Frying tonight...

With the imminent storms, I thought that it would be wise to share some advice that has saved me plenty of time and money in the past.  The advice is simply to disconnect electrical appliances from their outlets at the first rumble of thunder.  This applies whether you have surge protectors or not.  Given the amount of power that's delivered by a lightning strike, even a near-miss can send pulses of electricity that TVs, computers, modems, routers, etc. cannot hope to survive.  My sister lost a modem to such a strike, the evidence being the toasted innards of the computer.  I've also seen the tell-tale signs of blue mist on the circuit boards of laptops and appliances which have been overwhelmed.  It's a routine that works and is familiar to my own kids.  When you hear the rumble, shutdown and unplug. 

A decision this week

This week will, most likely, include a decision that will alter the course of my life.  Unfortunately, it's not a decision whose outcome I can control and that's often the worst kind of situation in which to be.  I'll spare readers the details and the complexity of the specific issues at stake but suffice it to say that the outcome determines whether where I live and work.  I hope that, at least, the result of the decision will finally end the speculation and worry that has been present for nearly two years - long-term stress is not something that is good for anyone.  The good thing is that regardless I have my kids who continue to surprise me as the mature and grow into young men and I'll be forever thankful to have known them.

On a lighter note, I figured out how to stop my computer from automatically restarting after a shutdown.  Something mysterious was causing the Wake On LAN settings to power the machine up as soon as it shutdown.  After trying to switch off this setting in the Device Manager for the network cards, keyboard and mouse, and changing a setting in the registry, the only thing that worked was turning off the capability in the BIOS. 

Will the real MS Security Essentials please step forward!

Yesterday saw a call to Redcoat Computer Services from a customer who, appropriately, was concerned about a warning given by MS Security Essentials about an unknown Trojan infecting the machine.  This sounded, as first hearing, like a good catch on MSSE behalf but given that I'd seen this machine about a month earlier I knew that MS Security Essentials wasn't actually installed! 

The symptoms included an official looking popup window saying that there was an infection and an online scan would be required by suggested scanner providers (which ultimately require payment) because the infection couldn't be removed.  The fact that the popup couldn't be dismissed, and attempts to run task manager would fail strongly suggested foul play.  Addtionally, the internet connection was apparently down although this proved to be a Domain Name Server hijack where the trojan prevents the computer from interacting with its usual search and internet provider servers. 

Reaching for safe mode still showed the presence of the trojan, the popup still appearing and attempts to run RKill (a great utility that kills malware processes) were outwitted by the virus.  TDSSKiller identified and killed a rootkit called tdl3 but it required some manual intervention from HiJackThis to remove the DNS hijacks and nasty stuff.  Once this was done, updates to AV definitions and an install of SuperAntiSpyware resulted in identifying and removal of a variety of infections. 

Once the machine was apprarently clean, I installed the real MS Security Essentials and made sure the definitions were up to date, as well as installing Apple's Safari browser since the Internet Explorer experience seemed to be causing repeat infections. 

These fake security alerts are proving to be quite common and I think that there's a duty of education to inform people about the risks and signs that something is not quite right.  Being prompted to pay money to fix a problem with the computer and an indication that only specific anti-virus scanners will do the job is a red flag.  Not being able to run the Task Manager or update virus definitions is also another sign to watch for. 

Nasty pieces of work!

Power supply - bang, fizz!

Ever since I was a kid I could detect the strange smell of video arcades.  I would visit my grandparents who lived on the coast of Kent in the UK in a town called Margate that at one time (between 1800 and 1950) was a thriving seaside town that drew tourists and later mods, rockers, and skinheads before its attraction declined to a dreary shell of its former self.  The town was known for its rows of arcades, fun parks and beaches.  In the mid '70s, as my parents drove into the town I could smell the distinct aroma of video arcade machines - the tinny smell of hot metal and electricity.  It was a smell that made the hairs on my neck stand up - perhaps in anticipation of playing Tankzone or Star Wars...

I encountered that smell again yesterday but without the positive excitement.  This time the smell came shortly after a loud bang exploded from a power supply unit.  It's not a noise that I'm keen to repeat but I suspect that there's going to be some investigation required to find a short which is hopefully not associated with a motherboard.  One thing that I'm finding it difficult to identify is the direction that PSU fans should blow - into or out of the PSU case.  In my mind they should be taking heat away from the unit but the unit I'm looking at has two fans that seems to have filled the power supply case with dust and debris possibly causing a short given the sooty black residue that I've noticed.  Anyway, on with the show...

Visit http://www.redcoatcomputerservices.com/

The insides of a laptop

Yesterday saw the arrival of an IBM Thinkpad R61.  This particular laptop, as the owner described it, was bereft of life.  It was obvious from the first examination that something terrible had befallen this piece of hardware as the telltale signs of crushing injuries were apparent on the LCD screen.  A strange nebulous pattern of dark and light shades separated by meandering cracks were a certain indication that problem number 1 was going to be replacing the screen element. 

Hoping that the damage was limited to the visual impairment of a wrecked LCD (liquid crystal display), the machine was introduced to mains power and switched on.  Well switched on is something of an exagerration as pressing the On button resulted in absolutely nothing.  No attempt to power up, no charging light on the dashboard, no click, fizz or whine.  This laptop wasn't looking like a candidate for a resurrection. 

I checked the power supply, and it was found to be in good health.  I checked the battery and again it proved to be a healthy specimen.  I even checked the resistance of the DC power in jack and that looked healthy although a little battered.  To investigate further I decided to start the process of disassembly. 

Taking a laptop apart isn't really a significant challenge but what's interesting is the variety and unusual locations of the screws and clips that hold the machine together.  With a little research I found a manual online that very closely matched the make and model of the laptop and proceeded to operate. 

What I found inside wasn't pretty.  It may well be that the computer suffered a power surge given the blueish tinge and crusty residue, whilst difficult to assess with the naked eye it certainly seemed that the system board had blown and without replacement it was unlikely to be fixable.  The subsequent investigation into the price of new and used parts for the replacement of system board and LCD screen were quite surprising.  Even with refurbished parts and some shopping around it looked like the screen would be at least $100 to replace (besides the cost of labor) and the system board might be in the region of $350(!).  Given that the price of a new laptop of a similar processing and storage capacity would be in the rang

e of $500-$800 it wasn't going to be worth fixing.  This IBM paperweight had completed its destiny. 

As an aside, it proved relatively simple to discover files on the hard drive so if this happens to you don't give up completely.  Give Redcoat Computer Services a call and we'll see if we can, at least, give you a recommendation rather than you having to dump your machine. 

Tony

A dog's diary

Excerpts from a Dog's Diary
       
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 PM - Lunch! My favorite thing!
  1:00 PM - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
  3:00 PM - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
  5:00 PM - Milk Bones! My favorite thing!
  7:00 PM - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
  8:00 PM - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 PM - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!
         
Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary
         
Day 983 of my captivity. 

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.  They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.  Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.  In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.  Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet.  I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of.  However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.  Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.  I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.  However, I could hear the noises and smell the food.  I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.'  I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking.  I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs. 

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.  The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return..  He is obviously retarded.  The bird has got to be an informant..  I observe him communicating with the guards regularly.  I am certain that he reports my every move.  My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.  For now...