Free Downloadable FixMeStick Alternative - For Microsoft Windows PC or Mac OSX

FixMeStick was a featured pitch on CBC's Dragon's Den. The tool is intended to help when one cannot boot into their OS. The only times I have had a virus on my computer was the result of my experimentation. I downloaded a virus pack, and tried to launch some on my computer and see how well MSSE and ClamAV worked.

Certainly there are some people who always use administrator rights (or superuser) on their computer in order to save time when installing software, those who do not read what they install, or others who download and install the first item on the Bing or Google search results and then find themselves with malware on their computers.  Malware isn't necessarily software that will damage your computer or take your personal information, but unwanted pieces of software that force you to use a specific search engine, hijiack your operating system.

A write-protected system like a CD or DVD is ideal as it cannot be modified by the hackers in the stream (i.e. a host rerouting), however a disadvantage, like that of  FixMeStick, is the unified factor. Hackers know exactly what to target, thus the hacks, workarounds etc. are less labour intensive to develop. Therefore advantage of fragmented recovery setups is that hackers' tools cannot account for all of them.
If you were using computers between the years 1998-2007, Windows was synonymous with spyware,  malware, trojan and virus infections. Windows is a very secure operating system, but if more than 97% of the computers are running Windows, why would you bother creating malware for Linux or OSX. Most mobile phones are Android, and it is no surprise that we heard about viruses for Android... and later for iOS. Popularity comes at a price!

Before trying to make your own boot-up/recovery solution, I suggest try the free commercial solutions below:

The AVG Rescue CD
http://www.avg.com/ca-en/avg-rescue-cd-download
The AviraRescue CD
http://www.avira.com/en/download/product/avira-antivir-rescue-system

How the FixMeStick, or any bootable USB recovery system works

When you cannot get into your computer OSX or Windows based computer, the FixMeStick/RecoveryStick boots to its own operating system, bypasses OSX or Windows and then searches the hard disk for viruses, malware, or other unwanted changes to the registry and system start-up.

How the FixMeStick works  (or at least what would make sense)

1. Computer boots to the OS on the FixMeStick.
2. Devices on your computer are identified and the appropriate drivers are loaded.
3. You will need to connect your computer to the Internet using either a WiFi or Ethernet connection (a USB modem tether would be fine too).
4. Assuming that your router is not infected (rare, but possible), you will be asked to enter your Wifi password if applicable.
5. The FixMeStick will update its virus and malware database. 
6. Your Windows based drives will be scanned for malicious programs (not quite code, but series of instructions in hexadecimal information )
7. If any infected files are found, they will be quarantined or deleted. If the Windows Registry requires modification, registry editing will be required.

Antivirus Software

The antivirus software packages available on the FixMeStick are :

• SOPHOS
• Kapersky
• Vipre Antivirus

There are free virus databases that are as up to date  as those used by the the three packages listed above. On the recovery disk that we are creating we can use any of the following as listed on Linux.org :

• ClamAV
• AVG
• Comodo
• Kapersky
• Avast
  
  

 There is also the Ubuntu Malware Removal Kit which could also be used.

Steps

Install Linux on a USB flash/thumb drive

1. I recommend using Puppy Linux or Ubuntu Live and install it to a USB thumb drive. Puppy Linux is faster to download and easier to use, but Ubuntu offers better software support. For Windows prepare your USB drive using Rufus or any other ISO to USB tool. If your OSX computer is infected, it is also possible to install Linux to a USB stick. Instructions are found here : http://www.computerbastard.com/usbmac-puppy/


2. Install all or some the antivirus software listed above. 
3. Scan your computer's hard drive for malware or viruses. 
4. Remove or quarantine the files
5. If necessary, edit the registry or system configuration.

If you have any other recovery systems to share, please do below.

I regret getting a Nokia Lumia 520 Windows Phone 8 : I really should have gotten an Blackberry with a QWERTY keyboard

Getting a new phone is more of a hassle than anything else. I didn't mind the flip phone that I had, which was replacing my old Huawei u8350 Boulder (QWERTY with Android 2.3.4 - Icy Tiramisu custom ROM) which did not support CDMA, but now I was roaming all the time so I had to change carrier.

Koodo Mobile is the only one that made sense given I am travelling in Canada. Phones are not exciting, nor are they objects of prestige. They are consumer devices with which we use to communicate with others, or use as forms of entertainment. Spending anywhere from 200$ to 700$ on a mobile phone is not for me, so getting an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S4, was out of the question.
My choices were limited to the Blackberry 9320, the Nokia Lumia 520 and the Samsung Galaxy Ace.

Given my main operating system is Windows, I thought it would make sense to get the Nokia Lumia 520 Windows Phone. Unfortunately, I wish I could have my old u8350 back, or should I say that I should have gotten the Blackberry.


Windows Phone is very slick and smooth, but when it comes to typing a message, word suggestions just can't match a physical QWERTY keyboard. Furthermore, it is tiring to browse through pages with finger swipes. Why not just a page down or a side button? What annoys me the most of the touch screen phone is the fact that the screen is huge, but whenever you have to type something, ie. a text message, an e-mail or a web-search, you have to touch the are where you will write, and then half of the screen is lost to the keyboard.


Touchscreen are a good concept, but for day to day input, they are more trouble than they are worth. Were I not in a remote location, I would exchange this phone right away and get myself a Blackberry or an Android with QWERTY keyboard.

A few other gripes I have about WP8 (Windows Phone 8) is the access to the files via Windows, which was very easy with Android, inability to customize the notification sounds and lastly the non persistent status bar. 

What I do like of the Nokia Lumia 520? The dedicated camera button is excellent, the Nokia apps are just fine and the sound is stellar.

I would now consider spending the extra money and getting a Blackberry Q5. We'll see how often I have to use the phone. Hopefully not that often.

Error 1324 Invalid Character Program Files(x86) - Solution

for the 1324 error see the note about Steam below

Downloadable games are a great idea. However there are some problems. Especially with PCs.

I just got Metro 2033 from Gamersgate, thus far the experience has been horrible.

First the downloader just downloads to the directory in which you received the installer.
You have to move it to another directory ( possibly drive if you are using a small SSD ).

Next you will get this login with an awful flaw : changing fields using the mouse instead of the typical TAB key. Therefore you have to manually click the fields and the login button to advance.


Next you must install STEAM. This was causing me the error 1324 Invalid Character. To resolve the problem
- Start Menu -> Run -> regedit
Search "steam.exe" -> Delete the key -> F3 etc.
You must remove every single key with reference to steam.exe and the reference directory that Steam was originally installed.
Here are some more instructions from Steam

Exit Steam.
Navigate to your Steam directory. (Typically C:\Program Files\Steam or C:\Program Files\Valve\Steam
If you wish to save your game files for a future installation of Steam, copy your steamapps folder outside of your Steam directory.
Delete all of the contents of your Steam directory.
Go to Start > Run and type in regedit.
For 32-bit operating systems:
In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve\.

Right-click on Valve and select Delete.

For 64-bit operating systems:
In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Valve\.

Right-click on Valve and select Delete.
In the left-hand column of your registry editor, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Steam.
Right-click on Valve select Delete.
Close your Registry Editor.


After you manage to get Steam installed, you will then be required to enter the serial. It seems like all of this would have been easier with a game purchased in a retailer...

24/08/2011 update : I finally managed to get the game working. A 2.2GHz Dual Core CPU is not enough. My Nvidia Quadro FX 570M GPU is barely under any load. Steam will download other things for a couple hours.