Microsoft releases free “System Sweeper” Beta for offline malware scans

Here’s a helpful little tool for recovering infected PCs: http://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

“Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta, a recovery tool that can help you start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to help identify and remove rootkits and other advanced malware. In addition, Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta can be used if you cannot install or start an antivirus solution on your PC, or if the installed solution can’t detect or remove malware on your PC.

Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper Beta is not a replacement for a full antivirus solution providing ongoing protection; it is meant to be used in situations where you cannot start your PC due to a virus or other malware infection. For no-cost, real-time protection that helps guard your home or small business PCs against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, download Microsoft Security Essentials*.”

No more blue-screens for Windows! Use green, it is a more relaxing color!

Green should replace blue for all Windows error screens from now on. Instead of enraging the hapless Windows user, it will sooth them, and they won’t mind a failed nVidia (or other) driver stopping their system.  I got this idea after reading this article: http://mcpmag.com/articles/2011/06/06/color-my-powershell-world.aspx on changing your PowerShell error messages to green from red…since red has such negative connotations that it shouldn’t be used.  This reminds me of this article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1101790/Teachers-banned-using-confrontational-red-ink-case-upsets-children.html where marking incorrect answers with red demoralizes “the children”