Version: 12.1
Revision: 33 Build 12 (BlackBox 2)
BlackBox for the benchies!
Introduction: this utility was designed to collect information about your hardware components, operating systems, memory type and many more. It can also benchmark your computer and notebooks, such as: system processor, memory, graphics adapter and hard drive to determine your overall performance against your opponent’s computer and their hardware. However, this feature is locked for Windows XP user. It will only allow you to benchmark if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7.
HWM BlackBox
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Url*1 - http://blackbox.hardwaremania.com/en/
Url*2 - http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/HWM-BlackBox.shtml
Notes: this utility was specially designed to work inside your USB dongle. Therefore, you don’t have to install it and waist your time!
Copyrighted By Lair360
Version: 12.1
Revision: 33 Build 13
Modify your ATi Radeon Memory!
Introduction: A couple of days ago in the IT department, I was modifying my “ATi Catalyst Driver” for Windows XP, just before installation. It took me quite a while but it’s worth the performance!
On the other hand, this tweak will only change your memory to their maximum capacity. For example, if I have this chipset: ATi Radeon HD 4870 (1GB). But, the driver only states your card as 512 MB, then you will need to change that digit into 1024 MB. Simple…
Tips: For better navigation, I would suggest you to download these software and install them before you continue with the tutorials. These program will analyze your GPU and notify you with the correct chipset.
http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/ (Notepad++)
http://www.hwinfo.com/download32.html (Hwinfo32)
1.] Install “HWiNFO32” and run the application.
2.] Wait for it to load and look at the GPU chipset. It is located at the upper – right –corner in your dialogue box.
3.] Keep your previous application running and search for the installation folder.
By default, it should be in your system hard drive. If not, you may have left it somewhere…
Default directory
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C:\ATI\Support\9-8_legacy_xp32-64_dd_ccc\Driver\XP_INF
4.] Look for this file: “CX_85695.inf” and open it with “Notepad-Plus”. You will immediately see a bunch of codes.
5.] Scroll down to line ‘5100’ and look for this string: ‘MaximumDeviceMemoryConfiguration’.
Example
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[ati2mtag_M10.GeneralConfigData] MaximumDeviceMemoryConfiguration=128 MaximumNumberOfDevices=4 SessionImageSize = 16
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Notes: if you can’t find your ATi Radeon Chipset, you may want to press “Ctrl + F”, paste the codes into your search box and click: “Find Next”.
6.] Modify your GPU memory and save your changes.
Warning: if your cards support 1GB of VRAM, you will need to apply this figure: “1024 MB”. However, you cannot go over the card’s overall capacity! So, be careful and check your card’s memory limit!
Example (Default).
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[ati2mtag_RS600M.GeneralConfigData] MaximumDeviceMemoryConfiguration=256 MaximumNumberOfDevices=4 SessionImageSize = 16
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Example (Modified).
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[ati2mtag_RS600M.GeneralConfigData] MaximumDeviceMemoryConfiguration=512 MaximumNumberOfDevices=4 SessionImageSize = 16
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Figure MB * = ATi Mobility Cards (Not compatible with all ATi Radeon cards).
Figure MB ^ = This is only for 64-Bit operating systems with 2GB VRAM.
Warning: this modification will only work if your cards support 128 MB or more!
Please avoid changing your 64 MB VRAM (Low Memory GPU). This may cause your computer to black out or crash!
128 MB
256 MB
384 MB *
512 MB
640 MB *
768 MB *
1024 MB
2048 MB ^
7.] Install your modified driver and have fun!
Copyrighted By Lair360
Version: 11.1
Revision: 22 Build 12
HD Tune – Hard Drive Monitor
Introduction: If you are really worried about your internal hard drive, there is no need to worry! You can easily use this software to check / analyze your drive’s health, temperature, status and supported features. Nevertheless, this tool is not just about monitoring your hard drive. What it does, it can benchmark your hard drive and alert you if the temperature is over the standards.
Secondly, this software, it can examine your hard drive for bad / faulty sector. It can also perform a full scan (slower) if you desire! However, the it may take longer…
If you want to use this software, just to monitor your HDD, you can easily fetch the software from these links.
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http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Hard-Disk-Utils/HD-Tune.shtml
http://majorgeeks.com/HD_Tune_d4130.html
Finally, if you want to analyze external hard drive or test HDD caches, you will need to buy their “HD Tune Pro” edition.
For support or bug reports, please use the author’s website.
http://www.hdtune.com/
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Copyrighted By Lair360
Version: 1.12
Revision: 33 Build 11
Prevent users from writing to USB drives.
Introduction: Everyday in our lives and in our workplace or home, USB drives are extremely useful and easy to use! You just plug it in and backup your documents, files and applications without hassle or install drivers for it to recognize. This is because, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7, they already have most of the driver for the thumb-drive drive. Most of them are already verified / certified by Microsoft. Therefore, in other term, you shouldn’t worry… pretty much…
Right, let’s get to the point about this USB write and execution sequences. This means, if you modify your “Registry Library”, you can actually stop other users from stealing stuff in your computer! The codes are simple and it can be used to disable “Write” on your computer, so that the drive doesn’t work when you plugged it in your USB port.
Notes: if you disable this settings, other users who is stupid enough to sneak into your computer and steal your stuff, they will have no chances to grab anything and copy it into their USB drive… tough luck for them!
To start this tutorial, please read the rest of the article…
1.] At your desktop, you will need to direct yourself to “Start >> Run >> Type: Regedit”.
2.] In the registry dialogue box, just scroll down and look for this directory with the following key.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
3.] In the panel, you will need to modify “Start”. You will need to change the ‘value – data’ box (Hexadecimal) and type 4. After the modification, click ‘OK’ and exit the Registry Editor.
“Start”=dword:00000003 (default)
“Start”=dword:00000004 (modified)
4.] Have fun and protect your computer from nastiest!
Copyrighted By Lair360
Version: 13.1
Revision: 34 Build 112
Track your evil BSOD errors!
Introduction: When I was repairing my parent’s computer, I had encountered numerous ‘BSOD (Blue – Screen – Of – Death)’. So, I decided to track these “STOP” errors and find out which files / driver that trigger the problem. If you want to track these problems, please direct yourself to this website; extract the contents and start your investigations.
Link*1: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html
Link*2: http://www.nirsoft.net (Original)
To simplify these BSOD problems, here is a small statement: if you are using Windows, there may be bugs that are caused by faulty drivers, applications or hardware. Here is a small list: “PFN_LIST_CORRUPT, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and ATTEMPTED_WRITE_TO_READONLY_MEMORY.”
Features.
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- Automatically scans your current system and displays a list of all crash dumps. This also includes crash dump date/time and crash details.
- Enables you to view a blue screen which is similar to Windows display.
- Trace all drivers / modules that might be involved in the crash.
- Automatically locate the drivers appeared in the crash dump, and extract their version resource information, including product name, file version, company, and file description.
For the latest updates, please visit the original author’s website.
Good Luck!
Copyrighted By Lair360
