How to Password Protect USB Drive

Flash or USB drives are affordable, compact, and convenient devices which provide users with portability when backing up or transferring important information from one computer system to the next. In order to safeguard important and private information in case the flash drive is stolen or lost, users should protect their flash drives with a password. Although there are a number of removable drives with built-in password protection, there are others that do not automatically provide protection. There are several encryption and password applications that can be availed of for free and there are others that may be purchased.

Materials Needed:

- Flash drive
- computer
- encryption programs such as Cryptainer LE
- password

Step 1

The process of password protecting the USB drives involves the download and installation of a freeware application known as Cryptainer LE onto the user’s laptop or computer. Although there are a number of USB drives that allow users to set up passwords when using the flash drive for the first time, free encryption programs are available on the Internet. A password is then typed in by the user. This may be comprised of characters ranging from 8 up to 100.

Step 2

When entering the password, the user should make sure that the location and size of the file is defined so that the user may modify it each time he or she chooses to do so. The password is typed in when prompted by the application.

Step 3

Upon the completion of the installation of the Crytainer LE, install the Cryptainer Mobile. At the menu bar located at the topmost part of the screen, select 'Tools'. Choose Install Cryptainer Mobile and then follow the series of prompts that appear. The Cryptainer LE’s Mobile version comes bundled with the said application.

Step 4

The next step involves closing the Cryptainer LE encryption application on the computer. The user should then choose a location and a password for the application’s Mobile version. All the information in the USB drive should then be encrypted because encrypted data could be accessed only by a user who has the correct information to unlock it. Encryption provides protection to information in case someone else manages to get hold of the USB drive and figures out the password. In order to protect pertinent folders and files, place them inside the vault where the encrypted files are located.

Step 5

What should then follow is the installation of anti-virus software. A USB drive infected with malware could result in data loss, an inability to access files, or data hacked by remote intruders. The installation of anti-virus software helps maintain a virus-free flash drive.

Step 6

Lastly, users should make sure to delete bits of data that are no longer needed from the USB drive. Regular methods of deletion may not be able to remove all the remnants of the user’s information that is why it is advisable to download applications capable of performing several wipes for added security.

How to Open BIN and CUE files

BIN files are usually used together with CUE files to facilitate the running of CD and DVD images without the need for a CD or DVD or even a disk drive. A BIN file is a binary file that represents an entire disk image of a DVD or a CD disk. The BIN file possesses the data from the disk while the CUE file is the image that permits the reading of the disk. A BIN file usually requires a CUE file for it to be opened or burned. A CUE file on the other hand contains a series of instructions that can guide a user into burning the BIN image. In some instances, the CUE file may be absent or missing when the user attempts the downloading of a BIN file.

Materials Needed:

- CD/DVD Burning software
- CD-R/DVD-R Disks
- Image mounting software (Daemon Tools
- MagicISO
- Nero ImageDrive
- etc.)

Step 1

Ensure that a CUE file has been downloaded after downloading a BIN file. If the CUE file is missing, create a CUE file in order that the BIN image may be opened or burned.

Step 2

To create a CUE file, right click the mouse on a vacant space where the BIN file can be found. Click on 'New Text Document' and as soon as the document is opened, choose 'File' and then 'Save As'. When requested, the user must name the new document using a name similar to the BIN file but with a CUE extension like when the BIN file’s name is 'mygame.bin', the new document must bear the name 'mygame.cue'. Click on 'OK' once renaming has been done.

Step 3

In the new CUE file, type 'FILE'mygame.bin'BINARY' then press the 'Enter' key. Press the 'Enter' key upon typing 'TRACK 01 MODE1/2352'.Type 'INDEX 01 00:00:00' and close the document upon selecting the 'File' and 'Save' prompts.

Step 4

The user may now open any of the CD/DVD disk burning applications and browse toward the BIN file prior to burning it into a recordable DVD or CD disk. The opening and burning of the disk is usually made possible through image mounting software such as Daemon Tools, MagicISO, and Nero ImageDrive. Install any of these image mounting programs into the computer.

Step 5

Open the installed disk burning application in order that that the contents of the BIN file could be extracted.

Step 6

To load the image, look for the folder where both the CUE and BIN files are saved. Click on 'Extract' followed by 'OK' after browsing the BIN file to automatically save the contents of the image on the computer hard drive. Once saved, the image file can now be accessed just like an ordinary file.

How to Network Two Computers

Setting up a connection between two computers is easy. Computers can interface with each other, participate in multiplayer games or programs, work together on projects, and share files. Recent computer models may come equipped with network Ethernet cards or even a wireless network adapter. Computers with built-in wireless network support are most easily connected.

Materials Needed:

- Network Cards
- Wireless Network Adapter
- two CAT5 strait-trough Cables
- Networking Hub or Wireless Router

Step 1

Prepare the equipment to be used. It is preferred to use products of the same brand when choosing a hub or router and network cards or wireless network adapters.

Step 2

Determine whether the network cards or the wireless network adapters are plugged in or built-in. Point to the 'My Computer' icon and right-click. Select 'Properties'. Choose the 'Hardware' tab on the Properties window then click on the 'Device manager' button. Search for the network adapter and make sure that the device exists (denoted by a '+' inside a box) on both computers.

Step 3

Find the computer’s Ethernet sockets or ports. They are found externally and are normally located at the backside of the computer. The ports or sockets look like phone line sockets, only larger. Switch on the network hub.

Step 4

Plug in one end of the CAT5 cable into the first computer’s Ethernet socket and the other end of the cable into the network hub.

Step 5

Plug in one end of the CAT5 cable into the second computer’s Ethernet socket and the other end of the cable into the network hub.

Step 6

Connect two computers with a wireless router. Ensure that a wireless network adapter is visible on both computers’ Device Manager.

Step 7

Connect the router into a modem (if available) using a cable that accompanies the modem or wireless router.

Step 8

Configure the wireless router by using the accompanying User’s Manual. Each router brand and model may have different configuration steps. Connect the wireless router into a computer by borrowing a modem cable. Follow the configuration steps on the router manual. It is important to configure the following: the wireless network name or SSID, the wireless encryption (WEP) and/or Wi-Fi protected Access (WPA) and the administrative password used to configure network and router settings. Save the router, network settings, and unplug the cable from router to computer.

Step 9

Link up the two computers with the wireless router. Follow documentation instructions on connecting your computers. Most new computer models with built-in wireless network support will automatically access the wireless network. Some adapters may require the use of a CD installer in which the directions should be followed.

How to Make a Window XP Boot Disk

Essentially, boot disks are used to allow a user to start up the machine from the floppy drive instead of the hard drive usually either to fix operation-related issues or to initiate an installation process for loading older computer games designed for the MS-DOS platform. Boot diskettes are normally write-protected to prevent the accidental erasure of their contents as well as possible infection from malicious codes by preventing any future write operations to the storage media. Although the Microsoft installation disk for Windows XP is distributed as a bootable media, the use of Windows XP-based bootable disks may be used as a backup as well as the installation of the Operating System in machines without any CD or DVD drive. To date, the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System platform remains as one of the more dominant computer systems in the industry primarily due to its ease of set up, use, and deployment.

Materials Needed:

- Blank floppy disks
- floppy drive
- CD-ROM of Windows XP installer
- a working Windows XP-based PC
- Web browser
- Internet connection

Step 1

To create a Windows XP boot disk, it is first necessary to determine the current version of the Windows XP running in the host machine. This can be achieved by clicking on the 'Start' button and choosing the 'Run' option.

Step 2

In the new window, type the command 'winver' (omit the quotation marks) in the Open box and click on the 'OK' button. This will open the 'About Windows' screen with the complete Operating System version.

Step 3

Take note of the Windows XP version and click on the 'OK' button to close the 'About Windows' screen.

Step 4

Insert a disk in the floppy drive and use the format utility of Windows XP by clicking on the 'Start' button and choosing the 'Run' option. In the Open box, type the command 'format a:' and click on the 'OK' button.

Step 5

After completion of the format process, insert the Windows XP CD-ROM installer in the CD or DVD drive. Copy both the NTDETECT.COM and NTLDR files located in the folder i386 of the installer by clicking on the 'Start' button and selecting the 'Run' command. In the Open box, type the command '[Drive]:\i386' (where [Drive] corresponds to the CD or DVD drive letter) and click on the 'OK' button.

Step 6

Right click on the file 'NTLDR' and select Copy from the context menu. Click on the 'Start' button and select the 'Run' command. In the Open box, type 'a:' then click on the 'OK' button. From the Edit Menu, click the 'Paste' command. Repeat this process for the file NTDETECT.COM.

Step 7

Copy the file BOOT.INI from the host machine operating under the Windows XP platform or create a new version by clicking on the 'Start' button, selecting the 'Run' command, typing 'notepad' in the Open box, and clicking on the 'OK' button.

Step 8

In notepad, type the text [boot loader], timeout=30, Default= multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows, [operating systems], multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\windows='' in separate lines.

Step 9

Click on the 'File' Menu then choose the 'Save As' option. Make sure that the destination folder is set to 3 ½ floppy (A:) and the file name should have an INI extension. Click the 'Save' button to store the file in the boot disk.

Step 10

Click on the 'Start' button, select 'Turn Off Computer' and click on the 'Restart' option.

Step 11

During the boot up process, enter the BIOS settings menu by referencing your product manual. In the BIOS settings, make sure that the primary boot device is set to the floppy drive. Insert the boot disk in the floppy drive and save the BIOS settings.

Step 12

Upon restart of the machine, it should begin by booting from the floppy drive.

How to Make Internet Faster

Generally, computer users welcome the introduction of broadband Internet connection which does not only provide greater bandwidth compared to the older dial-up Internet connection technology but is also more stable with less instances of disconnection with the Internet Service Provider (ISP). However, what majority of computer users are not aware of is that they do not actually utilize the entire connection bandwidth they are paying for primarily because either the Operating System or the Web browser is limiting the connection speed that is being consumed. In many instances, computer users fail to utilize every bit that they pay for because the programs are still configured for hosting the older dial-up model which transmits data packets significantly slower. This guide assumes that the computer user is subscribed to a broadband connection and is using a machine with adequate configuration which will not cause any slowdown in accessing the Internet.

Materials Needed:

- Computer
- Web browser
- broadband Internet connection
- tweak tools
- Internet booster utilities

Step 1

Before boosting the speed of your Internet connection, it is first important to know where it stands at the moment. This can be done by going to different websites that provide free speed test utilities. Remember that the speed of the Internet connection will always vary each time it is tested. What is important is that the difference should not be significant and must be very close to the subscribed speed.

Step 2

Once the current speed is determined, you can proceed to optimize your Internet connection. Begin by clicking on the 'Start' button and selecting the 'Control Panel' option.

Step 3

Under the Control Panel window, choose the Internet Options category to open the Internet Properties screen. Click on the 'Connections' tab and select the 'LAN settings' button.

Step 4

Clear any check marks found in the boxes. Click on the 'OK' button twice and close the Control Panel window.

Step 5

Another option is to download tools or utilities that affect functions related to the Internet connection process. Look for utilities that can rebuild the Windows Sockets (Winsock), tweak the Receive Window (under Windows by default is set too low), and implement Web acceleration. Download and install these utilities to speed up the default Internet connection.

Step 6

Another way is to modify the Reserved Bandwidth implemented by the Microsoft Windows Operating System platform. Click on the 'Start' button and choose the 'Run' option
.

Step 7

Type gpedit.msc in the Open box and click on the 'OK: button. This will open the Group Policy window. Click on the 'Computer Configuration' category and select the 'Administrative Templates' option.

Step 8

Click on 'Network' and choose the 'QoS Packet Scheduler' category to edit the 'Limit Reservable Bandwidth' option. Click on the 'Enable' button and replace the default value with zero.

Step 9

Click the 'Apply' button and then the 'OK' button to implement the changes. This will result in faster loading of Web pages.

Step 10

Modifying some values associated with the Internet Explorer browser will also speed up the connection process. To implement this, click on the 'Start' button, select Run, type in regedit in the Open box, and click on the 'OK' button.

Step 11

In the Registry Editor window, select the 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER' category and expand the 'Software' sub-category. Click on the Microsoft folder, choose Windows, select Current Version, and finally Internet Settings.

Step 12

Modify the values associated with the MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server and MaxConnectionsPerServer keys to a higher value like 10. This will allow for more available connections for every page visited.

Step 13

Closer the Registry Editor window and launch Internet Explorer. Browse websites to see the increased speed in displaying Web pages.

Step 14

For users of the Mozilla Firefox Web browser, the Internet connection can be boosted by typing about:config in the address bar to open the configuration settings.