Internet Explorer and Firefox crash when trying to view Netflix online videos. Silverlight Plug-in crash is the error message

Re: Internet Explorer and Firefox crash when trying to view Netflix online videos. Silverlight Plug-in crash is the error message
02-09-2011 7:55 AM |

This issue basically ruined my night’s sleep because I was so pissed off I couldn’t watch Netflix. Something in the patch Tuesday lineup from Feb 8, 2011 did something that caused Silverlight to stop working for me on every browser (chrome, IE, FF) I have installed. I uninstalled and reinstalled over and over. I cleaned out the registry, I did everything obvious I could think of. I followed online advice — I even tried to look for Silverlight 3 to install (never did find it). The ONLY browser that gave me any sort of clue was Chrome, which said it failed to find the agcore.dll . About ready to give up, I remembered that there is a gaping security hole in dll loading in windows that was closeable by manually entering a reg key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager]
“CWDIllegalInDllSearch”=dword:0xffffff
This is what I had set many months ago to secure my system against WebDAV, SMB and other malicious types of DLL loads from unauthorized paths. Now keep in mind, Silverlight has been working JUST FINE until tonight with that setting. I loosened the restriction by changing the key to :
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager]
“CWDIllegalInDllSearch”=dword:1
And Silverlight loaded up immediately….
What the hell did you do Microsoft? Thanks for making security such a breeze for us windows users.

I hope this helps someone avoid some hair pulling.

Cisco Anyconnect VPN Linux Error

“Connection attempt has failed due to a server certificate problem”

This issue is solved by adding the following symlink :

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/nss/libnssdbm3.so /usr/lib/libnssdbm3.so

Try Out Emsisoft’s Free Anti-Malware Emergency Kit

The first anti-malware emergency kit that I shared a few days ago was Vipre PC Scan.  

I found another company's product that you may be interested in, Emsisoft.   I like their slogan, "Antivirus was yesterday, AntiMalware is tomorrow".  I would only add to that that I believe anti-malware is today!

Anyway, Emsisoft offers a Emsisoft Free Emergency Kit 1.0 that you can download directly to your computer and work with especially if you have to clean an infected computer NOW.

Here is their advertisement…

Freeware! Contains a collection of portable programs to scan and clean infected PCs: Emsisoft Emergency Kit Scanner, Emsisoft Commandline Scanner, Emsisoft HiJackFree and Emsisoft BlitzBlank. Unpack the zip file e.g. to a USB stick to get a useful tool to search and remove malware.

This file is always up-to-date with the latest program and signature files. 

Version 1.0.0.11 – 8/10/2010 – for Windows XP, 2003/2008 Server, Vista and 7, full functionality on x64, 102 MB, changelog, update log. No installation required!

NOTE:  This is not a program to run from your computer on a daily basis.  This is a one-time kit to clean your computer and get it back to proper operation.  

For daily use, I would recommend trying Emsisoft's free trial of their paid anti-malware product.  

I have not reviewed their claims to being the top rated anti-malware product available.

See you soon,

Todd 

Windows 7 – “No Internet Access” errors… fixed!

No internet access or Additional log on information may be required in Windows 7 x64 LAN and Wi-Fi

If your Windows 7 computer (x64) keeps displaying or popping up the message saying No internet access or Additional log on information may be required, then this article will demonstrate some possible reasons and solutions.

Introduction

Windows 7 comes bundled with some really cool new features which make our lives much easier, particularly when it comes to understanding why we can’t connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or why we can’t communicate to network resources on a LAN.

The messages in Windows 7 (including x64) are much more intuitive and you’re more likely to fix your No internet access problem without any special tools or expert advice. Firstly though, let’s take a look at some of the features that Windows 7 introduces which enable us to diagnose internet access if not repair it.

Network Diagnostic Tool in Windows 7

This section will introduce two network troubleshooting tools found in Windows 7, the Troubleshooting Wizard and the Network Mapping utility.

Troubleshooting Wizard in Windows 7

One of the handiest new tools in Windows 7 when diagnosing problems is the Troubleshooting wizard. It allows the user to troubleshoot and automatically resolve networking problems without having to have any technical knowledge. The Wizard works for both Wi-Fi and LAN connections.

If you are getting the No internet access error or popup message you can try to use the troubleshooting wizard to fix the problems for you. To use the troubleshooting wizard, simply do the following:

Right click on the network icon in your task bar and select Troubleshoot problems. You can also get to the Troubleshooting wizard from the Network & Sharing Centre in Control Panel.

Windows will now pop up a dialog saying that it’s trying to detect problems. Here Windows 7 is trying to figure out what might be the issue associated with Wi-Fi or LAN related problems and why you may not have Internet access or connectivity.

On the Windows Network Diagnostics dialog, select I’m trying to reach a specific website or folder on a network, if that is what your problem is. Otherwise, select I’m having a different problem. For this example we will select I’m trying to reach a specific website or folder on a network.

In the address bar, type address of the website you’re having problems with and click Next. We will use a fictitious address which we know will fail, http://capitalhead.com/temporary.html

Windows will try to figure out why you may not have access to a particular website or connectivity to the internet, and will attempt to suggest actions which will correct the problem. In our case, the internet was working fine, however the website was down and not responding.
You can click on ether of the above options, these will expose you to more actions Windows 7 can perform in order to diagnose the No internet access problem.

Network Map

Another handy tool, which was also available in Windows Vista, is the Network Map. Network Map allows you to quickly understand the layout of the Wi-Fi or LAN, including routers, switches and connected devices, such as printers or other computers.

In order to map your network using Network Map, you will need to ensure that the network you are connected to is set to either a Work network or Home network in Network and Sharing Center. Please note, that you should not change the network type to Work or Home if you’re connected to a public network. There may be serious security implications for your computer. You use this at your own risk.

Generally though, it should be possible to map out your network and understand why your computer may not have access.

To launch the Network Map follow these instructions:

Click Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center
On the Network and Sharing Center dialog click See full map

The network should be discovered and a graphical representation shown as below:

Fixing the No internet access error message

The No internet access message is simply telling you that you have no internet access. It may be due to any number of reasons, however the diagnosis of these is outside the scope of this article. What I will cover, are ways in which you can let Windows 7 do all the hard work for you.

Earlier in the article I introduced the Network Troubleshooting Wizard. To resolve the No internet access error, we can launch the Wizard to help us diagnose the problem. It will make helpful suggestions from its detailed error scenario database; all of which should be sufficient for you to diagnose the problem without having to bother the support people.

Additional log on information may be required

The name in this error should tell you everything you need to know. The message that pops up says that Additional log on information may be required, which usually means that you have connected to the ISP’s connection, however there are additional steps required in order to connect to the internet. These additional steps might include accepting the usage policy or typing in a username and password, or even paying for the connection with your credit card. It really all depends on whose Wi-Fi or LAN connection you’re accessing.

The easiest way to find out what is required is to start your browser. If you have a homepage configured in your browser, then your computer will try to reach it when you start the browser. Otherwise, type something like http://capitalhead.com into your browser and see what comes back.

Generally speaking, the ISP will redirect the request to their own page which will ask for these additional pieces of information. Read the page and all the instructions – fill in the required fields and if you need to, pay for the connection. This should remove the Additional log on information may be required error message from the screen. If you experience any other problems, try using the Network Troubleshooting Wizard and see if that helps.

Conclusion

This article introduced you to new Wi-Fi and LAN troubleshooting tools in Windows 7. We also discussed the reasons behind the No internet access error message and Additional log on information may be required error message, as well as suggested ways in using the new troubleshooting tools in order to fix the errors.

References

Windows 7 Home Page

http://www.microsoft.com/windows7

Symantec Endpoint Protection 10 or 11 Uninstall Script

Here is a script you can use to uninstall Symantec Endpoint Protection 10 or 11 client from your computer.

The script stops and removes Symantec services and uninstalls the program without rebooting your computer.

*************************
First, the script…

[script begins]
@echo off
title DO NOT CLOSE THIS BOX
echo DO NOT CLOSE THIS WINDOW
echo Administrative task in progress….. please wait!
echo\

:: software GUID =
set “SEP11={3C1AE512-3C37-44FA-BA42-ABB721EC5B1D}”

:: if Symantec Endpoint Protection 11 is installed
:: then Uninstall the software
Set “RegKEY=HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall”

:: Disable Symantec Require Uninstall Password
Set “RegKEY2=HKLM\SOFTWARE\INTEL\LANDesk\VirusProtect6\CurrentVersion\Administrator Only\Security”

>nul 2>&1 Reg Query “%RegKEY%\%SEP11%” &&(

>nul 2>&1 Reg Query “%RegKEY2%” /v “LockUnloadServices” &&(
Reg ADD “%RegKEY2%” /v “LockUnloadServices” /t REG_DWORD /d 0×0 /f)

>nul 2>&1 Reg Query “%RegKEY2%” /v “UseVPUninstallPassword” &&(
Reg ADD “%RegKEY2%” /v “UseVPUninstallPassword” /t REG_DWORD /d 0×0 /f)

rem NET.exe STOP “Symantec AntiVirus”
start “”/wait msiexec.exe /norestart /X%SEP11% /qn REMOVE=ALL
) ||(echo Symantec Endpoint Protection 11 is NOT Installed)

[script ends]

***********************

Second, a little explanation.

1. Go to the line that starts with “set “SEP11={… long string of numbers…}” This long string of numbers is the GUID that Microsoft uses to identify the client. To identify yours, open regedit.exe and navigate to “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall”. On the left panel you will see the string of GUID’s and on the right panel will be the corresponding application. You want to identify the one for your product (i.e. Symantec Endpoint Protection …). In my case I am using Symantec Endpoint Protection 11, so my GUID is {3C1AE512-3C37-44FA-BA42-ABB721EC5B1D}. If you are using SEPM 10 you will have a different GUID. If so, then copy that GUID from your regedit session (right click the GUID in the left panel and select “Copy Key Name”) then paste this into the script.

*******************************

Finally, you can copy the above text and save it in notepad with the filename “symantec-uninstall.bat” then double-click it to run it. If there is an error the script will let you know. If not, then you will be on your way to uninstalling Symantec Endpoint Protection from your computer.

Good luck!

Cambridge

It’s a crooked house. It’s a blue house, blue in color and in mood. It’s that tired and old blue. This house was my father’s once before. This neighborhood, these dark and narrow stairs, this smell of mildew. His loft is my loft, along with my sister. It is doorless with a single window.

The ceilings are low and slant towards each other. With one light bulb between the two lofts, the window is responsible for helping us stay out of the dark. This crooked house, this crooked house with crooked trees to match. It was his before, when he was small and still learning. It is his again, when he is grown and the teacher. Only now, this house is considered a bad place to live.

Mom lets us play all we want, until five o’clock when the sun starts to move around to the other side of the earth. Mom says it’s even more dangerous after dark. She always reminds us to stay together, and to never never never come too close to a stranger. But all of our neighbors are strangers. I can’t figure out what is so bad about them. They seem nice, although I don’t usually understand them. Their homes aren’t as clean, their things aren’t in as good of shape, and they’re dirtier than us. But a friend is a friend. And none of us ever think too much about how our friends keep, only if they can play a good game of kickball.

Although this house is crooked and although this neighborhood is bad, my mom always does her best to make this house a suitable home. She tells us a home is a place of love and respect, and that a house can be a home no matter how crooked or bad. I think she is right.

by Kaye

The First Step to Maximizing Your Desktop Computer Security

In 2004, Microsoft estimated that 50% of all PC crashes are a result of spyware! It doesn’t take too much time on the ‘Net to see that virus, trojans, worms, spyware, malware, etc are an always-present and ever-growing problem for home users and corporations. No one who travels on the ‘Net is immune from these dangers, regardless of age, race, or position. Every computer user who works or plays on the Internet needs some type of desktop computer security program installed.

So what about you?

Do you have an antivirus and/or antispyware security product installed on your computer? If so, then good for you! You are already on the road to maximizing your desktop computer security. If you don’t have an updated antivirus and antispyware software program then you need one!

You know the story. It can happen to the best of persons. We get busy and forget, or intentionally forget and hope the problem will go away or auto-magically fix itself.

In fact, I have trained hundreds of adult college students how to disinfect and keep their systems spotless clean and spyware-free by using FREE SOFTWARE! And not only getting their systems clean but keeping them clean and even more secure than by simply installing a purchased version and letting it do its thing!

So what do you do first? First, you need to locate a solid and reputable and freely available antivirus and antispyware program. I am NOT asking you to whip out your credit card and purchase a year subscription for another year’s updates for every computer security product you have installed!

There is a better way – FREE!

Expert Recommendation: “The Best Free Desktop Computer Security Products for 2010″.

1. AVG Antivirus Free Edition 9.0

2. Malwarebytes

3. Comodo Internet Security

How To Install:

1. Download and install AVG Antivirus Free Edition 9.0. (See link above)

2. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (See link above)

3. Download and install Comodo Internet Security with Personal Firewall option only.

Caveat: Do not install 2 antivirus products on your computer at the same time, for example AVG Antivirus and COMODO Antivirus. When you install the Comodo product just install the personal firewall only. If you do install two antivirus engines on the same system they may fight for position to the extent that they drag your computer down to a halt!

To Summarize:

1. Download the software using the link I shared above…

2. On the website locate the free software download link…

3. Install the software by double-clicking the file that you downloaded.

4. When you install, accept the default settings that are recommended for you.

Please, please, please do not surf the ‘net without having some form of virus and spyware protection that you keep updated on a regular basis. If you are traveling the ‘net without protection you are doing yourself a disservice and putting other computers in your home computer network at risk. Surf safely!

How To Set Static IP DNS Entries via Batch File

netsh interface ip set address name=”Local Area Connection” static 10.31.2.110 255.255.255.0 10.31.2.1
netsh interface ip set dns “Local Area Connection” static 10.30.2.20
netsh interface ip add dns “Local Area Connection” static 10.30.2.22

Windows 2003 Server Sync Time With Domain Controller

ran “w32tm /config /syncfromflags:domhier /update” command to force server to sync with domain.
*************************
Restarted time service with “net stop w32time && net start w32time”.
Resync with “w32tm /resync /rediscover”

Easily Check Uptime Windows 2003 Server

1. Go to “Start” -> “Run”.

2. Write “CMD” and press on “Enter” key.

3. Write the command “net statistics server” and press on “Enter” key.

4. The line that start with “Statistics since …” provides the time that the server was up from.

The command “net stats srv” can be use instead.