Technology Vault - NewsBytes
Thursday 27 February, 2003
Nominet UK issues warning by @ 11:41 am
Nominet UK is concerned about the confusion that has been created by the sales tactics of a company called UK Internet Registry Ltd. This company has been sending out documents resembling invoices to registrants of .co.uk names. It claims that the .com version of the .co.uk name is unregistered and offers to sell it to the registrant for a sum of money.
Nominet says: We would like to clarify that there is absolutely no association between Nominet UK - the official Registry for .uk domain names - and the above company. We would like to point out that Nominet UK does not proactively sell .uk domain names and we have no involvement with the registration of .com domain names.
We advise companies never to be bounced into registering a domain name by the pressure selling tactics of an unknown third party. If you are unsure about the registration of a domain name, contact your usual provider who can advise you on the best course of action.
We are currently investigating whether this company has a listing of .uk domain names and, if so, where they obtained this list from. If you have received a letter from this company, please fax a copy to us (on 01865 332292) with a covering letter stating:
- your name and address;
- what you understood the letter to mean;
- whether you thought it came from Nominet;
- that you are happy for us to pass the information on to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and/or use the information in any legal action that we may take; and a statement that "I believe that the facts in this statement are true".
Alternatively, please contact the Office of Fair Trading directly.
You can read the full statement HERE
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What's in the Pipeline by @ 5:46 am
It doesn't seem to matter if I'm reading a story about the new GeForce FX Ultra which I'm running out of breath waiting for or ATI's new RV350 which will be called Radeon 9600 by the time it hits CecBit on 4th March 2003, every news story on the web is asking one thing. How many pipelines does it have?
Is this purely a male phenomena? A bit like the size of the fish you just caught or the width of his tyres on his motor! It seems that long before other questions are asked about graphics cards which are proberbly far more interesting, news reporters get in their with the burning question of the day, How many pipelines does it have?
I had to smile, it is not a question reserved just for the western world. Oh no. Over in China where pcPop.com did an article on the new Radion 9600, yep, you guessed it, it was one of the first questions to be asked. It has 4 by the way, just in case you were wetting yourself to find out.
As for the GeForce FX Ultra, as Nvidia have already said, they are programmable. Most programs will use it's 4x2 set up but it can use 8 pipelines if programmed to do so. Kinda flexible pipework then!
Does any of this really matter? Not to the common man or woman. As long as a graphics card does what it says on the box, most people will be happy. What the first thing it tells you on the box?;-)
My final obersvation of the morning that made me smile, is ATi's tongue-in-cheek attempt at getting at Nvidia every way but which buy introducing a flash movie display on their homepage HERE entitled 'Are You Ready for more?'. You can click on the movie to register to get the latest information about new products.
Have a good day!
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You Cannot Create a Network Connection After You Restore Windows XP by @ 5:02 am
If you install Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows XP and then use the System Restore feature or do a repair of Windows XP by copying over the top of your existing Windows XP you find that you have no Dial-Up Networking connections and you can't set another up as all settings are greyed out.
I was most pleased to find that Microsoft had discovered this little baby. I had just this problem a while back after copying a clean copy of Windows XP over the top of my exisiting faulty copy by doing an upgrade option. Although the Microsoft article doesn't cover this method of getting into this mess, it would have exactly the same effect as doing a system restore to a time prior to SP1.
It seems that the answer, or at least one of the easier answers is to just reinstall SP1. Alternativly, Microsoft gives you a list of regisrty entries to punch way at.
Microsoft says the cause of this problem is because the System registry hive is not correctly restored to the Windows registry after you restore Windows. The article which you will find HERE goes on to offer a complex work-a-round if you are unable to reinstall SP1.
This little problem which I found so frustrating has been the cause of many a fresh new reinstall of XP. You get right to the end and no matter how much you try, the dial-up network wizard cannot be sellected and all options apart from a broadband connection are greyed out. All your previous settings have vanished. Only if I knew then how easy it was to fix. Many thanks to WinOSCentral where I first saw the link to the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article.
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Tuesday 25 February, 2003
Yet another AVG Update by @ 9:56 pm
AVG, the popular free antivirus software from Grisoft has been updated again today. Grisoft says that Update 459 is now available and it adds detection of I-Worm/Gibe.B viruses.
The file size is 1119kb and a restart is not required.
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Official Nvidia 42.82 Detonator Drivers released by @ 9:17 am
Nvidia have released the latest 42.82 Detonator Drivers. These drivers are unified drivers for all Nvidia cards including the latest NV30 Quatro FX cards.
Nvidia has posted these drivers on their Quatro page but they are the latest unified WHQL candidates.
The date on the inf file is 31/01/03 so you don't get newer than that. You can download them from Nvidia HERE
Personally, I've not noticed any changes with these drivers but with a GeForce3 basic, I doubt if they even look at such an old card now.
I'm still sitting out the GeForce FX ultra release, so if anyone out there can ensure I get one asap, please drop me a line.;-)
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AVG Update by @ 12:35 am
If you use the Outlook Express plug-in, you should see the following details at the end of all your emails:
Version: 6.0.458 / Virus Database: 257 - Release Date: 24/02/2003
Grisoft says: Update 458 is available. Added detection of I-Worm/Lovgate.C
The file size was around 1118kb and a restart of your system was not required. This should give you cover for the Lovgate virus as explained in BTs previous story.
Whatever antivirus software you use, Newsbytes recommends you should check for updates on a daily basis.
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VIRUS ALERT by bluetracker @ 12:14 am
WORM_LOVGATE.C is a medium risk alert for all users
Aliases: worm.W32/Lovgate.gen@M, W32/Lovgate.c@M, W32.HLLW.Lovgate.C@mm, I-Worm.Supnot.c, Win32/Lovgate.C@mm, Win32.Lovgate.C
Trend micro makers of PC-Cillin, have classified this as a Yellow alert, other anti-virus distributors are also updating their respective av pattern files to combat this latest threat. Grisoft, makers of AVG have already released an update (No 458) to detect this 'malware' and others are following, such is the concern over this malware's threat.
Information available tells us that WORM_LOVEGATE.C is both a worm and a backdoor program.
As a worm, it propagates copies of itself via network shared folders. It drops copies of itself in shared folders and in all subfolders that exist within the shared folders.
This worm drops multiple copies of itself using any of the following file names in the Windows system folder:
WinRpcsrv.exe, syshelp.exe, winrpc.exe, WinGate.exe or rpcsrv.exe
Then, it adds registry entries that allow it to execute on subsequent Windows startups.
It modifies the default entries in a certain registry key so that it is executed whenever a text file is opened. By replacing the original data in this registry key, it sets itself as the default application for opening text files that are double-clicked in Windows.
In shared folders and subfolders, it drops copies of itself using any of the following file names:
winrpc.exe,syshelp.exe,fun.exe,humor.exe,docs.exe, s3msong.exe, midsong.exe, billgt.exe, card.exe, setup.exe, searchURL.exe, tamagotxi.exe, hamster.exe, news_doc.exe, PsPgame.exe, joke.exe,images.exe, pics.exe, crklist.exe, source.exe, sex.exe
roms.exe, docs.exe, patch.exe, LUPdate.exe,pack.exe, wingate.exe
stg.exe or ssrv.exe
As a backdoor, this trojan/virus (malware) opens port 10168 and immediately sends an email notifying a remote user that the infected machine is online and can be accessed. By sending commands via the backdoor port, a remote user can execute programs on the infected machine, obtain information, and reconfigure the running backdoor program.
You are strongly advised to update your anti-virus solutions
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Sunday 23 February, 2003
V21 moves the goalposts by @ 3:50 am
The Internet Service Provider V21 has told it's customers to migrate to a new company Flexi-Host who will provide and manage V21's webspace hosting for them. What V21 forgot to add was that their customers will nolonger enjoy unlimited webspace but the new package is set to a maximum of 10mb of space.
In a move that V21 says 'provides an improved Hosting facility' customers have not been warned about the limits to 10mb. Although most of the estimated 2500 customers who use their webspace don't use anything like 10mb of webspace, it has angered some of it's customers as having 'unlimited webspace' was one of the reasons they initially signed up with the ISP.
Neither has the move gone smoothly for all it's customers, raising tickets and trying to get a response from V21 has been virtually impossible over the past few days.
The ISP has been plagued with problems over the past few months with email servers not coping with demand, connection & authentication problems and currently a BT router problem which they hope to get sorted out on Monday.
A little over a year ago, V21 was one of the top UK ISP's often appearing near the top of the Top Ten ISP charts. Oh how things can change in such a short space of a year in the competitive world of ISP's.
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Saturday 22 February, 2003
NEW Paint Shop Pro 8 (Beta) by bluetracker @ 10:27 am
Thanks to forum member Iamabilly for providing the JASC link in the Newsbytes forum
The most complete photo and graphics editor just got better...
...Reads the headline when you surf onto the JASC software site.
For those of you already familiar with the software, any new release from these stables is bound to cause a stir and a veritable stampede for the download portals.This action in itself poses a problem for mere dial-up users as the dowload is quite a sizeable one (39,220,720 bytes) and will take a while to complete.
Will it all be worth the time?
Here lies the crux of the matter.
Jasc for their part tell us that even though a BETA version the program is complete in every way. So why go beta why not just launch the final version of the application? It's all in providing them with feedback as to the utilities performance over a wide range of systems and setups. An on-line forum is provided to express concerns should you encounter a 'bug' or want to share experiences with others using this version. In fact JASC themselves tell us...
User feedback is an integral part of developing the software that makes up the Paint Shop family of products. Since the beginning user feedback has shaped new versions of our software. That's why we make our products available for Public Beta testing before they are officially released.
The Public Beta gives you the opportunity to download and test software before it's available for purchase. We consider our Beta software to be complete, but we want to ensure it works as intended across the widest possible array of users, supported system configurations, and devices. With your help and feedback we can ensure that our 25 million users across the world who use Paint Shop products are getting the best possible software we can develop.
Bonnie Hollenhorst, Product Manager for Jasc® Paint Shop Pro®, said... "Jasc's Public Beta process starts with an internal testing group. Then, the software is posted on Jasc.com, our Web site. Everyone who visits Jasc.com is encouraged to download the product, take it for a spin, and respond with any concerns or feedback about how to make it better,"
"We don't believe in releasing a product until the public has had a chance to give us their opinion"(Jon Ort,Chief Technology Officer)
Since the beginings of the Paint Shop Pro era in the early 1990's Robert Voit, Founder and Chairman of Jasc Software, began developing graphics utilities and posting them on computer bulletin boards for others to test-drive. Then the program was quite a simple one by any standards,it has developed into what it is today picking up lovers, and haters on it's journey.
Jasc with this version hope to 'turn the heads' of those who shy away from their software by making it's use compatible with everyone's level of ability,they tell us....
"With Paint Shop Pro and Paint Shop Photo Album, you get a family of products designed to complement each other and work with you as your skills and interests expand. Whether you're a first-time digital camera owner, or a graphic design professional, the Paint Shop family of products will fulfill your digital imaging needs".
On a personal note, as one whose first encounter with PSP was with a P233 based system on a pre-installed version of the program, I can honestly say that on first sight it was a daunting experience!
'Clunky' in operation and often results of your work didn't justify the time spent, made it for me, quite an easy option to forget it was ever installed in the first place. I found myself limited to just resizing pictures already on my computer. Much of the power of the program being wasted on my limited ability at the time.
With time however, (and a great deal of mistakes being made along the way) I started to view it as a very good utility. To this day I'm still learning about the program and often surprise myself as to what it can really do if afforded a little time and effort to get into it's bowels and experiment.
I for one will download this latest version just to see if JASC have in fact given us what we (and all those years of feedback to the company) has always wanted; a graphics package that's simple to use, that does WHAT you want it to WHEN you want it to.
You too can try it out for FREE HERE...as for me I'm gonna be missing for a while playing with my new toy.....
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Saturday 15 February, 2003
AdAware 6 Updated by bluetracker @ 1:29 pm
AdAware have released a new reference file to download...
File ref...OR118 13:02:03 available now!
Thanks to Tone for the lead
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NVIDIA by bluetracker @ 1:10 pm
Thanks to forum member Fitzy for the heads up
NVIDIA to release 3DMark03 Drivers. Or are they?
According to reports on the web; OEM's and Press have been given the opportunity to test out the latest from the NVIDIA stable.
The drivers, by all reports are version 42.68 (the 3DM ark03 ones the Caretaker and all of you have been waiting for,presumably) will undoubtedly see a general release to the public domain when reports on ther performance is reported back to the company.
It would seem that the company is playing it's cards (forgive the pun) close to it's chest for the moment,awaiting feedback from the privilaged few who at this moment in time are busy evaluating the package. Several sites, due to copyright and privacy infringements have had links to download these new drivers removed from their webpages and comments from NVIDIA representatives removed also.
NVIDIA will be hoping for a good review as many people, including our own Caretaker have asked the question as to whether or not the company is falling behind other card manufacturers by not releasing 2003 3D mark drivers sooner.
Read the Caretaker's story on the subject HERE"Has NVIDIA finally lost it's Crown?"
The Technologyvault 'Newsbytes' column will naturally respect the NVIDIA Privacy and Copyright considerations by not linking to any so called download MIRRORS at this time but it WILL be keeping a close eye on develpoments and we hope to reveal all when NVIDIA deigns fit.
Will they be worth the wait? We will just have to bide our time and await developments....or lack of same... whatever the case may be. Over to you NVIDIA.
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Friday 14 February, 2003
AVG Update by @ 6:24 am
AVG, the popular free antivirus software from Grisoft has been updated.
Grisoft says that this update fixes false alarm Backdoor.Fraggle and problems with stability of Resident Shield for AVG Server.
On 12 February Grisoft added a major program update and issued the following message to users:
In the latest update file (of program version 6.0.454), an additional feature of our Resident Shield is included. It is now able to check .EML, .MGS and .CNM files.
This new feature, however, may cause problems for some MailServer applications (like Kerio MS), which save template files in a Temporary folder in the above mentioned form.
If the new update file causes such a problem on your computer, the temporary solution is to exclude files with above mentioned extensions from being checked.
To implement, please follow these steps:
start the REGEDIT application (press "Start" button, choose "Run..." option, write "regedit" into the "Run" dialog input line and press OK).
switch to the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM \CurrentControlSet\Services\AvgCore\Parameters
in this key, create new DWORD item
the name of the item must be entered as "Mime", the value as 0
To create this key, you can also use avg_mime.reg utility (just double-click on its icon and confirm the question "Do you really want to add this registry key into Windows system registry?"
The latest update (update 455) is 1106kb in size and a restart of your system is not required.
For full details visit the Grisoft website.
Newsbytes recommends that everyone should check for antivirus software updates on a daily basis.
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Wednesday 12 February, 2003
Has Nvidia lost it's crown? by @ 8:48 pm
In the ever advancing world of computer graphics, one company has ruled for a number of years now. While it's loyal subjects wait patiently for the next mind blowing leap into the future, we ask "Has Nvidia finally lost it's crown?".
In your shoes - Geeks like me
I'm just like any other mild mannered state of the art graphics lover. Ever since Nvidia told us the name of their latest graphics offering (GeForce FX) I've been putting my pennies aside for the official launch day of the GeForce FX. I have browsed 100s of webpages for the latest news, the latest benchmark or the latest pictures of the FX card. For a month or more I visited Nvidia's 'Are You Ready?' website and was teased and tantalised by a pixie named Dawn. Now however, the more I read and the more I hear from Nvidia (or don't hear from Nvidia) the more worried I get as to whether I'm making the right descision in waiting for their new graphics card.
Rumours about how Nvidia have already pulled the plug on this card and will only be making a handful makes my heart sink. Nvidia have neither confirmed this rumour or denied it as I type. What we do know, is those companies who have had the honour of testing out Nvidias GeForce FX have all complained of one major flaw. 'The noise it makes'. The fan is said to be around 60-65db which could drown out normal everyday conversation.
..and then there are the Skoda type jokes. I'm sure you have seen the many pictures where the GeForce FX has been turned into hair driers and litter pickers.
FutureMark (MadOnion) released 3DMark '03 yesterday. I now read that benchmark tests of Nvidias GeForce FX with 3DMark '03 produce much lower scores than expected. I then learnt that Nvidia pulled out of the FutureMark 3DMark project back in December as they felt that it wasn't a true test of game performance. OK, I can understand that to a degree. I've run 3DMark2002 with different drivers and found that I can get the same score with my GeForce 3 in the benchmark with 2 different drivers and yet, when I run Microsoft's Train simulator (sad, but it's my favourite sim), one will run smoothly and the other has run like a dog. Despite this, it's always been a jolly good test of all the features of the graphics card. It's always been the best test of each feature or ability of the graphics card enabling us to compare the finner aspects of each leaked driver version and it's affects on each feature.
impatient or what!
I think the most frustrating thing is that there is already a graphics card sitting on the shelf of my local pc store that is DirectX9 compliant and is said to almost match the GeForceFX's performance. It just has a different label on it (ATI Radeon). I am beginning to wonder why I should not just pop down the road and buy one, as I'm sure many other people in my situation are feeling the same.
So, here and now, lets look at the reasons why people like me are holding on to their hard earned cash and waiting for the FX's launch.
1. I've always had Nvidia cards and they have always served me well.
I'm sure the GeForce FX will give me good service as well, but there is no reason why an ATI card won't serve me well either. They are pretty well tried and tested now.
2. I've got to know how Nvidia's unified Detonator drivers tick. They are easy to install.
True, I have read that driver support for ATI cards is a little on the weak side, but getting better.
3. Nvidia graphics cards have always been the best.
In recent years that is true, but there are no guarantees that will always be the case.
4. There is a sense of safty in numbers. Nvidia graphics cards are very popular and therefore suffer from very few problems.
This indeed was the situation with GeForce 3 and 4. But if the rumours are true about Nvidia pulling the plug on production of the FX, then I might find myself as part of a quirky minority. ATI's top cards are already good sellers.
5. I feel a sense of loyalty towards Nvidia!
Why, have Nvidia been loyal to me? They have not come clean about any of the rumours about pulling the plug on the FX. Their lack of comment has put doubt about the cards design. If the rumours are true, could it be that Nvidia have found a flaw in it's design which may stop them from being able to advance the card in the future? Could this flaw be the reason Nvidia pulled out of their relationship with FutureMark? The scant snippets that have come from the Nvidia camp have hardly inspired any confidence in their new product or in the very future of Nvidia.
And there is my problem. Nvidia's case is a very weak one. If the rumours are true, I might not ever get to see a GeForceFX anyway.
So why havn't I popped down the road and bought myself a ATI Radeon already? I can't answer that. I really don't know. I'm sure I speak for the majority of graphics lovers when I say you must be in the same boat as me. Unless Nvidia do something pretty darn soon to convince it's loyal subjects (like you and me) that the future is with the GeForceFX Ultra, then we are going to pop down the shops anyday now and the box we bring home won't have Nvidia written on it!
Well, Has Nvidia finally lost it's crown? lets just say, it's looking pretty wobbly at the moment. The loyal subjects are gathering in the thrown room and a new limo has just pulled up outside the palace. Up here in the gallery it's very hot, it's hard to hear what the royals are saying over the noise of the ventilation system but rumour has it, the ceromony might be called off at the last minute:-)
I'll let you read what you want to in that analogy.
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New version of AVAST by bluetracker @ 8:21 pm
Avast anti virus Build 168
This new version is available Now and requires a restart of your computer.
When downloaded you can view all the fixes contained in the update by clicking the menu button on the interface and choosing the "AVAST NEWS" submenu.
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FutureMark release 3DMark03 by @ 5:48 am
FutureMark have just released their latest benchmarking tool 3DMark '03. It runs a wide range of tests to measure both overall 3D performance and individual tests, such as 3D audio performance test, CPU performance test, frame based rendering and image quality inspection tool.
First off, here are a couple a screenshots to goggle over.
3DMark03 Screenshot 1
3DMark03 Screenshot 2
In a press release today, FutureMark tells us:
3DMark03 sets the new standard for easily and objectively measuring and comparing modern PCs’ 3D graphics performance. It supports the latest Microsoft® DirectX®9.0 and contains four new mind blowing real-time 3D game tests as well as advanced DirectX®9.0 feature tests. An integrated online comparison service provides the user with an unprecedented insight into her PC’s performance and bottlenecks by enabling detailed test result comparisons with a community of hundreds of thousands of users.
3DMark03 incorporates many ground breaking new features and technologies, as prompted by feedback from the industry’s key players and community of millions of end-users worldwide. It runs a wide range of tests to measure both overall 3D performance and individual tests, such as 3D audio performance test, CPU performance test, frame based rendering and image quality inspection tool.
"Futuremark is regarded as the catalyst which pushes the industry to raise the bar with respect to graphics performance and features," said Dr. Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie and Associates, the leading market research firm in multimedia and graphics. "The 3DMark03 benchmark software continues in that tradition, delivering the kind of performance analysis which power users are now demanding from graphics and PC vendors”.
3DMark03 is integrated with the world’s largest PC performance information service at Futuremark’s web site. Due to its popularity amongst users, the online functionality was further developed to allow multiple simultaneous comparisons and advanced result management. The Online Result Browser service, ORB, enables an accurate analysis of how the PC’s performance stacks up against other similar configurations, and how much it could be increased by upgrading components or by just updating drivers. The performance database currently encompasses more than 5 million detailed PC performance profiles.
As with all Futuremark’s benchmarks, 3DMark03 has been created in cooperation with the major PC industry players to provide users with the best possible and most reliable set of diagnostic tools.
"We applaud Futuremark’s continued support of Microsoft DirectX 9.0 API as it provides our partners and the industry with a robust and time-tested benchmarking tool," said Dean Lester, General Manager of Graphics and Gaming Technologies, Microsoft Corporation. “As DirectX 9.0 strives to make game development on the Windows platform more advanced and efficient, 3DMark03 provides additional benefits for mainstream applications by providing users with their latest set of diagnostic tools.”
"High-end 3D effects are no longer the sole domain of serious gamers, but are becoming ubiquitous in mainstream applications. Since the release of the first version of 3DMark in 1998, we've been continually striving to improve our benchmarks to help users maximize their experience and PC performance," said Tero Sarkkinen, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Futuremark. "3DMark03 meets this goal by supporting DirectX® 9 and providing detailed 3D performance measurements for existing systems, while offering challenging, new tests for current, cutting-edge hardware and technologies yet to be released."
Important New Features of 3DMark03
Full support for Microsoft DirectX® 9.0
DirectX® Vertex Shaders, including v2.0
3D Sound Test
CPU Test
Next Generation Lightning Model
Advanced Normal Mapping
Procedural and Volumetric Texturing
Real Time Physics
Frame Based Rendering Option
Advanced Image Quality Test Tool
Advanced Online Functionalities
Texture Filtering Test
You can download your copy HERE. It's a big download at 171mb and you require approx 1gb of hard diskspace to run it.
Enjoy!!
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Tuesday 11 February, 2003
Ad-Aware 6.0 Update by bluetracker @ 9:41 pm
Thanks to Triplea for the info (although cryptic I'm good at solving puzzles!)
Lavasoft release new reference file
New ref file 02-11-03
Download it now from within the program or directly from Lavasoft's website.
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VIRUS ALERT! by bluetracker @ 9:00 pm
Sharing files? Feeling 'chatty?
Info from around the WWW is reporting the appearance of Kazoa.C alias Gool (no relation to my town of residence though I believe!)
This new worm/Trojan,it is reported, is programmed in Delphi and is propagated through the popular file sharing application KaZaA also through the chat program IRC.
It affects Windows XP/2000 Pro/NT/Me/98/95 and when installed, it changes entries in the Windows Registry in order to ensure that it is run every time Windows is started up.
It also opens a port usually 31337, but maybe others too, and at this time reports are uncertain of this fact. Having opened the port it sends out the IP address of the affected computer via the Internet,leaving it vulnerable to remote attacks. The following actions can then be carried out on the affected computer by the trojan/virus:
Sending messages
Hide the Taskbar that appears on the desktop
Delete the CMOS
Provoke an error in the computer
Use up memory
Handle and send files
Capture screens and keystrokes
Obtain data on the operating system and characteristics of the machine.
Kazoa.C, alias Gool, modifies the default shared file folder in the
application KaZaA and creates a large number of files, which contain the worm's code, with names like ,Catherine Zeta Jones, Pamela Anderson, Sandra Bullock, Shakira or Pokemon.
This worm tries to trick users into running these files by suggesting that they contain erotic photos, cracks for hacking operating systems etc. These files always have a double extension,but the real extension is .exe. If a computer is not configured to show all file extensions, these icons will be displayed as inoffensive jpg or .txt files. When the executable file is run (by double-clicking on the icon),
Kazoa.C displays a popup screen.
If this malicious code detects that processes belonging to certain
antivirus, security and system programs are active, it has the capability to end them.
Is my computer infected by Kazoa.C?
In order to find out if your computer is infected, check if the following files are in the Windows system directory:
EXPLORER.EXE
Explorer.VBS
RealWayToHack.exe
You also need to check if the following entries have been inserted in the Windows Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run=Registry"%sysdir%\EXPLORE
R.EXE"
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main"RegisteredOrganization" =
http://www.crash.com
How to protect your computer from Kazoa.C,
The best way to protect your computer against viruses, worms and Trojans is to install a good antivirus, keep it updated and enable the permanent protection feature.
If you have a firewall installed, block the port used by W32/Kazoa.C.
How to remove this worm/Trojan from affected computers
If your computer is infected follow the steps below:
Update your antivirus.
Delete the entries the worm has inserted in the Windows Registry.
Restart the computer and carry out a full antivirus scan.
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Gone but never forgotten by bluetracker @ 8:19 pm
The last remnants from the birthplace of many an enjoyable hour has gone forever
Thanks to Tone for the 'heads up' on the sad end of an era,
OK all you 'dyed in the wool' Gamers.....The date is Feb 7th, 2003 ...The place 675 Sycamore, Milpatas USA. Not an address that stands out in one's memory for most of you I'll bet.
How about the garage at the rear of 2965 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara Ca then? No...? Shame on you all!
That humble garage was the birthplace of the much loved Atari brand of entertainment.
Whether it be console or the more robust Arcade machine with it's 9 inch screen and controls that were simplicity itself to master; there is no doubt that many a child (and adult too, if they care to admit the fact) has fed these machines with coins of the realm at some seaside resort, airport lounge or other such congregationary places.
Many a family has spent long hours with their Atari console plugged into the 'telly' making all sorts of facial and bodily contortions as they try and keep the 'ball' on the screen playing PONG. The limited sound effects in the game itself seemed magic to their ears.
Well now that era is past. Kinda brings a lump to yer throat....Gulp!
Whilst todays machines may bear more exotic brand names and the controls need a degree in rocket science to master, who can ever forget the pioneer of these modern monstrosities The Atari Games Corporation (who in recent years was annexed by "Midway Games West") is now but a memory as the final 30 or so employees are laid off and the building at 675 Sycamore, falls silent forever.
A building, that if able to talk could tell tales of games such as PONG, CENTIPEDE, DIGDUG, ASTEROIDS, SPACEDUEL, STARWARS and the one and only TETRIS among many other titles synonomous with the Atari legacy: A building that had witnessed the creation, testing, reproduction and watched as the games were packed awaiting being shipped to the four corners of the game playing world.A building that was once a hive of activity will soon be just a shell awaiting it's new tenants. Such is the way of things.
The next time you stand in an airport lounge or take the kids to the seaside arcades...and they pester for yet another 'quid' to feed the video games machine...before you refuse them their enjoyment; just take a step back in time and remember the enjoyment you had playing those 'new fangled video games'.... give the kids the money and remember ATARI
Learn more about Atari HERE
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ATI/RADION- CATALYST by bluetracker @ 8:03 pm
Thanks to Forum member- Slartibartfast for the lead to this story
ATI Display Driver version 7.83
The release notes (available from HERE )
Inform us that this "unified driver has been further enhanced for improved stability, features and performance."
The CATALYST software suite 3.1 contains the following:
RADEON unified display driver 7.83. The only DirectX9 certified driver in the industry
Desktop product family support
the software suite is designed to support the following ATI desktop product family:
RADEON 9500 series
RADEON 9100 series
RADEON 9000 series
RADEON 8500 series
RADEON 7500 series
RADEON 7200 series
RADEON 7000 series
ATI All-In-Wonder, variants based on the above are also supported
DOWNLOAD the new driver suite....HERE
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Saturday 8 February, 2003
Having Motherboard Problems? by bluetracker @ 10:54 pm
Thanks to forum member TCBM for leading me to this story.
Recently released information...why your Motherboard 'boils over'
Perhaps the "Rooster aloft" 'teaser' was too cryptic for some?....How's about Cockerel Above'??
Sizzling?...It's not neccessarily 'Danish'!
It's mostly common knowledge that to produce a motherboard or indeed a full blown computer, requires the ingenuity of many manufacturers before the item actually becomes a reality and is available for sale. Chips, resistors, capacitors, fixings, connections, cables etc; are in many cases an amalgam of many Companies' efforts, no matter what the Brand name of the finished article may be.
Now what if?
Someone involved in the making of one of the components on said Motherboard, 'get's the hump' with the Boss; sells the formulae to another maker of the same component, but due to under-capacity of brainpower, freudian slip or whatever; ommited a crucial equation in the makeup of said component that would render the item unstable in use?
Would that count as Industrial Espionage or plain and simple Industrial incompetance?
Now whilst Electronics makers are ordinarily very careful about capacitor quality.It transpires that one such disgruntled capacitor manufacturing employee has in fact bypassed that quality control procedure relying on rival Manufacturers wanting to reduce costs and make the 'high speed buck'. These manufacturers seemingly failed in their duty to corroborate the submitted formula for an electrolyte medium used in the making of Capacitors,, part and parcel of a Motherboard makeup.
The long term result of this oversight in the line of profit, is born the exploding capacitor or at best leaking eletrolyte from same. The consequence is ruined components, lost data, system downtime etc ect etc.
Now not wanting to be flooded with compensation lawsuits, is probably the reason that many 'high profile manufacturers' have shied away from admitting using the 'Hooky' electrolyte formula. So far, the only motherboard maker to admit to the problem is ABIT Computer Corp. (Taipei), and the only major PC maker to acknowledge being affected is IBM Corp.
Unforunately the damage is likely to be more widespread as companies look to reduce their costs in making what is essentially the heart of any computer, anywhere.
Indeed, those who have repaired the damaged boards say that they have encountered crippled motherboards from Micro-Star International, ASUSTek Computer, Gigabyte Technology, and others.
What of the poor 'end user'?
ABIT says it will replace or fix defective boards its customers send in. IBM says it alerted those customers it believes are most likely to be affected and is handling repairs under warranty.
The common denominator would as far as this Reporter is concerned, seems to be; if the Customer doesn't find a problem within a warranty period, then we are not responsible for selling them faulty goods in the first instance.
Next time you boot up, bleary eyed and waiting for Breakfast, swearing you hear Bacon sizzling at the exact time of the POST screen, you would do well to pay attetion to the computer and not to what the wife is cooking on the stove!
Read the rest of this story HERE
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Friday 7 February, 2003
WMP9 Series Shatters Jukebox Download Records by @ 11:01 am
In a press release today, we are told that Windows Media Player 9 Series has broken all records making the worlds most popular media player. 14 million downloads of Windows Media Player 9 Series were recorded worldwide in just 30 days according to Microsoft. That's a rate of over 5 downloads every second.
The press release goes on to tell us: This shatters the previous record for downloads of digital music jukebox software, held by Windows Media Player 7 -- nearly doubling the number of downloads in the first 30 days. Based on data unveiled today, a key driver behind this momentum is the high level of customer satisfaction.
"These kinds of download volumes are truly amazing. Clearly the high satisfaction expressed by beta users of Windows Media Player 9 Series has resulted in massive interest and adoption," said Dave Fester, general manager of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "This kind of response shows the breakthrough new digital media experiences we designed for Windows XP have clearly struck a chord with our customers around the world."
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Is it a Bird is it a plane? by bluetracker @ 1:23 am
Bored? Learn how to 'read' between the lines of a PATENT!
There are those that pore over Patent applications hoping to find clues as to impending new revalations in the technology world.
Honestly I kid you not, whether these people are paid to do this for a living or it is just a mere act of boredom having mentally digested the contents of the telephone directory, remains to be seen.
One thing is plain however, if the latest 'find' is anything to go by and, if you have the ability to know what you've found and the implications/applications of it. You can virtually blow the lid off the secret preparation/production of something new. That is of course reliant on your suspicious nature being correct.
So how do you do it?
Once you have 'discovered' this ground breaking snippet from within the portals of the Patents office records you can then theorise as to it's possible meaning. When confident in your deliberations you then collate a list of suspects.
Suspects...what suspects...........?
Well lets say for instance you discover a patent that refers to something along the lines of "a computer architecture and programming model for high speed processing over broadband networks". It also mentions a "modular" design for networked computers and processors, and "software cells" that could be transmitted across a network at high speed. Would YOU instantly connect the dots and frame Sony in the possible production of a Playstation #3/4/5?
I for one wouldn't, but then again much of that sort of techie gobbledegook flies straight over my nest I'm afraid.
Apparently though that is exactly what has occurred if the story on the New Scientist website is to be believed.
Fact? Fiction?
It would appear that some "Lonely Heart" has been shuffling through some documents at the US patent office and found that an application, made on 26 September last year states:"The architecture employs a consistent modular structure, a common computing module and uniform software cells." from that, he/she has formed the basis for the 'Sony connection'.
Whether this be just mere speculation, educated guess or does in fact have any bearing on the truth, remains to be seen. Particularly in the light of Sony not confirming (or denying for that matter) that the patent was linked to them.
We mere mortals will just have to 'wait and see' how this latest educated stab in the dark pans out. For all I know it could be a patent for a new model of Radio controlled Solar powered bathroom scales! ;-)
You can read the full story at the New Scientist and make up your own minds!
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Thursday 6 February, 2003
3 New Windows Updates from Microsoft by @ 5:33 am
Microsoft have added 3 new Critical Updates to Windows Updates. Download these updates now to keep your computer running safe and securely.
Number 1
810847: February 2003, Cumulative Patch for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1
An identified security issue could enable an attacker to read files or run programs on a computer that visited his or her Web site. By installing this update, you can help protect your computer against this issue and bring Microsoft® Internet Explorer up-to-date with respect to security.
Number 2
811630: Critical Update (Windows XP)
This update enables applications to access HTML Help in a new, restricted mode. Future updates of Internet Explorer require this new capability. Download now to ensure that Internet Explorer can properly display HTML Help in HTML pages.
Number 2
810577: Security Update
A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise a computer running Microsoft(r) Windows(r) XP and gain control over it. To attempt an attack, the attacker would have to be able to log on to the computer. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft.
Newsbytes recommends that Windows users should visit the Windows Update site at least once a week to keep their Windows systems up to date with all the latest security fixes. Always install every Critical Update.
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Wednesday 5 February, 2003
Lavasoft Ad-Aware 6 (UPDATED) by @ 6:31 am
Lavasoft have released the new free version of their popular adware and spyware removal tool Ad-Aware 6 today. Ad-Aware 6 is easy to use with a good looking interface.
The new look Ad-Aware 6
Ad-Aware 6 will removal spyware and adware that is on your system.
Lavasoft says: Ad-aware Standard Edition is THE award winning, free, multicomponent detection and removal utility that has consistently lead the industry in safety, user satisfaction, support and reliability.
With its ability to comprehensively scan your memory, registry, hard, removable and optical drives for known datamining, aggressive advertising, and tracking components, Ad-aware will provide the user with the confidence to surf the Internet knowing that their privacy will remain intact. Let Ad-aware protect your privacy.
At the time of writing this news story Lavasoft have not updated their webpage to open up the links to the download sites. But visiting those sites you will find that the download sites now have Ad-Aware 6 available.
You can visit the main Lavasoft website HERE. Thanks to Fitsy for telling nNewsbytes about this story.
UPDATE: Thanks to Tone who has let us know that Ad-Aware 6 has just been given it's first reference file update.
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Tuesday 4 February, 2003
Microsoft Service Pack 1(a) for Windows XP by @ 5:33 am
Microsoft have officially released Service Pack 1(a) for Windows XP. You do not need to install SP1(a) if you have already intalled SP1. This version includes all the fixes of Service Pack 1 less Microsofts Virtual Machine.
Microsoft were forced to issue this revised service pack by the courts after loosing it's battle with Sun Micros. We understand that Microsoft will issue another updated service pack in June this year which will include Sun Micros Java Machine.
Microsoft says: If you are not running Windows XP SP1, install SP1a to make sure that you have the latest security and reliability updates for Windows XP. Install any appropriate security updates and hotfixes that are already released or that will be released after SP1 on Windows XP-based computers that are running SP1a. Windows Update will continue to offer the same set of updates for Windows XP-based computers that are running either SP1 or SP1a.
To read about the differences between SP1 and SP1(a) CLICK HERE
If have Windows XP but not SP1 installed then to keep your system up to date, you should install SP1(a) CLICK HERE
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Panicware Pop-Up Stopper update by @ 12:25 am
Panicware have updated the free version of their popular Pop-Up Stopper. Version 3 is now available. This all new version blocks pop-up and pop-under ads in Internet Explorer and Netscape.
Panicware also tells Newsbytes that this new version of Pop-Up Stopper also blocks Windows Messenger and GAIN pop-up ads!
To try the new updated version CLICK HERE
This program may change settings on your computer. You try this program at your own risk.
If you need support for AOL, MSN, Opera, Yahoo SBC, Juno, NetZero or Mozilla then you will need to use the professional version which is shareware. The free version only supports basic pop-ups and pop-under ads in Internet Explorer and Netscape.
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Sunday 2 February, 2003
Spybot: Search and Destroy Update by @ 10:04 pm
The popular freeware spyware removal tool Spybot: Search and Destroy has just had two updates. An important winsock fix for new CommonName LSP and an update to the detected spyware list which is a 134k download.
If you use Spybot: Search and Destroy, hit the online tab now and keep up to date.
Many thanks to Slarty for telling Newsbytes about this important update.
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Another batch of Detonators to try by @ 9:47 pm
Another batch of Nvidia Detonator drivers have been leaked today. Versions 42.30 WHQL, 42.81 and 42.86. Initial reports on the web say that they are all slower than previous versions.
First up are these so called WHQL drivers numbered 42.30. We are sure these are faked drivers and a number of graphics cards are not included in the list. Most noticable is that no GeForce 3 cards are listed in the .inf file on the Windows 2000/XP version.
Version 42.30 is a 15mb download for Windows 2000/XP and 14.6mb for Windows 98/ME. Both files are dated 18 January 2003.
Next up are the 42.81 Detonators. The date on these is 22 January 2003 and they are only for Windows 2000/XP.
Last but not least we have version 42.86. These come in a zip file 8.6mb and the files are dated 24 January 2003. Again, they are only for Windows 2000/XP.
The GeForce FAQ has been updated with the information.
To download these drivers, head on over to Guru3D.
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Saturday 1 February, 2003
Demoscene: Another Party's over (UPDATED) by @ 8:00 am
Another demoscene party is over, this time it's the small 0a000h party held in Germany and the results and releases are now available. Just because it's a small party doesn't mean that the results are weak, in fact some of the entries are stunning.
I'll start with my favourite which is the 64k intro results. This is the section where the party goers have to make a demo in 64k or less. Not an easy thing to do but as usual, the kings of the 64k intro farbrausch came up trumps again with fr0-24. The demo shows some very high quality work with reflective metalic cylinders and glass. The music was fantastic and fits the demo well. A worthy second place winner indeed.
A screenshot from fr0-24 by farbrausch
The winner in the 64k intro section was a very funny version of 'Singing in the Rain' by tsq. The electronic robot voice sang as you watched a robot walk and dance. After a few bars of the song, the tempo changes and you get a funky hippy hoppy version. Very funny until the end when it hangs your computer and you have to do a reboot*.
UPDATE*: I have been told that any problems with the demo crashing have now been fixed if you download the newer version.
I also got the wrong end of the stick when I first wrote this news story, I got the winner incorrectly placed in the intro64k section. My appologise to TSQ who were the worthy winners with a really great demo and all I can say to farbrausch is sorry, I'll try and get it right next time:-)
All in all, you all produced some ruddy good demos. Well done, you all winners really..
Next is the BIG demo section. The winner was FeenRausch by ainc. This demo is a kaleidoscope of colour and sound. Behind the dazzling colours towards the end of the demo is a very highly detailed model of a female body. Right down to the toes this model shows every detail.
A screenshot from FeenRausch by ainc
It's a personal thing but I wished I could have seen a few scenes of her without all the effects in front of her (or is that cos I'm just a dirty old man).
Then in second place 'Resonance'. Claimed to be made totally at the party this also is a fine demo. The rocking soundtrack was done by Hopper of Squoquo.
We would like to thank scene.org and Orange Juice for supporting the demoscene and giving folks like us a chance to see all the fine work. For the full results and download releases, head on over to Scene.org. It's a pitty we don't have a live and thriving Demoscene in this country anymore. Maybe some of the sceners would like to take a holiday and party sometime in the UK?:-)
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