Restore Windows Without Loosing Files

. Your Vendor's Restore CD

The first step in knowing how to reinstall windows is to locate your vendor’s restore CD—otherwise known appropriately enough as a rescue or boot disk. Windows comes with its own rescue CD as well. If that’s the only one you have at your disposal then locate your operating system’s instructions below.

Rescue CDs are not all alike. Some give you rescue functions as well as important software drivers for your computer. Others are more basic, only allowing you the ability to reformat your hard drive. Don’t reformat your hard drive without backing up your personal files to another medium first! Your personal files are those located under ‘My Documents’ in Windows. The exact location of your personal files and folders varies from one operating system to another.

In Windows XP, for example, you will backup everything in C:\Documents and Settings. In Windows 98 and ME, you will backup C:\My Documents. More instructions follow below for your particular system. If you have any other folders where you’ve stored personal stuff back those up as well.


2. Windows 98 and ME CDs

With Windows 98 and ME you don’t want to just reinstall windows without backing up important system information. This information can be found in your Windows folders.

First create a new folder on your C: drive and name it oldWindows. Then use Windows explorer to navigate to your Windows folder. Once there, locate the following subfolders: All Users, Application Data, Desktop, Favorites, Local Settings, Profiles, SendTo, and Start Menu. Copy these folders to the oldWindows folder you created.

Now it’s time to reboot. Restart Windows using your boot disk. Upon startup select Start computer with CD-ROM support. Drivers will begin loading so go ahead and pop in your Windows CD-ROM.

To reinstall windows properly you will need to delete your directory tree so type c:\windows\command\deltree /y c:\windows and press the Enter key. After that you need to invoke the Windows setup installation procedure located on your Windows CD. Type your CD drive letter and then type setup.

Next get into the DOS prompt from Windows and type

xcopy c:\oldWindows\*.* c:\windows /s /h /r /c.

This will restore all important system information.


3. Windows 2000 and XP CDs

If you have Windows 2000 and XP you need to know how to reinstall windows properly as well. Insert your Windows CD and boot your computer. Upon startup you will see Press any key to boot from CD.

After clicking you will come to the welcome screen. Press Enter, then press Escape to start a restore. From the menu options select C as your current partition and then l to delete the Windows folder. Enter temp as your user name when prompted. Reboot and you will be logged in as temp.

Next you will restore your personal files. Windows 2000 users should login as temp, then Administrator and then back to temp again. Then go to C:\Documents and Settings and you will see an Administrator folder and one with Administrator: computername.

From DOS type cd \documents and settings and then press Enter. Type xcopy administrator\*.* administrator.computername /s /h /r /c, substituting for computername your folder that was appended to Administrator earlier. Your personal files will be restored.


4. For Both Windows XP and 2000

Windows XP and 2000 users need one extra step to know how to reinstall windows correctly. Create a new folder on your C: drive and label it oldData. Then go to My Documents and Settings and copy all of the folders for each username to oldData.

In Control Panel go to User Accounts and create a new account for each of these users—use their names as spelled out under their Documents and Settings folders. If you’re using XP ensure that at least one account has Administrator privileges.

For each user on your computer, log off and log in with that user’s name. Then login as Temp and drop down into the DOS command prompt interpreter. Now type

xcopy c:\oldData\*.* "c:\documents and settings" /s /h /r /c

Then press Enter. Go ahead and confirm that you wish to overwrite files. When you’re done, log off and then login as each user. Each user’s Documents and Settings should be restored.


5. Finishing Up

After you install windows you need to install other software too, like drivers and Windows Updates from Microsoft’s web site. Check for any graphics drivers that you may need to install from a vendor CD.

Look for all of your old personal files and make sure that they are all there. If not, check the C:\oldData folder and move the files to the correct location. Once you are absolutely sure that you have everything you can delete both the oldData folder and the Administrator folder.


Conclusion

It may have come as a surprise to you to learn that you can reinstall windows without having to wipe out your hard drive. With a fresh install of Windows you can restore to your computer the speed and efficiency which it had when you first bought it.

A fresh install will do wonders for your computer’s performance and will be better for your system than a simple repair. In order to save your personal files you simply need to create temporary folders as we outlined in this article and restore them back into the new installation.

Important Dust Your Computer

Did you know that your fan draws air into your computer which also draws dust as well. It is critical that you dust your machine out at least every 6 months. You can open most of your computer box's by simply undoing the screws on the back and pulling the panel off. Take cans of air you can buy anywhere and blow your computer out.

Try to get as much dust out as you can off of all the components. If you do not know how to open your computer then take it to a professional to do the cleaning for you. I have seen to many machines that have built up dust in them so bad that they have shorted out. Dust can conduct electricity and does. Once this happens fires can break out, components can short out causing a electrical smell which can ignite into flames. Do not let this happen to you. Granny's computer did this very thing and it is now in the trash can.

If you hear a grinding noise this may be your CPU fan. If this stops working you CPU chip will burn up and then you might be buying a new computer. In both cases you will be purchasing a new computer. Do not force your CDROM's to close by pushing them use the buttons. If you have done this eventually you will have to push them in by hand. They are sensitive to forces other than their button.

In most cases if you have issues with your computer hardware you can simple shut down the computer and unplug it after it is unplugged you can press the power button this will reset the drivers and devices. Plug it back in and restart. They should work properly, do not do anything if you do not know what you are doing. Always take your machine to a professional or to someone who knows what they are doing. Especially if you smell smoke, keep animals such as dogs, cats, anything with hair that sheds away from the back of your computers, the hair will get sucked into the computer, also if they spray, I do not need to explain what that will do.

Automate Disk Cleanup

Cleanmgr.exe is designed to clear unnecessary files from your computer's hard disk. You can use command-line options to specify that Cleanmgr.exe cleans up certain files. You can then schedule the task to run at a specific time by using the Scheduled Tasks tool.

To start the Disk Cleanup tool, either run the Cleanmgr.exe command, or click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

Disk Cleanup supports the following command-line options:

• /d driveletter: - This option specifies the drive that you want Disk Cleanup to clean.
• /sageset: n - This option displays the Disk Cleanup Settings dialog box and also creates a registry key to store the settings that you select. The n value, which is stored in the registry, allows you to specify tasks for Disk Cleanup to run. The n value can be any integer value from 0 to 65535. To have all of the options available when you use the /sageset option, you might need to specify the drive where Windows is installed.
• /sagerun: n - This option runs the specified tasks that are assigned to the n value if you use the \sageset option.
  
  For example, in Scheduled Tasks, you could run the following command after you run the cleanmgr /sageset:11 command:

  cleanmgr /sagerun:11

  This command runs Disk Cleanup and includes the options that you specified with the cleanmgr /sageset:11 command.

Anyone Want Speed Boost Free

Open DNS what is that? The process is simple, what DNS does you do not loose your ISP it works together to bring you smooth surfing. To make it simple here when you click on links to web pages it travels to the http://www.example.com instead with open DNS you travel directly to the http://000.000.00 which is the same thing but direct to the server. Not bouncing through a bunch of other servers to get there. It is free at the link above to use. There are full tutorials on how two's, it is really simple to implement and add, once added you will not even notice. I have used this free service for about 6 months now and I noticed the speed difference right away when clicking to web sites. If you are not using Firefox Browser I suggest that you also go and download this browser service as well. You will be happy you did. I will post a link to all of these as well in my links area.

P2P Programs

P2P means peer to peer, which is quite fun. However is a magnet for virus's. How many of us love to get free music or movies. Lets be honest here. Who would not want to not have to pay for a movie or get free music without having to pat for it. I can tell you this I have had nothing but problems doing this.

It is illegal as well as dishonest but some of us still do it. When using P2P programs the chances are that you will pay for it in one form or another. First I have gotten warnings from my service provider telling me that the owner of certain movies or cd's has complained about copy write infringement has been violated. The difference according to the law of the Internet free sharing of information some say that it also violates our rights to share files with each other. This is the loop hole that we can legally share files with each other, just not go to Warner Brothers hack into their files and steal their files that is what the controversy is. They even say that coping movies from a CD that you purchased to give to someone else is also illegal.

P2P programs will give lots of free files again you will not know what you are actually getting. I have received lots of virus's while downloading music or movies. MIRC has also provided lots of junk as well as most P2P programs even the pay for sites as well cannot block files or check out all of them. These sites are full of material that is defiantly not suitable for children. If your child is using P2P programs parents beware, their are porn sites and children exploitation sites as well. It is sad that P2P has allowed these things to be allowed into their systems. So again if you use these P2P programs be ready to receive lots of virus's or ad ware and even spy ware as well. You may get you internet service cut off and a legal letter stating that you are being sued for copy write infringement.

So in conclusion I wanted to provide this information as it is for what it is if you are doing P2P programs which are quite inticing for movies or music be extrememly careful and do not give out your information period. Do not sell or copy or give to anyone anything that you have downloaded for money. You can give one copy to yourself. This is not to scare you it is to be aware, file sharing will become more serious as the federal government gets more deeply involved with Internet policing and new laws will be implemented and the idea is to get rid of P2P programs altogether. You will soon see these sites gone. More to come keep coming back. John A. Crowder

Anti-Virus Software Do I Need It.

First off anti-virus software is extremely important to have running on your system there are to many folks out there that are bored with nothing to do but ruin your day and your computer. To bad this is the case these days. I found over the years as I watched each one of these anti-virus, anti-spam, anti-anti become the thing of the now. Its development phase was created by these companies to prevent access to consumers computer systems. The more the Trojans, Worms. etc came about in their sophistication's the more was needed to add to these software anti-virus programs. Creating a bog on computer systems. The non paid for anti-virus programs run terrible on systems. The paid for programs run smoother because they are bounced back and forth on their servers receiving updates constantly.

The easiest way and purest way to combat virus's is to simply download the free version of avast anti-virus software this can be downloaded at avast.com look for the free home version. It takes no resources and updates itself with ease of use. This software does not bog your system as well as use valuable resources, it also catches everything and destroys it. Along with Glary Utilities will be the ultimate programs that will be needed only for an optimal system performance. If you would like the Glary Utilities information write to me and I will send you the resources and how to get a free copy of this wonderful software.

You will need to delete your prior anti-virus programs all of it in order to use this software you will see a big difference. So if you are wondering why you are so slow or why things take so long to load this is why. I use both these utilities both free no paid prescriptions just simply free to have and use and they work the bast throughout my system of tests. Understanding certain virus's is essential because there are those that actually eat your hard drive sectors. Causing you to go and buy another hard drive.

Do Not Let Your Computer Get Dirty

Does Your Computer Need Cleaning?

Did you know that all the cleaner software that is either free or purchased to use, will do nothing but a surface clean. Kind of like hiding the dirt under a rug. I have been examining software programs that claim they can do a complete cleaning, "WRONG" I have used them all, I wanted a complete program that erased the free space as well. You see the free space is actually storage areas for files that have been surfaced cleaned. Ever wondered why or how the police or government agencies could find files on a hard drive that the user left behind? Because of surface cleaning, you computer hard drive still stores information that you cannot even see or access unless you know what you are doing.

This is why we have fragmented the disc drives. Fragmentation occurs when downloaded or deleted software is applied. When cookies are placed by a file you have downloaded or loaded from a disc. Windows has standard programs such as disk-cleaner or defrag located in your system tools section. If you want a clean and trouble free system. Always defrag and clean disc. They say that you do not need to do this but once a week or once a month. You can even schedule it automatically. This is simply a myth, you must always these days do it once a day to keep your machine running smoothly. At the time this Windows software evolved there was not many spammers or programs loaded with bogged down garbage as well as other added junk to slow down the computer. Today it is a market of garbage and junk that infiltrates our systems.

So cleaning is extremely important otherwise you will end up in the dump sorting out trash to find your way through to the other side. I suggest Glary Utilities a pay program for the ultimate resource for one click cleaning. Or CCleaner which is free you can grab this at http://www.ccleaner.com
Remember to clean each day it may seem a waste of time, however test it for yourself. Do not clean for a week or a month and watch your machine get sick or decline in speed. Then do it each day and see the difference.

Computer Tips & Tricks

One things for sure are you equipped for todays journey with computers? We are in the age of technology which may or may not interest you. However the impact of hardware and software advancements has almost taken over the average user. In the old school days anti-virus was something that was not really needed. Email has become the spam of today. Advertising has become also the billboards of tomorrow. I felt that people really need to know some basic and general information that will assist them with optimum performance each time you use your computer.

Computers are the thing of now. We work with them everyday and do not realize it. Every thing we use has been generated basically by a machine or computer. I find this very interesting. I have worked on many computers, watched the technology evolve. The early days were fun and fulfilling, now computers consume our lives to the point of no return. Can we live without one?

My goal here is to guide you for those who do not know tips and tricks that most companies do not want you to know. So bare with me and feel free to express your questions I will do my best to answer them. I will also refer you safe ways to cut down on the industries mumbo jumbo. I will also offer free ways to get things done without the high dollar expenses companies want you to pay when problems arise or when you need to have certain componants or software applied to your systems. There are to many free options out there that expose the junk of it all. We will weed through it all.

So please feel free to add information on things you might be interested in. Looking forward to building this blog, I would like to thank my friend Ann who has brought me to this blog page where I can reach so many of you. God Bless! John

What To Know?

When buying or upgrading you want to always make a checklist of what you desire to use your computer for. If you are using your computer for text applications then it is not to necessary that you have an over kill machine. Text does not take up much space or use to many resources.

If you are into graphics or movies then you will need the goodies. You will need at least 500mb of Ram with a high end processor as well as lots of hard drive space. You will need a good video card as well so you may want to buy a good high end machine. A lot of companies no matter who they are always leave you blank with one thing or another missing from the systems people buy. For example, you may ask a tech what comes with this machine that you are selling me? He or she may respond with the following response. With this machine you will get 500 or a 1,000 bites of DDR Ram with a front side bus of 500Mhz. It also comes with a 128 Video Graphics Card integrated. "Note the integrated card part" That means on-board when that is the case it is set in stone no upgrades, of course once you continue on with the salesman, he or she may tell you, you will have also 3 PCI Slots and one AGP Slot. What is missing here in this picture? Can you guess? If so send me an email.

Now lets check out the hard ware? How big of a hard drive comes with this machine. Most hard drives are rather large these days and reasonably priced. 160 Gigs is good higher is better. 80 Gigs is minimal good for text storage. This is good on most newer machines, note that when software is installed from the gate most companies add their goodies as well in most cases is not necessary for their stuff to be on your new hard drive. This cannot be avoided unless you purchase one from a Mom and Pop shop where they add OEM Windows software, leaving out the extras.

Other items usually needed these days are USB Ports, how many come with this perspective machine that you are interested in? I like to have at least 4-5 slots due to the fact that other pieces of hardware have plug in USB plugs. Most higher end hardware components have USP plug-ins.

The monitor, this is varied you can either get a monitor that is smaller or larger depending again on your needs. The bigger the better is my motto. The bigger the more expensive, most computers have flat screens these days. CRTs are outdated, those are the big bulky ones that are full of lead and you cannot even throw them away anymore. Most dump sites are reluctant to take them off your hands. I have found for me that some of the CRTs are better in graphics than the newer flat screens they are trying to sell us. Of course this is a preference once again. So basically you want the best bang for your dollar when buying a computer. Get the largest one you can find for sure for the purchase of this computer of yours. Printers will come with a purchase usual they are not very good ones unless you purchase a higher dollar computer. Look for resolution the higher the better for quality printing. In my next blog we will summarize this discussion. In the meantime post your comments or questions letting me know your interests you wish to discuss here. Before you purchase make sure that you make a list of desires that you want or do not make the deal, I can pretty much tell you that most companies will work with you if you know what you want and have knowledge of the basics. John A. Crowder