Pg 624 Backup user data

You can backup files, or a whole hard drives to an external storage device or to a network drive. XP and Win2K give you more options when it comes to backing up. Vista is not as flexible. Windows 7 goes back to being more flexible.

Vista:

XP Backup

Windows 7 - Back to many options to save.

Pg613 MsConfig

MsConfig has been around for a long time. Windows 2000 pro by default doesn’t have it but you can download it and put it in the Winnt folder and works just fine. MsConfig is extremely useful, especially with malware and virus removal. As you can see you can view services as well as programs starting up with windows. Other useful tabs are included as well.

Pg612 Error Checking

Usually there are symptoms of defective hard drives, slow access times, system not booting correctly, errors shutting down, et. al. Error checking can sometimes fix problems well enough to keep the system running until you get a new drive, but don’t wait too long.

Pg 609 Defragmentation

OS’s do not store information in contiguous sectors on the hard drives, so you might end up with part of a file in one section and another part in another section of the hard drive. This makes the hard drive work harder and slows down the operations. Defragmenting moves file “pieces” together or at least closer together.

You should defrag at least once a month. As you can see, my hard drive is only 2% fragmented so it really doesn’t need it done. XP would show you a graph, which I liked better than Vista and 7. If the hard drive gets too fragmented, defragmenting it can take a long time.

In this window you can also schedule defragmenting.

Pg 608 Disk Cleanup

See blog for 13-2.

13-4 System State Restore

This is the WinXP System State Restore.

Process.

#1 Path of backup.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents

#2 Present display.

New Settings

New Background, Hid desktop icons

#3 Added Windows Messenger

Removed Windows media player

Change Confirm

(Change Confirm pic)

#4 Restored system state.

It didn’t restore my desktop, nor remove windows messenger. It did restore windows media player.

Also, when I tried to uninstall windows messenger through remove windows components, it wasn’t checked  but it was still installed.

13-2 Cleaning up your hard drive

With Admin rights.

13-2 Clean start

13-2 Clean options.jpg

Without admin rights.

Disk cleanup is much more limited for the purpose of protecting the system from accidental advanced file removal by uneducated users.

13-1 Restore Points

13-1 Create Restore Point Windows 7

Here’s the starting background.

13-1 Original look

Created restore Point

Why they couldn't keep the manual restore with the restore window is a mystery to me.

13-1 Win7Restore point.jpg

Changed Desktop

13-1 desktop background change.jpg

Restored to original

13-1 System restore start.jpg

13-1 System restore start2.jpg

Restored to Original

13-1 Original Look.jpg

Changes are not in effect because the restore point backs up the registry which contains the user settings for the desktop and everything else for each user. It will remove programs and hardware changes if they cause a problem and if the restore point is created prior to the change. Documents are not affected nor are external drives.

Windows Vista is about the same process, WinXP is more straight forward with the manual restore point with the restore window.

13-1 Restore Points

13-1 Create Restore Point Windows 7

Here’s the starting background.

13-1 Original look

Created restore Point

Why they couldn't keep the manual restore with the restore window is a mystery to me.

13-1 Win7Restore point.jpg

Changed Desktop

13-1 desktop background change.jpg

Restored to original

13-1 System restore start.jpg

13-1 System restore start2.jpg

Restored to Original

13-1 Original Look.jpg

Changes are not in effect because the restore point backs up the registry which contains the user settings for the desktop and everything else for each user. It will remove programs and hardware changes if they cause a problem and if the restore point is created prior to the change. Documents are not affected nor are external drives.

Windows Vista is about the same process, WinXP is more straight forward with the manual restore point with the restore window.

Chapter 12 Win7 Install

 1) Go ahead and boot from your DVD 

Choose your settings from the drop down menu and click on Next to move forward.

2) Much like the  Windows Vista  & Server 2008 install at this point you have the big option of Install Now which you should click now to start the install.

3) You will see setup start then you will be presented with the licensing agreement you will need to accept by placing a check next to I accept the license terms

4) On the next screen you get the following options:

Upgrade: Upgrade to a newer version of Windows and keep your files, settings, and programs

Custom(advanced): Install a new copy of Windows

For this demo I am going to do a clean install so I am going to choose Custom.

5) Now we come to the disk options, as you can see I have an unformatted 16GB hard drive available for use.  In this screen shot I have already clicked the Disk(advanced) button so that is why you see options that you might not see right away. I am not going to do anything here but use the 16GB, but if you wanted you could create a system and data drive or if you had multiple drives choose where you want to install the Windows 7 OS.   Choose the drive you want to use and select Next.

6) At this point your install will start and you can monitor its progress

After it finished it does a restart, when it comes back up it will finish the install

7) Once it completes the installation you will be asked for the following:

Name: I am going to use Dave but feel free to use your own

Computer Name: Again, feel free to use something different from mine

Once you enter your value click on Next

Next comes to the security portion of the install.  You will be asked for the following:

Password: Like I would tell you guys!

Retype your password: Good try but I’m not giving it up!

Password Hint: Put in a hint that will point you to your password

After you input your information click Next

9)   Go ahead and place your key where provided, then choose if you want it to activate when you are online next.

When you are done click on Next.

10) The next thing you need to configure is how you want to deal with updates.  There are several options:

Use recommended settings: Handle everything the Microsoft way and send info home when things go bad

Install important updates only: Only install security updates and other important updates

Ask me later: Go it alone in the cold cruel world… leave you open to possible exploits as you won’t get security patches as vulnerabilities are discovered

For this demo I am going to choose Use recommended settings, go ahead and choose yours

11) Ok, on to setting the time and time zone.  Choose your time zone from the drop down menu, then set the correct time and click Next.

12) The next option is to set the type of network you are connected to.  Since I am working off my home network, I am going to choose Home Network. The options you have are:

Home Network: You can participate in a homegroup and see other computers on the network

Work Network: You can not participate in a homegroup, but you can see other computers on the network

Public Network: You can not participate in a homegroup or access other computers on the network.  This is a setting you would use at your public Wifi spot at the coffee shop to keep the local hackers out of your computer.

Select your network type to continue.

13) Since I selected Home Network I am now being given an option to start a homegroup.  In this case I do not need that so I am going to select Skip. (Never fear, if you need homegroup info I will be covering that in an upcoming article.)

14) You will now see Windows 7 finalizing your installation

That’s it!  Congratulations and enjoy your Windows 7  experience!

Chapter 11 Comp Build

No way to attach a Powerpoint so here are the drizzly details: $700

Hard Drive

Samsung 1TB New w/ 3yr Wnty - Hard Drive

SpecificationsSamsung Spinpoint HD103SI

Capacity: 1TB

Cache: 32 MB

Interface: SATA II 3Gb/s

New w/ 3 Yr Samsung direct warranty

Motherboard

Asus P7H55M-LX

Chipset Intel H55
Memory 2 x DIMM, Max. 8 GB, DDR3 1333/1066 Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory

Dual Channel memory architecture

Expansion Slots 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16

1 x PCIe 2.0 x4

2 x PCI

VGA Multi-VGA Output Support: DVI-D and RGB Ports
Supports Microsoft DirectX 10

D-SUB with Max. Resolution : 2048 X 1536 75Hz

DVI with Max. Resolution : 1920 X 1200 60Hz

Storage Intel H55 Express Chipset built-in

6 xSATA 3.0 Gb/s ports

LAN Realtek 8112L Gigabit LAN PCIe controller

Audio VIA VT1708S 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC

- Support Multi-streaming

USB 12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (6 ports at mid-board, 6 ports at back panel)

ASUS Unique Features ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution

- ASUS Q-Fan 2

Form Factor: Micro ATX

Fan

Aluminum Heatsink

Ball-Bearing Cooling-Fan

Generic Thermal Compound

Processor

Intel® Core™ i5-750 Processor
(8M Cache, 2.66 GHz) Intel

Series: Core i5

Model: BX80605I5750

CPU Socket Type: LGA 1156

Core: Lynnfield

Multi-Core: Quad-Core

Name: Core i5-750

Operating Frequency: 2.66GHz

L3 Cache: 8MB

Manufacturing Tech: 45 nm

64 bit Support: Yes

Virtualization Technology Support: Yes

Thermal Design Power: 95W

Manufacturer Warranty

Parts: 3 years limited

Labor: 3 years limited

Memory

Manufacturer: Kingston Technology Company

Manufacturer Part Number: KHX1600C8D3T1K2/4GX

Product Line: HyperX

Product Name: HyperX 4GB DDR3 SDRAM Memory Module

Product Type: RAM Module

Memory Size: 4 GB

Memory Technology: DDR3 SDRAM
Number of Modules: 2 x 2 GB
Memory Speed: 1600 MHz
Memory Standard: DDR3-1600/PC3-12800
Signal Processing: Unbuffered
Form Factor: 240-pin DIMM

Case

Warranty: 1 Year

Condition: New

Packaging: Factory Box

Ship Weight: 11.5 lbs

Manufacturer: Logisys

MFG Part #: CS-206

DVD Drive 1

Part #: BLK-GH24LS50-DO

Warranty: 1 Year

Condition: New

Manufacturer: Hitachi/LG

Model #: GH24LS50

SATA interface

2 MB buffer

Buffer-underrun prevention function embedded

LightScribe Direct-Disc Labeling technology

Access Time:

DVD-ROM: 145 ms

DVD-ROM DL: 220 ms

DVD-RAM: 270 ms

CD-ROM: 125 ms
Write Speed:

DVD+R: 24x

DVD-R: 24x

DVD+RW: 8x

DVD-RW: 6x

DVD-RAM: 12x

DVD+R DL: 16x

DVD-R DL: 12x

CD-R: 48x

CD-RW: 32x
Read Speed:

DVD-ROM: 16x

CD-ROM: 48x

DVD Drive 2

Asus DRW-24B1ST 24X Internal DVD Burner

Cache Size: 2 MB

DVD+R Write Speed: 24X

DVD+RW Rewrite Speed: 8X

DVD-R Write Speed:             24X

DVD-RW Rewrite Speed:  6x

DVD Read Speed: 16X

DVD-RAM Write Speed: 12X

DVD-RAM Read Speed: 12X

DVD Access Time: 150 ms

CD Write Speed: 48X

CD Rewrite Speed: 32x

CD Read Speed: 48X

CD Access Time: 150 ms

Interface Type: SATA

Compatible Writable Media: CD-R

CD-RW

DVD-RAM

DVD±RW

DVD±R

Writing Modes:  Disc-at-Once

Incremental Recording

Packet writing

Random Write

Restricted overwriting

Sequential recording

Session-at-Once

Track-at-Once

Supported Formats: DVD-ROM, DVD±R/RW,

Photo CD, CD-DA, CD-Extra,

CD-Text, CD-R, CD-RW

Keyboard & Mouse

USB Wireless Multimedia Keyboard & Mouse
General Features

Keyboard Features:

Black and silver design

Flat profile

Ergonomic Shape

One-touch keyboard controls

Secure, reliable cordless technology

Multimedia Control

Audio Control
Mouse Features:

Black and silver design 

3-buttons

Scroll Wheel (acts as 3rd button)

Cordless

Ergonomic shape
Receiver Features:

Silver color

USB connector

Monitor

I-inc iH-252HPB 25" Widescreen LCD Monitor - 1080p, 1920x1080, 15000:1 Dynamic, 800:1 Native, 2ms, 16:9

Display Type: Widescreen LCD

  Screen Size: 25 inches

  Diagonal Size: 24.6"

  Pixel Pitch: 0.283mm

  Display Colors: 16.7 million

  Display Format: 16:9 Widescreen LCD

  Vertical Refresh Rate: 56Hz - 75Hz

  Horizontal Frequency: 24kHz - 83kHz

  Interface Type: HDMI VGA

  HDMI: 2

  Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1080

  Condition: New

  Features: Built-in Speakers

  Speakers: 2 x 1.5 Watt

  Audio Input: Yes

  Contrast Ratio: 800:1

  Dynamic Contrast Ratio: 15000:1

  Brightness: 300 cd/m²

  Response Time: 2 ms

  Horizontal Viewing Angle: 170 degrees

  Vertical Viewing Angle: 160 degrees

  VESA Mounting Compliant: VESA 100mm

  Dimensions With Stand: 22.9" x 17.1" x 7.8"

  Power Consumption: 50W