How to Set a Custom Logon Screen Background on Windows 7

How to Set a Custom Logon Screen Background on Windows 7

Windows 7 makes it possible to change the welcome screen that appears when you start your computer without any third-party software, but this setting is well hidden. You can set any image you like as your background.
This setting is intended for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to customize their systems, but there’s nothing stopping you from using it yourself. All you have to do is change a single registry value and put an image file in the correct location.

Enabling Custom Backgrounds

This feature is disabled by default, so you’ll have to enable it from the Registry Editor. You can also use the Group Policy Editor if you have a Professional version of Windows – scroll down a bit for the Group Policy Editor method.
Launch the Registry Editor by typing regedit into the search box in the Start menu and pressing Enter.









In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background

You’ll see an DWORD value named OEMBackground. If you don’t see it, right-click in the right pane, point to the New submenu and create a new DWORD value with this name.
Double-click the OEMBackground value and set its value to 1.

Note that selecting a new theme in the Appearance and Personalization window will “unset” this registry value. Selecting a theme will change the value of the key to the value stored in the theme’s .ini file, which is probably 0 – if you change your theme, you’ll have to perform this registry tweak again.

Changing the setting in group policy will allow it to persist even when you change your theme, but the Group Policy Editor is only available in Professional editions of Windows.
If you have access to the Group Policy Editor, launch gpedit.msc from the Start menu.

Navigate to the following section in the Group Policy Editor window:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon

You’ll find a setting named “Always use custom login background.” Double-click it and set it to Enabled.

Setting An Image

Your image file must be less than 256 KB in size. It’s also a good idea to use an image file that matches the resolution of your monitor, so it won’t look stretched.
Windows looks for the custom logon screen background image in the following directory:

C:\Windows\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds

By default, the info and backgrounds folders don’t exist. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\oobe folder and create them yourself by right-clicking inside the folder, pointing to New, and selecting New Folder.

Copy your desired background image to the backgrounds folder and name it backgroundDefault.jpg.

(I can see the inevitable question coming in the comments, so if you like this wallpaper image, you can get it here.)
The change will take effect immediately – no system reboot required. The first time you log out or lock your screen (try the WinKey-L keyboard shortcut), you’ll see your new background.

Third-Party Tools

You don’t have to do this by hand. There are a variety of third-party tools that automate this process for you, like Windows Logon Background Changer, which we’ve covered in the past. Windows Logon Background Changer and other utilities just change this registry value and put the image file in the correct location for you.

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To get the default logon screen back, just delete the backgroundDefault.jpg file. Windows will use the default background if no custom background image is available.

SOURCE: http://www.howtogeek.com/112110/how-to-set-a-custom-logon-screen-background-on-windows-7/

How to enable hibernate in Windows 8 (All versions)

1. How to enable Hibernate in Windows 8:

First, click on the battery indicator in the windows task-bar.

Select "More power options". This will open the power options in a new window.

Select "Choose what happens when lid is closed". This can be found in the left pane of the new window that pops up.

This opens another window. Locate the option that says "Change settings which are not available".

After, the option to enable to hibernation will be highlighted. Just scroll down and click on it to enable hibernation.

No need for restart. Enjoy!

How to share your wireless internet connection(Windows 7 and 8)

In order to create an ad hoc connection in Windows 8 using netsh utility, run CMD with administrative privileges’; just type cmd on Start Screen, right-click it and select Run as administrator.

Now, first you need to check weather your network interface supports virtualization or not. Simply, run the following command to view Hosted network supported status.

netsh wlan show drivers

In case, it says No, you will need to update your network adapter’s driver. If your NIC supports virtualization, you’re good to go. Now, enter the following commands to configure an ad hoc wireless connection.

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid= key=

Once the hosted network has been set to allow, you need to start the mode to create an ad hoc connection. Just enter the command below.

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

If it says “hosted network couldn’t started”, you need to disable current wireless network device and then enable it. You may also need to refresh network adapter list from Device Manger to install a virtual network device driver.

When the hosted network is started, enable ICS for newly created Wi-Fi connection, so that you can share your internet connection with others. In order to enable ICS feature, head over to Network and Internet –> Network Connections, and open Properties dialog of network device (which is connected to internet). Now, open Sharing tab, enable Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection, and then choose the newly created ad hoc connection from the list. In our case, it’s Wi-Fi 2, as shown in the screenshot below.

Once the internet connection is shared, check the IP address assigned to newly created ad hoc connection from TCP/IPv4 Properties. If it doesn’t assign IP address, then run netsh wlan start hostednetwork command in CMD.

After following the above steps, you will be able to connect Wi-Fi enabled devices with your Windows 8 PC. As shown in the screenshot below, the current internet connection is successfully shared with ad hoc connection.

How To Browse The Internet Free With any Decoder

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON HOW TO BROWSE THE INTERNET FREE WITH ANY DECODER

SATELLITE INTERNET CONNECTION WITH A DECODER

This step by step Manual will give you detailed guideline on how to connect to the internet with your decoders, either HITV,DSTV,MYTV etc. you must take note that all relevant equipments for this setup must be available before doing the configuration.
Introduction
comminication between computers is a major part of the PC computing Industry. Thanks to the World Wide Web (www), no computer user is an Island. Whether using a dialup modem or broad band technology, virtually all PCs can be connected to other computers, enabling them to share files, send and receiving email, and access the Internet.
With the explosive growth of the internet, modem and network technologies were joined because both could use the same client software and protocols. Today, the most popular suite of networking protocols –TCP/IP – is used on both Local Area Network (LANs) and the internet. When you dial into an Internet Service Protocol (ISP), you are actually connecting to a network using a modem instead of a network interface card, and when you use most broadband services, your path to the internet typically starts with a network interface card, built in network card, built in network port, network – to – USB adapter, or even a wireless connection.
Thanks to the combination of huge multi megabyte downloads needed to update software and support hardware, dynamics websites with music and full – motion videos and increased demand for online services, even the fastest dial up modem (such as mtn fastlink,starcomms, visafones etc) which can download at just 53kbps, isn’t sufficient for heavy internet use. More and More users are taking advantage of various types of broadband internet access solution. But the most preferred to me is the cable decoder internet access system.
For many users, cable modem service which piggybacks on the same cable TV service line that brings your TV many channels, represent both a big boost in speed from the available with ISDN and a major savings in initial cost and monthly charges which your subscription fee covers.
Cable Modem Services normally is sold as an “all you can eat” unlimited access plan with a modest installation cost (materials to buy to commence installation). Because more and more cable networks (such as DSTV, HITV, CTL and the most recent DAAR SAT) support a single standard, you can choose any of the decoders of all this cable TV providers to connect your system to the internet.

Connection Requirements and Overview

Connection Requirements

•  SPLITTER
•  LINKSYS CABLE MODEM
•  RJ – 45 NIC Cable
•  Ethernet Cable
•  Router(WIRELESS OR WIRED if you intend to use more than one pc)
•  DECODER(mytv, hitv, dstv, daarsat etc)
•  Coaxial to RJ-45 converter or adapter
•  COAXIAL CABLES

Overview

•  SPLITTER
• There are many types of Satellite Decoder Splitter, you buy your favorite at the shops where it’s been sold What do we use the Splitter for? This enables you to create a parallel connection for the coaxial cable (this is the cable that is used to connect your decoder to the TV and as well as the decoder to the Dish hanged outside).the splitter will share the signal that comes from the dish outside between the TV and the Router cable modem, which will convert the signal to an internet signal
•  LINKSYS CABLE MODEM
• Definition of a Cable Modem: A cable modem is a device that delivers high-speed Internet connectivity via a cable television company which serves as the Internet service provider (ISP). A cable modem requires a subscription to cable Internet service, and will not function by simply
• connecting it to a cable TV (CATV) feed. Externally, a cable modem resembles a DSL modem. The coax cable that brings in the digital CATV signal provides a channel for upstream and downstream Internet service. This does not interfere with television, as there is plenty of "real estate" or bandwidth space on the coax cable to handle both TV and Internet signals. Why Linksys Cable Modem: The Linksys Cable Modem does not require you to pay any additional separate monthly subscription to the cable company, you only need to connect it with your current subscription with your satellite cable TV provider which will only work with a Coaxial Cable.
•  RJ – 45 NIC Cable
• This is a typical networking cable which we will use to network all the network devices that we have listed above such as the Router (Cable Modem), we will use it to make a connection from the Router to the computer to transmit internet.
•  Ethernet Cable
• Ethernet cables connect network devices such as modems, routers, and adapters. They transmit data using the Ethernet protocol. Most Ethernet cables have RJ-45 jacks on both ends, each with 8 pins. (They look similar to telephone jacks, which use 4 pins or 6 pins.)
• • Equipment using an Ethernet cable is referred to as wired.
• • Wireless equipment uses radio waves in place of some (or all) Ethernet cables. A network device that uses both Ethernet and wireless connections is usually called just wireless.
• The Physical Ethernet Cables
• • Use Cat 5 cables. (Cat 5 is a measure of quality, meaning that it supports traffic up to 100 MB / sec.) These are also called 10/100 Base-T Cat 5 cables.
• • Some Ethernet cable wires crises-cross internally, others are straight through, meaning that pin 1 is wired to pin 1 on the other end, etc. A port (socket) for a straight through Ethernet cable is sometimes called an uplink port. If you aren't sure about a cable, and you can see the inside wires' colors, hold the two ends of the plugs up, so the same side of the plug is facing you.
•  Router
• A router is used to transmit internet to more than 1 computer system on a network setup, this enables you to network your connection to other system (PCs). This is also known as cable modem.
• The connection runs the incoming cable connection to an external cable modem, which has an Ethernet connection to a router, which then connects
•  DECODER
•  A decoder is a device which is used to decode the satellite signal receive from the satellite dish into a video, the decoded signal converted into video is what we receive on our TV, The purpose of we connecting to the internet with a decoder is to convert your decoder to a Modem, a cable decoders is a modem because it modulates and demodulates, but it also functions as a tuner, a network bridge, an encryptor etc.
• To connect your PC or laptop to a decoder to access the net, you do not use a serial port as with dialup modem.
•  COAXIAL CABLES
• This connect the decoder to the splitter and one end of the cable goes into the TV while the other end goes to the WAN port of the router (Linksys Router)
• Things to take Note before buying all the equipments required for setup:
• • I always recommend running a router between a cable modem and a PC because a router not only allows more than one PC to be connected, but also provides a robust hardware firewall that helps shield your PC(s) connected to it from internet – based attacks.
• • You can directly connect PCs to a cable decoder using USB; I do not recommend that option because it precludes using a router (cable modem)
• • Some cable modems have a built – in router, in which case you don’t need to purchase a separate one. If your computer doesn’t include an Ethernet adapter built into the motherboard or a separate Ethernet card, you can install an Ethernet card into an available internal expansion slot or use a USB – based Ethernet adapter instead. I use a USB - based Ethernet adapter on my HITV decoder.
• • The cable modem connects to the CATV network using the same coaxial cable connection as your cable TV.
• The steps to Connection

The steps to Connection

Step 1
Coaxial Cable cord
SplitterPort
Connect the coaxial cable from your dish to your satellite decoder splitter( i.e the “in” part) and then connect one cable from the first “out” port to your decoder and the one from the second port to your Linksys modem; the cable can be purchased from any shop where they sell cable
decoder while one of the other coaxial cable cords is connected to your television to watch satellite stations.
Step 2
Coaxial Cable cord
LINKSYS ROUTER
Connect the second Coaxial cable cord from the splitter to WAN port of your router (Linksys Router)
Step 3
Coaxial Cable cord
If your cable modem does not have an inbuilt router facility, you will need to connect your cable Modem to the CATV network of your router using the same coaxial cable connection as your TV, but might need to convert it
Step 4
Ethernet Cable
LINKSYS ROUTER
Connect the Ethernet Cable from the router to your computer system, which can stand as a client if you are using only one computer or server if you are networking more than one system, make sure that your computer has an inbuilt Ethernet adapter on the Motherboard or a separate Ethernet card, you can also install an Ethernet Card into an available internal expansion slot or you can alternatively use a USB – Based Ethernet Adapter instead. In our connection we use a USB –based Ethernet adapter on HITV Decoder
Step 5
LINKSYS ROUTER
RJ -45 Cable
At the back of the Linksys Router there are several ports, port 1 – 4 Stand as the LAN(Local Area Network) Port which can be used to connect 1 -4 CPU to the router with an RJ -45NIC Cable, in most cases the cables comes with the router when you purchase it. Connect 1 -4 CPU to the LAN Port of the router with your RJ -45 Cables, please don’t mistake it with the Ethernet cable, as is only to be used to connect the computer which is the server to the Router for network routing and also note that each of the CPU that connect to the Router LAN Port with the help of RJ-45 must have an inbuilt Network card install in them, while the server should have an Ethernet card adapter install on the board as mentioned earlier.
Step 6
The fifth port of the Linksys Router which stand as the WAN Port (Wireless Access Network) Connect the second coaxial cable that comes from the splitter to the WAN Port of the Router, but note that you need a converter which is an adapter that convert the coaxial cable to RJ -45 cable since the Router WAN port does not have a direct port for a coaxial cable
Step 7
The sixth port of the Linksys Router which is called the UplinkPort, the port can be connected to a Hub or a Switch to enable additional users or computers within the network range to share with the internet of your decoder via wireless access
System Configuration Steps
1. Start up your computer that we call the server, and click on the start button and then click on control panel
2. Click on Network connection from the control panel tab
3. Click on Create a new Network connection from the Network Connection from the control panel tab
4. Select the Connect to the Internet Radio button and then click on Next button
5. Select the Choose from the a list of Internet Service providers[ISPs] radio button and click on Next button
6. Finally Click on Finish button, Then the connection will then come up
7. Open up your Internet Browser and start browsing
Browsers Compatibility
(1) Internet Explorer
(2) Google Chrome
(3) Opera
(4) Firefox
And much more
Operating System Compatibility (1) Windows Operating System (2) Linux Operating System
What can this Internet Technology be used for? (1) Personal Usage
(2) Group Usage in an Organization or Company
(3) Cyber Cafe;
(4) Business Center for Email Service and Internet Calls
Benefits of using this Technology (1) Pay only monthly subscription for your cable TV and it covers the Internet Bill (2) Browse with a very fast internet speed of 4mbs download speed
(3) Connect large number of Computer systems with the help of a Network devices
(4) Connection configuration is simple and easy
(5) You can watch Cable TV while browsing the internet at the same time without conflict
(6) No downtime for internet connection except if your subscription as elapsed, or one of the connection devices gets faulty.
(7) You can buy two decoders to setup a mini cyber cafe; and cable TV football center at the same time
Conclusion
I believe you will be successful using this manual to configure your decoder internet browsing.
Richokens writes on a accumulation of subjects and recommends you visit
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The Finisher

It is often said that the end of a matter is better than the beginning. You see, life is such that it provides opportunities for us all each day. Even having life in itself is an opportunity. For it is said that while there is life, there is hope. Your beginning won't always be as great as you would want it to be. Nevertheless, it is the ability to fight through the struggle that brands you as an over-comer. Men who have made it in life did so through hard work. And we stand on the shoulders of these men in order to see clearly into the future. The future has great things to offer you. So don't be dismayed by the trouble you're going through today. It is meant to strengthen you for greater heights. Be encouraged. It is the end that justifies the means.

A More Secure Password

Passwords are meant to secure accounts, be it local or public. The kind of password you incorporate determines how secure you are. But let me just say that no one is ever "too secure". If a hacker decides that he wants to access your account, it might take him years, but he just might eventually get through with it. The purpose of this article is to make you aware that your online or local(computer) account is not as secure as you may think it to be. The best ways to create "strong" passwords are listed below: 1. Do not use passwords that relate to you in any way: This is so because people, who will normally want to hack your account, are mostly your close companions. **Don't be shocked, that's how the world is** Anyway, back to business. The reason being that people would like to use easy-to-remember passwords. Which of course is something or someone really "dear" to them. It could even be a nickname. 2. Do not use passwords that can be "found" in the dictionary. Why? Simple. Most of the software that hackers employ in their "work" employs a function that searches through an entire dictionary database to find possible word combinations. This method is known as brute-forcing. Try using words that are not so "familiar" with the dictionary. Try using other language characters. 3. Also, you shouldn't use one case for your passwords. Try mixing up upper and lower case characters. It helps. Something like “gOcpuComPUter” could be useful 4. Never save your passwords on sites, unless you're the ONLY one who has physical access to your computer. Nonetheless, a hacker could scan through your computer remotely in thus access the stored password on your local computer.