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Friday, April 17, 2009

HijackThis Log - Computer won't shut down

Hia, Im not even sure if a hyjack log is useful for fixing this problem. I tried to follow the insructions in the sticky thread but I couldnt do all of them since I cant get safe mode to run (the one time I tried)

Im not a computer pro but Im pretty competent usually, however Im way out of my league
First my laptop stopped going into sleep mode and when I put my battery plan to balanced it fixed it temporarily. then the battery stopped charging. i took it out and put it again, it has fixed. then the big problems began
task manager stopped working (it would open and be running but I couldnt see it anywhere, only the green box on the lower right panel thing) - I downloaded process explorer and killed the many task managers i had running. so its not fixed but replaced
then the big problem - it can no longer shut down it says its gonna and then just stays at the logging out screen. im worried every time i hard reset im damaging it.

at some point i did a system restore (before the major probs happened because it prompted me. i thought i could perhaps do a restore from longer back but now I cant get system restore to appear though it is running. I cant get task viewer to work without crashing, I cant do windows update or windows defender scan.
I have run avg and the microsoft malicious software removal tool which are taking 7 hours to finish, early at the end and no results - so does this mean it isnt a virus? also, how is AVG different from windows defender? I have run glary, ccleaner, and advances system care..
I have just made a windows vista repair disc though im not really sure what it does, should I use it? also I dont think I can do a reset because my laptop did not come with a vista disc apparently it is maybe stored by hidden paritian? I dont really get it.
Any ideas? Its worrying me a lot, I have my laptop in my room so keeping it on is not an option, i dont think hard reset is a long-term solution either. I really need it fixed before I head back to Uni because the idea of being cut off is scary. I could get someone to fix it but apparently that could add up to 90 or something :S

also, say I back everything up and it turns out I did have a virus. might I infect my data in my backup and be infected forever?

please help if you can!

my hyjackthis log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 09:50:05, on 13/04/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18000)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:Windowssystem32taskeng.exe
C:Program FilesIObitAdvanced SystemCare 3AWC.exe
C:Windowssystem32Dwm.exe
C:WindowsExplorer.EXE
C:Program FilesDiskeeper CorporationDiskeeperDkIcon.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoNPDIRECTtpfnf7sp.exe
C:Program FilesSynapticsSynTPSynTPEnh.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoPM DriverPMHandler.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoHOTKEYTpWAudAp.exe
C:Program FilesIntelIntel Matrix Storage ManagerIAAnotif.exe
C:WindowsRtHDVCpl.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesLenovoSchedulerscheduler_proxy.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoLenovoCareLPMGR.EXE
C:Program FilesLenovoAwayTaskAwaySch.EXE
C:Program FilesLenovo Multimedia CenterPowerDVDPDVDServ.exe
C:Program FilesThinkVantageAMSGAmsg.exe
C:Program FilesPure NetworksNetwork Magicnmapp.exe
C:Program FilesThinkPadConnectUtilitiesACTray.exe
C:Program FilesThinkPadConnectUtilitiesACWLIcon.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoClient Security Solutioncssauth.exe
C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice12GrooveMonitor.exe
C:WindowsSystem32igfxtray.exe
C:WindowsSystem32hkcmd.exe
C:WindowsSystem32igfxpers.exe
C:Windowssystem32igfxsrvc.exe
C:Program FilesScanSoftOmniPageSE4OpWareSE4.exe
C:Program FilesCanonMyPrinterBJMYPRT.EXE
C:Program FilesiTunesiTunesHelper.exe
C:Program FilesJavajre6binjusched.exe
C:Program FilesWindows Sidebarsidebar.exe
C:Program FilesGoogleGoogleToolbarNotifier1.2.1128.5462G oogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:Windowsehomeehtray.exe
C:Program FilesWindows Media Playerwmpnscfg.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoBluetooth SoftwareBTTray.exe
C:Program FilesWordWebwweb32.exe
C:Windowsehomeehmsas.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoBluetooth SoftwareBtStackServer.exe
C:Program FilesLenovoClient Security Solutiontvtpwm_tray.exe
C:Windowssystem32sdclt.exe
C:Program FilesMalwarebytes Anti-Malwarembam.exe
C:Windowssystem32wuauclt.exe
C:Program FilesMozilla Firefoxfirefox.exe
C:Program FilesLast.fmLastFM.exe
C:Windowssystem32SearchFilterHost.exe
C:USERSCLARADOWNLOADSPROCESSEXPLORERPROCEXP.E XE
C:Program FilesTrend MicroHijackThisHijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page = http://search.orbitdownloader.com
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: btorbit.com - {000123B4-9B42-4900-B3F7-F4B073EFC214} - C:Program FilesOrbitdownloaderorbitcth.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:Program FilesCommon FilesAdobeAcrobatActiveXAcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: AskBar BHO - {201f27d4-3704-41d6-89c1-aa35e39143ed} - C:Program FilesAskBarDisbarbinaskBar.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:Program FilesSkypeToolbarsInternet ExplorerSkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:Program FilesRealRealPlayerrpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice12GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft SharedWindows LiveWindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:program filesgooglegoogletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:Program FilesWindows Live Toolbarmsntb.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:Program FilesJavajre6binjp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: ThinkVantage Password Manager - {F040E541-A427-4CF7-85D8-75E3E0F476C5} - C:Program FilesLenovoClient Security Solutiontvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Windows Live Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:Program FilesWindows Live Toolbarmsntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:program filesgooglegoogletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Veoh Browser Plug-in - {D0943516-5076-4020-A3B5-AEFAF26AB263} - C:Program FilesVeoh NetworksVeohPluginsregVeohToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Grab Pro - {C55BBCD6-41AD-48AD-9953-3609C48EACC7} - C:Program FilesOrbitdownloaderGrabPro.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Foxit Toolbar - {3041d03e-fd4b-44e0-b742-2d9b88305f98} - C:Program FilesAskBarDisbarbinaskBar.dll
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM..Run: [TPFNF7] C:Program FilesLenovoNPDIRECTTPFNF7SP.exe /r
O4 - HKLM..Run: [SynTPEnh] C:Program FilesSynapticsSynTPSynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [PMHandler] C:PROGRA~1LenovoPMDRIV~1PMHandler.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [TPWAUDAP] C:Program FilesLenovoHOTKEYTpWAudAp.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [IAAnotif] "C:Program FilesIntelIntel Matrix Storage ManagerIaanotif.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [RtHDVCpl] RtHDVCpl.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [TVT Scheduler Proxy] C:Program FilesCommon FilesLenovoSchedulerscheduler_proxy.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [FingerPrintSoftware] "C:Program FilesLenovo Fingerprint Softwarefpapp.exe" s
O4 - HKLM..Run: [LPManager] C:PROGRA~1LenovoLENOVO~2LPMGR.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [DiskeeperSystray] "C:Program FilesDiskeeper CorporationDiskeeperDkIcon.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [AwaySch] C:Program FilesLenovoAwayTaskAwaySch.EXE
O4 - HKLM..Run: [RemoteControl] "C:Program FilesLenovo Multimedia CenterPowerDVDPDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [LanguageShortcut] "C:Program FilesLenovo Multimedia CenterPowerDVDLanguageLanguage.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [AMSG] C:Program FilesThinkVantageAMSGAmsg.exe /startup
O4 - HKLM..Run: [nmapp] "C:Program FilesPure NetworksNetwork Magicnmapp.exe" -autorun -nosplash
O4 - HKLM..Run: [ACTray] C:Program FilesThinkPadConnectUtilitiesACTray.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [ACWLIcon] C:Program FilesThinkPadConnectUtilitiesACWLIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [cssauth] "C:Program FilesLenovoClient Security Solutioncssauth.exe" silent
O4 - HKLM..Run: [LenovoOobeOffers] c:SWTOOLSLenovoWelcomeLenovoOobeOffers.exe /filePath="c:swsharefirstrun.txt"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [GrooveMonitor] "C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice12GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [IgfxTray] C:Windowssystem32igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:Windowssystem32hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Persistence] C:Windowssystem32igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [SSBkgdUpdate] "C:Program FilesCommon FilesScansoft SharedSSBkgdUpdateSSBkgdupdate.exe" -Embedding -boot
O4 - HKLM..Run: [OpwareSE4] "C:Program FilesScanSoftOmniPageSE4OpwareSE4.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [CanonSolutionMenu] C:Program FilesCanonSolutionMenuCNSLMAIN.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM..Run: [CanonMyPrinter] C:Program FilesCanonMyPrinterBJMyPrt.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM..Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] C:Program FilesCommon FilesAppleMobile Device SupportbinAppleSyncNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:Program FilesQuickTimeQTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM..Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:Program FilesiTunesiTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:Program FilesJavajre6binjusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:Program FilesAdobeReader 9.0ReaderReader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM..RunOnce: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware] C:Program FilesMalwarebytes Anti-Malwarembamgui.exe /install /silent
O4 - HKLM..RunOnce: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:Program FilesMalwarebytes Anti-Malwarembam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKCU..Run: [Sidebar] C:Program FilesWindows Sidebarsidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU..Run: [swg] C:Program FilesGoogleGoogleToolbarNotifier1.2.1128.5462G oogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [ehTray.exe] C:WindowsehomeehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:Program FilesWindows Media PlayerWMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%Windows SidebarSidebar.exe /detectMem (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [AVG7_Run] C:PROGRA~1GrisoftAVG7avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-20..Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%Windows SidebarSidebar.exe /detectMem (User NETWORK SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-18..Run: [AVG7_Run] C:PROGRA~1GrisoftAVG7avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User SYSTEM)
O4 - HKUS.DEFAULT..Run: [AVG7_Run] C:PROGRA~1GrisoftAVG7avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User Default user)
O4 - Startup: WordWeb.lnk = C:Program FilesWordWebwweb32.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Bluetooth.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download by Orbit - res://C:Program FilesOrbitdownloaderorbitmxt.dll/201
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Grab video by Orbit - res://C:Program FilesOrbitdownloaderorbitmxt.dll/204
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Windows Live Search - res://C:Program FilesWindows Live Toolbarmsntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Do&wnload selected by Orbit - res://C:Program FilesOrbitdownloaderorbitmxt.dll/203
O8 - Extra context menu item: Down&load all by Orbit - res://C:Program FilesOrbitdownloaderorbitmxt.dll/202
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send image to &Bluetooth Device... - C:Program FilesLenovoBluetooth Softwarebtsendto_ie_ctx.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send page to &Bluetooth Device... - C:Program FilesLenovoBluetooth Softwarebtsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {0045D4BC-5189-4b67-969C-83BB1906C421} - C:Program FilesLenovoClient Security Solutiontvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: ThinkVantage Password Manager... - {0045D4BC-5189-4b67-969C-83BB1906C421} - C:Program FilesLenovoClient Security Solutiontvtpwm_ie_com.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:Program FilesSkypeToolbarsInternet ExplorerSkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: @btrez.dll,-4015 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:Program FilesLenovoBluetooth Softwarebtsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: @btrez.dll,-12650 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:Program FilesLenovoBluetooth Softwarebtsendto_ie.htm
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1239469684989
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsof...?1239469772680
O17 - HKLMSystemCCSServicesTcpip..{6919E77B-522A-4E21-A7DA-27DD00711701}: NameServer = 134.219.101.211 134.219.101.212
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOffice12GrooveSystemServices.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:PROGRA~1COMMON~1SkypeSKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgwlntf - C:WindowsSYSTEM32avgwlntf.dll
O23 - Service: Ac Profile Manager Service (AcPrfMgrSvc) - Lenovo - C:Program FilesThinkPadConnectUtilitiesAcPrfMgrSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Access Connections Main Service (AcSvc) - Lenovo - C:Program FilesThinkPadConnectUtilitiesAcSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Agere Modem Call Progress Audio (AgereModemAudio) - Agere Systems - C:Windowssystem32agrsmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:Program FilesCommon FilesAppleMobile Device SupportbinAppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:PROGRA~1GrisoftAVG7avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:PROGRA~1GrisoftAVG7avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Resident Shield Service (AvgCoreSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:PROGRA~1GrisoftAVG7avgrssvc.exe
O23 - Service: Diskeeper - Diskeeper Corporation - C:Program FilesDiskeeper CorporationDiskeeperDkService.exe
O23 - Service: Fn+F5 Service (FNF5SVC) - Lenovo. - C:Program FilesLENOVOHOTKEYFNF5SVC.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c8e883963eb170) (gupdate1c8e883963eb170) - Google Inc. - C:Program FilesGoogleUpdateGoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:Program FilesGoogleCommonGoogle UpdaterGoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:Program FilesIntelIntel Matrix Storage ManagerIaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldDriver1150Intel 32IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: PIXMA Extended Survey Program (IJPLMSVC) - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesCanonIJPLMIJPLMSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:Program FilesiPodbiniPodService.exe
O23 - Service: IPS Core Service (IPSSVC) - Lenovo Group Limited - C:Windowssystem32IPSSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: Pure Networks Net2Go Service (nmraapache) - Pure Networks, Inc. - C:Program FilesPure NetworksNetwork MagicWebServerbinnmraapache.exe
O23 - Service: Pure Networks Network Magic Service (nmservice) - Pure Networks, Inc. - C:Program FilesPure NetworksNetwork Magicnmsrvc.exe
O23 - Service: PMSveH - Lenovo - C:Program FilesLenovoPM DriverPMSveH.exe
O23 - Service: ProtexisLicensing - Unknown owner - C:Windowssystem32PSIService.exe
O23 - Service: Macrium Reflect Image Mounting Service (ReflectService) - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesMacriumReflectReflectService.exe
O23 - Service: Cyberlink RichVideo Service(CRVS) (RichVideo) - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesCyberLinkShared FilesRichVideo.exe
O23 - Service: Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Net (rpcnet) - Absolute Software Corp. - C:Windowssystem32rpcnet.exe
O23 - Service: System Update (SUService) - Lenovo Group Limited - C:Program FilesLenovoSystem UpdateSUService.exe
O23 - Service: ThinkVantage Registry Monitor Service - Lenovo Group Limited - C:Program FilesCommon FilesLenovotvt_reg_monitor_svc.exe
O23 - Service: On Screen Display (TPHKSVC) - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesLENOVOHOTKEYTPHKSVC.exe
O23 - Service: TSS Core Service (TSSCoreService) - IBM - C:Program FilesLenovoClient Security Solutiontvttcsd.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Backup Protection Service - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesLenovoRescue and Recoveryrrpservice.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Backup Service - Lenovo Group Limited - C:Program FilesLenovoRescue and Recoveryrrservice.exe
O23 - Service: TVT Scheduler - Lenovo Group Limited - c:Program FilesCommon FilesLenovoSchedulertvtsched.exe

--
End of file - 16345 bytes







thanks for any help - i should be revising and Ive spent the last week trying to fix this >.<

also, I was backing up my data (I hope if there is a virus it wont transfer) and I noticed that one file which wouldnt copy was C:UsersAll UsersMicrosoftRACStateData because there was a problem, it was corrupt or something.. could this mean anything? i think I may have accidentally done something to it when backing it up last time, but maybe im paranoid

i would try a system restore but it wont work.. i have advanced system care and that has rollbacks.. i dont think its the same and that might not work either >.< hyjackthis almost didnt open the first time.. i made a vista recovery CD as my laptop did not come with one but I dont really know what it does
since my date is backed up my big worry is my itunes since date added is my favourite feature and I dont know if this is transferable if I copy over from a backup theyll all be added the same day..
also a worry is to fix this soon because every time it shuts down unexpectedly or i hard reset this is bad for it?
again thanks for any help

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You need to have a central place that all your errors are aggregated, a place that all the developers on your team know intimately and visit every day. On Stack Overflow, we use a custom fork of ELMAH.


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When an end user experiences a crash, they are shown a dialog box which asks them if they want to send an error report. If they choose to send the report, WER collects information on both the application and the module involved in the crash, and sends it over a secure server to Microsoft.


The mapped vendor of a bucket can then access the data for their products, analyze it to locate the source of the problem, and provide solutions both through the end user error dialog boxes and by providing updated files on Windows Update.


Broad-based trend analysis of error reporting data shows that 80% of customer issues can be solved by fixing 20% of the top-reported bugs. Even addressing 1% of the top bugs would address 50% of the customer issues. The same analysis results are generally true on a company-by-company basis too.



Although I remain a fan of test driven development, the speculative nature of the time investment is one problem I've always had with it. If you fix a bug that no actual user will ever encounter, what have you actually fixed? While there are many other valid reasons to practice TDD, as a pure bug fixing mechanism it's always seemed far too much like premature optimization for my tastes. I'd much rather spend my time fixing bugs that are problems in practice rather than theory.


You can certainly do both. But given a limited pool of developer time, I'd prefer to allocate it toward fixing problems real users are having with my software based on cold, hard data. That's what I call Exception-Driven Development. Ship your software, get as many users in front of it as possible, and intently study the error logs they generate. Use those exception logs to hone in on and focus on the problem areas of your code. Rearchitect and refactor your code so the top 3 errors can't happen any more. Iterate rapidly, deploy, and repeat the proces. This data-driven feedback loop is so powerful you'll have (at least from the users' perspective) a rock stable app in a handful of iterations.


Exception logs are possibly the most powerful form of feedback your customers can give you. It's feedback based on shipping software that you don't have to ask or cajole users to give you. Nor do you have to interpret your users' weird, semi-coherent ramblings about what the problems are. The actual problems, with stack traces and dumps, are collected for you, automatically and silently. Exception logs are the ultimate in customer feedback.


carnage4life: getting real feedback from customers by shipping is more valuable than any amount of talking to or about them beforehand


Am I advocating shipping buggy code? Incomplete code? Bad code? Of course not. I'm saying that the sooner you can get your code out of your editor and in front of real users, the more data you'll have to improve your software. Exception logs are a big part of that; so is usage data. And you should talk to your users, too. If you can bear to.


Your software will ship with bugs anyway. Everyone's software does. Real software crashes. Real software loses data. Real software is hard to learn, and hard to use. The question isn't how many bugs you will ship with, but how fast can you fix those bugs? If your team has been practicing exception-driven development all along, the answer is -- why, we can improve our software in no time at all! Just watch us make it better!


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Hello people,

Sorry if this is in the worng forum, but I am new here.

I have a problem and hoped someone could help me out.

I will try to describe this the best I can. I am using xp with sp3 and previously had ie7.
Yesterday, I tried to download ie8 but the download was interupted by my daughter pressing buttons on the keyboard.

Now I cant open ie at all. It tries to open but the window just dissapears.

I can still connect to the internet from the same computer and browse websites etc. through AOL.

I contated AOL for assistance and they told me IE8 is not compatible with the AOL software and it was a simple case of reinstalling IE7 and all would be fine.

I tried to do this but when I went to the microsoft website I could get as far as the download button, click it and nothing would happen. I have tried this several times. I have also tried to restore the computer back to before the time I tried to install IE8 but this is not helping.

I phoned AOL again who told me it was not an AOL problem as I was able to do everythinge else normally.

I do have an icon in the system tray stating that Local Area 2 connection has limited or no connectivity (4.4 mpbs ) and also cant open the internet options icon in the control panel.

I have tried to download some other stuff to find out if that works but no joy.

(ps I did use the microsoft website to install it so should not have picked up any nasties )

Any assistance you could give me in repairing this would be much appreciated.

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HJT Log Again new errors, keylogger?

Hello. i saw some new things popping up in task manager that ive never seen before.. heres mt HJT log... and in last post i was told to delete 3 things... i did but 2 of them keep comiing back

R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,CustomizeSearch =

so i duno what to do.. or if i really have keylogger.. please give a look over again.. sorry for all the troubles.


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:40:26 PM, on 4/14/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18000)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:WindowsExplorer.EXE
C:Windowssystem32Taskmgr.exe
C:Windowssystem32NOTEPAD.EXE
C:Program FilesMozilla Firefoxfirefox.exe
C:Windowssystem32wuauclt.exe
C:Windowssystem32taskeng.exe
C:Trend MicroHijackThisHijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page =
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,CustomizeSearch =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:SPYBOT~1SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft SharedWindows LiveWindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:Program FilesGoogleGoogle ToolbarGoogleToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:Program FilesGoogleGoogleToolbarNotifier5.0.926.3450swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:Program FilesWindows Live Toolbarmsntb.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Dictionary Compression sdch - {C84D72FE-E17D-4195-BB24-76C02E2E7C4E} - C:Program FilesGoogleGoogle ToolbarComponentfastsearch_219B3E1547538286.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Windows Live Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:Program FilesWindows Live Toolbarmsntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:Program FilesGoogleGoogle ToolbarGoogleToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM..Run: [RtHDVCpl] RtHDVCpl.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Skytel] Skytel.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:Windowssystem32NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM..Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:Windowssystem32NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKCU..Run: [Steam] "c:steamsteam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU..Run: [swg] C:Program FilesGoogleGoogleToolbarNotifierGoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [Aim6] "C:Program FilesAIM6aim6.exe" /d locale=en-US ee://aol/imApp
O4 - HKCU..Run: [EA Core] "C:Program FilesElectronic ArtsEADMCore.exe" -silent
O4 - HKCU..Run: [ehTray.exe] C:WindowsehomeehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:Spybot - Search & DestroyTeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%Windows SidebarSidebar.exe /detectMem (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-20..Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%Windows SidebarSidebar.exe /detectMem (User NETWORK SERVICE)
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Windows Live Search - res://C:Program FilesWindows Live Toolbarmsntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:PROGRA~1MICROS~3Office12EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveWriterWriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveWriterWriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~3Office12REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:SPYBOT~1SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:SPYBOT~1SDHelper.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O23 - Service: ManageEngine EventLog Analyzer 5.0 (eventloganalyzer) - Unknown owner - C:AdventNetMEEventLogbinwrapper.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:Program FilesGoogleCommonGoogle UpdaterGoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldDriver11Intel 32IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:Windowssystem32nvvsvc.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:Windowssystem32PnkBstrA.exe
O23 - Service: SBSD Security Center Service (SBSDWSCService) - Safer Networking Ltd. - C:Spybot - Search & DestroySDWinSec.exe
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSteamSteamService.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:Program FilesViewpointCommonViewpointService.exe

--
End of file - 5466 bytes

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Hijack This Log - Programs auto-close, No internet access

My AV software expired recently and typically days before I was due to replace it, I appear to have been stung.
Software such as internet explorer and winamp automatically close within seconds of opening. My internet connection appears to be constantly trying to connect but not managing to do so.
I cannot install my new AV as the install quits mid-process.
I attempted to install Spybot but had the same problem, with the install quitting before completion.
I have installed Adaware without problems but found nothing to solve the problem.
I would greatly appreciate your time in helping me with this problem.

Here is my log:


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 1:57:35 PM, on 04/15/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16791)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:WINDOWSSystem32smss.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32winlogon.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32services.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32lsass.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32Ati2evxx.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32svchost.exe
C:WINDOWSSystem32svchost.exe
C:PROGRA~1COMMON~1AOLACSAOLacsd.exe
c:APPSPowercinemaKernelTVCLCapSvc.exe
c:APPSPowercinemaKernelCLML_NTServiceCLMLServer.exe
C:Program FilesNeroNero8InCDInCDsrv.exe
C:Program FilesNeroNero8Nero BackItUpNBService.exe
C:AppsSoftexOmniPassOmniserv.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesSymantec SharedCCPD-LCsymlcsvc.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesUlead SystemsDVDULCDRSvr.exe
C:Program FilesSonicDigitalMedia LE v7MyDVD LEUSBDeviceService.exe
C:Program FilesViewpointCommonViewpointService.exe
C:Program FilesLinksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network MonitorWLService.exe
C:Program FilesLinksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network MonitorWUSB54GSv2.exe
c:APPSPowercinemaKernelTVCLSched.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32Ati2evxx.exe
C:WINDOWSExplorer.EXE
C:WINDOWSsystem32wuauclt.exe
C:WINDOWSRTHDCPL.EXE
C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_07binjusched.exe
C:Program FilesSonicDigitalMedia LE v7MyDVD LEDetectorApp.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldUpdateServiceissch.exe
C:AppsSoftexOmniPassscureapp.exe
C:APPSPowercinemaPCMService.exe
C:appsABoardABoard.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesRealUpdate_OBrealsched.exe
C:Program FilesSonyCONNECTAutoUpdateCONNECTScheduler.exe
C:appsABoardAOSD.exe
C:Program FilesMicrosoft IntelliPointipoint.exe
C:Program FilesMicrosoft IntelliType Proitype.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesSymantec SharedPIF{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}PIFSvc.exe
C:Program FilesNeroNero8InCDNBHGui.exe
C:Program FilesNeroNero8InCDInCD.exe
C:APPSSMPSmpSys.exe
C:Program FilesWindows LiveMessengerMsnMsgr.Exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32ctfmon.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesNeroLibNMBgMonitor.exe
C:Program FilesSonyCONNECTAutoUpdateCONNECTAUTrayApp.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesSony SharedGMRGMRMan.exe
C:Program FilesSonyCONNECTAutoUpdateCONNECTAutoUpdate.exe
C:AppsSoftexOmniPassOPXPApp.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesNeroLibNMIndexingService.exe
C:Program FilesCACA Internet Security Suiteccprovsp.exe
C:Program FilesCommon FilesNeroLibNMIndexStoreSvr.exe
C:Program FilesTrend MicroHijackThisHijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Bar = http://format.packardbell.com/cgi-bin/r ... key=SEARCH
R0 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Window Title = Packard Bell
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 7.0ActiveXAcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Click-to-Call BHO - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveMessengerwlchtc.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_07binssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft SharedWindows LiveWindowsLiveLogin.dll
O4 - HKLM..Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:WINDOWSsystem32IMETINTLGNTTINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM..Run: [PHIME2002A] C:WINDOWSsystem32IMETINTLGNTTINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM..Run: [High Definition Audio Property Page Shortcut] HDAShCut.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM..Run: [ATICCC] "c:Program FilesATI TechnologiesATI.ACEcli.exe" runtime -Delay
O4 - HKLM..Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_07binjusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [DetectorApp] C:Program FilesSonicDigitalMedia LE v7MyDVD LEDetectorApp.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:PROGRA~1COMMON~1INSTAL~1UPDATE~1ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM..Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldUpdateServiceissch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM..Run: [OmniPass] C:AppsSoftexOmniPassscureapp.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [PCMService] "c:APPSPowercinemaPCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [IMJPMIG8.1] "C:WINDOWSIMEimjp8_1IMJPMIG.EXE /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [ACTIVBOARD] c:appsABoardABoard.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [TkBellExe] "C:Program FilesCommon FilesRealUpdate_OBrealsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM..Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:Program FilesQuickTimeqttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM..Run: [CONNECTScheduler] "C:Program FilesSonyCONNECTAutoUpdateCONNECTScheduler.exe" /RUN_SCHEDULER
O4 - HKLM..Run: [IntelliPoint] "c:Program FilesMicrosoft IntelliPointipoint.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [itype] "c:Program FilesMicrosoft IntelliType Proitype.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Symantec PIF AlertEng] "C:Program FilesCommon FilesSymantec SharedPIF{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}PIFSvc.exe" /a /m "C:Program FilesCommon FilesSymantec SharedPIF{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}AlertEng.dll"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Microsoft Updates] svshost.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:Program FilesCommon FilesNeroLibNeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [SecurDisc] C:Program FilesNeroNero8InCDNBHGui.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [InCD] C:Program FilesNeroNero8InCDInCD.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [NBKeyScan] "C:Program FilesNeroNero8Nero BackItUpNBKeyScan.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [services] C:WINDOWSservices.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [H2O] C:Program FilesSyncroSoftPosH2Ocledx.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [cctray] "C:Program FilesCACA Internet Security Suitecctraycctray.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [UserFaultCheck] %systemroot%system32dumprep 0 -u
O4 - HKLM..RunServices: [Microsoft Updates] svshost.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [SmpcSys] C:APPSSMPSmpSys.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:Program FilesWindows LiveMessengerMsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU..Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:Program FilesCommon FilesNeroLibNMBgMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKCU..Run: [Windows Update] C:WINDOWSsystem32keygen.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:WINDOWSsystem32ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [Veoh] "C:Program FilesVeoh NetworksVeohVeohClient.exe" /VeohHide
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:WINDOWSsystem32CTFMON.EXE (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-20..Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:WINDOWSsystem32CTFMON.EXE (User NETWORK SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-18..Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:WINDOWSsystem32CTFMON.EXE (User SYSTEM)
O4 - HKUS.DEFAULT..Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:WINDOWSsystem32CTFMON.EXE (User Default user)
O4 - Global Startup: CONNECTAUTrayApp.lnk = C:Program FilesSonyCONNECTAutoUpdateCONNECTAUTrayApp.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_07binssv.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_07binssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveWriterWriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveWriterWriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: PokerStars - {3AD14F0C-ED16-4e43-B6D8-661B03F6A1EF} - C:Program FilesPokerStarsPokerStarsUpdate.exe
O9 - Extra button: UltimateBet - {94148DB5-B42D-4915-95DA-2CBB4F7095BF} - C:Program FilesUltimateBetUltimateBet.exe
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: UltimateBet - {94148DB5-B42D-4915-95DA-2CBB4F7095BF} - C:Program FilesUltimateBetUltimateBet.exe
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:Program FilesPartyGamingPartyPokerRunApp.exe
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:Program FilesPartyGamingPartyPokerRunApp.exe
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:WINDOWSsystem32Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:WINDOWSNetwork Diagnosticxpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:WINDOWSNetwork Diagnosticxpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.net - {F4430FE8-2638-42e5-B849-800749B94EED} - C:Program FilesPartyGaming.NetPartyPokerNetRunPF.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: PartyPoker.net - {F4430FE8-2638-42e5-B849-800749B94EED} - C:Program FilesPartyGaming.NetPartyPokerNetRunPF.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:Program FilesMessengermsmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:Program FilesMessengermsmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:windowssystem32lsptig.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:windowssystem32lsplah.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=file://C:APPSIEofflineuk.htm
O16 - DPF: {2E12FB00-546B-4EE3-9CC2-057BF02E1C17} (Webshots Multiple Media Uploader - Container) - http://community.webshots.com/html/atx/wsaxcontrol.cab
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://www2.snapfish.com/SnapfishActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {48DD0448-9209-4F81-9F6D-D83562940134} (MySpace Uploader Control) - http://lads.myspace.com/upload/MySpaceUploader1005.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w2/resources/MSNPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {5D6F45B3-9043-443D-A792-115447494D24} (UnoCtrl Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/EN-GB/a-U ... E_UNO1.cab
O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} (Facebook Photo Uploader Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/Fac ... loader.cab
O16 - DPF: {67DABFBF-D0AB-41FA-9C46-CC0F21721616} (DivXBrowserPlugin Object) - http://go.divx.com/plugin/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {AF2E62B6-F9E1-4D4F-A10A-9DC8E6DCBCC0} (VideoEgg ActiveX Loader) - http://update.videoegg.com/Install/Wind ... lisher.exe
O16 - DPF: {C3F79A2B-B9B4-4A66-B012-3EE46475B072} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/Me ... b56907.cab
O23 - Service: AOL Connectivity Service (AOL ACS) - America Online, Inc. - C:PROGRA~1COMMON~1AOLACSAOLacsd.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:WINDOWSsystem32Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:Program FilesSymantecLiveUpdateALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: CaCCProvSP - CA, Inc. - C:Program FilesCACA Internet Security Suiteccprovsp.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Background Capture Service (CBCS) (CLCapSvc) - Unknown owner - c:APPSPowercinemaKernelTVCLCapSvc.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Task Scheduler (CTS) (CLSched) - Unknown owner - c:APPSPowercinemaKernelTVCLSched.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Media Library Service - Cyberlink - c:APPSPowercinemaKernelCLML_NTServiceCLMLServer.exe
O23 - Service: InCD Helper (InCDsrv) - Nero AG - C:Program FilesNeroNero8InCDInCDsrv.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesiPodbiniPodService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:PROGRA~1SymantecLIVEUP~1LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service - Symantec Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSymantec SharedPIF{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}PIFSvc.exe
O23 - Service: MSCSPTISRV - Sony Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSony SharedAVLibMSCSPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 3 - Nero AG - C:Program FilesNeroNero8Nero BackItUpNBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:Program FilesCommon FilesNeroLibNMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: Softex OmniPass Service (omniserv) - Softex Inc. - C:AppsSoftexOmniPassOmniserv.exe
O23 - Service: PACSPTISVR - Sony Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSony SharedAVLibPACSPTISVR.exe
O23 - Service: PostgreSQL Database Server 8.3 (pgsql-8.3) - PostgreSQL Global Development Group - C:Program FilesPostgreSQL8.3binpg_ctl.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SCSI Helper Service - Sony Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSony SharedFskSonySCSIHelperService.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSony SharedAVLibSPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSymantec SharedCCPD-LCsymlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:Program FilesCommon FilesUlead SystemsDVDULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: USBDeviceService - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesSonicDigitalMedia LE v7MyDVD LEUSBDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:Program FilesViewpointCommonViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: WUSB54GSv2SVC - GEMTEKS - C:Program FilesLinksys Wireless-G USB Wireless Network MonitorWLService.exe

--
End of file - 13859 bytes

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Windows takes ages to boot. Pls have a look at my logfile!:)

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 7:25:48 PM, on 15/04/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:Windowssystem32taskeng.exe
C:Windowssystem32Dwm.exe
C:WindowsExplorer.EXE
C:Program FilesWindows DefenderMSASCui.exe
C:WindowsRtHDVCpl.exe
C:WindowsSystem32SysMonitor.exe
C:AcerEmpowering TechnologyeDataSecurityeDSloader.exe
C:Program FilesBitDefenderBitDefender 2008bdagent.exe
C:Program FilesCanonCanon IJ Network Scan UtilityCNMNSUT.EXE
C:Program FilesLavasoftAd-AwareAAWTray.exe
C:Program FilesJavajre6binjusched.exe
C:Program FilesQuickTimeQTTask.exe
C:Program FilesiTunesiTunesHelper.exe
C:Program FilesWindows LiveMessengermsnmsgr.exe
C:Windowsehomeehtray.exe
C:Program FilesWindows Media Playerwmpnscfg.exe
C:Program FilesImationImationFlashDetect.exe
C:Windowsehomeehmsas.exe
C:AcerEmpowering TechnologyACER.EMPOWERING.FRAMEWORK.SUPERVISOR.EXE
C:AcerEmpowering TechnologyeRecoveryERAGENT.EXE
C:Program FilesWindows LiveContactswlcomm.exe
C:Windowssystem32SearchFilterHost.exe
C:Program FilesTrend MicroHijackThisHijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://sg.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp/ ... .yahoo.com
R0 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page = http://en.sg.acer.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Page_URL = http://en.sg.acer.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page = http://en.sg.acer.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearchURL,(Default) = http://sg.rd.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp/ ... .yahoo.com
R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerToolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:Program FilesCommon FilesAdobeAcrobatActiveXAcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:Program FilesSkypeToolbarsInternet ExplorerSkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:Program FilesRealRealPlayerrpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:Program FilesMicrosoftSearch Enhancement PackSearch HelperSearchHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: EndNote Web - {82D2E569-25A7-4e4d-9FA3-C5025B4B7912} - C:Program FilesEndNote WebENWIEPlug.dll
O2 - BHO: ShowBarObj Class - {83A2F9B1-01A2-4AA5-87D1-45B6B8505E96} - C:Windowssystem32ActiveToolBand.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:Program FilesCommon FilesMicrosoft SharedWindows LiveWindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:Program FilesJavajre6binjp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveToolbarwltcore.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Acer eDataSecurity Management - {5CBE3B7C-1E47-477e-A7DD-396DB0476E29} - C:Windowssystem32eDStoolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: BitDefender Toolbar - {381FFDE8-2394-4f90-B10D-FC6124A40F8C} - C:Program FilesBitDefenderBitDefender 2008IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveToolbarwltcore.dll
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%Windows DefenderMSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM..Run: [RtHDVCpl] RtHDVCpl.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Acer Empowering Technology Monitor] C:Windowssystem32SysMonitor.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [eDataSecurity Loader] C:AcerEmpowering TechnologyeDataSecurityeDSloader.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:Program FilesCommon FilesInstallShieldUpdateServiceissch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM..Run: [BDAgent] "C:Program FilesBitDefenderBitDefender 2008bdagent.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [IJNetworkScanUtility] C:Program FilesCanonCanon IJ Network Scan UtilityCNMNSUT.EXE
O4 - HKLM..Run: [Ad-Watch] C:Program FilesLavasoftAd-AwareAAWTray.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] C:Program FilesCommon FilesAppleMobile Device SupportbinAppleSyncNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:Program FilesJavajre6binjusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:Program FilesQuickTimeQTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM..Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:Program FilesiTunesiTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU..Run: [MessengerPlus3] "C:Program FilesMessengerPlus! 3MsgPlus.exe" /WinStart
O4 - HKCU..Run: [msnmsgr] "C:Program FilesWindows LiveMessengermsnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU..Run: [updateMgr] C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 7.0ReaderAdobeUpdateManager.exe AcRdB7_0_0
O4 - HKCU..Run: [ehTray.exe] C:WindowsehomeehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU..Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:Program FilesWindows Media PlayerWMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%Windows SidebarSidebar.exe /detectMem (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User LOCAL SERVICE)
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-20..Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%Windows SidebarSidebar.exe /detectMem (User NETWORK SERVICE)
O4 - Startup: ImationFlashDetect.lnk = C:Program FilesImationImationFlashDetect.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Empowering Technology Launcher.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Windows &Live Favorites - http://favorites.live.com/quickadd.aspx
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append to existing PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:Program FilesAdobeAcrobat 8.0AcrobatAcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveWriterWriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:Program FilesWindows LiveWriterWriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:Program FilesICQICQ.exe
O9 - Extra Tools menuitem: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:Program FilesICQICQ.exe
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2Office12REFIEBAR.DLL
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {0CCA191D-13A6-4E29-B746-314DEE697D83} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/200 ... oader5.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx2.mail.live.com/mail/w1/resou ... den-sg.cab
O16 - DPF: {5C051655-FCD5-4969-9182-770EA5AA5565} (Solitaire Showdown Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/So ... b56986.cab
O16 - DPF: {5C6698D9-7BE4-4122-8EC5-291D84DBD4A0} (Facebook Photo Uploader 4 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/Fac ... oader3.cab
O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} (Facebook Photo Uploader Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/Fac ... loader.cab
O16 - DPF: {C3F79A2B-B9B4-4A66-B012-3EE46475B072} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/Me ... b56907.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/s ... wflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {F5A7706B-B9C0-4C89-A715-7A0C6B05DD48} (Minesweeper Flags Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/Mi ... b56986.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:PROGRA~1COMMON~1SkypeSKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:PROGRA~1GoogleGOOGLE~1GOEC62~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:Program FilesCommon FilesAdobe Systems SharedServiceAdobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:Program FilesCommon FilesAppleMobile Device SupportbinAppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:Windowssystem32Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:Program FilesBonjourmDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: BrSplService (Brother XP spl Service) - brother Industries Ltd - C:Windowssystem32brsvc01a.exe
O23 - Service: eRecovery Service (eRecoveryService) - Acer Inc. - C:AcerEmpowering TechnologyeRecoveryeRecoveryService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:Program FilesCommon FilesMacrovision SharedFLEXnet PublisherFNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:Program FilesiPodbiniPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service - Lavasoft - C:Program FilesLavasoftAd-AwareAAWService.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:Program FilesCommon FilesLightScribeLSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Desktop Update Service (LIVESRV) - BitDefender SRL - C:Program FilesCommon FilesBitDefenderBitDefender Update Servicelivesrv.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service Ex (LiveUpdate Notice Ex) - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesCommon FilesSymantec SharedccSvcHst.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SBSD Security Center Service (SBSDWSCService) - Safer Networking Ltd. - C:Program FilesSpybot - Search & DestroySDWinSec.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Virus Shield (VSSERV) - BitDefender S.R.L. - C:Program FilesBitDefenderBitDefender 2008vsserv.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Communicator (XCOMM) - BitDefender - C:Program FilesCommon FilesBitDefenderBitDefender Communicatorxcommsvr.exe

--
End of file - 12025 bytes

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Is Open Source Experience Overrated?


I'm a big advocate of learning on the battlefield. And that certainly includes what may be the most epic battle of them all: open source software.



Contribute to an open-source project. There are thousands, so pick whatever strikes your fancy. But pick one and really dig in, become an active contributor. Absolutely nothing is more practical, more real, than working collaboratively with software developers all over the globe from all walks of life.


If you're looking to polish your programming chops, what could possibly be better, more job-worthy experience than immersing yourself in a real live open source software project? There are thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands, and a few of them have arguably changed the world.


Unfortunately, that wasn't what happened for one particular open source developer. In an anonymous email to me, he related his experiences:



I'm a programmer with 14 years of experience both inside academics and in commercial industry currently looking for work. In both my cover letters and my resume I indicate that I am the architect of a couple of open source Java projects where the code, design and applications were available on the web.


One company seemed impressed with my enthusiasm for the job but it was part of their policy to provide coding tests. This seemed perfectly reasonable and I did it by using the first solution I thought about. When I got to the phone interview, the guy spent about five minutes telling me how inefficient my coding solution was and that they were not very impressed. Then I asked whether he had looked at the open source projects I mentioned. He said no - but it seems his impression was already set based on my performance in the coding test. The coding test did not indicate what criteria they were using for evaluation but my solution seemed to kill the interview.


In another call, I was talking with a recruiter who was trying to place someone for a contract Java development assignment. I told her that most of my recent work was open source and that she could inspect it if she wanted to assess my technical competence. Five minutes later she phoned back and said I appeared to lack any recent commercial experience. I had demonstrable open source applications that used the technologies they wanted, but it didn't appear to matter.


With yet another recruiter I told him that even years ago when I had worked on commercial projects, before I went back to school, the proprietary nature of my jobs prevented me from mentioning the specifics about a lot of what I did. The badge of commercial software experience didn't necessarily prove either my technical competence or my relative contribution to the projects. What my experience of working in industry long ago did teach me was how to fill out a time sheet and estimate time for deliverables. But this experience would seem a bit dated now for recruiters.



That's a terrible interview track record for the open source experience that I advocated so strongly. He continues:



I think it's important that I try to see their point of view. A lot of open source projects are probably poorly written and made in response to a neat idea rather than to requirements from some user community. In academia, the goal for development is often more about publishing papers than establishing a user base. Industry people sometimes have the view (sometimes justified and sometimes not) that open source developers who emerge from academic projects lack practical skills. I don't necessarily claim my open source code is the best in the world but it works, it's documented and it's available for scrutiny. One of the reasons I worked so hard on open source projects was to make job interviews easier. By providing prospective employers with large samples of publically available working code, I thought I would give them something more useful to think about than my performance on a particular coding test or whether the acronyms in the job skills matched my "years spent". I am very aware of the hype behind open source. I've heard it, lived it and even spun some of it myself. But sometimes it's good to take a sobering reality check -- is open-source experience overrated?


It's disheartening to hear so many prospective employers completely disregard experience on open source projects. It's a part of your programming portfolio, and any company not even willing to take a cursory look at your portfolio before interviewing you is already suspect. This reflects poorly on the employers. I'm not sure I'd want to work at a place where a programmers' prior body of work is treated as inconsequential.


On the other hand, perhaps the choice of open source project matters almost as much as the programming itself. How many open source projects labor away in utter obscurity, solving problems that nobody cares about, problems so incredibly narrow that the authors are the only possible beneficiaries? Just as commercial software can't possibly exist without customers, perhaps open source experience is only valid if you work on a project that attains some moderate level of critical mass and user base. Remember, shipping isn't enough. Open source or not, if you aren't building software that someone finds useful, if you aren't convincing at least a small audience of programmers that your project is worthwhile enough to join --


Then what are you really doing?





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[Source: Coding Horror - Posted by FreeAutoBlogger]

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windows xp start too slow

I was wondering how to speed up the start-up of windows xp.

It used to be quite fast then recently it slowed down to a snails pace.

A little info:
Laptop: MSI
2.2GHz Core2Duo Intel
2G Ram
160G HD

All I have done is a defrag, and cclean then a restore.
Didnt seem to help.
My Setup menu is set to quickboot, i got rid of all the internet cookies and so on, I ran my virus scan, and spyware software....all with no effect.

It takes like 5-10min to boot up...really long time. But once it is booted up there seems to be no loss in performance. Even when running multiple programs.

Also (dont know if this is related) but my defrag crashes 98% of the time when started.Weird

Used to take about 45sec to boot up.


Is there any way to optimize the start-up?

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