my Computer Quest: Maxthon

Showing posts with label Maxthon. Show all posts

05 July, 2014

Browser Shop in Chrome - Removed!

google chrome (Photo credit: toprankonlinemarketing)

05-July-2014

A couple of weeks ago, 'Browser Shop' just suddenly popped out of my Chrome webpages. As it hijacked the links, it was just a bit irksome. I wanted it removed. Immediately.

I searched, and there was none. not even the adware or malware software applications.

The extensions or add-ons removal procedure doesn't help at all. How can it help, since browser shop doesn't appear in the list?

Software removal program also is inutile, as there is no installed program called Browse Shop.

What's more, Browser Shop doesn't appear in Internet Explorer, not in Firefox, not in Safari, not in Maxthon, not in Opera.

Further validation I made is to check in Chrome in my Linux OS. It is not there, so I confirmed that this is a Chrome in Windows OS problem only.

When I ran out of options, I thought of one last recourse: uninstall-reinstall Chrome.

I did just that.

And...

Voila!

When I opened Chrome, Browser Shop is no longer there.

Of course, that entailed running CCleaner, two times, both on the Cleaner and Registry options, just to make sure that no remnants remain.

Even when I have Chrome linked to my account, I made a back-up of my favorites an homepages before I did the uninstall. Redundant, but I did double-redundancy.

So if you also run out of options, try uninstall-reinstall option.

It might just work.

Try it!

05 March, 2014

When Top Management Kills the Opportunity for Growth

Coda (web development software) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

05-Mar-2014

My very first venture out of my country of birth was a job that I stayed in for almost one and a half decade. And being employed for so long means I wasn't moving from one employer to another. That is to say I didn't have the chance, or better yet, the challenge, of job hunting.

Now that I am, I realize a few things that were taken for granted for so long.

First in the list is my resume. It took me a while to remember my education details. Mine is quite unusual, coming from a 3-year technical course all units of which are credited when a BS or Degree course is pursued afterwards. It was a problem on the date of the BS Computer Science course that took me some time to realize, until I was reconciling the dates of my previous employments before the decade and a half job.

My next difficulty was the picking of the details to be included in each level or area of responsibility. Brevity is its own merit, and a lot had to be dropped, exercising of course great care not to prune where verbosity matters. This brings me to my main point of discourse.

I took on the interest of web development, and my very first small web apps was really something so small that all that mattered to me when I developed that single page was to see if I can do it. Of course I did it, and a couple of years later on, a really big project came up in the KPI list. It was considerable, and one that took me 2 years to complete: framework, UI design and bare functionality took about 8 months of development. And some other issues took priority. When the same KPI item came up the year that followed, my boss was worried that if it wasn’t completed ASAP, it would never get done at all, and it would be against me. Actually, it can be brought up again the third year, but it would already draw the attention of the next level supervisor – and that would mean bad to me and my boss.

It was done, finally. Self-UAT was carried, and then our internal group UAT followed. A few more tweaks, and it was rolled out for public use. And the requirement was: make it run only in IE, the rest of the browsers didn’t matter. Bummer!

I asked my boss why, and the directive was actually coming from IT: they will only support IE8, at that. He was anticipating any issue that may come, and if not IE, our support guys won’t even take a look. And that directive from top management was the killer.

I don’t blame them, but I have known from my research that cross-browser functionality was the very bane of web development. And form what I read, IE, being proprietary, was THE most uncompliant. No offense meant, but just pointing out that W3C compliance-wise, IE was off the chart.

And being the maverick that I am, I tacitly injected the cross-browser functionalities in my pages, not caring whether or not one day other browsers will be allowed use in the office. For even with that directive, I have tested my codes against 6 browsers: IE, FF, Chrome, Safari, Maxthon and Opera.

I would understand that top management have to do their job of protecting their own interest, but when it comes to our working level, the decision is ours: do we let them kill our creativity and opportunity for growth?

The choice is ours. I did not. Certainly.

17 October, 2013

Stylesheet folder or directory - could make or break your web apps

English: CSS rule in Malayalam (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

17-October-2013

I have been reading on ASP.NET, so at least I learn something new. I have been coding and coding and coding, and I have become the woodcutter who did not sharpen his axe. And with the slowdown in load (all major projects completed, and pending roll-out only), I have some free time on my hand.

I found an e-book of Beginning ASP.NET 4.5 in C# and VB, and I skipped the chapters that discussed basic web development, but coming to Chapter 3, I found the CSS section a bit of an eye-opener. Not that I know nothing of CSS -- it is something that I have used extensively on my site, but not entirely the optimum way. And what I have just learned, I tried to apply on one of my simple web applications.

Did I find something to blog on?

You betcha!

I am one who always practiced organization, and I just find that the stylesheet file that was created in the process is 'mixing' with the code files. I just didn't like that. So in the middle of streamlining the CSS codes, have done some pages already, I moved the stylesheet to the \App_Code folder. There was no objection in the IDE...

So, I completed migrating all the inline and embedded styles into the Stylesheet file, so they are all in one common place, and this gave me a chance to remove all redundant and duplicate styles. Wow! Just think of the junk I created... And that is just in the simple web apps...

Anyway, having done everything, I now proceeded to test if what I did works.

Surprise, surprise!

In IE, it did not work. I am using IE10, running in Windows 7 Enterprise. The fonts and colors are all using the default values.

I tried it in Maxthon, in most likelihood, the closest browser to IE. The same behaviour was observed.

I now tried Firefox, and the styles came forth, shining through!

But since the majority of browsers used in our company is IE, I have a problem...

I tried defining the font in the individual rule sets, since the * { font: ...} rule doesn't seem to work at all.

No change.

I put the font definition in the body { ... } rule, and still, no effect.

At this point, I now thought of doing one thing: search the web. Search the web for similar issues and of course, the possible solution to my problem.

Found one article that mentioned the problem to be related to some server issues, and also on the folder/directory that keeps the stylesheet file. Spaces must be replaced with underscore (_).

Well, mine is having an underscore (\App_Code\), so I ruled it out.

I stopped for a while, and tried to think some more...

Then, out of a wild guess, I thought of moving the stylesheet file out of \App_Code\ folder, and back into the main folder.

Did that work?

Yes, it did!

So it wasn't the folder having spaces, and it wasn't the server behaving erratically, but simply, and I confess I don't know why (I don't understand it), the problem was simply due to where the stylesheet file was located.

So a few more code corrections, putting back all those definitions [ * { font: ... } ], and making sure all sections work, I published my modified web apps.

Hopefully it is much faster now.

Till then!

02 December, 2011

The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client; ORA-03134

Image via Wikipedia02-Dec-2011

One of the final touches that I had to do on the new refurbished PC that I got is to make it into a local web server, an intranet application per se. And having found that in Windows 7, the way to go is publishing by a compiled site, I did just that.

I am one who would tend to make use of the different technologies and methodologies, just to be able to familiarize and not be tied to one; it’s for the good: when that singular method you lean on breaks, your whole system breaks, so having many sticks to lean on, you still are lifted up by the many others that remain standing and strong – when one breaks or falters.

Here’s what happened:

I copied over the codes, built the solution, and then published it. Since this is the second time around, I was going through all these things, including the creation of the folder, a breeze.

When I accessed the service from another PC, well, I got a 404 error.

I went to the IIS manager, and ticked all the services and features that I think are needed; of course, I haven’t memorized these sets, so I referenced the other PC that is already running the same web application.

That wasn’t enough. I still get a 404 error.

I remembered other things needed, so I didn’t hesitate downloading Web Platform Installer, where some other small, small services or features, not to mention some other service packs or applications, are offered.

I did that, and when the installation was finished, I did a reboot.

That brought the intranet application up and running!

Well, not all of it.

The section that runs queries using Oledb was okay. The other section that runs queries using Oracle client (ODP.NET) wasn’t. I got this error message:

“The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client”

Of course, the web being my primary source of information, I immediately launched Maxthon, which I prefer using to IE (a snail browser; Netscape is many times faster than IE), and searched on solutions to this problem at hand.

Again, many, many articles and discussions offered various steps to solve this problem, like copying over some dll files to the folder holding the exe, installing the ‘right’ and ‘compatible’ version of Oracle client, etc., etc. I could say the list is endless. I think I also saw some that suggested checking on the Oracle home definition, in various way and means, which I did by invoking Home Selector, and finally, through the registry editor.

And these didn’t help me. My problem isn’t solved. I actually did another comparison technique, that of the working PC and the non-working PC. They are the same.

But taking from some from the whole, I did what I think will help. I reinstalled ODP.NET, of course the version I am using is the same all over the computers that I manage. So there is no question of introducing an ‘incompatible’ or ‘incorrect’ version for this software.

Well, that fixed the problem on the particular section. BUT, it broke a number of other applications!
In particular, I got this error:ORA-03134. This is something about a newer Oracle client version accessing an older Oracle server version.

I’ve been through this one, but I don’t remember how I fixed it! My gracious me…

But I thought, since I fixed one by reinstalling, why don’t I do the same with this other?

And I did just that, reinstalling Oracle 9i client – which fixed ORA-03134.

I did a reboot, and after confirming that all the sections of my just-released web application are working, I retired – for the day.

Here’s a summary of what I was doing, what happened, and how problems are fixed, so far:

Publish an intranet application on a local desktop PC running in Windows 7
Copy the codes from another PC (already running the same web apps).
Created the folders in the Program Files directory for the web apps destination.
Built, and published to local folder (through compiled site method).
Opened IIS manager (inetmgr), then added in the Virtual Directory (PC_Name >Sites > Default Web Site right click, then select Add Virtual Directory).
Once the Virtual Directory is added, I right click on it, and then selected Convert to Application.
That’s when error 404 was thrown out.
Turned on additional windows features on IIS. Still got 404.
Installed Web Platform Installer, followed by installing the service pack, and some auxiliary services and features.
Reboot, and that’s when Web Apps was brought up, but section using Oracle client wasn’t working, with this error message: The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client.
Reinstalled ODP.NET (the version I am using is ODT with ODAC 11.2.0.2.1)
Fixed section using Oracle client for oracle connection, but created a problem for the others, specifically Oracle 9i client, with this error message: ORA-03134.
Reinstalled Oracle 9i.
The other programs were okay, and every section of the web apps works.
Reboot, and crossed my fingers while waiting for the machine to come back up.
A final check and review, and everything were working fine.
And so I retired for the day, tired, but happy.

Till then!

01 December, 2011

Can't play streaming radio: fixed!

Windows Media Player 11 running in mini mode(i...

Image via Wikipedia 01-Dec-2011

This is from the home front.

When I did a trial of AVG PC TuneUp 2011, I was very happy. Little did I know that some effects were undesirable.

My IE9 stopped playing streaming radio.

And I thought it was IE9. When I tried it on Firefox, Maxthon, Safari, Chrome and Flock, the same result I got: the play button on the internet radio just flickered when it quickly sunk on mouse click, then it popped back up right away.

I thought if I clicked many times, it would work… silly me.

This went on for days.

I searched the web.

Some forums or articles led me to checking Windows Media Player setting. And I found that there is no value in the Streaming proxy settings (Organize > Options > Network). What’s more, the Configure button is grayed out.

I searched and surfed, and here’s what I found as suggested actions:

Make Firefox the default browser, or vice-versa.
Reinstall IE ( or whatever is your favorite browser).
And many other various tips and tricks, so they say.

Of course, all of them didn’t fix my problem. Until…

A couple of days back, I came across one forum, the discussion of which was a lengthy one, and of course, the usual offerings (as listed above) were thrown to the asker. And almost at the end (which is an indication that the solution was got), one guy told of registering one library:

wmnetmgr.dll

That is, to go to c:\windows\system32 folder, then issue the command in the command prompt:

c:\windows\system32>regsvr32 wmnetmgr.dll

Did that fix my problem?

You bet it did!

And if you are having the same problem, you can try this solution. I bet you will say it is the solution.

Till then!

09 September, 2011

Visual Studio 2010 and Maxthon 3

Sams Teach Yourself ASP.NET Ajax in 24 Hours

I have been following the examples in the book ASP.NET AJAX in 24 hours, and I am doing it in both Visual Studio 2005 and Visual Studio 2010. While the book is targetted for use in VS2005, I did find that there is not much difference in the codes between VS2005 and VS2010, so I was finding the examples working in both IDEs, or rather, the examples are able to function properly regardless of which IDE is used.

Until...

I was coding the simple calculator, which is but 2 textboxes and a label, where the addends and the sum/total are entered/shown.

VS2005 defaults to using IE, and VS2010 uses whatever is the default browser that is set in your system, and it so happened that in the PC I am using at work, it was set to Maxthon (v3).

Somethings don't work properly...

The Ajax functionalities are all working fine with VS2005, but when coded in VS2010, something doesn't work here and there, now and then. It was not the same control, or the same functionality, everytime, from code to code, so for some time, I was baffled.

I was wondering whether it was due to the fact that the book was meant for VS2005, and I am using VS2010. I didn't get this for some time.

Sams Teach Yourself ASP.NET 3.5 in 24 Hours, Complete Starter Kit

Furthermore, when I tried things at home, the behaviour was the same. Of course, my default browser is Maxthon 3, so at least, in this aspect, the results were repeatable.

Then I don't know what I did, what I clicked, but perhaps in desperation, I clicked something, then the very simple Ajax-enabled calculator, which immediately adds up the two numbers (and works even when only 1 number is entered; adds to 0), started working.

Actually, the behaviour was consistent. One label was named A, and the other, B, and if A is not working, exchanging the label IDs will make B not work, and A work.

So finally I discovered what was causing the problem.

Maxthon 3's lightning mode.

I switched the debug tab to retro mode, and things started to work well and properly.

I went back to all the examples, and with each debug run, I switch to retro mode, and IE and Maxthon 3 handled all the Ajax functionalities as if they were one and the same browser.

Microsoft ASP.NET 4 Step by Step (Step by Step (Microsoft))

And if you are encountering the same issue with Visual Studio 2010 and Maxthon 3, this could be the same rootcause - and solution.

Drop me a note if this post has been of help to you.

Till then. Happy Ajax-ing!

18 July, 2011

Hijacked proxy

Image via WikipediaWhile I was having the ODP.NET and VS2010 installation issues at work, I experienced some problem with my internet explorer at home. I cannot connect to any website.

The behaviour is the same with Firefox, Flock 3x, and Maxthon.

The only exception is flock 2.xxx. This is what I used to troubleshoot the problem.

It was also a long and arduous troubleshooting scheme, making much use of web articles and downloadable fixes. But I did find some help that really helped me.

Malwarebyte's antimalware
SuperAntiSpyware

These are the 2 applications that helped me clean up my infected laptop. Why infected? My wife was asking why there suddenly is a song being played, and it is in Spanish.

I also did notice that when I am rebooting the machine, I would get a flash of ads - every time.

SUPERAntiSpyware Professional Edition 4.50 2-user License Lifetime Subscription

But I didn't know that it was that bad. To me, I deemed it something intermittent, for why would I be able to access internet using Flock 2.xxx version, and not the others?

I also did find HijackThis software, which I run to remove the registry entry of the proxy server, which I don't have, since I am directly connected to the internet. (Hey, this is home network, not office, no).

This is a couple of days only, since I am also quite in a hurry to fix this.

The web that introduced HijackThis software is where I found the inetcpl.cpl procedure that I followed. It is Internet Options in XP, but in Windows 7, you type it is the Start box. It leads you to the IE settings, Connections, LAN Settings, and this is where you untick the 'Use a proxy server..." selection (below), and tick the "Automatically detect settings" selection (above).

So it was a handful of steps that I followed, and it got me back my internet connection:

1. Run Antispyware softwares (Malwarebyte's Antimalware and SUPERAntiSpyware).
2. Run HijackThis, and removed the registry setting that is identified as hijacked proxy.
3. Correct my IE LAN settings.

And with that, all things are back to normal. I should say that it got me worried at the time I was hit, because there were critical updates for Windows that I know are coming, but they fail to be downloaded, so that actually added on to the pressure of me getting back my home internet connection (on my laptop, that is).

Till then!

my Computer Quest

05 July, 2014

Browser Shop in Chrome - Removed!

05 March, 2014

When Top Management Kills the Opportunity for Growth

17 October, 2013

Stylesheet folder or directory - could make or break your web apps

02 December, 2011

The provider is not compatible with the version of Oracle client; ORA-03134

01 December, 2011

Can't play streaming radio: fixed!

09 September, 2011

Visual Studio 2010 and Maxthon 3

18 July, 2011

Hijacked proxy

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