Monday, December 5, 2016

Partition Magic: copy partition fails with error code 24

If using MiniTool Partition Wizard you fail to either copy or resize a partition due to "Error 24":
=========================== Welcome to Partition Wizard ========================

Loading Engine...
 
[...] 
Failed to executive [sic] this command. Running Status Error Code:24
[...]  
Running Status Error Code:24

Try this:
1. Check for the largest files on your partition using e.g. Windirstat and delete them or move to an outside storage.
2. Install and run e.g. Puran Defrag Tool, which forces defragmentation over the limits imposed by the standard Ms Windows Defrag.
3. Run Puran Defrag again and again ;)
4. Retry the copy operation with MiniTool Partition.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Android Speakerphone always on when calling

Is your Android phone is always loud (in the Speakerphone) when calling or being called? 

You may try these sensible steps first, and if that fails (as it has not resolved the speakerphone prob for me), toggle the Car Mode in Rooted phones, ON and then OFF, with this Car Mode Toggle app.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Windows 10+, dual boot installation on HP notebook procedure


Ver. 2.6

Win10+7+XP+Linuxes installation procedure for myself, to remember how to handle the new notebooks and WinXP/7/8/10 multiple boots therein. I learned it the hard way, by installing, imaging, uninstalling, wiping etc. much too many times...

Warnings: 
  • Use the backup or system restore point at most key stages. 
    • Check if WinKey+M (+D) key combinations still work.  (They may disappear in the so-called Tablet mode though).
    • Check if e.g. Edge can be started from the default (administrative) account (one of the updates below disables these).
  • Install Wolf on another partition: 
    • Obtain the embedded Windows 7/8/10 keys, note it down.
  • Install MS Windows 10. 
    • Disable most of M|s snooping via the initial customization option. 
  • Run MMC:
    • Add Disk Management, 
    • Device Driver etc. components 
    • Save as Console1 
    • Create desktop shortcut to Console1 
  • Turn on system protection on C partition (allocate7%)
    • Create the 1st Restore Point
    • Use it liberally at later stages
  • Rename all the partitions 
    • Use the elevated CMD prompt to Label the C: system partition)
    • assign sensible drive letters to all: C, D to H for the internal partitions, 
    • Assign J: etc – for external ones
  • Install and run Macrium Reflect 
    • Rename the Reflect desktop icons to Macrium Reflect for easier finding
  • Backup 1 perform of the OS drive (C:) and the system bootup UEFI partitions only (double check if these were backed up and not e.g. D:)
    • Create Task with Monthly Full and Weekly Differential backups to the same external drive
  • Update the missing or old drivers in Device Management: 
    • Use the downloaded updated drivers save to external \Installs folder 
    • Update the Intel display and Realtek sound drivers, using an old Win 8.1 etc. installation on another partition
  • File Explorer: 
    • All hidden files shown
    • Colors for encrypted folders
    • No boxes to select items etc.
  • Remove Live Tiles from Start Menu one by one to declutter the screen.
  • Backup 2 differential do
  • Rename System PC Name to Above-HP-Win10
  • Autoruns disable startups of shit: wow64 cpu, mail etc.
  • Screensavers copy or install to local disks, configure all.
  • Select flower theme, test it
  • Personalization, Start: disable suggestions, Start full screen disable
  • Backup 3 do
  • Install Classic Shell
    • Replace Start Button. 
    • Change the Skin: Windows 8 etc.
      Warning: It seems to disable the WinKey combinations, Win+D, Win+M etc!Check here!
  • Connect to Internet.
  • Connect and log in to OneDrive personal account. 
    • Create its sync to c:/online/onedrive. 
    • Disable “fetch any file from PC”.
  • Install Firefox. 
    • Log in to your Firefox account to synchronize Add-ons, credentials, etc. 
    • no send information, 
    • no upgrade service, 
    • no Task Bar, 
    • no Desktop. 
    • Disable sending anything to Mozilla. 
    • Recheck the synced Add-ons.
    • Restart. 
    • Disable Advanced, Updates services. 
    • Always ask where to save downloaded files.
  • Change Advanced Settings, Updates not to local network, Give updates to other MS products, Developers, Defender sending samples, etc.
  • Privacy, Background apps disable Get Office, Store, Xbox etc. Never ask for feedback. Basic data sent.
  • Do not share and sync info with dev that do not pair: OFF. Apps cannot control radios (BT) themselves. Apps cannot read SMSes. Apps cannot access call history, contacts, account info.
  • (Win+D stopped working by now!)
  • Disable Fast Start
  • Update Windows manually
  • Add windows features: Telnet Client, TFTP Client, TIFF Ifilter, ...
  • Uninstall Movies, etc from Apps and Features
  • Download Offline Maps
  • Add languages and language packs
  • Possibly: Add Family Account
  • Update drivers via the DriverIdentifier tool
  • Disable Synaptics "features": reg add HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\SynTP\Parameters\Debug /v DumpKernel /d 00000000 /t REG_DWORD /f
  • Install these survival tools: 
    • KePass2 (disable the Ctrl+Alt+A global shortcut combination in Options! Messes up with Ą)
    • MyPhoneExplorer (sync Android local account with PC DBs)
    • Google Picasa (great Google abandonware for the photo editing dummies that we are) 
    • Skype (disable the pesky ads
    • Tencoder video converter (one of the bests)
    • Scan2PDF: simple so quick multiple pages to PDF scanner
    • Oracle VirtualBox 
    • DroidManager for yer phone
    • Net 3.5 via these complicated tricks using the Administrative (elevated) CMD prompt:
      • dism /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthdism /online /add-package /packagepath:E:\sources\sxs\microsoft-windows-netfx3-ondemand-package.cab 
      • Notes:
        • E is the Source Windows drive. 
        • Other commands DO NOT work).
  • Install other OSes on the other partitions
    • Windows 7
    • Android, 
    • Tails (you need two USB sticks for that!), etc. 
Back up all this beauty with Macrium Reflex! Three times. Send one of the disks abroad ;), and the other one in a hidden underground vault.