Random Fixes

Download the Windows Update Client for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: June 2016.

Stop the Windows Update service (service.msc).

Run the application.

Reboot.

Background: 

Computer was infected with malware. After cleaning and rebooting, the computer started having internet connection issues.

Local area connection status shows internet access and data is being sent and received but nothing can actually access the internet, including browsers, Windows update, etc.

Solution (?):

Used ipconfig /all and saw that the computer didn’t have an IP address and gateway. Did the following commands.

ipconfig /flushdns

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew

Computer established an ip address but still not connected. Also checked safe mode with networking, still no connection.

Found this thread: http://forums.techguy.org/networking/973807-internet-connected-but-cant-browse.html

Tried the following:

TCP/IP stack repair options for use with Vista/Windows 7. Start, Programs\Accessories and right click on Command Prompt, select "Run as Administrator" to open a command prompt. Note: Type only the text in bold for the following commands. Reset WINSOCK entries to installation defaults: netsh winsock reset catalog Reset IPv4 TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log Reset IPv6 TCP/IP stack to installation defaults. netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log Reboot the machine.

After an update, the update should have pushed the old ClickOnce application out. Occasionally Windows will leave the old one in and the Ajera application will not launch. The web based dashboard will load, but not the application itself (such as Project Command Center).

Solution:

Delete this folder (it’s a hidden folder, so you must show hidden folder)

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Apps\2.0

New Dell computer. Tried to create a system repair disc. Program crashes as soon as it's opened.

Fix:

Go to

C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell Backup and Recovery\Components\Shell 

Find DBROverlayIcon.dll rename it to DBROverlayIcon.dll.old.

Change it back after creating the disc.

Symptom:

Adobe InDesign Creative Cloud 2014 interface looks too big. It takes up too much room. Even the pointer looks ginormous.

Solution:

Change your DPI setting to 124%.

Result:

Apparently it may also happen to Illustrator CC 2014, but for me it only happened to InDesign.

Hardware: Speco Technologies DVR4WM/8WM/16WM

Internet Explorer ver. 10.0.9200.16721

Instruction from the manual:

• Start the IE; select <Tools> from the main menu of the browser, then <Internet Options> and then click the <Security> tab. • Select <Trusted sites> and click <Sites> to specify its security setting. • Uncheck “Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone”. Type the IP address of the unit in field and click <Add> to add this website to the zone. • In the Security Level area, click <Custom Level>. Under <ActiveX controls and plug-ins>, set all items to <Enable> or <Prompt>. • Click <OK> to accept the settings and close the <Security Settings> screen.

Problem: I got "FAIL TO LOGIN" message after entering the username and password.

Solution: Update the SpecoTech software on IE using SpecoTech's test DVR.

Add http://65.254.18.46:120 to IE's trusted sites, then go to the site. Login: user Password: 4321

Right click on the application and choose "Run as administrator".

Tumblr dashboard control buttons missing

I noticed that lately the Tumblr control buttons (follow, like, and reblog) were missing. Google didn't yield any satisfactory results, so I contacted Tumblr. The support guy asked if I had any browser extensions on.

Stupid me forgot to check the site using incognito mode, and lo and behold, the buttons show up when there is no extension active.

After a bit of searching, I found the culprit. It was Ghostery. 

Symptom:

PDF contains selectable text, but searching anything yields nothing.

Problem:

According to this post, there is a problem with the text encoding when the PDF was made.

Solution:

Last week, my boss purchased a refurbished macbook knockoff Dell XPS 15 for an employee. I was setting it up with the usual company stuff when I noticed that there is something wrong with the battery indicator. It said that battery is not detected.

Whuh? That's weird. Let's take a look. I googled the owner's manual and proceeded to open the base cover. Note that Dell used T5 screws, which are TINY. I had to go to the hardware store because my kit only has T8.

The manual said there are 8 screws to remove. Six around the cover and two under the system badge cover.

Hey, waitaminute, there are NO screws under the system badge cover. This thing is missing TWO screws. 

OK, whatever. They're not really holding anything anyway. Moving on.

I opened the cover and immediately I found what the problem was. The battery connector is NOT CONNECTED.

Now why would you sell a laptop with two missing screws and a loose battery? Anyway, fine, no big deal. I can live with this.

However, when I was setting up the machine, I noticed that the optical drive kept spinning.

Whuh? Is there something in it? I checked windows, and yep, there's a Dell DVD in it. OK, I don't need it so... EJECT!

*whiirrr whirrr whiiiiiirrrrrrr*

Nope. It would not eject. Tried it a couple more times. NOPE.

WHAT IS GOING ON?!

Just listen to it.

The drive can read media just fine. It just wouldn't eject.

I ran diagnostics because I know that's what the peeps are Dell will tell me before they can issue an RMA. Everything seems to be fine and dandy.

I like Dell. I like the XPS line. I have two laptops from the XPS line. But seriously though, did Dell hire the Geek Squad for their refurbishing team?

Update: Called tech support since the damn thing is still in warranty. Dell will dispatch a technician to replace the damn optical drive.

During the call, the tech support rep attempted to update the firmware for the drive view remote desktop. Note that I have already tried to do this but I couldn't find the firmware on Dell's support site. Guess what, the rep couldn't find it either. 

Sigh.

Update #2: The Dell contractor came with a new drive. Replaced it but it still failed to eject when tested. Again, the drive read just fine, it just would not eject. Eventually he figured out that the black rubbery trim right inside the slot opening was not seated right and was blocking the disc.

In command prompt:

netsh wlan sho dr

Download and install firmware restoration utility. Also download the firmware.

Turn off the router.

Disconnect all network cables, including to the modem, except one LAN connection to the computer.

Turn on router while holding the reset button to get into recovery mode. When the power LED is blinking slowly, it is in recovery mode.

Run the firmware restoration utility.

A while ago I had to contact Barnes and Noble tech support to figure out how to do a factory reset on the nook tablet.

Below is the instruction, copy pasted verbatim from the chat.

Please follow the steps below to hard reset your NOOK Tablet. Please note that a hard reset de-registers your device as well as erases all local content such as contacts, sideloaded documents, personal information, 4 digit passcodes, etc. It is recommended that you backup any sideloaded material before continuing. 

1. Hold the power button down for 10 seconds until the NOOK Tablet is powered off, ignoring the "Power off" prompt.

2. After Your NOOK Tablet is powered off, kindly press the home key and the power button until the "Read Forever" logo disappears. Once disappeared release the buttons immediately. 

3. If successful, a grey NOOK Logo will appear and the screen will refresh momentarily and flash yellow. A prompt will appear asking if you would like to perform a “Factory Reset,” Tap the "NOOK Home key" to confirm. Tap the"Home key" again to begin the process.

4. After a few minutes your device will reset and re-install all necessary software. Once completed, you will have to register the device again. 

Platform: Windows 7 Professional, Google Chrome (Version 22.0.1229.94 m)

Problem: Google Calendar loads with no functionality. Buttons are not responsive. Clicking on a calendar entry loads the calendar page with header and nothing else. User was logged in to Chrome Sync. Calendar has full functionality on incognito mode.

Fix: The problem is caused by corrupted Chrome user profile. Close Chrome. Go to your AppData folder for Chrome. The path may look like this:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data