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Tag Archive: Windows


How to make a USB Drive read-only or unwritable

Filed Under: Geek Alert
Jun.18, 2008

I was looking on how to make my USB drive read only for various reasons… (1) I have a portable USB hard drive which contains tons (Gigabits) of files which I want to share with my friends, but I’m cautious of plugging it in their computer coz of the risk of viral infection; (2) I have my forensic/security tool on my portable thumb drive so I can virtually fix any infected/corrupted computer anywhere; (3) when I plug something on a USB port (from other computers), either a mobile phone or an mp3 player or a digital camera, I don’t want it to get infected by those blasted worms and trojans that are spreading around (I’m looking at you SSCVIHOST.exe and Funny UST scandal.avi.exe viruses).

There are a lot of freewares and softwares available on the Internet to secure and protect your USB drive, but I chose this method because it is much simple to do and it just fits my needs. So here is what you need to do…

  1. On your computer (or someone else’s computer), run Registry Editor. You can do that by opening the Run box from your Start menu and typing regedit.
  2. Now navigate to this path via the folder tree on the left panel.
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
  3. Once there, create a new Key called StorageDevicePolicies. If it is already there, then just navigate inside it.
  4. Now on the new key you’ve created, create a REG_DWORD value and name it WriteProtect.
  5. Set it to 1 to make the USB drive you plugged in read-only.

You can toggle it to 0 (zero) to make it write-enable. Note that this works (tested?) only on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (or SP3).

Now if you are cautious on plugging in your USB device in your friends computer, then just do this method on their machine, provided that they are using Windows XP SP2. If their machine is already infected (or locked by an admin) and the Registry Editor doesn’t open, then follow step 3 on my post regarding removal of the SSCVIHOST.exe worm.

Oh and if you did this on another computer besides yours, remember to switch the value back to 0 (zero) so that it reverts to its default settings.

This hack is also good for locking USB drives in the workplace. Those who wants to prevent possible data theft from the office. Or just simply another security method to prevent the spread or worms and trojans.

And for simplicity sake… here are two files that will make it easier for you to change the values at the registry. Just right-click, and save file target as, to save the file on your computer.

USB-drive-read-only-off.reg
USB-drive-read-only-on.reg

These are just registry files, if you have doubts what this file will do to your registry, I recommend opening it on your notepad to see its contents.

To use it, just download, double click the file and hit Ok to merge it into your registry.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Tags: hacks, USB drive, Windows
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How to change shortcuts in the Windows save dialog box

Filed Under: Geek Alert
Apr.17, 2008

I’ve been looking for this hack for quite sometime, its just that now I decided to end my search. I hope this post may help others who are looking for the same explorer modification.

It is always frustrating when you want to save an image or a document to a certain folder using the save dialog box when you have to navigate through various different folders. I usually save my photos to the My Photos default folder, some I save to the Tambayan image folder, and some at the Eternal image folder. Stuff that I downloaded are save initially at the My Received Files folder. I’m an organized freak when it comes to naming files and organizing folders on Windows explorer. It is because I always want to find something quickly.

Save dialog box

So here it is, the hack to change/modify the default shortcuts that you can see at the “save as” and “open” dialog box. I just did a quick rundown of the steps. But if you are too n00b to follow my instructions, you can view a step-by-step instructions at simplehelp.net.

Change open save dialog box

  1. At the START menu open the RUN box then type gpedit.msc then click Ok.
  2. GROUP POLICY will open, then navigate to this folder. User Configuration – Administrative Templates – Windows Components – Windows Explorer – Common Open File Dialog. Once there, double click Items Displayed in Places Bar located on the right panel.
  3. At the properties box, select Enable then add the folders you like to create shortcut to. Remember to input the full path to the folder.
  4. Hit Apply, then Ok to finish modifying.

At the screenshot above you may notice I used MyDocuments, MyPictures, MyMusic as a path to the folder. It is a “shell folder” for Windows explorer, and it knows where that folder is located in respect to the current user (for multiple users) that is logged in.

If you click on the Explain tab, it will show up this text.

Configures the list of items displayed in the Places Bar in the Windows File/Open dialog. If enable this setting you can specify from 1 to 5 items to be displayed in the Places Bar.

The valid items you may display in the Places Bar are:
1) Shortcuts to a local folders — (ex. C:\Windows)
2) Shortcuts to remote folders — (\\server\share)
3) Common Shell folders.

The list of Common Shell Folders that may be specified:
CommonDocuments, CommonMusic, CommonPictures, Desktop, MyComputer, MyDocuments, MyFavorites, MyMusic, MyNetworkPlaces, MyPictures, Printers, ProgramFiles, Recent.

If you disable or do not configure this setting the default list of items will be displayed in the Places Bar.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Tags: computer, configure, dialog box, Explorer, tech, tips, Windows
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Upgrading too soon?

Filed Under: Random Rants, Think Talk
Mar.12, 2008

The much awaited Wordpress 2.5 will be released in a couple of days, but will you upgrade your Wordpress blogs immediately after its release?

Since it skipped 2.4 we can expect a major overhaul for our blogging software. New features will be added, old features will be enhanced, and bugs sorted out. Of course, most of us (Wordpress users) like to try out these exciting new changes as soon as possible.

But not for me.

The same reason why I’m still using WinXP instead of upgrading to WinVista. Most programs I regularly use are still not usable in Vista. And Vista contains lots of bugs than XP.

The moment you immediately upgrade to Wordpress 2.5 to more chances your plugins are going to break.

I usually wait after a couple of days (weeks) before upgrading anything. I look out for news, blog posts, comments, etc. about the software I’m going to upgrade to. If I see a lot of negative feedbacks, like this not working or that breaking, then I think twice before upgrading.

I don’t want my blog to be running in WP 2.5 with half the plugins not working or the theme I use breaking.

So I’ll wait, till the dust settles…

Popularity: 3% [?]

Tags: blog, upgrade, Windows, Wordpress
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Basic and essential applications for your PC

Filed Under: Geek Alert
Mar.09, 2008

Every time I reformat my PC there are always the hassle of re-installing almost every applications and softwares that are usually needed in everyday PC use. I have a special folder that includes most of these softwares, and I usually back it up to a blank DVD in case of accidental system crash or virus screw up.

Let’s face it, after you’ve installed Windows on your PC, the next thing is hunting down the softwares you most likely use. Some of those softwares are easily forgotten because, (1) you don’t usually run the app because it’s just a plugin and a support software and, (2) you’ve already installed so many softwares, mostly freewares downloaded off the Internet, and that you’ve lost track of the names.

It is recommended that before you reformat your PC you have to:

  1. Backup your files. Make sure the files you’ve backup contains no viruses.
    1. Backup your important documents.
    2. Backup your system drivers, like video card drivers, sound card, etc.
    3. Backup and export individual software settings, like your bookmarks at Firefox.
  2. Make sure you have all the installer CDs like Windows installer, motherboard installer, soundcard, video card, modems, webcam, printer, scanner, or whatever hardware you have that includes an installer CD. Also your installer for your mobile phone to PC support, your MP3/MP4 player, and every other gadget you have that connects to USB that needs installing.
  3. List all the applications and software currently installed in your PC. Look at your Start menu and in your Add/Remove programs. Find the installer for these, if it is from the Internet, download it, then backup (burn) it on a CD/DVD.

After reformatting, the pain of re-installing begins. Softwares are usually a user preference, but there are those programs that are essential in a PC. Most of these essential applications are hardly noticeable because they support your PC internally.

Here are some of the list that are usually needed installed in a PC. Most of these are freely available in the Internet. And some are needed to run a certain program or extend the capabilities of your PC.

  1. Your favorite anti-virus and firewall software. The first one to install, after installing Windows OS.
  2. DirectX, an essential Windows driver that extends your 3D video capabilities.
  3. Mozilla Firefox, an alternative Internet browser. Install if you don’t like Internet Explorer.
  4. Java runtime environment software, this is needed when browsing the web and a site needs you to have Java installed. Either you install this now, or when wait till you come across a website that requires it.
  5. Adobe Flash Player, for running flash based websites, and FLV (YouTube) videos.
  6. Adobe Shockwave Player, for running sites that have embedded shockwaves.
  7. Adobe AIR, a new technology that is better than Flash.
  8. Adobe Reader, the app you need to view PDF document files in your browser or in your hard drive.
  9. Video/Audio Codecs, used to play all video formats like avi, mpg, mov, rm, flv, etc.

That’s it. Those are all the essential softwares that is needed installed in your PC. Other softwares are based on the user’s needs or preference. If I forgot some app or program, please post it at the comments.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Tags: backup, computer, PC, reformat, tips, Windows
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Quick shutdown for Windows

Filed Under: Think Talk
Dec.16, 2007

Using the RUN dialog box in your Windows OS, you can do a quick shutdown. The windows command will immediately close any open applications without warning. This is good if you want to shutdown your unit quickly and you don’t need an extra third party application.

Just type shutdown -f -t 0
(that’s a zero)

Popularity: 2% [?]

Tags: fast, quick, shutdown, tips, Windows
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