Binary Expressions

Background Knowledge

When trying to print an entire Microsoft Excel workbook to a PDF using Adobe PDF or PDF Creator multiple PDFs are created for each worksheet instead of a single PDF file. This is caused by Excel itself on how the worksheets are setup due to one or all of the following settings, print quality, print area and page orientation for each worksheet.

Applies to:

• Microsoft Excel 2007
• Microsoft Excel 2003
• Microsoft Excel 2002
• Microsoft Excel 2000

Solution

1. Set “Print Area” for each sheet under “Page Layout/Page Setup”.
2. Set the “page orientation” under “Page Layout/Page Setup” to portrait or landscape for each sheet as necessary.
3. Right click on a worksheet tab at the bottom of the screen and click on “Select All Sheets”.
4. Now under Page Layout/Page Setup set the paper size and print quality for all sheets.

Source: novaPDF Knowledge Base: Printing an entire Excel workbook to a single PDF file
Source: doPDF Forum: Trouble with Multiple Pdfs with one workbook

Sonic840 has created a massive poster illustrating computer hardware. It’s available for free download under creative commons license or purchase for print.

• Current version: 1.7
• Resolution: 4320px by 6120px
• File Size: 24 megabytes

Source: DeviantArt – Sonic840

Microsoft Windows

1. Got to the Windows Start Menu and click on “Run” or press Windows Key+R.
2. In the input field type without quotes “cmd” and click on the “Ok” button. If your are running Microsoft Windows ‘95/’98/ME replace “cmd” with “command”.
3. Now at the command prompt type without quotes “ipconfig /flushdns” and the press the “Enter” key. You will then receive a success message.
4. Close command prompt by typing without quotes “exit” or clicking on the “x” at the top right of the window.

Mac OS X

1. Open the “Terminal”.
2. Type in the “Terminal” without quotes “dscacheutil -flushcache” and press “Enter”. If you are running Mac OS X older then 10.5 you must type without quotes “lookup -flushcache”.

Background Knowledge

When opening an application one may desire to have the application maximized or minimized. The solutions listed below are the most reliable means to achieve this for all Microsoft Windows versions.

Solution #1 – Shortcut

Create a New Shortcut

1. Right mouse click on an empty area of the desktop.
2. Left mouse click on “New” -> “Shortcut”.
3. Left mouse click on the “Browse…” button and select a desired application.
4. Once you have selected your desired application, left mouse click on the “OK” button.
5. Left mouse click on the “Next” button.
6. Type in the desired name of the shortcut and left mouse click on the “Finish” button.
7. Continue on to the “Edit Existing Shortcut” instructions below.

Edit Existing Shortcut

1. Right mouse click on a shortcut and left mouse click on “Properties”.
2. Left mouse click on “Shortcut” tab.
3. Under “Run”, select desired window setting, “Normal window”, “Maximized” or ” Minimized”.
4. Left mouse click on the “OK” button.

Note: If you do not have the “Run” property on the shortcut, then follow the “Create a New Shortcut” instructions.

Solution #2 – Command Line

Maximize

1. At the command line type without double quotes, “start /max c:\Windows\notepad.exe”. Replace “c:\Windows\notepad.exe” with desired application.

Minimized

1. At the command line type without double quotes, “start /min c:\Windows\notepad.exe”. Replace “c:\Windows\notepad.exe” with desired application.

Background Knowledge

Your Nintendo Wii will no longer power on. You may also notice the light on the power button maybe lit and then turn off when pressed.

Solution #1

1. Unplug the Wii power adapter from the back of the Wii and from the outlet/source.
2. The Wii power adapter must be unplugged at both ends for 2 minutes, no less.
3. At this stage it’s best to unplug/remove all accessories including controllers, memory cards, game discs, and cables.
4. Ensure all cables/wiring all not damaged in an shape or form. If indeed there is a cable/wire that is, replace it. Also ensure your power outlet/source is operational.

5. After 2 minutes have passed, plug the power adapter back into the back of the Wii and power outlet/source.

   If the power light comes on, plug the sensor bar into the back of the Wii and press the power button to turn the system on to see if it still works. Repeat this process for each accessory. If you discover one or more accessory causes the system to not be functional have the accessory replaced or repaired.

Solution #2

If by now you have not been able to power on your Nintendo Wii system please consult the link below or contact Nintendo’s customer service.

Source: Nintendo Customer Service – Wii Power Problems

The following links load a flash file that will report what version is installed for Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave.

Source: Version test for Adobe Flash Player

Source: Test Adobe Shockwave & Flash Players

1. Go to Profiles
2. Click on Advanced
3. Highlight Active profile
4. Click on Menu and select Edit
5. SMS Text/Phone/MMS etc.
6. Select Tone
7. Ring Tone: Change as desired
8. Volume: High/Medium/Low
9. Click back button
10. Select Save

Background Knowledge

I have Windows Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 with the following optical media drives. The system is approximately one year old.

• Manufacture: LG
• Model: HL-DT-STDVD-ROM_GDRH20N
• Firmware version: 0D04

• Manufacture: LG
• Model: HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H73N
• Firmware version: B103

Problem

There are two issues I’m experiencing all resulting in the fact that windows explorer is not refreshing the drive contents and/or drive volume label. Both issues occur on CD/DVD reader and CD/DVD writer drives. As well I’ve tried multiple discs from ones I’ve burnt to discs that were commercial produced and these discs all work fine on other computer systems.

1. My Computer/Windows Explorer is not refreshing the CD/DVD drive contents.
2. My Computer/Windows Explorer is not refreshing the CD/DVD volume label.

Issue #1 – Drive Contents

One of two scenarios occur. One, at times if I’m taking a disc out of one of the drives and then put another one in the contents of the drive is not refreshed or Windows Explorer will prompt to format the disc even though the disc is not blank and has been fixated (closed disc).

Two, after burning a CD/DVD I am rarely ever am able to view the contents of the disc via Windows Explorer. Again I’m prompted with a dialog to format the disc even though the disc can not be blank. Oddly again both issues are gone when I view the contents of the drive via the command prompt.

If I eject the CD/DVD out of the drive using Windows Explorer not pressing the eject button on the drive itself then putting the disc back into the computer usually allows me to view the contents of the disc within Windows Explorer.

The only reliable way I’m able to see the current contents of a given CD/DVD is by using the command prompt.

Issue #2 – Volume Label

The CD/DVD volume label rarely appears correctly within windows explorer. If it does by chance, it is then stuck with that volume label until I reboot Windows Vista. Trying to refresh by pressing F5 does not help. Even if I eject the CD/DVD from the either drive by pressing the eject button on the drives themselves or clicking on eject with the mouse the drive label still shows/appears as if there is a CD/DVD in the drive.

The only reliable way I’m able to see the correct volume label at all times is by using the command prompt.

Solution

I’m not aware of any solution, only work a rounds is doing one of the following list below. However these work a rounds are not perfect nor practical/logical. Even using an alternative application to Windows Explorer I still found issues of the correct volume name of the disc. Even if a disc was not in the drive it would still show a volume name. Although at least if you accessed the drive it would refresh the contents of the disc.

• Only use “eject” button within Windows Explorer and not on the physical drive.
• Use the command prompt to view contents of the disc and volume name.
• Use an alternative application to Windows Explorer such as FreeCommander or Xenon File Manager.

I’ve anyone has a solution that works 100% and allows the use of Windows Explorer please feel free to post your solution under comments.

Background Knowledge

I have Windows Vista with Adobe Acrobat Professional v8.1.3 installed and I was trying to covert to Adobe PDF within Microsoft Publisher 2007.

Error Message

Acrobat PDFMaker reported the following error message dialog, “Adobe PDF Printer is not bound to Adobe PDF Port. Cannot proceed further. Kindly change the PDF Port to Adobe PDF Port in Adobe PDF Printer Settings”.

Solution

1. Go to Control Panel -> Printers.
2. Right mouse click on “Adobe PDF” and left click on “Properties”.
3. Left mouse click on “Ports” tab.
4. Uncheck mark the current port that is presently check marked. Place a checkmark on either “Desktop\*.pdf” or “Documents\*.pdf”. Ensure the description is “Adobe PDF Port”.
5. Left click on “Ok” button then close the printers window.

Background Knowledge

Today (2008-01-12) I loaded Pidgin and discovered that I was no longer able to connect to MSN. It appears either Microsoft is blocking the connection or a new version has been release. What the cause of the matter is I have not been able to verify with certainty at this time.

UPDATE: Pidgin v2.5.4 has been released that temporarily fixes the problem.

Error Message

“Unable to Retrieve MSN Address Book using Pidgin”. See screen shot of the error message below.

Solution

1. Close Pidgin application.
2. Download and install “msn-pecan“.
3. Run Pidgin application.
4. In Pidgin “Show Buddy List” and go to the menu “Accounts” -> “Manage Accounts”.
5. Modify your MSN account, ensure the protocol shows “MSN”.
6. Change “Protocol” to “WLM” and then click “Save”.
7. Login to your MSN account.

Source: MSN Network Service Status
Source: Pidgin : Unable to retrieve MSN address list
Source: msn-pecan

Background Knowledge

With the use of Samba we are able to share files through a local network and make it appear as if the files are on the Mac OS X locally. The instructions below will step you through step by step on how to access files from the Mac OS X to a Windows XP/Vista™ system through the network.

NOTE: Instructions to unblock network traffic through a software/hardware firewall are not provided. Refer to your software/network manual or support web site for details.

NOTE: These instructions will not allow for sharing via the Internet.

Solution

Setting up a file share in Windows XP

1. Open Windows Explorer/My Computer (press Windows Key+E) or go to the Windows Start Menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer.
2. Browse to a folder you wish to share and right mouse click on it and left mouse click on “Properties”.
3. Select the “Sharing” tab at the top of the “Properties” dialog.
4. Left mouse click on “Share this folder on the network” and type in a desired “Share name”. It’s best to keep the share name no more then 12 characters to ensure the share will work. If you wish to save files from the Mac to this share left mouse click on “Allow network users to change my files”.
5. Left mouse click on the “Ok” button.

Setting up a file share in Windows Vista™

1. Open Windows Explorer/My Computer (press Windows Key+E) or go to the Windows Start Menu -> Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer.
2. Browse to a folder you wish to share and right mouse click on it and left mouse click on “Share…”.
3. To the left of the “Add” button click the down arrow and select “Everyone” then left mouse click “Add” button.
4. Left mouse click on “Share”.

   Note: Make note of path showing how to access the share you just setup (ie. \\foobar\helloworld) as you will need this later so you can connect from the Mac. Only exception is that you will need to change the backslashes to slashes on the Mac.

5. Left mouse click “Done” button.

Connect to the share via the Mac

1. In Finder go to Go -> Connect to Server.
2. Under “Server Address” enter “smb://” then the Windows computer name or IP address followed by a slash and the Windows share name (ie. smb://192.168.0.103/foo or smb://foobar/myshare).

Source: Mount Windows Shared Folder on Your Mac OS X

Background Knowledge

For some unknown reason my Windows Vista™ Ultimate with service pack 1 quit mounting USB flash drives. I’ve tried multiple flash drives and none would mount as a removable drive. At first I started to use a different USB port but eventually it didn’t matter what USB port I used the USB flash drives would no longer mount. I know for a fact my USB flash drives are fine as they mounted without any problems ever on Windows 2000 with service pack 4, Windows XP with service pack 2 and Edubuntu.

Solution

Uninstall the USB device dirver(s) that you are experiencing problems with. This can be done via your Windows Vista™ device manager or what I recommend to use is “USBDeview” (freeware) software application produce by NirSoft.

WARNING: Uninstall device drivers at your own risk.

NOTE: Be cautious uninstalling USB device drivers as you may render your keyboard, mouse or other devices unusable. Rebooting the computer system or plugging the USB device back into the system should cause the device drivers to reinstall. A manual installation of the device driver maybe required.

Uninstall USB Device(s) via Windows Vista™ Device Manager

1. Go to Control Panel -> System or just press Windows Key + Pause (press and hold the Windows key then press the Pause key).
2. On the left hand side left mouse click on “Device Manager”.
3. Double left mouse click on “Universal Serial Bus controllers”.
4. Right mouse click on the USB device driver you wish to uninstall and then left mouse click on “Uninstall”. Repeat this step for each device you wish to uninstall.
5. A “Comfirm Device Uninstall” dialog will appear, left mouse click on “OK”.
6. Close “Device Manager” window.
7. Reboot (restart) computer system.

Uninstall USB Device(s) via USBDeview

1. Load the “USBDeview” software application.
2. Select the device(s) you wish to uninstall. Right mouse click on one of the device(s) and then left mouse click on “Uninstall Selected Devices”.
3. You will be prompted with a confirmation dialog, left mouse click on “Yes” to uninstall device driver(s).
4. Close “USBDeview” software application.
5. Reboot (restart) computer system.

Source: Download NirSoft’s USBDeview for Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista.