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LangaList 2004-10-14 Please visit our sponsors and help keep the LangaList S.E. free!
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )------------- 1) Updated: Free Security Analyzer
Thanks, Rob, We've covered (and recommended) previous versions of the free Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (see http://langa.com/u/6f.htm ). Indeed, it can sometimes find problems that other tools (including Windows Update) simply miss. Well worth the download! Click to email this item to a
friend --- ( Your Clicks On Ad Links Help Keep The LangaList S.E. Free! ) --- "Fred - The Plus! Edition has been the best value I have EVER received. I provide support for home and business users. I only subscribe to a single newsletter! YOURS! I can attest to the fact, that every single issue has had at least 1 (usually 2) items which are related to specific issues that I am working on for my clients. Thank you, and continued success. ---"Desktop David" Rubenstein Thanks, David. At just $1 per
month, --------------( the above is an advertisement )-------------- 2) How To Verify If Backups Are OK
While it's true that the only 100% certain way to verify a backup is to try restoring it; but as you correctly state, this is often impractical. But most imaging and backup tools offer some kind of optional software verification that can run when the image or backup is first created. BootIt, for example ( http://langa.com/u/6g.htm ), offers a "byte for byte validation" option that will compare what was written to the BootIt image with what's on the hard drive to make sure the stored image is accurate. Likewise, the "NTbackup" applet in the newer versions of Windows (Win2K, XP) offers a "verify data after backup" option in the "Advanced" menu dialogs. And so on. However, these options can roughly double the time a backup/image takes, and so may not be worth doing every single time. I use the "verify after image/backup" options when I'm first setting up a PC (to make sure my backup/image process is really working); when I change brands or types of CDs or DVDs (to make sure the new media is working OK and that the files are being recorded correctly); and before non-routine and/or dangerous software changes (like installing SP2). Once I know my backups are working, and my media's OK, I generally don't use the "verify" step for routine nightly backups/images. There's one more step you can take, too, and it's good to do when you need to be really, *really* sure your backups or images are OK; and when you want to re-verify that old backups haven't gone bad. (CDs can degrade over time; see http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=15800263 ) The trick is simply to use your backup/imaging tool to selectively read files from the beginning, middle, and end of your backup/image. For example, with the NTbackup applet, you could select several random files from different, widely spaced locations in the backup, and try restoring them to a temporary test folder. If the files restore there properly, you can be reasonably sure the entire backup set is OK, especially if you previously used the "verify data" option when that backup/image was first created. Most other tools have similar features. BootIt, for example, offers a free "TBIView" download at http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html . You can run that tool inside Windows to explore your BootIt image files: If the images are readable, and if you can extract several random test files from the image at will, then you can have reasonable assurance that the entire image is OK, especially if you used the "byte for byte validation" option when the image was first created. So: Use whatever data-validation option your image/backup tool offers; and then test again by manually selecting and restoring several files from the backup/image set. If it all works, you can be reasonably confident about the entire backup/image. Click to email this item to a
friend 3) Delete Leftover Update/Patch Files?
Yes, Ed, those uninstall files are just some of the digital dust bunnies that Windows collects over time. But they can be wiped out, potentially saving you tens to hundreds of megs of space. You only need those files (and the associated uninstall options in Control Panel's Add/Remove applet) until you're sure you won't want or need to roll back or uninstall a given service pack or patch. Once you're sure you're going to keep a given patch or update, its files and Control Panel uninstall options can safely be deleted. Note that if you make good backups or images, you already have a reliable way to roll your system back--- by restoring a known-good image or backup. In this case, you almost *never* need to keep the uninstall files: For people with excellent backup/imaging routines, the uninstall files are mostly just space wasters. More on when and how to delete these porky files: More On Cleaning Out Old "Service Pack" Folders Cleaning Out Old "Service Pack" Folders Remove the Service Pack Restore Files and Folders in
Windows Click to email this item to a
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )------------- 4) Open PC = Open Invitation?
Ouch! Sorry to hear that, Boo. Anything "pocketable" is at risk when strangers are in your house; and hard drives are only held in place by a couple of bolts--- and in some designs, not even that. PC gear, laptops, PDAs, and other high-value electronics all need to be kept out of sight when strangers are afoot. Various forms of file encryption can help, too. For example, storing your passwords in an encrypted file, or something like RoboForm ( http://www.google.com/search?as_q=roboform&as_sitesearch=langa.com ), which can automatically encrypt everything you store inside it, will keep the passwords out of the hands of a thief, even if he gets the rest of the hard drive. Using NTFS's built-in encryption option, or a third-party
encryption tool, can also turn your private data into just a scrambled mess to
anyone except you and other authorized users. See And Plus! subscribers might also see item #12, below; which discusses a laptop-recovery method that can help you locate hardware that's gone missing! Click to email this item to a
friend 5) Floppy-Based Software W/O Floppy?I can think of three options, Rob: 1) If any of your systems has a cd burner, you can use it to make boot cds that will function in that system and in other burner-less systems, as long as they have a cd drive and the ability (in the BIOS) to boot from a cd. In bulk, blank cds cost about 20 cents each, which can be less than the cost of floppy disks! <g> For full info, see http://www.google.com/search?q=create+burn+bootable+cd 2) If your system(s) allow(s) it, use a bootable USB pen drive. These can work almost *exactly* like floppy drives, if you set them up that way. See http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=22100588 and http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=28700158 3) Open the desktop system and see if there's really no place for a floppy; there usually is, even if there's no obvious space visible from the outside. (You may have to remove a plastic snap-out panel to gain access to the floppy bay.) If the system turns out to be able to accept a drive, they're very cheap; you can find them for $10 or less! A classic internal floppy will take 10 minutes of simple screwdriver work to set up (see http://www.ehow.com/how_8224_install-internal-floppy.html ), but will avoid some of the configuration problems that external floppies can have. Although the floppy drive won't help with the laptops, it'll be a convenience for sure on the desktop system. Click to email this item to a
friend 6) Three Winners!"Pkbsr," "mshipp1" and "john22209" each won a FREE full
one-year subscription to the LangaList Plus! edition by using the "Recommend To
A Friend" form at
http://langa.com/recommend.htm . Click to email this item to a
friend 7) Myth Of The Crash-Proof OS
There are OSes that almost never crash, but they're not general purpose, commercial desktop software. <g> And even "crash-proof" OSes usually aren't really immune to crashes, but rather rely on excellent error-handling and recovery routines: They still may have problems, but they manage to keep going. Properly set up and secured modern desktop OSes are, at best, "crash-resistant" in that the OSes try to protect their core code from apps and utilities that may misbehave. XP actually does a pretty good job of this: I have some less-than-stellar apps I have to use (long story), and they crash on a fairly regular basis. But XP itself almost always perks along without a hiccup. This is very different from, say, Win98, where any crash in any app or utility ran a high risk of destabilizing the entire OS. But any and all general purpose desktop OSes
can and will crash at least once in a while. XP, OSX, Linux--- it
doesn't matter. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either pulling your leg, or is
referring to some simplified, low-use or low-stress environment where the
software isn't asked to do very much. All complex software contains bugs. Of course, commercial desktop OSes are *extremely* complex software, so they all contain many bugs, and indeed all can crash. No brand, version or type is immune. Click to email this item to a
friend 8) More Reader Sites!Do you have a home page or website? (It doesn't matter
what size.) Please click over to
http://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://langa.com/link.txt ) Manually Browse All Posted-to-Date Sites Starting At The PC Users Group of Connecticut TAS International Trading Conyers, Georgia Fred Rose's Favorites U-Pac-It Ron Collins Aviation Electronics Computer Maintenance tips and Helpful Programs Ian Patton Eagles Wings Books Database Help lick to email this item to a
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )------------- 9) Per-User Vs Admin Installs
I prefer to install the tools to each account, including at least one admin account; that way, anything that can't be gotten from the admin account, can be gotten from the separate accounts, and vice versa. But if you can't do that, then just install the tools into an admin
account, and run the tools from there. That should protect the machine as a
whole but may not protect each user quite as thoroughly as per-user
installations. Click to email this item to a
friend 10) Just For Grins
As Homer Simpson would say: "Mmmmm. Pi. (slobber drool)" Click to email this item to a
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--------------( the above is an advertisement )------------- 11) Plus! Edition Highlights:
The Plus! edition is only pennies per issue, and comes with a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE from Fred. How can you lose? Check out the details: Plus! Edition info: http://langa.com/plus.htm Click to email this item to a
friend (Give a gift subscription to
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