Forever 28~

Few days ago, I downloaded a (movie) file from the internet. The file was zipped in RAR format and it was password protected. Indeed, I have the password to extract it; but the password is in Chinese characters!

When I tried to copy and paste the password in the password dialogue box, WinRaR couldn’t recognize it! I am running in Windows XP Home edition and installed with Asian Language package. I wonder why it couldn’t extract my file!

At the end, I read the solution from a forum. Apparently, there are numbers of people are having the same problem. They recommend 7-ZIP in the forum. It is open-source software which is providing more powerful functions! I installed it and it works fine with the Chinese characters! I am so happy with it!

Anyway, I still have no idea what’s wrong with Chinese character in the encryption. Was it because the problem of WinRAR or it is my Windows XP bring trouble?

Last night was tragedy for me. Suddenly, my Gmail account is gone from me. I totally cannot login to my account. It prompted me the incorrect password combination. At first, I thought it was the temporary maintenance or error, but my housemates didn’t have such problem in accessing their email!

For your information, I have a lot of things inside my Gmail mailbox. I can’t afford to lose it! After few attempts, I suspect someone hacked into my account and changed the password. I tried to find the way to recover the password. However, I didn’t have secondary email address for Gmail to send me the recovery password. Luckily, there is a form for me to fill up and submit it to Google.

I thought it takes at least a day to get contacted by Google, but I received their reply after 30 minutes! I really impressed with their prompt service. I followed the step recovered my account. Thanks GOD!

The story hasn’t ended here! There was another scary thing happen at the same time. My account at my main-stream-blog-earning platform also being hacked! I encountered the same thing! That makes me suspect someone did it in purpose. I don’t know who that devil is. I think nothing I can do toward that devil if I know it. How pathetic it is, right?

I ordered the Ubuntu Linux Operating System (OS) CD from their website few weeks ago. Finally, I received the CD yesterday. It is a Open Source OS, and it is free to modify, free to use, and free to distribute as well!

I quickly tested the CD today. It is easier to run the live version if compared to Open Solaris. I’ve got the Open Solaris CD few weeks ago, but I haven’t tried it yet.

I can’t say anything about Ubuntu, as I only tested few program. I have no idea why I can’t access to the internet (WiFi) while I run the live CD (without install). So, I just tested the OpenOffice and its drawing tool. I feel not bad indeed.

One of the strengthen point (that I think it is) is you can install Ubuntu in Windows environment. This means, you can run two OSs in one machine (but not simultaneously). I used to think of install in as the second OS in my laptop, but because I am not able to access internet by using Ubuntu, so I just put it aside.

                                           Pic 1: Ubuntu Desktop

                    Pic 2: I can’t get online by using FireFox in Ubuntu

                                     Pic 3: OpenOffice in Ubuntu.

It was my horrible experience in using laptop. My laptop appeared the Windows OS famous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Indeed, it used to happen few weeks ago. I thought it was my software crash. I fixed it and just ignore after all.

But, BSOD came again on last SATURDAY night. It caused me unable to start my Windows, and even in safe mode! The message said something like physical memory dump. Then, I shut down the laptop and wait for tomorrow.

The next day, the laptop totally cannot swithc ON! I pressed the ON button for several times. It seems no respond. However, the power light is on. I was so frustrated. I can’t live without laptop, can you?

I need to be on duty last Sunday. So, I couldn’t send my laptop to workshop. I searched thru the internet about the similar problem. There is a case which is 99% closed with my situation. It was posted in a forum. They said it is RAM problem!

I went to Digital Mall after work. I saw a guy (who I think he is honest) was repairing the laptop. I approached him and told him my problem. After 15 minutes troubleshoot, he identified it was RAM’s problem. So, I decided to change the RAM to 2GB. I have to say he is a nice guy. He didn’t charge me for the service and only charge for the RAM. The RAM cost me RM135. So, my laptop is 2.5GB RAM now.

I was so scared at that time. I was thinking to get a new laptop if anything happened. Thanks god that let me get rid of this matter. Have you encountered similar problem before?

I bought this laptop since last year, but I never format it. I am so lazy to do backup, to re-install all my program.

But I suddenly have the urge to format it. Perhaps I realize some program causing my machine works slower. So, I took few hours last night to perform this task.

Luckily it was a unhindered process, I was able to format it without any obstecles. I just losed all my iTune’s play count. Sigh, I have been ‘collect’ it for one year. Now my machine is clean, I need to find an anti virus program, any recommend on it?