Windows Live Messenger in x64 WinXP

For more than a month my Windows Live Messenger BETA refused to function properly.
It pops up an error message telling that it can't connect then closed automatically with error report.
I didn't pay much attention on it until I really need to use it.
There's an easy way to solve this, which is only to delete folders with random numbers,
under Application Data\Microsoft\MSN Messenger (or Windows Messenger),
or under Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows Live Contacts.
Just soon after trying to delete a few folders with the oldest date,
my WLM functions normally like it was before.

Since I've been using this BETA version in my 64-bit environment for over a year,
guess there's a more updated version to grab for from WLM.
However, it ended up with this:



As far as I remember there was no problem while installing WLM 2009 Beta in Win XP x64.
Seems that they didn't like x64 geeks to chat with each other.
There's one of the ways to have it done:
Windows Live Messenger 2009 on Windows XP 64bit

But I'll stick with the Beta one since it's functioning well now.

FUELLY - Share Your Fuel Economy

Since the purchasing of my 2nd car Proton New Saga, I came across a fine website to record(manually, of course), to calculate & to share your fuel expenses & mileage.



One has to add a car to start tracking & building the statistics for fuel economy.
Since I joined in December 2008, there is no option for Proton cars to choose from.
I e-mailed to ask the website builder if they could kindly add options for Proton cars, with no respond, for months.

This disappointed me.

There are lots of such websites around the internet, like Your MPG, maintaining by US government, could be an alternative.

But I just love at my 1st sight. XD

So I re-e-mailed them and got quick respond from Paul:
"Thanks for the suggestion. I just added Proton to the system."

Not only that, he added "Saga" in the Proton model.
Proton owners would be thankful to him.

So I'm going to start my fuel economy statistics.
Here show you my fuelly badge:

Get Stucked By User Profile Service In Vista

Scenario
After keying-in password and hitting enter on the Windows Vista logon screen, error message "The User Profile Service service failed the logon. User profile cannot be loaded." pops up, followed by automatic logging off.

Background
One of my housemates took out the fully-charged battery from his newly bought laptop, and using the AC-adapter as the sole power input. He switched off the AC power supply after turning the laptop into Sleep mode.

Problem-solving
Dell Solution Network: Knowledge Base Article
The User Profile Service Failed the Logon Error Occurs When Logging Into Vista
In this scenario, "Delete the Corrupted SID Within the Registry" on the official solution does not help at all, as logging in is prohibited by the automatic logging off after the error message.
So I restarted the system, pressed F8 during startup until I got into the Startup menu. I chose the 1st option, Repair Computer, followed by Restore the System. It just simply works!

Discussion
The major cause could be due to user SID or user profile not being properly saved into hard disk.
"Sleep" is totally different from "Hibernate".
During Sleep mode, data is temporary stored into RAM that is maintained by power supply; while in Hibernate mode, data is physically written into hard disk.

Conclusion
Thus it is advisable not to bother the battery while using laptop, unless you really want to elongate the life span of the laptop battery, and that you have UPS with you.

The Little Nyonya

This Singaporean TV drama suddenly came out my mind.

It's nostalgic, which represents the life of local Peranakan.



Just can't wait to watch the colourful Nyonya blouse waves, like the different cheong-san dress showing in "In The Mood For Love" (花样年华).

Don't know "Baba" (not "Alibaba"), "Nyonya" or "Peranakan"?
More trivia on The Little Nyonya's official website.

You've to install Microsoft Silverlight 2.0 (4MB+) in order to watch the videos.

Great Promo From TM

I heard this for several days until now I have time to take a look on it, and it seems to be a damn good deal, for as low as RM10 monthly you can have unlimited nation-wide calls & a free cordless phone.

I'm going to get it, and you?