MobaLiveCD - Run LiveCD within Windows

In posts Best Linux Live CD - Slax and Windows Live CDs i spoke about live cds and how easy and productive they are to use.

But the thing about them is that they need to be either copied on a CD or a flash drive, and you have to switch off your PC and boot from either of these devices in order to use the live cd.

Well this is what was required up until the awesome software called MobaLiveCD appeared. This application allows you to run your live cd image (.ISO) from within your Windows os!

It essentially creates a virtual machine for your live cd, but without any hassle at all.

You simply run the .exe and select your .iso live cd image and your live cd starts in a seperate window. Select Ctrl+Alt+F for full screen and the same to put it back in a window and select ALT+TAB to switch to another application!

You could also associate .iso files with MobaLiveCD and simply right click on the iso and start it this way.

Lastly you can run it from USB as well. Thus being able plug your flash drive into any machine and run a live cd from within Windows.

A truely awesome app. Try it.

Windows Live CDs (Predominantly used as recovery tools...)

The use of thin client computing lead me to the interesting aspects of linux live CDs, as per post 'Best Linux Live CD - Slax' , but the need for recovery and diagnostics lead me to the interesting aspects of Windows live CDs.

There are two mayor competitors in the field of Windows Live CD recovery/diagnostics tools and they are Ultimate Boot CD 4 Windows and Hiren's Boot CD.

[Reminder that a live cd is a medium enabling you to run an operating system from a cd, thus not needing to be installed to be used and doesnt need any harddrive to work!]

Both applications are burnt onto a CD and booted from. (Remember to change your bios startup options so that it boots from CD first)

Once booted up Windows XP is then loaded onto memory and you are presented with a desktop with SOME of the functionality of the fully fledged installed OS.

These windows live CDs are not viable solutions for everyday use though, as the OS is a cut down version of the original and it doesnt carry the needed drivers for auto installation and it most of the time does not have the correct network drivers installed so it makes it a huge mission to get it on a network once booted.

(Youll notice that these are all the aspects that make the Linux Live Cd SLAX the perfect live cd for every day use cause it does all of these. )

No, Windows Live CDs are not tools that can replace your day by day operating system, it is instead an extremely usefull recovery and diagnostics tool for your Operating System!

Advantages of Windows Live CDs;
* Allow use of a PC even if the machine hdrive is faulty
* Although named "live CDs" both tools can be run from a USB flash drive as well
* Allow access to crashed hard drives when you need to recover data
* Allow recovery tools to save crashed machines
* Allow hardware diagnostics to save crashed machines
* Allow the reset of forgotten passwords
*Countless more tools and operations available.....

Both of these tools provide the option to not just boot the cd into a live windows os, but also run tools from a displayed text-based menu, and you will be able to select the tool you want to run. The selected tool actually boots off a virtual floppy disk created in memory.

Between the two Hiren's definately has my vote, it is better in so many ways;
*Hiren's is simply an ISO you download and burn to disk. UBCD4Win is a compilation tool that you need to use in conjunction with your own copy of windows xp and then compile the ISO to burn to CD!
*Hiren's has the boot option of booting to windoes live CD OR to go to text based menu and run tools from there. UBCD4Win does not have this option, you have to download Ultimate Boot CD (Non Windows) for this! Thus you need 2 UBCD CDs to do what the Hiren's disk can do!

So get over to Hiren's and get the tool, youre gonna need it one day and wont regret hanging on to it.

Some screenshots;

Best Linux Live CD - Slax

Ive played around with some portable Linux OS distributions, but a more complete and extremely easy distribution for carrying around on your flash drive or CD has to be Slax.

Just a couple of features that interest me;

1. They provide an ISO and Zipped archive download, allowinf you to immediately burn the ISO to CD and extract the zipped archive to Flash and run a .bat file to make the flash bootable and your set to start using Linux!

2. The standard build is only 200mb!

3. Youc an customize your build, remove certian software and add other and then they compile the build and allow you your custom download!

4. To improve performance there is an option on startup to copy to ram, this allows you to for example remove the live CD from your drive while youre using the software!

5. Allows any VNC client connection to it (Once allowed in the software)

6. Havent found on board drivers not picked up by slax, everything just works.

6. Network immediately picks up an ip from available dhcp server on network

Been dealing quite a bit with a client using a server setup with thin clients connecting to it. The workstations(clients) dont have any cdroms nor drives in them, and the slax (or any live cd for that mattrer) allow a thin client setup in an instant! I tested slax with an extremely old machine at work, no drive, no cd rom, no cover even (!!) and only 64mb ram! And slax runs! Running the gui interface is admittendly bit slow but running console mode is lightning!

You say it doesnt make sense to use this type of setup on an ongoing daily basis in your workplace for instance, mainly due to the fact that your changes on OS is never saved and lost during reboot, but all you do is setup a file sharing service on your DHCP server and whenever booted into slax the staff immediately have access to the network and their network shares and aslong as staff save all their info on there nothing will be lost!

An extremely viable sollution, the moment you are confident that your staff will be able to use linux instead of windows.

Self ISO(CD) Image Burner

When you have a CD that either autoruns when you put it into your PC or it allows you to boot boot up using it (Like a Windows OS CD) then you cant just copy the files on the one CD to another CD and hope for the autorun or boot to still work cause it wont. If you want to copy CDs like this you make an image of the CD. These image files will then keep the correct structures in place to allow an exact copy of the original CD!

There are two issues with burning these CD image files though, if you arent IT savy you wont know how to burn an image file and if you are IT savy you will want to find an easier way of accomplishing this task.

I found this sofware on Raymond.cc's blog and simply love the idea and how well it works.

CD Self Burner allows you to select a CD image, usually an .ISO file and then convert it into an .EXE file that self burns the image using a built in burning tool by simply double clicking on the created .EXE file!

How simple is it now to have backups of your CDs that only requires a double click to be on CD, makes the sharing of CD images to your friends seamless.

Enjoy.

Bandwidth monitor!

Something was using up all of my home internet bandwidth and it wasnt my own internet usage and all of my antivirus scans showed it wasnt a virus, what to do?

I have 4 pcs on my network and if not all of them then one of them has irregular usage, and i was determined to find it! I needed a tool i could install on each pc to check the wan (internet) activity over a period of time and maybe this way find the culprit!

I found Networx and it does just this and a lot more. I installed it on all 4 pcs on my network and by the next day i found the PC that has the high usage and backed it up and reinstalled it and problem solved!!

Another use: If you have a cap on your internet line and want a warning when the cap is getting close, then you can use this tool to specifty the warning level you want and the software will alarm you at this time.

Enjoy.

Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder

You have your legit software you paid for and now need to reinstall it. How many times have you been in the situation where you then have the software but cant find the product key? It happens to me all the time. This little app solves these issues as it can tell you what the key is on your currently installed apps!

The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware open source utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install Windows from your registry. It allows you to print or save your keys for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003, Server 2008, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007 family of products. It also has a community-updated configuration file that retrieves product keys for many other applications. Another feature is the ability to retrieve product keys from unbootable Windows installations.

Use this link to download the software - http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
Or this link as an alternative - http://files.getdropbox.com/u/644061/keyfinder.2.0.1.zip

Verify your CD or DVD contents with VSO-Inspector

Even in todays digital world with multiple avenues of storing and sharing data online, the need for using Optical Devices for data saving, transfer, use and storage is still very much a reality.

It is in all situations vital that the data being burned to CD or DVD be readable when needed, but i have only really found Nero that has the option of verifying the disk after burning to ensure the data integrity of the disk.

VSO-Inspector is a free utility that does just this.

Simply put the CD in your rom and run a surface scan and file test with the software. Once successful you can feel a little more confident in the CD working once it reaches its destination!

Also note all of the very interesting data the utility gives regarding the specs of your Optical Drive.

Hope this is useful. <via>

Smart Shutdown

Smart Shutdown is a free, commercial-quality shutdown utility for Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista. The program is based on an easy 1-2-3 interface and has an immense number of shutdown options. It allows you to shut down, log off, reboot, lock, turn off, hibernate, disconnect from the Internet or network, enter standby mode in Windows, and shut down and reboot computers in your network--all both manually and automatically.

BatteryBar - Free Battery Monitor Utility

BatteryBar is a simple, straight-forward, battery meter that monitors the status of your battery and displays your battery's status in the taskbar.

BatteryBar constantly monitors the status of your battery as you use your laptop. As it monitors your battery, it keeps historical data on your battery and provide you with a very accurate estimate of how much time is remaining on your battery.

BatteryBar is free.

Best Free Software Collection WITH Hosted Downloads of these...

The following is my ultimate collection of software that is either Free, Free for non-commercial use or Open Source.

Below I list the tools and their respective websites, take the time to follow this link to a download a copy of each of the utilities, i have thrown them in my Dropbox account for you to use. Theres a link to download each individually or one compressed archive that includes all.

(Those wondering how im sharing a public link from Dropbox that lists more than just one file in the link, please checkout my post Sharing multiple private files on one Dropbox link)

The categories and software in my list:

• Antivirus
• Antivir - Free Antivirus Application
  
• Audio
• Audiograbber - Free CD MP3 Ripper
• Quintessential - Free Audio Player
• Audacity - Free Audio Editor
• Media Monkey - Free Audio Organizing
  
• Browser
• Firefox - Free Browser
  
• Burner
• CDBurnerXP - Free CD/DVD Writer
  
• Compression
• 7Zip - Free Compression Tool
  
• Defrag
• Defraggler - Free Defragging Tool
  
• Desktop Search
• Google Desktop - Free Tool
  
• Dvd
• DVDFab - Free DVD Decrypter
• DVDFlick - Free DVD Creation
• Handbrake - Free DVD File Convertor
  
• Encryption
• Truecrypt - Free Tool
  
• FTP
• FileZilla - Free FTP Client
  
• Imaging
• FSViewer - Free Picture Viewer
• Paint.NET - Free Image Editing
• Picasa - Free Image Organizing
  
• Office
• OpenOffice - Free Office Suite
  
• Optimisation
• CCleaner - Free OS Optimisation Tool
  
• Pdf
• PrimoPDF - Free PDF Printer
• FoxitReader - Free PDF Reader
  
• Remote
• TeamViewer - Free Remote Assistance Tool
• UltraVNC - Free VNC Tool
• OpenVPN - Free VPN Tool
  
• Screen
• Jing - Free Screen Recording and Capturing
  
• Spyware
• Spyware Terminator - Free AntiSpyware
  
• Storage
• DropBox - Free Online Storage
  
• Video
• Media Player Classic - Free Video Player
  
• Virtual
• VirtualCloneDrive - Free Virtual Optical Drives
• Windows Pager - Free Virtual Desktops
• VirtualBox - Free Visualization Software
  

Again, follow this link to a download a copy of each of the utilities

Ultimate Boot CD for Windows - Free Tool

UBCD4Win is a bootable recovery CD that contains software used for repairing, restoring, or diagnosing almost any computer problem. Their goal is to be the most complete and easy to use free computer diagnostic tool. Almost all software included in UBCD4Win are freeware utilities for Windows®.

Tools included in and accessible via the live Windows CD;

• Anti-Spyware Tools
• AntiVirus Tools
• Applications
• CD Burning Applications
• Commercial software Plugins -note-:requires license and files to build
• Disk Tools
• Backup/Cloning
• Defrag
• Diagnostic
• Partition
• Security
• File Management
• Compression
• Explorers
• Recovery
• Games    
• Linux Tools
• MultiBoot Tools
• Network Tools
• Password Tools
• Registry Tools
• Shell Features
• System Information Tools
• Benchmark Tools
• Information & Diagnostic Tools
• UBCD4Win Exclusive Tools

Unlocker - Free Windows Optimizer

# Ever had such an annoying message given by Windows?



      It has many other flavors:
      Cannot delete file: Access is denied
      There has been a sharing violation.
      The source or destination file may be in use.
      The file is in use by another program or user.
      Make sure the disk is not full or write-protected and that the file is not currently in use.



# Unlocker is the solution!

      1. Simply right click the folder or file and select Unlocker
      2. If the folder or file is locked, a window listing of lockers will appear
      3. Simply click Unlock All and you are done!

Motion Detection - Free webcam security tool

Motion Detection 1.02 - This is an experimental application that saves still pictures and/or makes .avi files when anything in motion is detected in front of the selected webcam. The pictures and the frames of the movies are timestamped. (Size: 130 KB)

AddToRun - Free windows tool

AddToRun is a small utility that will allow you to open any file or application from the Start Menu's Run Command dialog box (WIN+R). It has a very simple interface which will allow you to select a file and assign it an alias or friendly name.

RRT [Remove Restrictions Tool] - Free windows tool

Registry editor or task manager disabled by Administrator, but you do have admin rights? No problem, RRT will re-enable your restricted access for you. These issues are often caused by viruses and one in particular is the BRONTOK virus.

iRotate - Free display tool

iRotate provides convenient access to the native rotation capabilities present in contemporary display drivers, via a popup menu accessible from the system tray and optional system-wide hotkeys. It's no longer necessary to resort to bloated Windows hacks, additional software layers or phantom drivers to achieve content rotation. In most instances, support is now available directly from the graphics chip manufacturers, who continuously improve and apply quality assurance to their drivers.

CodySafe - Flash Drive Tool

CodySafe is a software tool that turns any portable drive from a simple data carrier to a computer-on-stick. Carry your computer programs with you, manage them, launch them on any PC, and leave no footprint behind. Manage you documents, multimedia files and pictures on your removable media. These and other useful features as well as user-friendly and gratifying to the eye interface of the CodySafe make this software product exceptional, stylish and trendy.

 

Simply download CodySafe, install it on your portable drive and get the sense of real portability.

 

Enjoy operating you USB flash drive or portable hard disk. The management of your portable documents, multimedia files and pictures has never being that easy. Add and control your portable applications with maximum convenience. Enjoy the most stylish and elegant menu, designed using cutting-edge technologies especially for Windows Vista and Windows 7.

 

AntiVir - Version Update to 9.0

Filed under : Security Antivirus Publishers Description : The AntiVir Personal Edition offers the effective protection against computer viruses for the individual and private use on a single PC-workstation. In order to make possible an easy operation, the AntiVir Personal Edition is developed to the essential points. Bookmark and Share Pgg.co.za! www.pgg.co.za

Posted via email from Pgg.co.za

Recuva - Version Update to 1.25

Filed under : Tweaking Publishers Description : Recuva (pronounced "recover") is a freeware Windows utility to restore files that have been accidentally deleted from your computer. This includes files emptied from the Recycle bin as well as images and other files that have been deleted by user error from digital camera memory cards or MP3 players. It will even bring back files that have been deleted from your iPod, or by bugs, crashes and viruses! Bookmark and Share Pgg.co.za!

Posted via email from Pgg.co.za

CDex Audio CD Ripper

CDex can extract the data directly (digital) from an Audio CD, which is generally called a CD Ripper or a CDDA utility. The resulting audio file can be a plain WAV file (useful for making compilation audio CDs) or the ripped audio data can be compressed using an audio encoder.

Many encoders are supported, to name a few:

• Lame MP3 encoder
• Internal MP2 encoder
• APE lossles audio format
• Ogg Vorbis encoder
• The Windows MP3 encoder (Fraunhofer MP3 encoder)
• NTT VQF encoder
• FAAC encoder
• Windows WMA8 encoder

In addition, WAV files on the hard drive can be converted to a Compressed Audio File (and visa versa). CDex also supports many audio file tag formats like the ID3V1 and ID3V2 tags, which can be automatically inserted as part of the ripping process.

One of the best additional features : Read / store album information from/to a local and/or remote CD Database (CDDB)

Posted via email from Henk's posterous