Troubleshooting Your PC !

Troubleshooting , the name by itself suggests that it is a problem solving process . It's a term used frequently to repair failed hardware or software.Almost each and every one is having PC at home now-a-days. So it will be nice if we know to solve some of the common problems which we face with our PC day to day.

Before that let me hint you a few things which exist already in the PC . One of the best examples is POST which refers to Power On Self Test .The PC Checks itself for necessary hardware functioning whenever it's switched on.

Here are some of the problems which I have faced and I have also explained how I have solved it !

Problem 1:

When ever I switch on my System , an error is displayed that the CMOS Check Sum Bad. Press Del / F1 to enter setup ?

Solution :

It may occur because of the problem that your CMOS battery may get drained out.It needs to be changed 2 years once (approx) to keep the BIOS settings saved even though we Switch off the PC.

Problem 2:

I have installed Operating System in my PC but my system shows the error "No Boot Device Found" , when I switch on my PC ?

Solution:

It may cause due to various reasons . Some of the common mistakes may be , we forget to change the Boot Priority and HDD must be available first in boot order (Preferably). Such error may occur also because of choosing wrong Primary Partition.

Problem 3:

I have connected two drives (either HDD or DVD Drive) but my PC shows only one drive or it doesn't show any of the drives in "My Computer" ?

Solution:

It occurs because of the Wrong Jumper settings (i.e.,) one drive should act as Master and other should act as Slave . You can find the jumper slot near the power slot.

Problem 4:

I have two drives of maximum size. How can I make a third logical drive by extracting some free space in the existing drives ?

Solution:

You can use some third party software such Partition Magic or else you can use the shrink feature in Windows Vista or later versions.

Problem 5:

I have Windows 7 in my PC and how can I degrade to Windows XP or lower versions ?

Solution:

This is one of the major problems which every one will face. Normally , degrade of Windows versions is not supported by default. You can make it done with a help of Live Boot Linux Disc.Boot into Linux and use partition manager to delete the Windows (OS) partition.

Problem 6:

I am unable to install Windows OS even after partitioning , in Windows Setup ?

Solution:

It may probably due to a virus attack.In such case you can install OS , only when you delete all the existing drives in your PC.

Problem 7:

I have some very important data in my Hard Disk but unknowingly I formatted it. Is it possible to recover my data , after formatting ?

Solution:

Yes it is possible to recover your data safe by using some third party software like "Recover My Files" , provided you doesn't place some new data on same drive after formatting it.

Problem 8:

My PC gets switched on but there is no display in the Screen ?

Solution:

Try fixing up your RAM correct in the  slot in MB.

[*Above content is only of my experiences and may not reflect the exact ones as in other sources]

What is a Proxy Server?

Proxy is a term which we come across often, in a network. In general, a proxy is referred to as a person authorized to act for other. A proxy server is nothing but a mediator which acts between the requests sent from a client asking for the resources from the server. Whenever a request is made from the client in a network, the proxy server evaluates the request and allows it to access the resource if it’s a valid one. There are also caches in proxy server (i.e.,) the proxy server receives response from the remote server and returns it to the client.

There are different types of proxy servers. Some of them are as follows,

• Web Proxy


• Content filtering Proxy


• Caching Proxy


• Open Proxy


• Tunneling Proxy


• Reverse Proxy

There are a wide number of proxy servers available for use. Each has their own characteristics and features. Various Open Source proxy servers too available for use and we can customize it as needed.

Some of the proxy servers available are,

• Squid Proxy


• Privoxy


• TinyProxy


• Ziproxy


• Apache HTTP Server

Let me give an overview of Squid Proxy server (Open Source)which is used commonly in many organizations.

It’s primarily designed to run on Unix Systems. Consider that your Squid Proxy runs on your server with ip address 165.165.100.2 and the default port number for Squid is 3128. The port number is customizable one, consider the default one here. Let the client connected bear the ip address 165.165.1.1

The client interacts with the proxy server as follows,

You can configure your ip address either static or can be set dynamic at the client but there are a few more configurations to be done in your web browsers to access to the external resource (internet).I ‘ll just explain using ie here.Choose Options from Tools menu and navigate to connections tab and then LAN Settings.Check use proxy server option and fill out the necessary ip address and port number . It must look something as follows.

What it means is that , all the requests made from client is passed to server with ip address 165.165.100.2 and port 3128 , where the squid proxy is running already. Then the requests are processed and results are returned.

You can also find out the type of proxy used in the network whenever the error page , something like Access denied ! is displayed ! The proxy server name is specified in the last line of the error page.

What is a Blog?

Blog is a term which we come across frequently when we are surfing and is  nothing but a  shortened form of Web Log. A blog in general, can be defined as an online journal, where people post entries about their personal experiences and hobbies. The set of content posted in a blog is called as Posts. The posts are arranged like LIFO order (i.e.,) the recent posts are displayed first.

There are a number of providers online; to create a blog such as Google’s BlogSpot, word press and many other. Each has its own features. Some blogs are highly customizable while some are not. Almost all the blogs allow users to make comments about the posts and some widgets can be added by users as needed.

There are different types of blog depending on the design, type of content and some other features. There are also separate search in search engines to search the contents of blogs. It’s also notable that there are also some dangers with blog .Earlier , some bloggers were arrested because of some on their anti writings. Blogging is also one of the nice hobby and a way to express our thoughts and experiences.

Most of the blogging sites make the novice easy to design their own blogs. Some provide easy designing by drag and drop feature whereas some providers make it a little difficult for beginners. The old posts are grouped automatically as archives or categories for later reference. A lot more features can be added to the blog by the user.

The major difference between a blog and a website is that, blogs are free and registering our domains may be charged. More over contents of the blog can be searched easily since every time when we publish new post in blog, it gets indexed in search engines. If you don’t have a blog, start blogging now, if interested!

Happy Blogging!

Computer Virus

VIRUS refers to Vital Information Resource Under Siege. A Computer virus is nothing but a malicious program that brings damage to the data and applications which exist in computer. As we know that there are different types of viruses, each have its own characteristics. It’s a common problem for everyone who uses Windows and its allied Operating Systems that their PC gets affected by virus frequently unless they use a highly secure Antivirus.

Though we use antivirus software to make our PC free from virus, no anti-virus can assure that its 100% virus proof. So measures may help to make antivirus software better by making regular updates of virus definitions and so on. There are some viruses which disable antivirus software and take the control to itself.

Viruses easily get spread in executable form and through USB drives by means of antorun.inf file. The Windows OS itself cannot withstand to Virus after some extent whereas Linux OS can withstand to virus at greater extent. Linux also cannot be said as Virus proof OS but it cannot be affected by Virus easily, since it’s highly secure. Linux also doesn’t support executable files and modifying some of the core files need administrator permissions. It’s also a notable thing that Viruses are helpful to some extent, such as some spy wares used in some companies to know whether the employee really works but there are lot of disasters because of viruses. Making a system 100% free from virus is highly impossible but some safeguard measures can help us to be secure to some extent!

Twitter is having a number of Security flaws?

Twitter is one of the major social networking sites which have been used by millions of users around the globe. It connects a number of famous personalities and celebrities to their fans/followers directly. Though it has fascinated a number of users, a number of security issues arise regarding twitter and it’s being hacked frequently. Some days back, the passwords of a number of users were stolen and now it’s hit by a mouse over flaw!

When you are moving your mouse over a twitter feed, it performs some function automatically without your knowledge! This is current issue with Twitter! Though twitter claims that the problem has been recovered, the frequent issues bring up a bad opinion on it!

It was found that a 17 year Old Australian boy, Pearce Delphin (His Twitter name is @zzapis) is responsible for the cause of mouse over issue. It has affected a number of users and it had last for five hours (According to sources I referred).The “mouse over” is done by posting a JavaScript in the tweet. Twitter is having a character limit of 140, so some other master works too have been tried to hack!

Its notable that twitter is redesigning its site which will be available for all the users in a couple of days. It’s important for twitter team to keep an eye on security issues and find out the flaws to keep its users safe, in order to retain them??? Let’s wait and watch what’s going to happen!

More info regarding mouse over can be read from official twitter blog!

What is Hacking?

Hacking, in general is unauthorized access of computers and network resources (with respect to field of computers).A hacker (intruder) is one who performs hacking, sometimes called as code breakers. Hacking is more common among youngsters, an analysis says! Hackers are often experts in programming and are highly skilled ones.

Each and every software/application will have some trap doors. Sometimes the developers may find it and eradicate it but no software can be said 100% hack proof. Some trap doors may not be known to the developers which the hackers may find it!

After the boom of internet, hackers too started growing up. Now-a-days the normal problems arise in internet such as theft of credit card numbers, passwords, etc., though there are some ways to protect it by means of applying encryption algorithm , On screen keyboard and many other , nothing can still be assured that it’s 100% hack proof.

There are different types of Hackers such as White Hats, Black Hats, Phreakers . White Hats, the name by itself suggests that they are not much dangerous. They are called Ethical hackers and they have authorization to break into the code. They assist manufacturer in securing them. Black Hats are the one who breaks the code and misuse it! Phreaker is one who hacks telecommunication services.

It’s highly unavoidable to make the world hacker free but its duty of every individual to make his data secure by taking some precaution measures! Hacking is not crime, if u doesn’t misuse it!!

The Masterworks behind Google Search !

Google, the term which rules the world of internet. None of us can say, we don’t know Google!  Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were doing Ph.D., at Stanford University of California. The company Google was first incorporated as a privately held company on September 4, 1998. The name Google was originated from the term Googol, which means one followed by hundred Zeroes. Now Google owns , not just a search but a wide number of Online services and applications.

Let me tell you , what are master works behind the Google’s search .The three main things to be noted are Web Crawler , Indexer and Query Processor.

Googlebot is the Google’s Web Crawler. It retrieves web pages and passes it to the Indexer. The Web Crawler consist of number of computers requesting and fetching Web-pages from net with the help of various web servers.Crawling of a site will be done automatically but it takes some time for Google to Crawl your site of it’s own , instead we can add our site to WebCrawler to speed up the process.

Google's Appearance in 90's

Google Indexer receives information about the Crawled sites/pages from Googlebot.Then  the pages are sorted and stored in Google’s database.There are some techniques used for indexing (i.e.,) indexing only with the necessary content / words.The indexer converts all the letters to lower case for the best performance .

Founders of  Google

Query , in simple called as a Question . The terms used for searching is called as Search Query.The Query Processor processes the search query by matching it with the indexes stored in Google’s database. The Query processor also makes up Page Ranking and there are few other processes involved in it.

Need more information about , how Google works ? Google out for more …!

Happy Googling ...

What is Information Technology ?

Information is nothing but the knowledge derived from Data. Technology refers to applying the scientific knowledge to the general problems. So, in short, Information Technology (IT) refers to analysis / study, development and managing something with the help of computers. There has been a great revolution of Information Technology in late 90’s and in 20^th century. There are a number of definitions for Information Technology and it varies accordingly, where it has to be used! I could say that where ever computers & communications exist, IT too will exist there!

In today’s scientific world, almost everything is possible with computers but still there are a few facts which humans can only do! So, IT exists everywhere and development of all engineering categories depends on IT. There are a wide number of uses of IT which are countless. Almost all Engineering Discipline professionals are working in IT industry and even a country’s growth too mainly depends on it.

Most of the IT Professionals spend most of their time in front of computers. Though they gain knowledge and work a lot, there are some bad consequences too, which affects their health. So, it’s a maximum of 10 years you can spend your complete time in front of computers and later make up a change in your career, some suggest!

Though the Industry has faced a major setback a couple of years ago , now it has regained its power back and is gearing up. Some predict that, the Industry will grow up steadily for next ten years! IT industry India contributes 5.19% of country’s GDP and Export.

One of the great personalities of India Said,

IT + IT = IT which means,

India Today + Information Technology = India Tomorrow

Happy Engineer's Day !

September 15 is celebrated as Engineer’s day every year to commemorate the birthday of the great Engineer of India, Sir M. Visvesvaraya (1861-1962). Today is the Great Man’s Birthday!

He is a genius and a great patriot too! In 1955 he was crowned with “Bharatha Ratna” .He invented automatic doors to stop waste flow of water, block system and many other, has made world to look back at him. He was recognized internationally recognized for his outstanding works in successful design & construction of various dams, irrigation schemes and various other water related projects.

He was Dewan of Mysore and architect of Karnataka. He can be considered as Maker of modern Mysore. He is a man, who made India proud, by working smart! He still alive in people’s heart and it’s a day to pay tribute and honor him!

One of his famous sayings:

"Remember, your work may be only to sweep a railway crossing, but it is your duty to keep it so clean that no other crossing in the world is as clean as yours."

A very Happy Engineer's Day to all Young Engineers !

Anti Face Book arrives tomorrow !

Diaspora, anti Face Book arrives tomorrow(SEP15,2010)! Though Face Book is named as No.1 Social Networking site in India, there are a number of Security issues and it lacks some of the facilities needed by the Users. Diaspora in Greek refers to migration of group of people from an ancestral land. It is a Open source social network and will be a biggest challenge to Face Book Since it is open source the users can download it and install it in their own websites and can customize it as they need!

The project was initiated by four New York university students Daniel Grippi, Maxwell Salzberg, Ilya Zhitomirskiy and Raphael Sofaer. Even FaceBook founder Mark Zuckerburg has contributed to Diaspora project and has been funded by many others!

It’s stated in Diaspora site as “The privacy aware, personally controlled, do-it-all, open source social network.”

How far will it reach? Will it overtake the 500 million users Social Networking Giant FaceBook? Let’s wait & watch! Anyway, hands off for such great initiative from New York University Students!

Try it ! Take me to Diaspora (*Active from SEP 15,2010)

Open Source Software

Open Source, one of the term which is most frequently used in the world of Computer Software, today.

Open source software, the name by itself suggests that the software is freely available for use and any one can get its source code, edit it and can redistribute it as needed. Open source software is not same as the free source software and the term free software doesn't necessarily mean available at no charge. There is free software that is not open source and vice versa.

The most well-known open source software is Linux, a UNIX operating system derivative named after its creator, Linus Torvalds.The Linux Foundation, where Linux works, is more or less "in charge of" the Operating System kernel. The Linux kernel is turned into a platform by adding a wide range of utility software, primarily developed under the banner of the GNU organization.

A number of companies have been built around a so-called Open Source business model, where they license their software for free or very inexpensively, but derive their revenues from support and training services. In fact, most long-time participants in the software market realize well more than half of their software-related revenue from the source.

Many companies following the so-called open source business model adopt a tiered approach to their product offerings, releasing a completely free community edition of their software, and then Charging the license fee for their enterprise edition, which is often based on their community edition but includes additional features or is more highly scalable.

Yahoo and Google are reportedly large users of Open Source software. Popular websites like these generally own or collate large server farms that handle all of their web traffic. The ability to maintain hundreds of servers using inexpensive open source software is a huge cost saver for these companies because they don't have to pay pre-server license fees. No one is hurt by the growth of Open Source. It's hard to specifically identify any "losers" because license terms and conditions have minimal effect on market dynamics. Microsoft is often considered a loser because all companies migrated from Windows Server to Linux Server.

Microsoft has steadily gained both server software and overall software market share and more than quadrupled in revenue since Linux was first aggressively supported by companies such as IBM. So it's hard to consider Microsoft as Loser. In future, there will be a great revolution of Open source Software and its growing day by day!

Crazy Google ..!

Love making fun with Google ? Here are a few!

• Want to have a Look @ floating Google ? Just type "Google Gravity" in Google's search box and click "I am feeling Lucky" . You can view Google doing something crazy on your screen!

Social Networking

21st Century ! Every one is busy with their work.Man has started working like machines round the clock. Social networking is the way that the world communicates today.!

It helps to make friends round the world! One can have some direct contact with some eminent personalities,celebrities and so on. The world is highly competitive today and the rule applies here too ! There are wide number of social networking sites and upon which only a very few has fascinated every one.

FaceBook holds number one position among Social networking sites in India, whereas Web Giant Google's Orkut is down to No.2.There are some other social networking sites like Linked in,hi5 etc... which too quite have more number of users.It doesn't mean that the sites in top ranking only have more functionalities and flexibility to users . There may be a wide number of reasons for one to use a site.

Here are some facts about India's No.1 Social Networking Site - FaceBook:

It was co-founded by M.E.Zuckerberg in 2004 @ California. It was primarily started with a motive to have communication among the students of a university and later became a global one.

There are some security issues which arose against FaceBook and some of them are quite being solved.

Here is an interesting fact about FaceBook Co-Founder:

Though FB holds 500 Million + users , the Co-founder has made some immunisation for himself in his facebook profile !Want to know what is it?

Here it is!

The Co-founder's profile is located in FaceBook @ www.facebook.com/zuck .

You cannot block his account and he has some special features to use!

Click here to know more