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Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
[size=6][color=rgb(0,0,255)][u][b]Windows 8[/b][/u][/color][/size]
 [list=1]
[*]First off we have to find the System Restore settings. There’s two ways to do this. The first is to simply type in “[b]System Restore[/b]” in the Windows 8 Search bar.
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/System-Restore_thumb.png[/img]
Alternatively open up the control panel and select “[b]System and Security[/b]”
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Control-Panel_thumb.png[/img]
[*]Then select [b]“Advanced System Settings”
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Advanced-System-Settings_thumb.png[/img][/b]
[*]Then click on the [b]“System Protection Tab”
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/System-Properties_thumb.png[/img][/b]
[*]You are now in the settings for System Restore.
[*]The first thing you will have to check is to see if your current hard drive has System Protection turned on. By default it should be, but if you want to enable it on another drive simply select it and then press configure.
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/System-Protection_thumb.png[/img]
[/list]
You will now be able to turn on system protection and select how much of your hard drive you’re willing to allocate to system protection. You can also delete previous restore points.
6. To create a new restore point select “[b]Create”.[/b]
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Create-Restore-Point_thumb.png[/img]
7. You will now be asked to enter in a description so you can easily recognize when that restore point was created. The time and date are automatically added to each restore point so you don’t have to worry about that. When you’ve done that select [b]“Create”.[/b]
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Create-Restore-Point-Name_thumb.png[/img]
8. Windows 8 will now automatically start to create the restore point for you.
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Creating-Restore-Point_thumb.png[/img]
And when it’s all done you should hopefully get the following Window.
[img]http://www.technorms.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Successfully-Created_thumb.png[/img]
 
#############################################################################
 
[size=6][color=rgb(0,0,255)][u][b]Windows 7[/b][/u][/color][/size]
 
Open up the Start Menu and right-click on “Computer”, and then select “Properties”.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/15.png[/img]
Next click on the System Protection link.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/24.png[/img]
The System Properties dialog screen opens up and you will want to click on Create.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/16.png[/img]
Type in a description for the restore point which will help you remember the point at which is was created.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/17.png[/img]
The time it takes to create the restore point will depend on the amount of data, computer speed etc.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/18.png[/img]
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/25.png[/img]
 
####################################################################
 
[size=6][color=rgb(0,0,255)][u][b]Windows Vista[/b][/u][/color][/size]
 
Open up the Start Menu and right-click on “Computer”, and then select “Properties”.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/image54.png[/img]
This will take you into the System area of Control Panel. Click on the “System Protection” link on the left hand side.
[img]http://www.howtogeek.com/geekers/up/sshot-2009-11-23-15-50-41.png[/img]
Now select the “System Protection” tab to get to the System Restore section.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/image56.png[/img]
Click the “Create” button to create a new restore point. You’ll be prompted for a name, and you might want to give it a useful name that you’ll be able to easily identify later.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/image57.png[/img]
Click the Create button, and then the system will create the restore point.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/image58.png[/img]
When it’s all finished, you’ll get a message saying it’s completed successfully.
[img]http://cdn.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/image59.png[/img]
 
#########################################################################
 
[size=6][color=rgb(0,0,255)][u][b]Windows XP[/b][/u][/color][/size]
 [list=1]
[*]Close any programs that are open.
[*]Click [b]Start[/b], point to [b]All Programs[/b], point to [b]Accessories[/b], point to [b]System Tools[/b], and then click [b]System Restore[/b]. The System Restore Wizard opens.

[b]Note[/b] If the System Restore Wizard does not open, the System Restore feature may be turned off. To turn System Restore on, see the "More Information" section in this article.
[*]Click [b]Create a restore point[/b], and then click [b]Next[/b].
[*]In [b]Restore point description[/b] box, type a description for the restore point. Use a description that is easy to understand. If you are creating a restore point before you install specific software or hardware, you could use that information in the description.

[b]Note[/b] The date and time are automatically added to your restore point. Therefore, you do not have to use them in your description.
[*]Do one of the following: [list]
[*]To finish creating this restore point, click the [b]Create[/b] button. The System Restore Wizard notifies you when the restore point is created.
[*]To stop creating a restore point and to return to the Welcome to System Restore page, click the [b]Back[/b] button.
[*]To stop creating a restore point and to exit the System Restore Wizard, click the [b]Cancel[/b] button.

[/list]
[*]When you are finished, click the [b]Close[/b] button.
[/list]
 
 
Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
Applies to Windows Vista and Windows 7

After cleaning certain type of infection you may notice some missing items from your Start menu.

Start menu contains three areas:



Area 1 (pinned programs)

You can recreate those items very easy.
Right click on any program you want to have listed in Area 1 and click "Pin to Start Menu".

Area 2 (frequently used programs)

Right click on "Start" button, click "Properties".
In "Start Menu" tab, checkmark both boxes in "Privacy" section:



Click OK.
Area 2 will repopulate over time.

Area 3

While still in "Start menu" tab, click on "Customize..." button.
Checkmark all items you want to have displayed in Area 3.
OK your way out.
Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
Some newer type of infection will cause your computer to lose internet connection, disable Windows firewall, Security Center or Windows updates.
When you're sure your computer is really clean again you can try to reestablish those missing features.
Do NOT waste your time and try those fixes if your computer is still infected as the infection will keep messing your fixes back.

In this article: I described how to get your Windows firewall working again.

Here we'll focus on bringing your internet connection back.

Start with running following tool....

Please download Farbar Service Scanner and run it on the computer with the issue.
Make sure the following options are checked:


Internet Services
Windows Firewall
System Restore
Security Center
Windows Update
[*]Press "Scan".
[*]It will create a log (FSS.txt) in the same directory the tool is run.

FSS output will look similar to this one:



What you're looking for are missing/corrupted/infected files and registry keys.
You may see just one or more issues.

First look at the very last section - File Check:
You must see either "MD5 is legit" or "(Microsoft Corporation)" which means the file has a valid MS siganture.
In my example you'll see two lines which you have to take care of:
C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\afd.sys => [2009-09-24 06:36] - [2009-04-11 01:28] - 0407552 ____A () 5DE62C6E9108F14F6794060A9BDECAEC <===== no valid MS signature
Attention! C:\Windows\system32\Drivers\tdx.sys is missing. <===== tdx.sys file is simply missing

Now we have to find replacement for both files.

To do so re-run FSS tool.
Type the following in the edit box after "Search:".
afd.sys
tdx.sys
Click Search Files button.

You can use any of found files as a replacement.
In case of tdx.sys file simply copy any found replacement and paste it to C:\Windows\system32\Drivers folder.
In case of afd.sys you're replacing an existing file so you'll have to restart computer in Safe Mode.
While there rename existing afd.sys file to afd.old and the paste replacement file in C:\Windows\system32\Drivers folder.

Restart computer.
Run FSS again and see if File Check: section looks fine.

====================================================================================================

If so, we'll proceed to Internet Services: section

In my example you'll see two services not running:
- Dnscache Service is not running
- afd Service is not running.

Following steps involve registry editing. Please create new restore point before proceeding!!!
How to:
XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948247
Vista and Seven - http://www.howtogeek...system-restore/


Always start your fixes with the LAST not running service (afd in this case).
Fixing lower service will in most cases fix the upper service (if the upper service, like in my example doesn't list anything as "missing").

afd Service is not running becuase we can see two registry keys missing:
- afd (all regulsr keys are located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\system\CurrentControlSet\Services)
- LEGACY_afd (all "legacy" keys are located in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root)

To fix afd key...
Download Vista.zip file from here: http://www.smartestc...y-network-keys/
NOTE. Depending on your Windows version you may need to download XP.zip, or Seven.zip
Unzip the file.
You'll find several files inside.
Right click on afd.reg file, click "Merge".
Allow registry merge.

To fix any "legacy" key you'll need some extra steps (different for different Windows version).

Windows XP
Please go to Start=>Run (alternatively use Windows key+R), type regedit and click OK.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root
Right-Click Root and select Permissions...
Under Security type while Everyone is selected put a check mark in the box under Allow next to Full Control.
Click Apply and OK.

Windows Vista and Windows 7
Please go to Start=>Run (alternatively use Windows key+R), type regedit and click OK.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root
Right-Click Root and select Permissions...
Click Advanced.
Under Owner tab select the entry starting with you user name, example: Farbar(Farbar-PC\Farbar)
Put a check mark next to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and click Apply and OK.
Under Security type while Everyone is selected put a check mark in the box under Allow next to Full Control.
Click Apply and OK.

Now, in a package you just downloaded from my site you'll find LEGACY_AFD.reg file.
Double click on it confirm the prompt.

All Windows.
Please go back to the the Root key again while Everyone is selected remove check mark in the box under Allow next to Full Control and close the registry.

Restart computer, check on internet connection and run FSS again.
See if everything looks right.

=============================================================================================

Finally you may have some issue in Connection Status: section
In most cases all lines will read "accessible", but sometimes you may see:
Localhost is blocked.
Usually it'll mean TCP/IP stack corruption.

To fix it you want to uninstall/reinstall TCP/IP stack.

Windows XP.
1. Download
Unzip it.
Right click on Winsock.reg, click "Merge".
Allow registry merge.

2. Restart computer.

3. Go to Start ==> Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. Right-click Local Area Connection, and select Properties.
On the General tab, click Install a popup window opens.
Select Protocol from the list and then click Add.
A new window opens, click Have Disk....
In the browse... box type c:\windows\inf
Click OK.
Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click OK.
Restart and check the connection.

Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Go Start>Run (Start search in Vista and 7), type in:
cmd
Click OK (in Vista, while holding CTRL, and SHIFT, press Enter).

At Command Prompt, type in:
netsh int ip reset reset.log
Hit Enter.
Type in:
netsh winsock reset catalog
Hit Enter.

Restart computer.

==================================================================================================================
Note 1. If your case is slightly different or you need some extra help feel free to sign up at our forum and we'll try to help you out.

Note 2. The above manual wouldn't happen without a great tool and some advice provided by farbar from http://www.bleepingc...ter.com/forums/
Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
The above issue is often caused by computer's infection.
If Windows firewall problem started at the time your computer got infected save yourself a lot of time by running the following tool first.

Please download Farbar Service Scanner and run it on the computer with the issue.
Make sure the following options are checked:


Internet Services
Windows Firewall
System Restore
[*]Press "Scan".
[*]It will create a log (FSS.txt) in the same directory the tool is run.
[*]Please copy and paste the log to your reply.

In most cases you'll see following errors:



If that's the case the fix is listed below. If you have a different error message, sign up at our forum and we'll try to help you out.

Following steps involve registry editing. Please create new restore point before proceeding!!!
How to:
XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/948247
Vista and Seven - http://www.howtogeek...system-restore/

Download Vista.zip or Seven.zip (depending on your Windows version) file from here: http://www.smartestc...y-network-keys/
Unzip the file.
You'll find several files inside.
Right click on bfe.reg file, click "Merge".
Allow registry merge.
Right click on mpssvc.reg file, click "Merge".
Allow registry merge.

Restart computer.

Click Start and in "Start search" type in:
regedit
Press Enter.

Registry editor will open.
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\BFE
Right click on BFE key, click "Permissions"
Click on Add button, type Everyone and click OK.
Now click once on Everyone
Below, in "Permissions" pane checkmark "Alow" in "Full control" row.
Click OK.

In a set of files you downloaded in previous step find start_services.bat.
Right click on it, click "Run As Administrator" to run the fix.

Check on firewall issue.

IMPORTANT!
In case you have any "legacy_xxx" key missing you have to perform the following BEFORE importing any "legacy" key.
NOTE. There are different instruction for Windows XP and Windows Vista/7

Windows XP.

Please go to Start=>Run (alternatively use Windows key+R), type regedit and click OK.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root
Right-Click Root and select Permissions...
Under Security type while Everyone is selected put a check mark in the box under Allow next to Full Control.
Click Apply and OK.
When done with registry key(s) import.....
Please go back to the the Root key again while Everyone is selected remove check mark in the box under Allow next to Full Control and close the registry.

Windows Vista/7.

Download PsExec.exe to your desktop (IMPORTANT!)
Go Start and in "Start search" type in:
cmd
Hold CTRL and SHIFT keys, press Enter.
Command prompt window will open.
Copy and paste following command:

"%userprofile%\desktop\psexec" -i -d -s c:\windows\regedit.exe

Press Enter.
Registry Editor will open.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\Root
Right-Click Root and select Permissions...
Click Advanced.
Under Owner tab select the entry starting with you user name, example: Farbar(Farbar-PC\Farbar)
Put a check mark next to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects and click Apply and OK.
Under Security type while Everyone is selected put a check mark in the box under Allow next to Full Control.
Click Apply and OK.
When done with registry key(s) import.....
Please go back to the the Root key again while Everyone is selected remove check mark in the box under Allow next to Full Control and close the registry.


===================
NOTE. I'd like to thank narenxp from http://www.bleepingc...ter.com/forums/ for some very valuable advice


======================================================================================================
======================================================================================================

If your problem has nothing to do with any infection then you can investigate further....

Go Start>Run type in:
services.msc (Vista and Windows 7 users type this in "Start search")
Click OK (Vista and Windows 7 users press Enter)

In services window scroll down to Window Firewall service.
Make sure "Startup type" is set to "Automatic".

If Windows Firewall service is missing it can be caused by missing/corrupted registry key(s).
Check following registry keys:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess - this is Windows Firewall service key, which depends on following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\MpsSvc - Windows Firewall Authorization Driver
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\BFE - Base Filtering Engine


Also check in Device Manager if the above driver (Windows Firewall Authorization Driver) is present and correctly set.
Go to Device Manager, click on "View" tab and select show hidden devices.
Expand "No plug and play drivers", select Windows firewall authorization driver.
Right click on it and click "Properties".
Click on "Driver" tab.
Set "Startup" to "Demand" and click on "Start" button"

References:
MichaelPlatts - 5 parts article
Part 1 - http://blogs.technet...troduction.aspx
Part 2 - http://blogs.technet...ermissions.aspx
Part 3 - http://blogs.technet...ermissions.aspx
Part 4 - http://blogs.technet...ege-access.aspx
Part 5 - http://blogs.technet...pendencies.aspx
Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
I consider having topic moderating bar hidden waste of time. Why do I have to waste a click on "Show moderation tools"?
It looks like this:



I want to have it open by default, so it looks like this:



1. Topic view.

ACP>Look & Feel>your_skin>Templates tab>Topic View>topicViewTemplate

Find the following and comment out sections in red:




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. Forum view.

ACP>Look & Feel>your_skin>Templates tab>Forum View>forumIndexTemplate.

Comment out sections in red:


Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
This version of our board uses slightly different editor (that's where you post your reply) than the previous version.

I can see there is some confusion how to post user friendly link.

Let's say you want to post a link to Google page, but you don't want it to look like a regular URL:
http://www.google.com
But you want it to say just "Google" and still when clicked on word "Google" it'll lead you to Google page.
Like this:
Google
It's called "user friendly URL".

This is how you do it...

1. Type word Google in your reply and highlight it with your mouse.
2. Click on "URL" BBCode.



3. In a pop-up window type/paste actual Google URL:



4. Click OK and you're done:

Google
Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
METHOD 1 - automatic

Download and run UnHide

Note 1. If the first run doesn't fix the issue, try to re-run UnHide.
Note 2. If any temporary file cleaner has been run after the infection, the above method will NOT work.

(credit goes to Grinler at http://www.bleepingcomputer.com)

=========================================================================================

METHOD 2 - semi-automatic

Vista/Windows 7

IF folder C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp exist...

Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\1
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Program Data\Start Menu

NOTE. "Start Menu" folder is a system folder, so in order to see it, in Windows Explorer, go Tools>Folder Options>View tab and UN-check "Hide protected operating system files".
In order to access "Start Menu" folder, you may need take ownership of that folder: http://www.howtogeek...-menu-in-vista/


Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\2
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch

NOTE. "Quick Launch" is also a system folder. See note above.


Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\3
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Users\user-name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar


Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Users\user_name\AppData\Local\Temp\smtmp\4
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Program Data\Desktop

NOTE. "Desktop" folder is also a system folder. See note above.

==================================================================

Windows XP

IF folder C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Local Settings\Temp\smtmp exist...

Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Local Settings\Temp\smtmp\1
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu


Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Local Settings\Temp\smtmp\2
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch


Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Local Settings\Temp\smtmp\3
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch\User Pinned\TaskBar


Copy all content of this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Local Settings\Temp\smtmp\4
and paste it to this folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop


==================================================================================================

METHOD 3 - manual

If, for any reason, Method 1, or Method 2 don't work you can...


***** ...restore the defaults for the Start Menu, Accessories and Administrative Tools as follows:

Windows 2000 US English
http://download.blee...00-sm-reset.exe

Windows XP Pro 32-bit US English
http://download.blee...it-sm-reset.exe

Windows Vista 32-bit US English
http://download.blee...32-sm-reset.exe

Windows Vista 64-bit US English
http://download.blee...64-sm-reset.exe

Windows 7 32-bit US English
http://download.blee...32-sm-reset.exe

Windows 7 64-bit US English
http://download.blee...64-sm-reset.exe

(credit for the above goes to Grinler from http://www.bleepingcomputer.com)



***** ...manually recreate "All Programs" entries, following these steps...

NOTE. In case programs links shows as (empty) see )(3)(Inc)%26%2F%2Fa%5B%40id%3D%26quot%3Bentry167099%26quot%3B%5D%2Ffollowing-sibling%3A%3Adiv%5B1%5D%2Fdiv%5B2%5D%2Fdiv%5B1%5D%2Fspan%5B12%5D%2Fstrong%5B1%5D(41)(3)(y)%3A)
Download App Paths
Double click on AppPaths.exe to run the program.
Keep the program open.

In this example I'll recreate an entry for Avast antivirus program.
Go Start>All Programs.
Right click on Avast entry, click "Properties".


NOTE. Make sure, you right click on Avast program, NOT on Avast folder.


You'll see this window:



Due to the damage caused by the infection, you'll find "Target" box empty.


Go back to AppPaths window and find Avast entry.
Right click on Avast line, click "Edit".
A pop-up window will open:




Highlight everything in "Path" box, right click on it, click "Copy"
Go back to Avast "Properties" window, right click inside "Target" box, click "Paste".
IMPORTANT! Add quotation marks at the beginning of the path and at the end
Click OK and you're done.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In case, program's link shows as (empty):




Open Windows Explorer, navigate to Avast folder in Program Files
Right click on Avast ".exe" file, click "Create shortcut":




Copy that shortcut, go back to Start menu.
Right click on avast!Free Antivirus, click "Paste".
You'll see Avast shortcut recreated replacing (empty) entry.

Alternatively....
...you paste that shortcut in:
(XP) - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Avast
(Vista/7) - C:\Program Data\Start Menu\Programs\Avast

This post has been promoted to an article
Broni
Teaser Paragraph:
As you know, if you have some files with longer names, Vista will truncate them, due to "Name" column being too narrow:



Surely, you can right click on "Name" column and click "Size All Columns To Fit", or drag the divider between columns, but it's good only for one session.
If you go back to that folder, the names are truncated again.

Finally, I found a solution/workaround to this annoying bug.

First, I applied Vista Unable or Fail to Remember or Save Folder Types/Views Setting Error FIX: http://www.smartestc...showtopic=36574
Then, I went through few Windows Explorer folders, and I tried to find the longest file name in "Name" column.
It looked like width of 450 pixels shouldn't leave any file name truncated.
So, I right clicked on "Name" column, clicked "More...", and I set "Width of selected column (in pixels)" to 450.
Then, I went Tools>Folder Options>View tab, and I clicked on "Apply to Folders" button.
Now, I have "Name" column width at 450 pixels in every folder.

I understand, it's only workaround, because it'd be nice to have "Name" column width flexible, adjusting itself to the length of the longest file in the particular folder, but I find my workaround better, than constantly resizing "Name" column width, every time I open Windows Explorer.

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