|
Click for Presentation Materials: |
|
Computer and Technology |
|
“Recovering from a Computer Crash” Presented by Dick Curry Dick Curry announced that CompUSA will provide a speaker for our next meeting who will describe its training programs for popular applications, both in store and on-line. He also was working on a store discount for our User Group for their training programs. Dick continued with last month’s topic, backups - the need for them and various ways to back up your files. His basic message to the group was: If you have a problem, first assess the nature of the problem, try to determine the cause (what you did that created the problem), determine the extent of the damage, and finally use the simplest trouble shooting technique to recover first. Always write down error messages received. If you're having computer problems and can't start your computer with a normal Windows startup then try using “safe mode”. If you can access your computer's operating system (through a normal or safe mode startup) then try to resolve your problem using utility programs like device manager, registry editor, and add/remove programs. If the problem is not resolved then consider returning your computer to a state it was in before the problems occurred. One option to run “last known good configuration” which Dick doesn't particularly favor because it only replaces the CurrentControlSet Registry key from your system files. Windows XP has a system restore feature that periodically saves your system files, user accounts, and hardware and software settings. Dick thinks this is a much better option. The system restore, though, does not restore your program and data files. Window ME has a weaker version of the system restore and Windows 98 users can get a program something like system restore by launching a program called scanreg /restore from MS-DOS mode. Dick said he had no personal experience with the Windows ME and 98 systems restore features. Dick then went into a discussion of software programs related to back-ups, Power Quest’s Drive Image which provides an image of the entire disk and Windows XP Backup programs. Windows ME and Windows 98SE have watered-down versions of a Backup Program, but Dick said even Microsoft has admitted that a user is better off using a third party backup software program. He then went, step by step through the windows displayed by drive image and Window XP backup programs, calling attention to various points in the process. He showed the detailed steps for both creating backup files and restoring backup files, for both programs, including how to restore backup files from emergency rescue disks (if you can't access your computer with a normal or safe mode startup). Floyd Skelton announced three new features for future editions of the group website, and invited members to contribute: 1. Website of the month, 2. Utility of the month, and 3. Cartoon or Humor posts. |