Restore Missing Desktop Icons and Taskbar !!

We have received this problem from many readers, they reported that suddenly they found all the desktop icons and taskbar disappeared after windows startup. The only way to control your computer is through task manager as windows explorer is not running.

This problem of missing desktop icons and taskbar is caused when your computer is infected by Adware.Dynamic from Dynamic Desktop Media. This adware runs a process sysu.exe and ddm_d.exe which you can see through task manager under process tab, you can end the processes to end the problem temporarily to get the missing desktop icons and taskbar back.

This adware can get installed on your computer with the following names: Msbb.exe (Adware.Ncase) Optimize.exe (Adware.NetOptimizer) Winpup.exe (Adware.Winpup). Make sure to remove Active Alert under add remove programs if found.

Let’s see how can you remove this adware from your computer to get all the missing desktop icons and taskbar.

Fix:

After properly analyzing the problem of missing desktop icons and taskbar we figured out the two methods to solve it.

Method 1:

Follow the procedure given below to remove the virus or adware completely from your computer

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open task manager

2. Click the process tab and end the process named sysu.exe and ddm_d.exe if they are running.

3. Delete the following folders

C:\Programs\ddm
C:\Programs\pup
C:\Program Files\Internet Optimizer

4. Search and delete the following files on your computer

actalert.exe
ddm.exe
ddm_d.exe
msbb.exe
optimize.exe
pup.exe
sysu.exe
winpup.exe

5. Open C:\Windows\System32

and delete all the files that start with a random 7/12 digit number eg. 37473696.exe

6. Press Window Key + R to open run and type regedit and press Enter

and delete the following keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
and/or RunOnce that refers to ddm, *randomnumber*.exe or sysu.exe.

HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache
delete the keyfile C:\progra~1\ddm\sysu.exe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pup.setup

Delete all these folders:

HKEY CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{539AFCA0-9542-44F0-A286-9B8857DFD30A}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{F5192746-22D6-41BD-9D2D-1E75D14FBD3C}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{2C4AC0A2-7DA0-4061-B57A-C292A8F3B109}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Avenue Media

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\\Dynamic Desktop Media

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ddm

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\pup

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Internet Optimizer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Management\ARPCache\Internet Optimizer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Internet Optimizer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Internet Optimizer Active Alert

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Internet Optimizer Software Installer

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\msbb

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\nCase

7. Open Internet Explorer navigate to File Menu >> Tools >> Internet Options >> Settings >> View Objects and locate ddm and delete it. I hope I have not missed anything, after following all the steps properly you should be able to remove the virus.

If by any chance windows desktop icons and taskbar disappears due to some other reason then you can try the method 2 to get the disappeared desktop icons and taskbar.

Method 2:

After you log on to your computer press ctrl + shift + esc to start task manager, click File >> New Task and type regedit.exe

Windows Registry window will open up and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >> Software >> Microsoft >> Windows NT >> Current Version >> Winlogon once, but don’t expand it, Locate shell and change it value to explorer.exe, even if it is explorer.exe already retype it.

How to Convert Snow Leopard Retail Disk to .DMG

Apple released Snow Leopard Retail Disk last week and i hope most of you secured your copy. Recently an iHackintosh fan mailed me and asked me that he has a MacBook Air and his external DVD Drive is damaged. Some of you may facing a corrupted Drive on their MacBook etc. etc. So you will not be able to install the latest Snow Kitty on your Machine. He asked me for any way if he can convert the retail disk in to .DMG (Disk Image) and here is the easy to follow steps to convert Snow Leopard Retail Disk to .DMG with Disk Utility.
Requirements :

1. A Working OS X Leopard With a DVD Drive.
2. A retail Snow Leopard Disk.
3. A memory Stick 8GB minimum.

Step 1). Install Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Disc in your Leopard.

Step 2). Launch Disk Utility
Step 3). Select the Snow Leopard DVD within Disk Utility
Step 4). Click the “New Image” button at the top
 Step 5). Name the image and put it somewhere you can find it easily (Desktop)

 Step 6). Click OK and wait for the image to be created

That’s it, once Disk Utility finishes it’s task your new .DMG file will be available on your desktop. Now you can transfer it to your MacBook Air with USB Drive.

Install Snow Leopard in VMWARE 7 Windows Edition

How to install Snow Leopard in VMWARE 7 and Windows host ? Virtualization of Snow Leopard (Client) is not officially supported/allowed by any virtualization solution. However a few modifications to the .vmx file and use a modified install disk as this will save a lot of trouble. Let me clear Apple licensing does not allow for the virtualization of OSX Client on any hardware and only allows for the virtualization OSX server on Apple hardware. Anything else is in violation of the license agreement. This article is for informational purposes only, you can never achieve full utilization of Mac OS X on VMWARE. So if you like the Mac then go ahead and buy a Mac.

Requirements

• VMWARE 7 and Windows XP, Vista or 7
• Retail DVD of Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6
• Intel Based Machine, AMD isn’t supported.
• Patience, a Cup of coffee or Energy drink whatever you like.
• A pre-made Snow Leopard VMDK, dariwn_snow.iso Download (Rapidshare), (Rapidshare 1)(Mediafire) Or (Megaupload)

Instructions

Step One : Launch VMWARE Workstation and load the .vmx that came with the package you downloaded above. Now edit virtual machine settings for advance options.

Step Two : Edit the VMWARE settings eg: Memory, Processor, Networking Adaptors etc. Select CD/DVD drive options and in Connection select Use ISO image file and browse the Darwin_Snow.iso
Step Three : Now power on the virtual machine and keep your finger on F8 key.
Hit F8 very quickly on your Keyboard you will be prompted with the following screen

Step Four : Like Boot 132 method now you need to replace the boot cd with the Snow Leopard Retail Install DVD. Right click on the CD icon in bottom of the VMWARE windows and click on Settings option.


Now change the options from ISO image to use physical drive and make sure you have Retail DVD already installed. Save and Exit
Step Five : Now navigate to boot screen and press “C” on your keyboard to select “Boot DVD”, again press F8 for advance options and type -v at the boot prompt then hit enter for booting with verbose mode.
Step Six : Now wait for 2-3 minutes and your Installation screen will appear. Now you can install Snow Leopard as usual.  Before choosing the destination open Disk Utility and erase your Vmware HDD in to “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” format type. Under customization deselect printer drivers and language translations for trouble free installation.Once installation finishes your virtual machine will reboot automatically.
Step Seven : Follow Step Two again “Select CD/DVD drive options and in Connection select Use ISO image file and browse the Darwin_Snow.iso” now you can boot in to Snow Leopard you may need to force restart 2-3 times if Kernel Panic happens, once machine boot successfully you can set your preference etc.

Known Issues

1. Some .dmg aren’t opening
2. Kernel Panic on every shut down so just force shut down after every kernel panic.

Javascript file hints at possible Google Play News feature

The folks over at Android Police did some sleuthing and discovered some surprising tidbits within a Javascript file on Google Play’s website. According to information found within the file, Google is prepping a new feature called “Google Play News,” with various sentences scattered within it indicating that it will offer newspapers in the same way Play already offers magazines and other content.
What kind of information is in the Javascript? Says Android Police, they dug out these phrase: “To read Google Play News, you must have a supported Android phone or tablet.” “Please sign in to get this News edition.” “Please sign in to purchase this News Issue.” “Please sign in to purchase this News Edition Subscription.” “Subscribing you to this news edition…” “You have subscribed to this news edition. It is now available on your device.”
As you can see, there is mention of both subscriptions and issues, indicating that users will be able to either subscribe to a specific newspaper, or to purchase individual issues of one or more papers. There is also a reference to news “Editions,” which are yet unspecified, so we’ll have to wait and see what they mean by that.
Another interesting tidbit was found in a CSS file, which shows that the color yellow will be assigned to the not-yet-available news section in the same way the music, movies, magazines, and such all have their own color assignments. This seems to further confirm the information found in the Javascript file. Aside from this, Google is redirecting to its Magazine pages for news links, and is using Magazine images as placeholders.
[via Android Police]

Javascript file hints at possible Google Play News feature is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.

Kaspersky Lab identifies malware MiniDuke

Kaspersky Lab's team of experts recently published a new research report that analyzed a series of security incidents involving the use of the recently discovered PDF exploit in Adobe Reader (CVE-2013-6040) and a new, highly customized malicious programme known as MiniDuke. The MiniDuke backdoor was used to attack multiple government entities and institutions worldwide during the past week, said the lab's press release. Kaspersky Lab's experts, in partnership with CrySys Lab, analyzed the attacks in detail and published their findings. 

MiniDuke's highly customized backdoor was written in assembler and is very small in size, being only 20kb. "The combination of experienced old school malware writers using newly discovered exploits and clever social engineering to compromise high profile targets is extremely dangerous," said the statement issued by the lab. 

It said that the MiniDuke attackers are still active at this time and have created malware as recently as February 20. To compromise victims, the attackers used extremely effective social engineering techniques, which involved sending malicious PDF documents to their targets. 

Once the system is exploited, a very small downloader is dropped onto the victim's disc that's only 20kb in size. This downloader is unique per system and contains a customized backdoor written in Assembler. When loaded at system boot, the downloader uses a set of mathematical calculations to determine the computer's unique fingerprint, and in turn uses this data to uniquely encrypt its communications later. It is also programmed to avoid analysis by a hardcoded set of tools in certain environments like VMware. If it finds any of these indicators, it will run idle in the environment instead of moving to another stage and exposing more of its functionality by decrypting itself further; this indicates the malware writers know exactly what antivirus and IT security professionals are doing in order to analyze and identify malware. 

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Who Should Go With iPage Hosting

Now, doesn’t matter what I think about iPage. Question is: Is iPage right for you? Given that there are both pros and cons; negative and positive reviews on the Internet; should you still go with iPage hosting?

The decision is yours to be made.

iPage is truly the Best Budget Hosting in my book. You can’t find any web host offering the same features (and server performance) at this low price. And, as for the negative reviews, well iPage allows customers to cancel their account anytime they want and refund back the remaining fees – so what is there to worry? If you are searching for a cheap, reliable web host; and are considering on iPage – then just go for it! 

Host your Web site with iPage!

iPage Hosting – Benefits

iPage Hosting – Benefits

• Extremely Cheap As mentioned above, if you are searching for the Best Budget Web Hosting, iPage will be surely come into your radar. Fact is, iPage is extremely cheap. And not that only it is cheap; it’s also reputable and reliable. So if you want a good host at an affordable price, iPage hosting is a go!
• Anytime Money Back Guarantee Another good thing about iPage is its protective customer policy. Most hosting companies offer money back guarantees for the first 30 to 45 days; but not iPage. All iPage customers are protected by its Anytime Money Back Guarantee. Under this policy, iPage customers get to claim for a pro-rated refund after the first 30 days trial period. In other words, iPage has to work very hard to win business as it is easy for customers to leave the host.
• User Friendly And Extremely Smooth Ordering Process iPage is perhaps the most newbie-friendly web host. I have purchased iPage twice in the past and both processes were nothing but pleasure. The account setup process was idiot-proof and the ordering process was very smooth. My hosting accounts were ready minutes after payment.
• Eco-Friendly Hosting According to iPage official website, its hosting operation is fully powered by renewable energy.

 iPage Hosting – Drawbacks

• Lack Of Server Upgrade Option Like WebHostingHub, Hostmonster, BlueHost, and many other budget hosting providers; iPage offers nothing but shared hosting services. Although the Essential Hosting Plan is often more than enough for startup websites, users who wish to go VPS or dedicated servers will have to go elsewhere (recommendation: check out WP Engine and Hostgator instead).
• Expensive Renewal Fees Many iPage users were not aware that the price $3.50/mo is actually promotional price that only available for first time customers. For iPage renewals, the cost is relative higher – $6.99/$7.99/$8.99 monthly for 36/24/12 months term – this often sparks some complaints among iPage customers. However, it’s worth pointing out that the renewal prices are actually more or less the same with what other hosting companies are charging.

Host your Web site with iPage!

iPage Hosting Review

The domain ‘iPage.com’ has been around for more than 10 years but it was not very well known until its recent re-launch in October 2009. Today, iPage stands as one of the greatest successes in hosting industry -The brand took off in late 2009 and went extremely popular in just two short years, ranking top on most of the hosting review sites.

In case you are not aware, iPage is owned and managed by a group of experienced management team – the Endurance International Group (EIG). The EIG has been around for more than 15 years and their hosting platform is currently holding nearly 2 million domain names. The group also owns some other big names in hosting industry, including GoDaddy, FatCow, BlueHost, HostMonster, JustHost, PowWeb, EasyCGI, StartLogic, Dot5Hosting, VPS Link, etc etc. I am not very sure about exact numbers but I believe EIG is one of the biggest web hosting/domain company on earth.

Anyway, who owns the company isn’t that much of our concern. 

Host your Web site with iPage!

8 ball puzzle

Question:
You have 8 balls. One of them is defective and weighs less than others. You have a balance to measure balls against each other. In 2 weightings how do you find the defective one?

Answer:

Rather doing 8 balls balance, just do 6. 3 balls on each balance side. If balance are found equal means among remaining 2 balls, one of them is defective.If balance is unequal, unload the heavy side (put aside 3 balls from heavy side). Pick 2 ball from light balance side that has 3 before put one aside and other one on other side of the balance. If balance come equal means the put aside ball is the lighter one else the lighter side of balance is the one. 

5 Mentors Every Entrepreneur Should Have

Entrepreneur. It's a tough word -- both to spell and to call yourself. Being an entrepreneur brings with it a love of leaping head first into the unknown. Life-long entrepreneurs love new challenges, and live their lives in a constant growth phase. One of the common resources an entrepreneur turns to is a mentor. Asking for advice and bouncing ideas off of others is essential to the success of an entrepreneur's journey.

I've been fortunate to have a variety of mentors over the years, and I can't imagine standing where I am if it wasn't for them. Despite all the challenges of running a business, the biggest constant in my life is those mentors, and their advice.
I also think it's important that mentors come from many different perspectives, as mine have. These are the five types of mentors I've had over the years, and the ones I think any entrepreneur can benefit from:


1. A friend that knew you before you started your own thing.
Perhaps no voice matters more than the one that knew you before you had a startup. They knew you when all this was just a dream, or when you didn't even know what a startup was. They can speak to your roots and ground you when you get lost in the startup haze.
For instance, when I go back home to the East Coast, my friends ask me about everything except tech and business. They tell me how impressed they are but remind me that I need to slow down, to live the life I want, doing what I love. No entrepreneur should lose sight of that.

2. A person with your similar skill set at your point of learning.
Having regular coffee dates or Skype chats with people who are in your similar phase of growth can lead to valuable relationships. I have a group like this, and we push each other and question each other's decisions. We have been there when things fell through and when our big days happened.
There is a confidence that can come with camaraderie like that. We understand what each of us is going through.


3. A colleague you don't love working with.
One of the biggest challenges that face any entrepreneur is justifying what you want to do and why it's going to disrupt the status quo -- whether it be to investors, future co-founders, team members, the press or others. It helps if you're good at talking to just about anyone. Fine tune your ability to take feedback and get good at turning it into positive results. There is no quicker way to do this than to push forward with a relationship that isn't particularly enjoyable or easy at first.

4. A person with the exact opposite skill set than yours.
Seek out mentors who are most unlike yourself. For me it's been coffees with product managers, and tech leads. I've met with chief operating officers and have standing chats with our office manager. Do I know much about any of that? Not really. Do I know more now than I did before I met with them? Sure as heck I do.
Having these types of mentors and encounters has motivated me to take classes in coding and financials, and it's humbling to see just how much you don't know. Life-long learning is critical to success in business, and particularly to those who have bought into an industry founded on innovation.

5. A friend who always knew you'd be an entrepreneur.
Meet often with someone who knows you as "your entrepreneurial self" and not in any other way. He or she is likely the one to say "you got this" and "this is what you do" -- even when you're doubting it yourself. That person can't imagine you ever taking the safe option or quitting. He or she would never tell you it's OK if you haven't given something your best effort, and will cheer every one of your accomplishments.

"For more information about NetworkzPeritus, you may visit our website at http://www.NetworkzPeritus.com/ & blog at http://networkzperitus.blogspot.in/

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