Got my computer back…running as it was 2 weeks ago before what we call "the Big Bang". That's when everything went crazy…programs disappeared, others refused to open and had to be downloaded again (even the PAID ones) No IE-explorer that worked with pictures because you can't use Adobe Flash on a 64 bit system…and the 32bit IE had mysteriously disappeared. SO…we got it back. Thank GAWD for full image backups. Even if the program to open them for viewing doesn't work, it still lets you Recover and run them in. I had 2 backups done before the "bang" and just ran them in…replacing the crappy mess that was in there, along with the nasty registry.
SO…what was it? I voted for a corrupt registry, but my family 'Puter Wizard' thinks it was Windows 7 Service Pack 1. Probably a combination of both.
Permanent fix? Set the program to NEVER allow updates. Everything but the Service Packs are BS anyway. MS is full of holes no matter HOW many updates they provide. I've been through SP updates for other OS. Never a problem with XP but if you're running Win7…BEWARE. First thing I did after the mess straightened out was a Full Backup. Now I have to go delete all the files I stored on 3 external drives and won't need for restoring manually (thank god). If this hadn't worked I was facing reloading the Win7 program…again and manually re-doing all the files. Oh, PLEASE…not again!
I suppose now I don't have to look at episode 2 of "Game of Thrones" tonight…for the 4th time because I'm not depressed about the state of my computer any longer. Hey..I even got back ie-Spell. Need that little program cuz I'm a rotten typist and make a LOT of typos.
See what happens when you let the kids play with your computer…
I have Win7 on this laptop, default IE8 and Flash Player 10. Just did an image on DVD's, took 8 of them. The Auto Java Update program is a pain, it just won't go away.
See what happens when you let the kids play with your computer…
I have Win7 on this laptop, default IE8 and Flash Player 10. Just did an image on DVD's, took 8 of them. The Auto Java Update program is a pain, it just won't go away.
Backups on DVD…in THIS century? Get on Amazon and buy a little wallet-sized portable HD. The 500 GiG are about $60 for the best Toshiba Canvio. Lots of other brands for less…or a smaller one CHEAP. You can fit multiple backups on them. Of course, these are Flash drives…not true Hard drive discs and it takes a few hours for an image backup. So…start it when you go to bed or will be not using the computer for 4 to 6 hours and let it do its thing. I don't like ANY built-in back-up programs that came loaded on my external drives…not the 2 Maxtors or the Canvio. Acronis is better…easier and faster (cheap…$29). Does a bang-up job of restoring files, partitions or the whole image. I worship at the altar of backups. I do a full image (have no use for incrementals) the first of every month unless I add something significant…OR when paranoia prompts. That default IE8 is the 32bit version. Cherish and nurture it because if it Zaps, you won't get it back without either a reload of Win7 or restoration of your backups. Adobe only has a beta-version of Flash for 64bit and it's not very good.
What's wrong with Java updates? Without them you'll find yourself unable to access things like bank services etc. Never had any Java problems…just the stupid Microsoft junk. I always take Java and Adobe Flash updates.
Read my post again. I said image, not backup. I like to make a DVD image now and then as it is a bootable duplicate of the drive in the laptop. I have 3 of those little HD's and one desktop version for backups, no Acronis though. Maybe I will look at that one.
Also the problem is not with Jave itself. It is with their Updater. You can't turn the thing off. It asks for permission to run, I keep telling it to stop and I will look for updates myself. Next reboot it's back. I don't like any nanny software that installs itself to tell me that it is taking care of the product. There is no reason to have all this stuff running in the background to keep nattering at me that there is an update for xyz product. From router to WAP to 3 laptops and desktops all these popups about updates.
Read my post again. I said image, not backup. I like to make a DVD image now and then as it is a bootable duplicate of the drive in the laptop. I have 3 of those little HD's and one desktop version for backups, no Acronis though. Maybe I will look at that one.
What's your definition difference between a Backup and an IMAGE? Acronis Home Image (I use 2011 for Win7) does a complete duplicate of the entire Hard Drive (or drives) including programs and files. OR, it will do incremental backup of only the things added since the last one (fine for a business office…stupid for home use). It's a totally bootable computer duplicate. I've used it when I replaced an older, smaller HD with a larger one. On the naked new HD we just loaded the OS, then ran everything back in…took about 30 min. Used it when doing the original Win7 change and now to recover the state of the computer from the disaster of this latest FUBAR. What the heck do 8 DVD's do that this Image backup doesn't?…aside from making you constantly insert disc after disc…etc…etc.
If you already have an external HD big enough to hold everything on your computer, get a copy of "Acronis Home Image 2011" in disc or download from their website…and use it. I download quite a few utility programs but a few are good to have in hand when needed….like a copy of the Operating System, MS Office…whatever. I have a disc binder full of program and peripheral equipment discs. You can always re-download programs that you've purchased in case of problems (I did a bit of that with this disaster) so long as you have a copy of the Key or serial#.
Guess what was the first thing I did last night when the computer came to life again? Acronis BACKUP! On a Maxtor One Touch 500Gig external…1hr, 20min
The image is a sector copy of the drive not a file by file copy. I do a DVD image because it is more failproof than using a moving parts with electronics external HD. On the DVD's is the entire hard drive's structure including the OS and it is bootable. I do this maybe every month. You can not use this to restore a file. An image is a bit-identical copy. Short filenames in the Registry are preserved and metadata is reproduced. At some point I will buy a spare HD for the laptop and restore the image to that drive. This gives me a ready to roll spare HD that can be popped in and brought up to date from the file by file backup minus any new ap installed between the last image and current status.
In addition I do backups (file by file copy) to external HD's with some files in Dropbox for easy transfer to phone or other PC's anywhere in the world. When I travel I carry one of the mini-HD's with the laptop.
"aside from making you constantly insert disc after disc…etc…etc." "running as it was 2 weeks ago"
It does not take me that long to make an image copy.
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Hey..I even got back ie-Spell. Need that little program cuz I'm a rotten typist and make a LOT of typos.
That default IE8 is the 32bit version. Cherish and nurture it because if it Zaps, you won't get it back without either a reload of Win7 or restoration of your backups. Adobe only has a beta-version of Flash for 64bit and it's not very good.
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