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The Windows Death command – Kill a Windows PC

Sometimes in the IT world you just need to let off some steam – sometimes a pile of old PC’s through in the PC ‘Graveyard’ are a fun way to do so.


Kill a Widows PC

Often we will play with various ways to kill off old PC’s before they are then securely wiped and recycled, and this command we are about to go into is one of the basics.

del /S /F /Q /A:S C:\windows

Thats it.

Yes it really is that easy to kill a windows PC!

Lets go through it and some of the pitfalls you may find.

del – This is the windows command to delete an object, pretty self explanatory
/S – Deletes specified files from the current directory and all subdirectories. Displays the names of the files as they are being deleted.
/F – Forces deletion of read-only files.
/Q – Specifies quiet mode. You are not prompted for delete confirmation.
/A:S – Deletes files based on the following file attributes, in this case: s = System files
C:\windows – The destination we are deleting.

Why does this work? – Well most people reading this know already, but if you didn’t – the Windows folder simply put is the heart of the Windows operating system. Killing it will stop the OS from booting.

Most users readers will be asking “Why put the C:\Windows” at the end of the script, should it no logically be put in front of the other switches? Well this is to do with personal preference really, and to do with the fact that it is convinient to then go about and delete more contect using the same script, by hitting up arrow, then simply backspacing and changing your destination. Lazy much? You bet you!

Bonus post of to Kill a Windows PC and to make this more effective coming next week – little hint:
takeown /f C:\Windows /r /d y

p.s. This is for information only – be responsible!

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Can’t use browser – Jump to URL (hh h)

Ever been stuck with a web browser so full of toolbars or extensions that its almost impossible to do anything? Is your browser unresponsive or you are unable to use the internet?
Then you need to deploy the Windows hidden Cutdown browser:

Here is how to access the web when you can’t use browser.

Simply use the following hotkeys Win+R  to open the Run box, then type “hh h” and hit enter
Cutdown web browser HH H useful can't use browser

This will bring up the ‘HTML Help’ documentation window,can't use browser

Right Click and select ‘Jump to URL’
Cutdown web browser HH H

Enter URL of site you need, in this case a copy of RKILL to help get pc back into shape,
Cutdown web browser HH H

See our List of top free products to recover your PC from a virus for more info.

 

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Resolve Logmein Error 4320 (Method 2)

 

 

 

Another way to resolve Logmein Error 4320 

As discussed in my previous article on this logmein issue, this error code is most commonly found in a domain environment, or where there may be some form of user lockdown, and may even occur on a multi user non domain PC.

Basically, it is meant to protect the users PC from being accessed by someone other than the logged in user who installed logmein in the first place.

  1. First off, lets open up the logmein Control Panel (Right-Click on the logmein icon in the taskbar, or open from the start menu)
    Add users logmin
  2. Next we are going to select ‘Options’
    Add users logmin
  3. Then ‘Preferences’
    logmein properties
  4. Select the ‘Security tab’
    logmein properties
  5. Click on ‘Show Details’
    Error 4320
  6. Click on  Browse and select the correct user you want to add to allow access to the PC. You can choose from a list either by selecting the local PC name, or if you are on a domain, then the domain name that the PC is registered with.
    Logmein Error 4320
  7. Click OK to close all windows, Turn off Logmein then turn it back on,
  8. You are good to go!

 

Preventative measures could be taken however, When installing logmein, if you do so whilst logged in as a local admin for the PC, this seems to resolve the issue. Please note, this is only for the LOCAL admin for the PC, a domain admin account will most likely not work, and provide the same Logmein error 4320 as discussed above.

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Resize VHD / Shrink Virtual xp Disk

So you still have something running on that Virtual XP machine silently consuming space on your HDD?
Finally decided that you need to resize VHD disks to free up wasted storage? Here is how;
Run out of space HDD

1) Turn off your VHD or close any programs that may be running  (status should be Powered down)
resize vhd for windows xp mode

2) In the Virtual Machines manager, right-click and select settings

4) Select the HDD you want to shrink and click ‘Modify’
modifying to resize vhd for windows xp mode

5) Then select ‘Compact disk’ and wait.
compacting windows xpo mode vhd disk

This process will assess how much space is currently being used, and the, remove the rest leaving 10-20% headroom for growth of the disk. It can take up to 30+ mins to complete this process, so be patient! By using this simple tool, you can shave a good 60+GB of wasted space into freely usable storage.

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Resolve Logmein Error 4320 (Method 1)

How to resolve Logmein Error 4320 

Whilst setting up logmein for remote access in a pretty locked down domain environment, I have noticed that quite frequently we would get an ‘admin error 4320’ on the remote users PC.

Now the official logmein site would suggest adding users within the logmein interface, which we will cover in ‘Method 2’ however I have found a quicker workaround that works 9 out of 10 times is by simply always running the program as administrator.

  1. Place the Logmein icon either on your desktop or navigate to the program folder path usually “C:\Program Files (x86)\LogMeIn Ignition”
  2. Right click on the icon and select ‘Properties
  3. Once in Properties select the ‘Compatibility’ tab at the top
  4. At the bottom under ‘Privilege level’ tick the ‘Run this program as Administrator’ box*.
    How do I resolve Error 4320
  5. If you have more than 1 user on the PC, select ‘Change settings for all users’
  6. Again tick the ‘Run this program as Administrator’ box
    Logmein Error 4320
  7. OK out of both windows, If logmein is running. Close it again and re-open it, now using an Administrative logon.

Your Logmein error 4320 should now be resolved. if not see the link below

Logmein Error 4320 Method 2

*If the ‘Privilege level’ box is greyed out, be sure that you are logged on as an administrative user, or log off and back on as one in order to continue.