How to use Remote Desktop Connection

You can run Remote Desktop Console using the command line, I use it every day to connect to different servers on my network. Below are useful commands that I use to help you if you are not very familure with the command lines for RDC.

mstsc.exe {ConnectionFile /v:ServerName[:Port]} [/console] [/f] [/w:Width /h:Height]




/v:ServerName[:Port]
Specifies the remote computer and, optionally, the port number to which you want to connect.

/console
Connects to the console session of the specified Windows Server 2003 family operating system.

/f
Starts Remote Desktop connection in full-screen mode.

/w:Width /h:Height
Specifies the dimensions of the Remote Desktop screen.



There are more commands but those are the ones I use the most.


Most common I use from the run command:

mstsc.exe /v:myservername /console

Configure SQL 2005 Express for Remote Connections

1. Enable the TCP/IP protocol using the Surface Area Configuration Utility

Start SQL Server 2005 Surface Area Configuration
Click on "Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections"
Select the correct database server
Navigate to Database Engine/Service/Remote connections
In Remote connections change to "Local and remote connections" "Using TCP/IP Only"
Click Apply
Click Ok
Close Surface Area Configuration Screen

2. Make sure the TCP/IP protocol is enabled in the SQL Server Configuration Utility

Start up SQL Server Configuration Utility
Navigate to the SQL Server 2005 Network Configuration/Protocols
Right Click on TCP/IP
Select Option
Protocol TAB: Enabled=YES
IP Address TAB: Active=YES Enabled=YES
Click Apply
Click OK
Close SQL Server Configuartion Utility


3. Make sure the SQL Server browser is started.


Start SQL Server Configuration Manager
Select SQL Server 2005 Services
Right Click on SQL Server Browser
Select Properties
Go to Service Tab
Change Start Mode to "Automatic"
Click Apply
Go to Log On Tab
Click Start
Click Ok
Close SQL Server Configuration Manager

4. Make sure SQL Server and SQL Server Browser are exempted by the firewall on the SQL 2005 Express Server computer.

This is done by putting sqlservr.exe and sqlbrowser.exe as an exception in the windows firewall.
Or Turn the firewall off if not needed.

5. Restart SQL 2005 Express computer for all changes to work.

No Car Sales?

With all the dealerships going to be closed and companies going bankrupt, where are the sales on cars? I would think that they would drop prices dramatically to increase sales like with retailers but I have yet to see any changes.

MyGamerCard.net

Hey, I just got myself a gamer card from MyGamerCard.net

For XBOX 360, pretty cool.

Modding and Gaming Site

Here is a good site if your trying to find out information about modding or gaming in general. Good people there.



www.pothsprojects.com

Wii Backup Loader - Play Wii Backup Games

Apparently there was a project going around that lets you play Wii backup games without the use of a modchip.

Back in September 2008 one of the beta testers of the Wii Backup Loader leaked a early beta copy of Wii Backup Loader software out on the Internet which in turn upset the creater Waninkoko and he dropped the project and released this statement on his Wii Projects website wii.waninkoko.info

"2008/09/19 - Congratulations! I don't care about who leaked Backup-Loader but now it's OFFICIALLY an abandoned project. Enjoy it. "

Keep in mind that the Wii Backup Loader by Waninkoko was in its early Beta stages when it was leaked so if you do seek it out and try it on your Wii I would use extreme caution for you may brick your Wii. I will not post a direct link to the Wii Backup loader, nor do I recommend its use.

Below are the basic instructions on how to use Wii Backup Loader:

• You patch the ISO with the .exe that came in the download.
• Install the CIOS on your Wii
• Install DVDX.
• Go to Advance and choose 249
• Install Wii LoaderBurn the patched ISO with ImgBurn
• Run the loader

Nintendo Wii - Don't Brick Your Wii

What do you mean by "Don't Brick Your Wii"?

Well if you have a mod chip install on your Nintendo Wii then you already probably know what I am talking about. If not, I will give you the info on this deal below.

Brick or bricking your Wii means that you have made your Wii basically useless, just like a "brick" or a paperweight. It can mean your Wii is fully bricked or semi-bricked, a fully bricked Wii will not work at all, it will just show you an error, basically you will have to get a new Wii. If your Wii is semi-bricked, then only some of the Wii features will no longer work such as the Wii settings.

Causing your Wii to get "bricked" is normally caused by when you try and play a Wii game that is from a different region than your Wii. Meaning if you have a USA Wii (NTSC-U), and you try to play and update your Wii using a game disc from a different region such as a Wii game from that is in NTSC-J or PAL format.

Help protect your modded Wii from being bricked.

The best and safest way to protect your Wii from this is by only to play games that are from the same region as your Wii. So if you have a Wii from USA, only play games that are in NTSC-U format.

If you still want to play games that are out of your region, there are ways to do it.

Always have your Wii updated to the latest firmware that is available, before putting in a game. This is done through the Wii settings with your WiFi connection.

You can also use Wii Brick Blocker on your Wii ISO file before you burn it to a disk. Wii Brick Blocker changes some of the data on the ISO file that prevents the game updates from installing.
Some modchips will block region updates, but I recommend using this anyways just in case.
(You can download Wii Brick Blocker here. The latest version is 1.3R2 from 5-2-2008)

You also may need to use a program called RegionFrii, this program attempts to patch Wii ISO's to make them playable in different regions. RegionFrii can be downloaded here.

Convert .MKV Video files for PlayStation 3

I have been researching ways on how to convert .MKV high definition video files to a format that will work on the PS3. I found a few helpful sites out there that go over how to to it using several different tools to complete the job, which seemed too complicated for most people. After awhile I found a program called mkv2vob that does the job all by itself, and is very simple to use.

You can download the latest mkv2vob here

I have been testing this on several different MKV HD video files with great success. The video and audio has always been perfect for me with the following settings.

As you see there in the settings I have "File Splitting" set to FAT32 so those 8 GB HD MKV files will automatically be split up for the PS3 to be able to use them. I also have selected x264 as the "Transcoding Codec" so the video quality is at its best.

Once I have the converted MKV files, I simply copy them over to my USB hard drive, then use my USB hard drive to play them through the PS3.

By using mkv2vob there is no need to run several programs anymore to get your MKV HD video files converted to work with your PS3.

If there is another program that works like mkv2vob let me know!

Use DVD-RW disks with your PS3

If you are looking for ways to copy music, video, or pictures to your PS3 I have an idea for you that is pretty cheap especially if you do not have a USB hard drive or a USB memory stick.

All you need is a DVD-RW disk and of course a DVD burner, you can burn your media files to a DVD-RW disks from your PC, put the DVD-RW disk in your PS3 and then copy the files over to the PS3. The nice thing about the DVD-RW disks is once you copy the files over to your PS3 you can erase the DVD-RW and use it again.


Enjoy!

DVD to Blackberry

I do a lot of travelling during the summer for work so having things to help pass the travel time is helpful. I have a blackberry curve with a 2GB memory card in it to store music and videos. Instead of always using a laptop to watch movies, sometimes I convert DVDs to run on my Blackberry using Blackberry Video Creator software, which is free from Blackberry.

The Blackberry Video Creator software will convert video files you have on your computer already, or straight from a DVD disk to your computer. Then all you have to do is copy the converted video files to the Blackberry memory card.

Format a External USB hard drive for the PS3

I have had my Sony PS3 for about one year now, watching Blu-ray movies, playing some games, and streaming moves and cartoons from my PC to my PS3 via wireless. There have been many updates to the PS3 software and there are many types of media that can now be played through the PS3. I still hope for more updates for the video formats that the PS3 can play.

Anyways, my computers hard drive has been getting too full of my music and videos so I wanted to see about putting some of my files on a external USB drive and still be able to use them with my PS3.

I got one of my external 150GB USB drives to try it out on, I also have a 1TB USB drive, but I did not want to mess with all the files on there, but 150GB should be plenty for me right now. Also I hear you will not get the full 1TB data after you format a 1TB drive to FAT32 anyways, unless you partition it.

The PS3 will not recognise the NTFS file system so I needed to format it as FAT32 so the PS3 can use it. At first, I tried to format my USB drive with windows but it is over the GB limit for FAT32 in MS Windows so another solution is needed. If you try, Windows will give you an error saying the drive is too big. Windows has a 32GB limit on formatting FAT32 drives.

After some Internet searching I found a program called Swissknife version 3 that would do the job, and its free. I installed Swissknife and had my 150GB drive formatted as FAT32 in just a few minutes.

One thing to remember is that FAT32 has a file size limit of 4GB, so you will need to split any video files up if they are larger than 4GB. 1080p HD movie files are usually around 8GB in size, those will need to be split up in order to work. Maybe one day the PS3 will recognise NTFS, but until then, FAT32 will work.


After that I created a few folders on the USB drive for the PS3 to use.

PICTURE
MUSIC
VIDEO


Next I just copied some of my files to those folders and then connected the USB drive on my PS3.

So what do you want for Christmas 2008?

So what do you want for Christmas this year? Looking for that new LCD TV? Or maybe a gaming system like the Xbox 360, Wii, or a PS3? For me, I think I have everything I really want already, some new clothes would be good, but getting something is always nice no matter what it is. My wife keeps asking me what do I want for Christmas, she says "Give me three ideas for your present."

I have been thinking about what I would like and I keep coming up blank. I really do not "need" anything and when I think about all the people that have been losing their jobs recently because of the economy it makes me not "want" anything for myself either. Maybe I am just weird or something.

The only thing I would really like is more stuff for my kids, I love to see their smiles and their reactions when they are opening up their gifts on Christmas day. It's one of the best days of the year for spending time with my family, great memories and great fun.


Merry Christmas Everyone, may all your families be blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving 2008

I have not posted for awhile now but I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving this season. A time to be thankful for all that we have in our lives, especially for your family and friends.

BLOGGERS - Get Stuff for Blogging - It Works

As most of you already know bloggers can earn various amounts money blogging about different topic and by advertising.

Now there is a way to blog and get some cool stuff instead of money. I signed up with www.buzzforstuff.com about a month ago to try it out.

Since it is totally free, I got signed up and was browsing campaigns within minutes. I joined one of the advertisers campaign and luckily I was accepted to blog about their products.

The next day I wrote up the blog about their products and then went back to www.buzzforstuff.com to notify them that I have completed the buzz post.

The very next day I was notified that my buzz post was accepted and my Stuff was being shipped out to me. WooHoo! It was a success, after about a week my Stuff showed up in the mail as promised with a bit extra stuff thrown in.

This is a win-win situation for both bloggers and advertisers. Advertisers will get web buzz about their products or services in exchange for their products or discounts. The bloggers like me, we get cool stuff in return!

Bloggers and Advertisers should check out www.buzzforstuff.com today!

Keep on Buzzing!




This is a sponsored post. Thanks!

Strange Phone Calls

Have you ever gotten strange phone calls? Or maybe you have gotten calls from telemarketers or other people trying to scam you out of your Social Security, bank, or credit card account information over the phone?

There is a new site that allows you to post comments about calls from numbers to let other people know what type of phone calls to expect from the number. This is a way to help keep each other informed of suspicious phone calls from phone number we do not know.

When you get a chance check out Report Phone Numbers

Clone Trooper Attack - Halloween 2008

Okay, I admit it, I am a Star Wars fan ever since the first Star Wars movie came out a lifetime ago. So for this years Halloween Costumes I was thinking I would get a Clone Trooper outfit for myself.


So I went and did some online searches and found http://www.halloweenadventure.com/

They had a nice selection and I found the perfect Clone Trooper outfit for adults that I liked. It is called the Star Wars Animated Deluxe Clone Trooper Leader Rex Adult Costume. It comes in a standard one-size fits all, but also XL.

The outfit comes with a jumpsuit with armor, belt and two-piece helmet. It does not come with a weapon but I can always borrow one of my sons for that. The details on the outfit look great so this is my choice for this years Halloween., whats your pick?

Heritage Web Solutions - Still going strong

Today, the Internet is apart of almost everyone lives, we shop, to do research, we even go to online schools to get some of our education. We all know our economy is having some big issues and some companies are having a very hard time. Jobs are being lost, stocks are dropping, people are scared of their financial future.

Depending on what type of business you have, you may be struggling or thriving. Our economy may be in trouble for quite some time, but there are those businesses that are still doing well during these hard times. One such company is Heritage Web Solutions, they are still thriving today even in these tough times.

Heritage Web Solutions will be featured on the Economic Report. This feature will showcase businesses that are thriving in the 21st century market place. Heritage Web Solutions will be featured in an upcoming episode. This is part of the Economic Report Business and Technology series. This series is about The Power of the Internet Supporting the 21st Century Business Environment.


Here is a press release:


“The Economic Report” show to feature Heritage Web Solutions

October 22, 2008, Deerfield Beach, FL – The producers of The Economic Report are pleased to announce that Heritage Web Solutions will be featured in an upcoming episode as part of the show’s Business and Technology series on The Power of the Internet Supporting the 21st Century Business Environment.

The internet has revolutionized the ways businesses market themselves. It is essential for businesses, both large and small, to have an effective web presence. A company’s website essentially serves as their electronic store front, communicating the company’s identity to website visitors.

Today, there are approximately 970 million internet users thus making internet marketing the most effective way to appeal to customers from around the world. Websites overcome the limitations between countries and continents thus making a company international. Having a website also means that a business is open and reachable at any time and allows for quick customer response time.

But, it isn’t as simple as just setting up a website. The only way for a company to be set apart from other online competition is unique website design. Businesses turn to internet technology companies for the development of a professional and search engine friendly, website.

Utah-based Heritage Web Solutions specializes in designing and hosting affordable websites for small and medium size businesses. In business since 2001, Heritage designs all websites to custom fit each company, giving each client a unique, original and authentic design. Customers of Heritage also have access to custom flash graphics, Ecommerce development and assistance, database creation and management, traffic driving resources and more.

“As a global community, we are evolving into a technology-based world,“ said Brad Stone, Managing Partner, Heritage Web Solutions. “Rarely we pay cash or write a check anymore. More of our purchases are made online, or at least we research online before making a purchasing decision. Our checking, savings and credit card accounts are maintained and paid for online. Our socializing has moved to FaceBook, YouTube and MySpace. Our communications are emailed, texted or Skyped. Breaking news can now be fed instantly via RSS feeds to our computers or cell phones instead of waiting for the six o’clock news. The Internet is very much a main part of human society today.”

For more information, please visit http://www.heritagewebdesign.com/

Delete a Stuck Print Job in Windows

At work today a print job was stuck and would not delete. As usual the first thing I did was log into the Windows 2003 server as the Administrator and restarted the print spooler which normally works, but this time it did not. Next I tried my vbs printer purge script, but that did not work either to get rid of this bad print job.

So to get this fixed I had to manually remove the files that were located in "

"c:\windows\system32\spool\PRINTERS"

First I stopped the print spooler service on the server, next I selected the only two files there were in that directory at the time and deleted them. Then I restarted the print spooler and the stuck print job was now gone.

This should also work on a Windows XP & Vista as well, the directories are the same, you will need administrator rights.

Are you prepared for the next disaster?

Chances are you and your family are not ready for the next disaster. The fact is most of us are never prepared, we think about storing up some water or supplies but most of us never get around to actually doing it.

Fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes seem to be more and more commonplace in the world we live in today. There is nothing we can do to prevent such events from happening, but we can do our best to be prepared.

What if you had to leave your home and only had a few minutes? You would probably not have much time to grab much at all from your home. But what if there was a kit you could buy that has everything you need in case of an emergency in a nice handy backpack. All you would have to do is grab it as you go out the door or keep it in your car.




This is where 1-800-PREPARE.com can help you and your family be ready in case there was a disaster.



Originally founded back in 2000, www.1800prepare.com is dedicated to provide customers with survival and safety gear of the highest quality. It is important that you and your family is prepared for any situation that may arise.

These survival and first aid kits would be great to give away as gifts to your employees or clients.

www.1800prepare.com also has good information and tips that can help you, your family, and friends be better prepared if something does happen in your area. They offer safe and secure online shopping and can also do special custom or bulk orders to fill your needs.

Set Up Your Own Blog Site: Free

By Geeky Pete

www.geekypete.com

So what is a blog?

Well, a blog is another term for Web Log, which means a log or a journal of entries that are available online for others to view. Blogs usually refer to sites that usually made in a journal style and are displayed in reverse chronological order.

Blogs usually provide news or information on certain subjects such as politics, news, technology, gaming, or even a personal online journal. Blogs can combine text, images, links to other sites and video clips related to its topics. Blogs are a great way to publish information on the Web with little or no real experience needed. You can be publishing your own blog within minutes.

You do not have to be a Web genius to create your own web site or blog. There are many blog and web sites out there that make creating your own blog or web site very easy. So if you want to post information regularly online, then a blog is usually a good choice.

What’s the difference? Blog vs. Website?

Blogs and websites are basically the same, but they do have differences. A blog are formatted in a certain way, sequential and dated posts and has the ability for users to leave comments to each post that you publish. Web sites are usually more static in nature, meaning they do not change as often as a blog does.

Why set up a blog?

This is the question you need to ask yourself, why am I thinking about a blog? If you are thinking about publishing information on the internet that you are going to update on a regular basis then a blog could be the answer since they are fairly easy to setup.

Here are some reasons why you might start a blog:

Keep family and friends updated

Easy way to post your thoughts and opinions

Company blog to keep your customers informed

Dedicate a blog site to a specific topic or event

Interested in a way to make money online

Just because its free!

Free Blog Sites:

Now for the good stuff, below is a list of sites that let you setup a blog totally free. Many of these let you host several free blogs under the same account for different topics you may want to blog about. I currently use Blogger.com to host my blog, but feel free to try out any of the blog sites below to find the one you like the best.

Blogger.com

WordPress.com

NormBlogs.com

MyBlogSite.com

Livejournal.com

Xanga.com

As with all sites and services that you sign up online with, make sure to read their “Terms of Use” so you do not violate any of their policies such as placing various ads or content on your blog.

Tip: It is a good idea to save all your blog content offline. In case your blog site ever gets deleted or erased, by saving it offline you would not have to start from scratch again.