MySQL No data – zero rows fetched : how to code for it

This is really a lesson in responsible/proper coding, but for those newer to MySQL it is something that will probably catch you. Whether you’re using a “select … into …” or a cursor loop, you might encounter this “error”, the solution is quite simple, just click here.

Apply, OK

I find it interesting watching Windows users who click Apply and then OK – every time, especially when the person is an Administrator or Developer. It also makes me wonder if there are applications that, as a result of this habit, actually require you to do that.

My database account keeps getting locked out!

Having problems with a user whose account keeps getting locked out or their password doesn’t work. They swear they aren’t typing it wrong or forgetting it, and that they haven’t given their password out to anyone at any point. Maybe it is a hacker (could be) or maybe they just forgot about a tool they setup. Read here if you need help.

Tails you lose

Lesson: When your kid wants to trade you a quarter because it’s too dirty, just do it. Your kid just might be correct.
Click here to get the whole story.

Kaspersky lets their customers down

We have Kaspersky Internet Security suite on some of our computers at home. It has been really nice, much less intrusive than Norton and McAfee and seemingly out of the way. We’ve not been caught by a virus and have been very happy with it. Unfortunately they just released the new 2013 version and that all changed. Suddenly just logging off your account would take 10-20 seconds and things all around became very slow. Our computer is a 64-bit dual-core 2.61GHz AMD with 4GB memory – plenty of power per their requirements. I even followed the steps they recommend to resolve this (which also lower your security), but it had no impact. I even went a bit beyond that just to see, but no luck. I finally removed it and re-installed the 2012 version and now everything is fine.

It shocks me that a company could produce something that is so degraded (whether knowing it was or not). It reminds of me a product called Word Perfect.

and finally, updates for jdesc.sql …

I have finally made updates to jdesc.sql. These include:

1. Ability to jdesc a table in another schema

2. Shows additional items like clustered, compression, FGAC, etc.

3. Some updates to the readability

Click here to see the new jdesc.sql.

FBI Moneypak Virus fix

A neighbor of mine called last night with a virus on his PC. It was the “FBI Monepak virus”. It presents you with a screen that you cant’ get past and wants you to buy a moneypak card and send them the money (it even uses your webcam to show a picture of you.) With the virus prominently displayed on the screen I could ctl-alt-delete and select Task Manager but it wouldn’t appear (apparently stuck behind the virus screen. All the sites I found suggested booting into “Safe Mode with Networking”, but I found on my neighbor’s that as soon as that logged in the computer would go into a reboot.

This was a pretty good virus. The average person would be lost and off to the shop for an expensive fix.

Here is how I cleaned it up (this is not a detailed step-by-step, reply if you have a question):

1. Power off and restart.
2. Hit F8 until you get the boot screen, and select “Safe mode” (not “with networking”)
3. 2013/05/21: It happened to my neighbor again, only this time the Safe Mode doesn’t work; however, I noticed that there is now an option at that point that says “Repair computer”. Select that and you’ll get an option for “system restore” per step #4.
4. Once in there, go to Start menu and search for “system restore”
5. Open the “restore to earlier time” or “restore system files …” and continue until you get into the restore utility.
6. Select a restore point from well before the virus appeared (I went back about two weeks for my neighbor’s).
7. Restore it (this can take a loooooong time)
8. Once restored, hopefully you’ll be able to login again.
9. At this point, make sure your security software is properly updated (if you don’t have any download Microsoft Security Essentials and update it – it is free and has very good reviews.)
10. Update your security software.
11. Scan your computer (a full scan)
12. Run windows update, preferably run CCleaner too, and I suggest using Spybot – Search and Destroy. (Be careful, some of the download sites have adds with downloads, make sure you are getting the right thing)