Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Does your Android device suddenly have annoying pop-up ads

I had this happen  to me and after searching online couldn't find a solution any where to disable this annoying issue.

I finally found it myself and decided to share it

Solution 1:
1. Go to Settings on the phone
2. Select the Apps section
3. Find Chrome
4. Scroll down and turn off Apps that can appear on Top and Apps that can change System Settings and turn them off as shown.


If the above fails do the following

Solution 2:
The other option is to Disable Chrome and Google and then download Firefox
1. Go in to the Apps Section 
2. Select Chrome and disable it will giving you warning that Apps might not work that is
fine
3. Click the Disable button
Screens shown below it is shows first as Enabled


Click the Disable option again the phone will still work fine. Some some Google features will not work but it can always re-enable and disable.  I tested and you can't add a gmail mail account



*** Some some Google features will not work but it can always re-enable and disable.  I tested and you can't add a gmail mail account ***

Repeat the steps for Google itself

*** Some some Google features will not work but it can always re-enable and disable.  I tested and you can't add a gmail mail account ***

Wednesday, 10 June 2015

Decommissioning MS Exchange 2010



Exchange 2010 Manual Un-Installation is UN-SUPPORTED.
The Best way to Remove Exchange 2010 is Uninstall it from Add/Remove Programs.
This will COMPLETELY REMOVE ALL Exchange related objects from Organization Completely.
As It will Remove all Exchange Related Active directory Objects , None of the Exchange related stuff will work after you complete the following Manual Un-Installation.
Please don’t follow in case you have any working exchange server ( 2000,2003,2007 or 2010) in your Organization.
Prepare for Manual Un-Installation:
1. Take System State Backup of your Active directory
2. Take Exchange Database Flat file Copy (OR) Backup
3. Make a Note of All your Mailbox Database names, Organization names, MRM Details, MRM Retention Tag Details, MRM Retention Policy Details, OWA Mailbox Policy details, Exchange Active sync Mailbox Policy details, Email Address Policy Details, Transport Rules, Journal Rules, Send/Receive Connector Details, Global Settings, UM Settings etc.
4. Run ExBPA Report and Export the Report for future reference.
5. Go to Registry Editor and Export “My Computer” as Registry backup.
Remove Binaries, Registry from Exchange Server:
1. Go to Exchange 2010 Server
2. Make Sure Exchange management Console and Exchange Management Shell are Closed.
3. Go to Services.msc
4. Right Click on “Microsoft Exchange Active Directory Topology Service”.
5. Go to Properties.
6. Stop the Service. Make the Startup type “Disabled”
7. Click ok.
8. Stop and Disable All the Exchange Related Services below in the same method.
            Microsoft Exchange Address Book
            Microsoft Exchange Anti-spam Update
            Microsoft Exchange EdgeSync
            Microsoft Exchange File Distribution
            Microsoft Exchange Forms-Based Authentication
            Microsoft Exchange IMAP4
            Microsoft Exchange Information Store
            Microsoft Exchange Mail Submission Service
            Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Assistants
            Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Replication Service
            Microsoft Exchange Monitoring
            Microsoft Exchange POP3
            Microsoft Exchange Protected Service Host
            Microsoft Exchange Replication Service
            Microsoft Exchange RPC Client Access
            Microsoft Exchange Search Indexer
            Microsoft Exchange Server Extension for Windows Server Backup
            Microsoft Exchange Service Host
            Microsoft Exchange Speech Engine
            Microsoft Exchange System Attendant
            Microsoft Exchange Throttling
            Microsoft Exchange Transport
            Microsoft Exchange Transport Log Search
            Microsoft Exchange Unified Messaging
            Microsoft Search (Exchange Server)

Refer to:
Overview of Services Installed by Exchange Setup 
9. Restart the Exchange Server.
10. Go to Registry Editor.
11. Navigate to the following registry entries and delete them.
COMPUTER ->HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ->SOFTWARE -> MICROSOFT -> EXCHANGE
COMPUTER ->HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ->SOFTWARE -> MICROSOFT -> EXCHANGESERVER
COMPUTER ->HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ->SYSTEM ->CURRENTCONTROLSET ->SERVICES ->MSEXCHANGE* (Everything Starts with MSExchange)
COMPUTER -> HKEY_CURRRENT_USER -> SOFTWARE -> MICROSOFT -> EXCHANGESERVER
11. Open Windows Explorer.
12. Navigate to %Program Files%Microsoft
13. Rename “Exchange Server” Folder as “Old Exchange Server”
14. Restart the Exchange Server.
15. Download the Windows Installer Clean up utility from the below link
16. Install it in the Exchange Server and Open it.
17. Remove the Microsoft Exchange Related Products. Ex.
            Microsoft Exchange 2007 Enterprise Anti-Spam Signature
            Microsoft Exchange 2007 Enterprise Block List Update
            Microsoft Exchange 2007 Standard Anti Spam-filter Update
            Microsoft Exchange Client Language Pack
            Microsoft Exchange Server
            Microsoft Full Text Indexing Engine for Exchange
            Microsoft Exchange Full text indexing Services
18. Restart the Exchange Server.

Removing Active Directory Objects:
1. Go to Primary Domain Controller
2. Open ADSIEDIT
3. Right Click on ADSIEdit and Click Connect to
4. Connect to “Default Naming Context”
5. Navigate to the following objects and Delete them.
DC=Domain,DC=Com -> OU=Microsoft Exchange Security Groups
DC=Domain,DC=Com -> CN=Microsoft Exchange System Objects
6. Right Click on ADSIEdit and Click Connect to
7. Connect to “Configuration”
8. Navigate to the following objects and Delete them.
CN=Configuration,DC=Domain,DC=Com -> CN=Services -> CN=Microsoft Exchange
CN=Configuration,DC=Domain,DC=Com -> CN=Services -> CN=Microsoft Exchange Autodiscover
9. Force the Active directory Replication.
10. Exchange 2010 Manual Uninstallation is Completed

Tuesday, 2 June 2015

Password Woes -- Do you need a way to remember them

If you are like myself there are so many Passwords in your head and you are always forgetting them.
There are several tools out there whether it be a Password Keeper on your phone to using an Excel Spread sheet, to a Word Document.

The tool I find the most useful is a free program called KeePass

You can find it here and it is easy and free to use
http://keepass.info/

Here is a screen shot of the program


It is easy to add Sub-folders and main folders and an excellent way to keep your self organized

E-mail Etiquite - Simple rules to follow


  • Do not be Annoying
  • Use Threads - Don’t create New E-mail for the same Topic Items
  • Remember Spacing and Design:
  • Give it a Name: - Use a Subject
  • Mind Your Manners
  • Watch your Tone - Don’t be Offensive
  • Be Concise – Get to the Point Remember the K.I.S.S philosophy
  • Be Professional
  • Use Correct Spelling and Proper Grammar
  • Don’t use all CAPS anywhere in an E-mail – This is perceived as Screaming and is unprofessional
  • Reply to Messages as soon as possible – Don’t sit on it 
  • Use and Auto-responder – When you are out of the office for a day or more so people know
  • End Emails in a Friendly Way
  • Work Email is Owned by Your Company 
  • – Keep your Company E-mail address for work E-mail and have a Personal E-mail Address for home.  Keep them separate – DON’T use work for Personal Correspondence


Sunday, 31 May 2015

Windows 8 Shortcut keys



Moving between Metro and Desktop
  • <Windows>
    Brings up the Metro start screen. You can start typing to search for an app, just like the Win7 start menu.
  • <Windows> + <B>
    Go to the Desktop from the Metro Start Screen
  • <Windows> + <D>
    Brings you to Windows desktop from the Metro Screen
Snapping
  • <Windows> + < . >
    snap right
  • <Windows> + <Shift> + < . >
    snap left
Switching between applications
  • <Windows> + <Tab>
    Opens the Metro application switcher menu, switches between applications.
  • <Windows> + <J>
    Switches focus between snapped Metro applications.
  • <ALT> + <F4>
    Close an application
  • <Windows> + <R>
    To bring up the run window from the desktop, so you can type in an application name to run
Semantic Zoom
  • <CTRL> + <+>
    Zoom in
  • <CTRL> + <->
    Zoom out
  • or hold down <CTRL> and use Mouse Wheel to zoom in and out
Displaying App & Charms Bar
  • <Windows> + <C>
    Brings up the Charms menu, where you can search, share, and change settings.
  • <Windows> + <Z>
    Opens the App Bar for the current Metro application.
All the other shortcuts I could find!
  • <Windows> + E – Launch Windows Explorer with Computer view displayed.
  • <Windows> + F – Brings up the Metro File search screen.
  • <Windows> + H – Opens the Metro Share panel.
  • <Windows> + I – Opens the Settings panel, where you can change settings for the current app, change volume, wireless networks, shut down, or adjust the brightness.
  • <Windows> + K – Opens the Devices panel (for connecting to a projector or some other device)
  • <Windows> + L – Lock PC and return to Lock screen.
  • <Windows> + M – Minimize all Windows on the desktop
  • <Windows> + O – Locks device orientation.
  • <Windows> + P – Choose between available displays.
  • <Windows> + Q – Brings up the Metro App Search screen.
  • <Windows> + R – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and display the Run box.
  • <Windows> + U – Switch to the (classic) Windows desktop and launch the Ease of Access Center.
  • <Windows> + V – Cycles through toasts.
  • <Windows> + W – Brings up the Metro Settings search screen.
  • <Windows> + X – Launch Start Menu.
  • <Windows> + Y – Temporarily peek at the desktop.
  • <Windows> + Page Up / Down – Moves tiles to the left / right.
  • <Windows> + , (comma) – Aero Peek at the deskto


An Excellent and Easy to configure Solution for Home Users

I am sure many of you have no idea that a tech savvy home user can take and convert an old PC in to a firewall, Parental Control device and free Anti-Virus server

Yes this option is available from Sophos for free.

Here is the link to the tool
https://www.sophos.com/en-us/products/free-tools/sophos-utm-home-edition.aspx

You can burn it to DVD or install as Virtual appliance if you Have an old PC you can install it to an older PC you need at least 4GB of RAM and a 40 GB hard drive for nominal Performance

Sunday, 28 October 2012

Windows 8 Shorcut keys


Windows 8 has Arrived and it will change how you use your computer.

 Keyboard shortcuts

First and foremost, if you haven’t historically been a fan of keyboard shortcuts, you must use them in Windows 8. By making the interface more touch-friendly, some features — like the power button — are now much harder to get to with the mouse. Fortunately, Microsoft has added a few keyboard shortcuts that mostly ameliorate the pain.
  • Alt-F4 — In one of the best changes since Developer Preview, you can now close Metro apps using Alt-F4!
  • Windows 8 power optionsWindows Key-I — This pops up the new system tray, which slides in from the right. If you hit Space or Enter, the Metro control panel opens. If you hit Up then Enter, you can shut down the computer. (This is the fastest way to shut down or restart!)
  • Windows Key — If you have a multi-monitor setup, popping up the Start Screen with the Windows Key is actually rather painless, and an excellent way to check on your mail, instant messages, and so on. Tapping Windows Key again hides the Start Screen and returns you to the previous app (could be the Desktop, or another Metro app). If you start typing the name of an app from the Start Screen, Windows will automatically start looking for it (just like Windows 7)
  • Windows Key-F — If specifically want to search through files, rather than apps, use Windows-Key-F. Windows Key-W searches settings.
  • Windows Key-C — One of the most annoying menus to get to in Windows 8, with a keyboard and mouse anyway, is the Charms menu. Fortunately, you can also use Windows Key-C, and then the arrow keys.
  • Alt-Tab — Alt-Tab, believe it or not, app switches through Desktop and Metro apps. This can take a bit of getting used to.
  • Windows-Tab — This cycles through your Metro apps. I know, you’re probably devastated: The 3D “Aero Flip” from Windows Vista and 7 is no more!
  • Windows Key-Z — In a Metro app, this opens the App Bar (i.e. the app’s menu). Unfortunately there aren’t any keyboard shortcuts for selecting items from the App Bar, but hopefully they’ll be added before retail release.
  • Windows-Page Up — This switches which screen the Metro interface (i.e. the Start Screen and any Metro apps) appears on. The switch is very rapid (it’s kind of fun to just hit Windows-Page Up over and over…) Obviously, this is only useful if you have a multi-monitor setup.
These are a few that will make your life easier that is for sure.
The Metro Interface is scary at first for the computer savvy but it grows on you.




  • Remember that Windows 7 is underneath Windows 8. Almost everything you could do in Windows 7, you can do in Windows 8. The Superbar (taskbar) is your friend! Pin everything to it! Jump lists still exist. Superbar thumbnails are still there. The System Tray is still there. The original Control Panel is still there. The significant difference is that you must go into the Metro interface to search for apps (which is a bit odd, in my opinion, but maybe Microsoft will provide another option before retail release).
  • Windows 8 Pin to Start 
  •  
  • Don’t be afraid of the Metro Start Screen. Embrace it! Remember that you can pin anything to the Start Screen (see right). Move your Start Screen tiles around. Name your tile groups. Remember, as soon as you log in, you can start typing the name of the app you want to open. You’re going to be seeing the Metro screen at least a few times per day, so try to love it.
  • If you really don’t like the Start Screen, however… There is one thing you can do: You can make the Desktop automatically appear after you log in, instead of the Start Screen. There is unfortunately no known way to disable the Start Screen in Windows 8 Consumer Preview, however; you’re always going to see it when searching for apps.
  • Press any key on the lock screen. Windows 8 features a new (very touch-oriented) lock screen. You can drag it upwards with your mouse (painful) or press any key on your keyboard (much easier).
  • Run as administrator. Start Screen tiles still have right-click context menus, including “Run as administrator.” You can use the arrow keys to navigate the context menu. From this same menu you can pin apps to the taskbar/Superbar, too (but not Metro apps, sadly; hopefully this will be added!)
  • You can navigate the Start Screen with the arrow keys. You can also use Page Up/Down to move quickly between the groups. This is much faster than panning with the mouse.