Tech Reviews, Tips and Tricks
Windows ReadyBoost
0May 14, 2012
So maybe you already know about this trick, or maybe you never heard about it…
Windows ReadyBoost has been around since 2006 and still remains a viable way to boost random disk reads with performance that is typically 80-100 times faster than random reads from traditional hard drives. This applies to to all disk content, not just the page file or system DLLs (applicable on Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8). It works by using flash memory, a USB flash drive, SD Card, CompactFlash or any kind of portable flash mass storage system as a cache for the Windows operating System.
Getting Started using ReadyBoost:
(1.) Obtain a USB flash drive, SD Card or CompactFlash Drive (Minimum 256MB, Maximum 4GB).
I prefer to use a USB Flash Drive and place it on an empty USB port at the rear of my Tower. That way, there is minimal risk of getting bumped or unplugged.
(2.) Make sure your flash device contains no other files on it (for maximum performance).
(3.) Plug your preferred flash device into an available port and you should see a Properties Dialog Box open up (such as illustrated above).
(4.) Click the Tab on the Dialog Box that says “ReadyBoost”. Select the radio button that reads “Use this device”, then click on “OK”. Altenately, you may use the slider that reads “Space to reserve for system speed” and adjust accordingly. By default, Windows will leave this at the maximum threshold.
To Quit using ReadyBoost:
(1.) Open up “My Computer” and locate the flash device you are currently using for ReadyBoost.
(2.) Right Click on the icon for that Drive and select “Properties”.
(3.) Navigate to the ReadyBoost Tab and select the radio button that reads “Do not use this device”. Click “OK”.
ReadyBoost can be an excellent tool to help maximize your windows experience. If you have an extra usb flash drive just sitting around, collecting dust, give it a try and see the difference for yourself. If you like the benefits of ReadyBoost, there are aftermarket USB Flash Drives that perform faster than others. That would be the next step to maximizing ReadyBoost!
How to remove a Rootkit Virus (Windows)
0May 14, 2012
Many of you may have come across rootkit viruses before and can understand how frustrating they can be to remove. Most of the time, technicians will end-up reformatting a hard drive because the diligence proved unfruitful in the end. Even if you can conquer a rootkit virus, the possibility of it lurking in your system files, only to rear it’s ugly head again, is very much a reality. This can leave your system vulnerable to hackers/crackers who are on a path to steal personal information and/or create a wealth system from your internet browser’s redirects.
So, let’s review a simple and straightforward approach to remove these types of infections.
What is a Rootkit Virus?
A rootkit is a stealthy type of malicious software (malware) designed to hide the existence of certain processes or programs from normal methods of detection and enable continued privileged access to a computer. The term rootkit is a concatenation of “root” (the traditional name of the privileged account on Unix operating systems) and the word “kit” (which refers to the software components that implement the tool). The term “rootkit” has negative connotations through its association with malware.
*Source: Wikipedia
Getting Started:
Since a Rootkit Virus is only active after boot-up on the infected drive, we are going to use the following procedure to rid our infected Hard Drive of the virus.
(1.) Remove the infected Hard Drive form the PC, or Laptop, in question.
(2.) Invest in, or borrow, a hard drive adapter like the one illustrated above.
For our needs, we used the BT-205, from Bytec.
(3.) Slave the infected Hard Drive to another healthy PC, or Laptop, using the appropriate connections available on the adapter (connections may vary).
For reference, a rootkit virus will not be transferable to your healthy PC, as it is a virus that attacks the system file only of the affected PC.
(4.) Now that you have successfully connected the adapter to the PC and slaved hard drive, let’s begin.
Start by downloading the following free tools:
Now, that you have downloaded the above tools, install both programs to the default directories that the program prompts you to. If either Program asks to update definitions, please allow so as this is a very important step. Now, execute both programs (both at once, or one at a time -your choice) and scan only the attached Slaved drive. The drive letter for this will most likely be “E:” or “D:”, depending on your PC’s configuration.
When launching Malwarebytes, select “Perform full scan” versus “Perform quick scan”.
(5.) Once the scan(s) have completed, follow the program prompts to remove the threats (highlighted in Red).
(6.) It is possible that Spybot Search & Destroy may prompt you to reboot to finish the Scan. If so, please allow and reboot to finish the Scan. Either way, the PC/Laptop should be rebooted after both scans (regardless).
(7.) Once you have rebooted, disconnect the adapter and Hard Drive from the PC. It should now be safe to install back into the original PC and/or Laptop.
