Windows: Command.com The Parameter is Incorrect Error
Not a common problem, but irritating. Know this: your system is fine. There is no need to perform an entire System File Check or repair your system using the Windows installation disc. Your command line interpreter is fine, you can still access cmd.exe. Here is the solution for the “command.com the parameter is incorrect” seemingly endless prompt.
First, the person who encounters this error probably has Spybot – Search & Destroy. What happens is that Spybot cannot delete a certain file(s) while it is resident in memory and asks to run at the next startup. The file is deleted anyway and when the user reboots, they are blasted with endless windows.
This is only because the files have already been removed. This is your system simply telling you that it cannot locate the file(s) … for every single file that Spybot flagged to delete at startup.
The good news is that you can easily get into Windows without clicking Okay 500 times. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to bring up the Task Manager. End the Explorer process. In the Task Manager, go to File – New Task (Run…) – type explorer. Your desktop will come up bypassing that enormous system startup queue.
Now that you’re back in the shell, download the following software because doing this through Spybot would take the rest of your life and it’s not possible through msconfig. There is a program called Autoruns, it’s very useful. Though, it’s a very advanced version of msconfig. Mind your clicks.
Download and run that software. Wait for everything to load after scanning. It will say Ready at the bottom left on the status bar and Options will no longer be grayed out. Go to Options and click Hide Microsoft Entries. Scroll down to a huge pile of Spybot entries.
Do you see the parent of all the files? It should be a registry key, RunOnce. Right click it and select “Jump to…” This will automatically throw you into the proper registry key. You can export and backup the registry key just in case you delete something by right clicking the RunOnce key and selecting Export.
Now this is the easy part. Select all of the Spybot entries and delete them. Every single one of them. After deletion, go back into AutoRuns and refresh. You will see all of the entries gone. Go back into Spybot. Go into Advanced Mode, go into Tools, and then System Startup. If there are any entries left that are Spybot, delete them.
Now you will not be faced with a seemingly infinite gauntlet of prompts.
Governing Windows into Submission: Part Two
Services
Windows services can be a long discussion given the variety of Windows users out there with an endless amount of hardware and software configurations. Trial and error is the key here. Although, I will explicitly describe which services cannot be disabled or risk the stability of the entire system.
The services in this article are mainly discussed for Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3. This will allow coverage for all the services featured in both Windows XP Home and Professional. I use Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 and I only have 24 services set to automatic. Most of those are not Windows related. Several are LogMeIn, HP printer, FileZilla server, and security software.
Please keep in mind that every PC has different needs. I claim no responsibility in the consequences of this article to readers.
Read More of “Governing Windows into Submission: Part Two”…
Governing Windows Into Submission: Part One
System Protection
Windows can be a beast of burden and difficult to tame for some. With the right tools, it can be done. Here are several programs and security tips that I recommend.
Read More of “Governing Windows Into Submission: Part One”…
One to Tear Your Face Off
Wolverine
I thought this little guy would be fitting given the hype on that low budget action film that looks super cheesy. Well, pushing another terrible Marvel adaptation aside, let’s focus on this cute little animal. What makes a wolverine special? For one, it is the largest weasel on land. Don’t get too confident in a confrontation as this miniature bear will rip your small intestines out like that poor man in Day of the Dead. That is, of course, after taking you down by the knees. By tearing your knees out, actually.
To get it over with, I am from Michigan. So, that must mean I’m excited that one was spotted in a small village directly north of me for the first time in 200 years. Why should I be excited? These critters are known to take out a moose. How am I supposed to guard my family, if I had one presently, when these stocky epic furry balls of sharp things and muscle are roaming the neighborhood? I would move, but wolverine are known to roam at least 15 miles a day when searching for food. They are polygamous and naturally roam great distances. It would only be a matter of time before they found me.
There is a reason or two to respect and fear this beast. Of course, they have jaws from hell, Freddy’s glove for paws, and a very tough hide, but what makes them unique? That’s easy. Wolverines, among others, have an upper molar that sits on a 90 degree angle. This allows their powerful jaws to crush through bone even easier. This tooth also allows them to suck out the marrow after snapping your femur.
While they may be tiny compared to other large predators with adults weighing in at around 36 lbs and a length of almost three feet, they are not to be taken lightly. Wolverines have been known to fend off much larger predators and are not afraid to go toe to toe with a black bear. Did I mention moose are listed as prey? Usually feeding off larger predators leftovers, they will also attempt to take out caribou and moose.
Revelations of the Cthulhu Mythos
This is a topic I’ve had my mind on for quite some time. Although horrifying, it still remains to be an interesting theory of mine and others. H.P. Lovecraft created a series of fiction that revolves around ancient gods who ruled this Earth for millions of years with powers that we cannot begin to comprehend. This article is a theory on how Cthulhu could exist and why we all are possibly doomed to become enslaved by the Deep, Ancient, Old Ones.
Many of you already know this story, but I will briefly touch up on it. In 1997, scientists that were great distances from each other picked up a very low, loud, and repeating sound somewhere along the coordinates near S 50″, W 100″. Now, this sound was said to have been made by an animal much larger than any whale known to us. The noise has been said to be similar to a whale’s song.
In the early 20th century, H.P. Lovecraft wrote many classic horror tales set in first-person taking place in the madness of the Cthulhu mythos. It was a horrifying tale of men being driven to madness as their environments begin to change dramatically for the worst. Things that go bump in the night that we cannot begin to comprehend slowly entering our reality. While Cthulhu is not the most powerful being in the Cthulhu mythos, he certainly has gained the spotlight.
We know that this was a huge collaboration of some rather gifted minds working together to create a new and horrifying mythology. They were pretty detailed in their work and companions that followed. They even gave a location to where the monster lies under the ocean. The coordinates for where Cthulhu sleeps in the city of R’lyeh were given as S 47° 9′, W 126° 43′ 47″. Now, this may simply be a coicidence, but it is certainly not a hoax. The recordings were made my deep underwater microphones used to direct Soviet submarines during the Cold War. Both coordinates are incredibly close. Interesting to think that a sunken city could really exist, but that’s all legend, right?
Most people will immediately assume Atlantis for a once proud city, but swallowed by the abyss. The lost city of Atlantis was made famous by Plato, and Plato only, a very long time ago in unfinished writings. It is said that Atlantis was located in the Atlantic ocean and sank to a watery grave. The exact location is never given, only that it was an absolute powerhouse. To think that a continent could sink deep into the ocean overnight sounds as realistic to me as California breaking off from the United States during a major earthquake. Though, what if Plato had a solid lead on a civilization with advanced, ancient beings? It is written that humans existed around the time of the Old Ones.
While many authors and others tried to build up Atlantis more and more over the last few centuries, I believe it to be a legend based on the truth. In every instance, the lie becomes the legend and then the legend becomes the truth. Atlantis was supposedly a highly advanced city, but so was R’lyeh. The epic scope of the unknown architecture was enough evidence to allow justification of worship by the first humans as they were led to the temples. If sights such as these were left in oral history passed onto generations, it might have ended up like a very long game of telephone with many liberties taken to the literal interpretation of what was originally said.
What if Cthulhu does exist in his watery tomb under the South Pacific Ocean? Could this mysterious noise called The Bloop be Cthulhu snoring violently? I for one am glad that it did not appear to awaken the Great Old One. Although, what if the science behind this giant creature is different than what we can imagine? Human beings wake themselves by snoring all of the time, but a creature of his sheer mass and unbelievable power may take a great amount of time to fully awaken from a few million year slumber.
Enough theories and thought. What still prevails in all of this is the unknown noise that was dubbed Bloop. It was given this name after what the noise resembled after the recording was sped up substantially. This noise was traced back somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. The location given shows R’lyeh in the Pacific Ocean as well. The two locations are only 1,230 miles from each other. The Bloop location is only relative, of course, and could be closer than estimated.
This could have been a warning in an alien language spoken under tons of water that we can barely attempt to decipher. It may have been an extremely large man made vessel, but that doesn’t quite explain the pattern of the noise. Resembling a whale’s song, perhaps it really could be a great deep monster slumbering uncomfortably in a cold, water tomb.
Not Your Mother’s Crabs
Coconut Crab
The largest land-living arthropod in the world. A body length up to 16 inches and can weigh up to 9 lbs. A leg span of more than 3 feet. Their front claws can lift up to 64 pounds. With one swipe, the Coconut Crab can crack open a coconut. They can live up to thirty years. Coconut Crabs cannot swim and will drown when introduced into a deep enough pool of water.
These crabs have a complex respiratory system and special lungs to allow them to breath on land. They are called Branchiostegal lungs. This organ can be interpreted as a developmental stage between gills and lungs. They use their smallest set of claws to clean their breathing organs and to moisten them with seawater.
A stranger fact about these crabs is their reproductive cycles. As a larvae, they float in the ocean for 28 days. They then live on the ocean floor and shore for 28 days as hermit crabs calling discarded shells or busted coconuts home. After these 28 days, they leave the ocean permanently and lose their ability to breath in water. About 4 to 8 years, they mature enough to mate. Oddly enough, they still possess gills in adulthood, but are vestigial.
Though, they primarily eat fruit, they have been known to eat slow or dead animals. One unique behavior they possess in the whole animal kingdom is that they cut holes in a coconut and eat the contents. They have a another smaller set of claws that are used to remove the deliciousness inside.
Not an incredibly horrifying creature, as it may surprise the tourist spotting one in a tree, but to come across one crawling up the side of your garbage can would be an absolute nightmare early in the morning.
One last note is they are too slow to be any real threat to human beings, but if threatened and in range, they will unleash an extremely painful pinch. To release the insanely strong grip of a Coconut crab, simply rub their tummy.
Aww.
It’s Time to Don the Tux
Do you feel that you would like to move to a new operating system that is light years more secure than any other popular operating system such as OS X or Windows XP/Vista? Do you hate paying for new service packs from Apple for a little more eye candy? Do you hate the security vulnerabilities that are always persistent in any Windows operating system and especially Microsoft’s own Internet Explorer?
Are you fed up with fanboys? Do you wish to belong to a community that will not oust you if you do not express your loathing for the money grubbing company known as Apple or the security slackers known as Microsoft? While Windows XP may rule the enterprise world, you usually have the choice to use whatever you want at home.
It’s time to don the Tux.
You might be asking yourself, “How am I supposed to use Microsoft Office? I don’t want a complicated multiple boot setup.” Well, you have two choices here: continue using Microsoft Office on Linux or simply use OpenOffice, which is free and compatible with Microsoft Office file formats. With the brilliant emulation software known as Wine, you will not have to worry about losing almost any Windows only programs or games. I’ve installed native Windows software such as Windows Movie Maker. Hell, even World of Warcraft installs on Linux now; one of many big title games that install under Linux using Wine.
There is little to worry about while using Linux. Browsing is more secure without the dangerous and deadly Internet Explorer allowing horrific exploits. Without Internet Explorer, your security rating skyrockets. It is because of Internet Explorer you receive unexpected desktop alerts alarming you to non-existent viruses and other warnings. Every version of Internet Explorer, including IE8.0, is not safe to use for any means. Majority of people I help with severe spyware/adware problems only have had one browser available and that was Windows’ own default. Not a coincidence.
Though, I’m far from a Linux guru, I’ve installed, configured, and used dozens of Linux distros. I can give recommendations on which are the best for beginners to use. There are literally hundreds to choose from which makes it a bit overwhelming at first. The first step is always the hardest, but well worth the effort. Here are a few recommendations by me personally:
Fedora: This is the first Linux operating system I’ve used and this has been the only one that I left in a multi-boot setup with Windows XP. From the easy to use package manager and highly customizable desktop, it makes Windows Vista and Mac OS X look like proprietary filth holding back end users from making their experience as unique as possible. YouTube Fedora to see the stunning visuals that are not only easy to setup, but require little configuration. My personal favorite recommendation.
SabayonLinux: Gorgeous. Compiz is included on the installation disc, which can be quite beautiful. You do not need an expensive computer to benefit from Compiz and other stunning desktop effects. SabayonLinux also has a miniEdition, like others, to cut down on the time spent downloading and installing to take this big guy out for a test drive. Also note that package management is a big deal breaker on which operating system you chose and SabayonLinux takes a different approach to managing packages that many might prefer. Highly recommended.
Ubuntu: I worried about recommending this distro given the stigma, but it’s not as bad as what purist and many more think. Myself and others believe that what gets the people moving from Windows to Linux is always a good thing. Just that one Linux choice becomes more popular than your own personal favorite is no reason to bash it to pieces. Embrace it knowing that the average newbie Linux user will grow comfortable enough to eventually move onto other distributions.
gOS: The name stands for “good OS.” This lightweight feeling distro caught me off guard as I found myself enjoying it after my first exploration. What’s better for me is that it can be installed on a flash drive to carry with you everywhere. It will remind most users of OS X, except gOS holds integrated Google Gadgets, the latest Wine version, and Mozilla Prism, which allows web applications to be launched from the desktop and configured independently of the default web browser. Easy to install, easy to use, and lots of great options. gOS 3.0 is definitely worth a look for beginners or the casual masses.
Debian: Huge. When I think Debian, the word abundance comes to mind. Popular, influential, and enormous. The current release is intimidating in different ways. First, Debian is not backed by a company like Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE. Second, the vast amount of available software is incredibly impressive. Too impressive to not give this monster at least a month to win you over. Debian 4.0, alias etch, would have cost at least $13 billion to develop by paid programmers instead of over one thousand volunteers all over the world. This giant is what many other popular distributions are based off, such as Ubuntu, DreamLinux, DamnSmallLinux, and Knoppix, among others.
These recommendations should give the average curious reader enough to do for months. I typically have at least five to six Linux and several BSD distributions installed at any given time. I will always add or recommend a new gem, such as gOS, when I feel confident enough that it is worth my seal of approval and your time.
Relevant Links:
One to Make Your Sister Faint
Bombardier beetle
Probably one of the most interesting bugs that I know, considering the enormous debates on Creationism revolving around the complexities of the Bombardier beetle. Though, it is also one of the most disgusting. The list for disgusting bugs is rather long, but this little guy surely ranks high in the top 20 in my imaginary list.
There are over 500 species of the Bombardier beetle. Now, they may look like a normal beetle, but they have one very special defense mechanism that makes them unique. You see, they fire a mixture of chemicals from their special glands in their abdomen. While that would not be very incredible on its own, the mixture is of two different stored chemicals; hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide.
When threatened, the two chemicals are mixed through two separate tubes with small amounts of catalytic enzymes and then it fires the primary weapon. The terrible smelling fluid that shoots out violently from the abdomen reaches the boiling point, 100+ degrees Fahrenheit, and makes a loud popping sound. Each time it does this it shoots about 70 times very rapidly. It is very painful on human skin.
My Least Favorite Insect Murders Your Family
Asian Giant Hornet
The world’s largest hornet.
I am deathly afraid of hornets, wasps, and bees. I’m not kidding. Apiphobia; bee phobia. I know enough about bees to try to rationalize my irrational fear. I know that the common type will not sting me to death unprovoked. Though, that does not help my unreasonable fear of these insects. The buzzing, colors, and the sight of them circling over head is enough to make me take cover as if someone were chucking grenades.
Perhaps the ultimate test would be to come face to face with this giant hornet, but I doubt I would remember the experience, as I would pass out immediately on the sight of one of these behemoths. I would most definitely and undoubtedly die. From fear.
Here are a few facts of these flying demons.
They can reach lengths of 2-3 inches. The mandible of these insects are incredibly large and easily bite their prey in half.
The stinger alone is a quarter of an inch long. The Japanese Giant Hornet can inject a very dangerous venom that is a mixture of many different chemicals. Essentially, the venom causes tissue damage and even can dissolve said affected area. Oh, and another chemical that summons more giant hornets.
Happily, there is little to fear about their stingers. These giant hornets typically rely on their enormous jaws to crush their prey. It’s a lot faster to bite your enemies in half than wait for them to flail around dying from lethal injection.
Many perfumes will simulate the pheromones that summon more of these death incarnates with wings and even encourage them to swarm and attack the area. Do not apply any sensual liquids before a brisk hike.
They can fly up to 60 miles in a day and reach speeds up to 25 mph. Needless to say, there is no outrunning these buggers and I would recommend a simple forced blow to the head via a nearby tree to render yourself unconscious to escape the pain from a very brutal death.
While not unique to this species alone, the adult hornets cannot digest solid protein. So, the adults chew their kills into a paste which is then fed to their larvae. The larvae then produce a type of liquid that the adults eat.
In the video below, you will see a pack of giant hornets annihilate 30,000 honey bees. 30 against 30,000. All of this death to chew up the honey bees larvae to feed their own larvae which in turn feeds themselves. The greater good, right?
My Second Favorite Crustacean Straight Up Kills Your Mother
The Mantis Shrimp
Referred to as “thumb splitters” by modern divers — because of the relative ease the creature has in mutilating small appendages.
They are commonly separated into two distinct groups determined by the manner of claws they possess: Spearers are armed with spiny appendages topped with barbed tips. Smashers, on the other hand, possess a much more developed club.
The club is used to bludgeon and smash their meals apart. The “punch” delivered has roughly the acceleration of a .22 caliber bullet.
Mantis shrimp can break through aquarium glass with a single strike from their spear.
Because they strike so rapidly, they generate cavitation bubbles between the appendage and the striking surface .
The prey is hit twice by a single strike; first by the claw and then by the collapsing cavitation bubbles that immediately follow. Even if the initial strike misses the prey, the resulting shock wave can be enough to kill or stun the prey.
Mantis shrimp possess hyperspectral colour vision, allowing up to 12 colour channels extending in the ultraviolet. Their eyes are considered to be the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom.
The mantis shrimp remain with the same partner for up to 20 years.
Mantis shrimp appear to be highly intelligent, are long-lived and exhibit complex behaviour, such as ritualised fighting.
My New Favorite Animal Kicks Your Mother’s Ass
The Pistol Shrimp
Among the fascinating creatures of the deep is a finger-size shrimp with an oversize claw—resembling a boxing glove—that it uses to stun its prey by snapping the claw shut. The snapping produces a sharp cracking sound.
When the claw snaps shut, a jet of water shoots out from a socket in the claw at speeds of up to 62 miles (100 kilometers) an hour, generating a low-pressure bubble in its wake. As the pressure stabilizes, the bubble collapses with a loud bang.
The whole process, which was recorded with the use of high-speed cameras and sound equipment, occurs within 300 microseconds.
The researchers say the light emitted from the snapping shrimp’s bubbles suggests that the temperature inside the bubbles must be at least 5,000 degrees Kelvin (8,540 degrees Fahrenheit) at the time of collapse.
When colonies of the shrimp snap their claws, the cacophony is so intense that submarines can take advantage of it to hide from sonar.
