Activate System Restore from Command Prompt

There might be instances where you are unable to access the Windows XP GUI safe mode due to some corruption. You may want to use Windows System Restore to restore to a previous backup, but you're only able to access Windows XP Safe Mode Command Prompt.

You can actually activate the System Restore using this mode. Just do the following:

1. Log on to the "Safe Mode with a command prompt" option using an administrator account
2. Type cd %systemroot%\system32\restore
3. Type rstrui

That's it. This command will trigger the system restore from the command line.

How to Apply Rights Issue Using ATM

Just recently I had the chance to apply for Rights Issue using the ATM (DBS) so I thought it would be good to note down that it's actually quite an easy process.

In your rights offer document, there will be a page stating which ATMs you can use to apply for the rights units. If it is not stated, that means the only way to apply is through the banker's draft/cashier's order.

You will just need to take note of the following 3 things before going to the ATM, other than knowing which rights issue are you applying for:

1. How many rights units are you entitled to
2. How many excess rights units are you going to apply for
3. What is your CDP No (optional)

Note that the application for rights issue is only available at the ATM Mon - Sat, up to 9.30pm. I didn't know about that until I tried to access it outside this timing.

The following are some of the steps I recalled at the ATM:

1. Go to the "Other Services", Electronic Shares Application (ESA) section. There should be an option for rights issue.
   Note that you will have to go through several disclaimer screens after that.
   
   
2. Choose the type of bank account you're deducting the cash from.
   
   
3. Choose the rights issue you're subscribing to. The cost of the rights units will be automatically displayed.
   
   
4. Key in the total number of rights units you're entitled to (e.g. 1000).
   Note that this is the total number of units, not board lot.
   
   
5. Key in the number of excess rights units you're subscribing to (e.g. 1000).
   Note that this is the total number of units, not board lot.
   
   
6. At this point, they will show you your NRIC and CDP No, and you can choose to re-key your CDP No. if it is incorrect.
   
   
7. Confirm the total number of rights units you're subscribing to, and the total amount that it will deduct.
   

That's all to it. The cash will be deducted immediately from the bank account that was selected. Note that for DBS, there's a $2 transaction fee.

The main thing you'll have to remember is the number of rights units you're entitled to. The CDP No is not even necessary as I believe that they are able to access the CDP information using your NRIC No that is linked to your ATM bank account.

Simple isn't it?

Fierce Looking Cars Causes Accident?

Just recently, I saw a SBS bus that seemed to have a smiley face when viewed from the front. That triggered my thoughts on whether there is a relationship between fierce looking cars and accidents.

I was thinking along the lines whether there will be any difference of me giving way if I see a cute "smiling" car or a fierce looking sports car signaling. Personally, I believe I will look more favorably on the "smiling" car and will more likely give way to such cars. Of course if the "smiley" car is driven by an aggressive driver, it will not make any difference but I think the shape of the car does have a certain effect.

I wonder if anyone has done statistics on such cars, in comparison with the accident rate. I believe the answer may surprise us. :)

Splitting my Limited Time is Hard Work

Sometimes I do wonder if I'm over-stretching myself in terms of commitments. My weekdays are basically "sold" to my organisation (and I do include Fridays), and my weekends are split between my guitar, my good friends and my family. Sometimes, I think I sleep lesser on weekends than weekdays due to my packed schedule. I understand that the norm is usually the other way around. Needless to say, I have close to 0 personal time. I can take as long as 1 year to complete 1 computer RPG game!

Even among my friends, I feel that I've been neglecting certain groups because I just couldn't find time to squeeze them in for a couple of hours. In fact, recently I had to miss my good friend's wedding because I couldn't manage to schedule the timing in due to other commitments. I feel quite bad over it. :(

For those schooling, treasure the time that you have. You will not have such luxury in work. Or maybe it's just my life.

Walk Faster, Live Longer?

Read an interesting article yesterday about walking speed. Some scientists have did a comparison between lifespan and the walking speed of individuals. The results show that the faster your walking speed, the more healthy you are and the longer you will live.

I did a quick search and found that walking 30 mins a day helps you to:

• increase your heart and lung fitness
• reduce risk of heart disease and stroke
• improved management of conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
• strengthen bones and improved balance
• increase muscle strength and endurance
• reduce body fat

Different parts of your body are all working out simultaneously while walking. The faster your average walking speed, the more healthy your body is.

Personally, I'm quite a fast walker and I think there is a ring of truth to this research. Doctors don't "like" me because I rarely visit them. In a year, I visit doctors less than the fingers on my hand. And no, I don't often eat apples. :)

How will I know for sure that this research is true? Catch me again half a century later and I will tell you. :)

Inflation is down 0.5%

These are the Singapore inflation rates for 2009:
January: 2.9%
February: 1.9%
March: 1.6%
April: -0.7%
May: -0.3%
June: -0.5%

Food and Health Care is leading the charge, rising by 2% and 3.5% respectively year on year. Inflation turned negative again(-0.7%) for housing due to the Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates. I've neglected to take into account the timing of the S&CC rebates again. The next rebates are due on September and December, but of a lesser amount than April and June. The Great Singapore Sale (GSS) also helped in lowering the inflation numbers for June.

Based on the past statistics, it would seem that July's inflation may still be positive, taking into account the recent rise in oil price. In fact, I would think from July onwards, inflation would go back to the positive zone. I guess we'll only know next month.

Hong Kong Maybe Refunding Up to 70% of the Minibond value

Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the banks distributing the Minibonds have just issued a joint statement on the following in relation to the repurchase of Lehman Brothers Minibonds from eligible customers:

• Each of the banks will repurchase from each eligible customer aged below 65 all outstanding mini-bonds at 60 percent of their nominal value, and allow customers aged 65 and above to recoup at least 70 percent of their investments
  
  
• Ultimate payout to investors may be higher if the banks are able to sell the underlying collateral linked to the minibonds
  
  
• Each of the Banks will immediately implement special enhanced complaints handling procedures to resolve, in a fair and reasonable manner, all complaints in relation to the sale and distribution of other structured products
  
  
• Each of the Banks: (i) will engage an independent reviewer, to be approved by the SFC and the HKMA, to review its systems and processes relating to the sale of structured products, to report to the SFC and the HKMA and will commit to the implementation of all recommendations by the independent reviewer; and (ii) will engage a qualified third party, as approved by the SFC and the HKMA, to review and enhance complaints handling procedures, and will commit to the implementation of all recommendations by such third party.

Eligible customers will not include professional investors, corporate/non-individual investors (with specified exceptions) or experienced investors (meaning investors who in the three years preceding their first purchase of Minibonds, executed five or more transactions in Leveraged Products, Structured Products or a combination of these products). The definition also excludes those customers who have previously settled claims in relation to Minibonds with the Banks.

At least now, the investors in Hong Kong know what to expect from the process of reimbursement, and everything is spelled out. Most importantly, it's not left to the banks to decide how to reimburse the investors! Compared to the MAS guidelines which I wrote about some time back here, HKMA has done a good job in spelling out the details, and getting all the distributors to agree to it. Kudos to them.

Somehow, I feel that we're short changed again!

Microsoft released Linux codes?? All because of Hyper-V

Just read news that Microsoft actually released codes for Linux under GPL v2. However, don't read too much into it.

Why? They released Linux codes because they wanted Linux to work better on top of Hyper-V, their server virtualisation technology for Windows Server 2008. For a moment, I thought that they might be releasing codes for Samba so that Linux will have better integration in terms of file sharing with Windows machines.

Fat chance... Microsoft will always be Microsoft.

Beware of Resetting Passwords when using EFS

Just read an article recently about the Windows Encrypted File System (EFS). I admit that I'm a little hesitant about this feature of Windows ever since I heard of it. Reason is quite simple. What happens if I forget my password?

That aside, it seems that there is another point that I should worry about regarding EFS. This I think would apply more in the corporate environment than in the normal home environment. Ever got forced to change your password due to password expiry and ended up asking IT helpdesk to reset your password because of short-term memory?

Well, if you are using EFS, then you better forget about that administrator reset password feature. It seems like the key created by EFS to encrypt your files uses your password to generate the key. If your password is forced reset by the administrator, your encrypted files will be off limits to everyone as the encryption key does not match.

The only way for you to safely change your password (while maintaining access to your encrypted files) is to either change your password in your own user account, or change it through the Windows password reset feature. I have written a tip some time back on creating a password reset disk for WinXP here if interested. These 2 ways of changing the password will maintain your EFS key such that you can still open your encrypted files with it.

Bottom line... Beware of using EFS.

Arrrghh!! No Finger Nails!

This is a warning to myself. Never cut your fingernails in front of the TV, especially when you need your nails to be of a specific length and shape! Make sure the area is well-lighted too!

Grrr...