How to fix '32bit only' guest OS issue in VirtualBox

Recently installed on one of my test machines latest version (5.2.20) of VirtualBox and found that it's not possible to install and run properly a 64bit guest OS, the only option was 32bit. The culprit was 'Hyper-V' enabled feature on Windows 8.1 x64 while Intel's VT-x was enabled in BIOS (AMD-v for AMD cpus). So, to remove this '32bit only' restriction, go to 'Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows Features on or off' and uncheck the box in front of 'Hyper-V', click OK and restart the machine. Problem solved

Recently started to play Eve Online and already regret for that

Just a couple of random links:
The Real Reasons Player Population Is Declining
Eve Online Steam Charts
Bots Are Threatening Eve Online's Economy And Players Are Fed Up

Add to the equation too much clutter in the interface and that most of "successful" players are in fact already in large in-game groups where they multi-account and stay only for selling in-game currency ISK/PLEX/goods for real money gave me a big smile on my face :) This game called "Space simulator" is dead. DEAD.

Fixing the annoying mouse wheel is easy

There are three ways to fix it when we are talking about rotary encoder based wheels:

1. First way and the easiest one is to squeeze gently the housing of the encoder with small straight pliers. This increases the pressure between metal teeth and the internal spring which brings better electrical contact
2. Second way is to open it and clean the teeth so they have better contact. After closing the housing it will be also good to squeeze it for better contact
3. Third way and technically harder is to desolder the encoder and change it

Simple way to setup a real-time file synchronization between two or more Windows PCs in a local network

In this post I'll go directly to the steps needed to achieve some acceptable real-time file synchronization between two or more computers in a local network:

1. First find a good cat.5 or cat.6 cable(s), especially those that are shielded (including the connector), 1Gbit switch (or use a router with 1Gbit switch). 1Gbit because of the speed you will need if files are a lot and bigger (for example over 1GB). In the case you have only two PCs with free NIC ports, you can directly plug the both ends of the cable in the ports. Standard says that 1Gbit NICs can work with straight cable, but some can't detect it (ie 10/100Mbit NICs) so you will need a crosswired cable

2. If both PCs are directly connected with a cable, you must set their IP addresses/mask/gateways as following:
PC1 IP address: 192.168.XXX.2
PC1 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
PC1 Gateway: 192.168.1.3

PC2 IP address: 192.168.XXX.3
PC2 Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
PC2 Gateway: 192.168.XXX.2

Make sure those addresses to be different from those used for the Internet connection!

3. If you are using a router or the machines are already in a local network, just make their addresses STATIC and DIFFERENT than those already assigned to their NICs. Wi-Fi local networks or a hybrid ones (wired and wireless computers in one local network) computers also won't have a problem to be used for real-time file sync but this type of connecton has drawbacks like lower throughput (low download/upload speeds) and sometimes the routers must be configured to not isolate Wi-Fi network from the wired

4. Share your drives (or folders) and to have full permissions (not asking for username or password and have full control for 'Everyone').

5. Set the sharing options (go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Network and Sharing Center\Advanced sharing settings):

6. Install this tool - DSynchronize and configure it like this (you can put a lot more shared PC drives/directories in left and right panes, just remember to put them in a different job ... everything depends on your own needs):

7. And if everything is ok you will have a brand new near* real-time file synchronization between two or more

* I said near because there is some seconds noticeable pause, you can count exactly how much if you wait for 'ding' sound of the program

8. To be sure you have a good network capable of high speeds, it is a good idea to measure throughput between nodes/computers of your local network with tools like iperf3. There are enough tutorials about that, on one of the computers you must start iperf in server mode, and on the others you start it as a client

GDPR my ass, fix your products first

Some examples:

1. Last ~10 versions me and some folks have a problem with Google Chrome staying logged in. Every time we close the browser and open it we must login again so at least we are in sync with bookmarks or site passwords
2. Sometimes you cannot disable Autoplay on YouTube ...
3. Most of the sites shoots you in the face with cookies policy, "You should disable AdBlock to continue" rant, awkward interfaces and more shit while they forget they need to optimize to lower that annoyingly high CPU load
4. Facebook - a whole other story, sometimes I think they must just close their doors (around 5000 LoC when entering Home page, rly?)

Don't talk about some rights while you already track everyone through different channels, just fix your products

Quality of products #2 - AMD drivers

AMD and their never-ending story of badly written drivers ...

Writing this means I'm in a 20min session of trying to deinstall them and put older version because they don't allow me to set the refresh rate above 60Hz on Dell P1130, a CRT manufactured in 2003 (yes, those monitors are fully compatible with modern videocards). Seems AMD never will fix those refresh rate problems while NVIDIA (speaking from my experience, had 2-3 times the same problem  but generally they are ok) always worked. The driver version is 18.4.1, videocard is AMD R7 360, operating system is Windows 7 x64, and yes - I have a laptop with AMD HD7670M which allows me to set 120Hz without a problem

Quality of products #1 - Zalman coolers

Just installed a brand new Zalman's CNPS10X Optima on AsRock X79 Extreme9 motherboard and noticed two things:
1. While tightening the 4 main bolts of the cooler, and (very plausible) due to poor finishing and maybe bad design, there's a very high chance the user to create filings by the friction between the bolts and Intel clips (filings are barely visible with naked eye) that can SHORT-CIRCUIT the motherboard or other components during power on or working state!!! I was lucky to saw that before powering on the machine and to have a small magnet to collect them (I hope all of ...)
2. It's not possible to use closest to the cpu socket RAM slots (this particular motherboard has 8 slots) due to the cooler's inadequate design. They gave requirement that modules should be no taller than 44mm (mine are ~34mm with original RAM sinks, and can hit the cooler or its clips), while in fact the two possible positions of the cooler blocks modules with the cooler (especially if you lower it like in the user's manual recommendation to put some airflow and under the fins) or with fan fixing clips.

Great product, Zalman!

BAN all cheating Russians

If you have admin rights for a game server or a hosting a game which offers checking player's nationality with high accuracy - BAN all cheating russians. Two days ago finished my research how many of them must be banned, and the numbers (sorry, details are not available due to the techniques used in the research) are around 95% from all gathered player accounts. They feed, they spam in chat, they use exploits found in the games, they use all types to break the system. Just ban them. Thank me later