Making a bootable pendrive

This following method works for making bootable pen-drive, I have taken it from HERE

1. Insert your USB (4GB+ preferable) stick to the system and backup all the data from the USB as we are going to format the USB to make it as bootable.

2. Open elevated Command Prompt. To do this, type in CMD in Start menu search field and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Alternatively, navigate to Start > All programs >Accessories > right click on Command Prompt and select run as administrator.

3. When the Command Prompt opens, enter the following command:

DISKPART and hit enter.

LIST DISK and hit enter.

Once you enter the LIST DISK command, it will show the disk number of your USB drive. In the below image my USB drive disk no is Disk 1.

4. In this step you need to enter all the below commands one by one and hit enter. As these commands are self explanatory, you can easily guess what these commands do.

SELECT DISK 1 (Replace DISK 1 with your disk number)

CLEAN

CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

SELECT PARTITION 1

ACTIVE

FORMAT FS=NTFS

(Format process may take few seconds)
ASSIGN

EXIT

Don’t close the command prompt as we need to execute one more command at the next step. Just minimize it.

5. Insert your Windows DVD in the optical drive and note down the drive letter of the optical drive and USB media. Here I use “D” as my optical (DVD) drive letter and “H” as my USB drive letter.

6. Go back to command prompt and execute the following commands:

D:CD BOOT and hit enter. Where “D” is your DVD drive letter.

CD BOOT and hit enter and write BOOTSECT.EXE/NT60 H:

(Where “H” is your USB drive letter)

You will get message "Successfully updated NTFS file system bootcode". and "Bootcode was successfully updated on all targeted volumes."

7. Copy Windows DVD contents to USB.

You are done with your bootable USB. You can now use this bootable USB as bootable DVD on any computer that comes with USB boot feature (most of the current motherboards support this feature).

Note that this bootable USB guide will not work if you are trying to make a bootable USB on XP computer.

Learning Programing Fast Track

I found this really cool stuff on net surfing for the web tutorials for learning programing at fast pace. If you are a starter the basic things you are going to need is to learn C, that's the basic and mother of all the language as far as we all believe. The logic in C applies everywhere. So knowing C is a great help for learning programing.

The things that you are going to need is:

1. A computer ( I am sure you have it, you don't you can beg, buy or steal, ok don't steal until you can get by other methods)
2. A text editor (from notepad to vim, you can use anything, here are few that you can try, those are neat enough, EditPlus, Notepad++, Vi/Vim (available for Windows too, there are video tutorial to learn vim), or another that you are comfortable with.
   
3. An IDE, there are many, you don't need an IDE if you can get a compiler working for you. IDE makes your work easy. (i.e TurboC, Codeblocks, Microsoft Visual C++ and Komodo)
4. Resources for learning programing (Books, web tutorial, videos etc...)
   

Ok!!! Here's something for people on fast track learning, I was looking for good programing Videos and I have found some. This web page gives access to I think very cool interesting videos, http://academicearth.org/subjects/computer-science, for those who are into programing, I think this is one good place to learn. Lectures directly from finest universities. Personally, I am watching Mehran Sahami and Richard Buckland Videos and finding them very very interesting. Richard Buckland videos are not there on this link, but I guess you can find them, they are available just ask Google. And ya, how can I forget http://www.learnerstv.com/course.php?cat=Computers Learnerstv.com . They have some good collection of videos not only on computer science but on a vast variety of subjects.

Learning C/C++ Introduction Contd.. Class 2 Dated 4th Feburary 2010

Assembler (Wiki Assembler): is a small program that converts assembly language to machine language.

Translator (Wiki Translator ): converts any source code to designation or machine level language.

Compiler (Wiki Compiler):

• It compiles and checks the whole program for any error
• Execution is fast as compare to interpreter
  
• Debugging is slower as compare to interpreter

Interpreter (Wiki Interpreter):

• It checks the program line by line and converts to machine level language if no error found
• Execution is slow
• Debugging is faster

Variables (Wiki Variables): It is a name/space occupies the memory where a data is to be stored and retrieved i.e. int a=5;

Constant (Wiki Constant): It is a fixed value i.e. 0-9

• Integer constant : 0-9
• Float constant: with decimals
  
• Character constant: a, b, c
• String constant: "Name" with multiple characters

Rules of C programing (Wiki C_syntex):

• It's written in lower care
• Each statement ends with semicolon (;)
• Each statement is written in the main under compound curly brackets i.e. main {program}

Rules of naming Variables (Wiki Variables):

• It must start with alphabet i.e. a, b, c
• Special symbols are not allowed
• No blank space is allowed in between
• Only underscore (_) is allowed
• Numerical are not allowed

Header file (Wiki Header File):

#include < stdio.h >
(stdio= Standard input output)
#include < conio.h >
(Conio= Console input output) used for displaying

printf ("Enter the first number");
scanf ("%d", & a);
printf ("%d", a)

Data Types (Wiki Data_Types): types of data used in programming

Name	Sign	Size
char	%c	1 Byte
int	%d	2 Byte
float	%f	4 Byte
long int	%ld	4 Byte
double fload	%lf	8 Byte

Simple C program - Addition

/*-----------------------------start of program-------------------------


#include
#include

void main()
{
int a, b, c;
printf ("Enter the first number = ");
scanf ("%d", & a);

printf ("Enter the second number = ");
scanf ("%d", & b);

c=a+b;

printf ("Addition = %d", c);
getch();
}

----------------------------------end of the program--------------------*/
Now in compiler

Compile = Alt+F9
Run = Ctrl+F9
Output = Alt + F5

Comments: It is a statement which can we written anywhere in the program to understand the logical function for future use. Syntax for comment is /* Comment */ anythign in between /* and */ wont be analyzed by compiler.

Learning C/C++ Introduction Class 1 Dated 3rd Feburary 2010

I was craving for learning C/C++ since long. I did try to learn it myself through various tutorials and few book, but unfortunately could not learn more and there were breaks in it. So I joined one institute. I am writing this for my reference and for those who intend to learn it. I am from non computing background and in research, I am learning it as I have interest in it. I would try to make it as easy as possible. I am sure there would be many flaws, try filling it from other resources too. I am also linking topics to the places on the web I think good for further references. You can also find copy pasted text from various places, just to make work easy for me and help me to organize it properly. Before you start you would need following:

• A computer (anyone would do I guess, C/C++ doesn't need much)
• A IDE there are various available, use Turbo C that is freely available, though it doesn't work well with Vista and Windows 7, if you are on any other OS it would just be fine, in Linux based system GCC would just be fine.
  
• If you are on Vista or Windows 7 try this an older version of Turbo C, I could not find a place to upload a file, mail me if you need it at drsanjivk@gmail.com
  

Introduction (Wiki C (Programing Language)):

It is needed for starters, I know its all blah blah, but for some it is helpful and would be of interest in long run. Here we go.

Language: It is a medium of communication. (Various available, C, C++, VB, JAVA)

Generation of languages (Wiki Programming_language_generations):

1. Machine Level Language (Wiki First generation language):
All the instructions are given in 0 and 1 form (i.e. binary)
Advantages - no need of compilers and faster execution
Disadvantages - Difficult to understand
Learn Binary conversion i.e. digits to binary

2. Assembly Language (Wiki Assembly_Language):
All instructions are written in some mnemonic code i.e. + --> add
Advantage - language is machine dependent and faster to execute but less then machine language
Disadvantage- Not very easy to understand

3. Mid Level Language (Wiki C++):
C is supported by both machine language and high level language. C was developed in 1972 by Dennis Ritchie at the Bell Telephone Laboratories for use with the Unix operating system, California.
Advantage:

• It has powerful patter
• Its a procedural language
• Supports both low and high level language
• Command line argument based
• Machine independent

4. High level language (Wiki High-level):
Advantage is that it is simple languages and is written in simple English. It is easy to understand, write and work with, i.e. C++, JAVA, VB, .net etc.

5.Fourth level language (Wiki Fourth-generation_programming_language):
Advantage is that multiple lines can be written in single command line i.e. select x from student where name = x i.e. mySQL, ORACLE, SQLplus. SQL was developed at IBM by Donald D. Chamberlin and Raymond F. Boyce in the early 1970s. This version, initially called SEQUEL, was designed to manipulate and retrieve data stored in IBM's original relational database product, System R.

Working with Ubuntu

Got busy for sometimes with the Windows again, anyways, writing some of the hints here for newbies for ease on Ubuntu Linux and for my ease, the links given here are personally tried and tested, those that are not will be mentioned, have a great time with linux.

How to configure Pidgin to work with Google Talk

I won't write much here as I found the link here http://www.manast.com/2007/05/11/how-to-configure-pidgin-to-work-with-google-talk and it works perfectly fine. Do let me know if the link is broken or not acessable, I will update.

How to Update Pidgin to the latest version

I tried from lots of sources but nothing worked, but it was easy. Go to System-->Administeration-->Synaptic Package Manager, search for pidgin, mark for 2.6.4 or whatever is the latest version that can be found from Pidgin home and apply, this did work for me. Hope it works for you too. Upgrading Pidgin solves many problem associated with yahoo earlier.

Working with Ubuntu, some tip by and for a newbie

I have Dell inspiron 1520. I was facing some problems with following, but fortunately, I could solve without much problem. Hope it helps

Here it is,

* Webcam is not detected.

My webcam was not detected by Camorama Webcam Viewer, so I tried Cheese Webcam Booth and it worked without any problem. Use it directly from add and remove applicaitons.

* Sound is very very low.

I have tried ALSA drivers for my sound card and from the Sound setting under System –> Preferences –> Sounds I am using OSS rather then ALSA. The sound did increase considerably and I am happy with the sound it is giving now, as compare to earlier that was very feeble.

* How to use Wine to install windows software in Ubuntu

To install Windows applications using Wine, follow these instructions:

1. Download the Windows application from any source (e.g. download.com). Download the .EXE (executable).
2. Place it in a convenient directory (e.g. the desktop, or home folder).

3. Open the terminal, and cd into the directory where the .EXE is located.

4. Type wine the-name-of-the-application.extension (e.g. wine realplayer.exe).

This will start the .EXE using Wine. If it is an installer, it should then run as it would in Windows. If the application asks for a directory to install the application to, select put it under C:\Program Files.More information is here Wine

Hope it helps.

Increasing Internet Speed

Most of us are not on broadband for internet services, even if we are, sometime the speed is excruciatingly slow. It sometimes happens that its difficult to do something one want to with this low speed. The reason be Microsoft reserves 20% of your available bandwidth for its own purposes (suspect for updates and interrogating your machine etc). Here’s how to get it back:

Click Start / Run
Type: gpedit.msc
This opens the group policy editor. Then go to:

Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Network / QOS Packet Scheduler / Limit Reservable Bandwidth

Double click on Limit Reservable bandwidth. It will say it is not configured

Now click on ENABLE reservable bandwidth, then set it to ZERO. This will allow the system to reserve nothing, rather than the default 20%.

This will increase your surfing, downloading, uploading speed.. Hope this helps. Enjoy !!!

Multiple login on Yahoo Messenger

Since long I have searched for dual login (or for that matter multiple login) to yahoo, unfortunately no one told me and it was difficult to find it over the net, however I did find the trick to do it. I am more then happy to share with you all. Here is how you too can do it.

Here is a simple trick to multiple login to yahoo
1. Go to Start ----> Run. Type regedit, then enter.

2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_ USER ----> Software ----> Yahoo ----> Pager ----> Test

3. On the right page , right-click and choose new Dword value .

4. Rename it as Plural.

5. Double click and assign a decimal value of 1.
Now close registry and open multiple yahoo messenger and try with different Login

Now click yahoo icon every time u need to login as new id.

Have good time.

Airtel USB Data Card (To choose or not to)

Since last one and half month I am using Artiel USB Data Card Micromax. At the time of purchasing of the data card I did a lot of

homework regarding which data card service provider is better. Finally keeping pro and cons I decided to take Airtel for the fact that though the services provided by Airtel are costly as compared to other service providers they usually have a logical explanation to all the charges (i.e. you have signed the agreement at the starting, that’s why reading to the agreement is so crucial, though you can not do anything if you do not like their terms and conditions as it is very likely that all other providers have same terms and conditions), but they do explain the reason for the charges, unlike others who says that they do not have information regarding the usage charges but you have to pay for them (i.e. Spice, I have used that long back).

Though I am using Artiel USB Data Card Micromax, which I can’t change now because of the fact that I have already paid for the Artiel USB Data Card Micromax which is 2999.00 which is not refundable under any circumstances and I do not want to go through all the process of taking services from another service provider which is going to be as troublesome as it was with Airtel and it is difficult for someone who is working, I am giving sufficient reasons, why you should not be choosing it in case you are a new customer.

I will start from starting. At the time of purchasing I have been told orally that there are three plans for Data card services Plan 350, Plan 500 and Plan 999. If you are curious about plans do call to customer care or ask me I will write that also. But I have failed to get these plans in hard form like pamphlet; neither, I could find them on Airtel’s website (that is www.airtel.in). So these plans just go orally, you can ask Airtel why? I am still not being able to. To change the plan you need to write to bb.support@airtel.in which may change the plan within 48 hours but will not inform you in this regard till you call them and ask them for the same. You can not request for the change of plans from the Airtel’s website as these plans are not mentioned on Aitel’s website, not you get an option for the same. More importantly it took me 23 attempts to register to Airtel’s website, after complaining three times to Airtel at support@airtel.in along with screen shots of the problem I was facing (which was the massage “we are unable to process your request due to some technical error”). I have not got reply after sending the screen shots from Airtel, except the auto generated messages for the receipt of e-mails. After a week or so I have tried and I finally got it.

I got a huge bill from Airtel (that’s actually more then 7000 Rs for one month only for Data card usage), but that’s not the part of the complaint I have from the Airtel which I may be able to see in my bills when I get it, which is going to be after one week. The customer care won’t tell you about how can I get the bill detail before paying the amount, for that I have to wait till I get the bill delivered to my address, but they insist you paying the amount due, they also won’t tell you that “you pay the bill which you will get later else the services are disconnected without any information in this regard”. They will inform you only that your bills have exceeded the limit (which is decided by Airtel) and you will get this information only after your bill is prepared, so you will neither be able to ask them so stop services in case you think the bill is going higher then what you can pay, nor you can decrease usage as you wont know till the end of month that you are using more then you can pay.

The services to my Artiel USB Data Card were stopped without any prior information in this regard, when I have asked 121 that is suppose to be Airtel Customer Helpline, they informed that my services were barred for the non payment of the billed amount. I have been assured that the services will be restored within one hour once I pay the amount. But again, after waiting for one day when I could not get my services restarted, I have called to 121 again, they said that still your services are barred due to non payment of the amount, after requesting him to check for the payment issue, he said that, payment has been made but not updated from their side, and it will be done within an hour or so. I waited for one hour and called 121 again, then the Customer care executive said that none of your bills are due and he is unbarring services and I should wait another hour or so to get it done. Again after one hour when I have called 121 they have informed me that my services are unbarred and I have got SMS regarding that in my cell (it is crucial to know that you won’t be informed about either the barring or unbarring of your services by SMS until you specifically request them for the same). Now I can used the services again. But again the Data card was neither getting network not it was working. I have called 7070 which is Airtel Data Card Customer Care. The person here said that according to their database the services are still barred and asked me to call 121 again. I have called 121 again and person their said that services are not barred and active, I have asked him how do I know, will I get some SMS or anything like that, he says that Airtel’s policies do not let him do that (I don’t understand why? when they can bother you will all the useless offers), he said that your services have been activated and he can not do anything if 7070 is not able to get the things updated.

I have called 7070 again which still said the same that my services are barred. I hope you can see that I have called 121 for more then 6-7 times, there’s something happened which I did not expected. Service of my number to 121 was barred. I called 7070 again to tell them the same but they said they can not help in this regard and suggested what I can do is to call 121, there’s no other way. Now I can’t call 121, which I later I found was due to calling many times to Airtel, they put your number to ignore list and when you call them it says “ALL OF OUR CUSTOMER CARE EXECUTIVE ARE BUSY ATTENDING OTHER CUSTOMERS, KINDLY CALL LATER” and the phone gets disconnected after you hear you for whole two minutes of Airtel offers and various options you choose to get to Customer care which is quite frustrating. I went to Airtel outlet near my place and there also staff was not very helping in this regard. But they told me to get on to direct hotline 52222 from their landline for this purpose (this number doesn’t work from cell so do not try). Finally, I could get to Airtel Customer care executive, again like pervious customer care executives he said that he has updated the database and I can recheck after one hour, this time he also mentioned that services were barred including 121 for excess calling to 121, which I think is a shameful act on Airtel’s part.

After one hours waiting when I talked to 7070 they said that services are restored to my Airtel number. With this hope I have tried connecting my Artiel USB Data Card Micromax to my laptop, which luckily I brought, but guess what? I was still not being able to get connectivity from my device, like from the time of barring of services still it was saying “The device has been disconnected or unavailable”. People at Airtel’s outlet also tried what all they could, experimenting with the device without any help. I came back to my room loosing all the hopes. All these times I was able to call to 7070 and I was a hope that things might work and fear that 7070 may put call my number on their ignore list. When I have called 7070 again for another 3-4 times they have told me a new method each time to get the things working like:

• Check your SIM if it is working, and after I explain them that I am calling from the same SIM, and then also they insist to get it checked on another cell.

• Uninstalling and installing of the software again which I have already done many times

• Restarting of the system again

• Checking GPRS setting on cell rather then on Airtel’s USB data card by getting settings from 121, which I am not able to call

You can imagine all this time to check your USB Data Card Micromax I have to remove the SIM from my cell and insert it to USB Data Card and to call to Customer care I have to remove SIM from USB Data Card Micromax to my cell, which could be really frustrating when you have to do it more then 25-30 times, with each time listening to all the instructions on all the customer care numbers, waiting and punching your request numbers each time and more importantly explaining each and everything from the starting to a new customer care executive. It was also said that they can only help if there’s problem with the data card and have said that they wont be helping if there’s a problem with the my laptop’s setting or any problem arising due to it, meaning thereby that they wont help even if their software is not perfectly compatible with Vista or in any situations like that.

When I called them again they have given the number of local agent of Micromax for further help, who assured me a visit on coming Monday as they can not come earlier. Let’s see what Monday has for me and I have work to do on Monday.

Unfortunately I can’t suggest you, what to go for if not Airtel USB Datacard. At least I had this in mind that Airtel will close doors totally in case there’s some kind of problem, but unfortunately it did.

Download Linux

Following are the links giving free distribution and downloading of Linux Operating System.

• Fedora Project
  
• Ubuntu Linux
  
• Mandriva Linux
  
• SUSE Linux
  
• Knoppix
• Damn Small Linux
  
• Feather Linux
• The complete list