Had to call in the GEEK squad today!..

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by rawfuls

Very great tips...

I use partitions... Since this new computer I just built only has one IDE port.. And I'm too poor to pick up a SATA 500GB HD.

I have a hard drive just based for pictures, movies, and music....
Apparently, that hard drive is going down the drain, so I have to recover the stuff from there.

I've found that instead of using a internal HD, put the internal in this:
http://search.ebay.com/search/search...fsoo%3D2&fgtp=

Unless you want to boot off the internal like you listed.

What you stated are very good tips, might use em myself... Maybe...

I don't physically separate, as I'm just too poor, and lack of ports.

I used D for my programs ONLY... No music, and whatnot, made that mistake quite a long time ago.

You can just delete the C partition, and reload XP onto the C Partition, than the D partition, but you will need to re-install programs, as the registries are changed..

I have a question for Mr. IT Guy

I have a C/D Drive, 120GB that's crashed, I put it in a external enclosure..
When I try to access my desktop files, it says "Access Denied"... What gives? I think it might just be because since I had a password on my C drive, I guess I should just plug it in via internal IDE?

Thanks in advance!

Partitioning really has no use other than organization. If the drive fails, all partitions go with it. And you get no performance boost either since it's the same physical drive.

If you want true redundant/mirrored system, go RAID1 (min of 2 HDD).
If you want high performance, go RAID0 (min of 2 HDD).
If you want both, go RAID 5 (min of 3 HDD) or RAID10 (min of 4 HDD)

Those options need a specific type of controller (either built into the mobo, or an add-in card).

If you want basic redundancy, get another internal drive. Use that as a backup (make a copy of your stuff). The idea is to have multiple copies of the same thing in different places. However, if you get a virus, or a power surge, everything in your computer will be affected. Best/easiest method is to go external HDD to solve both of these issues.

As to your "access denied" issue: Have someone with Administrator priveledges log in, and using NT permissions, change the owner of those files to you (or change it to the Administrator and then grant access to the "Everyone" user group). If that doesn't fix it, then you/someone probably encrypted the drive. Have fun getting your stuff back if that's the case. Most likely, it's a permissions thing. Easy fix.

[BrianG]

I may seem a little paranoid, but I have a total of 3 external HDDs. One is at home and two are at work (to provide an off-site place in case there is a house fire or something). I then rotate which one is at work so things are current.

Each of these contain the same stuff. I don't back up programs because you just re-install those, and you'd also need the reg entries and such to make them work. So, I just back up the pertinent info in my login profile and anything else I deem worthy.

I have several batch files that calls up windows backup program, backs up certain files and folders I identify, checks the backup, and then stores that file as "my backup_mm-dd-yyyy.bkf". Pretty easy to do and because there is a date in the filename, allows multiple backups of the same stuff if I want. Each backup does a certain thing; one for my pics, one for videos, one for mp3s, one for all kinds of install apps for different programs, etc. Keeping them seperate allows me to recreate the backup for only the items that changed, which takes less time.

At the same time, I have extracted all the program install CDs as ISO files and store them on the external drives as well. When I want to install something, I can either make a new disc or mount the ISO as a virtual drive.

All this stuff is mirrored on all three external drives, and one set on a IDE drive inside my PC ("C drive", programs, profile, etc is on a set of 35GB RAID0 SATA Raptor drives).

I also backup my money info (checkbook log, etc) and various account stuff in an additional way. Once I finish my accounting, I have a batch set up to gather all those files, WinRAR them with a password, and then FTP them to a secure folder on the net somewhere. This is closer to a "real time" backup for some things that change frequently. Again, all automatic.

[Gee]

I wouldn't call that paraniod, I'd call it the proper way to do it. Your setup is much more like a buisness would handle it. Mirroring is a fantastic way to do it if you have the resources. I was talking to an HP tech that came to work on a warrenty call and he was telling how much the off-site real time backup buisness had grew since 9-11. Never really thought about it until he brought it up. Nice method also.

[BrianG]

Yeah, I was the Ops Manager at a datacenter for a few years and they used RAID10 for real-time data and then used DAT tapes to store backups off-site. I never liked DAT because you need the hardware to read them, a SCSI adaptor, and the tapes seemed to degrade after about 6 months.

So, I thought I would borrow that method, but address the weak points. I felt external drives work best because they are cheap for the capacity (compared to tape), easily replaceable, and can be read by pretty much anything. Even if the USB part didn't work, I can always disassemble the case and hook up the raw drive. And for things that change frequently, off-site via FTP is the way to go provided the data and the destination is secure.

One important note: If you are running an NT-based OS (Windows 2000, XP, Vista, etc) do NOT encrypt the data prior to backup. Encrypting is pretty secure, but is tied to your login id. If you have a catastrophic failure and need to restore, you will not be able to use/access those files even though you set up an account with the same username. Even though the names are the same, the associated login identifier is different. So, just don't encrypt the files. If security is a concern, encrypt the backup using a password-protected archive tool (WinRAR, WinZIP, etc) and use a strong password: over 10 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters; don't use dictionary words; and don't use any part of your name, SSN, birthdate, etc.

[rootar]

you guys have me thinking about getting an external hardrive. my poor old laptop (over 7 years) is MAXED out, when i want to use PS CS2 or Sony vegas6 i have to install/uninstall each other because my cp wont run with them both, it doesnt help that i have over 3,000 7mp pictures, and all sorts of programs.... i havent been using virus protection for the last 5 years or so (after the original 2yr program ranout), i dunno how it still works so good, i dont get popups, viruses, still not getting any error with programs and i usually never turn it off (stays on and lit about 18 hours a day)

i dont download crap, and i dont get on any "questionable" sites.....my mom has managed to go through 3 laptops in 6 years

[BrianG]

I think you might be surprised about the virus thing. Not all viruses wipe your harddrive or do other destructive things; some are actually trojans that will let other programs in to track your internet use, or use your computer to help mass-email spam, etc; you never know.

There are free programs out there that offer basic protection, so there is no excuse NOT to use something. I use AVG for antivirus, Zonealarm for firewall, and Spybot/Adaware for spyware.

[_paralyzed_]

Any suggestions/reccomendations for someone who's thought about getting an IT degree and has a lot of time on their hands? (It's for a friend)

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

Any suggestions/reccomendations for someone who's thought about getting an IT degree and has a lot of time on their hands? (It's for a friend)

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

Any suggestions/reccomendations for someone who's thought about getting an IT degree and has a lot of time on their hands? (It's for a friend)

The only thing I can say about IT: Tell your friend to be prepared to be always learning. IT is constantly changing and it can be a PITA to keep up with the advances in technology. Any special area; programming, networking, helpdesk, customer service tech, analyst, operations, etc? No matter what, there is a lot of competition out there in any IT field unless you are REALLY REALLY good. Don't expect a 6 figure income otherwise. If your friend wants a more consistent job that will ALWAYS be around, suggest mortitian; there will always be dead people and how to handle that never changes.

[_paralyzed_]

Originally Posted by BrianG

The only thing I can say about IT: Tell your friend to be prepared to be always learning. IT is constantly changing and it can be a PITA to keep up with the advances in technology. Any special area; programming, networking, helpdesk, customer service tech, analyst, operations, etc? No matter what, there is a lot of competition out there in any IT field unless you are REALLY REALLY good. Don't expect a 6 figure income otherwise. If your friend wants a more consistent job that will ALWAYS be around, suggest mortitian; there will always be dead people and how to handle that never changes.

easiest to do from a wheelchair and get a 6 figure income? ()

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

easiest to do from a wheelchair and get a 6 figure income? ()

Well, the 6 figure income is most likely gonna come from the analyst, programming, etc - the harder/more skilled areas of IT. I had a friend who worked in Operations and was in a wheelchair. Of course, he only made like $14 an hour...

[rootar]

Originally Posted by BrianG

I think you might be surprised about the virus thing. Not all viruses wipe your harddrive or do other destructive things; some are actually trojans that will let other programs in to track your internet use, or use your computer to help mass-email spam, etc; you never know.

There are free programs out there that offer basic protection, so there is no excuse NOT to use something. I use AVG for antivirus, Zonealarm for firewall, and Spybot/Adaware for spyware.

i do run a check everynow and then with norton to see if anything is corrupted or to find and trojans and i have had a few but its easy enough to clear them and any files theyre in.

MY theory is that i have been on a long distance dail up 17Kbps (not mbps but Kbps) internet connection for the last 7 years so i figure since i got dissconnected oh every 15-30 minutes or so even if i did get a virus itd prolly comit sucide due to frustration with my shitty internet, i definetly wouldnt blame it.

We did get wildblue satelite internet about a week ago so i guess i need to install a live protection system and back up my HD because now with fast internet i bet my laptop is gonna crap the bed.

[rawfuls]

I only have one user and that's me.
So I should just log in as Administrator? And how would I go about changing the NT permissions?

[BrianG]

Well, if you only have one user on that PC, then you are most likely an Administrator. Changing permissions can be tricky, but it's easy once you do it:

> Right-click the folder/file you want to modify, and select "Properties".
> Go to the "Security" tab.
> Make sure your name is listed at the top as one of the names. If not (and you are in fact an administrator), add it (Use "Add" button).
Assuming your name is there:
> Click on that user (to highlight it), and look at the list of permissions at the bottom of the window. Make sure "Full Control" is checked.
> Click "Apply" and see if that worked.

If that doesn't work, go back to the "Security" tab.
> Click the "Advanced" button.
> Click the "Owner" tab.
> Change the owner to your name.
> Click "Ok"
> See if that worked.

If not, or you get any errors, helping you would be beyond what I could do on a forum.

[rawfuls]

There is no Security tab at all...
I guess my only hope would be connecting by IDE...