AVG Update - Blue Screen: Stop: C0000135 {unable to locate component} msvcr80.dll

After updating AVG 2010 or 2011, the computer reboots and a Blue Screen of Death appears with the following: Stop: c0000135 {unable to locate component} This application had fail to start cause MSVCR80.dll. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem. This is caused by the AVG update. To fix this, perform the follow(located at the following link: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-system/blue-screen-stop-c0000135-unable-to-locate/09fb184b-b8cf-4dcf-a794-8d1a91703630 ) 1) Create a copy of the AVG Recovery Disc (http://www.avg.com/ww-en/226386) 2) Boot from disc, then go into the file manager. Follow the same steps as in this thread: http://forums.avg.com/ww-en/avg-free-forum?sec=thread&act=show&id=94159 but instead of renaming the .dll and .sys files, simply navigate to your programs(x86) directory and rename the entire AVG folder to something else. 3) From here, simply restart your machine, and it should boot normally.This is the best solution you'll find until AVG releases a permanent fix. This worked for me. Hope it helps.

Security Update for SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (KB960082) Failed

I've had a re-occurring problem with this issue, but thanks to the blogger that posted the following that I no longer have this issue. Thanks!

http://hpanswers.blogspot.com/2010/01/security-update-for-sql-server-2000.html

Security Update for SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (KB960082) failed With error code 0x2C24 during the installation of windows update which relates to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4,This update might be downloaded with automatic updates but continues to fail to install repeated times. When you Further look at the issue, windows failed to install the updated with the error code 0x2C24.The simple solution for this problem is Setting MSSQL$SBSMONITORING from Disabled to Manual in the services window, following are the steps to do that.
Click Start
Click Run
Go to services windows by typing "services.msc" in Run
Search for the MSSQL$SBSMONITORING Service
Right Click on MSSQL$SBSMONITORING and click on Properties.
If you have this service (MSSQL$SBSMONITORING) in Disabled mode Change to Manual and click on Ok
Install the Update Security Update for SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 4 (KB960082), it would be successfulI am sure that the above steps resolved my problem quickly and the update was successful.

iTunes 10.1.1 & Remote Speakers (error -15000)

I recently had a problem with upgrading to iTunes version 10.1.1.4 and playing to my Airport Express for remote speakers.

I spent 3+ hours looking for the resolution until I found it at the below link.

Thanks to you, a lot of people including myself are happy and grateful:

Fix for error -15000 Remote speakers on iTunes / Windows 7

Published on October 22, 2010 in Apple. 46 Comments Tags: airport, airtunes, itunes.
So, just to be clear: this is not about iTunes on MacOSX, it’s only about iTunes 10 on Windows 7. It might work on Windows Vista, but I have no PC with Vista to test. It might help on versions earlier than iTunes 10 (I read the version 8 already had the problem), but I haven’t tested that.

The problem is the following: while it used to be possible (in older versions of iTunes), your iTunes might not stream the music to an Airport Express / Apple TV (the feature they call ‘Airtunes‘), and every time you try, iTunes will come back with an error ‘An error occurred connecting to the remote speaker (…). An unknown error occurred (-15000).‘. What is happening is that the Windows Firewall is blocking the UDP connections for Airtunes (ports 6001-6003 if you’re asking). For some reason the old firewall rules for iTunes don’t work with the new version.
How to fix this: only if you’re not afraid of diving into your PC’s configuration. If you’re a novice or feel unsure, ask someone more knowledgeable to do it for you. Check if the person knows what a firewall is used for. “Security” is a too general answer.
Go to the control panel for Windows Firewall (Start / Control Panel / Security / Windows Firewall)
Go to the ‘Advanced settings’ and look for the ‘Inbound Rules’ (I know, for me iTunes sending music to somewhere else sounds like outbound, but still, it’s the inbound you need).
Look for a rule called “iTunes” (there might be several) and see if it talks about UDP ports, not TCP. The ‘Protocols and Ports’ page should look like this:
Now go to the ‘Advanced’ tab. Your rule will specify only ‘Public’ under the profiles. Also check the ‘Private’ profile. Don’t touch the rest.
Close all your tabs and windows for the Firewall.
Try to connect to the speakers in iTunes. It should work.
How did I find this? I was unnerved enough to look for a while and I checked how the demo version of Airfoil (in short: stream any audio to your Airport Express/AppleTV, not just from iTunes, costs 25$) deals with the Windows firewall.
Hope this helps some people like those writing on various forums.
So, now that I have the music from my laptop playing in my kitchen again, I can continue making my soup. Broccoli, thank for asking.

How to easily Unprotect/Remove Password from a Protected Excel Worksheet

I found this website to help remove 'Password-Protected' Worksheets within an Excel file:

http://jsbi.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-to-easily-unprotectremove-password.html

You may already know how easy it is to protect Microsoft Office Excel worksheets and workbooks from unauthorized changes with the help of a password. But, what to do if you can’t remember the password you used for protecting OR you downloaded an excel from the internet and would like to have a look at the formula's or the embeded information - but all that data might be inaccessible due to the password protection.I have a very simple method by which you can easily recover the password and also un-protect the worksheet or workbook. Please note : this method will only remove the protection from the excel file and not the password used to open the excel file itself.Open the excel file which is password protected and goto Macro's (I am using Office 2007 so the menu's maybe different View >> Macros). Click on "Record Macro >> OK" and then click on "Stop Recording" from the same menu. Now goto "View Macros", you will find a Macro with a default name E.g. Macro1 - Select the macro name and click on Edit. Now a Visual Basic Editor opens up. Re-place the default code and Paste the below code.

Sub Macro1()'' Breaks worksheet and workbook structure passwords. Jason S' probably originator of base code algorithm modified for coverage' of workbook structure / windows passwords and for multiple passwords' Jason S http://jsbi.blogspot.com' Reveals hashed passwords NOT original passwordsConst DBLSPACE As String = vbNewLine & vbNewLineConst AUTHORS As String = DBLSPACE & vbNewLine & "Adapted from Bob McCormick base code by" & "Jason S http://jsbi.blogspot.com"Const HEADER As String = "AllInternalPasswords User Message"Const VERSION As String = DBLSPACE & "Version 1.0 8 Sep 2008"Const REPBACK As String = DBLSPACE & "Please report failure to jasonblr@gmail.com "Const ALLCLEAR As String = DBLSPACE & "The workbook should be cleared"Const MSGNOPWORDS1 As String = "There were no passwords on " & AUTHORS & VERSIONConst MSGNOPWORDS2 As String = "There was no protection to " & "workbook structure or windows." & DBLSPACEConst MSGTAKETIME As String = "After pressing OK button this " & "will take some time." & DBLSPACE & "Amount of time " & "depends on how many different passwords, the "Const MSGPWORDFOUND1 As String = "You had a Worksheet " & "Structure or Windows Password set." & DBLSPACE & "The password found was: " & DBLSPACE & "$$" & DBLSPACE & "Note it down for potential future use in other workbooks by " & "the same person who set this password." & DBLSPACE & "Now to check and clear other passwords." & AUTHORS & VERSIONConst MSGPWORDFOUND2 As String = "You had a Worksheet " & "password set." & DBLSPACE & "The password found was: " & DBLSPACE & "$$" & DBLSPACE & "Note it down for potential " & "future use in other workbooks by same person who " & "set this password." & DBLSPACE & "Now to check and clear " & "other passwords." & AUTHORS & VERSIONConst MSGONLYONE As String = "Only structure / windows " & "protected with the password that was just found." & ALLCLEAR & AUTHORS & VERSION & REPBACKDim w1 As Worksheet, w2 As WorksheetDim i As Integer, j As Integer, k As Integer, l As IntegerDim m As Integer, n As Integer, i1 As Integer, i2 As IntegerDim i3 As Integer, i4 As Integer, i5 As Integer, i6 As IntegerDim PWord1 As StringDim ShTag As Boolean, WinTag As BooleanApplication.ScreenUpdating = FalseWith ActiveWorkbookWinTag = .ProtectStructure Or .ProtectWindowsEnd WithShTag = FalseFor Each w1 In WorksheetsShTag = ShTag Or w1.ProtectContentsNext w1If Not ShTag And Not WinTag ThenMsgBox MSGNOPWORDS1, vbInformation, HEADERExit SubEnd IfMsgBox MSGTAKETIME, vbInformation, HEADERIf Not WinTag ThenMsgBox MSGNOPWORDS2, vbInformation, HEADERElseOn Error Resume NextDo 'dummy do loopFor i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126With ActiveWorkbook.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)If .ProtectStructure = False And .ProtectWindows = False ThenPWord1 = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)MsgBox Application.Substitute(MSGPWORDFOUND1, "$$", PWord1), vbInformation, HEADERExit Do 'Bypass all for...nextsEnd IfEnd WithNext: Next: Next: Next: Next: NextNext: Next: Next: Next: Next: NextLoop Until TrueOn Error GoTo 0End IfIf WinTag And Not ShTag ThenMsgBox MSGONLYONE, vbInformation, HEADERExit SubEnd IfOn Error Resume NextFor Each w1 In Worksheets'Attempt clearance with PWord1w1.Unprotect PWord1Next w1On Error GoTo 0ShTag = FalseFor Each w1 In Worksheets'Checks for all clear ShTag triggered to 1 if not.ShTag = ShTag Or w1.ProtectContentsNext w1If ShTag ThenFor Each w1 In WorksheetsWith w1If .ProtectContents ThenOn Error Resume NextDo 'Dummy do loopFor i = 65 To 66: For j = 65 To 66: For k = 65 To 66For l = 65 To 66: For m = 65 To 66: For i1 = 65 To 66For i2 = 65 To 66: For i3 = 65 To 66: For i4 = 65 To 66For i5 = 65 To 66: For i6 = 65 To 66: For n = 32 To 126.Unprotect Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)If Not .ProtectContents ThenPWord1 = Chr(i) & Chr(j) & Chr(k) & Chr(l) & Chr(m) & Chr(i1) & Chr(i2) & Chr(i3) & Chr(i4) & Chr(i5) & Chr(i6) & Chr(n)MsgBox Application.Substitute(MSGPWORDFOUND2, "$$", PWord1), vbInformation, HEADER'leverage finding Pword by trying on other sheetsFor Each w2 In Worksheetsw2.Unprotect PWord1Next w2Exit Do 'Bypass all for...nextsEnd IfNext: Next: Next: Next: Next: NextNext: Next: Next: Next: Next: NextLoop Until TrueOn Error GoTo 0End IfEnd WithNext w1End IfMsgBox ALLCLEAR & AUTHORS & VERSION & REPBACK, vbInformation, HEADER'End Sub

Finally, run the Macro(View >> Macros >> View Macros >> Run). You will get the password of the protected workbook and worksheet in Excel. I have tested the above in Microsoft Office Excel XP / 2003 / 2007

SBS 2003 POP Retrival Time

This is how to change the POP3 Connector for Microsoft Exchange retrival time to get email quicker than 15min minimum that Microsoft allows.

Please try the following steps:

Warning If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. . Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

1. Click "Start", click "Run", type "regedit" (without the quotation marks) in the "Open" box, and then click "OK".

2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\SmallBusinessServer\Network\POP3 Connector"
3. On the "Edit" menu, point to "New", and then click "DWORD Value".
4. Type "ScheduleAccelerator" (without the quotation marks) as the entry name, and then press ENTER.

5. On the "Edit" menu, click "Modify".

6. In the "Value data" box, type the value that you want, and then click "OK". To determine the polling interval, the value that is configured on the "Scheduling" tab in the GUI is divided by the value that you type for the ScheduleAccelerator entry. For example, if a 15 minute interval is specified in the GUI and you set the value of the ScheduleAccelerator entry to 3, the connector will poll ever five minutes.

7. Quit Registry Editor.

Total Security Spyware

Here comes another piece of spyware down the pipe... Total Security spyware

When I was called to remove this, it wasn't running properly, but had traces still running on the system that allowed it to keep itself installed in a limited functionality.

I removed the drive to scan it externally, but AVG and Malwarebytes couldn't find all the files. So, the next step was to look at the drive to see if I could notice anything.

Here's what I found:
In the registry, under HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, I found two entries:
- {random characters} Rundll.exe "C:\Windows\System32\bafekefe.dll", a
- {random characters} Rundll.exe "C:\Windows\System32\vetaweyo.dll", s

or something close to this.

If I deleted these entries, and refresh the screen, they came right back. So, something is running on the system and I cannot use Malwarebytes on the infected system because the spyware deletes it immediately after it's installed.

Next step:
- Connected it externally and looked at the "system32" folder and found a bunch of "dll" files with random characters HIDDEN, with file sizes either 42k or 63k. Once I deleted all these files, I was able to boot the system cleanly, but errors came up stating that it could not run legitimate ".exe" files because "bafekefe.dll" was not a legitimate file when they were loading(I deleted the bad .DLL and made a notepad file with the same name).

What was causing this action? The follow fix helped:
Go to: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
and clear the data field for "AppInit_DLLS", but DO NOT DELETE the value key.
REBOOT

Now the system seems clean from the virus and I was able to install Malwarebytes and AVG to do scans, and to update Windows with all the latest patches/fixes.

Hope this helps to all.

ONE LAST NOTE: ComboFix.exe may have helped me with this, but my copies were infected and I was able to clean up the spyware manually, and aides my experience.

Please post any comment replies if you found this helpful, I omitted other key information, etc.

Task Manager will not start or open

After removing the "Windows Protection Suite" spyware from a computer system, you may find that the Task Manager will not open. Searching the Internet, you may come across many solutions adding the following key to the registry:

"[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]"
DisableTaskMgr"=dword:00000000

This is the solution if you get the "Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator" error message, from spyware. Google the aforementioned error to get links to reg edit files.However, if you still have difficulty opening Task Manager after you apply the above fix, I came across a solution as follows:

Expand the following subkey:
"[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options]"

If 'taskmgr.exe' is listed, DELETE it!

Now the Task Manager should open by Ctrl-Shift-Esc, or right-clicking the taskbar and select "Task Manager", etc.

Hope this helps. Thanks.