Monday 30 October 2017

PROCESS1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

PROCESS1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED

Recently a customer's pc displaying this error. Well, you can't actually see the error message properly. Its because its a blue screen of death. And what it does is, it keeps restarting the pc and displaying the blue screen error message. I have to record the action and pause to see the error message. 

This type of error can be a severe one. It generally means either a hardware fault or a fault with Windows boot files. Fixing it can be as simple as checking the cables on your hard drive or as tiresome as performing a system restore.

If you have made hardware changes:

1. Check HDD or SSD cables are tight and secure.
2. Do the same for power cables just in case.
3. Check your BIOS has the correct settings for the boot drive. ATA/IDE for HDD and AHCI for SSD.
4. Remove any hardware recently added or update the drivers for that device.

If you made software changes:

1. Uninstall the software and retest. Check version and compatibility with the vendor if fault goes away.
(NOTE: How are you going to get into Windows when you computer keeps restarting, right?)
- Upon the computer restarts by itself, press on the keyboard F8 continuously until a list of options displayed. Look for Safe Mode and hit the enter key. If any chance, you are unable to get into Safe Mode, you will need to use a bootable Windows CD to help you do that.

This simple steps its just the surface tech work. Even if you have done all that, there are other possible problems like how does it happen? Could be a hardware failure, your harddisk is dying. Or the system files corrupted due to a virus or a software not compatible with Windows.

An easier way is just send the computer back to the vendor and have it solved. I'm here if you need my services. At least I know what I'm talking about. Right?

Tuesday 24 October 2017

WPA2 password is still hackable

I recently came across this FB Ad Sponsor link that tells us that the Wi-Fi is hackable. It means, even if you have the said WPA2 password, it is still hackable. This happens within the Wi-Fi router mechanism. Of course, we would assume that the responsible parties such as the router companies should take action. But little do we realise that the fact, not lies in companies making the routers, but also we as consumers need to of a helping hand as well.

First step is to update as regularly as possible whenever there is a firmware update of our routers. Never any harm to change passwords of your Wi-Fi. But we forget that our smart devices as well also need to be protected. Our Smartphones, Tablets, computers, laptops also need protection with Anti-virus and Internet Security. Our OS needs regular updates as well.

Some would assume that its not necessary. Who would want to hack into my devices. I am not important at all. Hackers should be hacking big companies, that's where the money are! But hackers have no eyes. Even if they have, they have a bigger picture where we never thought of. Imagine hundred thousands of people with the same mindset - we're not important enough to be hacked. An accumulation of a hundred thousand makes up a lot of people and with each different sets of data can sell thousands to a million.

I'm sorry if I kinda out of topic. But its all related. So, just want to share the concern. And let's make it a better place to surf the internet.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/technology/faq-what-is-krack-and-how-to-secure-your-wi-fi-networks-9318360

Thursday 19 October 2017

Do you Need anti-virus/ anti-malware on your smart phone?

I have something to share. It may not be relevant nor important. And I'm not sure if it should be important or not. 

The question is : Do you need an antivirus or internet security software on your android phone?

Since I'm in the IT line of work. I use the internet intensively a lot. And most of the time, answers I need are from the internet. We do know for one thing is whenever we use our computers or smartphone to connect to the internet, make sure we use the public group especially when we're surfing from cafes or restaurants, where the internet is given free while you drink, eat or sleep. And its safe to surf or connect home internet or data internet provided by our phone telecommunication. However, we have see so many movies where there are black hat hackers that can capture our smartphone data easily.

And nowadays, our smartphones are like our digital wallet, diary, passbook, identity. Without proper usage and protection, with internet connection, public or private network, where there is a will, there is a way.

Now scams come in many different forms. Emails, messaging, unknown apps which can somehow be found on playstore.

Sure, we can have save internet surfing using vpn. But not all free vpn are giving fast surfing. Some have to pay. Would love to hear from your point of opinion. Should you need an antivirus or internet security app on your android phone. For all we know, these internet security apps themselves are in a way a hack ability function for them to keep track of users and their phone usage. But I believe they (white hat hackers) are used for the users' protection.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/do-you-need-antivirus-on-android/

Sunday 15 October 2017

Windows System Protection

Windows System Protection
What does it do? From my understanding, its suppose to protect the windows system from being corrupted from software that are not compatible with windows. I have to honestly point out that I had almost forgotten about doing this to all new installed windows. It is relatively important to perform this task. Especially when nowadays there are lots of software that interacts with Microsoft Windows. Some maybe be genuinely compatible with Windows. But some seems to be working fine until an update from either Windows or the software. It won't take up too much of your harddisk space as nowadays our standard or basic hard disk space ranges from 500GB to 1TB.

Just configure the system protection disk usage at 5%. And create a notable remark to note when you performed the system protection.

When your system encountered a problem booting, you can always go to system restore and restore to the last known protection that you have made.

https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/turn-system-protection-windows-10/

Wednesday 11 October 2017

Frauds emails and Such

Fraud emails and such. That's my topic today. I recently received an email from a high pioneer company - T###### P###### Sdn. Bhd. A very promising sales for me as it's request of quotation that can giving me a profit of 1000%. Fantastic right?! 
However, I have seen these emails before requesting large quotations of computer parts and components. I maybe passing a big opportunity to earn thousands to millions. But with such big quantity, the customer would usually want a credit term as they say that they have signed a big project with a company overseas and requires these large quantities.

Unfortunately, I am of just a small start up company with only myself to do most work. It may be an opportunity of a lifetime but I rather not risk it. Be honest as much as possible and do what I am capable of.

I have encountered before with another company that I worked at where it seems legit that the company wants to purchase large amount of computer parts but requires a credit term. Come on... I'm can't even cope my monthly expenses, where am I gonna get the money to BUY FIRST and the WAIT FOR PAYMENT??!!

My company policy and I'm sure most companies nowadays will and should have these policy. PAY FIRST at least 60% of the total to a full payment. I don't keep stock and all purchases is back-to-back orders.

I rather give up making millions in an instant to slowly building up my businesses. Silly and stupid some would call me. But at the negativity if it goes bad, is a very terrible consequences.