Authenticode explained

Authenticode is a feature of Internet Explorer that allows users to know that software that they are about to download (or have already downloaded) has not been tampered (in other words, not altered by a third party with malicious intent). It acts as a defense against  malicious code.

Authenticode allows the attachments of digital certifi­cates software downloaded from the
Internet including cabinet files, ActiveX controls, exe files, DLLs (dynamic link libraries). If a user tries to download a signed ActiveX control, he/she is alerted with a message telling the end user that the code originates with the developer and hasn't been tampered by a third party. It is then up to the user whether to download, run or to reject the control.

More details at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc750035.aspx

Virus Mail from "Postal Support Susie Castle" - UPS Delivery Problem NR 60977.

I got an email that I did not have a parcel delivered to me from a US postal service. I was very wary that it might be a virus. -- I don't live in the US. Here is the email:

Hello!

We were not able to deliver the postal package you have sent on the 28th of December in time
because the recipient’s address is erroneous.
Please print out the invoice copy attached and collect the package at our department.

United Parcel Service of America. (attached: UPS invoice 234.zip)

 Its a virus. Here is a virus total page showing the results.

Weird file in google docs "Potential iSIM replacements"

 I do not know much about google docs, but this file just appearing in my account. Apparently it is from "Glenn" that has given the spreadsheet file to everyone. It also says something about Davlap. I don't know Davlap or Glenn. I have never been close to any Davlap's or Glenn's out there. I can't delete it because I supposedly don't know it.



I will look into the matter further. If anyone knows the problem or if I am making a fuss over nothing, please post a comment.


Thanks.

Logitech Cordless Desktop EX100 works with Asus EEEPC 701

The title says it all. Just to recap, if you have a Logitech Cordless Desktop EX100 and have a ASUS EEEPC 701, they will work well together.

Hardware support in linux can be a pain at times. I will post the combinations that I have found to work and not work in the future.

Ecobutton functionality in Windows XP SP3 for free

I like the idea of the ecobutton, but recently I love the idea of getting the ecobutton for free. By the way, this only works in Windows XP SP3.




Here is the basics of how the ecobutton works. There are six power states that a computer can be in, S0 to S5.

S0 = When the computer is on and using the most power.

S1 = Basic Standby (Shallow sleep). Typically wakes up in no more than two seconds

S2 = Less power consumption than S1 and greater than in S3. Wake up is usually two seconds or slightly more.

S3 = Less power consumption than in S2. Wake up time is the same as S2.

S4 (hibernate) = The lowest power state but with a long wake up time - sometimes a few minutes or more. 

S5 = The real lowest state. When the computer is off and using no power.

Most computers come with S2 and S3 disabled leaving just the most shallow sleep state (S1) and the deepest (S4 hibernate) available to most users. Most people tend not to use hibernate due to the length of time the PC takes to wake up leaving just S1 as the only convenient option. 


The ecobutton puts the computer into the S3 state wherever possible. However, if one could enable S3 on their computer, they could get the ecobutton functionality (in other words, put the computer in a low power state) for free. I have discovered the way to do this on Windows XP SP3.




Here is an easy way to check if you have S3 functionality on your computer.

1. Click Start --> Run
2. Type in cmd (without quotes) and press enter. 
3. In the command prompt, type powercfg -a and press enter. 
4. The following screen will show which sleep functionalities you have. 

From the command prompt screen, we can see that I do not have S1, S2, S3 and S4 (hibernate). Keep reading to get ecobutton for free.

Important quick note: This guide might lead to your computer not waking up from sleep mode just be moving the mouse or typing on the keyboard. This is one reason that you might want the ecobutton, as it can wake your computer up by just be pressing a button. Note, this does not apply to all USB devices. My keyboard and mouse can wake my computer up from sleep mode.

Steps to getting Ecobutton functionality free: enable S3 functionality

1. Download a registry file that enables S3 sleep functionality from here. 
2. Right click the file and click Extract All.... 
3. Click Next twice and then click Finish. 
4. Double click the registry file. (the file with an icon of stack cubes). 

Disclaimer: I will not take any responsibility for any damages on your computer for following these instructions. I did it and it have no negative effect. What you do to your computer is your choice. 

Ecobutton for laptops: how much more energy does it save? Is there a portable version?

If you follow my blog and have read these posts:

• Restoring MSI Wind U100 netbook to factory settings without external optical drive

• Ecobutton vs system standby: does the ecobutton prevail? 

you would know that I am interesting in getting a ecobutton and I own a MSI Wind U100 netbook. I considered how useful the ecobutton would be useful to use with my netbook. So I went and investigated the matter. Does it save more energy? Is there a more portable solution?

The ecobutton will work with laptops, potentially saving power, however the potential savings in power is lower than a desktop computer as laptops are already designed to use less power than a normal PC. This is because a laptop runs on a finite source of power (in order words, on battery rather than on mains power).

It is possible to only use the ecobutton software without using the ecobutton (in other words, you initiate the program from your computer instead of just pressing the ecobutton). This is good news for me, but bad news for the people who forget that your computer has a standby feature.

Good news is that the developers of the ecobutton are developing a "mini" ecobutton, a portable version of the device, which only protrudes 5mm from the the USB ports on laptops.

If you want to purchase the ecobutton, an link from amazon is below.

Ecobutton vs system standby: does the ecobutton prevail?

The ecobutton  is a button that is connected to a computer through a USB cable. By pressing the ecobutton, the computer supposedly enters a power saving mode that saves a lot of energy compared to system standby. However, there are some skeptics out there that believe that the ecobutton is simply an accessibility addon for greater convenience that allows people to simply enter standby mode, a feature of almost all operating systems, whether it be linux, Mac OSX or Windows.


I contacted the guys at ecobutton to hear what they had to say. Here is the reply:

Hello,

 Thank you for your interest in ecobutton™, I have supplied a link to our FAQ’s which will hopefully answer your questions;

http://www.eco-button.com/uk/A3.13.faq.htm#4

Q: What kind of sleep mode does ecobutton™ actually engage, is it just the normal Standby mode? 

A: The ecobutton uses the most efficient form of sleep available on your PC whilst still allowing your PC to �wake� quickly and return to its previous state with all programs still open. This is usually a deeper energy saving mode than the regular Standby mode you normally find as default on a Windows PC. . 

On most PCs there are 4 inbuilt sleep states - S1, S2, S3 and S4. With each successive sleep state, from S1 to S4 (hibernate), more of the computer is shut down. However, the majority of PCs are actually supplied with S2 and S3 disabled leaving just the most shallow sleep state (S1) and the deepest (S4 hibernate) available to most users. Most people tend not to use hibernate due to the length of time the PC takes to wake up leaving just S1 as the only convenient option.

The sleep states built into most PCs are as follows: 

S1 = Basic Standby (Shallow sleep). Typically wakes up in no more than two seconds 
S2 = Less power consumption than S1 and greater than in S3. Wake up is usually two seconds or slightly more. 
S3 = Less power consumption than in S2. Wake up time is the same as S2.
S4 (hibernate) = The lowest power state but with a long wake up time - sometimes a few minutes or more.

Wherever possible, ecobutton� re-educates your PC to use S3 when the ecobutton� is pressed. 

For more detailed information about the various sleep states please see this link http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms798270.aspx

 ecobutton™ is more than just an accessibility add-on providing convenience as it gives puts the PC into the most energy saving, efficient mode available on that PC (typically S3) but it also shows the user how much money & CO2 they have saved which is a great motivation in its own right.

Thanks again

Regards

Wayne

Attention - ecobutton is protected by a registered design and patent worldwide. We will take all evidence of such copies seriously and will instigate legal proceedings in such cases.

Invest in our original.

Purchasing fake or copy products means you could be breaking the law and getting inferior goods and technical support. Further information can be found at : www.eco-button.com

© 2007-2010 Invent Technology Solutions Ltd. ecobutton® is an international registered name of Invent Technology Solutions Ltd
International Patent Application PCT/GB2008/002659 / Chinese Utility Model 200890000005.2 pending. Foreign rights reserved. 

So there seems to be proof backing their claims. Maybe its time for me to get one. Conveniently, there is a retail store that sells one in Australia (Officeworks). Maybe I'll go there on the weekend.