show your own tips on start up

Now show your own tips on start up.

Open your registry and find the key below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Explorer\ Tips

Create a new string value named by incrementing the existing value names and set it to the required tip text.

Edit .exe files

Here you will learn how to edit *.exe files, in 5 easy steps:

1) If you are not a programmer or developer, then disassembler is not for you, you can't understand anything.

First off all, you need a software which can do the work simple for you, Resource Hacker. It's a resource editor-

very easy to use.

2) Unzip the archive, and run ResHacker.exe. You can check out the help file too

3) You will see that the interface is simple and clean. Go to the menu FileOpen or press Ctrl+O to open a file. Browse your way to the file you would like to edit. You can edit *.exe, *.dll, *.ocx, *.scr and *.cpl files, but this tutorial is to teach you how to edit *.exe files, so open one.

4) In the left side of the screen a list of sections will appear.

The most common sections are

-String table;

-RCData;

-Dialog;

-Cursor group;

-Bitmap;

-WAV.

*Icon: You can wiew and change the icon(s) of the program by double-clicking the icon section,chossing the icon, right-clicking on it an pressing "replace resource". After that you can choose the icon you want to replace the original with.

*String table: a bunch of crap, useful sometimes, basic programming knowladge needed.

*RCData: Here the real hacking begins. Modify window titles, buttons, text, and lots more!

*Dialog:Here you can modify the messages or dialogs that appear in a program. Don't forget to press "Compile" when you're done!

*Cursor group: Change the mouse cursors used in the program just like you would change the icon.

*Bitmap: View or change images in the programs easy!

*WAV:Change the sounds in the prog. with your own.

5) In the RCData,Dialog,Menu and String table sections you can do a lot of changes. You can modify or translate the text change links, change buttons, etc.

TIP: To change a window title, search for something like: CAPTION "edit this".

TIP: After all operations press the "Compile Script" button, and when you're done editing save, your work @ FileSave(Save as).

TIP: When you save a file,the original file will be backed up by default and renamed to Name_original and the saved file will have the normal name of the changed prog.

TIP: Sometimes you may get a message like: "This program has a non-standard resource layout... it has probably been compressed with an .EXE compressor." That means that Resource Hacker can't modify it because of it's structure.

Vista matching stylish folder

Have you ever noticed that the new folder you make comes with a old ugly yellowish look, but the inbuilt icons in home directory hae a very stylish green look. And you must have tried to change the icon to suit match with other folder but ultimately no success. Because, when changing icons the vista by default takes you to the old icons directory to choose.

But you know you can change the icons of your new folder and can have that new and greenish folder.

To do this go to folder's properties by right clicking on the folder. Then go to customize tab click 'change icon'.This will open up the icon changing tool.

Now the actual trick begins, you can see the address written there like this:

%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll

change the 'shell32.dll' to 'imageres.dll' and press enter to update the icons. Now in the list go to the extreme right and there you will find those vista icons. Choose whatever you want.

If you want to switch back t0 yellow folders just do the same thing with shell32.dll or click 'restore defaults'

10 ways to keep your notebook safe while travelling

A few days back, I was just surfing the net and I found a very nice and helpful article: 10 ways to keep your notebook safe by Chris Pirillo. I thought I should share this with you. I would just explain that in brief.

Pad The Laptop:

Keep It On You: It says that you should keep the laptop bag with you all the time or atleast keep an eye on it.

Back Up Data:Make a back up copy of all the important data(like business files, or your pictures, music, video) regularly.

Encrypt Your Data:Keep your private data encrypted like business data, or your passwords. You can use any free software like truecrypt to do that.

Document Identifying Information: Make a note of the model no., serial no., etc. with you. So in case your laptop gets lost, you have to provide these small things to the airline department.

Use Strong Passwords:Make a password which you can remember but others can't. For more details on how to choose a password see 'passwords and how to make them'

Use a BIOS Password: Always use a BIOS password so that no one can even start your laptop without your permission.

Implement Remote Data Protection: Choose a product which can remotely destroy your data, if it comes in wrong hands.

Use Portable Storage: When travelling with some very important data make a copy on a thumb drive and take the same with you.

Just Leave The Laptop At Home: And the last if there is no need of laptop, keep it at home. Or even if there is a need to present some data take it on a thumb drive.

Increase privacy, enable BIOS password

I knew this trick well before I started blogging, but I never felt the need to put a BIOS password. I always thought it would become more irritating to type password to start the computer. But after reading the article 10 tips to keep your notebook safe by Chris Pirillo my mind changed and I asked BIOS for password when it starts.

Bios is the first program that runs when you press the power button. BIOS is responsible for loading your XP/Vista whatever. If you have a BIOS password enabled it will not be possible for any one to access your computer, in case your computer comes into unauthorized hands

To enter the BIOS setup program, sometimes called CMOS setup:

Turn on or reboot your laptop. Keep pressing 'del'[1] to enter the BIOS setup program.

In older computers a message appears to press DEL to enter setup.

When you do hit DEL at the right time, you'll see a menu screen.

As you can see there are two options that relate to passwords, Supervisor Password and User Password, these relate to controlling access to the BIOS Setup Program and the Machine Boot respectively.

Note that not all BIOS's have this password feature, your bios may not have it in which case you won't be able to restrict access to your computer in this way.

Select USER PASSWORD and you'll be prompted to enter a password:

You should now enter a password of up to eight characters (most BIOS's are limited to eight characters unfortunately). I recommend you use the full eight but take care that you choose something you'll not forget.

The BIOS will then prompt you to confirm the password, just type the same thing again.

Now you'll want to set your system to ask for that password every time it boots, so select the BIOS FEATURES SETUP option.

Fairly obviously, it's the Password Check option we're interested in, so select it and change the setting to ALWAYS.

Now navigate back to the main menu and select SAVE & EXIT SETUP. Your machine will then reboot and you'll be prompted for the password.

Each and every time you boot you'll be asked for password you chose.

Please note that this method of restricting access to your computer is not completely foolproof, there are ways around it. But it will stop or at least delay the majority of casual attempts to get access.

If you forget your BIOS password, consult your motherboard manual or if you don't have one, consult the website of the BIOS manufacturer.

[1] It's not always the DEL key some BIOS's use F2 or F10 or anothother key combination, check your motherboard manual for more details.