Lesson 3

1. The Windows 2000, 2003, XP and Vista defrag tool is based on Diskeeper.
2. The Vista version is more robust that the XP version and can be set to run at startup or to run in the back ground at scheduled times.
Compared to Diskeepers professional version the Windows versions are somewhat limited in ability.

Windows XP	Diskeeper Professional

3. Using the run window

       Windows XP and Vista
                   Press the Microsoft Key + r
                   In Vista you might have to "turn on the "run" window access

                    Right click on the Start button, and click Properties.
                    From the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog, click Customize.
                    Scroll down through the list until you shall find Run command. Check the box next to it.
                    Click OK.



In Windows XP there are 156 run commands If you want to see a list of them all you can find them here from
FixMyXP
In Vista there are 177 run commands
Here's a list of some of them
Vista Run Commands
and here's 57 more Vista Commands
(some are different from Windows XP)

However the few that you should know are:

Windows XP	Windows Vista
msinfo32 msconfig cleanmgr chkdsk control clipbrd nusrmgr.cpl dfrg.msc	control dfrgui helppane mobsync snippingtool sdclt shrpubw SystemPropertiesAdvanced wuapp

4. Setting Up Users and Security

5. File Backup and Synchronization

and to a CD/DVD disk recorder.
To Back up files you need a destination A folder on the same hard drive (It's better than nothing) A 2 hard drive --Internal or external A CD/DVD/BluRay disk recorder. When an entire hard drive is backed up, including OS files it is said to be "mirrored" (it is an exact copy).	Syncing usually refers to files or folders that are shared between computers or users on a network. These files need to be updated as they are changed... when files are transfered by disk the network is called a "sneaker" net. (sneaker as in shoe...)
Drag & Drop - Copy: The easiest way to backup files and folders is to "drag and drop" or "Copy To" This only works easily if the size of the original files is not more than the space available at the destination. If you are backing up to a CD you are limited to 700 mega bytes If you are backing up to a DVD you are limited to a capacity: 4.7 GB (single layer), 8.5 GB (dual layer If you are backing up to a BluRay you are limited to single-layer 25GB. A dual-layer disc can hold 50 GB	Save as: Using the File > "Save as" function to incrementally number or date save file(s) as they are changed. Like BillyPhoto-001.jpg, BillyPhoto-002.jpg, etc., or Wordy-4-22-08.doc, Wordy-4-23-08.doc, etc...
Backup Programs: Windows XP article here Windows Vista Backup 3rd Party Programs Top 4 Backup Programs	Sync Programs Windows XP (Suitcase) Windows Vista SyncToy 3rd Party Programs Good Sync (Free)
On-Line Backup	On Line Sharing

         Hard drives
                   External hard drives
                            Here's PC World's Top Ten list
                            In the Sunday newspaper, read the ads from Staples, Office Depot, Office max,, etc... for the latest sale for external hard drive

                            Most external hard drives will come with built in backup software and some use a one button backup technology... push the button and the backup happens!
                            If you have more than one computer you might want to use a networked drive, that way both computers can use the drive simultaneously
                            Here's a list Networked Drives

What if a drives fails...

1. Is the drive spinning up?

                                        One common failure of a drive is that the bearings that the platters spin on seize and the drive does not "spin-up" so the data can be read.


                   Put the drive in the freezer!   This works, I have done this....
                         Remove the hard drive from the computer and put it in a static free bag or a Ziplock bag if you don't have a static free one.
                                Put the hard drive in the Freezer for 3 plus hours...
                                The first time I tried this I only cooled down the drive for an hour or so... It started to bootup, but then quit. So I put it back in the freezer over night.... In the morning the drive spun up and ran for several days... (That time span was more than enough for me to copy everything off that drive). I then replaced the drive...    Whew! I'd recommend that before you re-attach the frozen drive, you have a drive available to copy what you need to save to the storage drive... If it's the only drive in your laptop, I recommend you get a new replacement hard drive drive...

2. The drive spins up... but you get a message that says there is an error on the drive.

--- You'll need to run software that can repair the error...
This is from a web site run by Nick Peers

Windows XP's Error-Checking Utility can locate and fix problems with files

A. Set up Check Disk
Open My Computer, right-click your hard drive and choose Properties. Switch to the Tools tab and click Check Now. Tick both boxes to allow Windows to try and fix any problems it finds and then click Start.

B. Restart your PC if necessary
In most cases, you’ll see a message telling you that Windows can’t perform this disk check because it requires exclusive access to files currently being used by Windows itself. Click Yes to allow Windows to perform the check when you next boot.

C. Let Windows check for errors
When you next restart your PC you should see a simple screen appear telling you that the process is underway; when it’s finished your PC will reboot and you’ll be returned to the desktop, your hard drive checked and fixed of any file-based errors.

3. The drive spins up but won't boot

                                     You'll need an enclosure for an external drive and a second PC or laptop
                                      You can make your own external har drive... you v=can buy a case that has the powersuplly and the necessary cabling
                                        and you can get a case that has Firewire, USB, SATA, and even ethernet connectors
                                        Here's an intersting gizmo that let's you attach any drive to it...
                                       Made by Newertechnology It's a USB Universal Drive adapter

                                  When you remove the failed drive from your computer you can the hook it up to the second computer. If the computer recognizes the drive, you can run the steps in #2 above. Depending on the size of the hard drive... this process can take a long time...

4. You tried #1 and #3 above, but the drive doesn't showup when you plug it into the second computer

                                 You are almost out of luck
                                  If there is invaluable information on the disk you can send it to a data recovery company...
                                     The take the drive apart recover what they can and charge you a lot of money
                                  Here's an article about disk recovery from Wiki


Backing up to a a removeable Recordable Disk

Even though you backup to an other hard drive, you need to have a backup on CD/DVD/BluRay...
Because hard drives do fail!


          CD/DVD Recorders (Burners)
                      Media When you purchase the drive or your computer... check with the manufacturer of the drive as to recommended media for the drive
                      They should provide, if not in the manual, at their web site recommended media... Usually a brand name like Maxell...
                       Most disks you purchase ove rthe counter us a blue dye... the laser in the recorder burns holes in the dye (representing 0's and 1's ) to store the data
                      The dye can fade if left expoxed to light...
                      Always store your disks in a cool dark place, like a drawer in your desk or file cabinet
                      Archival CD/DVD's
                      You can purchase Archival CD's and DVD's that use Gold instead of the blue dye...
                      Here's an interesting article
                      Recommended media
                      Taiyo Yuden
                      MAM-A http://www.mam-a.com/
                      Kodak

6. Automate your backups and cleanups