Lars Werner

Windows 2008 Hyper-V server uptime and ESXi 4.x

large — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:20:25 +0000

At the beginning of the year I installed a Windows 2008 server running Hyper-V and 5-8 VMs for internal use @ home.
This was inital an test to go from ESX 3.x so I converted the vmdk- to vhd-files and booted them up.
All of them worked with minor tweaks and have been stable since.

Check out the uptime

See the System Boot Time for last boot date

At post-date the server have been up for 246 days (8 months, 2 days).
Windows is stable and can handle the virtualization as well as Vmware

My developer VM TBone has been running almost equal amount of time

I’m now in the process of implementing ESXi 4.x to my alternative server.
Microsoft do not support Linux very well, so my ESXi shall handle Linux from now on

Wish me luck!

Spotiamp v0.9 released

large — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:29:20 +0000

This is a small update for Spotiamp, that ensure unicode support.

New colors, just for fun

Bugupdate:
* UNICODE support handling of Artist and title in commercials
* Tracks without Artist or Title can be added as commercials
* Converts commercials.ini from ANSI to UNICODE silently

New features:
* Better adsupport handling (after 15 secs the interface are displayed again)

Please download here, note that the Visual Studio 2010 Redistributable Package (x86) is required.

RAM slots on Asus X93SV / K93SV 18,4″ “portable” laptop

large — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:27:35 +0000

I have just bought the Asus X93SV 18,4″ laptop (specs are equal to K93SV) and I wanted to add more ram.

When opening the bottom lid I got a surprise; there are only 2 slots and their were filled already with 2x4GB.
I start googl’in and didn’t find the information as easy as I wanted.

Sharing is caring you know, so here is a tip:
Below the keyboard is two free slots!

You have to dismount the keyboard by following the guide on this picture:

(Source of picture)

Make sure that you unscrew the correct screws, there is a small “K” mark in the plastic for them.
You only need to unscrew 2 of them, the third is used to push the keyboard up.
On mine there is a blank metallic screw near the 3,5″ drive and black above the RAM.

Note:
When keyboard is loose, handle with care!
There is a small ribbon-cable that you don’t need to unplug just to install the RAM.
Just flip the keyboard, install and snap the keyboard back in it place.

Suggestion:
Change the 2,5″ drive with a SSD to experience great speed and less noise, you’ll never regret that!

Warranty note:

Thank you for contacting ASUS Customer Service.
My name is Daniel and it’s my pleasure to help you with your problem.

Please be kindly informed that the two other slots are underneath the motherboard and are not accessible except if you want to void the warranty.

We hope we have been of assistance.

As a comment to the support; no you haven’t been giving me any assitance!
ASUS advertise with 4 RAM slots, but you have to void the warranty to actual get it installed.
Studid and probably illegal marketing of features a normal user cannot reach, be warned!

Get XBMC tear free on Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty) / 11.10 (Oneiric)

large — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:19:26 +0000

If you aren’t familiar with XBMC, please check out my earlier guides.

My hardware is: Asrock ION330 (works great for 720p and 1080p)

I have been running XBMC on 8.10 (Intreprid) for quite a while and now I have updated to 11.04 (Natty).
Everything works fine, but HEY!, tearing on SD / HD material, argh!!!

Step 1. Getting rid of Unity
Guess I’m getting old, but I don’t like to “search” or pin my stuff to a bar + many people reported that Unity is a tear problem.
First go to the system settings:

Goto the systemsettings in ubuntu

Second to the login screen:

Start the Login Screen function and change the session variable to "Ubuntu Classi"

With these changes you are rid of Unity and back to the god’ol Ubuntu.
Tip: You can also make your user automatic login on the Login Screen, check it out while you’re there.
(Pictures are snagged from here, thanks mate…)

Step 2. Changing the xorg.conf
I tried several tips on how to get the tearing off.
I didn’t know that the Composite was manadatory to disable on my ION box, but it is…

To add this open a terminal then write

sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Goto the bottom and add the text below.

Section “Extensions”
Option “Composite” “Disable”
EndSection

Tip:
While you are in the xorg.conf, why not add all the entries suggested by the XBMC wiki:

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=HOW-TO:Install_Ubuntu_and_XBMC_on_Asus_EeeBox_PC_EB1501#Generate_an_xorg.conf_file

Tip 2: Alternative to write the xorg.conf yourself;

sudo nvidia-xconfig -no-composite

Now reboot and get your tearfree VDPAU ION computer to work as expected!

Compiz and others, check this out:
If you are running Compiz or maybe have a ATI card (or something) please check out this post

Not for the faint heart
I use the unstable NVIDIA drivers, if you experience any trouble you should try them.
Use this guide to add a new entry to the repositary, then include this PPA: ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates
(Get more updates here and here)

Get access to Pandora, Hulu and Netflix through portable software!

large — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:54:51 +0000

When you live in Norway you are looking over the pond and say; Internet is better in America.

They have services like Hulu.com, Pandora.com and Netflix.com that we don’t.

Now how do you get in contact on these services without installing any TAPI devices on a computer? (like eg hotspotshield.com or Hamachi does)

The answer: UltraSurf.com

For a visual guide on how it works check out this video:

I had successfully connected to all services and love that Pandora is back on my pc!

Acrobat MDI – ish v0.7.1.8 released!

large — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 22:11:29 +0000

What is this?
Acrobat MDI-ish is a wrapper application that take all of your Acrobat Reader/Write windows and present them into a single window.
Take back the control over your taskbar again!

New features
* Tab-browser feature (all windows are forced maximized)
* Autostart with Windows (not when portable)
* Installer
* Some bugfixes with systray and hide windows

Download
Please download the updated version of Acrobat MDI-ish from this page

Earlier included features
* Gets the MDI feature back to your Acrobat!
* Multimonitor support with MDI!
* Systray control
* Multiple looks on the frame; Windows 2000/XP, Office 2003 / 2007

Screenshot of new installer and gui

Hide, minimize or maximize your CFrameWndEx based window at start (MFC 10.0 tip)

large — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 21:27:14 +0000

After changing to Visual Studio 2010 many of my old ways of doing things didn’t work well anymore.

Recently I had a “SDI” (not really SDI since it doesn’t use the Doc/View way) that needed to be minimized @ startup.
My good old way used the ActivateFrame(int nCmdShow) and setting to SW_HIDE / SW_MINIMIZE / SW_MAXIMIZE didn’t work at all.
(The “SDI” uses the new visual styles, so I guess we don’t have full control over the ShowWindow() being called)

First in your MainFrm.h file, add this:
class CMainFrame : public CFrameWndEx { //(...) public: BOOL bIsHidden; //(...) };

Then in the MainFrm.cpp
// CMainFrame construction/destruction CMainFrame::CMainFrame() { // TODO: add member initialization code here bIsHidden = TRUE; }


//This is where you block the window for showing

void CMainFrame::OnWindowPosChanging(WINDOWPOS* lpwndpos)

{

	CFrameWndEx::OnWindowPosChanging(lpwndpos);

//When hidden we remove all the showwindow parameters (giving you the power back) if(bIsHidden) lpwndpos->flags &= ~SWP_SHOWWINDOW ; }

Finally in your CWinAppEx derivated class
BOOL CAcrobatMDIishApp::InitInstance() { //(...) pFrame->LoadFrame(IDR_MAINFRAME, WS_OVERLAPPEDWINDOW | FWS_ADDTOTITLE, NULL, NULL);

// The one and only window has been initialized, minimize it (or maximize it). pFrame->ShowWindow(SW_MINIMIZE); //Comment these two out to keep the windows hidden (like a hide to systray function for instance) pFrame->UpdateWindow(); }

It is a simple way to control the visibilty of “SDI”/”MDI” application based on the CFrameWndEx and CWinAppEx classes.

Adito guide: Get RDP everywhere with Adito!

large — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:17:32 +0000

Adito is based on Java and basicly the Adito-client works “everywhere”.
This can be very handy when you are on a internet-cafe or just borrowing a computer.

This guide will show you step by step on how to setup Remote Desktop (RDP) to your Adito server.

If you are not familiar with RDP, it can be simply explained; it shows your desktop, wherever you are on the internet.

Before you can begin, please read this guide on how to enable RDP for Windows 7/XP.
Adito have also VNC support (and others), so both Linux and Mac can use the same guide, only by using VNC application instead.

Step 1 – Install Adito as server
Please see this install guide using the windows installer
If you prefer the SVN version, please download it from here

Please note that you have to port forward 443 (or any other port you selected) to this computer on your router, so the rest of the world can see your Adito server.
Find your router here if you don’t know how…
Use a dns-service like no-ip.com to give your Adito server a remember-able-name

Step 2 – Installing RDP extension
The Adito client can publish software to download and execute.
Typical portable software is prefered, since clients does not always have registry write access.

First, download the RDP extension. It uses the RDPsso.exe command from Microsoft and is based on the old less secure RDP.
But you are connecting through a SSL encrypted tunnel, so it is considered “safe”.

If you are not in managementconsole press the changebutton now

Press “Extensions” in the “Configuration” tab

Then press the “Upload Extension”.

Press the Browse-button and select the adito-application-advancednativerdpwin32.zip file, press “Upload”

You should now have the Microsoft RDP client installed

Step 3 – Create an Application
Select “Application” under the Tunnels tab

Press the “Create Application shortcut”

Call it “Adito server” and add a short description

Press next and select the RDP application.

Press next and enter 127.0.0.1 as host, change other options if you like.
Default RDP port is 3389 and is usally left alone

(Note: You aren’t restricted to local-ips or -hosts here, you can also use internet hosts. Some people use the Adito server as the only entrypoint on their firewall)

Press next and publish it to Everyone group.

Press next and look over the summary, then press Finish.

You have now published an app called “Adito server” to the group “Everyone”.
That means that every user that you have, will gain access to this app.
You can create as many applications as you need, just repeat the wizard

Step 4 – Testing the RDP
Connect to your Adito server and run the client.

Rightclick on the icon in systray and select “Adito server”.

The client will now open a temporary port, download the RDP application and connect.

If all succeded you’ll be presented with a login screen.

Next time you’re at an Internet-cafe or the library, try running the client. It will probably work

Tip: If you don’t have access to the Agent systray-icon;
Just run applications through Resource -> Applications by pressing the application you want

Errorhandling checklist
1. Check that you enabled RDP?
2. Check that the Windows firewall doesn’t block port 3389
3. Can others in the same network connect to RDP on the server, without using Adito? (local to local)
4. When using Windows Vista/7 you might have decrease the encryption to let old clients connect (* as described in the guide above)
5. Some corporative firewalls block self-signed HTTPS-certificates. If you can’t get through to your Adito loginscreen and get an error regarding certificate; buy a cheap cert from namecheap.com
More info regarding, please read the comments in the Installer page!

Hack tip
An extension in Adito is basicly just a zip-file with a xml-config and the application.
If you want to create your own, just download extensions from adito.werner.no and check out the config.

I have made the Firefox portable for instance available for users.
That way you can use your favorite browser without installing it (not published cause of huge download-size and special configs)

Remember that the app needs to be registry independent, since not all clients have reg-write access.

Simple extension
This sample is from the WinUtil


	

		Gives you the three HAT buttons on top of the screen.

		These buttons will hide, set always on top and make windows transparent.

		A pleasure adding this to the SSL-explorer list 

	
 

	

		Gives you the three HAT buttons on top of the screen.

		These buttons will hide, set always on top and make windows transparent.

		A pleasure adding this to the SSL-explorer list 

	
	

		WinUtil.exe

		WinUtil.cfg

		gfx/Windows Standard/A-DOWN.bmp

		gfx/Windows Standard/A-UP.bmp

		gfx/Windows Standard/H-DOWN.bmp

		gfx/Windows Standard/H-UP.bmp

		gfx/Windows Standard/T-DOWN.bmp

		gfx/Windows Standard/T-UP.bmp

		gfx/Windows XP/A-DOWN.bmp

		gfx/Windows XP/A-UP.bmp

		gfx/Windows XP/H-DOWN.bmp

		gfx/Windows XP/H-UP.bmp

		gfx/Windows XP/T-DOWN.bmp

		gfx/Windows XP/T-UP.bmp

All I needed todo was to create a filelist included and what todo when the program was downloaded.
There are several options on how to create extensions, please read the wiki for more options and functions!

If you create portable packages, please let me know and I’ll host them @ adito.werner.no after testing it

Load a HBITMAP into SFML sf::Image container

large — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 22:01:59 +0000

I have been working on a SFML project for quite some time.
This project are hookup up with existing Win32 coded stuff, so I had to handle HBITMAP.

After hours of searching and trial&error, I got this solution.
The LoadFromMemory-part didn’t work so well, so I decided to get pixels.
It works for me, but should have more checks, use at own risk.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Function created by: Lars Werner - http://lars.werner.no ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Inputs: [in] HBITMAP hBitmap = A HBITMAP handle // [out] sf::Image *pPicture = A image in SFML as pointer // ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Return: True if loaded, False if not! // The pPicture is the variable set and to be used further on ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Version: 1.0 = Inital Release ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// bool SFMLLoadHBitmapAsImage(HBITMAP hBitmap, sf::Image *pPicture) { //Create a DC to get hBitmap information HDC hDC = GetDC( ::GetDesktopWindow() );


	//Create BITMAPINFO variable, set size

	BITMAPINFO MyBMInfo = {0};

	MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biSize = sizeof( MyBMInfo.bmiHeader );
	//Get the BITMAPINFO structure from the bitmap

	if( 0 == GetDIBits(hDC, hBitmap, 0, 0, NULL, &MyBMInfo, DIB_RGB_COLORS))

	{

		// error handling

		return false;

	}
	//Create the bitmap pixel array each element is [b,g,r]

	BYTE* lpPixels = new BYTE[MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biSizeImage];
	//Setting up the structure of the buffer to be received

 	MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biCompression = BI_RGB;  // No-compression
	//Now get the actual data from the picture

	if (0 == GetDIBits(hDC, hBitmap, 0, MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biHeight, (LPVOID)lpPixels, &MyBMInfo, DIB_RGB_COLORS))

	{

		// error handling

		return false;

	}
	//Now create an array of SFML pixels we want to fill

	sf::Uint8 *lpPixelWithAlpha = new sf::Uint8[ MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biSizeImage + (MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biSizeImage/3)/3 ]; //Add room for alpha
	//Loop through each pixel, with steps of four RGBA!

	for(int x=0;x
	{

		lpPixelWithAlpha[x] = lpPixels[x+2];	//lpPixels = r

		lpPixelWithAlpha[x+1] = lpPixels[x+1];	//lpPixels = g

		lpPixelWithAlpha[x+2] = lpPixels[x];	//lpPixels = b

		lpPixelWithAlpha[x+3] = 255;			//Nada alpha (just to adjust if you like)

	}
	//Remove old DIBsection

	delete[] lpPixels;
	//Load picture, now with correct pixels and alpha channel

	if( false == pPicture->LoadFromPixels(MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biWidth, MyBMInfo.bmiHeader.biHeight, lpPixelWithAlpha))

	{

		// error handling

		return false;

	}
	//Remove the pixels with alphachannel

	delete[] lpPixelWithAlpha;
	//Release the DC

	ReleaseDC(::GetDesktopWindow(), hDC);
	//Notify ok!

	return true;

}
//Create a container for the picture

sf::Image m_mypicture;
//Get a HBITMAP (see function from before)

HBITMAP hBitmap = ScreenShot( http://lars.werner.no/?p=627 <--- function and parameters here );
//Run the function

if( false == SFMLLoadHBitmapAsImage(hBitmap, &my_picture) )

{

// error handling

}
//Load your image into the sprite

sf::Sprite m_mysprite.SetImage(m_mypicture);

//The DIB section begins with the last pixels at the beginning. //Since SFML have flip-functions I didn't care to fix it m_mysprite.FlipY(true);

Any comments, errors or bad design, please let me know in the comment section!

Take a screenshot of any given HWND!

large — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:16:57 +0000

Currently I’m working on a project that uses screenshots, and I just wanted to share this snippet.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Function created by: Lars Werner - http://lars.werner.no ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Inputs: HWND hParent = the window we want to get DC from, eg // ::GetDesktopWindow(); // int x = x-position of the screen // int y = y-position of the screen // int nWidth = Width of the screenshot // int nHeight = Height of the screenshot // ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Return: HBITMAP = Handle isn't deleted in function, please use // DeleteObject() when finished with object! ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Version: 1.0 = Inital Release ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// HBITMAP ScreenShot(HWND hParent, int x, int y, int nWidth, int nHeight) { //Get a DC from the parent window HDC hDC = GetDC(hParent);


	//Create a memory DC to store the picture to

	HDC hMemDC = CreateCompatibleDC(hDC);
	//Create the actual picture

	HBITMAP hBackground = CreateCompatibleBitmap(hDC, nWidth, nHeight );
	//Select the object and store what we got back

	HBITMAP hOld = (HBITMAP)SelectObject(hMemDC, hBackground);
	//Now do the actually painting into the MemDC (result will be in the selected object)

	//Note: We ask to return on 0,0,Width,Height and take a blit from x,y

	BitBlt(hMemDC, 0, 0, nWidth, nHeight, hDC, x, y, SRCCOPY);
	//Restore the old bitmap (if any)

	SelectObject(hMemDC, hOld);
	//Release the DCs we created

	ReleaseDC(hParent, hMemDC);

	ReleaseDC(hParent, hDC);

//Return the picture (not a clean method, but you get the drill) return hBackground; }

Any comments, error or bad design, please let me know in the comments!

Acrobat MDI – ish v0.5.0.1 released!

large — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:02:42 +0000

What is this?
Acrobat MDIish is a wrapper that snatch all of you Acrobat windows and present them into a single window.
A quick and dirty way to get MDI support back!

Download
Please download Acrobat MDI-ish from this page

Screenshot

Features
* Gets the MDI feature back to your Acrobat!
* Multimonitor support with MDI!
* Systray control so you can easily show/hide windows
* Multiple looks on the frame; Windows 2000/XP, Office 2003 / 2007

Follow lars.werner.no on Facebook!

large — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:32:42 +0000

Hi all!

So many users are on Facebook these days and I haven’t really been a fan. But I have to move with the masses and the site is now ready for Facebook!

If you want to follow the site, press the like button below

Why do so?
* Every post published on site will be available
* Stuff that aren’t visible in front (like page updates).
* Quick way to get in contact with the developer
* Tag the wall with tips and hacks, if you got one!

See you there

Silentlaunch updated to v2!

large — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:14:48 +0000

The Silentlaunch has been updated to v2, please download it here

New features:
* Enviroment variables, like %systemroot%, %programfiles%
* Configfile is based on %homedrive% and not hardcoded to C:\
* Recompiled using Visual Studio 2010, c++, win32. Source code available!

SilentLaunch could be used to replace a shell and usally a HTPC box with XBMC, Boxee or similar can take advantage of this!

If you need help setting it up, just post a comment!

Adito (OpenVPN ALS) v0.9.1 SVN R706 Windows installer released

large — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:25:18 +0000

Earlier I asked people to use my NSIS script to make a SVN-release of Adito 0.9.1
Nobody responded on that, but now I have made it myself

The latest SVN revision is 706 and has been so for the laste months.

Please take a look on the Installer – SVN page for more info
PS, for those who hate the x1000 bug…. It is now fixed

Need of a jobrotation calendar?

large — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:01:20 +0000

Work rotation calendar

If you ever need a simple calendar to show your work rotation, please visit http://kalender.werner.no/rotasjon.asp

Many people I know work two weeks on, two weeks off; this calendar is a quick way display such a rotation.
You can send people links, here is my rotation and they know if you’re on work or not. It is also design to fit on a A4 page for printing.

Any suggestions or feedback regarding it, please send me an e-mail!

WordPress updated!

large — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:31:53 +0000

I have just upgraded from WordPress 2.2.3 to 3.0.1 without any hazzle.

If you haven’t done so yet, just fire away. It does not take long and the new autoupdate and direct download of plugins etc is great!

Thank you WordPress team a donation is on your way.

Futurama as X-men

large — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:47:31 +0000

Futurama is my favorite of all times and this drawing blew some life in the “inner nerd”

Cheers to gottabecarl for this great drawing!

SpotiAmp v0.8 released

large — Mon, 17 May 2010 18:42:37 +0000

New features:

Windows 7 support! Also added a nagscreen for Vista users to upgrade to a decent OS
Simple Wildchar support for blocking commercials, eg Artist=Spotify, Title=*
Hotkey “Flag current track as commercial” added
Option to ignore the current mute-state
Option to not use mediakeys but send hotkeys directly to Spotify (Spotify window might blink)

Fixed:

Added decent 404-pages on the webserver
Fixed the systray-icon to show correct
Remove the preset function, didn’t want the feature
Nag-screen shows on every 20 commercial blocked, increased 100% from 10

Download new v0.8 version here

New HTML
The Ajax HTML shall be unpacked in the same directory as the Spotiamp.exe.
If you put Spotiamp.exe in the same directory as Spotify then the directorystructure should look like this:
C:\Program Files\Spotify\Spotify.exe
C:\Program Files\Spotify\Uninstall.exe
C:\Program Files\Spotify\SpotiAmp.exe
C:\Program Files\Spotify\html\ <– All files from ajaxhtml.zip here

Netcom miniruter – Frihet i en liten boks!

large — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:44:40 +0000

For å oppsummere kort; jeg liker det lille modemet. Mye pga jeg ikke har en mobil med 3G eller Wifi
Har aldri likt USB dingsene som krever egne propitær programmer / drivere kun for internettilgang. Denne slipper du det på for den er et accesspunkt.

Ruteren ble testa i Hammerfest og på tur i omvegen. Dekningen er det ingenting å si på. Når jeg reiser tilbake kommer ny rapport om dekningen

MIFI ruteren er laget av Huawei og modellen er E5832.
Virgin har kjørt med E5832 en stund og de har getting-started guider bla.
Denne bloggeren har tatt en grundig test av E5830 enheten (Forgjengeren til 5832)
Huawei derimot har ingen produktside og all support må nok Netcom ta seg av.

En annen problemstilling som er tatt opp på diverse forum er bytte av batteri på enheten.
Vi håper Netcom tar seg av problemstillingen selv etter et halvår når produktet fases ut med noe nytt & spennende.

Nå noen keynotes fra Netcom:
Hvilke fordeler gir det deg?
* Del ditt Mobile Bredbånd med andre
* Perfekt når du er på hytta, hjemme, i båten eller i bilen
* Inntil 5 stykker kan være på nett samtidig
* Alle type enheter (iPod, PSP++) med støtte for WLAN kan koble seg til Mobilt Bredbånd ved bruk av ruteren
* Ta med deg ruteren i lommen og du har tilgang til Mobilt Bredbånd via WiFi overalt hvor det er mobil dekning

NetCom MiniRuter/Huawei E5832 tekniske spesifikasjoner
* Støtte for HSDPA 7.2 Mb/s
* Støtte for HSUPA 5.76 Mb/s
* Støtte for UMTS 2100/900 MHz, GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
* Micro SD kortleser
* OS støtte dersom en bruker enheten som USB-modem; Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7. Mac 10.5 og 10.6, samt Linux
* Dobbel innebygd antenne
* WLAN støtte
* Batterilader følger med i pakken
* Batterikapasitet: 1500 Mah, 4 timer bruk
* Mål: 86 x 46.4 x 10.5 mm

Tilslutt bilder av ruteren in action

[Show as slideshow]

PS:
Jeg har ikke DV-kamera og heller ikke noe stativ. Alt ble tatt opp med et Casio stillbildekamera og en særdeles stødig hånd!

Learn the OpenVPN ALS (Adito) basics from Hak5!

large — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:10:14 +0000

Thanks to Darren@Hak5 for credits on the Adito installer

Discuss the episode at Hak5 forums

Many of you might not know that the Adito-agent can be used as a portable-apps-thingy that doesn’t require a usb-thumbdrive. You can have your own apps, with your own settings on-the-go where every you connect to Adito. Check it out yourself and download packages below.

These are the ones I prefer:
Microsoft RDP client (complete client, will work on clients that even don’t have RDP installed): http://lars.werner.no/adito-application-advancednativerdpwin32.zip
UltraVNC client: http://lars.werner.no/adito-application-ultravnc.zip
Putty: http://lars.werner.no/adito-application-putty-portable-ssh.zip
WinUtil (My own smallutil for hiding/always-on-top/transparent): http://lars.werner.no/WinUtil.zip
Firefox portable: http://lars.werner.no/sslexplorer-application-firefoxportable.zip

Save the *.zip file and upload zip-file in the (Configuration) Extension Manager -> (Actions) Upload Extension

Now add a new application to a user/group, customize and test. Simple as 1-2-3

To make your own, check out the Winutil-example-package. It is the simplest form of getting an application (that does not require network access) running through Adito. Customize one XML repack and publish your own utils. Add them to the comment-field to share with others.

Be warned there is a bug in 0.9.1 that you cannot fix (only SVN-releases for now).
Do not change option in (Resources) Profiles -> (Default) More -> Configure!
Unfortunately these are the options for the Adito-agent, this will be fixed when OpenVPN ALS is in a new public release!

Too bad Shannon wasn’t involved in this episode
My wife hate these comments, but I just had to, hehe…

I don’t have much time for my blog / pc / programming these days.
My newborn kid takes all the time

If Hak5.org is down here is the Xvid video (or the HD-version if you prefer)

SpotiAmp – Control Spotify the way you like, even mute commercials / ads

large — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 21:47:59 +0000

Spotify is a great service! I have been using it for quite a while, but I felt that something was missing.
Winamp has been my main player for years and I got inspired to make a combination and support things I wanted with this application.

Presenting SpotiAmp

Features

Global hotkeys to control play, stop, pause, next and previous
Mute commercials / ads, it comes with a price read about below
Simple Webserver support
Winamp WM_COMMAND / WM_WA_IPC support to let other applications (like girder) control Spotify

To download please visit the SpotiAmp page.

A Windows user confession: Make LIRC on Ubuntu manage your HTPC + making suspend-to-ram work properly

large — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:45:49 +0000

As the topic says; I am a Windows user. I been using the XBMC on Xbox1 for many years. Since the hardware on Xbox does not handle the new “HD-thing”, I started to find a replacement. This is my recipe that forced me to learn some basic Linux stuff.

Read my part 1 before you continue with this one.

1. Requirements
You need these following items:
* Ubuntu preinstalled with XBMC and LIRC
* A MCE IR receiver/remote that is supported by LIRC
* A confirmed working LIRC, tested with the irw command

2. What do you want it to do?
My HTPC requirements is XBMC, switch between another program (like MythTV) and do simple movements on the desktop. Another thing that is important is the on/off function and my prefer method is suspend-to-ram. It is quick, quiet and fully manageable on Linux.
Much of the information (and some scripts) has been processed and modified from vikjon’s Blog

3. Setting up IRExec+IRXevent and application specific settings
LIRC has an extra tool called IRExec+IRXevent that basically execute a command to terminal when an event happens. Also the MythTV-crew have made a generator for default LIRC-config. It creates application specific settings, we’ll now install’em both:
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Install IRExec+IRXevent by entering: sudo apt-get install lirc-x
3. Install Mythbuntu-lirc-generator by entering: sudo apt-get install mythbuntu-lirc-generator
4. Create default settings running: mythbuntu-lirc-generator
5. Start IRExec to check that it works, enter: irexec (nothing should be printed and a waiting cursor, break it with Ctrl-C)

LIRC is installed as a daemon (service) but the IRExec+IRXevent need to be in your “user space”. This script shall be started when you login. Here is what todo (in terminal):
1. Create a scripts directory, enter: mkdir ~/scripts
2. Create a script-file, enter: nano ~/scripts/startirexec.sh
3. Paste inn these lines, replace the “username” in the text with your own username

#!/bin/bash

# Test to see if IRXevent is running first, if so kill it, then restart
if ps -ef|grep -v grep|grep -i irxevent
then
ps aux|grep -i username|grep -i irxevent |awk ‘{print $2}’|xargs kill
else
# Do nothing
echo “irxevent already dead!”
fi

# Test to see if IRexec is running first, if so kill it, then restart
if ps -ef|grep -v grep|grep -vi start|grep -i irexec
then
ps aux|grep -i username|grep -i irexec |grep -vi start|awk ‘{print $2}’|xargs kill
else
# Do nothing
echo “irexec already dead!”
fi

#test to see if an instance of irxevent is already running
if ps -ef|grep -v grep|grep irxevent
then
# do nothing
echo “irxevent already running”
else
# start irxevent
irxevent /home/username/.lircrc &
fi

#test to see if an instance of irexec is already running
if ps -ef|grep -v grep|grep irexec
then
# do nothing
echo “irexec already running”
else
# start irxevent
irexec -d /home/username/.lircrc &
fi

exit

4. Save the file by pressing Ctrl-X, say Yes to save.
5. Go to System -> Preferences -> Startup applications
6. Press add and goto the directory “scripts”. Add the startirexec.sh file

When you restart and same user logs in, the IRXevent+IRExec will be running in the background.

3.1 Start/kill scripts for your applications
Here are two examples of start/kill application scripts. You should create one on each program you want to control using the remote.

Start-script (to customize to others change the xbmc.bin and the executable xbmc later on)

#!/bin/bash

# Test to see if XBMC is running first
if ps -ef|grep -v grep|grep -i xbmc.bin
then
# Do nothing
echo “XBMC already Running!”
else
# Startup XBMC
xbmc
fi
exit

Kill script (it does a soft kill first and hard after some time. Replace the “username” with your username.)
To manage other applications replace the xbmc and xbmc.bin with your executable.

#!/bin/bash

# Test to see if XBMC is running first
if ps -ef|grep -v grep|grep -i xbmc.bin
then
# Try a clean kill
ps aux|grep -i username|grep -v grep|grep -i xbmc.bin|awk ‘{print $2}’|xargs kill
echo `date` “Killed XBMC! (soft)” >> /tmp/killXBMC.log
else
echo “XBMC already dead! (soft)”
exit
fi

# takes a second or two to die with the soft kill
sleep 2

# Test to see if it’s still running
if ps -ef|grep -v grep|grep -i xbmc.bin
then
# If it’s still around, kill it -9
ps aux|grep -i username|grep -v grep|grep -i xbmc.bin|awk ‘{print $2}’|xargs kill -9
echo `date` “Killed XBMC! (hard)” >> /tmp/killXBMC.log
else
echo “XBMC already dead! (hard)”
exit
fi

Both of these scripts has been stored as ~/scripts/startxbmc.sh and ~/scripts/killxbmc.sh.

You could also create a ~/scripts/reboot.sh, it could look something like this

#!/bin/bash
sudo reboot
exit

Simple and hopefully you have turn off the password-nagging (as described in part 1) so it actually works

3.2 Executing these scripts using the IRExec
The mythbuntu-lirc-generator created a hidden directory that contains custom settings for several applications. We are now going to create a simple “common” script that will work independent on which program you have executed.

1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Create a common file for our commands, enter: nano ~/.lirc/common
3. Paste inn these commands

#Kill then start XBMC when pressing the Videos button
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = irexec
button = Videos
config = sh /home/username/scripts/killxbmc.sh
config = sh /home/username/scripts/startxbmc.sh &
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end

#Reboot the computer when you press the “Clear” button
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = irexec
button = Clear
config = sh /home/username/scripts/reboot.sh &
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end

4. Press Ctrl-X and save file.
5. Now we have to include the file as a LIRC resource, enter: nano ~/.lircrc
6. Add at the end of the file: include ~/.lirc/common
7. Press Ctrl-X and save file
8. Restart the IRExec by entering: sh ~/scripts/startirexec.sh

Try the remote by pressing “My Videos” and see that XBMC starts.

4. Wake-up on USB
MythTv have a good guide on how to get suspend-to-ram work, this info is partly taken from that guide.

1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. List the devices available, enter: cat /proc/acpi/wakeup (it should look something like the list below)

Device S-state Status Sysfs node
PCI0 S4 disabled no-bus:pci0000:00
PEG1 S4 disabled pci:0000:00:01.0
IGBE S4 disabled pci:0000:00:19.0
PCX1 S4 disabled pci:0000:00:1c.0
HUB S4 disabled pci:0000:00:1e.0
USB0 S3 disabled pci:0000:00:1d.0
USB1 S3 disabled pci:0000:00:1d.1

3. Usally the USB0 is the one that your ir-receiver is connected to. To activate it enter: sudo sh -c ‘echo “USB0″ >> /proc/acpi/wakeup’ (it should state S3 behind it, or else the item will be shutoff during suspend-to-ram)
4. Check in the list that the device is enabled, enter: cat /proc/acpi/wakeup

Device S-state Status Sysfs node
(snip)
HUB S4 disabled pci:0000:00:1e.0
USB0 S3 enabled pci:0000:00:1d.0
USB1 S3 disabled pci:0000:00:1d.1

5. Do a actual test (Warning; this might crash your system. Save any unsaved stuff before you test). Enter: sudo sh /etc/acpi/sleepbtn.sh
6. When it has suspended, hold the power-button on your remote down and see if it wakes up. (If it don’t you either got the wrong USB-device, in the wakeup-list, or the receiver doesn’t send a valid power-on signal to the computer.)

Notice that when the computer wakes up either it hangs or the remote does not work. This will be handled in the next chapter. But first, lets make the change wakeup device permanent.
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Edit the rc.local file (equal to autoexec.bat for us Windows users): sudo nano /etc/rc.local
3. Add at the end of the file (but before exit 0): sudo sh -c ‘echo “USB0″ >> /proc/acpi/wakeup’ (change the USB0 if another device worked for you)

Reboot your computer to check if the /proc/acpi/wakeup list has the USB0 (or what ever device working for you) enabled. Do a second test, just to make sure the suspend/resume works.

4.1 Suspend-to-ram and wakeup script
When a computer is suspended a list of devices, drivers etc are stopped. IRExec+IRXEvent needs LIRC to work properly. Both of them are not installed as daemons so they will not be included in a suspend (for some reason).
I have also encountered several lock-ups because of the mce_usb driver, so it is clever to remove driver before a suspend. If you have other drivers for LIRC, just replace the mce_usb with your own name.

The suspendscript will be located at the same spots as our other scripts, here is what you do:
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Create the suspendfile, enter: nano ~/scripts/suspendcomputer.sh
3. Paste the script below into the file

#!/bin/sh
sh ~/scripts/killxbmc.sh
sudo /etc/init.d/lirc stop
sudo modprobe -r lirc_mceusb
sudo /etc/acpi/sleep.sh force
exit

4. Edit the common-file and make powerbutton, on the remote, run suspendcomputer.sh using the chapter 3.2 technique: nano ~/.lirc/common (if you are uncertain on the name of the powerbutton use irw to get them)

You could test the remote powerbutton and see that it suspend. Turn the power on with the remote again. Nothing IR-based is going to work since we have stopped LIRC and removed the drivers. Here is the wakeup-script.
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Create a acpi-resume file by entering: sudo nano /etc/acpi/resume.d/99-resume-lirc.sh
3. Paste the script below into the file. (Change the “Username” with your username, since the resume-daemon execute on another user/level we need to specify.)

#!/bin/bash
sudo modprobe lirc_mceusb
sudo /etc/init.d/lirc start
sudo -u username sh /home/username/scripts/startIRExec.sh
sudo -u username sh /home/username/scripts/startxbmc.sh

4. Make sure the script is executeable by entering: sudo chmod +x /etc/acpi/resume.d/99-resume-lirc.sh
5. Test the script by entering: sudo sh /etc/acpi/resume.d/99-resume-lirc.sh

Now the LIRC and the driver should work again. So try a new suspend/resume using the remote and the 99-resume-lirc.sh will be the last script executed by the resume-daemon.

5. Navigate on desktop using IR
After reading Bryan Ludvigsens blog on how to control Snes using LIRC and Xmacro, I got the idea of use something similar for controlling the desktop.

First off you need to install xmacro, this is how you do it:
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Install xmacro by entering: sudo apt-get install xmacro

Bryans approach is to complicated for me (linux newbie, you know). I took an easier route by reading this post. Here are some combinations you probably want to use, paste the line after the : – sign to test. If it works in terminal it works using the IRexec.

“Start”-button: echo -e ‘KeyStrPress Control_L\n KeyStrPress Escape\n KeyStrRelease Escape\n KeyStrRelease Control_L\n’ | xmacroplay -d 50 :0
Next window (alt-tab): echo -e ‘KeyStrPress Alt_L\n KeyStr Tab\n KeyStrRelease Alt_L’ | xmacroplay -d 50 :0
Close: echo -e ‘KeyStrPress Alt_L\n KeyStr F4\n KeyStrRelease Alt_L’ | xmacroplay :0

You probably got the picture. You can also record your own macros using this command: xmacrorec or xmacrorec2 (read more about that here). To find keyboard shortcuts read this wiki.

5.1 Grouping to re-use buttons in LIRC setup
LIRC support modes (or groups) that activate buttons based on where you are navigating. It is a way to seperate for example the Start-button on the remote. In XBMC you want to get the menu but in “desktop mode” you want it to open the start menu.
The ~/.lirc/common file would be a good place to seperate these modes, here is an example:

#Our wakeup-script execute xbmc and when LIRC is reloaded we are in “Xbmc-mode”
begin
flags = startup_mode
mode = mode_xbmc
end

#Global keys goes here (switch to/from applications). The XBMC button shall have the mode_xbmc (we don’t have any group since XBMC manage itself )
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = irexec
button = Videos
mode = mode_xbmc
config = sh /home/username/scripts/killxbmc.sh
config = sh /home/username/scripts/startxbmc.sh &
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end

#Still global, but here we change to “desktop” mode
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = irexec
button = Music
mode = mode_desktop
config = sh /home/username/scripts/killxbmc.sh &
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end

#Here is the functions for the desktop, note the mode_desktop
begin mode_desktop

#Startbutton
begin
remote = mceusb
prog = irexec
button = Home
config = echo -e ‘KeyStrPress Control_L\n KeyStrPress Escape\n KeyStrRelease Escape\n KeyStrRelease Control_L\n’ | xmacroplay -d 50 :0
repeat = 0
delay = 0
end

# (…) More desktop-buttons goes here…

#End the mode_desktop here
end mode_desktop

When you press the “My Music” button XBMC will quit and the buttons below would be activated. When you are finished a press on “My Videos” will launch XBMC and deactivate the desktop-mode.

6. All scripts wrapped up
Here are my scripts that I’m currently using. Please note that you need to change the username in some of these scripts.
Common-script to be placed in: ~/.lirc/
Launchscripts to be used with IRExec. Common placement it ~/scripts/
Suspend/resume script to be placed in /etc/acpi/resume.d and common placement ~/scripts/

Note that these scripts contains comments on my native language Norwegian. But you should understand based on the guide. If there are any questions, please let me know in the comments.

What is next…

this guide

A Windows user confession: XBMC on Ubuntu using ION chipset, the way it should work!

large — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:52:10 +0000

Comments regarding other ways to handle stuff will be highly appriciated!

1. What hardware do you need?
I prefer a simple ION-chipset based computer to take on the task. They are small and have what it takes. I have tested two boxes: Asrock I330 and Acer R3600. Both work well and plays HD in 720p and 1080p without any problems.

None of the boxes above has an IR-eye. If you have an existing MCE remote you can use that, if not jump over to eBay and search for “mce remote”. Most of them work work good with LIRC (Linux IR control), ensure that you have a power on/off button on it.

2. What software do you need?
Ubuntu Desktop (v9.04, called Jaunty, it is what this guide is based on): Download the 32-bits version
XBMC will be installed using respotories after Ubuntu is installed.

2.1 Installing Ubuntu
There are several good guides out there for installing Ubuntu, like this one. Notice! Enable “Log in automaticly” on the “Who are you?” page, that saves you some trouble. Just follow the guide for references and instructions.
None of the ION boxes have a DVD-drive so you will be forced to use an USB-stick. Check this guide out for information regarding that topic.

Update Ubuntu with the Update Manager afterwards, like you would do with any OS.

2.2 Installation of NVIDIA graphics driver
As any operatingsystem you should install a new driver for the gfx-card. For the ION you must!
1. Download the drivers using firefox from here (The 190.18 was the latest when I wrote this and it is based on that)
2. Store them to your Desktop (NVIDIA-Linux-x86-190.18-pkg#.run files)
3. Press CTRL-ALT-F1 (you are now in a terminal without GUI)
4. Login with your username & password
5. Write: sudo killall gdm
6. Check that desktop is killed with CTRL-ALT-F7 (should show some text)
7. Goto root-mode by entering: sudo -i (the username in front should change from to root)
8. Write: cd /home/username/Desktop/ (username is what you entered earlier, might differ from locale to locale, TAB is your friend )
9. Start the installation by: sh NVIDIA-Linux-x86-190.18-pkg0.run
10. Next your way through it, straight forward
11. Reboot system by entering: reboot

You should now have Nvidia-Settings under System -> Administration tab on the start-menu. Here you can check the current installed version and change the screen resolution. Other settings are available, just make sure to let the gpu-core run on performance-mode!

2.3 Installing SSH-server as backdoor for updating NVIDIA driver after kernel update
Note: After a while new kernels will be available, when installed they corrupt the NVIDIA driver. Because NVIDIA-driver builds binarys on each kernel, you probably have to do chapter 2.2 again with crappy resolution.
If the driver corrupt you could manage it from another computer, in the same network, using SSH. It is simple and often quicker, here is what you do:
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Install SSH by entering: sudo apt-get install openssh-server openssh-client

The default setup & config is OK from the start. Use Putty as your SSH-client on another computer (ssh on another linux box).
1. Connect to the dns-name/ip of the HTPC
2. Login with your username & password
3. Goto the desktop directory by entering: cd ~/Desktop
3. Visit the NVIDIA driver page and copy the directlink. Download the file like this: wget ftp://download.nvidia.com/XFree86/Linux-x86/190.18/NVIDIA-Linux-x86-190.18-pkg0.run (do the same for alle the files)
4. Follow the chapter 2.2 point 5 and down for finishing installation

2.4 Making your user sudo-master-password-free
Your HTPC does not need security, so to get Ubuntu stop nagging about its precious root-password you should do this. (Warning: This removes the security totally, beware!) Collected from this guide.
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Enter: sudo visudo
3. At the end of file (in the nano-window) enter this:

username ALL=NOPASSWD: ALL
%username ALL=NOPASSWD: ALL

Change “username” to what your username is. The installer creates a user and group with your selected username.
4. Press Ctrl-X, save changes
5. Reboot (to activate the setting)

The “sudo” command in terminal will now stop nagging you.

3. Setting up audio over hdmi
The ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) is default installed to the system. It does not manage to setup sound-over-hdmi for some reason. Please check out Alsa Wiki for more information. This is how I managed to fix the problem. This could be different on your system, so please be flexible
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Enter: alsamixer
3. Select IEC958 (or simular) using navigation keys and press M to mute/unmute
4. Press Ctrl-C when finished
5. Download wav-examples from here
6. Unzip it by entering: unzip filname.zip
7. Enter: cat /proc/asound/devices it will give you a list simular to this:

lars@htpc:~$ cat /proc/asound/devices
18: [0- 2]: digital audio playback
17: [0- 1]: digital audio playback
16: [0- 0]: digital audio playback
24: [0- 0]: digital audio capture
33: : timer

The brackets shows card and device number. [card- device]
8. Play the file by entering: aplay -D hw:card,device file.wav (replace card with your card number and device with your device number and file.wav with the soundfile. Example: aplay -D hw:0,2 file.wav, used the first device in the list).
You might have to try through different card and devices, you should get sound on one of them. When you do remember the card & device.
10. Create a file by entering: sudo nano /etc/asound.conf
Change x to your cardnumber and y to your device.

ctl.!default {
type hw
card x
device y
}

pcm.!default {
type plug
slave {
pcm {
type hw
card x
device y
}
}
}

11. Reboot is required and you should get sound in all applications afterwards

4. Installing Xbox Media center (XBMC)
First of all, visit Xbmc.org download page for the latest info. This guide handles the Jaunty installation only.

This is collected from the XBMC Wiki:
Adding the XBMC Repo tells your system where to look for xbmc for installation and future updates
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Enter: echo “deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/team-xbmc/ppa/ubuntu/ jaunty main” | sudo tee -a /etc/apt/sources.list.d/xbmc.list
3. Enter: sudo apt-get update
4. Enter: sudo apt-get install xbmc
5. Enter Y for any questions
(Ignore the key nagging. If you care, import the PGP key by reading the Wiki above)

After installation is finished you’ll find XBMC in Applications -> Sound & Video

4.1 Using VDPAU as your player in XBMC
In XBMC go to: Settings -> Videos -> Players -> Rendering
Change rendering to VDPAU

4.2 Testing the player
Download some 720/1080p *.mov files from Apple
Try different formats from here: http://www.bigbuckbunny.org/index.php/download/

5. Installing LIRC (Linux InfraRed Control)
This guide is based on a simple MCE remote bought from eBay. It should have a on/off button + a Windows logo button in center. If you have different receivers you could find others that works with another default setup.
1. Open a terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal)
2. Enter: sudo apt-get install lirc
3. In the “Configure lirc” window select: “Windows Media Center Remotes (old version Microsoft USB ID)” using navigationkeys.
4. Select “None” on transmitters
5. Test LIRC by running command: irw (send IR-signals with your remote, they should be printed to the screen)

If you encountered problems you can start all over by running command: sudo dpkg-reconfigure lirc
Restart LIRC by running command: sudo /etc/init.d/lirc restart

If irw works then, IR should work in XBMC also Notice the name of the remote it should be mceusb. (If not check the Lircmap.xml if it is default supported).
If you want to reconfigure the buttons in XBMC enter: sudo nano /usr/share/xbmc/system/Lircmap.xml

Last tip:
If you have an iPhone and don’t like the idea of spending time setting up LIRC, download the XBMC Remote

What is next…

here

Please write comments regarding errors and other ways todo stuff quicker

Adito v0.9.1 windows installer

large — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:36:58 +0000

The Adito is a great software for easy SSL tunneling through a browser.
The installation in Windows was not pretty and many potentinally users might go away just because of that.

I have taken a few hours of my time to bring you an more easy way to install it.

For more information regarding Adito go here
To download the installer go here

Note: If you want a standalone agent with direct access, please check out this

PS: If you are looking for the RDP client and guide, check here

Screenshots

Main window

Agent

Setting up VPN to your Squeezecenter for easy access in “Music Source”

large — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:29:13 +0000

In Squeezecenter Duet (and I guess other versions) the “Music Source” option is limited to IP-addresses and not hosts. This makes it quite hard to connect to other servers outside your home network.
By setting up a VPN-connection to your Squeezecenter box you could share/connect the server with family & friends without a big hazzle.

Follow this step-by-step guide by pressing the (more) button

First off, let me explain my network setup.
Note that every networkmask is: 255.255.255.0

Gateway (router):
IP: 192.168.0.1 (static)
Router uses a NAT-setup with a cable-modem to the internet

Windows home server / Squeezecenter:
IP: 192.168.0.30 (static)

My router is running the fabulous Tomato firmware so I had little hazzle with opening the ports.

You need to forward the ports 1723 & 500 to your Squeezecenter machine, in this example 192.168.0.30. Notice that in this example the machine is running Windows Home Server (WHS). Your router could be different so please consult the Portforward site and find your router!

Hostname setup
If you haven’t setup a simple dynamic DNS service or simular on your router you could download the DynDns client and run it on your Server/Squeezecenter machine.

This will give you a host like: mysqueeze.homeip.net and it will be updated when you change ip.

Please refer to the DynDns page (or simular for the setup)

VPN server setup
This can be done on Win2000/XP/2003/WHS/2008 (Dunno with Vista since nothing seems to work with that shitty OS).

1. Open the “Network Connections” (right-click on it for open)

2. Select File and then “New Connection”

3. Select “Set up an advanced connection”

4. Select “Accept incomming connections”

5. Select “Allow virtual private connections”

6. Select the users you want to enable the VPN-connection for

7. Just press “Next”, settings are defaulted to give ip by DHCP (usally your router)

9. You are now done setting up the incoming connections part

VPN Client setup

1. Go to your Network connection

2. Starting the wizard, Press Next

3. Choose “Connect to the network at my workplace”, press Next

4. Choose “Virtual Private Network connection”, Press Next

5. Write any info you like here, Press Next

6. If this window comes up, choose “Do not dial the inital connection”, Press Next

7. Write your friends / family hostname, Press Next

(If you get a Smartcard question, on the next window just choose no and go to the next picture)

8. You’re finished, press Finished

9. Now double-click the new connection you got

10. Enter your username & password

11. It should be connected and registered on the network

If everything went OK you should be able to see the Squeecenter server in the “Music source” list.
If not check the IP-address you got is in the same range as the server, in this example 192.168.0.x. If you didn’t get any IPs or you got connection refused you probably hasn’t forwarded the ports correctly. Double check it, and try a connection outside with CanyouSeeMeeeee
Then check if you could ping each other. If the ping does not reply, please turn off soft-firewalls like Windows Firewall and check if it works then.

Fire away a comment for questions regarding this setup…