Quickie! Youtube Conversion

Check this!
http://www.flvto.com

XBMC / KODI A set up guide.

Ok, Kodi is awesome!  Take my word on this and download it here - then install it.

A side note everything on this post assumes that you followed the set up given here , there are so many ways to set up Kodi/XBMC the info here may not work on some of the other set ups.

This article is a work in progress.  I will be coming back and editing this article, adding to it as I discover new processes, find tweaks, and more.

This first set up will get you most of the really good stuff in a hurry.

The downloads page will let you know that it's available on a variety of platforms the set up is similar regardless of the platform.  Just choose your platform, download it, and get it installed.

Note: If you have an i-device, you'll need to jailbreak it first and install Kodi from Cydia.  This is the ONLY way to get Kodi! --P

Phase 1: Adding Fusion
After Kodi is installed, go to system --> sub menu file manager.  Next, click on add source --> a box comes up wanting a path, in this box type"http://fusion.xbmchub.com".  There is also a box at the bottom of the window that popped up for naming the media source.  You must put something in here!  Name it something apt like ".fusion".  It really doesn't matter what you name it.  Finally, click OK &
go back out to the main menu and into the "system" --> sub menu "settings".

Phase 2: Installing What We Need to Get Started
Under settings (near the bottom) is a button that says add-ons, click it.  Next, click on the install from zip file item.  This will bring up a list.  Then, you need to find the source you added (it will be the name you chose).  If you followed me exactly it will be ".fusion".  Once you click inside your file find the folder "start here".   Next, you will see a list of files.  Choose plugin.program.addoninstaller-1.2.0.zip, then click it and hit OK.  It will take a few seconds and you will get a message in the bottom right saying it was installed. Then, go back and do the same with plugin.video.hubwizard-1.1.9.zip.  Note: The #'s may change.  As before, you'll get a report in a few seconds saying it has installed. Finally. go back and install the third one as well.

Phase 3: The Setup
After they have all installed --> exit out to the main menu and go to programs -> config wizard click in and find your operating system.  Most of us will be using Windows but most platforms are supported.  Note: I run Kodi on my tablet and my phone (Android) as well.  At this point, the config wizard will run and install the most common add-ons for each category and install their basic configuration.

Tweaks:
Now, I'm going to cover some basic set-up settings & tweaks for Genesis, this is the best plug in available(IMO) as it actually pulls its streams from many sources.  It covers a lot of ground 100% on its own.

So, from the main menu go to Video --> add-ons --> find Genesis.  Next, right click on it and go to Add-on settings.  Then, go to the "Playback" tab.  The first item is "Auto-play" tick the bubble on the right --> click OK.  This will find a working stream for you and you won't have to pick from the piles of links manually when you pick a movie, which can get frustrating as there can be many dead links, this removes that issue.

Note: This only takes care of Standard Def Stuff.  If you'd like to have the HD content work the same way you need to tick the HD Hosts (Might already be ticked) and HD Hosts in Auto-Play options.

OK, the next big setting for Genesis: click into Genesis --> Movies --> Genres.  Now, go to the menu on the left side of the screen that pops out when your mouse gets near.  At the top of that menu it says View: it usually defaults at list but it could be a few things, click on it until it says "media info".  Then, right click on any movie in the list and click set Movies View.  This will give you a description of the movie your mouse is on similar to how Netflix gives movie descriptions when you hover over a particular title.

Windowed mode - go to System->settings->system. top line is Display mode hit one of the arrows on the right till it says Windowed.

Leave comments or ask me on Facebook if you have questions or something is not clear.

**Update(s)**

The Awesomeness of NAVI-X

I was messing around with some of the new features that Chris found and I decided to give Navi-X another go.  It's incredibly popular and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why.  I was never able to get any of the search results etc. to work properly and it was clunky to navigate.  Here's the secret:
Start Navi-X --> Start Here (Big Green Button) --> Most Viewed Last 24 Hrs --> Choose one of the sources and test out it's content.  If you like it go back to the list --> Right Click on it (or options button) --> Add to Favorites.  There are a ton of Live TV and Movie Streams. -P. You can also sign up on the Navi-X website and create your own links page click here.

Stopping the Twitter Feed

System --> Settings --> Addons --> Enabled Addons --> Services --> Disable Twitter

Changing the Wallpaper

Programs --> Addons - Maintenance Tool --> System Tweaks --> Wallpaper Downloads --> Pick a category --> Pick a wallpaper --> It will ask you to set the download location the first time.  I used my c:\Username\Pictures folder --> ok --> After the download finishes you'll notice Kodi's background go black --> Exit Kodi and Restart it --> Voila! Your new wall paper is set!

Changing the Bottom Quick-Links

System --> Settings --> Appearance --> Skin / Settings --> Add-on Shortcuts --> Click the one you want to change and pick it's replacement!

Opinions and some general info on Add-ons

Crunchyroll (Netflix of Anime)-> If your a big anime fan or named Manny you should get his add on. go to video -> add ons -> get more -> roll down to Crunchyroll and install it. It has the options to load your account, I would do so. Right click add-on settings to add your account info. Huge selection of anime here.( you will need to sign up on the Crunchyroll website for an account.) My one complaint about the Crunchyroll plug-in is it lacks a search feature(unless I missed it), let me know if any thing is incorrect I will get it corrected.

1Channel/PrimeWire - This is my back up to Genesis I find that if i can't find it on Genesis I find it here. If you go in the Settings right click on 1Channel and go to Video Playback tab, tick the automatically play sources circle. If you are like myself and don't like having to pick through links.

EarthCam - This is a neat add-on as it will let you view web cams from all over. While it's cool to look at some of them it's more a novelty in my opinion I generally uninstall it.

Ice Films - Another movie/ TV site not much different than Genesis or 1 channel. It's my third in line go to for movies.  A note on Ice films when you first run it, It will want to install a meta container hit yes, It fails often but keep hitting yes whenever it asks eventually it succeeds, no idea why it does this but it does.

Fix Excessive Buffering / Cache Full Error
First, there's a couple of things to remember:
1. These fixes aren't a magic bullet.
2. If you have a poor internet connection: tweaking all the settings in the world won't fix your issues.  Head over to speedtest.net and check your speed - you'll need at least 2MBPS for SD and 5 for HD.  If you don't have the speed: it will work - it'll just buffer a lot.
3. Some sources are slow and cannot keep up with streaming so they buffer... a lot.
4. The Amazon Fire TV has a bug with being hardwired.  Just unplug it and go wireless if you have a good enough signal.
5. If you are using 2.4GHZ wireless: check for and change to an available channel to avoid interference.  Or, you can switch over to 5GHZ.
6. 5GHZ has more bandwidth / speed than 2.4.  Try switching your wireless to N from G (or AC if you have money to burn).
The tweaks:
Start Kodi and go to --> Programs --> Addons --> Maintenance Tool --> System Tweaks --> Create / Edit Advanced Settings --> Edit Settings --> Network Settings --> Network and adjust the following:
cachemembuffersize set to 204000000 (it will use 408MB of your devices RAM - cut that in half for lower end devices)
NOTE: If you have a good mechanical drive and you don't care about how much space Kodi uses: Set this to 0.  That will tell Kodi to use you HDD for Cache space.  If you don't have a fast mechanical or if you have and SSD/FLASH drive: Set it to the number above **DO NOT SET THIS TO 0!**  It will prematurely murder your drive in it's sleep.
buffermode set to 1 (This tells it to basically cache everything)
readbufferfactor set to 20
Next go back approximately 3 screens and choose Write XML File.  Finally restart Kodi - Done!

** Settings tested on an Amazon Fire TV & Stick, A P4 w/ HT PC (1.2GB RAM, 160GB Sata, Windows 7 Starter), and an I5 2500k PC (16GB RAM, 2x120GB SSD's RAID0, Windows 8.1 PRO & some other awesome stuff).

Latest Amazon Free Trials With Cool Freebies Attached

Malware Removal Guide for 2015

Chris just dealt with a Malware situation that brought a bunch of stuff to my attention.  My old Malware Removal Guide works great for Windows 7 and below but doesn't quite take care of 8/8.1.  I figured i'd write up a quick updated process with some new tweaks and whatnot.

So without further ado, here is the updated guide with a XP/Vista/7 and 8/8.1 sections:

Preliminary: You may want to try a system restore first (go back to a date that the system was working properly) - then run through the following processes.  You'll also note that the Windows 8/8.1 section is basically the same as the XP/7 section.  That's because it is.  The only real difference is the lack of the ability to use Combofix in 8.  You would do well to run most of these utilities in "Safe Mode".  Here's a link to the Bleeping computer article on enabling "Safe Mode" for Windows 8. 

We found that some of the particularly nasty Malware can only be ripped out in "Safe Mode".

Windows XP/Vista/7:

Step 1: Disable your antivirus packages "Real Time" protection.

Step 2: Download the following utilities: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Rkill, ADWCleaner, JRT, Combofix, Kaspersky's TDSSKiller, & Norton's Power Eraser

Note 1: On a badly infected machine it's best to download them on a clean PC and thumb drive them over.

Note 2: If you are unable to Start PC B/C of Ransom-ware (FBI/NSA or the like) your only choice is to go grab a copy of Hitman Pro. Here is a link to the Bleeping Computer Removal Article.

Note 3: If your PC is working fairly well you can start this process with Malwarebytes if not, you'll do it at the end.

Step 3: If you are using a flash drive make a directory on the "C" drive and copy over your utilities.

Step 4: Run Rkill and let it complete

Step 5: Run TDSSKiller & Restart if necessary.

Note 4: If you restarted - make sure your antivirus package is still disabled and re-run Rkill

Step 6: Run JRT - Update / Reboot if Necessary 

Step 7: Run ADWCleaner - You Scan first then, clean & it will make you restart.

Step 8: Run Combofix and let it complete.  This takes forever so you may want to go get a coffee or something.  After it completes it will restart the PC and create a log file.  The log file creation takes a while too, so be prepared to wait.

Note 5: Combofix is a very powerful utility and can completely nerf you system.  Be very careful with both this and Norton Power Eraser.  Use both of these utilities AT YOUR OWN RISK! 

Step 9: Run Norton Power Eraser & Let it do it's thing.  When it's finished remove the items it finds.

Note 6: Power Erase WILL find valid applications!  You'll have to re-install them after the process is completed and you've verified your PC is Malware / Trojan / Virus free.

Step 10: Boot normally, install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Update it, & run a complete system scan.  Clean anything it finds, reboot, & do it again.

You should be clean at this point!!!!!!

Windows 8/8.1

Step 1: Disable your antivirus packages "Real Time" protection.

Step 2: Download the following utilities: Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Rkill, ADWCleaner, JRT, Kaspersky's TDSSKiller, & Norton's Power Eraser

Note 1: On a badly infected machine it's best to download them on a clean PC and thumb drive them over.

Note 2: If you are unable to Start PC B/C of Ransom-ware (FBI/NSA or the like) your only choice is to go grab a copy of Hitman Pro. Here is a link to the Bleeping Computer Removal Article.

Note 3: If your PC is working fairly well you can start this process with Malwarebytes if not, you'll do it at the end.

Step 3: If you are using a flash drive make a directory on the "C" drive and copy over your utilities.

Step 4: Run Rkill and let it complete

Step 5: Run TDSSKiller & Restart if necessary.

Note 4: If you restarted - make sure your antivirus package is still disabled and re-run Rkill

Step 6: Run JRT - Update / Reboot if Necessary 

Step 7: Run ADWCleaner - You Scan first then, clean & it will make you restart.

Step 8: Run Norton Power Eraser & Let it do it's thing.  When it's finished remove the items it finds.

Note 6: Power Eraser WILL find valid applications!  You'll have to re-install them after the process is completed and you've verified your PC is Malware / Trojan / Virus free.  This utility is very powerful and can nerf your system: USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

Step 9: Boot normally, install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, Update it, & run a complete system scan.  Clean anything it finds, reboot, & do it again.

You should be clean at this point!!!!!!

Special thanks to the people at Bleeping Computer - It's my opinion that they are one of the best sources of information on the net!

Disclaimer: We are not responsible for anything that happens to your computer or your data.  You are following these instructions at your own risk.

This article addresses standard Malware.  If you have any of the Crypto Variants; they require a completely different process.  Here is the information & removal procedure: How to remove Crypto Locker and it's Variants.

Our free Antivirus Pick:
Yep, it's Still BitDefender.  There are no PUPS and it's very light weight but, still does a great job.

A word from our sponsor....

**Quick Update**
You'll notice that we now have (very minimal) advertising!  If you see something you like: Please, do us a favor and click on it.  We promise to use the money for bills, pizza, and hardware!

Security of course . . .

So, despite the fact that I tend to watch my security regularly; I found myself in a mess last night.  After I returned home from work, I found my system is getting a warning from my Norton Internet Security that it had stopped a Trojan from attacking my system. A few minutes later I was under attack by something else (I don't recall the name of it & it ended up being a very long night).  As I investigated what was going on, I found a lot in my NIS history that I didn't like.  Firewall changes being my prime concern at that moment. I have a theory as to how I came to be infected but I don't know for sure so I won't get into that.

I eventually started breaking out the usual tools, running Malware Bytes & Norton Internet Security both were giving me a clean bill of health.  Regardless, every-time I did anything with Chrome I got the warning about the Trojan!  I started going through the Bleeping Computer tool set. ADW,JRT, etc, etc (See the Malware removal guide on this blog if you are not familiar with these tools). These tools seemed to track down the problems but they didn't manage to remove them (much to my chagrin and surprise).  Eventually I had expended every resource I was aware of at that time and I was still "under constant attack".  At this point I had figured out that my Chrome and Opera were infected in some manner and there was a "fake add on" according to Norton.

On the side: I normally am a Kaspersky user but my new mother board came with a trial for Norton Internet Security, so I decided to give it a shot. After some research on the web about backdoor Trojan 39, I found out about a tool I actually had but was unaware of Norton's Power eraser.  It's available at the link preceding this and it comes with a warning that it is a powerful tool and can do damage to your Operating system.  I decided that that I would risk it (of course I would, this willing to take a risk is why I end up with these kind of infections!).  It scanned very quickly and came up with a short list of "offenders" and its recommendations on what to do about them. It allowed me to click a link and go to the files in question which made it fairly easy to decide what had go.  A quick click and it removed my problem files, followed with a system reboot and my system is clean again.
 So, that was my adventure in internet security for last night.

Lesson learned Norton seems to be redeeming it self in the Anti Virus arena. I believe I will even sign up when my trial runs out in 30 days for the Internet Security suite.  They also provide powerful tools to anybody who needs them and the best part is: It didn't include any PUPs (potentially unwanted programs)!  Bleeping Computer and their tools are awesome and I believe they would have handled the situation as well if I could have run them in Safe Mode (this was my failure not the tool sets - Windows 8/8.1 don't come with a readily accessible way to start the PC in safe mode anymore).

**Note:**
You can re-enable Safe-Mode in Windows 8/8.1 by following this article over at Bleeping Computer.

Some great extensions for Chrome.

I used to avoid Chrome extensions for the most part, regarding them as something that will only add overhead and slow things down. I was wrong, There are many great extensions. I cant speak for all of them but the security extensions I just tried are awesome.

Ad-guard - This extension blocks ads , totally removing the advertisements from my Yahoo mail. It also removes the commercials at the beginning of You-tube clips. This has many other functions but its removal of advertisements brings a couple benefits pages load faster and the removal of ads helps keep ad-ware off your computer.

WOT - Web of Trust. This page allows you to rate pages and shows you their current rating based on what other users have said. It also marks pages in searches much like Internet security software would do.

Disconnect - This extension visualizes and blocks invisible websites that track your search and browsing history. Speeding up your browsing and increasing privacy. 

These three extensions are going on every computer I work on or own. There is protection from malware, ad-ware, and virus'. But they also increase your performance on the web.

here is a great link for helping You-Tube stop buffering as much:You-Tube Anti Suck.

Another great link to Phil's Anti Malware Procedure. I have used this procedure many times now and it has always worked great. I do use Malware Bytes as well a great free program.

Sorry got off track, security is a big deal though.back to some more extensions for Chrome.

Fox Tab speed dial - I have been using this one for quite some time. It allows you to create pages of big buttons that you click and it takes you to a predestined web page of your choice. It also allows you control of what the button will look like through a selection area.

Last Pass - This extension will help you manage your passwords.

Google Translate - This is self explanatory.

IE Tab - So you don't have to deal with Internet Explorer anymore!

Some other extensions I have no experience with but I will be checking out.

Edit this Cookie -

Web Boost - I tried this out last night in conjunction with the you tube anti suck procedure and with ad-guard. I had very noticeable speed improvement while on the net.

U-Torrent - 

If you know of any great extensions let us know there are thousands of them and just not enough time to try them all.

Amazon Fire TV **Update**

Ok, So I purchased myself an Amazon Fire TV & an Amazon Fire TV Stick.  The initial Kodi install took me a bit to figure everything out, but the second one was done in 15 minutes!  The Fire TV doesn't get warm or use hardly any power, is crazy fast, easy to side-load Kodi, & has a great app selection.  The Stick for video streaming and Kodi use isn't noticeably slower!  It lags behind on the games, but is still very usable.  I also noticed that the stick tends to run on the warm side.  That said, it doesn't get anywhere near as hot as the generic xbmc/kodi boxes (like the midnight etc.) get.  It's really important to note that it's probably not a good idea to root these devices.  Amazon released an update that will perma-brick rooted units.  Plus, you can side-load almost any ARM APK so why bother?  These units are amazing and I am impressed.  I have since retired my PlayOn/Roku setup and use the Amazon devices exclusively.

Rapid Fire Post! - SSD Cache Drives and why you might need one!

Some of you might already know about these but, it was news to me.  Sandisk and Corsair have a solution for you if you're on of the millions who bought an "out of the box" PC and you only have a 1 or 2 TB mechanical drive without a proper SSD.  These drive work along with your mechanical and cache you commonly used things to load faster.  It looks a lot like readyboost on steroids!

Sandisk ReadyCache

Corsiair Accelerator **Discontinued** - Check eBay

Note: This isn't a replacement for a proper SSD setup; it only provides a way to get some more performance without reloading your O/S etc.