Replace YouTube with KeepHD, then download!

keephd-cover copy

Just like what is the title applies, this simple tool or perhaps it is the simplest method of the rest tools which you are using now to download any movie from youtube.com. KeepHD allows you to use 3 different methods:
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A Little Tweak in Friendster


I wonder how many of you still using Friendster, stick with Friendster even after many of social network like MySpace, Facebook, etc has launched. But the population in Friendster still quite a large number and for that reason, I have decided to turn back have a quick look in Friendster since my last visit in 2005. Impressively, Friendster’s newly face has changed and took me some time just to look for some features in it. And the most tweaky I found is this, you can have your own decided URL on Friendster. Just how many of you have noticed about this? And how many of you can really remember the digits behind that? So I would have to change something I can really remember well like this:

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How To: Shutdown Computer In Different Way

Thinking back when I was using the old version of Windows, I mean really old which using DOS command before log into Windows 3.11. And there was a time getting myself full of attraction on a learning book went through most of DOS command. So with the trick below is actually for the people not very sure about the shortcut key working with their own Operating System and after creating some ‘click click’ files on the desktop, that might get you a faster work. If you are not very sure what are you doing, please don’t follow, it’s just a piece of sharing.

This trick will show you how to create a shortcut to shutdown the Windows.

  • Create a new notepad (.txt) file and type in the as following
    shutdown.exe -f
  • Save as any filename you like with a .bat extension
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Clock Isn’t Correct in XP

You have noticed that the clock on the bottom right in your Windows isn’t correct and seeking for the solution badly thinking that there must be the problem in your windows setting. So, you in tend to adjust it right but few hours later the clock goes wrong again. Besides, most users don’t think much on CMOS battery as this shows sign of losing its BIOS setting on boot up as well. Replacing the CMOS battery is very simple or follow the instructions below:

Instructions:

  1. Boot your PC and enter its setup mode.
  2. Write down all of the settings from the various BIOS menus.
  3. Power off your PC and plug out the power cable as well.
  4. Open the case of your computer
  5. Locate the battery on the motherboard.

    The layouts of the components differ on different motherboards, so you’ll have to consult your motherboard user manual for specifications about the battery and its location.

    A close-up view of the typical CMOS battery on the motherboard.
  6. Remove and replace the old battery.
  7. Replace the case and power on the PC.
  8. Enter the setup mode of your PC.
  9. Reenter the settings you have written down from the various setup menus.

Tips:

  • Don’t forget to observe proper anti-static precautions when working inside the case of your PC.
  • If you can’t see your battery right away, try removing expansion cards or unplugging cables. The majority of newer motherboards use lithium batteries that look like large watch batteries.
  • If the battery is already dead and you receive messages saying “CMOS checksum error”, skip Step 1 and Step 2.
 
How To: Optimize Router For Stable Wireless Connection

Recently I have been facing a wireless drop out problem from my network. My 802.11g network card is working quite strange these days, says I’m approaching the end of download or surfing through the internet quite smoothly and in the middle of Skype call with my girl, without a sign, my Wi-Fi connection drops suddenly. I then keep retrying to connect back my router, but the blinking signal seems off the air. Few minutes later, the connection miraculously resurfaces. If you also have this kind of problem, don’t blame on your local broadband company server first. Try to solve the problem by yourself from the information below.

One of the biggest reasons for wireless interference is the use of 802.11g or 802.11b networks and 2.4GHz cordless phones. Router for those networks and 2.4GHz phones operate in the same frequency, and they’re competing with each other. This is exacerbated by the fact that they’re in the same room. Interference from wireless products in the 2.4GHz frequency is a known issue for 802.11g/b networks; even baby monitors and microwave ovens have been known to wreak havoc on Wi-Fi networks.

These steps will help you create a stable, always-on wireless connection.

  1. Change channels.
    Interference is a likely cause of intermittent connections. All 802.11b and 802.11g networks operate at 2.4GHz, in a small swath of spectrum once used primarily by ham-radio hobbyists. Today, these radios, plus other Wi-Fi gear, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, and wireless surveillance equipment, all crowd the spectrum. When these devices compete for the same airspace, they interfere with each other, potentially blocking each other’s signals. Luckily, there are ways to sidestep and minimize interference in many situations. In the United States, 802.11b and 802.11g devices can be configured to operate at any one of 11 channels. Unfortunately, these channels overlap with adjacent channels, so you have only 3 non-overlapping channels at your disposal: channels 1, 6, and 11. If you and your neighbor both have a wireless network, both of which are set to channel 6, you may experience interference. You can remedy the problem by resetting your wireless router to a different, preferably non-overlapping, channel, in this case, either 1 or 11.
  2. Replace your cordless phone.
    Cordless phones are among the worst sources of interference for wireless networks. For example, my cordless phone is putting away separately with the base and therefore they tend to transmit frequently. But the base is just near to Wi-Fi router, this makes sense the frequency they all sharing among each has a big interference. One solution for this is to divide them into different channel. Unfortunately, my 2.4GHz cordless phone doesn’t have the function to allow me to do that so I quickly head to my router setting to change a different one. Generally, it’s not a good idea to place a cordless phone next to a Wi-Fi router. If this doesn’t help, consider replacing your 2.4GHz phone with a 5GHz phone. This way, your phone and network won’t be sharing the same airspace and won’t interfere with each other.
  3. Expand your wireless network.
    The farther you are from your wireless router, the greater the potential for interference to block or to slow your connection. For example, you may be able to connect just fine in your house, but on your patio, you may have an intermittent connection that disappears whenever your neighbor is using her cordless phone. The signal on your patio may be too weak to cope with the interference coming from the house next door. You can strengthen the connection with antennas or repeaters, or a power-line bridge to import the connection from your router to your patio and feed it into a power-line access point. Instead of the weak signal from your distant router, you now have a strong signal from an access point placed right where you want to buttress your coverage area.
 
How To: Speed Up Windows by Getting More on Hardware

I can still remember my first time when I touched the keyboard using my first Windows 3.1 and I bet there are many people out there never heard of this. Installing a new Windows would need at least 4 hours by inserting 10 or more diskettes one by one working under DOS command. After that, while working with Windows 95 to Windows ME using DOS format to do the Windows reformat and reinstall, also never been an easy procedure. 3 years ago, I had taught a girl to follow all those procedures via IM (online chatting) when she had 2 PC while another was broken down, WOOT! Can’t imagine how could that be happened and it took me 2 hours to help the girl turned her broken PC to ALIVE! It was like mission impossible to her and so do I! LOL. And I think that’s how our love begin growing by that moment and she is my lovely fiance now. That’s cool huh!?

All right, oldies times is always memorable. Just like older versions of Windows used a file system called FAT32 (File Allocation Table, if you must know). Newer versions use one called NTFS (New Technology File System). The file system is how Windows stores your files on your hard drive, and it just like a library arranges books on a shelf. It’s possible that your computer is already set to the right way. Convert FAT32 to NTFS has several benefits and I can tell you there are many ways for you to convert FAT32 to NTFS with simple command whereas very few instructions on way back. I’m not giving out that way even I know one because NTFS work better for you, there’s no way why you need to use FAT32 system file.

To Ensure File System
Open up My Computer > right-click on hard drive > Properties. On the window that appears, you’ll see either “File system: FAT32? or “File system: NTFS.” If it is FAT32, let’s lose it:

Losing FAT, Getting NTFS

  • Shut down all running programs
  • Start > Run > enter cmd
  • In the command prompt something like “C:\WINDOWS” with a blinking cursor will show up. (If you’ve ever used DOS, you’ll recognize this.)
  • Enter the following:
    convert c: /fs:ntfs

    (If your hard drive isn’t drive C:, substitute the correct letter that you wish to convert, and don’t forget the space between the colon and the slash.)

  • Press Enter, a message saying that the conversion will begin on next time you start Windows. So restart your computer manually. Then Windows will convert your drive, and it will also reboot your computer twice.

Hook into DMA
Ensure your computer is transferring data efficiently by using a technology called DMA (direct memory access).

  • Right click on My Computer > Properties > Tab to Hardware > click on Device Manager
  • Click the plus “+” sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
  • Double-click Primary IDE Channel (If you have two of them, just repeat this procedure.)
  • Tab to Advanced Settings
  • For each one, click the drop-down arrow next to Transfer Mode and choose “DMA if available.” Then click OK. (If you have another Primary IDE Channel, repeat this procedure.)
  • Close Device Manager and reboot your computer
 
How To: Speed Up Windows XP

The following instructions are given to continue my previous boost-up Windows XP tweaks, but before starting the procedure below, you will have to save your current configuration by setting up a System Restore Point. This way can revert back to that point if anything goes wrong. It’s kind of like a BIG UNDO button.

To set a Restore Point:

  • Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
  • On the welcome screen, choose Create a Restore Point
  • Give a description, such as “Before Changes.”, click Create

Now, you have just created a Safety point. So, Let’s tweak.

Make your menus load faster
Open up a new menu would have taken very little times but open up more than 10 would have added up waiting time. To get rid of waiting time by doing this:

  • Start > Run > enter regedit
  • Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Control Panel > Click on Desktop
  • On the right panel, double-click MenuShowDelay and change the Value data to 0
  • Click OK

Free up memory from closed programs
Windows usually store part of closing program in memory even if it’s not being used. Called dynamic link libraries (DLLs), they take up memory and sometimes cause other problems. To prevent this, tweak by chaging a Registry key.

  • Start > Run > enter regedit
  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows / CurrentVersion
  • Under CurrentVersion > right-click on Explorer > then choose New->Key
  • In the box that appears (”New Key #1?), change the name to AlwaysUnloadDLL
  • Hit Enter. On the right side, double-click the word (Default)
  • For the value data, enter 1
  • Click OK

Speed program startup
Windows can be set to load information about some applications to make them start up faster by changing how much work a program called the Prefetcher does.

  • Start > Run > enter regedit
  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SYSTEM / CurrentControlSet / Control / Session Manager / Memory Management / PrefetchParameters
  • Click on PrefetchParameters, on the right panel > double-click Enable Prefetcher > value data to 5 (in decimal, not hexadecimal)
  • Click OK

Reduce Windows’ workload
If you have many folders and subfolders, every time you access one, Windows will spend a lot of time updating the “last accessed” time for that folder and all its sub-folders. Stopping that process will buy you some time.

  • Start > Run > enter regedit
  • Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / System / CurrentControlSet / Control
  • Under Control, right-click on FileSystem > choose New > then DWORD Value
  • Replace “New Value #1? with NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate and hit Enter
  • Double-click NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate and change the Value data to 1
  • Click OK

Improve Swapfile performance
Many programs use a lot of memory, and if you run more than one or two at once, Windows might run out of RAM. In that case, it will start using a section of your hard disk called the “swapfile” to store information. It’s a lot slower than RAM, but it beats not being able to run a program. But sometimes Windows uses the swapfile before it has to. This tweak will tell it to wait ‘till the last moment before doing that.

  • Start > Run > enter msconfig
  • Tab to System.ini > click the plus “+” sign next to 386enh
  • Click New, then type “ConservativeSwapfileUsage=1? in the box that appears
  • Click OK
 
How To: Improve Internet Browsing

If you like my previous post that I had taught about how to increase your system performance, I’m going to share another trick on how to improve your internet browsing to make your broadband connection work more efficiently with Windows.

But first, you might want to test your current connection speed for several times to get a better idea of average bandwidth speed. Then check again after you made the trick. This way will give you the peak surprisingly like the screenshot shows below. A good tool to do this is the TCP/IQ speed test.

Stop QoS
QoS, for Quality of Service that supposed to make sure your network is working, but in reality isn’t helpful and can eat up to 20 percent of your bandwidth.

For Windows XP Professional users, follow these instructions to disable QoS:

  • Start > Run > Enter gpedit.msc
  • Locate the Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Network > QoS Packet Scheduler
  • In the right-hand box, double-click on Limit Reservable Bandwidth
  • On the Settings tab, choose Enabled
  • In the “Bandwidth Limit %” box, set it to 0%. (Do not leave it blank.)
  • Click OK
  • For Windows Home Edition, follow these instructions to disable QoS:

  • Start > Settings option > Control Panel > Network Connections
  • Right-click “Local Area Connection” > Properties
  • On the General tab, uncheck QoS
  • Network settings
    I can tell you that Windows networking comes configured for a generic user with a generic connection. It can’t differentiate what kind of Internet connection you have, whether you’re using dialup or DSL or a cable modem. Because of that, its network settings are also generic. So there’s always a tools out there to help you by this, and the easiest way to tailor these settings to your connection. Whereas, some programs may be quite hard for beginner to manage, but a much easier to use I have discovered is TCP Optimizer from Speed Guide, a Web site dedicated to broadband issues.

    The nice thing about TCP Optimizer is that you only have to use a slider to indicate your connection speed, tell it how you connect, and click on the Optimize button. When you reboot, your connection should be noticeably faster (and you can always go back to TCPIQ.com or Speakeasy.net to check it).

    Screenshot shows the peaks after I had made this trick, note the highest peak

    Actually this is just a tip of the iceberg. There are hundreds of small tweaks you can make, and the only limitation is how deep you’re willing to delve into your system. Googling for “speed/boost up windows XP + tweaks” will give thousands of results of websites will be dedicated to helping people squeeze every last drop of speed from their machines. The only limitation is how deep you wish to dig out.

     
    How To: Get Customer Support Attention

    Many of us have came across with this trouble while trying to get help from people regarding to a ‘new-face’ product that we had bought. So, we have dug up the support phone number, navigated a treacherous maze of voicemail options, and now we are trapped in the dungeon of your vendor’s support queue. The predicted wait time? Twenty minutes. Worse, the hold music is playing.

    We can’t do anything to improve the music, but we can turn our waiting time into something valuable.

    1. Stay detached. First, use your mobile phone to make the call, anything to avoid being tethered to the wall jack near your computer. That way, you can get other stuff done while you’re waiting for a live techie.

    2. Timing is everything. Call the helpline once it opens up in the morning and this is the only way I prefer more as this will put you in very short queue. But most of vendors offer 24/7 support, so avoid peak call times, such as midmorning or just after dinner. If the problem isn’t that urgent, try to use e-mail support or online chat. Or try them all, this will increase your chance to get help!

    3. Be prepared. Most PC makers put the information you may need in a very inconvenient possible spot that sometime you might surrender to find it. So, before you make the call or while you are holding on the line, write down the serial number for your machine, your express service code, and your Windows product key.

    A picture’s worth a thousand words–especially when it comes to arcane computer error codes. When your PC goes haywire, use Print Screen and Windows Paint to capture the evidence.

    4. Be even more prepared. If your machine hasn’t completely given up the ghost, reboot the darned thing to see if you can re-create the problem, taking careful notes on everything you do along the way. Write down any error messages you encounter and don’t leave out any of the technogobbledygook. This could prove invaluable if you stumble onto a talented tech rep.

    5. Screen your calls. Even better, capture a low-res screenshot of every error message you get. If you don’t already have a favorite screen-capture program, use the one inside Windows: Press Shift+Print Screen, open Windows Paint, select Edit+Paste, then save the screen in your documents folder with a descriptive title, such as “Error message when trying to access My Documents.jpg.” That way, you can refer back to the screen and even e-mail it to the techie, if necessary.

     
    How To: Hide Confidential Files

    At some point in time, perhaps on your family computer, or your own computer, you will develop, collect, and store some important personal files on your hard drive that are strictly for your needs and purposes. These digital files may be so important to you, that under no circumstances, should anyone ever be able to access and see them. These files may be so sensitive in nature, that you realize a need to prevent your spouse, kids, friends, or anyone for that matter, from viewing and accessing them. Perhaps, you may even need to hide porn or other explicit files. :P Just imagine if your spouse, or little ones at home, did a file search for all picture files and movies that were on your computer. LOL. How shameful could that be??? Ok, you get the point. And thus, this question is raised: How do I hide files and folders so that they won’t be discovered?

    There are several ways in which you can hide files:
    The most common way people do that can put files within a folder and apply the hidden attribute to the folder, but this is the useless way. The files will still show up if a user sets the option “show hidden files and folders” within the folders options. You can bury your files deeply in subdirectories within subdirectories and hope that no one browses using Windows Explorer. You can change the file name and file extension of your file to something unique and strange, so that no one recognizes it, or you can purchase a file hiding software security application such as a folder lock or folder hider with password protection.

    Let me show you how I hide my files:
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