Category: iPad

iOS: Remove broken and already-removed apps in Cydia Installed list

In case you installed a misbehaving app via Cydia, manually removed it using iFile or Filza, but can’t seem to remove it from the “Installed” list/section, here’s what you can do:

1. Using your preferred file manager — in my case, Filza — navigate to “/var/lib/dpkg/status”
2. View the app with “Text Editor”
3. Click anywhere inside the text, and click on “Edit” on the top-right
4. Search for “My3G” and delete the whole section (i.e. com.sull…)
5. Save and reboot your phone (not really needed, but it “feels” cleaner)

That’s it! Enjoy your jailbroken phone once again.

iTunes: Move backup location to an external hard drive

I got a new MacBook Pro with a 256 GB SSD, so not enough storage to back up all of my family’s iOS devices, to say the least. The solution was to back up to an external HDD. Here’s how to do it:

1. With iTunes closed, open the terminal and cd to ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/
2. Delete or rename “Backup” folder within (i.e. rm -rf Backup or mv Backup BackupOld)
3. Create the symlink like so:


ln -s /Volumes/<Your External HDD>/MobileSync/Backup ~/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync/Backup

4. Open iTunes and back up your device
5. Verify that it’s copied to ~/Library/Application\ Support/MobileSync/Backup
6. Enjoy free space on your MacBook

iPad: Junos Pulse VPN connection problem fix

Using Junos Pulse with RDP, I was having “disallowed connection” issues when connecting to through the VPN at my work (via Juniper/Network Connect).  Apparently, it wasn’t any config issues on my iPad, rather, my VPN account had to be included in the “Network Connect” role/group.

So, if you’re having this issue, talk to your network/sys admin.

Tips on how to prolong your laptop battery life

This applies to any device that uses lithium ion batteries (i.e. laptops, smartphones).

Battery

  1. For lithium ion batteries, you do not need to discharge them fully and recharge constantly. Since they don’t have the same "memory" as older nickel-metal hydride batteries, it is actually better to discharge a lithium ion only partially (10 to 20%) before recharging. You need to do a full discharge only about every 30 charges (usually around every 2 to 3 weeks).
  2. Consider taking your battery out when using your laptop plugged into AC power. Just make sure to keep the contacts clean. If you need to clean them, use a lint-free cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol every couple of months.

Software & Hardware

  1. Defrag your hard drive regularly
  2. Dim your screen to the lowest level you can tolerate
  3. Close unused programs running in the background
  4. Disable WIFI when not in use.
  5. Hibernate your computer, not standby.

Environment

  1. Avoid propping your laptop on a pillow, blanket, or other soft surface that can heat up or block cooling fans.
  2. Clean your desk. It sounds strange, but if you have a dusty, dirty desk, that dust will get into the vents and clog the cooling fan. Once the dust is inside your laptop, it is much harder to remove. You can try blasting it out with canned air, but you run the risk of damaging internal components. You can also remove the vent and clean out the grit, but remember that taking apart your laptop can void the warranty. So clean your desk at least once a week, if not daily.
  3. Try not to store your laptop in a place where the air temperature exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, such as a hot car or an outdoor patio. And if your laptop heats up or is cold, let it return to room temperature before starting up.
  4. Use a cooling pad when using a notebook computer on your lap.