Hard Drive Test Easy and Cheap, Okay, FREE

 https://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/

 

SeaTools - is a easy to use hard drive test tool that costs nothing but time. It is bootable from a USB and can run from windows via command line or GUI. 

My testing showed failure on short tests and other people experienced the same with SSHDs.

 

 

Enable Group Policy on Windows 10 Home to enable greater privacy.

enable Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) in Windows 10 Home Edition

Create a bat file and then run it as admin using the following to install the group policy editor in windows 10 home:

@echo off
pushd "%~dp0"

dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~3*.mum >List.txt
dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~3*.mum >>List.txt

for /f %%i in ('findstr /i . List.txt 2^>nul') do dism /online /norestart /add-package:"%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\%%i"
pause

Turn off the Windows Customer Experience program

by Martin Brinkmann on October 26, 2016 in Windows - Last Update: February 24, 2017 - 27 comments

Microsoft introduced the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program in Windows Vista, and has made it a part of any version of Windows since.
Designed to collect information about hardware and how software and services are used, it is used by Microsoft to identify trends and usage patterns.
Microsoft states that personal identifiable information such as names or addresses are not collected.
The scope of the collected information is not clear, a common problem with many Telemetry and "phone home" features not only of Microsoft products but also of other companies.

Turn off the Windows Customer Experience Improvement program

If you don't want the information to be collected in first place, you can turn off the Windows Customer Experience Improvement program on Windows.
There are several ways to to that, the three most common ones are by using the Group Policy Editor, the Windows Task Scheduler, and the Windows Registry.

Group Policy

The Group Policy Editor is not included in Home editions of Windows. If you run Windows 10 Home, or another Home edition, skip ahead to the Registry section below.

1. Tap on the Windows-key, type gpedit.msc, and hit the Enter-key afterwards. This opens the Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to the following section: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Internet Communication Management > Internet Communication settings.
3. Double-click on the policy Turn off Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program.
4. Set the policy's state to enabled to disable the data collection.

The change is active right after you make it. If you want to undo the change, set the policy to "not configured" or disabled.

Windows Registry

If you don't want to or can't use the Group Policy editor to disable the feature, you may use change its state in the Windows Registry instead.

1. Tap on the Windows-key, type regedit.exe, and hit the Enter-key. This opens the Windows Registry Editor.
2. For any edition of Windows: Use the hierarchic structure on the left to navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows
3. If you use a Pro edition of Windows, this works as well: Use the hierarchic structure on the left to navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\SQMClient\Windows
4. If a key does not exist, e.g. SQMClient or Windows, create it by right-clicking on the parent key and selecting New > Key from the context menu.
5. If the Dword CEIPEnable exists, double-click on it and set its value to 0.
6. If it does not exist, right-click on Windows and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value from the context menu.
7. Name it CEIPEnable.
8. Double-click on it, and set its value to 0.

Task Scheduler

It is recommended to disable the Windows Customer Experience Improvement program using the Group Policy Editor or Registry.
You may stop it dead in its track using the Task Scheduler as well. Basically, what you can do is block the data collection and uploading right there.

1. Tap on the Windows-key, type Task Scheduler, and hit the Enter-key. This opens the Windows Task Scheduler.
2. Use the folder hierarchy on the left to go to the following folder: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Autochk.
3. The Proxy task there "collects and uploads autochck SQM data if opted-in to the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program".
4. Right-click on Proxy and select Disable from the context menu.
5. Go to Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience.
6. Right-click on Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser, ProgramDataUpdater, and StartupAppTask, and disable them.

• Proxy: This task collects and uploads autochk SQM data if opted-in to the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program.
• Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser: Collects program telemetry information if opted-in to the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program.
• ProgramDataUpdater: Collects program telemetry information if opted-in to the Microsoft Customer Experience Improvement Program
• StartupAppTask: Scans startup entries and raises notification to the user if there are too many startup entries.

The classic Control Panel

You may disable the program using the classic Control Panel as well (for as long as it is there).

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-Pause to open the Control Panel.
2. Click on search, and type Customer Experience.
3. You should get one result under Security and Maintenance that is named "Change Customer Experience Improvement Program settings". Click on that link.
4. Select "No, I don't want to participate in the program" when the preferences window opens.

Other Microsoft applications

Other Microsoft applications may have the Customer Experience Improvement Program enabled by default as well. This is the case for Windows Media Player or Microsoft Office programs for instance.
To give you one example:

1. Open Windows Media Player on your Windows machine.
2. Select Tools > Options from the menu.
3. When the options window opens, switch to Privacy.
4. There you find the entry "Windows Media Player Customer Experience Improvement Program". If you want to disable it, make sure the box next to "I want to help make Microsoft software and services better by sending Player usage data to Microsoft" is unchecked.

Now You: What is your take on the Microsoft Customer Experience program?

Root and Mod the Galaxy S5 verizon SM-G900V

Here is a YouTube Video that works and expalins it all.

I am going to change up some of the links for faster more reliable downloads.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W58XKp0FFew

Instructions written:
http://www.w0lfdroid.com/2014/04/How-to-Flash-Restore-Galaxy-S5-All-Variants-to-Stock-ROM-Using-Odin3.html


Files Needed

Image File:
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=24438995911970571

http://www.droidviews.com/download-odin-tool-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-all-versions/

JITBIT Macro Recorder - for people with better things to do with their time. It just works.

https://www.jitbit.com/macro-recorder/mouse-recorder/

and

Jitbit Helpdesk

Sometimes if you dig deep enough you find treasure. After searching and searching and installing multiple questionable applications from questionable developers I found JITBIT Macro Recorder. If you are not a programmer and like macros for gaming you will love this for all the right reasons. After trying so many other similar applications I have learned the most important feature. It has to work, work right and work every time.

JITBIT has it all. It has the ability to record, edit, and playback flawlessly. The resulting script is easy to follow and understand if tweaking is needed. Oddly enough my script ran flawlessly every time from the recorded version. The script hotkeys work and start and stop as intended while in the Game window. Most programs like this fail right out the gate, others are janky. Some worked but the editing process is either a nightmare or all together impossible.
The mouse positions can be screen or windows based coordinates that allows you to run a script on a window regardless of the previous recorded position.

While JITBIT is functioning, it gets out of the way, and has a simple but informative process bar that runs in the top left corner of the screen.

 




I have written programs to do what this does and the concept is simple. I was wrestling with updating my old program using a XML script file for easy editing. After running JITBIT there is no need for anything else.

This doesn't just record mouse movements and clicks. Here is a list of Macro commands supported:Macro Recorder: automation commands

• Close Window command - Macro recorder will attempt to close a window with the specified title.

• Comment command - Comment - is a just a text note for your convenience.

• Copy File command - Copy File command copies a file from and to specified locations.

• CSharp command - Execute the following C#-code.

• Delay command - Delay command suspends the execution of the current macro for a specified interval, expressed in milliseconds.

• Delete File command - Delete File command simply deletes a file

• File Open command - This command executes a program or opens a file.

• Find Image command - This command searches for a image on your screen (pixel by pixel) and moves the mouse to it.

• Find Pixel command - This command searches for a pixel of a specific color and moves the mouse to it.

• Goto command - The GOTO statement transfers the macro execution control directly to the specified label.

• If Clipboard equals command - Checks if the clipboard content is equal (not equal) to the given value (or contains the value, or greater than the value). If it does, the IF Statement evaluates to TRUE, otherwise FALSE.

• If Current Iteration Equals command - Checks if the number of current iteration equals to the given number. Works only inside a REPEAT statement.

• If File Exists command - Checks if a file exists. If it does, the IF Statement evaluates to TRUE, otherwise FALSE.

• If Image Found command - Checks if a given image can be found on the screen (pixel by pixel)

• If Message command - Displays a YES/NO message box that contains text, YES button and NO button. The result of this messagebox (user\'s choice) will be treated as an IF statement condition.

• If Pixel Color command - Checks if pixel color at given coordinates equals a given color.

• If Pixel Found command - TRUE if a pixel of a specific color if found within a rectangle.

• If Process Exists command - Checks if a process exists. If it does, the IF Statement evaluates to TRUE, otherwise FALSE.

• If Text Cursor command - This command tries to extract the text under the mouse cursor, and checks if it equals to the text specified

• If Window Exists command - Checks if a window exists. If it does, the IF Statement evaluates to TRUE, otherwise FALSE.

• If Window In Focus command - Checks if the foreground window has the specified caption.

• Increment Clipboard command - This command increments clipboard by a specified value (works only if clipboard contains a numeric integer value)

• Keyboard command - This command send keystrokes to the currently active window

• Label command - Add a label to a macro, and use it with GOTO statements.

• Message Box command - Displays a message box that contains text and an "OK" button.

• Mouse command - Mouse Command moves the mouse cursor to the specified coordinates

• Move Window command - Macro recorder will attempt to move/resize a window with the specified title

• Play Macro command - This command executes a macro-file, saved to disk

• Dial Connection command - This command activates a VPN connection or a Dial-Up connection by a name.

• Repeat command - Use "REPEAT X TIMES" statement if you want to run a block of commands a number of times. Put a "REPEAT" command at the beginning of the block, and an "END REPEAT" at the end.

• Set Clipboard command - This command saves the specified text/number to the Clipboard

• Shutdown command - Shutdown macro command properties

• Switch To Window command - Switch to a window with a specified title

• Type Date command - Macro Recorder will type the system date in the specified format.

• Type Environment Variable command - Macro Recorder will type an evironment variable by its name, into the active window

• Type Text command - Enter some text and Macro Recorder will type it during playback. The text will be entered into the active window.

• URL command - Launch a web site from your macro

• Wait For User Activity command - This command suspends macro execution and waits for user to press a hotkey (keyboard shortcut) to resume macro execution

• Wait For Window command - By adding a WAIT FOR WINDOW statement you instruct the macro engine to wait for a particular window to appear or disappear.

• Wait For Process command - By adding a WAIT FOR PROCESS statement you instruct the macro engine to wait for a particular process to appear or disappear.

• 
  
  Researching the company before I make a purchase I see that the company supports a business solution for a customer care ticketing system. This gives me a better feeling about the  origin of the product and explains why this is such a well polish product compared to the competition.
  
  Jitbit Helpdesk

Put Lineage OS android 7.1.2 on Samsung Galaxy Pro 12.2 T900

Installation instructions

First install/Clean Flash

Download latest ROM zip file
(https://www.androidfilehost.com/?w=file-thanks&fid=673368273298963934&mid=70&download_id=k1jvurbsrbfvpfgfecpis1ihp0&tid=1497665176&hc=8d539eed1ea05aea55acc04fa10c0ceb89380286215e260d579903cbf8f3e535)


Download GApps Arm 7.1   http://opengapps.org/
(Download latest TWRP and install it) - T900 users need to use a special TWRP linked in Downloads section
T900 use link

Root the device with CF root.
 http://androidcentral.us/2014/03/root-samsung-galaxy-note-pro-12-2/

Reboot into recovery    home + volup + power

Make Nandroid backup (recommended)

--I have built a new version of TWRP with the MM kernel. MTP, Vibations, ADB now work and there are performance increases. Link
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0BxqoBZiUYroBZ0tmbXg2ampBb1U?usp=sharing

I used the playstore to flash this file using the official TWRP app. It won't work until rooted
The file from the link above can be selected and flashed or it can be flashed from Odin

Wipe Data, System and (Dalvik) Cache (factory reset is all that is needed)

Flash ROM and GApps from TWRP app in recovery mode.
Reboot into recovery    home + volup + power
Reboot
Enjoy Resurrection Remix!

Update/Dirty Flash

Download latest ROM zip file
Reboot into recovery
Make Nandroid backup (not needed in most cases, but better to be save if something went wrong)
Flash ROM
Reboot
Enjoy the update!

Picture and Fax viewer is back like magic

Picture and fax viewer disappeared in windows 10. You can get it back with some changes to the registry.

Download and run this:

1. Copy the code from into Notepad and save it as a REG file (call it whatever you like, maybe photoviewer.reg).

2. Double-click on your new REG file to merge it with your Windows Registry. You will need to click through the User Account Control and a few other windows to allow the file to make changes to the Registry.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell\open]
"MuiVerb"="@photoviewer.dll,-3043"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,72,00,75,00,\
6e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,20,00,22,00,25,\
00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,\
25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,50,00,68,00,6f,\
00,74,00,6f,00,20,00,56,00,69,00,65,00,77,00,65,00,72,00,5c,00,50,00,68,00,\
6f,00,74,00,6f,00,56,00,69,00,65,00,77,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,\
00,22,00,2c,00,20,00,49,00,6d,00,61,00,67,00,65,00,56,00,69,00,65,00,77,00,\
5f,00,46,00,75,00,6c,00,6c,00,73,00,63,00,72,00,65,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,25,\
00,31,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell\open\DropTarget]
"Clsid"="{FFE2A43C-56B9-4bf5-9A79-CC6D4285608A}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell\print]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell\print\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,72,00,75,00,\
6e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,20,00,22,00,25,\
00,50,00,72,00,6f,00,67,00,72,00,61,00,6d,00,46,00,69,00,6c,00,65,00,73,00,\
25,00,5c,00,57,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,6f,00,77,00,73,00,20,00,50,00,68,00,6f,\
00,74,00,6f,00,20,00,56,00,69,00,65,00,77,00,65,00,72,00,5c,00,50,00,68,00,\
6f,00,74,00,6f,00,56,00,69,00,65,00,77,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,\
00,22,00,2c,00,20,00,49,00,6d,00,61,00,67,00,65,00,56,00,69,00,65,00,77,00,\
5f,00,46,00,75,00,6c,00,6c,00,73,00,63,00,72,00,65,00,65,00,6e,00,20,00,25,\
00,31,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\photoviewer.dll\shell\print\DropTarget]
"Clsid"="{60fd46de-f830-4894-a628-6fa81bc0190d}"

Removing or repairing a Windows 8 or 10 built in app

Removing or repairing a Windows 8 or 10 built in app


From CMD you want to know what package to remove:
Mail and Calendar are called windows communication apps. The rest are easier to correlate.

C:\Program Files\WindowsApps>dir
 Volume in drive C has no label.
 Volume Serial Number is 5A4E-ED39

 Directory of C:\Program Files\WindowsApps

...
12/31/2015  07:28 AM              microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_17.6525.42271.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
12/31/2015  07:28 AM              microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_2015.6525.42271.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe
...

               0 File(s)              0 bytes
             122 Dir(s)  50,681,364,480 bytes free


Get the names of the packages to remove


From powershell you remove it:

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Remove-AppxPackage microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_17.6525.42271.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> Remove-AppxPackage microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps_2015.6525.42271.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe

scroogled again - I can't get chrome back on my re-imaged Toshiba laptop.

Sorry you were scroogled. The problem is that the google update uses the Visual Studio Software Deployment. When you delete or remove chrome from your newly imaged Laptop you can't get it back. I saw google update installation failed with error 0x8004071b.

I tried everything.

I cleaned the software registry, I wiped out the instances of google in appdata under the users. I wiped out all google files. I even loaded a older version of google. It appears google is trying to update to a dead update server.

The fix was to install adobe flash that asked to install google chrome and google chrome toolbar. It installed and the problem was solved on my Mom's Toshiba.

No your not crazy it is OCR online

No it isn't yet another mental condition to try to blame your crazy on someone else. This is a online optical character recognition service that can pull text from images.

http://projectnaptha.com/

This is basically a chrome extension that reads a image you see on the web or copy to clipboard and allows you to highlight text to copy.

Is loss less truly loss less?

It can be if you know how to copy you CD. The CD was designed using digital coding theory. Simply put the very nature of the CD was designed to allow you to reconstruct data over finger prints, dust, and scratches. For music and video we could tolerate some loss but for data is has to be exact. You old CDs will have oxidation and deterioration over time even if you handle it with care and rarely ever use it. The Cds from the 1980's were the worst and the quality has improved over the years. The sooner you make that copy the better.  

http://www.exactaudiocopy.de/en/

Exact Audio Copy is a so called audio grabber for audio CDs using standard CD and DVD-ROM drives. The main differences between EAC and most other audio grabbers are :

• It is free (for non-commercial purposes)
• It works with a technology, which reads audio CDs almost perfectly. If there are any errors that can’t be corrected, it will tell you on which time position the (possible) distortion occurred, so you could easily control it with e.g. the media player

With other audio grabbers you usually need to listen to every grabbed wave because they only do jitter correction. Scratched CDs read on CD-ROM drives often produce distortions. But listening to every extracted audio track is a waste of time. Exact Audio Copy conquer these problems by making use of several technologies like multi-reading with verify and AccurateRip.

Seagate Backup Plus Drive USB 3.0 Disconnects and Reconnects on Windows 8.1 upgrade - Not a Workaround

This did not work. The drive still disconnect periodically when a Western Digital USB 3.0 drive connected to the same hub does not. I'm going to try removing all data and reformatting. I had to give up on this and re-purpose the drive on a pogoplug. Nothing written below worked. I am leaving this here so you can see my steps.

I have a Seagate Backup Plus Drive 2.0TB attached to a USB 3.0 port that started disconnecting and reconnecting on it's own when connected to USB 3.0. This started after I upgraded to windows 8.1 from 8.0. If the drive is moved to a USB 2.0 port there are no issues. I suspected a power savings issue since this would happen on an interval when the drive was not in use such as video streaming or surfing photos. The drive is a full size 3.5 inch drive in a portable USB 3.0 case with it's own external AC power adapter. Power to the drive should not be an issue.

I bought a SIIG USB hub and the problem persisted when the hub was connected to the USB 3.0 port without the 4 amp power adapter that came with the SIIG hub. Once the power adapter was added the drive no longer had issues.

Hub Info:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAHLWA0/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This is 3 USB3.0 ports and 4 USB 2.0 ports. I paid $28. There is a $20 coupon code that you can apply under the price. I am guessing that any externally powered USB 3.0 hub would work. This was my only windows 8 issue after upgrades to 6 machines.

Hidden Treasure or Fools Gold?

I recently ran into a little treasure when trying to completely remove Google from my machine and running into a hidden database that was locked and can't be removed without reformatting the hard drive. IObit offers free software to unlock files or directories that simply made my machine un-bootable which led to the previous article. It was locked in the same way the Windows OS locks the previous installation. I decided to use Opera browser

instead since it is almost identical under the hood to Chrome. So I started using the IOBit start menu 8. It work as expected but if you are an experienced user I caution you. You will realize you miss key features in Windows 8. Most settings are configurable and you can get back to the paneled start screen easy enough. Switching between apps from the Tiles can be a pain. The nice feature is you can turn this on and off in settings so you don't have to uninstall it if you ever want to go back. If you use Windows 8 there is no going back. There are some easy ways to enhance Windows 8 to get the best of both worlds but I will say that for the afterlife.

http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

What does
Start Menu 8 do?

Start Menu 8 is specially designed for Windows 8. It offers a perfect solution for users who work with Windows Start Menu all the time and are not accustomed to the new Metro start screen in Windows 8. This smart tool brings back both the Windows 8 start button and Windows 8 Start Menu, and offers the option to skip Metro start page, allowing users who only work on desktop to boot to Windows 8 desktop directly. It's the best Windows 8 start menu replacement.

The Road to Windows 8.1 is feeling like the Baatan Death March

No disrespect intended. I believe it honors the men and women left behind when MacArthur slipped away by remembering the sacrifice and also the brutality. War crimes continue into the modern day just as we see acts of bravery and courage. Now, like WWII, is one of the turning points in US history where our freedoms are not only being challenged but being violated and it is having a global impact.

This upgrade path to windows 8.1 from Windows 7 is brutal. Is it really that different from the old service pack model. If you have a retails disk you would install and upgrade. Maybe the Window 8 line will have a similar roll-up as XP sp3. My biggest issue is all the keys. It is best to keep these keys in a file or email where they are tied together so you know what key is for what machine and for what product offering.

I started out with Windows 7 in various versions. I payed for the Windows 8.0 promotion for several machines. This was a upgrade ISO where a key is provided to upgrade windows 7 to windows 8 pro.
I was given a key via email and a receipt for my purchase from the windows store. Later I had to find an obscure link to apply to get a email that provides a media center upgrade for windows 8 which was free at the time. This media center key is the new key applied to the machine. This key will not let you do a clean install so you need to apply your first key if you run into a major issue then reapply the media center component. Then I'm guessing upgrade again. Well Microsoft has a clear end to the upgrade path. How is this going to impact people that fall along this path. If you have multiple machines for yourself or family then now is the time to buy everyone Macs. Since this is high tech on a budget maybe just let them buy their own MACs.

In reality most people get the OS with a new PC. If you are looking at this site then you already know that is a bad idea since a DIY PC should be about 50% the price of a boutique PC on the high end. On the low end with budget DIY PC the OS becomes a big percentage of the cost. So we are now in too deep and need a plan. It is always best to backup as a first option but if your anything like me backups are not as frequent as I would like and I can't remember if there is anything important I might loose. My backups tend to be more about content than disk images. This is even more important when I have so many machines to think about.

Now with windows 8.1 you can download a ISO as a upgrade only ISO from windows 8 to windows 8.1.

Here are the links:
http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool
This article spells out how to create the media:
http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tip-download-windows-81-iso-windows-8-product-key
In this Winsupersite article it is clear this disk is only going to help with the upgrade and not allow us to go from 7 to 8 to 8 with media center to 8.1.

This is for the purposes of a upgrade only since we don't have a retail 8.1 key at this point.
Finally microsoft's link with instructions:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/create-a-system-repair-disc


So if I have issues with windows where it won't boot or I need to repair what disk should I be using?

To create recovery drive for Windows-8, please start (open) the "Recovery Tools" in Windows-8! 

press the key combination
[Win-Logo]+[R], then simply type the command
control.exe /name Microsoft.Recovery
(... see Image1-1).  

Use one of your old small USB sticks. The stick will be formatted so save whatever you think you might need. Label it Win 8.1 Recovery as well.

In "Recovery Tools"  click the text "Create recovery drive". 

This will start the "recovery drive wizard" for Windows-8! The drive must be able to hold at least 256 MB, and everything on the drive will be deleted. You can use DVD-R/RW, CD-R/RW, USB .... 

Well the plot thickens. I ran into more issues when trying to recover from a windows 8.1 disaster after I tried to completely remove Google and all Google services from my machine. There was a hidden locked database that would not go away without formatting my hard drive. Unfortunately for me the damage was already done. The OS failed to boot and I needed to attempt a repair. To make a long story short you need the Windows 8.1 ISO. Not the recovery disk and not your windows 8.0 ISO. They all say invalid disk on any attempt to repair or even start a new install. I had to move the drive to a second PC and reover the files then reformat then install windows 8.0 then the media center key then upgrade to 8.1. I was able to get a bit torrent version of the 8.1 ISO for future recovery efforts. I would hope Microsoft makes this available to paying customers because as it stands now if you get backed into a corner there is no escape. Windows 8.1 is not a service pak. It is 3.5 GB of data that is downloaded and installed over your windows 8.0 which also requires re-installing your start screen apps. 

Best First Date Ever - Easy, Free, did what I told it to do, didn't complain, and made me so happy.

I needed to migrate my laptop SSD to a slightly smaller msata drive. I first used the Microsoft Disk Management to shrink a partition of the existing operating system drive. I then used a program that is the best backup and recovery program I have ever used. The learning curve is ZERO. This program is simple to use. intuitive, and fast. I don't see anything it can't do. Most of the application walks you through what you are attempting to do. It really is the complete package and just works no questions asked.

Why you pay for Norton Ghost when there is a free alternative?

Why pay for something that is likely going to frustrate you. Will become outdated with the next release of windows with the offer to buy their new version after you just bought the old version a month ago. No I'm not bitter but there is finally a beautiful alternative to Norton and Acronis.

The biggest issue is the software prompts you periodically through services and startup applications with a S.
Get the job done and uninstall or run it in a VM or dual boot to be safe.

EaseUS Free Backup Software

http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software-features.htm

• Efficient system backup & recovery. No need to reinstall OS or applications to get everything back.
• Backup data, system, hard disk, partition or individual files to a safe destination for disaster recovery.
• Disk clone, disk upgrade and SSD migration solution.
• Directly recover individual files from disk/partition backup image, no need to recover the whole image.
• Every free user also can enjoy free automatic updates and version upgrades.
• Our technical support team is ready to answer questions and guide you to complete repair with 24/7 email support.

My migration from a 128G SSD to a 120G msata SSD was as simple as selecting the clone option and then selecting the target and destination.

Later I wanted to backup my 320G multi partitioned original OS hard drive. This had 3 partitions set up this way to allow for recovery of the original Lenovo image. This is typical for many PCs and Laptops to come with recovery partitions.

I simply selected the 3 partitions and then selected backup and all 3 were stored in a dated folder under a single backup image. The tool provides a data verification which would be most useful with a offsite backup via a network connection or to a wireless NAS. 

I was able to later mount that image where, once open in the tool, I could select which partition to mount. You also have the ability to explore files and folders.

Checkout the full list of features from the link about. The shorter list would be what can't this do. 

Nothing

Recover Your Office Key Before You Can'r

NirSoft is a utilities developer that has a large number of useful tools for recovery and utilities to help diagnose problems. Most of this stuff is free.

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html

• Recover lost CD keys for Windows and 1000+ major programs - including products of Adobe, Symantec, Autodesk, and more...
• NK2Edit - Edit, merge and fix the AutoComplete files (.NK2) of Microsoft Outlook.
• FileTypesMan - Alternative to 'File Types' manager of Windows.
• MyUninstaller - Alternative to the software uninstaller of Windows.

Get your keys and print them to a file using foxit pdf or just use the XPS windows format. I prefer to use the portable foxit to avoid and problems with toolbars or crapware that might get installed it you aren't paying attention to the foxit installer.  You can also copy the keys from the tool to a notepad and email them to yourself.

Car Speaker spacers for about 60 cents per foot. My honda fit has speakers that extend out the door about 3/4 of  an inch. Like any after market speaker you will likely have to cut the door or add a spacer. I cut the door thinking I would get a perfect flush fit until I rolled down my window and heard a clunk.

So this was my simple solution. Use rope you can buy at any hardware store for 60 cents per foot. It will maintain a great acoustic seal while holding up to the compression as you tighten the speaker down.

The rope will make a perfect seal but if you want to flatten it down or you may need 1.5 layers you can remove the hard rubber piece from the nylon braiding by pulling and twisting.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kdh8525ADDE

Upgrading a Honda fit with MediaLink head unit and a Google Nexus Tablet for Waze.

I completed my latest project. This is a receiver with mirrorlink. Anything you can do on the phone you can also do on the stereo. There is some lag so movie viewing isn't worth while but apps, search, navigation, and music are ideal. It required a hacked Italian version of the samsung software and a grounding the safety circuits. I can also control apps like google play and pandora via bluetooth. The solution isn't ideal but beats any new car tech except radar proximity detection. I have a Nexus 7 with Waze running on left as well. This doesn't obscure my vision at all. I sit much higher than the pictures indicate. The picture of the tablet holder is at night so it looks a bit dingy but it matches the dash exactly and is actually suctioned to a rounded surface. The dash holder cost $12 and has absolutely no vibration. The airbag isn't obstructed. For it to be unsafe in a accident I would need to be hit from behind. It isn't as safe as nothing at all but doesn't concern me any more than a phone mount or a GPS.

Amazon Prime Video on Android

There are 2 problems with watching Amazon prime videos on Android. The first problem is that Amazon doesn't supply a app. This is most likely because any other Amazon product directly competes with the Kindle tablets.

Secondly adobe flash won't natively install on android 4.0 or higher. Now you know what it feels like to own a Ipad or Iphone.

The solution is to browse Amazon prime in full mode in your browser. The Amazon page opens up into a mobile version on your phone browse. Simply scroll to the bottom of the page and select the full website view or from the menu in chrome you can select desktop website. I'm sick of tablets with better than my PC resolution showing me a mobile page first. There is a fix for this but it doesn't always work.

Secondly you need Adobe.
Use this link:
http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html

The scroll down to get to the android versions. If you have the Amazon store on your machine than the security setting to install non playstore apps is already set. If you you don't have the Amazon store than get. You can get a free app of the day that offers up a new paid app for free everyday that changes at midnight pacific time.

With both the flash player and the web site you can now watch your Amazon prime movies or TV. There will be issues with screen timeout and if the movie stops for too long a period to queue up then you can use the option to close full screen mode and refresh from the browser bar.

Lets get that bad Windows 8 taste out of our mouths with a little Speccy

 Speccy

Get your Windows Key / Windows 8 for free

Windows 8 is a great operating system. I use it everyday and haven't had a single issue. It takes some getting use to but thanks to Apple force feeding us now Microsoft feels they need to do the same. 

Speccy is a free program for home use to let you uncover your windows 8 key from Piriform (the great makers of CCleaner). With Windows 8 and Media center I ran into a lot of confusion about how this really works. You can only install with your original key and you upgrade to you media center key. So if you get your media center key it will only help you in the upgrade. You will need to find your original receipt with the Windows 8 key.

http://www.piriform.com/speccy

The Gremlin that is no trouble at all, unless you pour water on it - GIZMO

http://arainia.com/software/gizmo/

Gizmo is a toolbox of utilities most important of which is a free virtual drive manager.

You can mount and unmount ISOs to your virtual drive. The utility lets you create the ISO and load and run the ISO.

Gizmo Drive v2.7.9

•	Mount ISO, BIN, CUE, NRG files to a virtual CD-ROM drive
•	Mount VHD files, used with Microsoft Virtual PC
•	Mount password protected images to a virtual hard drive
•	Encrypt HD images using a passphrase
•	Protect vital files from hackers using encrypted HD images
•	Mount IMG files to a virtual drive
•	Mount and unmount files from the Windows Shell
•	Mount and unmount files from the command line
•	Support for compression and sparse HD images

Supported Platforms:

I'm using it on windows 8 on a laptop with no issues.

• Windows 7 (32-bit/64-bit)
• Windows Server 2008 (32-bit/64-bit)
• Windows Vista (32-bit/64-bit)
• Windows Server 2003 (32-bit/64-bit)
• Windows XP (32-bit/64-bit)
• Windows 2000