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The LangaList
Standard Edition

2004-01-29

A Free Email Newsletter from Fred Langa
That Helps You Get More From Your Hardware, 
Software, and Time Online

Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!

1) Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen.... More Ways To Make XP Run Better

A number of readers are adding their own excellent suggestions to my "10 More Ways To Make Windows XP Run Better," posted at http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=17500569 .

For example:

Fred, Might I suggest two truly comprehensive web sites:
 
http://www.blackviper.com , which covers the topic of xp efficiency in an extremely thorough and comprehensive manner; and  http://pacs-portal.co.uk , which handles virtually any question regarding startup programs.
 
Between the two sites one's system can be tweaked to create the greatest efficiency without major compromises to the operating system.
 
You may have reviewed these sites previously but I feel they are well worth presenting again. Cheers, Fred Spector

Thanks, Fred. Yes, we'd mentioned both those sites before, but one of the benefits of aggregating tips into a stand-alone collection is easy access, so that you don't have to hunt down sites like those individually. In fact, that was part of the reason for the whole "10 More..." article in the first place: to put a bunch of related tips all together in one convenient place. <g>

Check it out, and then tell us what you use on *your* PC. By the time we're done, we should have an awesome collection of real-world, real-life tweaks that can help make XP work just the way we want it to!

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2) Restoring An Image To A Different PC...

Dear Fred: I, too, prefer whitebox systems for many reasons and was interested in your recent purchase of the Systemax from Tiger Direct. ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2004/2004-01-22.htm#4 )  I'm running a 1GB P3 with 512 mb of 133 sdram, two hard drives (WIN98SE & XP pro), scsi adapter, Matrox Millennium graphics, etc. I've never owned anything but whitebox computers, all four built to my specs by local geeks.

I'm ready for an upgrade, especially because I work with publishing software and huge graphic and video files. I want to either build, or have built, a system similar to the one you just bought. However, I dread the thought of reloading and resetting all of my software (60 entries total on the XP system alone). Although I clearly understand the advantages of clean install, I keep my systems clean, defragged and running fast behind a firewall and current virus protection. Do you think I would be causing myself any problems if I simply loaded an image of my current XP drive on a formatted new drive? I still want two hard drives but I certainly no longer need 98SE.
 
Thanks for the great Plus! newsletter. --- Bill Ramsey

Restoring an image works best when there are no hardware changes at all. In fact, this is how most software vendors set up new PCs on an assembly line: Any number of identical PCs can be set up from one master image, copied over and over onto successive PCs.

So if you were replacing one system with an identical new unit, then yes, you could move the image from one to the other. Minor differences also might be OK: If all you're doing is changing the hard drive inside a system, then yes, you can restore the image from the old hard drive to the new. In both cases, you might have to re-activate your software, but that would probably just be a minor speed bump.

Things get dicier when you introduce many or major hardware changes. Restoring an image of one PC's setup to a completely different PC might work to a point, in that the PC might boot and run, but things would not be optimal.

I actually did this as a test a long time ago, when I was first experimenting with disk imaging. I wanted to test a worst-case scenario, so I tried restoring a disk image from machine "A" to machine "B" which was totally different (different vendor, different cpu and speed, different hard drive, video, etc.).

To Windows' credit, it worked: When the operating system woke up, it saw that the hardware was different and launched the "Found New Hardware" wizard, installing what it could on its own and asking for driver disks or CDs for the rest. When it was done, Windows was operating: I could access my files and use the system. The test convinced me of the value of imaging even in the worst possible circumstances--- you can indeed restore Windows even to a totally different PC, and regain at least basic access to your data.

But the resulting setup was far from optimal, and suitable for emergency use only. For example, the registry and file system contained many items left over from the first system that weren't germane to the second--- useless baggage carried over from the previous setup. So this kind of move can be OK to try in extreme circumstances such as when your PC is trashed, lost in a fire or to theft, or otherwise unavailable. Then, you can restore an image to a new PC, and at least get your files back. But the less alike the two systems are, the messier the final setup will be. So: I wouldn't recommend trying to reuse one system's image for setting up a new system. There's a better way for that. See next item.

3) ... And Transferring Files To A New PC

In setting up new system files, it helps to break things down conceptually into two major parts: the files for the system itself, and your user files and preferences.

The former really should be done from scratch because it involves drivers for the motherboard, video card, modem, network card, and so on. These vary from PC to PC. Likewise, setting up your major applications is usually best done from scratch so they'll be properly matched to the OS, file system, user name, etc., on the new system.

But your own files--- your documents, spreadsheets, photos, email, etc--- are much easier to transport, and usually can be done in a flash. Likewise, many personal preferences also can be copied from PC to PC safely and easily.

For example, in older versions of Windows, you often can lift the full contents of the "My Documents" folder, including all subfolders, and drop it all into the "My Documents" folder on the new PC, simple as that. You can do this by cable, network, disk to disk, CD or even by floppy. (Of course, if you've placed your personal files someplace other than "My Documents," you need to copy them from where ever they are.) You can do the same thing with your Cookies, Favorites, History, and similar folders.

But XP makes it even easier via the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard."

The Files and Settings Transfer Wizard helps you move your data files and personal settings from your old computer to your new one, without having to go through much of the same configuration you did with your old computer. For example, you can take your personal display properties, folder and taskbar options, and Internet browser and mail settings from your old computer and place them on the new one. The wizard will also move specific files or entire folders, such as My Documents, My Pictures, and Favorites....

To open the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

I'm usually suspicious of "Wizard" applications, but this one seems to work pretty well: I recently used it to move my files from my old PC to my new one, and the Wizard did everything I asked it to.

Either way--- manually or via a Wizard--- when you're done, you should end up with your old familiar files on a new, freshly-set up PC. The final result is much cleaner than trying to restore the complete old setup onto a new PC, and helps ensure that your new PC gets of to the best possible start.

4) Novarg/MyDoom/MIMAIL Worm

Unless you've been under a rock, you know about the new worm that exploded around the world Monday afternoon. Almost all AV tools that use "heuristics" were able to detect and block this worm before formal definitions were released; and almost all the major AV vendors did have definition updates available within hours of the worm's appearance, anyway.

That, plus the fact that the worm relied on human help--- people had to click on an unknown email attachment to launch the worm--- should have meant that the worm went nowhere. Instead, it probably will end up as the most-widely distributed worm of all time. (Sigh.) I've gotten literally thousands of infected emails here, all of which were harmlessly filtered and discarded.

I won't beat a dead horse--- or a live worm: You can read about the worm, and how to recover from it if you're infected, at your favorite AV vendor's site, such as this: http://langa.com/u/3h.htm .

But beyond stating the obvious--- use an up-to-date AV tool, and never, ever, ever open any email attachment unless you know a priori that the contents are safe--- there's one noteworthy twist to this worm: It was apparently designed to take out SCO, as some kind of retaliation for SCO's anti-Linux lawsuits.

Computers infected with the "MyDoom" virus will begin to attempt to connect to the main page of the SCO company's website on Feb. 1. The connection requests will come roughly every second from each of the estimated thousands of machines that are now infected, in an attempt to overload SCO's Web server and knock the company's site off the Internet....
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,62058,00.html

I think SCO's suits are wrong, but this isn't the way to fight back. I hope whoever wrote this virus is caught and sent away for a long, long time. What a waste of time, bandwidth, and effort!

5) Tizita's Report Card

Remember Tizita, a 12-year-old Ethiopian girl? Just about a year ago, she became one of the many children sponsored on an ongoing basis by LangaList Plus! subscribers (see http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-02-24.htm#3 for the original information, or click to see an update here: http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-04-24.htm#5

We just got a new photo, a copy of her report card, and an update on what the assistance money is being used for. The information arrived in a tri-fold pamphlet, which I've scanned for you here:

Public Site:
http://www.freetune.com/kids/tizita200401.htm

Private Plus! Subscriber Site:
http://www.langalist.com/plus/kids/tizita200401.asp

If you're used to US-style grading, her marks aren't very good. On the other hand, when you read the context--- that some of these kids just got their first pair of shoes--- it puts things in a completely different light. Tizita has a long way to go, but at least she's on her way now.

Here's what this is all about: Those of us with computers and Internet access are vastly better off than most of the world's population. Because of this, I decided that a portion of the LangaList Plus! subscription fees would be donated to registered/legitimate charities helping the underprivileged around the world. The contribution does not increase the cost of a Plus! subscription in any way; the donation is taken "off the top" of any profits. (This is described in the pages at http://www.langa.com/plus.htm  )

Tizita is one of the children sponsored on an ongoing basis--- week in, week out--- by the collective generosity of LangaList subscribers. LangaList Plus! subscribers also have collectively contributed to emergency earthquake relief efforts in India and to funds to help the victims of the Sept 11th attacks in the US. (To see all the donations so far, click to http://www.langa.com/plus2.htm#kids )

As time goes on, and as more readers sign up for Plus! subscriptions, I hope we'll be able to sponsor more children and assist other charities around the world.

If you're not yet a Plus! subscriber check it out: With a Plus! subscription, you can not only help yourself make the most of your hardware, software and time online--- but you also can help those less fortunate (like Tizita) make the most of their very lives. Thanks for your help!

http://www.langa.com/plus.htm

or give a GIFT SUBSCRIPTION to the Plus edition:
http://langa.com/plus_gift.htm

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6) Last Days To "Recommend And Win"

On January 31st, I'll choose three more winners of the FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTIONS to the LangaList Plus! edition given each month. (If your name is drawn and you're already a Plus! subscriber, your current subscription will be extended by a full year.)

To have a shot at winning, just use the following link to recommend the LangaList to a friend. Your friend just may find a new source of useful information; I just may gain a new subscriber; and you just may win a FREE ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION! (Full details also available via this link): http://www.langa.com/recommend.htm

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7) Another Free Transparency-Tweaker

Fred, thanks for the newsletter. As always, I enjoy it. I think everyone should chip in for the Plus edition. :)

In the 12/11 edition ( http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2003/2003-12-11.htm#2 ) , R. Dan Park mentioned an applet called Vitrite that he uses to set a window's transparency. I use one called Power Menu ( http://www.veridicus.com/tummy/programming/powermenu/ ) and love it. It adds to the right-click menu the ability to minimize any program to your system tray, set a window's transparency, it's priority, and the one I use all the time 'always on top'. It's freeware but the author accepts donations. I'm sure there are some other Langa List readers who'd find it very handy. ---Troy A. Tudor

Thanks, Troy. A lot of these tools are showing up now--- seems to be a very popular tweak!

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8) They Loaded The Code

Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter what size.) Please click over to http://www.langa.com/code.htm , and maybe you can join the hundreds and hundreds of LangaList readers who have "Loaded the Code!" (If you've already "Loaded The Code" and are wondering if your site will appear here or on the Langa.Com web site, please see http://www.langa.com/link.txt )

Speaking of which: Here's another eclectic sample of reader sites--- some professional, some very personal:

View A Randomly-Chosen Reader Site
http://www.langa.com/randomlink.htm

Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At
http://www.langa.com/readersites.htm

RoadKill on the Information Superhighway
http://www.flmtgif.org/~jkreiderfamily/

Lampin: A Filipino Family Online
http://www.viloria.com/

music2myear:Geek
http://music2myear.blogspot.com/

Motivational Screensavers
http://www.77-motivational-screensaver-quotes.com/

Affiliate Marketing
http://internet-marketing-success.supplementdealer.com/

CucumberHead
http://cucumberhead.home.comcast.net/

Tarot
http://www.akasha.ws

Felling Fly Fishing Club (UK)
http://www.fellingflyfishers.co.uk/

jkfoster
http://www.jkfoster.com/

Windows Help Chat Board & Room
http://www.smartercomputing.com/

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9) Professional Spreadsheet User SIG

If you depend on spreadsheets for your business, or to manage important data in your private life, this may be of interest:

Hello Fred, I found a web page http://www.informationweek.com/529/29uwfw.htm
Applications Development: Finding Spreadsheet Errors by Ray Panko. ["...An oil and gas company in Dallas lost millions of dollars in an acquisition deal, and several executives were fired. The root of the problem: A spreadsheet model contained an error. The executives had based their actions on inaccurate spreadsheet data...]

I am trying to improve the visibility of the European Spreadsheet Risk Interest Group (EuSpRIG) http://www.eusprig.org ; dedicated to increasing awareness of spreadsheet errors amongst academia and industry and to promoting research regarding the extent and nature of the problem, methods of prevention and detection of errors and methods of limiting damage. We have an annual conference in Europe and a mail list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eusprig

Thank you, Patrick O'Beirne

Spreadsheet and related computer-modeling may sound esoteric, but the use of computers for modeling is pervasive now in business, government, and increasingly even at home: If you plan your taxes, investments, or retirement funds on a PC, you're engaged in financial modeling.

EuSpRIG has posted a collection of some of the worst problems to come to light due to spreadsheet problems at http://www.eusprig.org/stories.htm . Of course, many times, errors are not made public...

Whether as interesting background, or as a matter of professional concern, EuSpRIG is worth a look.

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10) Just For Grins

Mike Elgan (whom you may know from "Mike's List" http://www.mikeslist.com/ ) sends this along:

You've mentioned Tiny URL before. Here's that service's opposite... http://www.hugeurl.com/  ---Mike

Wow--- HugeURL turns the tiny, 16-character http://langa.com  into a behemoth 1,500-character URL, the length of a paragraph of text. That's an inflation factor of about 100 to 1!

It is, of course, mostly a joke, although there could be some minor uses in disguising a link. But 100 to 1... yikes! <g>

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11) Plus! Edition Highlights:

• Res-Changer Tools
     (adjust screens with a click!)

• Free Tool Deletes "Undeletable" Files
     (weird/illegal names no longer a problem!)

• Free Conversion Tag
     (convert measurements right inside your docs!)

DID YOU KNOW that Plus! subscribers have access to over 100,000 additional words in special features, extra content and private links, all on a private web site? All that, plus 30% more content in every issue, for just a dollar a month!

Full Plus! Edition info: http://www.langa.com/plus.htm 

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(Want to give a gift subscription to the LangaList Plus edition?
Click <a href= " http://langa.com/plus_gift.htm ">here</a>)

See you next issue!

Best,

Fred
( Editor@Langa.Com )

Please recommend the LangaList to a friend! (And maybe win a prize!)

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