IT News April 2009 - Data Recovery, Windows 7, Media Player

Welcome to the latest Newsletter (April 2009):

1. How to Recover Lost Data - act now
2. Windows 7 - Advice
3. VLC Media Player - Free Software

How To Recover Lost Data

Regular readers will know that I regularly encourage my clients to make regular backups of their data and files. Burn to CD / DVD; store on an external disk or upload to online storage. As for online storage, I use and recommend Mozy (don't like the name but a good, free, secure and efficient online storage facility). It backs up your files whenever you are online automatically and securely. It is free for up to 2GB of storage but I pay less than 4 Euros a month for unlimited! You can add your own encryption password to encrypt the files before they are sent or let Mozy encrypt them.

There are 2 types of computer users that I meet every day: those that have lost important files and those that will! So what happens if you don't have an up-to-date backup? Well, read on and I'll give you some tips and advice. You need to read this now and implement some changes now - before you lose files.

1. Look in the Recycle Bin! Windows XP uses 10% of your hard disk (up to 4GB) for your Recycle Bin and Vista use considerably more (40GB + 5% of the other available space). Double click the icon on your desktop to open an explorer window showing the name, date deleted and original location (in Vista you need to right click the column headings to see the original location). When the bin is full files are automatically and permanently deleted when it is full. Files are deleted on a First In First Out basis. You can change the size of the bin in its properties. Only files that were deleted by you and from your local hard disks are kept in the Bin (memory sticks are not included).
   
2. Vista's Shadow Copy. In the Home versions of Vista Shadow Copy is enabled but not accessible - don't ask me why! I will explain how to use it in a moment but first: what is it? Vista uses Shadow Copy to maintain periodic snapshots of all files and folders on your hard disk! It does this every day and whenever a Restore Point is created. For this to work you must have System Restore Enabled on all drives. To make it accessible in the Home Editions you need to download a free tool: Shadow Explorer. Do it now so that it is there if (or should I say when?!) you need it. See my article How To Use Vista's Shadow Copy.
3. Recovery Software. OK, so your files are not in the Bin and Shadow Copy doesn't have them; what next? All is not lost! I recommend another free program (are you sensing a pattern here?!): Recuva. Download and install this file now. Recuva provides you with two ways to recover your files: a Wizard mode, and an Advanced mode. Note: Ideally, you should install Recuva before you need it. The process of installing Recuva can in fact overwrite the file you are trying to recover. This applies to any other software you are running: if you think you have lost data then stop using your computer. If you are not confident in using these tools to recover your files then still install them because they will be needed by whoever you call upon to help you. By installing them before you have a problem there is less chance of losing your data. I have just taken my own advice and downloaded and installed this in around 2 minutes so you have no excuse - do it now!
4. Backup! This shouldn't appear in this list really but I've got to mention it! Most of you will have some software that is used to create CDs or DVDs (Nero for example) and most of these will have their own backup routines. If not, Windows has its own. See my previous article on the Windows Backup Program. This means that you can't use "I don't have a backup program" as an excuse!

Well, enough nagging for now on and on to more interesting things.

Windows 7 - Son of Vista

When Vista first came out I advised my clients not to buy it as an upgrade to XP (if it comes with the computer than fine but don't pay for it on its own). I stand by that advice and now would like to advise you on Windows 7. The reason I advised against a Vista upgrade was because it was such a departure from XP that there would be a lot to learn (and unlearn) and there would be a lot of problems with incompatible software and hardware. So where do I stand with Windows 7?

I can summarize by saying: "Windows 7 is what Vista should have been: an easier, more stable and more secure version of Windows." Why the change of heart? Because Windows 7 is based on Vista it has learned from the Vista problems and manufacturers and software developers have less work to do to make their hardware and software work with it. It will be out later this year, earlier than planned because of the poor take up of Vista in business. I would wait until the first Service Pack (bug fix) before parting with cash for it but I wouldn't hesitate in buying a computer with it already installed.

Just before Vista came out, anyone buying a computer with XP installed would get a free upgrade to Vista. This process didn't always work for a number of reasons (incompatibility being the main one). The same process will be available with Windows 7 but this time it should work. The bottom line: if possible, don't buy a computer until Windows 7 comes out but if you have to, make sure you have an option for a free upgrade (there are some people who believe that Windows 7 is really just an updated version of Vista anyway!).

Finally, why is it called Windows 7? Is Bill paying homage to the cult TV series Blakes 7 or is he a Doctor Who fan and thinking of Satellite 7? Well, no! It seems that Vista was a one-off attempt at an interesting name for his operating system. Windows 7 is simply the 7th version of Windows (3.1, 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista and now 7). Looking at the list I realised that I didn't know what XP stands for! After some time spent surfing the Internet I couldn't find a definitive answer then I looked at my original purchase of XP. Sitting on my bookshelf is an intricate A4 folder that came with my XP and inside, in big letters is eXPerience (Microsoft capitalized the XP). So there you have it and I have learned 3 things: What XP stands for, the Internet doesn't have all the answers and that there goes another hour of my life that I'll never get back!

VLC Media Player - Play All Video Formats for FREE

If you have ever tried to play a video file from the Internet or your CD/DVD player only to find that it doesn't work (or works but with problems) then this is most likely because you don't have the right software installed. This is the software you need: VLC Media Player from VideoLan. I started seeing this on clients' computers towards the end of last year. I noticed it because its icon is an orange traffic cone!! Since then, I've read about it in magazines and on line and thought I should give it a try and I have to say it does what is says on the tin! I haven't used it for music so I don't know how it compares to iTunes and other dedicated players but I wanted it for its movie skills!

Final Word

As always, I encourage anyone with a comment, suggestion, question, idea, criticism or inspiration to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please also see The Inland Magazine Computer Problems Forum if you have a specific IT problem.

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Steve
PC Resolver
966 967 439
650 354 629

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