How to Reset your Windows XP VMWare password

If you ever lost your Windows Login password, that could be a very heart wrenching feeling. Don’t Panic! This process works for both physical machines as well as Virtual VMWare Images.  I’ll take you through the steps.

1) First, if you are trying to recover / reset a password on a virtual VMWare image, you first mucy edit the *.vmx file that is found in your VMWare directory. Go to your VMWare image (on a Mac, right click on it and show package contents)

2) Next Open a Terminal Windows (Control Panels – Terminal)

3) Type sudo vi in the terminal window (Do Not press Return yet)

4) Next, drag and drop the *.vmx file into the terminal window and hit return

5) Edit this file and enter this information on the first line:

bios.forceSetupOnce = “TRUE”

6) Save and quit out of that VI session

7) Next download the Offline NT & Password Registry Editor from here

8 ) With you VMMachine shut down, start it and attach the ISO image that was unzipped from your download.

9) When your VM Instance Boots, you will be in the BIOS. Change the BIOS settings so that your VM Image first boots from the CDROM. Then Save and Exit changes

10) Reboot your VM image

11) A CLI (Command Line Interface) will appear.

12) Follow the steps outlined HERE. Pretty much take the defaults by simply pressing return.

13) Eventually you will see a list of system user accounts. Select the user you want to clear the password and clear (delete) that password.

14) Save quit and shutdown you VM image.

15) Edit the *.vmx file again and change: bios.forceSetupOnce = “TRUE” to bios.forceSetupOnce = “FALSE”

16) Save your changes and exit the VI session.

17) Reboot

18) Login

iPad – Can it replace your laptop ?

For the past couple of weeks I have been only using the iPad as my primary computer on the road. I want to see if it could replace my laptop and offer all of the functionality I needed on a day to day basis. I mean let’s face it, there are a lot of apps out there and we have to ask ourselves, what do you really get out of a fully blown out operating system such as Snow Leopard and Windows 7. Primarily, most of us use our laptops to connect to the internet, check email, generate documents in Word or Excel, upload photo’s to Facebook, manage finances, etc. All of which can be done on an iPad. I think we are so used to the idea that we need a traditional operating system to satisfy our traditional thinking. I would almost suggest that I think that the Operating System on the iPad is revolutionary in a since that it is completely different from the mainstream approach to computing or rather – our thinking of mobile devices. The Operating System it’s self is nothing revolutionary. We are used to having our data stored locally on our laptop and periodically we will back that data up, right ? I hope so. We are used to going to the nearest Best Buy and buying a software package and installing it on the computer from a CD that takes up a lot of space on our hard drive. I mean let’s admit it, it feels good (or sometime bad) to have a big box with lots of manuals and media for that new version of Office that came out. Not to mention the fact that the new software box smells good when you open it. I think we have grown accustomed to the fact that we need all of that stuff Windows or Mac operating systems has to offer. That is an old way of thinking. Why have we accepted long boot times, short battery lives, viruses, etc ?

The future of remote on the go computing is smaller, faster, more portable, access anywhere cloud computing. This is what the iPad is offering.

I think we will still have traditional laptops. But I project we will see more mobile devices like the iPad that will offer a more defined, simpler computing experience.

Benefits

1) No Boot times. Always ready.
2) While using Numbers (Excel), Pages (Word) or Keynote (Powerpoint), instant save. No more saving your document every few minutes.
3) Very long 12+ hour battery life
4) No mouse. Just use your finger
5) Lots of FREE apps
6) Very simple operationally. Grandma can use it
7) Easy to backup AND restore.
8 ) Standard interface. Every iPad is the same.

Disadvantages

1) Limited port connectivity such as USB
2) No Web Cam
3) There is no central Documents folder
4) Some compatibility limitations with traditional standard office applications

One would think that because of these limitations, you will not be able to replace your laptop. I dispute that. I believe you can. Admittedly, there has been occasions where I needed access to a MS Project file or something only my PC could do in which the iPad simply is not there yet technically. However, this has not stopped me from thinking that the iPad can and someday will replace portable computing as we know it today.

The Solution

I have tested many apps. There are a lot of great apps out there. Right now, I want to focus in on three apps that are an absolute must have on the iPad if you want to attempt to go completely remote. They are:

LogMeIn, DropBox and DocsToGo

LogMeIn is a software agent that gets installed on your computer at home that allows to to remotely connect to to from anywhere in the world using an internet connection. They have a free version thats works perfect in this scenario. Using the LogMeIn app ($29.99) available from iTunes, you can always connect to your PC at home, anytime, anywhere. I take it a step further and, using a product called VMWare I created a virtual machine running Windows at home on my desktop that I use for LogMeIn. So anytime I need to do something desktop specific in Windows, I can connect to my PC remotely and do it.

However, LogMeIn alone is not going to be complete with out DropBox. DropBox is a utility, (Free subscription for 2GB or less) that allows you to copy your files so that they are accessible anywhere. Any of your computers that has DropBox installed on it and configured will sync to your DropBox account. This includes your iPad. Your iPad can access your data on your DropBox.

But – having access to your data is not enough if you want to open your documents for editing. This is where DocsToGo comes into the picture. Picture it as a mini Office Suite on your iPad. It doesn’t offer all of the functionality that is available in a complete installation of Office, however, let;s face it if you are in the go and needed to edit a document, create a spreadsheet, etc., this is perfect.

One of the exiting things that the iPad or any future simular device has to offer that hardware that run solely on a Windows or Mac platform lacks is the growing developer base. Rather than relying solely on the Microsoft’s, Intuits, Adobe’s, etc to design and release a new software package, you have hundred of thousands of individual users developing software in a market that is exploding. It is much more economical for a individual to spend three or four weeks developing an App that meets a specific demand and sell for $1.99 rather than a huge corporation like Microsoft to devote the recourses in terms of development, marketing, packaging and distribution and compete in that same space. I think that some of the big players will continue (they already do) offer larger applications, at a higher price point.

I compare it alot like what Wikipedia would be like if only a few were to contribute to its content. However, open it to everyone and see how much more information and resources are available and all can benefit from it.

That’s enough for now. As you can see, we are well on our way to a new methodology in terms of portable computing. Like I mentioned earlier, I think we are going to see a lot of other vendors such as HP with their Slate, Dell and others offering similar solutions in the marketplace.

Cutting Expenses

I found this great article on things you can do to cut expenses. I went through all my monthly bills and was able to save several hundred dollars by canceling things like Netflix, changing my DirectTV plan to have them honor the intro rate, etc.

The following are some ideas on how to cut your expenses in order to “generate” some additional cash that should be used first to pay off debt and then to invest.

Why pay off debt first and then invest? It’s all about interest. Basically you pay creditors more than you can make investing. For example, you may owe $3000 to a credit card company at 12% interest, but want to have some cash in a savings account for “just in case”. If you pay off the credit card you can always charge the amount if you have an emergency – DON’T charge if it’s not an emergency (see wise use of credit cards). But, if you keep a balance on the credit card, you’ll be paying 12% interest, as opposed to getting 0.3% in the bank (as of March, 2005). The difference is 11.7%, which is what you’re paying to “feel good” about having money in the bank. You ain’t makin’ no money, you’se spendin’ it, in fact, you’se wastin’ it.

In other words, Interest: them that get’s it, gets it, them that don’t, don’t.

Here are some ideas for cutting expenses, some of them are simple and you may already be doing them:

Eat out less. Don’t stop completely, but you’ll save money by eating out less. For example, a family of 4 eating out at MacDonalds (“cheap” food), will spend upwards of $20 for one meal. That same family can have hamburgers, fries, and cokes for less than $10.
Hamburger: Lean ground beef patties (already made up), $2.30/lb – 2 pounds=$4.60
Lettuce: $1.49 each
Tomato: 6oz, $1.12
French fries: $2.49
Total (assuming you have ketchup, mustard, salt, etc.) $9.70
This is shopping at an expensive grocery store, and you’ll have some things (fries, tomato, lettuce) left over for another meal. If you buy some foods at a discount warehouse you’ll save even more.
Now, if you save $10 for just one meal a week, you’ll have an additional $40 per month to put towards paying off your debt
Shop at warehouse stores, but only for those things that will “keep”. If you don’t have a large freezer, don’t buy lots of stuff that has to be kept in a freezer. Only buy those items you can use before they expire. Buying a case of tuna, for example, can save you 10 to 15 cents per can, and if you eat two cans a week, that’s $10 per year – not much but it all adds up.
Change your diet. I don’t mean change everything, just a few things. Eat more vegetables, they’re less expensive. Choose the store brand instead of the name brand – if it’s actually less money. Reduce your intake of food if you can.
Rent a movie instead of going to the movies. A family of four will spend $32 to go the movies, before buying drinks and snacks. You can rent a movie for $3, buy popcorn for $3 and a couple of 2-litre bottles of coke for $2, saving at least $20. And you can watch the movie in the comfort of your own home, and put the kids to bed if they fall asleep during the show. This doesn’t mean that you never go out, just that you can save $20 a week if you go out one less time per week.
Take the kids to the park instead of buying them a video game.
Combine trips and errands, saving gas and time.
Track how much money you spend on “stuff” each day. If you go by the corner store on the way to work to get a donut and coffee, maybe you can buy some donuts at the grocery store, and make your own coffee. Buy soda at the grocery store, instead of individual cans or bottles at the corner store. A 2-liter bottle of Coke is $1 right now at my local grocery store, but a 1-litre bottle at the corner store is $1.59. It’s not a lot, but it adds up.
Every time you spend money, whether it’s cash from your wallet, using a debit card, credit card, or writing a check, ask yourself a couple questions.
Do I really need to buy this now? or can it wait?
Is there something I can buy for less money that will fit the bill?
How am I going to pay for it? Don’t take it from the amount you’re using to pay off debt
If you ask yourself these questions, you’ll be less likely to fritter money away.
Carpool
Close off the rooms in your hose and shut the heating / cooling vents to those parts of the house you’re not using.
Put up window insulation wrapping. This is a clear plastic that you put over the windows, it creates an insulation area between the room and the outside, reducing energy costs.
Insulate the house – this can be a large expense, so analyze it well before doing this.
Use less expensive methods of heating your house – a fireplace if you have free or cheap wood available for example.
Don’t get a new (or used) car until the old one is paid off and will cost too much to repair – and then pay cash for it.
Reduce, re-use, recycle. Wherever possible use less of whatever it is you’re using. And then use it again for something else. If you’ve exhausted it’s uses, recycle it. The local grocery store gives a 5 cent discount for every bag you bring in to re-use, for example. Use grocery bags as trash bags. Don’t use paper plates or cups. Use the backs of paper to write on.
Keep more organized. If you can find something, you won’t go buying another one.
Turn off the lights in the rooms you’re not using.
During the summer, open the windows at night, close them and the shades during the day. This will keep the house cooler, and save energy.
Get a programmable thermostat, or turn the heat / air conditioner off (or down) when you’re not in the house.
I’m sure you’ll think of more ideas that fit your circumstances as you start to implement these ideas. The point is to start thinking about money as you do the things you do. You don’t have to become a tightwad, just think about ways to save money throughout the day.

Blogging Stocks

This is a great site to read about different sticks, companies, blogs about stuff that has been written about stocks, etc. There is a lot of great information out here to help you make good stock purchasing decisions, get the scoop on what’s going on, etc.

Picture of my Car Accident

Hit by a 87 Year old lady at the Park Meadows mall. This was a lot of fun. She was pulling out of the garage and ran into me. No one was hurt. And I just washed my car. Ugh.

Inside Air Force One

How the Screen Printing Process Works

Explanations on Different Airfare Classes (e.g., L, K, Y, etc.)

Have you ever wondered what the different cabin classifications are? Such as L class versus K class? I am flying Delta today (BTW, Delta stands for Don’t Even Leave The Airport) and they are not able to upgrade me because my ticket was issued as a L class. So I decided to look it up:

A – First Class Discounted
B – Coach Class Discounted
Bn- Night Coach Discounted
C – Business Class
Cn- Night Business Coach
D – Business Class Discounted
E – Shuttle Service
F – First Class
Fn- Night Coach in First Class Compartment
H – Coach Class
J – Business Class Premium
K – Coach Class Discounted
Kn- Night Coach Discounted
L – Coach Discounted
M – Coach Discounted
N – Coach Discounted
P – First Class Premium
Q – Coach Discounted
Qn- Night Coach Discounted
R – Supersonic
S – Coach
T – Coach Discounted
U – Shuttle Service
V – Coach Discounted
Vn- Night Coach
W – Coach Premium
Y – Coach
Yn- Night Coach
Z – Business Class Discounted