Eches - Technology | OS | Mobile | Software | Gadgets » Tips & Tricks http://eches.net Tips & Tricks related to web, internet and computer Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:48:12 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 [How to] 5 ways to Recover Lost Account Password in Windows http://eches.net/how-to-5-ways-to-recover-lost-account-password-in-windows/ http://eches.net/how-to-5-ways-to-recover-lost-account-password-in-windows/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:41:12 +0000 niazor http://eches.net/?p=7599 Protecting your computer with password is the best solution for protecting your files especially when you're on shared PC. Sometimes there are cases of user forgetting their user password and cannot access their profile. If this happen there are solutions that you can choose to recover Windows password.

Please don't use this tutorial for accessing someone's profile illegally and only do this if you're on your own computer and forgot your password.


1st Method:

When installing Windows, administrator account is created automatically with blanks password. If you do not remember the password or the administrator password, you can use this step.

1. Wait for your Windows to start up and by the time you see the Welcome Screen, press Crtl+Alt+Del (twice).
2. In the Classic Log In Box type Administrator in username field and leave the password field blanks. Press Enter.
3. User Profile Password can be reset in the Control Panel -> User Accounts
4. Using Safe mode can also enable Administrator account in login screen.


2nd Method:

Recovering password for Windows XP and later version can also be done using Reset Disk. If you have a Password Reset Disk, you can easily recover your lost password by following the step below.

Create & use a password reset disk for a computer in Windows XP
Log On to Windows XP If You Forget Your Password or Your Password Expires


3rd Method:

In Windows XP, there's a loophole for recovering password while repairing Windows Installation. Use this step if the above solution doesn't work.

1. Boot Windows XP using installation disk and follow the step and instruction given.
2. Choose to repair your Windows Installation not installing a new copy.
3. Let Windows repair runs and after copying files it will restart.
4. Hold your finger from pressing any key if displayed Press any key to continue... and let the setup resume itself.
5. Look carefully at the displayed details and when it shows Installing device, press Shift+F10 quickly.
6. A command prompt Windows will appear and in that type nusrmgr.cpl and Enter
7. You'll see User Account windows which let you remove or reset Windows Account password like always.


4th Method:

Check out list of bootable rescue disk CD below for more


5th Method:

If all the recommended solution above fails, just install a new fresh copy of Windows on your computer. Recovering the lost data with Data Recovery Tools may help you get back the data lost in previous installation but the chances are low.

]]> http://eches.net/how-to-5-ways-to-recover-lost-account-password-in-windows/feed/ 0 Prevent internet setting changes http://eches.net/prevent-internet-setting-changes/ http://eches.net/prevent-internet-setting-changes/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:50:41 +0000 niazor http://eches.net/?p=7593 If you're using Internet Explorer in shared computer, your stored setting on Internet Explorer can be modified or changed by other user who has access to your computer. You can prevent changing from other user using the Internet Option dialog box.

In the screenshot above is the after value that probhit changes to your Internet Explorer to other user on your computer.

How to keep Internet Explorer Setting


1. Type inRegedit in your start serarch box to open the Registry Editor.

2. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\

3. Select any of the option that you want to disable by creating a new DWORD with a value of 1.

Accessibility - Disables options in "Accessibility" window in "General" tab

Advanced - Disables options in "Advanced" tab

AdvancedTab - Completely hides "Advanced" tab

Autoconfig - Disables "Automatic Configuration" section in "LAN Settings" window under "Connections" tab

Cache - Restricts changes to Temporary Internet Files settings

CalendarContact - Restricts changes to Calender and Contact List options

Certificates - Restricts changes to Security Certificates in "Content" tab

CertifPers - Restricts changes to Personal Certificates in "Content" tab

CertifPub - Restricts changes to Publisher Certificates in "Content" tab

CertifSite - Restricts changes to Site Certificates in "Content" tab

Check_If_Default - Restricts checking IE as default browser in "Programs" tab

Colors - Restricts changes to "Colors" window in "General" tab

Connection Settings - Disables options in "Connections" tab

Connection Wizard - Disables Internet Connection Wizard

ConnectionsTab - Completely hides "Connections" tab

Connwiz Admin Lock - Disables "Setup Internet Connection" button in "Connections" tab

ContentTab - Completely hides "Content" tab

Fonts - Disables options in "Fonts" window in "General" tab

FormSuggest - Disables AutoComplete Settings for Forms in "Content" tab

FormSuggest Passwords - Disables AutoComplete Settings for Passwords in "Content" tab

GeneralTab - Completely hides "General" tab

History - Restricts changes to History settings in "General" tab

HomePage - Restricts changes to Home page settings in "General" tab

Languages - Restricts changes to "Languages" window in "General" tab

Links - Restricts changes to Links settings in "General" tab

Messaging - Restricts changes to E-mail, Newsgroups, Internet call options in "Programs" tab

Privacy Settings - Restricts changs to Cookies settings in "Privacy" tab

PrivacyTab - Completely hides "Privacy" tab

Profiles - Restricts changes to Profiles in "Content" tab

ProgramsTab - Completely hides "Programs" tab

Proxy - Disables "Proxy server" section in "LAN Settings" window under "Connections" tab

Ratings - Restricts changes to "Content Advisor" settings in "Content" tab

ResetWebSettings - Disables "Reset Web Settings" button in "Programs" tab

SecAddSites - Disables "Sites" button in "Security" tab

SecChangeSettings - Restricts changes to Security Level in "Security" tab

SecurityTab - Completely hides "Security" tab

Settings - Restricts changes to Temporary Internet Files options

Example: Hide the advance tab by adding a DWORD of "AdvancedTab" and set the value to 1.

If you're more serious about disabling the Internet Option, navigate yourself to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\

Add a new Key named "Restrictions" in the Internet Explorer and in the right side panel create a DWORD called NoBrowserOptions and give the value 1

]]> http://eches.net/prevent-internet-setting-changes/feed/ 0 Enable Internet Explorer 9 (IE 9) bar http://eches.net/enable-internet-explorer-9-ie-9-bar/ http://eches.net/enable-internet-explorer-9-ie-9-bar/#comments Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:33:24 +0000 niazor http://eches.net/?p=7561 New Internet Explorer 9 user may notice that the menu bar for the default Browser for Windows is hidden as well as the Favorite Bar, Status Bar and Command Bar. Don't panic because the bar is hidden by default and can be enable back for access with just some step.


How to Enable Internet Explorer 9 Menu, Command, Status and Favorite bar

Method 1:

-Right click on the empty space at the Tab Bar and choose the desired bar to be displayed.

Method 2:

-Pressing the "Alt" button on your keyboard will enable the Menu Bar on your Internet Explorer 9.
-Choose any of the bar that you want to use by going to View Toolbar in the menu
-Press "ALT" key to show Menu bar and then enable the desired bar using "View -> Toolbars" menu.

]]> http://eches.net/enable-internet-explorer-9-ie-9-bar/feed/ 0 Bypass/Disable password complexity requirements in Windows Server 2003/2008 http://eches.net/bypassdisable-password-complexity-requirements-in-windows-server-20032008/ http://eches.net/bypassdisable-password-complexity-requirements-in-windows-server-20032008/#comments Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:45:51 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=7548 Password Complexity Requirements in Windows Server 2003 or 2008 requires user following some strict rules whenever resetting a new password for an account or creating new account. Down here are list of minimum requirements needed when running the task:

1. Password doesn't contain parts of user name or user's full name exceeding 2 consecutive characters.
2. At least 6 character length password must be created.
3. Password must consist of 4 categories character:

  • English uppercase (A to Z)
  • English lowercase (a to z)
  • Numbers (0 to 9)
  • Symbols (!, @, #, $, %, ^, etc.)


How to Bypass/Disable password complexity requirements in Windows Server 2003/2008

1. In your Start menu run box key in gpedit.msc to open Group Policy Editor.

2. Navigate to:

Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> Account Policies -> Password Policy

3. Double click Password must meet complexity requirements in the right panel and in the property windows choose Disable.

4. Here you can also set the expiry time of your password for example never expires by going to Maximum password age and set the option to 0.

5. Type cmd in your start menu run box for Command Prompt.

6. Run the command gpupdate /force to refresh your policy.

7. Restart your computer for the change to take place.

]]> http://eches.net/bypassdisable-password-complexity-requirements-in-windows-server-20032008/feed/ 0 Recover missing files in your USB storage with USB Hidden Folder Fix http://eches.net/recover-missing-files-in-your-usb-storage-with-usb-hidden-folder-fix/ http://eches.net/recover-missing-files-in-your-usb-storage-with-usb-hidden-folder-fix/#comments Sat, 04 Jun 2011 06:58:36 +0000 niazor http://eches.net/?p=7084 If you're on shared PC or has plugged your USB storage device in many computers, your USB storage device might be vulnerable to various malicious threats from infected computers. One of the annoying problems caused by viruses and malware that has infected your USB storage device is your folder location in the USB drive is now completely missing and you have no access to any available files in it.

USB Hidden Folder Fix can find the "missing" files for you. The files is not entirely missing because the attribute of each infected files are changed to "system". USB Hidden Folder Fix will retrieve the files that you are unable to find via normal search as hidden file. This freeware will show you all the hidden files available in your USB storage.

If you try to find the files that you knew are there but can't find it in your USB storage, just select the device in USB Hidden Folder Fix and check the unhide option. This will let you view available files that has been altered by viruses of their attributes.

This is a freeware and on top of that it is portable. You can use them anywhere you want without having to install it.

Download link: USB Hidden Folder Fix

Updated on January 2012: Link is updated with a new live URL
]]> http://eches.net/recover-missing-files-in-your-usb-storage-with-usb-hidden-folder-fix/feed/ 0 How to stop Skype crash issue on your PC http://eches.net/how-to-stop-skype-crash-issue-on-your-pc/ http://eches.net/how-to-stop-skype-crash-issue-on-your-pc/#comments Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:01:45 +0000 niazor http://eches.net/?p=7074 Software crash takes place in some software and sometimes it plagues some of the well-known and well-established software. Skype is no exception as well. Recently, several users of Skype reported that crashing issue happens once in a while when the software is running. Several possible problems that can cause such a problem to the this video calling software. They can be due to Windows compatibility issue or outdated drivers.

The developer might be concerned of the root cause of the problem, but we, users are more concerned on getting the Skype up and running without any interruption. So here's how to get it fixed.

How to fix Skype crash issue

1. Browse into the following folder directory or the Skype custom data folder in your PC.

Windows XP: C:Documents and Settings%username%Application DataSkype
Mac OS: rm ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/shared.xml
Windows 7: C:Users%username%AppDataRoamingSkype

2. Delete file named "shared.xml". That's it. It should fix the crash issue for good.

]]> http://eches.net/how-to-stop-skype-crash-issue-on-your-pc/feed/ 0 How to speed up your computer on Windows 7 and Vista by using USB drive http://eches.net/how-to-speed-up-your-computer-on-windows-7-and-vista-by-using-usb-drive/ http://eches.net/how-to-speed-up-your-computer-on-windows-7-and-vista-by-using-usb-drive/#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2011 22:45:40 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=5588 Windows 7 OS offers a lot of interesting features including an option to improve its system processing memory (speed up the system) by just using any USB drive. In fact this feature is also available in the previous OS, Vista. How does a USB drive can speed up the system I hear your ask. Basically the free space available on your pen drive, can be used as an additional virtual cache memory which in turn increase the system cache memory of your PC. Please note, this method does not increase the capacity of physical RAM but it helps in speeding up your PC.

How to speed up your computer by using USB drive?

1. Plug in your USB drive to your PC and you should see an autoplay popup as picture below. You can then choose the "Speed up my system using Windows Readyboost".

2. If the autoplay doesn't work, don't panic. You can still access the feature manually. Browse in your "Computer" and locate your USB drive. Right click on the USB drive and select "properties" and click the "ReadyBoost" tab.

3. Just select "Use this device" and set the amount of space you want to dedicate for the virtual cache. Windows will then create what is called a paging file on the disk which allows faster access. Please note, this only works with SD cards and USB 2.0 devices. Now your USB drive has been successfully configured such that your system can work faster.

That's it.

]]> http://eches.net/how-to-speed-up-your-computer-on-windows-7-and-vista-by-using-usb-drive/feed/ 0 Recover deleted files in Recycle Bin with iCare Undelete Free http://eches.net/recover-deleted-files-in-recycle-bin-with-icare-undelete-free/ http://eches.net/recover-deleted-files-in-recycle-bin-with-icare-undelete-free/#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:40:23 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=5578 It's very unfortunate when you accidentally deleted the wrong files in Recycle bin. All is not lost though, in fact you can retrieve the deleted files back. iCare Data Recovery Software is free solution that specifically built to help users retrieving back lost files in Recycle bin. iCare Data Recovery has intuitive interface and is an easy-to-use file recovery software. For personal use you can grab it for FREE but if you intend to use it for commercial use, the software comes at $69.95 per copy.

iCare Undelete Free is basically a simplified version of the iCare Data Recovery. Even though it has less features compared to the iCare Data Recovery Software, iCare Undelete Free is capable of recovering most of deleted files.

Key features of iCare Undelete Free

  • Recover files emptied from Recycle Bin
  • Retrieve photos deleted from camera card
  • Recover files deleted by accident
  • SHIFT+DELETE file recovery
  • Hard disk, external hard drive, SD card, CF card, Memory Stick, USB drive, Flash drive, pen drive, etc. supported
  • Emails, office documents, photos undelete recovery

iCare Undelete Free is compatible with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

Download link: iCare Undelete Free
]]> http://eches.net/recover-deleted-files-in-recycle-bin-with-icare-undelete-free/feed/ 0 Find Windows product key with Free Microsoft Key Finder http://eches.net/find-windows-product-key-with-free-microsoft-key-finder/ http://eches.net/find-windows-product-key-with-free-microsoft-key-finder/#comments Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:50:39 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=5573 When you first bought your Windows OS that comes in DVD, the product key that is used to activate the installation usually engraved at the back of the DVD cover. As time goes by, your PC may become sluggish and you decide having a fresh start by reinstalling your Windows OS is the way to go. You start finding Windows DVD cover but to no avail. As we already know, the product key is essential in completing the installation otherwise you may need to buy Windows OS again which is totally ridiculous.

Windows Product Key Finder or also known as WPKF is a handy freeware from Microsoft CodePlex that can easily find your windows key and serial number. The best thing about Windows Product Key Finder is that it is a standalone program, so no installation needed on your PC, just double click on the program and click on "Find Key" to find your windows key and serial number.

Windows Product Key Finder works on Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.

Download link: Windows Product Key Finder
]]> http://eches.net/find-windows-product-key-with-free-microsoft-key-finder/feed/ 0 Convert PDF to Word using Facebook PDF to Word converter http://eches.net/convert-pdf-to-word-using-facebook-pdf-to-word-converter/ http://eches.net/convert-pdf-to-word-using-facebook-pdf-to-word-converter/#comments Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:21:03 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=5162 There are several free applications that can easily convert PDF files to Word documents. One of the best example is PDFZilla. While most applications need to be installed on our PC before we can use it, PDF to Word Converter for Facebook works exactly the same but the process is done right in the Facebook itself, so you don't need to install anything on your PC. All you need to do is to upload files to the Facebook (of course after you are logged in) and it should be available for download right after that.

The result is pretty good giving the fact that the PDF file contains pictures of different size and complicated text structure. Your Word document will be stored for 24 hours otherwise you need to do the conversion again.

PDF to Word Converter for Facebook

]]> http://eches.net/convert-pdf-to-word-using-facebook-pdf-to-word-converter/feed/ 0 7 free Virtual Private Network (VPN) for secure anonymous surfing http://eches.net/7-free-virtual-private-network-vpn-for-secure-anonymous-surfing/ http://eches.net/7-free-virtual-private-network-vpn-for-secure-anonymous-surfing/#comments Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:56:46 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=4735 I wrote the full list of free VPN services available on the internet and it is updated on monthly basis. You can visit for more recent FREE and LIVE VPN services.

What is Virtual Private Network (VPN) anyway? VPN is basically a private network that allows users to connect among each other or remote sites using internet (public network). Instead of connecting using physical connection, it is routed virtually through company’s private network to the remote site. So, it is a private network constructed within a public network infrastructure (Internet).

Why VPN is important?

  • Protect privacy
  • Hiding your real IP address, giving you full anonymity
  • Anonymous surfing
  • Bypass geographical block in certain websites
  • Secured connection for all programs you are using
  • Bypass ISP Blocking for VOIP Applications like Skype
  • Protection against your ISP

1. LogMeIn

It is a free VPN client @ server SSL VPN solution based on OpenVPN which encrypts and put your network connection under the radar, making your connection secure and safe.

2. UltraVPN

A free VPN service. The traffic is encrypted, making it virtually impossible to intercept.

3. Packetix.net

It's a Japanese free Virtual Private Network (VPN) with technology developed by SoftEther Corporation. With Packetix you can create your private Virtual VPN Hub, configure the hub for free and create a remote connection to your home network.

4. ItsHidden

Itshidden creates a secure connection by encrypting data flow, thus protecting your privacy. No software installation is required. It works virtually on all platforms including Windows, Linux, Mac, iPhone and many more.

6. Your Freedom

7. GPass

This is another free VPN service product of the World’s Gate, Inc which offers Internet solutions for information freedom in China and other regions.

]]> http://eches.net/7-free-virtual-private-network-vpn-for-secure-anonymous-surfing/feed/ 0 How to transfer bookmarks from Firefox to Chrome http://eches.net/how-to-transfer-bookmarks-from-firefox-to-chrome/ http://eches.net/how-to-transfer-bookmarks-from-firefox-to-chrome/#comments Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:08:33 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=4493 With Chrome constantly evolves itself into a web browser that is as versatile as Firefox, we can see significant number of internet surfers have been switching to using Chrome instead of Firefox. When you decide to set Chrome as your default browser, one thing that you need to do is transferring all your bookmarks from Firefox into Chrome. Basically, first you need to export all your bookmarks into html file and the second part is when you need to make sure your Google Chrome is successful in importing the html file (the exported file).

Step-by-step to transfer bookmarks from Firefox to Chrome

1. With your Firefox browser opened, select "bookmark" from the top menu, and choose "Organized bookmarks..."

2. With bookmark organizer window opened, select "Import and Backup" from the menu and choose "Export HMTL..."

3. Save the html file that contains your bookmarks into a folder.

4. Firefox is no longer needed, you can close it. Now, you can open Google Chrome. Click on the Chrome's control panel button on the top right hand of the brwoser. Select "Bookmark Manager".

5. Select "Import Bookmarks..." from "Organize" drop down menu. Browse to the folder where you save your Firefox bookmarks previously.

6. If the import is successful, you should see all the imported bookmarks right away. That's it!

]]> http://eches.net/how-to-transfer-bookmarks-from-firefox-to-chrome/feed/ 0 How to limit hard disk space of system restore in Windows 7 http://eches.net/how-to-limit-hard-disk-space-of-system-restore-in-windows-7/ http://eches.net/how-to-limit-hard-disk-space-of-system-restore-in-windows-7/#comments Tue, 28 Dec 2010 08:46:57 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=4320 Windows system restore is a great feature to ensure that we are able to restore to several restore points that are created automatically by the system. Having several restore points will come handy especially if there is something goes wrong with your PC. Problem with system restore is it consumes significant of space of your hard drive.

Turning off system restore completely is not really a good idea because you risk yourself losing sensitive data with no chance of retrieving it back. A more balance solution is to decrease the space limit used for system restore. Windows will keep the latest restore points and delete the older files to limit your hard disk space usage for system restore exceeds.

How you can setup or limit system restore point in Windows

1. Right click on Computer.
2. Select "properties" and go to "System Protection" from the left pane.
3. Select drive C and click "Configure".
4. Choose "Restore system settings and previous version of files" option
5. At disk space usage, adjust the slider to reflect the amount of space you want for your restore point.


6. Click "OK" and you are done.

]]> http://eches.net/how-to-limit-hard-disk-space-of-system-restore-in-windows-7/feed/ 0 How to Play .FLV Files in Windows Media Player http://eches.net/how-to-play-flv-files-in-windows-media-player/ http://eches.net/how-to-play-flv-files-in-windows-media-player/#comments Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:54:38 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=2081 As we all know FLV files cannot run on Windows Media Player and what I usually do is to open the related files with VLC player. VLC player is no doubt one of the versatile media players out there that can run many different video formats. However not everybody is willing to install another video player; they rather stick to Windows Media Player (though it only plays few video formats). If you are adamant of using Windows Media Player to play FLV files, here's 1 simple solution.

PlayFLV plugin basically binds FLV files to Windows Media Player so when you double click on the FLV files it will open directly in Windows Media Player. This plugin is essentially easy to install. All you need to do is download the small plugin and double click the file. It will be automatically installed on your system and you should be ready to enjoy watching FLV files on your Windows Media Player.

Key features

  • Plugin that enables Windows Media Player to playback FLV files
  • Features all default functions, such as zooming, skipping and full screen view
  • Creates file association: Double-click FLV files to play them in Windows Media Player
  • Very lightweight plugin
  • Free and open source
Download link: PlayFLV
]]> http://eches.net/how-to-play-flv-files-in-windows-media-player/feed/ 0 Auto Shutdown PC After Winamp Playlist Ends http://eches.net/auto-shutdown-pc-after-winamp-playlist-ends/ http://eches.net/auto-shutdown-pc-after-winamp-playlist-ends/#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:45:10 +0000 eches http://eches.net/?p=1944 For those who love to listen to their favorite playlists in Winamp might be thinking of having a feature that will turn off PC after the playlist ends. This feature comes handy especially when you do listen to some of your "lullabies" before going to bed. Winamp Shutdown is a Winamp plugin that allows you to set your PC to shut down right after Winamp finishes playing the whole songs in the list.

The plugin is only 9kb and the installation is easy. Just make sure to close your Winamp before running the small plugin, otherwise it might not be working. If everything goes well, you should be able to see a new entry that reads "shutdown playlist has been ended" (like in the picture above) in the "help" menu.

Once playlist comes to an end, the following prompt shows up asking you whether to cancel the shut down (supposed you are still awake).

Download link: Winamp Shutdown
]]> http://eches.net/auto-shutdown-pc-after-winamp-playlist-ends/feed/ 0