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Handled issue with Microsoft Office's clipboard

2007-11-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

New release of Network Clipboard and Viewer 1.0.0.25, will handle an issue with Microsoft Office's clipboard manager (this is not a Network Clipboard's issue).

If you launch Microsoft Word and select any text and use the Copy to clipboard, a strange behavior occurs if you have a clipboard viewer running: an OLE bookmark is generated about that text. This can be easily detected if View Bookmarks is enabled on Microsoft Word (check the box at Tools>Options>View>Show>Bookmarks). This only happens if you are running a clipboard viewer software that scans all clipboard formats when a change is detected (like Network Clipboard and Viewer does, same as the Microsoft's Clipboard Viewer Start>Run>ClipBrd.exe).

Clipboard Monitor included in Network Clipboard and Viewer, now includes two new Advanced Settings (Options>Preferences>Advanced Settings>Clipboard Monitor):

* Ignore formats.
* List of formats to ignore, one per line.

If you found new problematic formats, please let me know. This new configuration is flexible and does not require for an update if a new problematic format is found, just need to add it to the list of clipboard format's to ignore.

Unfortunately, when a clipboard format is ignored, there is no way to access that clipboard format's properties so the size for ignored formats will be displayed as zero-size, but this is not real. A simple command to get the clipboard format's size, will cause this strange behavior on Microsoft Word.

This release also disables by default generating Own Clipboard Format for Clipboard Monitor, because generates issues with Microsoft Excel when cells are selected and the clipboard contents change (if you have a previous release, you may need to disable this manually, ensure option Options>Preferences>Advanced Settings>Clipboard Monitor>Disable own format is checked).

Thanks to Tim W.

New experiences with Perfect Disk 8

2007-10-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

I decided to perform more extensive tests with PerfectDisk8 on two working workstations:
1) Windows XP SP2 -32bit, 1GB RAM, 120HG IDE Hard Disk, Athlon XP 2400GHz.
2) Windows XP SP1 -64bit (version 2003), 1GB RAM, 80GB and 160GB SATA Hard Drives, Intel Pentium D 3.20GHz
Uninstalled Diskeeper v10 and rebooted each box before installing PerfectDisk v8.

RESOLUTION OF ISSUES AFTER INSTALLATION.
On workstation 1, I had the issue the drives list were gone on Perfect Disk manager. This issue was solved. I had to re-register COM. This is performed using command Start Menu | Run and using the command regsvr32 ole32.dll (you may also open a MS-DOS Command Prompt, then type the command above). You can also download Re-registerCOM.zip and run a script to perform this task. You may enter Raxco support for details.

Workstation 2 was more tricky. I faced another issue: the boot defragmentation didn't work (previously I Analyzed the disks, and PerfectDisk suggested an offline defragmentation). I got errors about "driver conflict" issue and boot process continues normally, without executing the defragmentation. At Raxco support, found many possible causes, but the only thing that match is I use Daemon Tools. I updated the SPTD driver (click here) and after reboot, tried to schedule an offline defrag. After reboot, I just didn't see any error or message, just the normal Windows boot process.

I tried another approach, as suggested by Raxco Support, I downloaded a tool (click here or look at support page) that fix the order of PDBoot (from Perfect Disk) at boot process. The fixer executed with no errors. Another reboot and nothing works. I re-schedule an offline defrag, reboot, but nothing. On the support page about "driver conflict" exists a "BlockedFileList.exe", that appends to Windows Registry a list of files that PerfectDisk will block during the boot time defrag pass (I was a little tired of this issue). Another reboot and still nothing. Well, I decided to test the improved PerfectDisk defragmentation method. I selected the C drive and hit Analyze, now another problem I was unable to found at Raxco website: "PerfectDisk could not start the analysis of drive c\: the system cannot find the file specified".

After this new problem, I decided to use the Repair installation feature. Control Panel | Add/Remove programs | Perfect Disk | Change.

As usual, the Repair option was available.

After repaired, the Analyze option was back to normal. I re-schedule an offline defragmentation at boot, and after reboot, finally :), it worked!

I was impressed with Metadata defragmentation. Diskeeper was unable to move a lot of fragments considered as "System Files", so I always looked a lot of this pieces of green lines on disk's map.

That was a problem I accepted. I started to get those extra "unmovable files" when using more NTFS Compression and Encryption.

The PerfectDisk map before, shows almost the same, a lot of fragmented metadata (I didn't pay attention to exact color, was black or dark gray, looking at legend, black are excluded, gray is metadata, but fragmented blocks are darker... I think this could be more clear). That was represented by a lot of dispersed "black" blocks on disk map, even after regular "Smart Placement" defragmentation.

After offline defragmentation, the disk's map was magically changed, no more dispersed blocks:
WHAT I LIKED FROM PERFECTDISK 8
* The metadata defragmentation is impressive, that is one thing I wanted from Diskeeper.
* The View file name from NTFS's ID/number.
* Clean interface.
* The SmartPlacement method, seems more logical now.

WHAT I MISS FROM DISKEEPER
* FragShield. This is useful to adjust the MFT size to avoid defragmentation of MFT on NTFS volumes.
* The I/O Sensor, useful when scheduled defragmentation, but if computer is in use, the sensor stop defragmentation. The I/O Sensor was replaced by a new technology after Diskeeper v10.

WHAT I'LL NOT MISS FROM DISKEEPER 2007
Initially, the new "sensor" technology on Diskeeper 2007 looked ideal. A sensor detects when computer is IDLE and start a defragmentation in background, using almost no resources.
After few days, this new sensor makes me paranoic... "is this really working?" I mean, there is no notice of this new background method is working, not even an icon on System Tray like previous versions. I have to start Diskeeper 2007 and look at the dashboard when this new technology is actually working.
After many days, I was not calm with this method, and with the fact of not being notified with an icon that in fact is working, and when.
I liked the SmartSchedule method, worked for me a lot. But now I think this new sensor is not the perfect solution, because I don't want my hard drives to be permanently working.

FINALLY
Well, I'll continue testing more the PerfectDisk defragmentation on workstations. The server part will continue using Diskeeper v10 (not 2007) until I have zero issues with PerfectDisk. I can't stop production servers to solve extra issues.

Diskeeper 2007 vs PerfectDisk v8

2007-10-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Well, just after testing PerfectDisk v8, I decided to uninstall it and try Diskeeper 2007. This is the image map of Diskeeper 2007 of my C: drive, just defragmented with PerfectDisk. The red spaces means poor performance files, and I trusted more in Diskeeper algorithm. I solved many performance issues based on this analysis.

Diskeeper defragmentation method is improved in new version. It looks a little different than previous release, but still preserve a professional look, maybe not so easy to understand for beginners when start using this tool. Background defragmentation is running while I'm writing this blog. I don't feel any running slower on my computer, Diskeeper 2007 seems to use even less resources than previous version, and running at low priority (CPU priority) I cannot notice it is running at all. PerfectDisk uses normal priority (CPU priority), so while it was running, things were turning a little slower, so I decided to do another thing until PerfectDisk finished.

I tested Diskeeper in server environments too, I have to be clear: I can't trust on another defragmentation tool on Servers (specially critical production servers).

I'll keep Diskeeper.

Diskeeper vs Perfect Disk

2007-10-15T18:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I used Diskeeper for years (since 2004) and today I decided to try PerfectDisk v8.0.64.

PerfectDisk's interface looks more friendly for novices, but PerfectDisk itself appears with some bugs for me.

First I tested it on a Virtual PC machine with fresh Windows XP-SP2, no problems at all. On my workstation, I uninstalled Diskeeper v10, reboot, then installed PerfectDisk v8.0.64. It doesn't need to reboot. On my first run, the drives list just appears empty, no drives at all. I spend few minutes at manufacturer's website, and found the problem: needs to register ole32.dll again.
This looks strange for me. Ok, solution applied:

Start Menu > Run > regsvr32 ole32.dll

Now PerfectDisk shows my drives. I was a little fearful of running this on my workstation, if anything wrong I'll have to reinstall. The Smart method seems very simple but effective, I mean, it put the files you don't modify often at beginning of drive, the frequently modified at end, and consolidates all free space. Still was buggy, I was unable to get a progress of the process, so I decided to hit the F5 key to refresh, and the status changed to "Idle" while running defragmentation, the progress bar never shows a single step, and the status at list permanently shows "Analyzing" while defragmenting, and no progress at all. I decided to leave it running. The diskmap shows me the progress and a status label indicates defragmentation work.

Certainly Diskeeper uses a different approach because is a multi-pass defragmenter (I'll have to test the Diskeeper v2007 which have an improved technology), but it seems more robust, and more professional for advanced users like me. Also, I use Diskeeper on several production Servers, critical, and never found an issue, never had a problem, never an error, bug, or bad defragmentation at all. Well, I trust Diskeeper most. I'll test new version 2007 later.

Is possible to upgrade Windows XP x86 to x64?

2007-10-12T09:23:00.000-07:00

Well, no. Is not possible. You need to install a new fresh copy of Windows XP x64 (64-bit).

I tested it on an Intel Dual Core 3GHz with 1GB RAM, with Windows XP x86 (32-bit, the common operating system) already installed. This computer have 2 Hard Drives, so I installed XP x64 to the second hard drive D:\, my old XP was still alive on C:\.

When you have a Windows XP x64 CD, you must boot from CD to install, you can't install x64 over an x86 platform. When you boot your computer with Windows XP x64, you'll get noticed if your computer have a 64-bit processor or not... My friend tried to install Windows XP x64 on his Centrino notebook, with no luck.

The installation is almost the same as regular Windows XP 32-bit. Before proceed, you need to make sure all your hardware drivers have a 64-bit version. Mostly all modern hardware have drivers for Windows XP 64-bit, but I suggest you check this first (usually drivers for 64-bits are under a folder name x64, the regular 32-bit drivers are under x86 folder). Some drivers are like a sofware program: you install it and it installs the proper version (if supported). If you have no 64-bit drivers, then search on Support or Downloads on Manufacturer's website before attempt to install Windows XP 64-bit.
This is a must, Windows XP 64-bit must use 64-bit drivers, can't (and will not) load regular 32-bit drivers.

The software is other thing. Windows XP 64-bit creates a Programs folder (with "x86" in folder name) for 32-bit programs, same for Control Panel applets, etc.
It can runs any 32-bit software using WOW64, a special feature to run 32-bit software under 64-bit architecture.

The 64-bit version runs great, much much faster than my XP 32-bit (also was a fresh install too), even the 32-bit applications starts quickly... my computer finally is showing POWER.

Strange error using Delphi and Access Database

2007-10-07T11:54:00.000-07:00

I Updated multiple records within one process, changing indexes to make the process faster. On my next run of the same routine, I got the following error:

Row handles must all be released before new ones can be obtained

A quick solution was deactivating the table first.

Example:

with ADOTable2 do begin
Active := False;

Active := True;
IndexName := 'PrimaryKey';

...
...
// later I'll change the index to fast record location, but after that Seek, I need to return to PrimaryKey
end;

Daniel

2007-02-10T15:11:00.000-08:00

Finally launched new release 1.0.0.23 of Comparator Fast for Windows. The new version include a Repeated Files detection (cloned files).

Repeated files are "cloned" files:
· by Name: are files with same names on different folders (maybe Duplicates).

· by Size: are files with same size on same or different folders. In some situations and jobs, a file with same size may be considered a repeated file. But you need to make sure this works for you, because some files may have the same size but are not repeated files (files with same size, but different content).

· by Content: this process takes more time but it is the only way to ensure a file is repeated (or "cloned") in same folder or other folder(s). Using this method you may be surprised found files with different name or repeated across different folders, but are the same file. This may apply for MP3 files, Movies, Documents, etc. Example: you may have the files "C:\MP3s\Top Ten.mp3" and "C:\MP3\American Idol\American Idol's last hit.mp3", both are really the same file (same content) but are repeated across 2 folders: "C:\MP3s" and "C:\MP3s\American Idol". This consumes more disk space and with thousands of files you may loose more time. The analysis by content is based on a hash code, unique for each file based on content. The common hash used is CRC32. It produces an unique "code" for each file, if two or more files have the same CRC32, are the same files no matter file name or location.

If you need to look for Repeated Files on multiple subfolders from a root folder, just set the root folder as Source and choose the subfolders to scan. For example: to perform a scan for Repeated Files on "c:\tmp", "c:\books", "c:\downloads", just set the "c:\" as Source and choose subfolders Tmp, Books and Downloads.

Also includes a new help system, and an easy to use and quick Rename Files tool.

Rename Files* is an easy to use tools. Allows to mass rename several files at once.

When you enter to this option, you'll get a "Select files" dialog to select one or multiple files to rename (if you don't like this behavior, just disable the "Ask Files on Start" option in Settings tab).

You may drag and drop files from Windows Explorer (or compatible program) to Rename Files window. All dropped files are added to list, if a subfolder is included and "Recurse Subfolders" option is checked, all subfolders contents are added too.

Daniel

2007-02-08T16:34:00.000-08:00

Missed my blog. I'm working hard to release ASAP the new release 1.0.0.23 of Comparator Fast. It have new great features, like a Rename Tool (to mass rename files, easy to understand and quick to use) and the best of all is the new Repeated Files detection. Comparator Fast detect duplicates that belongs to same folder structure as specified in Source and Target folders. But Repeated Files can detect any repeated (duplicated data, cloned files) files no matter folder location. It is able to detect Repeated files by file name, size, or by content using CRC32 or MD5 hashes.

I'll post it soon.

Thanks all for your support.

Daniel

2006-11-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

Daily use of Network Clipboard and Viewer

Network Clipboard and Viewer helps me a lot on my daily basis. Sure is easy to copy a whole file from one computer to another, and then load it just to extract the portion of information I really need to include in a report (for example).
Well, those days are over. Now I just need to copy a portion of my Microsoft Word document or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and it is automatically propagated to my authorized computers on my network (because I don't want my clipboard content available to all my network, just few authorized computers). On remote computer a notification is received and the user decide to use it or keep it for later use. Just need to click, accept, and that's all! The remote clipboard content is automatically available and can be Pasted AS IS: if is an Excel piece, the clipboard is transferred as if user is on remote computer. All of this is transparent for user, don't have to worry on complicated commands and tasks, is just that: automatic.

I also can send my clipboard content to any other computer on my network, manually. The EasyBar is great to know computers available and to simplify get/send clipboard tasks (when manually mode is chosen).

2006-10-23T16:43:00.000-07:00

Bugs on compiled HTML Help files
Few days ago, an irrational problem arrives to my Windows XP box: I was unable to read some of my valuable C# electronic books with HTML Compiled help format (.chm). I loaded several of these .chm files, and I got the index, but never a single page of data, only a "Page not found" or "Unable to display page".
I tried to found solutions, but only found a patch to protect about vulnerabilities with Microsoft Windows and .CHM files.

After 2 days of this, I tested a solution: never use the '#' symbol as file name of a compiled help file (.chm). Is a bug on Microsoft HTML Help control. So I renamed all my compiled help books replacing the '#' to "sharp". Bingo!

Ok, I was happy enough yesterday because of the solution. And... again, same problem in my Notebook ! I loaded the books and got the same problem I solved on my other computer. I verified the file name have no trace of '#'... everything seems ok but I was unable to read my books on my notebook (I love the freedom of being wireless, so I can move anywhere at home, where I like to spend some time reading). Well, after few minutes of this mad problem, I noticed the container folder was named: "C# books". Umm... maybe I need to rename this thing too... so I decided to rename the folder from "C# books" to "Csharp books" and eureka!

More virus-free/spyware-free certifications
Well, today I received new Antivirus-free / Spyware-free certifications from the guys at "Blueprograms.com":

Comparator Fast: http://comparator-fast.dsminterdesigner.blueprograms.com/antivirusreport.html
Network Clipboard and Viewer: http://network-clipboard-and-viewer.dsminterdesigner.blueprograms.com/antivirusreport.html
Shutdown Manager and Tools: http://shutdown-manager-and-tools.dsminterdesigner.blueprograms.com/antivirusreport.html

Thanks guys for your time.

2006-09-28T17:21:00.001-07:00

I want to describe some of my job. Started simple (work at home, or in popular terms: home office), I decide to develop useful computer software (with many awards and best buy tags) I use in my desktop computer and my notebook computer. The most popular up today is Comparator Fast. It is my file folder compare tool, I use most on my Windows XP box, Windows Vista, and Windows Millenium. I always test all my software to be compatible with all releases of Microsoft Windows (except Windows NT 3), I mean: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows Millenium, Windows NT 4, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, and now Windows Vista. I love this software because is my content management / document management tool... it helps me to keep synchronized all my development projects, mp3 downloads, music videos (I love to download samples of popular music videos), my Microsoft Word documents and other Microsoft Office files (Excel, Visio, etc.), compare files and folders recorded on my DVD media r (I also use it as backup software too, because It verify all written media to ensure my files are exact), etc. I try to do my best on technical support, free product sample (fully enabled demos for a long 30 days trial basis), and other free downloads (free software, as Intelligent Copier). You can obtain a full license from Shareware software with a small fee, payable with credit card, phone, fax or even Paypal.

Other tool I used most is Network Clipboard and Viewer. I had enough issues with the limitations of Microsoft Clipboard, so I decided to write one, better. Right now is the only software (mine) that support skins. If the customer computer is not fast enough to run skins, may disable it and run faster. Network Security was on my mind, I include a 128 bit high security encryption, and is a nice network solution: I can share my clipboard with some other computers / users, some automatically and others I decide when and what to send. You may keep a History of all used clipboards (even remote ones -received from remote users-), I can see Clipboard Properties (with all the hidden details -formats and sizes-), save image clipboards as any of popular formats: Bitmap, Jpg and Gif (with independent settings too), keep clipboard data as Network Clipboard data files (not just a whole database as other similar software), I can see which computers are online in my Lan just looking at EasyBar (it appears automatically when you move your mouse cursor fully to the right -or to the left, if you moved EasyBar position-, and for those of you without a mouse -I had to believe it- may call EasyBar with just Ctrl+Alt+E), can recall prior used clipboards with just a click in proper System Tray icon (and for people that is enemy of a lot of icons on System Tray, using keyboard shortcuts) and many other features I don't want to type here (you may check at http://www.interdesigner.com/NetworkClipboard/Features.htm).

Another one is Shutdown Manager and Tools. I'm still unconfortable with its name, because I noticed most people confuses it with just a Shutdown Tool, and is more than that. Any ideas? Some computers may need to block some functions like Windows Key, Disable Ctrl+Esc, Disable Context menu key, Disable Explorer Keys (or may disable all System Keys at once), Disable Start Menu, Disable Taskbar, etc. Disable options may work for just Current User or entire computer. You may define Users to block (blocked users), and you may change any setting using a master password. You can schedule Shutdown, Restart, Logoff, Hibernate and Standby tasks, with optinal Forced mode. It can show a "Wait for Windows" option, where you may choose one or more "windows to wait for", it means, it monitors your selection and fires when specified window is gone (example, when a task is complete, the window you selected is not visible anymore and usually appears a "complete" dialog or main form of an application). Includes a File Finder I prefer to use instead of Microsoft's one because File Finder is much more flexible and faster, and results are always available no matter if I start another search. Tasks to perform before shutdown is a tool I can program to run several tasks at shutdown: clean Windows Temp folder, Documents History, Scandisk files, Windows Tmp files, Recycle Bin contents, Internet Explorer Cache, Cookies, Typed URLs and History of visited sites, and clean Recent used Files for Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Office 2003. Of course you may enter and do this manually, if you want. Another tool I think is useful is "Running Processes" tool. It shows 32 bits processes and all useful information, like location, full version information, etc. A very nice feature is Autokill. Once, my notebook was infected with a new worm. I tried to remove it, but using Task Manager's End Process option was useless, because the worm had some other "partners" that immediately creates a new process, and if I killer the worm / spy partner, the other recreates and run it faster! Well, Autokill doesn't allow it, when you click Autokill button, any new process is simply killed much more faster, this way it doesn't allow that virus spread and I can remove it (because I see the strange process names and locations right at "Running Processes" window), Automatic Taks Manager (allows to create specific tasks), an Emergency Shutdown button (It kills all running programs and services and immediately instruct Windows to shutdown), and integrated Power Monitor (for Notebooks computers), Memory Defragmenter, a tool I called "Ruler" (is more faster to use it when I need some portion of my screen, just launch Ruler and then select the portion and may save it as Bitmap, Jpeg or Gif), Animate Start button (this just for fun), keep my CD's as System Tray Icons I may explore them with just one click, and some other tools and features.

2006-09-27T21:21:00.000-07:00

Well, finally I decided to start my blog. I'll try to keep it useful, detailing some of my work in several aspects, principally about http://www.interdesigner.com

Today I spend my day updating Interdesigner's site and some changes for the main products (http://www.interdesigner.com/ComparatorFast (Comparator Fast), http://www.interdesigner.com/NetworkClipboard (Network Clipboard and Viewer) and http://www.interdesigner.com/ShutdownManager (Shutdown Manager and Tools).

I decided to include search capabilities for the site, and found a very useful add-on from my host provider (not from them, available as option but is freely available): Perlfect Search (http://www.perlfect.com). Is really easy to configure and flexible, indexes the site (may use rules as robots) and can include Acrobat Reader .pdf and MsWord .doc documents (using external calls but is transparent to you). Well, included. I had a little problem to remember some Javascript stuff, but easy to found online. Well, also had to include a validator for "Quotes"... I like to receive comments (mostly good), but recently I received a lot of spam from there too. I don't understand spammers, If I really want Viagra, Cialis, Viox, or all the other stuffs common from these guys, why the bomb and bomb over and over and over! Really, Is like turning a simple thing in PERSONAL. Well, the validator seems to work now. Because I'm a little insane perfectionist, I published the site after testing my changes and agree with look and feel. Well, I made 2 more publish process, and after this post, I'll change a new thing I changed because is better a little more to the right. Hey, I told you, a little insane ;)

Well, back to work.