/sbin/chntpw ./

4. Find the windows partition using the command

cat /etc/fstab

5. Mount the windows NTFS partition using the command

mount -o rw /dev/hdax /mnt/windows


x – replaces with the numeric depending on the configuration

6. Change your directory where the SAM file is available

cd /mnt/windows/WINDOWS/system32/config

7. Run the command

chntpw -u administrator SAM system SECURITY

8. This will ask you to enter a new password for the administrator account.
9. Just hit enter so that blank password will be entered.
10. Write the changes when it prompts to do so.
11. Reboot your machine on your hard drive and log in to windows with blank password.

NB: The author is not responsible for any kind of misuse by the readers.

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