Get all info about your Android phone at one glance- utility app for Android

It is great to have utility apps on Android. You can get all information on a single place. This saves time and thus helps to maintain information systematically. Mini Info is an Android app that shows your phone’s current status (your battery charge, available RAM and storage space, CPU utilization, screen brightness, volume, and wireless radio status) at glance. You just need to launch the app and you will get all the information on one place.

You can also click the shown button to adjust the required settings. You can toggle the wireless, Bluetooth, or GPS on and off using the buttons, or adjust the ringer, notification, media, and alarm volumes by clicking the Volume button. It worked very great and has no issues right now.

The thing we like about the app that it can configure to show a widget on the Home screen of Android device to show required information in a glance. You need to tap on the customizable home screen widget to bring up the application.

Mini Info is a free download from the Android Market. I am a big fan of free Apps. Scan the below image to download.

How to know what type of memory (RAM) your system is using?

My friend needed to upgrade his system he called me to buy memory (RAM) for him. But he does not know which type of memory his system supports or which he is currently using. Every motherboard supports a certain technology of memory (DDR, DDR2, and DDR3). Many of us do not know what kind of memory they are using or how to upgrade your Ram. You may need to open your system and check which frequency of RAM you are using. There are much better way than opening your system and checking the label for the frequency.

Here are some easy ways to check what type of RAM you are using on Linux and Windows PC:

On windows PC

You need to download and simple executable app called system info. Once you open it, navigate to Hardware and then Memory on the left-hand pane and you’ll see what type of memory is already installed in your computer. You will get information as shown in the screenshot below. The best part is that it also let you know what the form-factor of RAM is eg. SODIMM that is specially built for Laptops. This is a very easy to use and fast. You can also use the software to know about other hardware parts on your system. Download System Information for Windows

On Linux PC

It is much easier to check the RAM installed on your system on Linux system. Just Open the terminal window and type in the following command:

sudo dmidecode --type memory

You will get the output as show in the above screenshot. You’ll see the maximum memory size allowed by your PC (this is an important part). You will also see the rest of the memory details for each piece of RAM that’s installed. There is information about type and frequency of memory (eg DDR2-800MHZ).

I hope you will find this tricks easy to use and let me know if you face any other issue while checking RAM you are using.

Internet Download manager and FireFox beta integration problem solved:

Firefox has released their version 4 beta and it is working well. In some cases there are issues with old plugins. The issue we will be discussing here is Internet Download Manager (IDM) has many issues while integration with Firefox 4 beta. The issue can be easily solved.

Follow the below steps to resolve the issue.

1. Download and install Flasgot addon. This is compatible with beta version.
2. Restart the browser and Go To Tools>>Flashgot>>More options>>general tab. In the download manager menu you will see IDM(if it is installed on your system). If not locate the IDM(browse to the IDM exe file)
3. Just check autostart download menu as shown in the screenshot below.

You are done. You will be able to download and install using Internet Download manager. The issue is resolved. You can also use the same process if you are using any other download manager like Flashget, Download accelerator.

Please let us know if you face the issue even after performing the above mentioned steps.

Latest free GPRS trick for Airtel users: India

Now, you can use gprs on Airtel for free. I am providing a hack that is working for many people. You just need to have an Airtel sim and gprs (pay as you go plan) activated on it. You need to follow the below steps to surf internet for free.

You need to install the Opera mini browser from here. Once you run the jar file on your mobile you will be asked to enter following text. This is opera mini handlers setting which make you use a proxy connection and thus you will be able to use internet for free.

• Custom HTTP Server : http://202.65.157.201.server4.operamini.com/
• Custom Socket Server : http://202.65.157.201.server4.operamini.com
• Back Query : ?id=jCustomerWAPProv/
• Host : HandlerHost

Now after entering the text as mentioned above, you may press Ok. Opera will first run install and open the webpage. Once installed, close the application. Now, start the application and choose the Airtel gprs setting to surf internet. These settings are working in Rajasthan, Kerela, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujrat, Delhi and Mumbai. I hope you enjoy the trick and please let us know if this is working in your area(please comment)

How to automate downloads from file hosting sites such as Rapidshare, Megaupload, and other file sharing websites

We are using file sharing websites to share media and other contents (most famous are rapidshare and megaupload). But most of file sharing websites are annoying as there are wait time, entering of captchas and other detailed things involved in the procedure. I came across a intresting application that takes all the hassle ad automate the download process. MDownloader is free software for downloading files from popular media hosting sites such as Rapidshare, Megaupload and many others. It removes the need for human intervention while downloading files. It also allow you to queue the files you want to download and forget about them; MDownloader will check for file availability, wait for server time delay periods to lapse, recognize and enter captchas automatically, and download the files for you. It also allows for download resuming for those file hosting services that support it (rapidshare and megaupload support resuming only with paid accounts).

MDownloader also offers the option to perform multiple simultaneous uploads to file hosting services.

Here are some features of this amazing programs:

• URL capturing mode: press the “Quick Paste” button on the toolbar then start adding URLs to the clipboard. MDownloader will add these URLs to the download list. It does not scan and capture download URLs at all times while it’s running (which I think is a good thing).

• Automatic captcha resolution: note that while this seems to work well for many file hosting services, it may not work on all. In this case MDownloader will prompt the user for intervention, displaying the captchas in the MDownloader interface itself without the need for opening a browser (shown in the screenshot). This is a very amazing feature and suits me very well.

• Uploading files: MDownloader can also automate the process of uploading files to your favorite hosting services. You need to tell which file to upload and once the upload is over you will get the link provided by the hosting website.

For normal users, who do not have paid accounts with the file sharing sites. Mdownloader presents a very effective way to download many files with intervention.

Compatibility: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7. Requires MS .NET Framework 3.5 SP1

You can download the software here.

How to temporarily disable Anti-virus programs: Avast, Avg, Avira, nod 32, mcafee

 

We need to disable antivirus sometime to install a restricted application or visit a restricted website. Even it is required to disable anti-virus before uninstalling it (sometimes). I have made list of procedure to disable Antivirus temporarily when required.
AVAST
Right click on the “avast” icon in system tray and choose “Stop On-Access Protection”.
AVG 7
Open the AVG7 Control Center.
•Double-click on the “AVG Resident Shield” component
•Deselect the “Turn on AVG Resident Shield” checkmark and save the setting.
•When you need to enable the AVG Resident Shield, reopen the AVG Control Center.
•Double-click on the “AVG Resident Shield” component, select the “Turn on AVG Resident Shield” checkmark and save the setting.
AVG 8
Open the AVG 8 Control Center, by right clicking on the AVG 8 icon on task bar.
•Click on Tools.
•Select Advanced.
•In the left hand pane, scroll down to “Resident Shield”.
•In the main pane, deselect the option to “Enable Resident Shield.”
•To re-enable AVG 8, please select “Enable Resident Shield” again.
AVG 8.5
Open the AVG 8.5 Control Center, by right clicking on the AVG icon on task bar.
•Click on Open AVG Interface.
•Double click on Resident Shield
•Deselect the option to “Enable Resident Shield.”
•Save changes, and exit the application.
•To re-enable AVG 8.5, please select “Enable Resident Shield” again.
•Also see AVG FAQ 1209: How to temporarily disable AVG Free Edition 8.5
AVIRA ANTIVIR
Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for an open white umbrella on red background (looks to this: )•right click it-> uncheck the option AntiVir Guard enable.
•You should now see a closed, white umbrella on a red background

BIT DEFENDER
•Double click on the system icon for Bit Defender.
•When the Bit Defender window appears, move mouse arrow to the left side and click >> Virus Shield.
•Move mouse arrow to the black check by Virus Shield is enabled and click.
•The black works will change to red, >> Virus Shield is disabled.
•Move mouse arrow to the top right corner and click the down arrows.
•Bit Defender is now inactive.
•To enable Bit Defender, do the same steps except click to enable.
ESET NOD32 ANTIVIRUS V4
•Double click on the system tray icon: on the bottom right hand corner.
•Select Disable real-time file system protection.
•A popup will ask “Are you sure you want to disable…protection?”
•Click “Yes” to disable the Antivirus guard.
ESET SMART SECURITY
•Double click on the system tray icon: to open the main application window.
•Or via Start >> All Programs >> ESET >> ESET Smart Security.
•Click on Setup >> Antivirus and antispyware >> temporarily disable Antivirus and antispyware protection.
•When prompted to confirm temporarily disable select Yes.
•Note: Protection will be automatically started after a system reboot.

F-SECURE ANTIVIRUS
Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a blue sign.
•right click it-> select Unload.
•The F-Secure sign should now be surrounded by a red striked through circle (looking like this:

KASPERSKY ANTIVIRUS
Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a sign.
•right click it-> select Pause Protection.
•click on -> By User Request
•a popup will claim that protection is now disabled and a sign like this: will now be shown.
MCAFEE ANTIVIRUS
Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a sign.
•Right-click it -> chose “Exit.”
•A popup will warn that protection will now be disabled. Click on “Yes” to disable the Antivirus guard.
MCAFEE SECURITY CENTER 7.1
Navigate to the system tray and double-click the taskbar icon to open Security Center.
•Click Advanced Menu (bottom mid-left).
•Click Configure (left).
•Click Computer & Files (top left).
•VirusScan can be disabled in the right-hand module and set when it should resume or you can do that manually later on.
•Do the same via Internet & Network for Firewall Plus.
Instructions to diable McAfee Security
MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS
•Open MSE and go to Settings > Real Time Protection.
•Then uncheck “Turn on real time protection”.
•Exit MSE when done.
NORTON ANTIVIRUS (by Symantec)
Navigate to the system tray on the bottom right hand corner and look for a sign.
•right-click it -> chose “Disable Auto-Protect.”
•select a duration of 5 hours (this assures no interference with the cleanup of your pc)•click “Ok.”
•a popup will warn that protection will now be disabled and the sign will now look like this:
NORTON 360
•Right-click the Norton 360 icon in the system tray and select Open Tasks and
Settings Window.
•On the right side, under Settings, click on Change advanced settings.
•Next, click on the Virus & Spyware Protection Settings.
•Uncheck Turn on Auto-Protect and select Apply.
•You will be asked to select a time for Norton to reactivate.
•Choose Until I turn it back on.
•You can re-enable after the malware has been removed from your machine.
PC TOOLS THREATFIRE
•Right-click on ThreatFire’s icon near the clock (it’s an orange flame) and select Suspend.
•When you see that the icon has turned from an orange flame to a blue icon with an orange strip in the middle, ThreatFire has been temporarily disabled.
Sophos Anti-virus
– Please refer to Post #28.
SYMANTEC ENDPOINT PROTECTION
Right click on the icon in the taskbar notification area & select “Disable Symantec EndPoint Protection”.

I hope you have found your Anti-virus on this list. Please let me know if you need any more information.

Recover Word, Excel, PowerPoint password protected documents: Office Password Recovery Utility

To keep data confidential it is best to encrypt Microsoft Office documents using a password. But sometimes we forget the password and it causes havoc. Now, there is a simple tool to recover a password protected Microsoft Office document. Office Password Recovery Utility lets you decrypt Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel documents. This utility helps to save lot of time to look around for passwords and decrypt the documents.

For recovering passwords you need to Download and run the Office Password Recovery Utility, open the file you want to recover and press a button. It adds the file to the “Working” folder; it is moved to either the “Failed”, or in most cases, the “Recovered” folder.

Office Password Recovery is priced at $89. This is a hefty price for small software. But sometime you can need it crazily.

Stop suspicious activities on Google Apps: secure Google account

Google Account is designed to make it very important as it links to other Google services like Gmail, blogger, Picasa, buzz, calendar etc. If you feel suspicious activity happening across your account on any of the services you are using, you can revoke access from these apps or web services using your Google account. Just follow the procedure explained below.

Deny Application to use Google account

1. Go to this page, you need to login using your Google ID and password.

2. Once the page is opened you will see list of web services and apps for which you have granted access to use your Google account. (As shown in the image below)

3. For all those applications you are not sure, you can click the link Revoke Access to stop or prevent that application using your Google account in future. This will ensure that your information can not be used by anyone and thus stops suspicious activities.

iPad Games review: Vampire Saga: Pandora’s Box –adventure game

There are many adventurous games coming to iPad. I came across a very fantastic vampire adventure game and it was around us since a month. Vampire Saga: Pandora’s Box Developed by Alawar Entertainment is gaining popularity and right now in top 10 in Adventure Games downloads.

The game is based on the previous PC release and iPhone version. This game is right up my dark alley: which creates mysterious, spooky and full of surprises journey. But the disappointing thing for me is that it lastly ends up with a object hunting game. There are puzzles to solve, over 300 objects to find plus 11 secret hidden object game scenes, alongside 5 mini games to keep you occupied and entertained.

The game is boring for me as I do not like puzzle solving too much but some of my friends who are puzzle lover were enjoying the game like a Turkish delight. You will be in the shoes of a young man who is escaped the Spanish American War in a cargo vessel. After that it is not clear but he falls asleep, and then he wakes up surrounded by coffins and the now the game begins (a very abrupt beginning). I thing the attractive part of the game is the environment which is dark and spooky. The soundtrack is spine-chilling (my friends says so) which will leave you shaken and sticking to the game. I would appreciate Vampire Sage: Pandora’s box for great animations quality, decent graphics (I felt it should be better) and a not so fantastic storyline, which has turns and twists that are enjoyable.

Right now, we have found that somewhere the game is unstable and this will be fixed very soon as promised by developer. Vampire Saga: Pandora’s Box is available for $6.99 from iTunes:

How to Sign Symbian60v5 applications: install unsigned s60v5 apps on Nokia phones

Signing Symbian 60 version 5 Apps:

Everybody is having problems with installing unsigned application on new symbian 60 v5 phones like N97, 5230, 5800, 5233. The hello Ox tool doesn’t work and the free signer app show expired. The issue can be resolved easily. Follow the steps.

1. You will need the unique certificate and key for your mobile + Free signer application. These can be acquired by the site of OPDA and applying for the same. Register on the website.

2. Login and choose apply for certificate. You will need your IMEI number. You can use *06# to get the number.

3. It will take 24 Hrs to generate a certificate. After that login and go to my certificate tab and download certificate and keys. Also download the Free signer software(from the bottom of the webpage).

4. Now go to signing software and choose your phone.

5. Upload the Freesigner application we downloaded before.

Once the upload is complete you will get prompt to download the signed application.

Download it.

6. Now move the Freesigner app and the key and certificate we downloaded to the phone’s memory card.
7. Install the application on phone and open the application. Go to setting and choose the certificate and the key, in the sign cert and sign key tabs.

8. Now choose the unsigned app you want to install and select sign sis. Now select Go. The application will get signed for 3 years. Install the application and enjoy.