By Aaron Siegel
I remember the day when computers were first in my classroom. I laugh sometimes just remembering the green front Apple and Orange font IBM computers. When using them little did I know one day there would be graphic rich multimedia with unlimited connectivity to the world and information.
I also remember my friend as a child who had a computer science father. As a birthday gift he gave his son two little boxes with 8 numerical buttons and one little red LCD display on each box. These little boxes were a way for me and my friend to send codes back and forth from each other from our phone lines when at home. We created our own code talk to decipher messages. We felt like spies and had a great time messaging nonsense for hours.
Little did I know as a child that these seemingly simple things would grow into the powerful and world dominating PC and Internet. Even less did I know the impact it would have on all the lives of the world and how easy and fun it would become. As a naive child, I would never imagine the evil that would lurk to destroy such great technological advances.
With the birth of the Internet came the birth of viruses, spyware, and spam. The Internet world could now virally be infected with computer destroying codes almost instantly worldwide along with pop-up ads all over your computer screen and your inbox bombarded with propositions of the unthinkable and bizarre.
Once introduced, the world forever would be on their toes watching their backs for this malicious onslaught of computer created menaces and dangers . The industry created to thwart the destructive codings has boomed and never looked back and it is doubtful that it will ever be out of demand as more lives rely on the Internet and the computers used to access it.
Hundreds of different anti-virus, ant-spam, and anti-spyware software exists today and some can come at a bargain while others can cost you an arm and leg. Some are excellent while others are mediocre, but for today we will discuss good and honest protection that is free.
Spam as we all know can ruin a good visit to the inbox. For protection against spam you must be responsible with your email address and be careful who gets it. Applying for bogus free offers and money making schemes can open up your whole account to the dreaded inbox disease.
If you are needing spam protection you can open up a free email account with Yahoo Mail or HotMail and receive free spam protection with the service without any additional software or setup. Yahoo offers a yearly paid account with additional spam protection if the free version is not enough for you. Yahoo charges about $20.00 a year, which I myself subscribe to.
With spyware you can expect unexpected pop-ups, search intrusions, as well as the possibility of identity theft. This makes spyware no laughing matter and lucky for you you don't have to pay to be protected. Lavasoft and AVG are just two companies that offer outstanding free anti-spyware software for your computer. Even Yahoo has gotten into the act and have given their toolbar users free spyware software that can be launched from their toolbar. I recommend running it once a day.
Viruses can literally destroy your operating system and even your whole computer which makes this last threat one of the most dangerous when it comes to your PC. You would expect to pay hundreds of dollars perhaps to protect your computer or maybe an annual subscription which is common too. Why even pay when you can get it for free?
There are two great anti-virus programs out there that you can use free for your home computer without any catch other than maybe a registration. I highly recommend these two products and use them for my own computers completely free.
Anti-virus #1: AVG has an anti-virus download that takes care of all the virus updates daily and scans your computer everyday at a specified time which is convenient for those who forget to protect their PCs.
Anti-Virus #2: Avast is an excellent program for keeping both spyware and viruses off of your computer and in the gutter where they belong. They have a more complex registration which requires email authentication and online registration, but only takes about 10 minutes of your time, a lot less time than the hours you have to work to buy a new computer or OS.
Don't let the word free deter you from these great resources. It is amazing what these companies are offering the general PC population and you should take full advantage of their offer. I use all the mentioned software myself and it just goes to show, some of the best things in life really are free.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aaron_Siegel
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Disable Autorun and autoplay
you can disable the auto-run or auto-play features in Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating system. To disable automatically running CD-ROMs and Audio CDs, users must edit the registry value:
Click Start -> Run.
Type RegEdit in the Open text box, then press ENTER.
In the Registry Editor, locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
System
CurrentControlSet
Services
CDRom
Modify the value of the Autorun to 0 (zero)
so that CD-ROMs and Audio CDs do not run and start automatically when inserted.
Next navigate to the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Software
Microsoft
Windows
CurrentVersion
Policies
Explorer
Modify the value of the
NoDriveTypeAutoRun
entry to
0xb5
value to turn off the AutoRun feature
for CD-ROMs by right-click NoDriveTypeAutoRun and then click Modify to type B5 in the Value data box. Select Hexadecimal, and then click OK.
Quit Registry Editor.
Restart your computer.
Click Start -> Run.
Type RegEdit in the Open text box, then press ENTER.
In the Registry Editor, locate and click the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
System
CurrentControlSet
Services
CDRom
Modify the value of the Autorun to 0 (zero)
so that CD-ROMs and Audio CDs do not run and start automatically when inserted.
Next navigate to the following registry subkey:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Software
Microsoft
Windows
CurrentVersion
Policies
Explorer
Modify the value of the
NoDriveTypeAutoRun
entry to
0xb5
value to turn off the AutoRun feature
for CD-ROMs by right-click NoDriveTypeAutoRun and then click Modify to type B5 in the Value data box. Select Hexadecimal, and then click OK.
Quit Registry Editor.
Restart your computer.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
10 Computer Maintenance Tips
By Freddie Stewart
Before you start making mistakes that could cost you the life of your precious computer, you had better learn how to take care of your new arrival. The things you do to your computer now will determine how long your computer will last without crashing.
Below are some tips you should know when using your computer:
Never EVER switch off your computer without waiting for Windows to shut it down. This may cause permanent hard drive defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the disc drive and cause a host of Windows problems.
The only time you can force a shutdown is if your hard drive "hangs" or refuses to respond. In this case, try pressing ALT+CTRL+DEL keys at the same time and wait for task manager to launch. The Task Manager window will have a tab you can press to enable you to shutdown normally. If Task Manager fails to launch, then you can safely switch off your computer and switch it on again after about 3 minutes. Perform emergency shutdown only when absolutely necessary.
Plug your computer into a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply). This will prevent power surges in cases of low and high voltage occurrences. A UPS will protect your computer from any type of power disaster.
Backup important files as soon as you can. Purchase a CD burner to store files (make at least 2 copies of the same files on CD). Don't wait until the next day if you can help it. A crash may occur any time.
Use Scandisk and Defragmenter at least once a month. Just like you need to have a check up once in a while to catch any disease that may be forming, your computer also needs to be checked up to keep it healthy and crash-free.
Do not unplug peripherals while they are powered up. Doing so may damage your motherboard.
Keep at least 100 MB of your C: free for Windows to use. Maxing out your drive may result in Windows dumping data to your hard drive, or your computer will run really, really slow.
Do not let a lot of programs load when starting up your computer. Uninstall or delete programs that start up as soon as you start up your computer.
Use an antivirus program. You really need one if you want your computer to keep running smoothly. Downloaded attachments from friends, installed programs downloaded from the net and a host of other ways could infect your computer. An antivirus program will make sure no "bad" stuff is allowed into the system.
Use a firewall if you have a high speed internet connection. A firewall will prevent your computer from getting "hijacked". You may not be aware of it, but your computer may have been hacked at least once. Hackers use search programs to seek out computers at random. Get a firewall program and use it.
Do not throw away installer software once you've installed the program. You will need to reformat your computer some time and all data on the drive will be erased and you will need to reinstall your software.
F Stewart is an IT Professional. His company, Ambient Technology Group, provides website development and IT services. For more information, visit http://www.AmbientTechnologyGroup.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Freddie_Stewart
Before you start making mistakes that could cost you the life of your precious computer, you had better learn how to take care of your new arrival. The things you do to your computer now will determine how long your computer will last without crashing.
Below are some tips you should know when using your computer:
Never EVER switch off your computer without waiting for Windows to shut it down. This may cause permanent hard drive defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the disc drive and cause a host of Windows problems.
The only time you can force a shutdown is if your hard drive "hangs" or refuses to respond. In this case, try pressing ALT+CTRL+DEL keys at the same time and wait for task manager to launch. The Task Manager window will have a tab you can press to enable you to shutdown normally. If Task Manager fails to launch, then you can safely switch off your computer and switch it on again after about 3 minutes. Perform emergency shutdown only when absolutely necessary.
Plug your computer into a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply). This will prevent power surges in cases of low and high voltage occurrences. A UPS will protect your computer from any type of power disaster.
Backup important files as soon as you can. Purchase a CD burner to store files (make at least 2 copies of the same files on CD). Don't wait until the next day if you can help it. A crash may occur any time.
Use Scandisk and Defragmenter at least once a month. Just like you need to have a check up once in a while to catch any disease that may be forming, your computer also needs to be checked up to keep it healthy and crash-free.
Do not unplug peripherals while they are powered up. Doing so may damage your motherboard.
Keep at least 100 MB of your C: free for Windows to use. Maxing out your drive may result in Windows dumping data to your hard drive, or your computer will run really, really slow.
Do not let a lot of programs load when starting up your computer. Uninstall or delete programs that start up as soon as you start up your computer.
Use an antivirus program. You really need one if you want your computer to keep running smoothly. Downloaded attachments from friends, installed programs downloaded from the net and a host of other ways could infect your computer. An antivirus program will make sure no "bad" stuff is allowed into the system.
Use a firewall if you have a high speed internet connection. A firewall will prevent your computer from getting "hijacked". You may not be aware of it, but your computer may have been hacked at least once. Hackers use search programs to seek out computers at random. Get a firewall program and use it.
Do not throw away installer software once you've installed the program. You will need to reformat your computer some time and all data on the drive will be erased and you will need to reinstall your software.
F Stewart is an IT Professional. His company, Ambient Technology Group, provides website development and IT services. For more information, visit http://www.AmbientTechnologyGroup.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Freddie_Stewart
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
How You Know When Your Computer Is Being Attacked By Spyware
By Reina S Brown
Humans are not the only ones who go into battle needing protection. Computers do as well. Every time your computer goes online, it is going into battle. This is because viruses, malicious software, and spyware are just waiting to attack it among other things. Because computer protection is a topic that requires a lot of lengthy detail, we'll cover the issue of spyware for now. Here are some ways you'll know if your computer is under spyware attack.
The first thing you'll notice is that your computer will start to run slower than usual. Applications may take a bit longer to load. Not to mention, your sound could become distorted. It may sound like a stuttering or skipping CD. This is usually because it may take awhile for the sound file to fully load. The sound is not the only thing affected by this slowness.
Programs could take much longer to open than before. The things you once were able to pull up with just a simple click may take minutes to open. Some have stated that it could take long enough to go to the bathroom and come back. If this is happening to you, this is definitely not normal, not for any computer.
Something else you'll notice is that you'll be getting pop ups more than usual. What's more, the ads will be unfamiliar and shady. Things such as get rich quick ads, porn, work at home, or anything else not well known and suspicious looking, are perfect examples.
Another major give away is that you'll get pop ups when you are off line. They may come up when you open programs such as word documents and applications. Legitimate pop ups from well known advertisers only come up when you open the sites in your browser, not when you are off line.
How Can Spyware Generate Pop Up Ads?
You may wonder why this happens. This is due to spyware programs having the information from your computer logged, which will enable the sites to send pop ups to your browser forcing you to see them. The only way to stop such pop ups is by removing the spyware. Of course, it is an entirely different story if the spyware is embedded into the programs on your computer. In these cases, you'll need to reformat your entire hard drive.
Finally, your browser could be hijacked. This means that spyware will change your home page to something you've never seen, and your browser will randomly visit sites you never intended to go. Thus, it will have a mind of its own. A prime example of this is that you'll type a url into the address bar, and instead of taking you to the site you want to go to, you'll be directed somewhere else.
In most cases, spyware is easy to locate: however, there are cases when the hacker or writer of the spyware software can overwrite programs that are normally supposed to be on your computer. Hence, you'll never know they are there.
Protecting your computer is a critical part of ensuring its safety in the Internet war zone. After all, it will be shielded against such spyware attacks.
Reina S. Brown is the owner of Waldorf PC. At Waldorf PC, Our knowledgeable and friendly support representatives provide 24/7 service. We are never closed. We save you money and productivity, using our innovative strategy of proactive computer maintenance and quick tech support.
We are located on the web at http://www.waldorfpc.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reina_S_Brown
Humans are not the only ones who go into battle needing protection. Computers do as well. Every time your computer goes online, it is going into battle. This is because viruses, malicious software, and spyware are just waiting to attack it among other things. Because computer protection is a topic that requires a lot of lengthy detail, we'll cover the issue of spyware for now. Here are some ways you'll know if your computer is under spyware attack.
The first thing you'll notice is that your computer will start to run slower than usual. Applications may take a bit longer to load. Not to mention, your sound could become distorted. It may sound like a stuttering or skipping CD. This is usually because it may take awhile for the sound file to fully load. The sound is not the only thing affected by this slowness.
Programs could take much longer to open than before. The things you once were able to pull up with just a simple click may take minutes to open. Some have stated that it could take long enough to go to the bathroom and come back. If this is happening to you, this is definitely not normal, not for any computer.
Something else you'll notice is that you'll be getting pop ups more than usual. What's more, the ads will be unfamiliar and shady. Things such as get rich quick ads, porn, work at home, or anything else not well known and suspicious looking, are perfect examples.
Another major give away is that you'll get pop ups when you are off line. They may come up when you open programs such as word documents and applications. Legitimate pop ups from well known advertisers only come up when you open the sites in your browser, not when you are off line.
How Can Spyware Generate Pop Up Ads?
You may wonder why this happens. This is due to spyware programs having the information from your computer logged, which will enable the sites to send pop ups to your browser forcing you to see them. The only way to stop such pop ups is by removing the spyware. Of course, it is an entirely different story if the spyware is embedded into the programs on your computer. In these cases, you'll need to reformat your entire hard drive.
Finally, your browser could be hijacked. This means that spyware will change your home page to something you've never seen, and your browser will randomly visit sites you never intended to go. Thus, it will have a mind of its own. A prime example of this is that you'll type a url into the address bar, and instead of taking you to the site you want to go to, you'll be directed somewhere else.
In most cases, spyware is easy to locate: however, there are cases when the hacker or writer of the spyware software can overwrite programs that are normally supposed to be on your computer. Hence, you'll never know they are there.
Protecting your computer is a critical part of ensuring its safety in the Internet war zone. After all, it will be shielded against such spyware attacks.
Reina S. Brown is the owner of Waldorf PC. At Waldorf PC, Our knowledgeable and friendly support representatives provide 24/7 service. We are never closed. We save you money and productivity, using our innovative strategy of proactive computer maintenance and quick tech support.
We are located on the web at http://www.waldorfpc.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reina_S_Brown
Monday, March 17, 2008
How To Clean The Windows XP Registry
By Cynthia Blake
The Windows Registry
The Windows XP registry is notorious for getting cluttered and corrupted with obsolete, outdated, and empty files and folders. The reasons for this clutter vary. Sometimes these files are left behind by programs that have been incompletely uninstalled from your computer. Other times they are the result of viruses and spyware programs.
Wherever they come from, there is really only one way to clean the registry thoroughly, safely, and efficiently.
Best Methods
By using a good Windows XP registry cleaner software program you will not only save yourself time, but you will also make the process much safer. It's not recommended that you go into the registry yourself and try to remove entries by hand unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Even if you did know precisely what you were doing, finding all the obsolete and empty files and folders could take hours upon hours, and you still might not get all of them. Registry repair software will allow you to scan your registry in just a few minutes and remove all the useless files with the click of a mouse.
Backup Safety
In order to make this a safe process, it's always a good idea to make a manual backup of your registry. This is a very easy process that takes about 30 seconds.
Go to Start / Run
Type in "regedit" (no quotes) and press enter
This opens the Windows registry editor
Click File - Export
Name the registry file and pick a good place to save it
Click save
That's it! Now you have a backup copy of your registry just in case anything goes wrong when you clean it out. Registry repair programs are usually very safe, however making a backup copy is a good idea before doing any sort of computer upgrade or maintenance.
Visit our site for information on the best registry cleaners available.
For a review of the top registry repair utility on the market, check out our RegCure review.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Blake
The Windows Registry
The Windows XP registry is notorious for getting cluttered and corrupted with obsolete, outdated, and empty files and folders. The reasons for this clutter vary. Sometimes these files are left behind by programs that have been incompletely uninstalled from your computer. Other times they are the result of viruses and spyware programs.
Wherever they come from, there is really only one way to clean the registry thoroughly, safely, and efficiently.
Best Methods
By using a good Windows XP registry cleaner software program you will not only save yourself time, but you will also make the process much safer. It's not recommended that you go into the registry yourself and try to remove entries by hand unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Even if you did know precisely what you were doing, finding all the obsolete and empty files and folders could take hours upon hours, and you still might not get all of them. Registry repair software will allow you to scan your registry in just a few minutes and remove all the useless files with the click of a mouse.
Backup Safety
In order to make this a safe process, it's always a good idea to make a manual backup of your registry. This is a very easy process that takes about 30 seconds.
Go to Start / Run
Type in "regedit" (no quotes) and press enter
This opens the Windows registry editor
Click File - Export
Name the registry file and pick a good place to save it
Click save
That's it! Now you have a backup copy of your registry just in case anything goes wrong when you clean it out. Registry repair programs are usually very safe, however making a backup copy is a good idea before doing any sort of computer upgrade or maintenance.
Visit our site for information on the best registry cleaners available.
For a review of the top registry repair utility on the market, check out our RegCure review.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Blake
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
CCleaner 1.41.544
CCleaner (formerly Crap Cleaner) is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused and temporary files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster, more efficiently and giving you more hard disk space. The best part is that it's fast! (normally taking less than a second to run) and Free.
Cleans the following:
- Internet Explorer Cache, History, Cookies, Index.dat.
- Recycle Bin, Temporary files and Log files.
- Recently opened URLs and files.
- Third-party application temp files and recent file lists (MRUs).
- Including: Firefox, Opera, Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape,
Office XP, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and more...
- Advanced Registry scanner and cleaner to remove unused and old entries.
- Including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more... Backup for registry clean.
- Windows Startup tool.
If you like and use this software then it is polite to make a donation to the author.
ccleaner
Download CCleaner from FileHippo.com
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/2927/
Cleans the following:
- Internet Explorer Cache, History, Cookies, Index.dat.
- Recycle Bin, Temporary files and Log files.
- Recently opened URLs and files.
- Third-party application temp files and recent file lists (MRUs).
- Including: Firefox, Opera, Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape,
Office XP, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and more...
- Advanced Registry scanner and cleaner to remove unused and old entries.
- Including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more... Backup for registry clean.
- Windows Startup tool.
If you like and use this software then it is polite to make a donation to the author.
ccleaner
Download CCleaner from FileHippo.com
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/2927/
AVG Free Edition 7.5.516a1225
Well-known free antivirus protection software.
AVG Free is the most popular free solution available at no cost to home users and provides the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers.
Easy to use, low system resources
Automatic update functionality
Real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run
AVG’s Virus Vault for the safe handling of infected files
AVG Anti-Virus Free is only available for single computer use for home and non commercial use
Follow the link and
Free Download AVG Free Edition Now
AVG Free is the most popular free solution available at no cost to home users and provides the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers.
Easy to use, low system resources
Automatic update functionality
Real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run
AVG’s Virus Vault for the safe handling of infected files
AVG Anti-Virus Free is only available for single computer use for home and non commercial use
Follow the link and
Free Download AVG Free Edition Now
Thursday, March 6, 2008
When Your Laptop Drive Is Damaged Avoid These 7 Mistakes At All Costs!
By Alan Mod
Below listing of the 7 fatal errors not to do when your hard disk is damaged.
1- In case of fire damage do not attempt to clean, or to place in refrigerator or freezer a fire damaged media.
2- In case of physical damage do not try to remove hard drive, do not shake, disassemble any hard disc or laptop that has been damaged , because improper handling can make recovery more difficult or impossible.
3- After physical damage immediately turn off computer, never attempt to operate any visibly damaged devices because further operation may damage data irremediably.
4- Water damage case : Never not attempt to clean or dry water-damaged disc drive by opening it or exposing it to heat(the heat of a hairdryer for example).
5- When a user see messages such as "Operating System not found", "Corrupt Volume" or when he may simply be missing files and folders he should immediately shut down the computer.(Because the longer a damaged hard disc is left running, the more data that can be totally lost).
6- In case of mechanical damage if you hear strange noises or grinding, do not run a check disc software(CHKDSK or VRepair).
7- And finally if you are a newbie, never attempt to try the recovery alone if you have any valuable data.
In this 7 kind of case you will have to contact specialised company, and that can/will cost you probably a lot of money.
In fact the greatest error to avoid is the absence of backup, I will never say it enough, backup, backup, backup...
Or get ready to face a disaster.
For more advices about laptops and data recovery visit The Laptop Support Community.
I'm moderator for The Laptop Support Community, and I'm hoping contribute to make grow our community by sharing my knowledge and helping people
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Mod
Below listing of the 7 fatal errors not to do when your hard disk is damaged.
1- In case of fire damage do not attempt to clean, or to place in refrigerator or freezer a fire damaged media.
2- In case of physical damage do not try to remove hard drive, do not shake, disassemble any hard disc or laptop that has been damaged , because improper handling can make recovery more difficult or impossible.
3- After physical damage immediately turn off computer, never attempt to operate any visibly damaged devices because further operation may damage data irremediably.
4- Water damage case : Never not attempt to clean or dry water-damaged disc drive by opening it or exposing it to heat(the heat of a hairdryer for example).
5- When a user see messages such as "Operating System not found", "Corrupt Volume" or when he may simply be missing files and folders he should immediately shut down the computer.(Because the longer a damaged hard disc is left running, the more data that can be totally lost).
6- In case of mechanical damage if you hear strange noises or grinding, do not run a check disc software(CHKDSK or VRepair).
7- And finally if you are a newbie, never attempt to try the recovery alone if you have any valuable data.
In this 7 kind of case you will have to contact specialised company, and that can/will cost you probably a lot of money.
In fact the greatest error to avoid is the absence of backup, I will never say it enough, backup, backup, backup...
Or get ready to face a disaster.
For more advices about laptops and data recovery visit The Laptop Support Community.
I'm moderator for The Laptop Support Community, and I'm hoping contribute to make grow our community by sharing my knowledge and helping people
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Mod
Laptop and Computer Repairs Guide
By John Tahan
Troubleshooting a laptop or a desktop computer can be a daunting task but with a systematic approach you can learn to cope with some of the headaches when facing a computer crash. There are so many possibilities and scenarios that can cause your computer or laptop to go down. When problems occurs the first thing to do is to determine if you have a software or hardware problem, finding out if the problem is actually a physical issue like a bad component such as memory, hard disk, motherboard etc. or a software issue like a bad driver, a virus or spyware, corrupt system files etc.
If you suspect a software issue and don't really want to spend the whole day finding out if you have a bad video driver or virus, spyware, or system file corruption, then the best thing to do is to format your computer or laptop, meaning wiping out the hard disk clean. I suggest doing a backup of important data if possible if your operating system is accessible. If your data is extremely important like for most people and a backup system was never put in place before the time of the crash, and the operating system is not accessible, then you will have no choice but to remove your hard disk physically from the computer or the laptop and place it in another computer as a slave. If you are equipped with an external hard disk enclosure, you could simply install that drive that needs to be backed up inside that enclosure and you will directly connect the enclosure via a USB port to a working computer. You will then be able to access your drive and backup all important data directly to that computer.
Once the backup is done and most important configuration are written down, again if your operating system is somewhat accessible. You are now ready for the following step, formatting (wiping your hard disk clean) and re-install the operating system, providing that you have your official operating system license cd, then once the operating system is installed, you will need to re-configure all your internal and external peripherals such as: sound card, video card, network card, modem, printers, scanners etc.(keep in mind that on some systems depending on the chipset of the motherboard, you will be spared from installing some drivers, nevertheless it is always advisable to get the latest drivers from the manufacturers sites. Your final step will be to restore all backed up data, and finalize the installation of all additional software and other downloads that you may require. Don't i repeat please don't forget your email and address book backup too. Once the computer is formatted, it will be impossible for you to go back and recover lost data if you are not a professional with specialized tools and software.
A hardware issue is a little difficult to pin point especially on laptops, many issues can make a computer or laptop not want to boot up or even turn on. I would advise calling a professional if you aren't sure what is it you are up against.
If you need more assistance dealing with computer problems, you can always visit my website at http://www.bytelan.com, my name is John Tahan, a webmaster, network engineer and musician. More sites to visit at :
http://www.tzarrockmetal.com - http://www.ineedcupid.com
Thank you
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tahan
Troubleshooting a laptop or a desktop computer can be a daunting task but with a systematic approach you can learn to cope with some of the headaches when facing a computer crash. There are so many possibilities and scenarios that can cause your computer or laptop to go down. When problems occurs the first thing to do is to determine if you have a software or hardware problem, finding out if the problem is actually a physical issue like a bad component such as memory, hard disk, motherboard etc. or a software issue like a bad driver, a virus or spyware, corrupt system files etc.
If you suspect a software issue and don't really want to spend the whole day finding out if you have a bad video driver or virus, spyware, or system file corruption, then the best thing to do is to format your computer or laptop, meaning wiping out the hard disk clean. I suggest doing a backup of important data if possible if your operating system is accessible. If your data is extremely important like for most people and a backup system was never put in place before the time of the crash, and the operating system is not accessible, then you will have no choice but to remove your hard disk physically from the computer or the laptop and place it in another computer as a slave. If you are equipped with an external hard disk enclosure, you could simply install that drive that needs to be backed up inside that enclosure and you will directly connect the enclosure via a USB port to a working computer. You will then be able to access your drive and backup all important data directly to that computer.
Once the backup is done and most important configuration are written down, again if your operating system is somewhat accessible. You are now ready for the following step, formatting (wiping your hard disk clean) and re-install the operating system, providing that you have your official operating system license cd, then once the operating system is installed, you will need to re-configure all your internal and external peripherals such as: sound card, video card, network card, modem, printers, scanners etc.(keep in mind that on some systems depending on the chipset of the motherboard, you will be spared from installing some drivers, nevertheless it is always advisable to get the latest drivers from the manufacturers sites. Your final step will be to restore all backed up data, and finalize the installation of all additional software and other downloads that you may require. Don't i repeat please don't forget your email and address book backup too. Once the computer is formatted, it will be impossible for you to go back and recover lost data if you are not a professional with specialized tools and software.
A hardware issue is a little difficult to pin point especially on laptops, many issues can make a computer or laptop not want to boot up or even turn on. I would advise calling a professional if you aren't sure what is it you are up against.
If you need more assistance dealing with computer problems, you can always visit my website at http://www.bytelan.com, my name is John Tahan, a webmaster, network engineer and musician. More sites to visit at :
http://www.tzarrockmetal.com - http://www.ineedcupid.com
Thank you
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tahan
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
How Important Is Computer Backup Software? Do You Have Any?
By Gary Levy
With the digital world ever growing with files getting larger by the second it's about time the world started taking backing up of their data seriously! What if I told you that many people in the world right now are losing thousands due to corrupt data... Shocking?
I have been working in the Information Technology (IT) game for many years, I have built a nice client base of company's which rely on me supporting their IT needs. This includes making sure their current backup software backs up their important data files.
The problem the world encounters today is the lack of decent programs in the software market, we have our standard computer backup software which comes with most server OS software but its limited to what it can do.
But what should you be looking out for when searching for new backup software?
I'm going to list some of the most important factors that you need to take in to account when buying new computer backup software, there is no need for you to spend thousands on fancy programmers to write you up something, there is hope out there!
First you want a program which will backup your data when it's in use, most programs out there don't do this and show up errors within the logs that its had to skip a file because of file permissions. To get round this you will want a program which can copy the data without hindering the user using the file, a decent backup software program will do this.
You will also want a program which will display the right amount of detail in the log files, this can be one of the most annoying things with computer backup software. They can either tell you too much information or tell you too little information, getting the right balance can be hard.
Make sure you can give the software a trial run there is no point spending out money just to find out that the computer backup software does not do what it says on the tin... Think before spending your cash! If they don't give trials of their computer backup software then ask if they can set you up on one or even give you a guarantee refund.
Reviews! It's very important to read other peoples fews on any program your about to buy, don't purchase anything without reading real user reviews on a product. Some cases this can be hard to find but if you can't find any reviews at all then stay away since the product has not been fully tested by a third party source.
Remember computer backup software is very important to have, its not only costly to have but its even more costly to not have one so think before buying your computer backup software. Picking the right software is key to your company's future, don't lose data that you have taken years to build as it can only take 3 seconds for that data to be lost.
My name is Gary Levy, owner of Computer Backup Software I am an IT Engineer that works for many big company's within the UK London.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Levy
With the digital world ever growing with files getting larger by the second it's about time the world started taking backing up of their data seriously! What if I told you that many people in the world right now are losing thousands due to corrupt data... Shocking?
I have been working in the Information Technology (IT) game for many years, I have built a nice client base of company's which rely on me supporting their IT needs. This includes making sure their current backup software backs up their important data files.
The problem the world encounters today is the lack of decent programs in the software market, we have our standard computer backup software which comes with most server OS software but its limited to what it can do.
But what should you be looking out for when searching for new backup software?
I'm going to list some of the most important factors that you need to take in to account when buying new computer backup software, there is no need for you to spend thousands on fancy programmers to write you up something, there is hope out there!
First you want a program which will backup your data when it's in use, most programs out there don't do this and show up errors within the logs that its had to skip a file because of file permissions. To get round this you will want a program which can copy the data without hindering the user using the file, a decent backup software program will do this.
You will also want a program which will display the right amount of detail in the log files, this can be one of the most annoying things with computer backup software. They can either tell you too much information or tell you too little information, getting the right balance can be hard.
Make sure you can give the software a trial run there is no point spending out money just to find out that the computer backup software does not do what it says on the tin... Think before spending your cash! If they don't give trials of their computer backup software then ask if they can set you up on one or even give you a guarantee refund.
Reviews! It's very important to read other peoples fews on any program your about to buy, don't purchase anything without reading real user reviews on a product. Some cases this can be hard to find but if you can't find any reviews at all then stay away since the product has not been fully tested by a third party source.
Remember computer backup software is very important to have, its not only costly to have but its even more costly to not have one so think before buying your computer backup software. Picking the right software is key to your company's future, don't lose data that you have taken years to build as it can only take 3 seconds for that data to be lost.
My name is Gary Levy, owner of Computer Backup Software I am an IT Engineer that works for many big company's within the UK London.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Levy
Crashed Hard Drives - Data Recovery Is Big Business
By Brandon McVey
Over my 20 years of computer repair, it is safe to say that I have had to replace 1 defective hard drive a week. That's 52 a year, so that's 1000 hard drives give or take. It is also safe to say that 20% of those crashed hard drives did not even phase the customer. Maybe 60% just considered it a hassle. But that leaves another 20% that were almost in tears because they filled it with family photos or work documents with out any form of data backup.
The purpose of this article is to cover a few backup options along with the cost associated with it. You will be surprised at the worst case scenario.
I'm willing to bet that every one smart enough to find this article has a CD burner on there computer. Right there you have no excuse for not backing up your files, but it is time consuming. The CDs need to organized to some extent and they are susceptible to scratches, nicks and heat. So while it is an option, it is not to practical.
Personally I pay about $9 a month for web hosting. With this I can simply set up a folder that is password protected on the server. Then every few days I connect to it and upload my whole drive by dragging and dropping. Take a FTP program of your choice and tell it to copy only the newer files and it's just that easy. What's that? $108 a year? Even then my hosting company backs up my backup while I can tend to the various blogs and sites I maintain.
Quick question... who much does it cost to add a second hard drive to your system? For as little as $200 - $250 you could get an external hard drive in it's own little case that plugs into your USB port. Again, just set it up to copy over the new data.
While there are many more mays to back up your hard drive, here is the part that floors people. Many times over I have had a customer tell me that they need the data off of a dead drive no matter what the cost... then they eat there words or change there mind after they get the details. I'm going to use Ontrack just as an example just because I have used them dozens of times and they have been around longer then me. ( Highly recommended but not affiliated )
They sell data recovery software, as do several other companies. $449 for an Outlook file recovery program. A general data recovery program for just under $200. A professional commercial and consulting, yearly license runs $1499. All this is assuming that the hard drive is spinning correctly and can can be seen by the system. But what if the heads crash or it does not spin at all or the BIOS does not see it? Then it needs to go to a clean room for physical repairs and that's where it starts to add up.
Recently I've seen places advertise that they can fix a drive for $500 on the average with a 88% success rate. That may be the case but most places I've worked with require that much as a non refundable diagnostic fee. Then expect another $1000 for them to put the data on another hard drive. Even then, you usually need to reinstall Windows and all your applications. This is just data recovery.
So in the long run, I hope you can see how practical the time and money it takes to keep your own data backed up is. There is no guarantee that when you wake up in the morning your hard drive will wake up with you. So do yourself a favor and take action sooner then later.
With 20 years of computer repairs behind me, I'm here to share some of the most popular problems and ways to avoid them in my new blog Computer Nightmares. Over the years, the main issues have shifted from hardware to software and I address both. All in an effort to save you from the troubles I've had to seen over and over again.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_McVey
Over my 20 years of computer repair, it is safe to say that I have had to replace 1 defective hard drive a week. That's 52 a year, so that's 1000 hard drives give or take. It is also safe to say that 20% of those crashed hard drives did not even phase the customer. Maybe 60% just considered it a hassle. But that leaves another 20% that were almost in tears because they filled it with family photos or work documents with out any form of data backup.
The purpose of this article is to cover a few backup options along with the cost associated with it. You will be surprised at the worst case scenario.
I'm willing to bet that every one smart enough to find this article has a CD burner on there computer. Right there you have no excuse for not backing up your files, but it is time consuming. The CDs need to organized to some extent and they are susceptible to scratches, nicks and heat. So while it is an option, it is not to practical.
Personally I pay about $9 a month for web hosting. With this I can simply set up a folder that is password protected on the server. Then every few days I connect to it and upload my whole drive by dragging and dropping. Take a FTP program of your choice and tell it to copy only the newer files and it's just that easy. What's that? $108 a year? Even then my hosting company backs up my backup while I can tend to the various blogs and sites I maintain.
Quick question... who much does it cost to add a second hard drive to your system? For as little as $200 - $250 you could get an external hard drive in it's own little case that plugs into your USB port. Again, just set it up to copy over the new data.
While there are many more mays to back up your hard drive, here is the part that floors people. Many times over I have had a customer tell me that they need the data off of a dead drive no matter what the cost... then they eat there words or change there mind after they get the details. I'm going to use Ontrack just as an example just because I have used them dozens of times and they have been around longer then me. ( Highly recommended but not affiliated )
They sell data recovery software, as do several other companies. $449 for an Outlook file recovery program. A general data recovery program for just under $200. A professional commercial and consulting, yearly license runs $1499. All this is assuming that the hard drive is spinning correctly and can can be seen by the system. But what if the heads crash or it does not spin at all or the BIOS does not see it? Then it needs to go to a clean room for physical repairs and that's where it starts to add up.
Recently I've seen places advertise that they can fix a drive for $500 on the average with a 88% success rate. That may be the case but most places I've worked with require that much as a non refundable diagnostic fee. Then expect another $1000 for them to put the data on another hard drive. Even then, you usually need to reinstall Windows and all your applications. This is just data recovery.
So in the long run, I hope you can see how practical the time and money it takes to keep your own data backed up is. There is no guarantee that when you wake up in the morning your hard drive will wake up with you. So do yourself a favor and take action sooner then later.
With 20 years of computer repairs behind me, I'm here to share some of the most popular problems and ways to avoid them in my new blog Computer Nightmares. Over the years, the main issues have shifted from hardware to software and I address both. All in an effort to save you from the troubles I've had to seen over and over again.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brandon_McVey
Monday, March 3, 2008
How to Repair Your Windows Registry
By Lisa Nobles
For those who don't know what a Windows Registry is, or whether or not they even have one, the simple answer is that if you are running a computer that has Windows installed, then you have a Windows Registry. The registry is a storage area that contains all the important information needed to run the computer, such as the preferences and settings for all the hardware and software that is installed.
Viruses, hardware and software upgrades, as well as regular computer use can corrupt the registry, causing the computer to run more slowly and making the system less stable. Signs that you may have a registry problem include frequent freezing, constant errors, and system crashing. If one or more of these problems are occurring, cleaning up the registry will help you to restabilize the system.
There are two main ways to repair your windows registry - manually or with a registry cleaner. However, undertaking this task manually is a huge task and requires hours of work, as you have to sit and sift through all the errors, making changes one by one. It can be done, but there is a much easier, and quicker way.
Registry cleaning software is available for use and is much quicker. The software will scan your computer and inform you of the number of errors it finds. You will then be given options to 'repair' or 'delete' errors, depending on how the errors are affecting the system. All of the repair options are built in automatically, so clean-up just requires a single click of the button.
It is advisable that before using a registry cleaner, you do a backup of your current system. On occasion a current and useful file may be deleted. However, most registry cleaners are fairly accurate when suggesting which files can be deleted. Some also have a built in backup option, so that the system is backed up by the cleaning software before the deletion is undertaken and important files can be restored if needed.
To begin using a registry cleaner, you need to either download a free or trial copy from the internet, or purchase a copy of your chosen software. After doing a backup of your system, simply install the cleaner and run a scan on your computer.
A good cleaner will return a total number of errors, perhaps 305, and a 'safe to delete' or 'safe to remove' total, of, for instance 112 errors. Be wary if the cleaner informs you that all the errors can be deleted. It's likely that some are attached to current programs, and deleting them will cause problems. Of course, as long as you've made a back up of the system, if something is deleted in error, it can always be reloaded. And you don't have to choose to delete the errors if you think that it will be a problem. Most errors can be repaired automatically, doing very little, if any noticeable harm comes to your system.
The type of registry cleaner you decide to use will depend on the options that you want. Some allow you to manually sift through the errors and select which ones you want removed. Some provide detailed descriptions of the errors that have been found. Others are completely automated, with no manual settings available. Depending on your experience level, you can pick and choose amongst a large number of solutions to find one that will work just right for you.
No matter which you choose, registry cleaners are generally easy to use, and save you a lot of time in comparison to sorting through your registry manually. As long as you perform a system back up before deleting any errors, you'll find that using cleaning software is a pain free process.
Cleaning out your Windows registry is crucial to the performance of your PC. If you're ready to clear out your computer's registry errors, you'll want to review registry cleaners before you buy. Review the top registry cleaners on the web and download trial versions today from http://www.registrycleanersreviewed.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Nobles
For those who don't know what a Windows Registry is, or whether or not they even have one, the simple answer is that if you are running a computer that has Windows installed, then you have a Windows Registry. The registry is a storage area that contains all the important information needed to run the computer, such as the preferences and settings for all the hardware and software that is installed.
Viruses, hardware and software upgrades, as well as regular computer use can corrupt the registry, causing the computer to run more slowly and making the system less stable. Signs that you may have a registry problem include frequent freezing, constant errors, and system crashing. If one or more of these problems are occurring, cleaning up the registry will help you to restabilize the system.
There are two main ways to repair your windows registry - manually or with a registry cleaner. However, undertaking this task manually is a huge task and requires hours of work, as you have to sit and sift through all the errors, making changes one by one. It can be done, but there is a much easier, and quicker way.
Registry cleaning software is available for use and is much quicker. The software will scan your computer and inform you of the number of errors it finds. You will then be given options to 'repair' or 'delete' errors, depending on how the errors are affecting the system. All of the repair options are built in automatically, so clean-up just requires a single click of the button.
It is advisable that before using a registry cleaner, you do a backup of your current system. On occasion a current and useful file may be deleted. However, most registry cleaners are fairly accurate when suggesting which files can be deleted. Some also have a built in backup option, so that the system is backed up by the cleaning software before the deletion is undertaken and important files can be restored if needed.
To begin using a registry cleaner, you need to either download a free or trial copy from the internet, or purchase a copy of your chosen software. After doing a backup of your system, simply install the cleaner and run a scan on your computer.
A good cleaner will return a total number of errors, perhaps 305, and a 'safe to delete' or 'safe to remove' total, of, for instance 112 errors. Be wary if the cleaner informs you that all the errors can be deleted. It's likely that some are attached to current programs, and deleting them will cause problems. Of course, as long as you've made a back up of the system, if something is deleted in error, it can always be reloaded. And you don't have to choose to delete the errors if you think that it will be a problem. Most errors can be repaired automatically, doing very little, if any noticeable harm comes to your system.
The type of registry cleaner you decide to use will depend on the options that you want. Some allow you to manually sift through the errors and select which ones you want removed. Some provide detailed descriptions of the errors that have been found. Others are completely automated, with no manual settings available. Depending on your experience level, you can pick and choose amongst a large number of solutions to find one that will work just right for you.
No matter which you choose, registry cleaners are generally easy to use, and save you a lot of time in comparison to sorting through your registry manually. As long as you perform a system back up before deleting any errors, you'll find that using cleaning software is a pain free process.
Cleaning out your Windows registry is crucial to the performance of your PC. If you're ready to clear out your computer's registry errors, you'll want to review registry cleaners before you buy. Review the top registry cleaners on the web and download trial versions today from http://www.registrycleanersreviewed.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Nobles
Microsoft Skydrive - New Free Online Backup - Benefits And How To Use
By Ton Van Creij
Released from beta the new option to make online backups from Microsoft called Skydrive.
This feature is very interesting for several reasons. First of all for people who work on more than one location, for example at home and at work. You can work on the latest version of a document or file from anywhere. The same thing if more people need to access the same file, e.g. pictures, price lists etc. The online backup works like a hard drive of 5 Gb (500 Mb) and it is possible to make a part protected, a part shared, and a part public.
Another advantage of online backup is the safety. A hard disk, dvd or CD can be damaged.
More advantages besides the ease of use are the already mentioned possibility of sharing on a central location files, documents and pictures (with e.g. colleagues, parents or friends in other locations or countries).
Also for people who travel and need to be able to access files from different places like representatives, business men, engineers, presentation for seminars etc.
Other benefits: safety in case of burn down of house or office. And in case of recovery the easy access: easier to find than dvd's, cd's, tapes or other backup media.
Even for people who don't own a computer can store their own data! Imagine countries where computers are still a luxury item and people depend on internet centers. Now they can store their own files without having a computer!
The online file storage service offers password protection and allows users to delegate different permission levels of access to personal, shared or public folders.
Skydrive is available at the moment in 38 countries and you can get an account for free at http://skydrive.live.com/
To access the service, one needs a Windows Live ID. In order to share folders, people who need to access the files also need to have a Windows Live ID.
It works very easy with your actual hotmail/windows live account. As soon as you enter the service you can choose if you want to upload something in your personal folder, your shared folder or public folder. After that you make the choice what you want to upload, which file(s) - click and there they go!
To download - same procedure, it is really easy to use and nobody can have the excuse not to have a backup.
Often people only start making backups after losing a lot of data. Nowadays with these new tools and options it is not necessary to lose any data. It is important to get used to the routine of making backups of important files all the time!
Windows SkyDrive also provides RSS feeds for the shared folders, so your subscribers will know the moment you upload new files. You can also embed files / folders in web pages for your readers to download files directly from your website saving space on your provider and have things centrally located.
Ton van Creij, http://excellent-internet-marketing.com/c - Free Online Internet Marketing Course
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ton_Van_Creij
Released from beta the new option to make online backups from Microsoft called Skydrive.
This feature is very interesting for several reasons. First of all for people who work on more than one location, for example at home and at work. You can work on the latest version of a document or file from anywhere. The same thing if more people need to access the same file, e.g. pictures, price lists etc. The online backup works like a hard drive of 5 Gb (500 Mb) and it is possible to make a part protected, a part shared, and a part public.
Another advantage of online backup is the safety. A hard disk, dvd or CD can be damaged.
More advantages besides the ease of use are the already mentioned possibility of sharing on a central location files, documents and pictures (with e.g. colleagues, parents or friends in other locations or countries).
Also for people who travel and need to be able to access files from different places like representatives, business men, engineers, presentation for seminars etc.
Other benefits: safety in case of burn down of house or office. And in case of recovery the easy access: easier to find than dvd's, cd's, tapes or other backup media.
Even for people who don't own a computer can store their own data! Imagine countries where computers are still a luxury item and people depend on internet centers. Now they can store their own files without having a computer!
The online file storage service offers password protection and allows users to delegate different permission levels of access to personal, shared or public folders.
Skydrive is available at the moment in 38 countries and you can get an account for free at http://skydrive.live.com/
To access the service, one needs a Windows Live ID. In order to share folders, people who need to access the files also need to have a Windows Live ID.
It works very easy with your actual hotmail/windows live account. As soon as you enter the service you can choose if you want to upload something in your personal folder, your shared folder or public folder. After that you make the choice what you want to upload, which file(s) - click and there they go!
To download - same procedure, it is really easy to use and nobody can have the excuse not to have a backup.
Often people only start making backups after losing a lot of data. Nowadays with these new tools and options it is not necessary to lose any data. It is important to get used to the routine of making backups of important files all the time!
Windows SkyDrive also provides RSS feeds for the shared folders, so your subscribers will know the moment you upload new files. You can also embed files / folders in web pages for your readers to download files directly from your website saving space on your provider and have things centrally located.
Ton van Creij, http://excellent-internet-marketing.com/c - Free Online Internet Marketing Course
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ton_Van_Creij
Are You Aware Of These 6 Danger?
By Alan Mod
Is your laptop ready to face at least one of these 6 dangers :
- Hardware or system failure
- Human error (accidental formating or deletion)
- Data corruption (during software upgrades or installations)
- Accidental drop down
- Natural disasters (inundation, earthquakes,fires)
- Computer viruses
I've been using computers at home since 1987, and I lived much computer disasters, believe me or not the only way to really avoid a computer disaster is to regularly backup your data.
Yes it is annoying, wearying, time consuming, but did a computer disaster ever arrive to you ?
If not just imagine, all your data, your work, movies, pictures, software, passwords, web registration(cookies), everything vanish, a real disaster...
This is a free advice, I'm not trying to sell you anything I'm owning a site about Laptop Support and most if not all the disasters my visitors are facing could have been avoided, or reduced by a simple Hard Disc backup.
Many great backup software allow you to browse directly backup, then even if your laptop is physically destroyed, your data are secure and you can restore them on an other computer.
All you have to do is to schedule a daily, weekly or monthly(dangerous) backup of you hard disc.
As I said it earlier to you I am not here to sell, backup software are much on the market, try them choose the one that feet your need and secure your data.
For more advices about laptops and data recovery visit The Laptop Support Community
I'm moderator for The Laptop Support Community, and I'm hoping contribute to make grow our community by sharing my knowledge and helping people
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Mod
Is your laptop ready to face at least one of these 6 dangers :
- Hardware or system failure
- Human error (accidental formating or deletion)
- Data corruption (during software upgrades or installations)
- Accidental drop down
- Natural disasters (inundation, earthquakes,fires)
- Computer viruses
I've been using computers at home since 1987, and I lived much computer disasters, believe me or not the only way to really avoid a computer disaster is to regularly backup your data.
Yes it is annoying, wearying, time consuming, but did a computer disaster ever arrive to you ?
If not just imagine, all your data, your work, movies, pictures, software, passwords, web registration(cookies), everything vanish, a real disaster...
This is a free advice, I'm not trying to sell you anything I'm owning a site about Laptop Support and most if not all the disasters my visitors are facing could have been avoided, or reduced by a simple Hard Disc backup.
Many great backup software allow you to browse directly backup, then even if your laptop is physically destroyed, your data are secure and you can restore them on an other computer.
All you have to do is to schedule a daily, weekly or monthly(dangerous) backup of you hard disc.
As I said it earlier to you I am not here to sell, backup software are much on the market, try them choose the one that feet your need and secure your data.
For more advices about laptops and data recovery visit The Laptop Support Community
I'm moderator for The Laptop Support Community, and I'm hoping contribute to make grow our community by sharing my knowledge and helping people
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Mod
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