Manjaro does not boot due to kernel panic? Your Grub Customizer and oudated libcrypto.so.1.1 may be to blame

Symptoms:

Kernel panic when booting:

kernel panic - not syncing:

VFS: Unable to mount root fs on [...]

libcrypto.so.1.1 error in Grub Customizers, os-prober etc:

/etc/grub.d/bin/grubcfg_proxy: error while loading shared libraries: libcrypto.so.1.1: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

Solution:

1. Start by chrooting into your Manjaro installation, from a live or current system: sudo chroot [mount point of Manjaro partiton]/HP_P5_Manjaro

2. Mount the required file systems (only this version works, not the --bind one): mount -t proc none /proc mount -t sysfs none /sys mount -t devtmpfs none /dev mount -t tmpfs none /run

3. (Check via df -h and mount if things work)

4. Recreate the initramfs:
   sudo pacman -S mkinitcpio   and maybe sudo mkinitcpio -P for good measure

5. Remove any previous installations of GRUB customizer: sudo pacman -R grub-customizer

6. Backup the original GRUB configuration files: sudo cp -a /etc/default/grub /etc/default/grub.bak sudo cp -a /etc/grub.d /etc/grub.d.bak

7. Remove the old GRUB configuration files: sudo rm -rf /etc/default/grub sudo rm -rf /etc/grub.d

8. Reinstall GRUB using pacman, to recreate /etc/default/grub etc.:

9. pacman -S grub

10. Recreate the GRUB configuration: sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

11. Enable os-prober in GRUB: sudo sed -i 's/^#\(GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false\)/\1/' /etc/default/grub

12. Update GRUB, for good measure: sudo update-grub

As code only:

sudo chroot /media/[your e.g. Ubuntu user name]/HP_P5_Manjaro

mount -t proc none /proc

mount -t sysfs none /sys

mount -t devtmpfs none /dev

mount -t tmpfs none /run

sudo pacman -R grub-customizer

sudo pacman -S mkinitcpio

sudo cp -a /etc/default/grub /etc/default/grub.bak

sudo cp -a /etc/grub.d /etc/grub.d.bak

sudo rm -rf /etc/default/grub

sudo rm -rf /etc/grub.d

pacman -S grub

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

sudo sed -i 's/^#\(GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false\)/\1/' /etc/default/grub

sudo update-grub

Windows 7 sometimes safer than Windows 10: Windows CryptoAPI Spoofing Vulnerability

From the CVE-2020-0601 FAQ:

Are versions older than Windows 10 versions affected by this vulnerability?

No, only Windows 10 versions of the OS are affected. In the initial release of Windows 10 (Build 1507, TH1), Microsoft added support for ECC parameters configuring ECC curves. Prior to this, Windows only supported named ECC curves. The code which added support for ECC parameters also resulted in the certificate validation vulnerability. It was not a regression, and versions of Windows which don’t support ECC parameters configuring ECC curves (Server, 2008, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and servers) were not affected.

(Acknowledgements: National Security Agency)

More info see Krebs

(Samsung) setup wizard has stopped - Android

This often happens when one tries to enable multiple users. Asuming that you have root, ADB, etc. try this:

Disable Samsung Setup Wizard:
pm disable com.sec.android.app.SecSetupWizard


Disable Google Setup Wizard:
pm disable com.google.android.setupwizard

Trick: you can try to install and run Titanium Backup to run it on the Android interface. 

See also StackExchange here for other method: via File Manager, etc., this one with pictures.

Samsung Galaxy Android rotation does not work, the missing com.facebook.katana is the culprit

Background: Samsung Galaxy Note, Marshmallow 6.0. After a manual OS update to prevent the Blueborne bug, and deleting most of the spying system bloatware, the screen rotation does not work anymore.

After one-by-one elimination of the system apps over a number of hours, I have found the culprit:
com.facebook.katana
that is
facebook_latest.apk

What works:
Leaving com.facebook.katana frozen using e.g. Titanium Backup.

What does not work:
* Unfreezing, running and then updating, deleting or reinstalling it
* Trying any other autorotation programs, including Xposed modules.

Alas, I could not find a better solution.

Probable underlying cause: Facebook bought Oculus and thus wants to integrate itself deep into Samsung and other devices.

As per Reverse.it, apart from the screen rotation itself, this system module allows Facebook to create a shadow phone user's profile and trace us via such hooks:

android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION	Allows an app to access approximate location.
android.permission.WAKE_LOCK	Allows using PowerManager WakeLocks to keep processor from sleeping or screen from dimming.
android.permission.VIBRATE	Allows access to the vibrator.
android.permission.READ_CONTACTS	Allows an application to read the user's contacts data.
android.permission.WRITE_CONTACTS	Allows an application to write the user's contacts data.
android.permission.GET_ACCOUNTS	Allows access to the list of accounts in the Accounts Service.
android.permission.MANAGE_ACCOUNTS	-
android.permission.AUTHENTICATE_ACCOUNTS	-
android.permission.READ_SYNC_SETTINGS	Allows applications to read the sync settings.
android.permission.WRITE_SYNC_SETTINGS	Allows applications to write the sync settings.
android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION	Allows an app to access precise location.
android.permission.BROADCAST_STICKY	Allows an application to broadcast sticky intents.
com.facebook.katana.provider.ACCESS	-
com.facebook.orca.provider.ACCESS	-
com.facebook.pages.app.provider.ACCESS	-
android.permission.DOWNLOAD_WITHOUT_NOTIFICATION	-
android.permission.CAMERA	Required to be able to access the camera device.
android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO	Allows an application to record audio.
android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE	Allows an application to write to external storage.
com.facebook.permission.prod.FB_APP_COMMUNICATION	-
com.facebook.permission.prod.SYSTEM_COMMUNICATION	-
android.permission.READ_PHONE_STATE	Allows read only access to phone state.
android.permission.READ_CALENDAR	Allows an application to read the user's calendar data.
android.permission.WRITE_CALENDAR	Allows an application to write the user's calendar data.
android.permission.READ_PROFILE	-
android.permission.READ_SMS	Allows an application to read SMS messages.
android.permission.CHANGE_NETWORK_STATE	Allows applications to change network connectivity state.
android.permission.CHANGE_WIFI_STATE	Allows applications to change Wi-Fi connectivity state.
android.permission.SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW	Allows an app to create windows using the type TYPE_SYSTEM_ALERT, shown on top of all other apps.
com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES	-
android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED	Allows an application to receive the ACTION_BOOT_COMPLETED that is broadcast after the system finishes booting.
android.permission.GET_TASKS	This constant was deprecated in API level 21. No longer enforced.
android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE	Allows an application to read from external storage.
android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE	Allows applications to access information about networks.
android.permission.REQUEST_INSTALL_PACKAGES	Allows an application to request installing packages.
com.facebook.katana.permission.CROSS_PROCESS_BROADCAST_MANAGER	-
android.permission.BATTERY_STATS	Allows an application to collect battery statistics
android.permission.ACCESS_WIFI_STATE	Allows applications to access information about Wi-Fi networks.
com.android.launcher.permission.INSTALL_SHORTCUT	Allows an application to install a shortcut in Launcher.
com.facebook.receiver.permission.ACCESS	-
android.permission.INTERNET	Allows applications to open network sockets.
com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.READ	-
com.sec.android.provider.badge.permission.WRITE	-
com.htc.launcher.permission.READ_SETTINGS	-
com.htc.launcher.permission.UPDATE_SHORTCUT	-
com.sonyericsson.home.permission.BROADCAST_BADGE	-
com.facebook.home.permission.WRITE_BADGES	-
com.google.android.c2dm.permission.RECEIVE	-
com.facebook.katana.permission.C2D_MESSAGE	-
com.nokia.pushnotifications.permission.RECEIVE	-
com.facebook.katana.permission.RECEIVE_ADM_MESSAGE	-
com.amazon.device.messaging.permission.RECEIVE	-
android.permission.BIND_JOB_SERVICE	-
com.google.android.gms.permission.BIND_NETWORK_TASK_SERVICE	-
com.facebook.appmanager.ACCESS	-

See also the source FTC vs Facebook documents here and here for further info.

-> Do you have a better solution how to get rid of Facebook for good while retaining basic usability?
Please suggest these in the comments.


Update: I have been using Dynamic Rotation instead and it does the trick without crashing, etc.

Android Samsung Galaxy - WiFi passwords not remembered

Background: Samsung Galaxy Note, Marshmallow 6.0: after a manual OS update the system does not remember WiFi passwords anymore.

What worked:
* Root the phone
* Install e.g. MiXplorer
* Go to root: /
* Click the three dots to show Options, select Show hidden
* Navigate to /system/etc/securestorage

* Find the hidden folder: .System.bin.wpa.supplicant or .System.wpa.supplicant
* Move (archive) this folder to another directory
* Reboot the phone

Added bonus: the WiFi passwords will be stored in plain text.
Short explanation why it works - see here.

What did not work:
* Manually editing wpa_supplicant.conf in /data/misc/wifi/
* Messing up with the file permissions or even deleting the whole /data/misc/wifi/
* Resetting the Network settings 
* Restoring Data.img from backup
* Trying to disable it by modyfing build.prop only
* Trying restoring via the otherwise useful WiFiConfigRestorer

Comments?

Rocksmith 2014 stopped working... BEX Error

Symptoms: Rocksmith2014 crashes some seconds into startup, with:

Rocksmith 2014 stopped working... BEX Error

Cause: BEX stands for Buffer overflow. One of the drivers (DLL files) is not compatible. 

Solutions (one of many, probably):
1. Check the size of D3DX9_42.dll file in the Rocksmith folder. If it is suspiciously small, replace it with this one (2475352 bytes in size, taken from my virgin Win7 C:\Windows\System32\ folder).
2. Reinstall Rocksmith anew.
3. Update your graphics driver.

Good luck and play it on!

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.

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.

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.
• Stop the Telemetry services
• Disable the Apps in Privacy tab
• Disable sending the crash report (download and run the Regedit fix or read this for details)
• 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
• Chinese, Polish, French, Spanish... (warning: it gets stuck at Getting Windows ready, Don't turn off your computer!)  
• 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: 
• Battery Bar
• NetSpeedMonitor
• 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. 

"Process system not responding" in Android - freeze plus reboot loop

After changing the SIM card or playing with WiFi settings in your Android device (stock or otherwise), you may see "Process system not responding" with a forced reboot.

This is what worked for me. Take your pick from the easiest to the hardest one: 

• Remove the battery. Let the power drain for 10 seconds and reinsert it. (Yes, only that.)
• Clear Dalvik Cache in the Recovery Mode.
• Change the boot animation to a shorter one. Try this one.
• Remove the Google Backup service. See here.

SDL Trados Memories - "The translation provider does not support any language pair in this project or project template"

If you see this error:

The translation provider does not support any language pair in this project or project template

when adding a memory in SDL Trados Studio, you can quickly change the language pair, from e.g. EN-GB to EN-US, so as to match your project settings, using any free SQL editor.

• Download the SQ Lite Browser and run it.

• Open the TM Memory file (*.sdltm)

• Go to Browse Data and change the "Translation Memories" blob parameters:

from e.g. en-GB to en-US.

• Open the newly fixed memory in your SDL Trados project:

It is the quickest way to adjust the large (2 GB) EU memories to suit your project settings.