Question
In case I decide to reformat my hard drive to fix a cipher strength problem, I would like to back it up and be able to restore everything else once it is done.
The last backup program I had that worked worth a darn was the old one used with windows way back before 95 whatever that was called. Windows3 maybe? Anyway everything was in a tree type format and you could backup what you wanted and always restore no matter what.
Since then, I have tried several and have never been able to successfully restore anything. I always get an error message of some type so when I purchased each of my last 3 computers I have just lost everything and started over.
I need to keep a couple of expensive programs I have on this one and am looking for backup that is known to work.
Anyone have any suggestions?
Answer
Hi, the problem with file backups is that they do not take into consideration the entire Windows environment like Registry settings and other system settings that are not captured within files. Personally, I build from scratch. And what was my "main" drive becomes my secondary drive and I move files I need over. I think its a "cleaner" way to do it. Typically I would recommend you "image" your drive using Ghost or Drive Image, but it sounds like you're doing some low-level stuff with this cipher strength stuff that a restore of a disk imager would overwrite.
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Answer
Hello lindajean. Drive Image is a great program but it's not free.
Here's a list of back-up tools provided by the GRC newsgroup regulars. Some are free:
http://lists.gpick.com./pages/System...p~Recovery.htm
Blanche
[This message was edited by bhearsch on SAT December 13, 2003 at 10:22 PM.]
Answer
Thanks Blanche, I will check those out tomorrow. I don't mind paying for a good program, I just haven't found one that is reliable. It always says file missing or dll error or something like that when I try to use them after restore. I have purchased 5 computers in the last 7 years and each time I wind up starting over. It would be nice to be able to fix the problem and keep operating everything I now run since this computer is less than a year old.
tekgems: What do you mean you build from scratch? Is there a way to copy what I want onto my external drive? And then check to see if all files are attached?
Answer
> What do you mean you build from scratch?
Build from scratch? I just mean that either I install the operating system onto a new computer, or I put a new hard drive into the system and make that the main booting drive (i.e. C: drive). I install the operating system and only my essential applications. The less you muck with your computer, the more stable it will be.
Then I can slowly move my stuff on the old hard drive to the new one. It is more time consuming but the advantage is that you can still work. You can build your new system at your leisure.
> Is there a way to copy what I want onto my
external drive?
If you're doing a straight copy, you can right click on both drives and do a file, folder, and total size count on both drives. The drive you are copying from can't be the boot disk though because Windows will not let you copy files it is using.
Migrating your programs and files to a different computer or hard drive can be very complicated.
May I ask what this "cipher strength" issue is with your hard disk? I would strongly advise against reformatting your current drive until your new system up and running. If you depend on a backup and that fails, all your data is gone! Even if it means buying a second hard drive to install programs on, I think its worth knowing that your original data is safe.
> And then check to see if all files are attached?
In the past, I've used a software called BeyondCompare (by Scootersoftware) to synchronize files and folders. It will also run a binary comparison of all your files if you have the patience.
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Answer
1. I don't have the Windows XP program. It came installed and the only way to use the system recovery disk that came with my computer is when the entire thing has to be reformatted (which is why Microsoft and Sony told me that was the only way to fix ithttp://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_frown.gif)
2. So, wouldn't I still have to buy XP to install on the new drive? If so, maybe buying the xp Pro upgrade might also fix the cipher strength.
3. The cipher strength issue doesn't really affect anything on my hard drive. Which is why I have not taken the giant steps necessary to fix it. Everything runs fine, and I can access online banking, CA invoicing and Paypal through Netscape. IE is what is broke.
But, Ebay Turbo lister and the Paid listing program Sellers whatever both only operate on explorer and are not functional through Netscape or Opera. So, for now, that is all I am missing by not having it. That and the huge pain it is to switch to netscape everytime I need to enter a secure sitehttp://community.here.com/infopop/em...icon_frown.gif
Probably not a big enough problem though to go through the risk of losing everything on my new computer (new since it was bought last year). I think I will just keep plodding along. I'll probably buy a new computer next year anyway. Since we use it in business I usually wind up with a new one every two years. Mainly because, like you, I just chose to start from scratch (literally) when the problems get too big to deal with on the computer I am using. But, the others all had reasons for moving up. Speed jumped way up every 2 years, the hard drive would be full, etc. etc. This time, this computer is great other than this one issue.
I do have a laptop if there was any way to move the programs I want onto it and be sure they are functioning properly with a transfer type program. But, I am afraid the cipher strength issue will somehow get moved as well so I haven't played around with that one yet.
I hate the laptop and am so slow working on it (even with a real keyboard and mouse attached) that I only use it to check emails when I am traveling.
Answer
Internet Explorer 5.5+ already have 128-bit security pre-installed. Not sure why your XP machine wouldn't have it:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...it/default.asp
Your Windows XP already comes with Internet Explorer 6 (which has the 128-bit strength seucrity by default). Download and install the Service Pack 1, which will upgrade you to the highest security strength:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/...p1/default.asp
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Answer
If you read my lonnnnng post under auctionsubmit you will see I lost the cipher strength during a critical update last March.
Microsoft admits one of the updates caused this on "some" computers and then states it has no fix (that won't possibly crash your system or for you to reformat and lose everything).
Uploading the service packs, even the entire program does nothing to fix it. IE6 is an "integral" as MS says, part of windows xp and cannot be taken off and reinstalled alone.
Answer
Hello lindajean. I'm almost certain we can fix this problem. Do you remember the MS number of the critical update that caused you to lose the cyber strength?
Have you tried this? http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;Q303823
Blanche
Answer
I'm sorry but I gave you the wrong URL in my last post. This is the correct one:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=318378
have you tried to repair IE?
Blanche