Reinstall Ubuntu after Windows wipes it out!

If your install of Linux is a dual boot setup with windows you have run into this problem before.  You reinstall windows and suddenly you can no longer access your Linux partition or the Grub bootloader. You can always go through the entire install of Ubuntu again, or you can try to repair the bootload, but how do you repair the bootloader?

Well if you have the live CD for which ever distro you are using (that installed Grub) it is quite easy and can save you hours of reconfiguration as well as install time.
1. Find your Live CD and boot it up (set your BIOS to boot from CD first, or if your BIOS allows it you can select the boot device.
2. After the Live CD does its thing you will need to open a terminal screen and type in the command: sudo grub.  This command will bring you into the grub prompt

3. Type the following commands assuming sda0 is which ever partition you are using (hd0,0 would be first hard drive and first prompt, hd1,1 would be the second hard drive and second partition).

> root (hd0,0)
> setup (hd0)
> exit

4. Reboot the system and remember to remove your Live CD before your system reboots

5. At reboot you should now see the Grub boot loader along with all your previous setting.

If with the new setup you now see Ubuntu but no longer see a windows menu item follow the following steps.

If Ubuntu was installed before your Windows version there will be no information in the Grub configuration for your windows setup. To get windows setup in Grub you will need to do a bit more tweeking.

Boot into Ubuntu and run the following command:
sudo gedit /boot/grub/menu.lst

Inside this file you will see an example for a windows choice for when Grub runs.  *COPY* the example and remove the “#” from the beginning of each line

# title   Windows 95/98/NT/2000
# root   (hd0,0)
# makeactive
# chainloader   +1
Remember you will need to change the hd0,0 to which ever if your windows partition, it may take a few try’s, but if you were able to select the correct partition for Linux when resetting up Grub you should be able to figure out the correct partition for Windows.

VMware network monitoring

 

Packet Trap pt360 Tool suite is a Windows based free Network Diagnostic tools suite and a Network Monitoring tool. Packet Trap has a nice Dashboard with drag and drop dashboard components.

At the first look, Packet Trap is very impressive, simple, easy to use, easy to understand, simple and easy navigation and menu options. All the diagnostic tools are graphic and provides a great advantage as a one stop shop for most of the Network troubleshooting. What is even more impressive is that the monitoring system being integrated into a Network Diagnostic suite which allows an admin to monitor and troubleshoot all from one place and they all can export the results in nice HTML format.. The network diagnostic tools available in Packet Trap are:

 

• Ping Scan – To scan networks using ICMP
• Enhanced Ping – Detailed reporting on Ping Time, Reponse time, Average response time, status and packet loss details.
• Graphical Ping – Pings persistently and Graphs the response time in milliseconds over a period of time
• DNS Audit – DNS Lookup for a host with simple lookup details
• Whois Lookup
• Port Scan for a given IP or a range of IPs
• MAC Address Scan for a given IP or a range of IPs
• SNMP Scan – Supports SNMPv1/2&3 thereby any platform that supports
• SNMP are supportedWMI Scan – Windows WMI support
• Wake On LAN – Wake on LAN list of Hosts (hosts that support the option at the hardware level. For example, in BIOS for x86 systems)
• TraceRoute – with response times and Packet Loss info
• Traffic Jam – Traffic Generator on TCP and UDP ports with customisation options on the packet size, bandwidth
• TFTP server

All the diagnostic tools are also available as individual downloads, if you do not want a host of these features on your system. Although, the fully loaded suite is certainly not bloated. There is also a commercial PRO version of this tool which extends support to.

 

• Cisco Config Management
• Netflow Analyzer
• Opensource tools integration (like Nagios & Cacti)
• Remote TCP reset
• Syslog server
• Network Discovery
• Encrypted Password vault

If I have to point and select the best possible  feature, I would choose Wake On LAN feature which allows you to start a bunch of hosts which supports the feature. This can be of great help with remote access/administration when you need to start a PC which you know is shutdown. Departments may even adapt it for green policies. Also, all SNMP, Password and other credentials are stored in encrypted format on the disk.

Overall a great tool for simple network administration. If there is anything that one could call a downside it is that PacketTrap pt360 could have been Web-based Client-Server tool than desktop based. This would allow Small and Medium Networks and may be to a level Enterprise networks to adapt.

As a Network professional, I would personally recommend this product to my fellow professionals!!!

For more information and download, click here

VMware tries to expand throughout the datacenter and HP

 

I finally got around to reading the excellent post over on the Windows Virtualization Team Blog by Doug de Werd, Technical Marketing Manager (great title, btw ) for Windows Virtualization at HP. There’s not really much to even say about this post; Doug nailed it. It’s one of the only times I’ve read someone so aptly address the role of virtual platforms in the data center:

1. Virtualization is a means to an end, it’s not an end itself. There’s no reason to deploy ESX or Hyper-V unless you’re trying to solve a problem, just like there’s no reason to build a data center in the first place unless you have applications that need to get out over some wire.
2. The way we enable the virtual means is through management. These platforms don’t manage themselves; they need to be part of the entire VDC and managed together.

And it’s still so strange to me to see a sentence like:

Microsoft and HP are also working closely with Citrix in the area of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Or this one:

The VDI stack incorporates Microsoft components such as Vista and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, along with Citrix XenDesktop, all running on Hyper-V and managed by System Center.

MS and Citrix working closely on VDI? XenDesktop running on Hyper-V? Hmmm…interesting, puzzling, hopeful, strange…all words that come to mind. But hey, it’s a solution, or at least the start of one, so I’ll stick with ‘optimistic.’

Anyway, that’s about it. Read Doug’s post and then start looking at Insight or another management platform for your new virtualization roll-out. Even if you look at it and decide it’s not for you, well at least you’ve started looking.

BackTrack Live Linux OS

WELL HELLO THERE

BackTrack is the most Top rated Linux live distribution focused on penetration testing. With no installation whatsoever, the analysis platform is started directly from the CD-Rom and is fully accessible within minutes.
It’s evolved from the merge of the two wide spread distributions – Whax and Auditor Security Collection. By joining forces and replacing these distributions, BackTrack has gained massive popularity and was voted in 2006 as the #1 Security Live Distribution by insecure.org. Security professionals as well as new comers are using BackTrack as their favourite toolset all over the globe.
BackTrack has a long history and was based on many different Linux distributions until it is now based on a Slackware Linux distribution and the corresponding live-CD scripts by Tomas M. (www.slax.org) . Every package, kernel configuration and script is optimised to be used by security penetration testers. Patches and automation have been added, applied or developed to provide a neat and ready-to-go environment.
After coming into a stable development procedure during the last releases and consolidating feedbacks and addition, the team was focused to support more and newer hardware as well as provide more flexibility and modularity by restructuring the build and maintenance processes. With the current version, most applications are built as individual modules which help to speed up the maintenance releases and fixes.
Because Metasploit is one of the key tools for most analysts it is tightly integrated into BackTrack and both projects collaborate together to always provide an on-the-edge implementation of Metasploit within the BackTrack CD-Rom images or the upcoming remote-exploit.org distributed and maintained virtualisation images (like VMWare images appliances).
Being superior while staying easy to use is key to a good security live cd. We took things a step further and aligned BackTrack to penetration testing methodologies and assessment frameworks (ISSAF and OSSTMM). This will help our professional users during their daily reporting nightmares.
Currently BackTrack consists of more than 300 different up-to-date tools which are logically structured according to the work flow of security professionals. This structure allows even newcomers to find the related tools to a certain task to be accomplished. New technologies and testing techniques are merged into BackTrack as soon as possible to keep it up-to-date.
No other commercial or freely available analysis platform offers an equivalent level of usability with automatic configuration and focus on penetration testing.

So go and GET IT!!!!!!!

DownLoad

Linux Tips and Hacks

Here is some Linux hacks I will post more as the time progresses, please always remenber to BACKUP before hand and Enjoy.

How to export DISPLAY on windows comp from a linux comp which is accessible from some router linux comp(for windows users only)
Suppose you are working on 10.8.11.1 and you go to 10.8.11.3 via 10.8.11.2, then to open graphical applications of 10.8.11.3 on 10.8.11.1, follow these steps:
1. start Xwin32 (on 10.8.11.1)
2. ssh to 10.8.1.2
3. export DISPLAY=10.8.11.1:0.0
4. vncserver (it will promt for a passwd, set the passwd)
5. start remote destop connection as server 10.8.11.2:1
6. xhost + (on 10.8.11.2)
7. ssh to 10.8.11.3 from 10.8.11.2
8. export DISPLAY=10.8.11.2:1 (on 10.8.11.3)
9. start any application.

How to build an rpm
a) from SRPM
Install the .src.rpm file this way:
$ rpm -i somepackage-1.0-1.src.rpm
This will create files in /usr/src/redhat/SOURCES and a .spec file in /usr/src/redhat/SPECS.
Then go the SPECS directory and give the command to build the RPM:
$ cd /usr/src/redhat/SPECS
$ rpmbuild -bb somepackage.spec
b) from source package
When a source archive (e.g., somepackage-1.0.tar.gz) contains a .spec file, one can give the following command to build the RPM without having to deploy the archive:
$ rpmbuild -tb somepackage-1.0.tar.gz
Give the -ta option instead if you also want to build the SRPM.

To send message from linux to windows
$ smbclient -M <hostname> -I <ip-address>
And to find hostname
$ nmblookup -A <ip-address>

Tip and Tricks to XP

Hello again. On regards to the last blog, if you find that a little to much then you can have a try at the tips that come a standard XP Pro and its registry, so here is one of two. however if you’ve got some ideas of your own feel free to post them. Please note that you should all ways back up your registry as well and looking into VMWare and also these tweaks do not need any 3rd party software in order to complete and I will give some long over due Linux tips next blog:

Automatic Administrator Login:
Well here’s the trick which you can use to prove that Windows XP is not at all secure as multi-user operating system. Hacking the system registry from any account having access to system registry puts you in to the administrator account.
REGEDIT 4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon]
"AutoAdminLogon"="1"

Menu Delays:

Another minor and easy tweak to remove any delay from menus sliding out. For this you will need to use regedit (open regedit by going to Start -> Run…, then typing ‘regedit’ and pressing enter). The key you need to change is located in HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop. The actual key is called MenuShowDelay – all you have to do is change the value to 0. Remember, you will have to re-boot your computer for this tweak to take effect.

 

Automatically Kill Programs At Shutdown:

don’t you hate it when, while trying to shut down, you get message boxes telling you that a program is still running? Making it so that Windows automatically kills applications running is a snap. Simply navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktop directory in the Registry, then alter the key AutoEndTasks to the value 1.

 

Shutdown Computers Over The Network.

To make this 1. Open Notepad, 2.Type Shutdown -s -m \xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (IP Address)
3. Save To Desktop As (Anything).bat (DONT FORGET THE .BAT)
4.Double click on the icon and wait.
5. Now there is of course other ways of doing this, read the post on the front page,
you can also open CMD and type "Shutdown -i"

The XP Prefetcher

Windows XP has a service called the Prefetcher. It basically monitors the different programs that start during startup and helps them launch faster.
To find this tool browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory ManagementPrefetchParameters
The important key is EnablePrefetcher. Default value for this is 3. You will want to try numbers between 1 and 6. 5 seems to work best for me but your mileage may vary.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSessionManagerMemory ManagementPrefetchParameters]
"EnablePrefetcher"="5"

NLiteOS

Ger Day ALL

If you want to make your own Windows OS or ever thort about using an fully automated install then NLiteOS has the rite software for you. Nlite uses an fully customisation list of most tasks used in the all known famous Microsoft OPK’s! I recently became a Microsoft Partner and thort Way Hey, I’ve got the best way of deploying windows LEGALY! but to my disadvantage this was not the result I found, as I said the OPK’s has just the same tools as Nlite. so if you want to check it out for your-self you can here as these web addresses:

• Microsoft OPK
• AIK (Automated Installation Kit)
• RyanVM
• NLiteOS
• MSFN
• Unattended Guide

I have found that these have the beat advantages than most, I have created all know main stream Operating Systems available through these methods and integrated Office 07 into them, although the best Office integration method is  Microsoft configuration software supplied on the Office disk or BDD software. So if you want some advice on unattended installations then you can use the IM Messenger in my Events page link on this page or just leave me a comment. There are so many things you can do if you just put your mind to it, you might know you can customise you desktop before you install you OS or put your logo on the Billboard screens /  make your own web hosted pages to use in the setup / install process, create your own explorer or even make a ultimate Boot Disk with all your needed tools on it to stop any further mishaps from forming ether in your home or office.

User Accounts and Privileges

Okay so we all know admin is the big cheese of the computer well guess what you are
wrong SYSTEM is the most powerful and is the top of the food chain 😛
so I am going to teach you how become SYSTEM even with a limited account!!
so open up run type
*time* refers to current time on system you want the time to be about two minutes ahead than what it is right now so if time is 3:45 than type 3:47 😉
at *time* /interactive "cmd.exe"
hit enter run whatever
now wait until specified time and the system32 command prompt should pop up
now hit ctrl+alt+del bring up taskmanager and end the explorer.exe process
after you have ended explorer.exe
on the open cmd prompt type explorer.exe to restart explorer
don’t worry about all your settings disappearing it is because you are on the SYSTEM account !!!! have fun
**note this only works for users with abilities to run the at command
**courtesy of demo Dave at cracked productions check em out 😉
**disclaimer if you mess your PC up doing this then you need help!! 😛

Hide your IP

 

With proxy server u can hide your IP on the net. Which means while u r posting on a forum, sending a email, chatting with someone and whatnot, your real IP will not be revealed. Follow the steps to do the same

1. Go to http://www.proxy4free.com/page1.html and Copy any IP with high anonymity along with its port number.

2. Open Internet explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections Tab > Lan Settings > Check the box which says "Use a Proxy Server for your LAN……"

3. Paste the IP in the Address field and Port in the Port field
4. OK

5. Apply
6. OK

Now to verify if your proxy server is working or not Go to
http://www.whatismyipaddress.com/ and check your IP, if you are unble to open any sites, then your proxy server is dead. In that case choose another proxy from http://www.proxy4free.com/page1.html
Hope that was useful.

Default Vista for XP

 

Hey, have you ever wanted your XP to look more like vista with out installing a theme pack or a shell addon / extension? well you can, I’ve been working on my own type of explorer for a few days now and my god it get a bit boring but least you can say its worth it because you can import your default .BMP’s (bit maps) in to the DLL’s and don’t forget to compile. There is I simplified version shown here at AskVG.com click this link and you’ll find some inspiration to improve you system and here’s another one Icon list that will tell you more about theShell32 .DLL so that’s the best bet if if you windows to be a bit better with out giving in to Bill Gates HA HA or you can wait till I’ve finish this one! Also there’s BlackBox which isn’t a shell but a explorer and engine, that’s the best one for all platforms including mac, you can find it though Shell City, BlackBox is great and well worth having if you want to learn more about skinning. If you just want a bit of code for your project and some more projects to join in on then there’s more on CodeDump.org and SourceForge.net and I’ve made an easy way of finding what you want when your surfing the net for torrents, new film releases, codes, cracks, keygens, and games as well as much more and it’s called Hackers. I’m planing to put it on my home page just as soon as I get my forums sorted in order to host the second page, I would it with Google’s API but live spaces don’t support some of their features, well there the link to Hackers home page and I hope it help you guys find what ya looking for.

Later TC