Archive for May, 2009
Resize C partition in Windows Server 2003
by benzipperer on May.28, 2009, under Microsoft

Pre-configured Windows 2003 servers are commonly ordered by small businesses. Dell ships some great ones, but they have an annoying habit of configuring a very small C partition for the pre-installed OS. Sometimes they do this even if you have specifically modified the order to prevent it. For Desktop PCs, a terrific tool you can use to resize any partition is Acronis Disk Director. Equivalent tools for servers are very expensive, but if you get a new Dell Windows 2003 server shipped in this state, there is a neat trick to fix the issue if you so wish that does not rely on expensive third-party software.
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Wipe Your Blackberry
by benzipperer on May.26, 2009, under Mobile Phones
Before you donate or recycle your blackberry, you should protect your privacy by wiping out all of the personal information on the device. Here is the procedure:
- Remove the SIM card and reboot the blackberry.
Remember Those Who Gave All
by benzipperer on May.25, 2009, under Miscellaneous
On Memorial Day in Duluth, Georgia the streets and public squares are lined with flags and crosses, honoring those who gave their all to defend our freedom and liberties.

Trouble uninstalling AntiVirus
by benzipperer on May.24, 2009, under Security
Sometimes you need to uninstall your current AntiVirus product. Maybe you are switching to a different AntiVirus product or maybe you are trying to solve a problem by reinstalling you existing AntiVirus product.
Whatever your reason for uninstalling, this can normally be accomplished by going to the Control Panel and running Add/Remove Programs (Windows 2000, XP) or Programs and Features (Vista, Windows7). In case that does not work, the vendors provide some helpful tools to assist you:
GRISOFT provides this for AVG.
Symantec has this for removing Norton.
The McAfee removal tool is here.
HP Laptop PC Battery Pack Replacement Program
by benzipperer on May.20, 2009, under Miscellaneous
HP has announced voluntary recalls and replacement programs for some of the battery packs used in some HP and Compaq laptops. If you have one of these recalled battery packs, you may be eligible to receive a free replacement battery pack.
These recall programs were announced on May 14 2009, October 30 2008, April 20 2006, and October 14 2005.
If your battery back is identified as being included in this recall program, you should replace it even if you are having no problems with the battery pack. This is due to a potential saftey issue with the battery pack.
Full details can be found here
Watch Netflix movies instantly on your TV
by benzipperer on May.19, 2009, under Miscellaneous
If you are a Netflix subscriber, you may have noticed that some titles are available for instant viewing on your PC. Now you can watch these titles on your TV instead of on your PC. Roku sells an appliance that accomplishes this. It is about the size of a paperback, and comes with an IR remote.

The little Roku connects to your home network wirelessly or via Cat5, and connects to your TV via composite video, component video, s-video, or HDMI. It is available for a flat $99 fee, no subscription (other than Netflix) required.
7Zip - A fast, free Zip/UnZip tool with no nag screens
by benzipperer on May.18, 2009, under Tools
7Zip is a free open source file archiver/unarchiver that handles Zip files and many other formats. It is completely free to use on a personal computer or a commercial computer.
Features:
- No registration or nag screen
- Supported formats: ZIP, 7z, GZIP, BZIP2, TAR, ARJ, CAB, CHM, CPIO, DEB, DMG, HFS, ISO, LZH, LZMA, MSI, NSIS, RAR, RPM, UDF, WIM, XAR and Z
- Right-click integration with Windows Shell
- Command line version
- Pretty darn fast
Supports Windows, Linux, and also Mac OSX (sort of)
You can find 7zip here
Where is CTL+ALT+DEL for my Mac?
by benzipperer on May.17, 2009, under Apple
If you have switched from a PC to a Mac, you are no doubt pleased with the enhanced stability of the platform. No computer is perfect, however, and sometimes you need to terminate a program that is not responding, even on a Mac. But where is CTL+ALT+DEL?
On a Mac, if you need to quit any application that is not responding, click Option+Command+Esc. This brings up the Force Quit menu, which lets you quit any application that is not responding.
Customizing the iPhone Home Screen
by benzipperer on May.16, 2009, under Mobile Phones
You can customize the layout of icons on the Home screen — including the Dock icons along the bottom of the screen. To rearrange icons:
- Touch and hold any Home screen icon until the icons begin to wiggle.
- Arrange the icons by dragging them.
- Press the Home button to save your arrangement.
More iPhone tips can be found at Apple’s site here
Windows 7 Release Candidate
by benzipperer on May.15, 2009, under Microsoft
We’ve been testing the Windows 7 Release Candidate recently launched by Microsoft.
I must say this is very impressive, and I think it is very likely that Microsoft will be able to make a quality delivery of this new version of Windows to the marketplace in time for the 2009 Christmas season.
This release is what some say Vista should have been. More posts to follow.