Microsoft Malware Scan

Running MSWindows XP Home on a laptop, there was a blue screen of death after attempting to start up from hibernation.

The following alert was displayed:
Malware alert: Problem caused by spooldr.sys, which might be malware

The system suggested a full malware scan. Microsoft has a malware scan tool available for free download.




Microsoft's tool removes orphaned registry entries and includes a disk defragment utility. Auslogics has a disk defrag that has been available for years.


Spyware Blaster provides some defenses to the Internet Explorer browser, along with flash ad blocking and custom system restore points.

Encrypted Password Storage On MSWindows

PasswordSafe stores passwords. The application for MSWindows is available at SourceForge.net.

The application is more than an encrypted notepad, it has entry fields specifically for password info. The info can be stored on one machine (in MSWindows registry) or as a file that can be shared.

Improving Laptop Readability On MSWindows

Text readability on LCD displays can be improved with the following applications available at no charge from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Look for download links:
ClearType Tuner (improve text readability)
Tweak UI (modify many UI attributes)

iTunes Startup Sludge

iTunes on MS Windows installs startup tasks that may be removed.

Start --> Run --> regedit.exe

In regedit, search for qttask. Look for the qttask under the key ...\CurrentVersion\Run. This is where startup tasks are stored.

In regedit, right-click on iTunesHelper and choose Delete. Then right-click on "QuickTime Task" and choose Delete. Exit regedit.

HDTV Antenna

I had been using an older Radio Shack amplified antenna. With proper fiddling, many of the available over-the-air HD channels would be received. Most channel changes would require antenna fiddling.

I built the following antenna, and it works good. The antenna is not amplified (uses no electricity) and has not required fiddling to receive all of the channels. The antenna is leaning behind the TV, in a less-than-optimal position that is mostly hidden from sight.

Supplies:
13' #10 solid copper wire.
board > 2.5' long.
10 washers.
10 drywall screws or wood screws.
75-to-300 ohm Transformer  
RG-6 coaxial cable

Cut 8 pieces of wire, 14" long.
Cut 2 pieces of wire, 20" long.

Mark 2" from top of wood board, then mark 5 3/4" three times. Total of four marks.

Bend each wire piece into V, so ends are 2.5" to 3" apart. Remove insulation from areas where washers will connect.

Loosely screw V into board with washer.

Attach wires A and B as pictured, with insulation removed under washers. Wires A and B are electrically isolated -- they cross but don't electrically connect.

In this diagram, the Vs are not proportionally correct. When measuring, the spacing will be proportional.

 \     /   \     /          \     /   \     /
  \   /     \   /            \   /     \   /
   \ /       \ /              \ /       \ /
 --------------------------------------------
 |  o         O --wire A---X-- O         o |B
 |   \       /                  \       /  |O
T|     \                              /    |T
O|       \                         /       |T
P|    /     \                    /     \   |O
 |  O         o --wire B---X-- o         O |M
---------------------------------------------
   / \       / \              / \       / \
  /   \     /   \            /   \     /   \
 /     \   /     \          /     \   /     \

Attach balun to wires A and B, in middle of each wire, near the "x" points.

Connect short, unlooped RG-6 coaxial cable between antenna and HDTV converter/tv.






Coat Hanger HDTV Antenna: Better Than Store Bought! AMAZING!

Alternative design for very long range reception: http://www.digitalhome.ca/ota/superantenna/design.htm

Disable Windows XP Services

To conserve memory, some services unneeded on a standalone XP desktop (mainly used for web access and some word processing) by setting the services to Disabled:
Alerter
Computer Browser
Shell Hardware Detection
TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
SSDP Discovery Service
Server

Set to Manual:
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Security Accounts Manager
Smart Card

How to change service settings:
Start, Run..., services.msc, highlight a service, right-click, Properties.

PC Anti-Virus

Clamwin has been a trusted anti-virus solution for years. Clamwin stays resident, has scheduled scans, and integrates with Windows Explorer.

I tried the avast! solution on an older XP system.
The product installs a couple processes that start automatically as services, using about 25M or RAM. The avast! full boot scan is a great way to find and remove trojans. A few problems were found (in the recycle bin and in an old system restore point).








Results of full virus scan.




Due to RAM constraints of the older PC, I uninstalled the product after a boot-time trojan scan and full virus scan.

Windows XP Media Sharing CPU Usage

Using Windows XP, particularly after logon, sluggish performance and high CPU usage by wmpnetwk.exe may be noticed. Media Sharing uses the service provided by wmpnetwk.exe.

If you don't need media sharing for Windows Media Player, then the service does not need to be started.
Press the START button, RUN, and type: services.msc

Near the end of the list, highlight Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service. The STATUS will likely by "Started", and the STARTUP TYPE will likely be "Automatic".
Right-click the entry and choose "Properties".

Set "Startup type" to "Manual".  Press the "Stop" button to immediately stop the service, or wait until your next logon.

Disabling wmpnetwk.exe will save about 23,200K of memory.