Category: Advanced

Firefox has detected that the server is redirecting the request (WordPress)

PCRepairMan

Seems many people are getting the WordPress error “Firefox has detected that the server is redirecting the request for this address in a way that will never complete”

This is an error that is often difficult to track down so I’ve created this article to offer some suggestions.

 

Server redirecting request via htaccess

First off, this happens mostly when you are altering the way that the domain resolves.  By this I mean, if you want your domain to be

www.pcrepairmansblog.com

and people type in

pcrepairmansblog.com

then you need a redirect to the www version.  In actual fact, this is a good SEO technique but I’ll not go into detail here.

How do you redirect them to the www version? Well, I do this by creating an htaccess rule but the problem is that WordPress can often install using the non www link, especially with Fantastico’s defaults.

To check what you have, go to your WordPress admin back-end and look in the Settings -> General page.  Check that both the WordPress address and Site address are set to the same as your htaccess rules. If not, htaccess tells the visitor to go to the www version and WordPress says ‘No, go back to the non-www version’. This causes a loop and the Firefox error above.

I recently saw a client who did a fresh WordPress install and then he added the ‘Custom coming soon page’ plugin. Immediately afterwards he got the dreaded “Firefox has detected that the server is redirecting the request for this address in a way that will never complete” error.  He couldn’t get into the admin back-end and called me out to resolve it.  I fired up the ftp, renamed the plugin directory thus:

/wp-content/plugins/custom-coming-soon-pagexxx

and managed to login to the wp-admin with a shift-refresh of the browser. This rename effectively disabled the ‘coming soon’ plugin and allowed access again.

If this works for you, please leave a comment.

Cheapest Kaspersky Pure and registration renewal

PCRepairMan

kaspersky-pure-2011-2012-cheapest-renewal-priceKaspersky Pure is a super-solid internet security package. Introduced in 2009, it has rapidly become the de-facto standard that all other packages are judged by. Detection rates are second to none and there is a built in antivirus, antispyware, parental control, firewall, anti-spam, safe run option and many more features.

My little-known method is to purchase an older Kaspersky software version that is fully licensed (from the offers below) but then  download and install the latest Kaspersky Pure Trial from here. It will be a trial version but turns into the full version on activation. To activate, you can simply use the purchased licence key (from an older version) to activate the latest version when you are  prompted. There is absolutely no need to install the older version at all (if you did it would just upgrade to the latest anyway). See here for some live deals on older versions and discounts on new ones too.

I highly recommend this security package over all others, with excellent detection rates and easy installation. PC performance is good post-install, and it runs happily on XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8.

When the licence expires, take a look at this article to see a clever way you can renew for less money:

How to register Kaspersy Pure with a new product key

 

Kaspersky registration upgrade method

Because Kaspersky offers a free upgrade to this version from all previous ones from 2009 onwards, this is a completely legitimate method. Importantly, you will save LOTS of money without needing any underhanded pirate serial codes that only last for a few weeks. With Kaspersky prices being anything up to 85% cheaper in the deals below, it makes serious sense and you get the best security suite currently available.

Note: Please make sure that you purchase the correct licence for the number of computers you are installing Kaspersky on, ie the 3-user licence is for up to 3 separate PCs where the 1-user licence will only allow use on 1 PC. Also check that the product you download and install is the same as the product you have purchased the older version of, eg “Kaspersky Pure” not “Kaspersky Internet Security” or “Kaspersky Antivirus”

Personally, I’d go for the Kaspersky Pure package rather than just the antivirus as there will be a very small difference in cost but there’s a huge amount of extra functionality.

If you do use my method, please either drop a little donation in the tin, ‘Tweet’ or Facebook ‘like’ this article or just give me a link back to help others save some cash!

It’s worth checking out prices in my shop too as we often have great deals on Kasperky Pure in our antivirus store:

Buy discounted antivirus packages now

Do you have Norton products installed instead? If you wish to carry on with those, then be sure to checkout these:

Cheapest Norton Internet Security renewal Cheapest Norton Antivirus renewal Cheapest Norton 360 renewal

Run a disk check from Recovery Console – Windows XP chkdsk

PCRepairMan

Instructions how to run check disk from Windows recovery console (Windows xp).

  • If your PC is a laptop, ensure that your charger remains plugged in for the duration of this process
  • With your PC powered up, insert the Windows XP installation or recovery CD-ROM into the drive, and then restart the computer.
    Note: Cancel any messages or boxes that come up in Windows when the CD is inserted.
  • When you see “Welcome to Setup”, press R to start the Recovery Console.
  • Type in your administrator password and press Enter when prompted. If the administrator password is blank (many are) then just press ENTER.
  • At the recovery console command prompt type in:
    chkdsk /r
  • Press Enter
  • Do not interrupt this process and allow up to 2 hours for it to complete (although most PCs will be quicker than this)

 

Windows XP Recovery Console chkdsk command explained

So what does chkdsk actually do?  Well it checks your internal hard drive for errors.  These errors can stop your operating system (Windows) from starting or allow it to start but then crash shortly afterwards when it hits a bad area of the drive.

Here are a few of the ‘switches’ that can be used with chkdsk

   /F         Automatically fixes file system errors

   /X         Fixes file system errors on the disk but dismounts the volume first

   /R         Looks for and attempts to recover bad sectors

   /V         Displays the name and path every file on the disk 

   /L:size    FOR NTFS ONLY - Changes the log file size to a specified number of kb

   /C         Skips directory corruption checks 

   /I         Skips any corruption checks which compare directory entries to the
              FRS (file record segment) in the volume's MFT (master file table)

This is a verbose explanation but generally, in my experience, it is sufficient for most PC drive problems to run a chkdsk /r and this can be easily done from the recovery console if you have the XP CD ROM.

Dell Inspiron and Dimension – access the recovery partition

PCRepairMan

Many emails about how to access the recovery partition on Dell Inspiron and Dimension PCs.  I have noticed that Dell don’t give this information unless you pay for their premium tech support so here we go, hope this helps a few people…..

Most PCs I have tested can do this method providing the hard drive has not been changed and the original recovery image – hidden by default – is intact. I have used this method on PCs as old as 2003 but older ones may work too.

Note: This process is destructive to your data. Ensure you have all you need backed up like serial numbers for software (Office etc), address books, emails, photos and documents.

  • Power the computer on
  • When the Dell logo appears, press and hold the left <Ctrl> key then press the <F11> key
  • Release them both at the same time
  • The Dell Restore by Symantec window should now appear. If you get a keyboard error then restart the PC and try again. Note, if the PC is in the process of booting it is important that you wait for the boot to finish before shutting down or you risk adding corruption onto the hard disk drive.
  • Click the Restore button or use the <Tab> key to highlight the button and press the enter key.
  • A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost. It will be!
  • Click the Confirm button or press the <Tab> key to highlight the button and press the enter key.
  • The Progress window appears.  This can take up to 40 minutes to complete.
  • After a successful restore,  a message stating The system recovery process was successful appears.
  • Click on the Finish button or press the <Tab> key to highlight the button, then press the <Enter> key.

The computer restarts and your software should be as it was when you first received your computer.  Spend a bit of time uninstalling all of the 30-day trial rubbish and uninstall any security suite that was offered at the time as it will be old and superceded. Make sure you update the system to the latest service packs and security updates using Windows Update.  Install a decent antivirus and the best antispyware and your system will be as good as new. Or better!

 

Restore Acer laptops and desktops from the recovery partition

PCRepairMan

acer-laptop-discount-prices-onlineThe following is my procedure for restoring Acer laptops and desktops to factory settings. You will need to ensure that laptops are plugged in at the mains charger as this is critical.

  1. First off, locate the Alt key to the left of the space bar, and the F10 key on the top row of keys.
  2. Power the computer on and wait for the Acer logo to appear (the splash screen).
  3. Hold the  Alt and F10 keys down together when you see the logo.
    It should load the Windows logo then state “Please wait a moment…..” with the Acer logo showing.
  4. At the “eRecovery Management” menu it will ask you how you wish to restore.
  5. Click on the restore option you would like to use, bearing in mind that restoring the C partition means you will lose all files not backed up.
  6. When prompted for the password use one you created. If you didn’t create one then use 1234
  7. Allow the recovery to finish and it will automatically restart the computer

How to Recover your Acer system from within Windows

  1. Click on Start, All Programs, Acer Empowering Technology.
  2. Click on Acer eRecovery Management.
  3. If prompted to create a password, create the password and set your password hint
    Don’t lose this password!
  4. When the Acer eRecovery Management loads click the button labeled “Restore”.
  5. Click on “Restore system to factory default”.
  6. The unit will restart and start the restore.
    It should state “Please wait a moment…” with the Acer logo in the upper left hand corner.
  7. At the eRecovery Management menu it will ask you how you wish to restore.
    Click on the restore option you would like to use.

How to Make Recovery DVDs

These are really useful if ever your hard drive dies. The reason is that the recovery image is stored on the hard drive itself and as such will “die” with it. Replacing your hard drive means that you will need to get an image from somewhere if you don’t have these discs, eg reinstall using a fresh copy of Windows and then install and update all the drivers on your pc, not easy for beginners

  1. Click on Start, All Programs, Acer Empowering Technology.
  2. Click on Acer eRecovery Management.
  3. If prompted, create a password and password hint.
    Don’t lose this password!.
  4. When the Acer eRecovery Management loads, click the button labeled “Burn Disc”.
  5. Click “Create Factory default disc”.
  6. Follow the instructions and put in the required Blank DVD or Blank CD media to make a set of Recovery Media Discs. Bear in mind that you will need about 3 DVDs but more like 17 CDs!

Register Kaspersky Pure or Internet Security with a new key

PCRepairMan

kaspersky-pure-2011-2012-cheapest-renewal-priceHere’s my method for registering a new product key within Kaspersky Pure, Internet Security or Antivirus. Using this method you can legitimately use a licence that you own to add extra licence time onto an already installed Kaspersky product. This is great when it comes to renewal time and you want to use a licence that you purchased at a rock bottom price (see my Cheapest Kaspersky Internet Security Licence article)

  • First off, check you are using the correct licence for the number of computers, ie the 3-user licence is for up to 3 separate PCs where the 1-user licence literally allows use on 1 PC only
  • Double click the Kaspersky icon in the system tray (bottom right of screen).  If this is not visible use the arrow to the left of the icons to expand the menu and select it.
  • In the main Kaspersky Window, click on “Licence expired” (NOT “Renew licence”). If you are renewing before expiry then you should click on “Licence X days remaining” in the bottom right corner
  • Click “Activate the application with a new licence”
  • Type in your code that came with the product you bought. On CD versions this is either on the CD itself or printed on the inside paper sleeve.  Click on Next
  • Fill in the email address and country (optional, we don’t do this) and click Next
  • The Kaspersky software will connect to the activation servers and you are now registered for another 12 months!

Register Kaspersky Pure or Internet Security with the cheapest licence key?

Want to know where to get the cheapest licence keys and renewals? No worries, read how to get the cheapest Kaspersky Internet Security or Kaspersky Pure and use my method to register the latest full product absolutely free!

Cheapest Kaspersky Internet Security renewal

PCRepairMan

Many people are looking for the cheapest renewal price for Kaspersky Internet Security. This product is their flagship one along with “Kaspersky Pure“, having antivirus, firewall, antispyware, parental control, anti-spam, safe run and much more.

The PCRepairMan rates this as the best protection security package currently available, with fantastic detection rates and top stability.  Performance is very good and Windows 7 compatibility is seamless.

kaspersky internet security discountBecause it is a fully fledged Internet Security package, Kaspersky charge quite a premium for purchase and renewal. My little-known method is to purchase an older Kaspersky software version that is fully licensed (look at the selection below) but download and install the latest version from here. It’s a trial version but becomes full on activation.  Then, simply use the purchased licence key (from the old version) to activate the latest version when prompted – no need to install the old version at all!

I have written full instructions for what to do at renewal time too (12 months later) which you can read here:

How to register Kaspersy Internet Security with a new product key

Kaspersky free upgrade registration method

Because Kaspersky offers a free upgrade to this version from all previous ones from 2009 onwards, this is a completely legitimate method.  Importantly, you will save LOTS of money without needing any underhanded pirate serial codes that only last for a few weeks.  With Kaspersky prices being anything up to 85% cheaper in the deals below, it makes serious sense and you get the best security suite currently available.

CAVEAT – Check that you purchase the correct licence for the number of computers you are installing on, ie the 3-user licence is for up to 3 separate PCs where the 1-user licence will only allow use on 1 PC. Also check that the product you download is the same as the product you have purchased the older version of, eg “Kaspersky Internet Security” not “Kaspersky Pure” or “Kaspersky Antivirus”

Personally, I’d go for the internet security package rather than just the antivirus as there will be a very small difference in cost but there’s a huge amount of extra functionality.

If you do use my method, please either drop a little donation in the tin, ‘Tweet’ or Facebook ‘like’ this article or just give me a link back to help others save some cash!

I sell hugely discounted antivirus packages in my software store that can be used with this method:

Buy discounted packages now

 

Click here for similar deals on Kaspersky Pure

Got Norton products instead? Checkout these:

Cheapest Norton Internet Security renewal or Cheapest Norton Antivirus renewal or Cheapest Norton 360 renewal

AVG upgrade to 2011 gives a frozen desktop with no icons

PCRepairMan

avg-discount-coupon-code-renewal-2017I have seen a frozen desktop and menu immediately after an AVG upgrade to 2011 version on MANY customer PCs and, though it can be relatively straight forward to sort out, you will need to carefully follow my method below to avoid any issues.

First off, if the PC is frozen, make sure there are no lights flashing on the tower denoting that there is hard drive activity.  If you switch off and the drive is being written to you WILL compound the problem by adding bad sectors to the hard drive.

When you are happy the PC is not ‘active’, you can power it off.

PCRepairMan’s top tip

You can power off most PCs and laptops by holding in the ‘Power on’ button for 5 seconds

Right, now we need to restart the computer in Safe Mode. If you are not sure how to do this, check out my article on Starting a Windows PC in Safe Mode

Note: If you are having a blue screen on startup after attempting to install AVG read my article here, this is a different fix required:

AVG blue screen of death on startup after installing 2011 version

Onto the fix for the frozen desktop…..

Once in Safe Mode, we login using an Administrator’s account. This may be yours or another one with Administrator permissions.  We can see a message stating that you can use the PC in Safe Mode or perform a System Restore.  The System Restore is what we need so select this.  Now we’ll restore it to a date before the AVG installation. No matter if you have deleted the old AVG version 8 or 9 install, we can deal with that later. Let the computer restart and your icons should reappear.

There is also an issue where the frozen desktop and missing icons are caused by a hard drive with errors on the surface. These can generally be fixed bya good quality drive scanning and repairing tool such as the one I reviewed here:

HDD Regenerator review

Hope this helps and you should now have a proper desktop with icons again!

 

Copy Horde emails to another server with Horde installed

PCRepairMan

Horde email sync and exportProblem: You have Horde emails stored on one server and wish to copy them to another.  This is often as part of a server upgrade, say from reseller to VPS or Dedicated Server.

You may want to keep the client up and running on the old webmail until they can go live onto the new domain.  I looked into many ways to do this.  First off, exporting the emails via Horde seemed the best option.  Problem is, the reseller account they had kept timing out and there were 1200 emails and attachments totalling 2GB to copy over.  If your setup is smaller, you could try exporting like this:

Copy Horde emails using the MBOX download method

  • Click on Mail (left column)
  • Folders (top bar)
  • Select the folder you wish to export, eg Inbox
  • In the “Choose Action” dropdown menu select “Download”
  • OK the message about it taking time.

You will now have that folder stored on your hard drive to export back to the new Horde installation.

To import simply repeat the above but from the “Choose action” dropdown menu, select Import Messages, then Browse to the folder on your PC and select “Import”. Make sure you have selected the correct target folder first.

Copy emails to Horde using IMAP and fetch mail

You can also try adding the settings for your IMAP server directly into Horde’s ‘Fetch mail’ function.  I find this flaky on many server setups and the import usually does not work on larger mailboxes.

  • Options
  • Fetch Mail
  • Edit your preferences for accessing other mail accounts
  • Create a new account
  • IMAP
  • Fill in your other server’s IMAP details
  • Create

A better way to avoid server limitations

Memory limitations on reseller accounts are a problem.  Copying 1GB of data required much more memory on the last reseller account I had to copy from. Here’s a typical error:

Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 67108864 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 9817178 bytes) in /usr/local/psa/psa-horde/imp/lib/Folder.php on line 600

Now my way of doing this (if you get an error using the folder import or fetch mail methods) is to use a third party app to download emails from one place and upload them to the new place.  I have tried quite a few including the command line IMAPcopy etc but none worked first time every time like this.  What is it I hear you cry….?  Thunderbird!  Yes that’s right. The free and stable Mozilla Thunderbird email client.

How to use Thunderbird to copy email accounts from Horde to Horde

Download and install Thunderbird.  Simply create an IMAP account that links to server 1 (we’ll call it “Source”).  Create another for server 2 (we’ll call it “Destination”).  Test that both accounts function correctly (you can send an email from your own email account to both and watch them appear in Thunderbird).  Allow the emails on server 1 time to fully download and check the total mails against the reported total in Horde.

Then, in the first account (Source), use CTRL-A to select all of the emails in the Inbox folder. Now, holding the CTRL key (so it duplicates not moves!), drag and drop the selected emails to the destination folder (eg Inbox on Destination).  Now you can see the upload of the source files to the destination server.  Done!

Bear in mind this will be restricted by your upload speed, so it could be a couple of hours for a few GB of files and attachments.  Thing is, this works so well you can leave it running overnight if required,  and you also get a bonus working backup of the emails during transfer.  I’m amazed that it needs a solution like this but hey-ho, I’m happy I found a solid solution to a common problem.

Your comments please!

Drupal administrator password recovery

PCRepairMan

Have you lost your Drupal administrator password? Drupal admin password recovery is not elegant but it can be done.  First off, we’ll presume you have access to the MySQL database from your hosting control panel. Well you should have unless you’re trying to hack in some other way.

Fire up PHPMyAdmin and execute this little gem of a MySQL statement:

UPDATE users SET pass = md5(‘abc123’) WHERE uid = 1;

In the code above, replace abc123 with your desired password.  Make sure it contains at least one uppercase character and a non alphabetical character like a speech or exclamation mark.  Drupal is happier when you do this.

So what is this code doing?  Well it converts your chosen password into and MD5 hash.  This basically means it encrypts the password within the database.  Since it is a one-way conversion, we can’t re-engineer the MD5 hash to get your old password out.  There’s no point anyway as you can choose what you want to put in there.

Note: If you are running an older version of Drupal, you might need to run this code:

UPDATE users SET password = md5(‘abc123’) WHERE uid = 1;

I haven’t got an old version to test this on but I understand this works well.  If you’re running a version that old, please consider updating it, there are quite a few vulnerabilities (read hacks, cracks and exploits)  in the ancient Drupal installs.

Once you have done this, login and change your admin name to another name (eg Admin777) to give yourself a bit more security, having the default admin username is really not good practice.

All the above password resetting is not required if you have got access to the original email address used for the admin account.  If this is the case, login at www.domainname.com/user enter your email address and request a new password.  This will be sent to the email address you give if it matches any account on the database.

Don’t forget to leave me a comment (or a coffee) below if this has helped you!