OzTechnologies Name Change

June 30th, 2009

After a great deal of pondering I’ve decided to change the OzTechnologies trading name to OzCableguy.com effective from 1/7/09.

The main reason behind the change is I feel that the OzTechnologies name is too generic with over 30 other Australian business with similar names including a couple of direct competitors, so I’m often asked about pickups at our shops in other cities. (We only have the one office in Brisbane that ships Australia wide).

I also find a lot of people don’t realise that the two websites are related.

The OzCableguy name on the other hand is unique, has been around for a lot longer and is much better recognised.

The existing OzTechnologies online shopping website will continue to function for a while yet but eventually will change to redirect to the new location at http://shop.ozcableguy.com.

All other details including our ABN, address and telephone numbers remain unchanged.

Removing “Attach as Adobe PDF” button from Outlook emails

June 17th, 2009

If you use any of the Acrobat Pro applications you may have noticed new emails in Outlook have an annoying “Attach as Adobe PDF” button that just won’t go away. You can untick it via the View > Toolbar option in Outlook but as soon as you close and re-open Outlook, it’s back again.

To fix it, open regedit (Start > run > regedit) and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Office > Outlook > Addins > PDFMOutlook.PDFMOutlook.
Double click on “LoadBehaviour” and change the value to 0. (If you want to bring the button back again you can always change the value back to 3).

Next time you open Outlook it’ll be gone, until you install the next Acrobat update. Then you’ll need to go through this procedure again.

Updating Draytek firmare using the MacOS X or UNIX command line and TFTP

May 20th, 2009

djh kindly sent me the following guide to upgrading firmware on a Draytek router using the tftp method on MacOS X or UNIX. For other (Windows based) methods using the Router Tools CD, FTP, TFTP or the Web GUI see http://www.draytek.com/user/SupportFAQDetail.php?ID=103. The Web GUI will also work on other non-Windows operating systems but if you’ve got a Draytek with corrupt firmware (also known as “bricked” status) where the GUI isn’t available, obviously that won’t be an option. See also this Draytek debricking guide prior to running one of the alternate firmware upgrade methods if you’re having trouble getting it to upload.

Updating Draytek firmare using the MacOS X or UNIX command line and TFTP
————————————————————————

Draytek modems have several methods available to update their firmware.

You can use the Firmware Upgrade Utility under Windows, load it from the
web interface via HTTP, FTP the file to the modem or use the TFTP (Trivial
File Transfer Protocol) service built into the box.

If your modem has been bricked you can’t use FTP or HTTP. If you don’t want
to use Windows or go through the web interface, then this TFTP method is a
viable alternative. Note that unlike a lot of other boxes using TFTP to
load firmware, the Draytek is acting as a TFTP server, the UNIX/MacOS box
as a client and you PUT the file onto the modem. It is normally the other
way around, but that needs some extra setup steps that are conveniently
avoided with this method.

The Steps
———

Firstly you need to obtain the right firmware from the Draytek support
site; you need to know the modem model and the type of WAN interface. For
our Vigor2820Vn using “ADSL over POTS” with “Annexe A” as written on the
packaging label, we needed to download the firmware file
“Vigor2820+V3.3.0.1+AnnexA+211011.zip”.

Once you have downloaded the file you change to the same directory (eg:
/tmp) or folder (eg: Desktop) with the ‘cd’ command and then unpack the
ZIP archive.

On a Mac you can do this in a Terminal application window (to be found in
Applications/Utilities). We’ll use the % prompt for MacOS specific command
lines, the # prompt for UNIX specific command lines and $ where the command
will work on either system. The bits you need to type are in bold.

% cd Desktop
or # cd /tmp
$ ls
Vigor2820+V3.3.0.1+AnnexA+211011.zip
$ unzip Vigor2820+V3.3.0.1+AnnexA+211011.zip
Archive:  Vigor2820+V3.3.0.1+AnnexA+211011.zip
  inflating: v2820_v03301_211011_A.allÂ
  inflating: v2820_v03301_211011_A.rst
$ ls
Vigor2820+V3.3.0.1+AnnexA+211011.zip
v2820_v03301_211011_A.all
v2820_v03301_211011_A.rst
$

The firmware comes in two pieces. Use the .rst version of the file if you
want to change the modem settings back to factory defaults, use the .all
file to keep the current settings (.all may not be a good option if the
modem is bricked).

Secondly you need an ethernet interface on your Mac or UNIX box set to
the subnet 192.168.1.0 (eg: with IP address 192.168.1.2) so that you can
talk to the modem at its default IP address of 192.168.1.1.

Under MacOS X you do this using ‘Network’ which is found in ‘System
Preferences’. Choose to configure TCP/IP data ‘Manually’, set the IP
Address field to 192.168.1.2 and the Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0. The
Router field doesn’t need to be set, but you could use 192.168.1.1.
Nothing is required in the DNS or Search Domains fields.

To set an IP address on a UNIX box use ..

# ifconfig re0 inet 192.168.1.2 netmask 255.255.255.0

where you substitute the name of the interface you are using for “re0″.

Plug an ethernet lead into your UNIX box and into a LAN port on the modem,
we used LAN port 1 on our Vigor2820Vn.

If the modem is up and running (and not bricked), you should now be able
to ping it ..

$ ping 192.168.1.1
PING 192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1): 56 data bytes
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=0 ttl=255 time=0.309 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=0.421 ms
64 bytes from 192.168.1.1: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=0.409 ms
^C
—-192.168.1.1 PING Statistics—-
3 packets transmitted, 3 packets received, 0% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/stddev = 0.309/0.380/0.421/0.050 ms
$

If your modem is really bricked then the ping will only work when the
modem is actually in TFTP upload mode as below. You can ignore this step,
it just demonstrates that the ethernet cable is working.

Now we can upload the firmware. With the modem powered off, press and
hold the factory reset button, then power up the modem. Continue to hold
the button down until ’some’ of the lights flash together. On the Vigor2820Vn
’some’ is the left column of three. On the 2800 and 2910 the left two LEDs
flash.

Release the button and on your UNIX/MacOS box type the following commands
(note that the modem only stays in TFTP mode for a short time, you can
actually type right up to the end of the put command and just press return
when the left-hand modem lights start flashing).

$ tftp 192.168.1.1
tftp> binary
tftp> put v2820_v03301_211011_A.rst
Sent 4973144 bytes in 13.1 seconds
tftp> quit
$

There will be a pause after the ‘put’ command, but your modem ethernet port
light should be flashing madly. The transfer is done when you get the
“Sent” message. Quit the TFTP client and perhaps your Terminal session,
there’s nothing more to see.

What happens next isn’t really documented but we presume that the modem has
to unpack the firmware and load it into flash. On our 2820Vn the column of
3 lights continued to flash, but gradually slowed down, speeded up, then
slowed again. Eventually after a minute or two the modem rebooted in the
normal fashion. Just be patient.

Job done.

djh
18/05/09

McAfee (Snapgear) supported 3G modem list

May 7th, 2009

I received the following information from McAfee regarding 3G modem support on the SG565 and the new SG560U model. This information should shortly make it into a knowledge base article on the McAfee website.

There are two parts to supporting 3G devices:

- the hardware USB dongle you plug in
- the carrier you activate it on

Hardware we know works with SG USB enabled devices, 4.0.2 firmware:

  • Huawei E156, E169, E170, E220, E270
  • Maxon BP3
  • ATT USBConnect Mercury
  • Novatel 760U EVDO
  • Novatel U727
  • Pantech EVDO (Erik E had one of these.)

Devices that we  *think* should work.

  • Most Sierra Wireless devices should work out of the box.

Most carriers will just work. So the list below is by no means exclusive - these are just ones that we know definitely work.

USA

  • Verizon
  • AT&T
  • Sprint

Australia

  • Telstra
  • Virgin
  • Optus
  • vodafone
  • 3

Singapore

  • Star Hub

Brazil

  • tim
  • viva 3G

Bridging a 2Wire Modem

May 4th, 2009

Don forwarded these instructions received from 2Wire Technical Support for bridging a 2Wire modem. (Step 4 was the trick we all missed) -

These directions for enabling bridged mode are to only be used by customers with the prior knowledge that any configuration issues or problems that arise during the use of bridged mode are not supported. 2Wire Technical Support can only support a HomePortal when it is fully functioning as a router.

There is a factory reset on the back of the HomePortal. It is a red dot located between the Ethernet port(s) and the USB port (on some models the USB port is not available). Press and hold the button with a paper clip for 10 seconds. This will reset the HomePortal to factory state. Also, on this particular model, it is required that you reset the HomePortal this way before the bridge mode setup will work. Once you have done this, follow the steps below:

1. Browse to http://gateway.2wire.net/management (10.0.0.138/mdc)
2. Click on Configure under Broadband Link
3. Enter the VPI and VCI that your ISP has given you  (Bigpond VPI = 8, VCI = 35)
4. Click on Disable PVC Search
5. Set Connection Type to Direct IP
6. Click Submit/Save
7. Click on Configure Services under Advanced
8. Uncheck Enable Routing
9. Click Submit

To disable bridge mode simply reset the Homeportal back to factory and reconfigure with the user identification information provided by your ISP.

Free stuff from Netgear

May 1st, 2009

Netgear have the following freebies available by redemption. Click the banners below for terms and conditions and how to claim.


1. Purchase a Netgear RangeMax Wireless MIMO G Modem Router (DG834PN) and receive a bonus RangeMax Wireless MIMO G USB Adapter (WPN111).
Click here for DG834PN pricing and ordering from OzTechnologies.
Click here for my DG834PN review & feature summary.
Click here for WPN111 specs.Offer open until 31st May 2009.

2. Purchase a Netgear Wireless EVA8000 Media Player and receive a Powerline 85Mbps Bundle (XETB1001) via redemption from the 1st April until 28th June 2009.
Click here for EVA8000 pricing and ordering from OzTechnologies.
Click here for XETB1001 specs.

Snapgear is now McAfee

April 29th, 2009

This week we finally see the logo change from Snapgear to McAfee following McAfee’s acquisition of Secure Computing late last year. Support contacts and hardware product specifications remain unchanged apart from a new model called the SG310 to replace the popular SG300 but there are some new product codes and changes amongst the extended warranty & support + content filtering subscription options.

Possibly the biggest news is a massive price drop in both the SG580 & SG720 models and a new model called the SG560U coming out in the next few weeks with a USB port reported to have the same capabilities as the USB ports on the SG565. This will include support for many USB ADSL modems, hard drives, printers and now also with 3G modem support (although a list of supported modems is yet to be published).

Update:  Correction on the SG560U USB port. Apparently it will only do web caching (for the Squid Proxy) and 3G. No Printer and Hard Drive file sharing.

Support & warranty options: Each router comes with 12 months support and advanced replacement warranty included. This can be extended with the purchase of “1yr Gold Software Support & RMA Hardware Support extension” renewable up to 5 years. For pricing and ordering, type the router name into the search box at OzTechnologies.

Web Filtering Subscription: 12 month web filtering subscriptions (Webwasher) are available for each product. Click here for more information or punch the router name into the search box at OzTechnologies for pricing.

TrustedSource subscription: Enhanced security. Click here for more information or type the router name into the search box at OzTechnologies for pricing or to order.

McAfee UTM Firewall Control Center (Ughh… American spelling): Central management for multiple routers. Licenses are available for 25, 250, 750 or unlimited appliances with optional annual support renewals termed “1yr Gold Software Support extension”.
Click here for more information (PDF).
Click here for pricing from OzTechnologies.

Replacement Power Supplies are also available. Click here for pricing from OzTechnologies.

Click here for McAfee’s product range overview (PDF) with some great feature comparison tables to make product selection easier.
Click here for the OzCableguy review summaries.
Note: I have updated the product images on the websites to show the new McAfee badged versions but most products purchased at the moment will still be wearing the old Snapgear logos.

SMC Products now available from OzTechnologies

April 15th, 2009

I am proud to announce SMC products are now available from OzTechnologies.com. Check out the range here.

SMC have been around for as long as I can remember but with limited exposure in Australia since the days of the incredibly popular 7004ABR, which at the time offered an almost unheard of feature set for an amazingly low price. SMC continue that tradition today with some great niche products as well as more popular feature sets at very competitive prices.

Check out the OzCableguy review database for feature summaries of the current routers and ADSL modems.

Free Netgear ProSupport XPressHW (PRR0331) Express Warranty with every DGFV338 purchased from OzTechnologies in April.

March 27th, 2009


Buy a Netgear DGFV338 and receive Netgear’s ProSupport XPressHW (PRR0331) Express Warranty free!
To order click here and follow your nose to the checkout. Then once you’ve received your DGFV338 please email us the serial No and allow 7-14 days for the ProSupport pack to get to you.
(Offer valid 1/3/09 - 30/4/09 if purchased from OzTechnologies.com)

Error Message: The Recycle Bin on C:\ Is Corrupt or Invalid.

March 18th, 2009

Another fun XP issue that came up for me recently is the error message in the subject whenever I attempted to delete anything from C:\. Interestingly, deleting anything from D:\ worked fine. Apparently this problem can come up from time to time with partitioned hard drives.

There’s a few possible solutions:

1. The Microsoft Knowledge Base article. This one basically tells you it’s a known bug in the original XP release and was fixed in the latest service pack. There is a hotfix available if you’re unable to install the service pack for whatever reason but the hotfix won’t install if you do have the service packs already installed. No solution is mentioned if you do have Windows XP patched and up to date and still get this error (which is what happened to me) but one thing you can try is to download the full SP3 installation package and re-install SP3.

2. If the Microsoft suggestions above fail, try the patch from Kelly’s Korner. (Go to line 64 and across in the right-hand column download “Replace/Repair the Recycle Bin in Windows XP”. It’s a registry patch that will basically delete and re-create the Recycle Bin. Run it and reboot and you should be laughing.
Sadly I wasn’t quite laughing at this point. I was no longer getting the Recycle Bin corrupted message but instead files were now deleting in full without going to the Recycle Bin so something still wasn’t right.

3. What worked eventually for me was this solution from rossfingal at experts-exchange.com.

Open a command prompt (Start > Run > type cmd >OK)At the prompt type and enter:

rd /s c:\recycled
(This is if your file system is FAT32)
Or:

rd /s c:\recycler
(This is if your file system is NTFS)
Then reboot.

I believe this may possibly do the same thing as the Kellys Korner reg patch but I’ll mention it because it’s something I did just prior to it coming back to life again for me. (Bear in mind this command deletes the Recycle Bin so that Windows is forced to create a new one automagically).

The other thing I did after this was to right click on Recycle Bin, select Properties and go to the Global tab. Un-tick “Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.”
Reboot.
Re-tick “Do not move files to the Recycle Bin. Remove files immediately when deleted.”

4. There’s also several viruses and spyware/adwares out there that can cause this problem as well so run your favourite adware &/or virus remover and try the suggestions above again if you still have no success.