Joy Wizard » Software

Back Up Your Computer The Easy Way

Alex Webley — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:21:30 +0000

Do you back up your computer?

Have you seriously thought about what would happen if you do not have a reliable backup of your computer data?

Stress, anxiety, disruption to your life and perhaps business, downtime, loss of cherished memories and so on are just some of the effects when people do not have a computer data backed up properly.

Many people do not back up their data properly. Some do not do it at all. Others just partially.

Why is this?

A key reason for poor computer backup practices is the hassle involved. The time taken, the effort required and the sheer logistics of it. This is why I prefer to backup my computer the easy way.

So, what is the easy way to backup your computer?

I have been using this method for years now, probably around 10 years. I clone my computer.

Note the use of the word clone. Cloning means to make a perfect copy of your computer hard drive. A clone is not an image or some other form of fancy copy; it is simply an exact replica of what is on your hard drive.

When you have a cloned copy of your hard drive on an external hard drive it means that you have a detachable, separate backup of your computer system.

If you ever need to look at files on that drive, all you need to do is connect the external drive to any computer.

Should you need to restore your computer system for any reason, with a clone it is remarkably easy – all you do is install a fresh copy of Windows on your computer, then install a copy of the software you used to clone your backup drive. Next, you connect the backup drive to the computer and instruct the back up software to copy everything on your external hard drive to the computer. After this process, once you restart the computer, you will find that all your programs, data, settings and other personalizations are exactly the same as they were when you did the back up.

The best policy is to have a least three backup external drives. What I do is backup once a day, alternating between two drives, and then once a week to a third drive which is stored off site. This means that if one day I have a severe Windows corruption, not only do I have the previous nights backup, but the one from the night before as well as a copy that is between a day and seven days old off site. Having an off site backup is crucial because if any disaster happened at your premises where you keep your computer, your backup should be safe at another address. You would then just claim on your insurance for a new computer, or simply purchase one, and then either clone back your data (if the new computer is the same hardware configuration as the old one) or move it back manually. What is the point for example, of having your backup situated at the same address as your computer and getting them both stolen or burnt in a fire?

After long experience, I’ve found the best ‘cloning software’ program to be Acronis True Image Home.

I use the Samsung range of external hard drives (Story Station). Mine are USB three, however USB two drives are adequate. Bear in mind that a USB three capable computer connected to a USB three external hard drive will back up your data much faster than any USB two configuration.

Back Up Your Computer The Easy Way is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

IE9 beta bug crapped all over a key program.

Alex Webley — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:54:04 +0000

Earlier today I installed the Internet Explorer 9 Beta.

At first I was impressed, but not enough to switch from Chrome.

At last, I thought, Microsoft has produced a browser which works well and does not cause problems. (By the way, I am an experienced computer user and first learnt programming in 1981 = the problems were not my fault.)

I was wrong.

This afternoon I started work on a project in my website building software XSitePro. Now, XSite Pro is an elite website builder and mission critical to some of my activities. I hit problems as described here in an XSitePro support request:

Posted On: 16 Sep 2010 07:21 AM (UK time)

Hello,

I have been getting this message:

pinEdit Evaluation 6.1.1029

I found:

http://www.xsitepro.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15241

I uninstalled XSP and reinstalled it. Then I updated to the correct version.

The problem persists.

The problem is also associated with:

A flickering (high speed – looks more like vibrating) page (XSP only).

Inability to close program – had to kill task in task manager.

It gets worse.

I imported the site into the beta version of XSite Pro 2.5.

The red text message about pin edit had gone BUT – the flickering was still there and again, I had to use task manager to kill application.

As the two programs are installed in separate folders this seems to suggest that the problem could be more general.

I have installed IE9 beta today by the way.

In the meantime I started thinking about what the problem might be. I did some research on pinEdit and made my own hypothesis that perhaps IE9 Beta was the culprit.

I tweeted:

Does anyone know if IE9 breaks web editing/HTML editing software using pinEDIT please?

I decided not to wait too long for a reply and instead uninstalled Internet Explorer 9 Beta.

After uninstalling IE9 Beta, XSitePro worked perfectly.

I let XSitePro support know of the issue:

Posted On: 16 Sep 2010 08:09 AM (UK time)

Further to my support request…..

I had the idea that maybe IE9 Beta had corrupted XSP, so I uninstalled IE9 Beta.

The problem has now disappeared.

BUT, I cannot of course use IE9. Cool eh? IE is truly a ghastly browser.

Yes….I know that one should be careful with betas in a production environment. Because I back up my entire system daily this is less of a concern and in any case, I hoped, and dared, to believe that Microsoft had got it right this time. Silly me. Duh!

In my case, Internet Explorer 9 Beta crapped all over one of my essential programs, and wasted significant amounts of my time. I have to wonder what else IE9 might have crapped on too. Now back on IE8 – which I never use because it is so ghastly in comparison to other browsers, I will await developments. Hopefully the issue will be fixed and in any case, I presume that the wonderful and clever people at XSitePro will probably come up with some kind of a solution to the bad effects of IE9.

The conclusion?

Don’t bother with Internet Explorer 9 – get Google Chrome and install some great Chrome extensions.

Addendum Saturday 18th Sep @ 17.27 Australian EST

I heard back from XSitePro support promptly (they are always prompt):

Posted On: 16 Sep 2010 04:17 PM

Hi Alex,

Thank you for your reply.

We will need to make alterations to XSitePro in order for it to work for everybody with IE9. When an update is available for this, it will appear in the auto updater.

If you have any further questions, feel free to get back to me.

Best regards

Rob.

I sent another query:

Posted On: 17 Sep 2010 07:36 AM

Thanks Rob for your message.

I will await your update.

How will we know that the issue has been overcome please?

Or do we simply assume that the next update will contain a fix?

Thank you.

The reply from XSitePro support:

Posted On: 17 Sep 2010 04:03 PM

Hi Alex,

We don’t have any special deal with Microsoft and so only got access to the IE beta at the same time as you. We haven’t really had a chance to examine the problem yet.

XSitePro 2.5 will be released in the next couple of weeks but the IE9 issue will probably not be resolved in that. We will, however, have it resolved before IE9 is properly launched.

Best regards

Matt.

My postscript (not sent to XSitePro support):

Up until quite recently I was even using the Dev (developer branch) of Google Chrome browser. Currently I am on the Beta branch of Chrome. I have installed a huge array of software on my computer. Frankly I think it is appalling that Microsoft creates a piece of software that will be in common use, yet which craps on at least one piece of popular software. I know IE9 is a beta currently, however people are encouraged to download and install it. Other software developers, including notably Google, have run applications as beta for long periods so community expectation is increasingly that beta software is likely to work properly.

XSitePro, while being very easy to use for web development/web design, tends to be used by people who like the best, easiest and most modern method of doing stuff. We are natural early adopters of things like IE9. I am grateful to Microsoft for Windows, however when we look at the overall Microsoft track record it is littered with issues and disasters. Look how many people didn’t bother with Vista for example. And the problems people have had with Office. And the clunky Microsoft website builder FrontPage which later morphed into the awkward ExpressionWeb. Microsoft always seems to be behind the game. And now, Microsoft brings out IE9 with great fanfare – which I agree, has some great features – and craps all over a piece of software popular with tech early adopters. To me, it seems like nothing has changed with Microsoft.

Fortunately, we have Google Chrome.

IE9 beta bug crapped all over a key program. is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Want an easy way of controlling what programs autostart with your PC?

Alex Webley — Sun, 02 May 2010 06:18:07 +0000

Want an easy way of controlling what programs autostart with your PC?

I have used WinPatrol for many years.

WinPatrol is a security program and one of my favorite features is the ease with which I can disable (rather than remove) some auto start up programs. This gives me control over those programs (or elements of them) which do not have any normal way of disabling auto start. Re enabling is very easy.

I have the inexpensive Plus version of WinPatrol which gives access to extended info about exactly what each start up entry is, and whether you really need it or not. Once paid for, you never have to pay for upgrades. For many people, the free version will be sufficient. Compare features here.

For those interested in more technical aspects I quote from the WinPatrol website:

WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. WinPatrol was the pioneer in using a heuristic behavioral approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. It continues to be the most powerful system monitor for its small memory footprint.

WinPatrol’s easy tabbed interface allows you to explore deep inside your computer without having to be a computer expert.

Want an easy way of controlling what programs autostart with your PC? is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Is your computer overheating?

Alex Webley — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:03:04 +0000

You wouldn’t drive your car if it was overheating would you?

Computers can overheat easily and most people would have no idea that it was happening to them.

Overheating of computers can lead to slow responses, data loss or even total failure. Overheating can occur for a variety of reasons so it is best to be forwarned, and protected.

Ways of keeping an eye on computer temperature can vary, however I prefer to use a very simple solution:

A software program: EVEREST Ultimate Edition – PC Diagnostics. It does not contain spyware or other nasties and I have used it for a while without a problem.

EVEREST Ultimate Edition is a specialist monitoring tool. It has all the features needed to prevent overheating and possible data loss.

Some temperature related features:

Monitors hard disks temperature changes;
Ability to perform any of following actions when temperature limit exceeded:
- Show alert and send alert email.
- Execute Application
- Shutdown / Hibernate
Show hard disks temperature indicators in the System Tray;
Log temperature changes.

If you get a high temperature alert, then you can do something about it before it’s too late. Recently I got one because one of my cats had parked herself too close to the heat vent on my notebook PC!

Is your computer overheating? is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

BSOD or computer operating system failure – one way you can avoid it.

Alex Webley — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:20:40 +0000

A BSOD, or other computer operating system (OS) failure is usually a big inconvenience and waste of valuable time.

(BSOD = Blue Screen Of Death).

Perhaps you remember all the stress, pain and other feelings associated with the experience?

Should your computer be crucial for your everyday business or personal tasks, then you simply cannot afford a failed operating-system.

Should you have some computer software causing some system problems and creating plenty of computer downtime, then you need a solution also.

In these cases, prevention is usually better than cure.

One of the better methods of keeping your PC healthy is by using a Virtual PC.

A Virtual PC means that you can use more than one operating system at once on your Windows PC. A bit like ‘picture in picture’.

Some important points about using a Virtual PC:

1. You might use your virtual PC to trial software before installing it on your main OS. Thus giving you the opportunity to determine the way the product works, as well as see the way it will continue to work in conjunction with the other software installed on your computer.

2. Test upgrades to currently installed software before installing it on your main computer operating system. This enables you to test compatibility with other programs prior to installation.

3. Additionally you can run older programs if you have one that won’t install or run correctly on your main operating system, but which is fine on an older version of Windows. This can also help if you have software which only runs on 32 bit and you have upgraded your OS to 64 bit.

The key benefit of this is that you can’t damage the main operating system because the host (your main PC) and the virtual PCs are totally separate from each other (even though they are running on the same computer hardware). So, what you do on one operating system won’t affect the other.

Microsoft has a program called Microsoft Virtual PC, which is free. Microsoft Virtual PC runs on Windows 7 (though not every version – just Professional or Ultimate). If you are thinking of upgrading to Windows 7, but are hesitating because you have lots of old programs, then Microsoft Virtual PC will help you. More information from Wikipedia.

I have used Microsoft Virtual PC for some time now and have found it very useful indeed. Windows 7 is much better than Vista (and I had got Vista running very slickly).

BSOD or computer operating system failure – one way you can avoid it. is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Easy program uninstalling.

Alex Webley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:26:05 +0000

Have you ever had problems uninstalling software?

Perhaps, at times, you have been unable to find the uninstaller for a program?

At others, you may have discovered that not all parts of the application were uninstalled.

Or maybe the uninstall went badly.

It is of course extremely important to ensure that unwanted computer programs are uninstalled correctly.

Uninstallations which go badly can sometimes cause very serious problems.

We rely on our computers so much. It is essential therefore, to pay close attention to looking after them properly.

Over the years I have gained a great deal of computer experience, especially from the perspective of an end user. During this time, I have had a lot of experience with uninstalling software and the associated problems.

These days I use an exceptionally good, but free, software application to help me with my uninstalls.

Revo Uninstaller.

Rather than my trying to explain it all, I suggest that you head on over to the website and check it out yourself.

I will close in saying that I am very pleased with the performance of Revo Uninstaller. It is safe to install as it does not contain adware, spyware or other nasties. Revo Uninstaller has made my life much easier and saved me heaps of time.

Easy program uninstalling. is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Time Tracking – Fast, Easy and Fun.

Alex Webley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:20:21 +0000

Time to me is very precious.

I love to find ways of saving time and to get more done in less time.

Without stressing that is.

One key to better time management, efficiency and productivity is to use the right software, or other method, for time tracking.

Until recently I had been using a simple desktop stop watch, which had a number of limitations.

Recently I have been trialling a fantastic little time tracking software application (sometimes called time logging software) that is easy to use and that doesn’t require you to change your work process in order to use it.

It is called yaTimer.

Produced by NBD Tech Ltd, yaTimer is available today at a big discount. I will tell you how in a moment.

NBD Tech ltd was founded in 2006 by Nir Dobovizki who has a vision to create simple and useful software that adapts to your way of working.

In my experience, yaTimer does all it sets out to do and is a very well designed, easy to use, flexible program. It has loads of functionality.

I found out about yaTimer because I am subscribed to the daily and weekly alerts here:

BitsDuJour

At the time of the offer (Mid August 2009) I was able to get yaTimer for USD $19 instead of the normal price of USD $39 for a 24 hour window. I was able to download the software for a free trial to start with and make sure that I liked it.

Because I am signed up to the weekly alerts list I was able to get advanced warning of the impending discount and trial the software for a few days prior to the 24 time window for the reduced price. I am so pleased with how the software makes my life easier that I have purchased it.

If prior to downloading/trialling a program you want to visit a software developer’s site, then there is a link on the offer details page. (PS: you can visit the yaTimer developer’s site here.)

BitsDuJour is a great source of quality software which is temporarily discounted. It is well worth signing up to receive the alerts. Like me, you never know when something really useful will happen along.

If you want to get good useful software at a discount then make sure you grab something via BitsDuJour.

Enjoy.

Time Tracking – Fast, Easy and Fun. is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Two useful browsers you may not have heard of.

Alex Webley — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:30:57 +0000

Back in the days when Internet Explorer did not have tabbed browsing I used to use Avant Browser instead of IE.

Avant is still an excellent browser with a variety of handy features. So if you want IE, but without some of the associated ‘hassle’, give Avant browser a whirl. It’s free, reliable and robust. It appears to be based on, or similar to, IE in some way.

Avant Browser

Another little known browser is Orca.

Orca Browser is similar to Firefox so if you are looking for an alternative to the latter, give it a try.

Orca Browser

Both Avant and Orca appear to be from the same developer.

Two useful browsers you may not have heard of. is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Windows 7 is coming – stuff you need to know

Alex Webley — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:00:07 +0000

Windows 7 is coming.

Soon, I hope.

I have tried the Windows 7 Beta and am impressed.

Here is a key resource written by someone much more knowledgeable about the subject than I:

15 things you need to know about Windows 7 – Secrets, hidden tech and unadvertised features

The Windows 7 Home Page is here.

Microsoft Support Site is here.

Windows 7 is coming – stuff you need to know is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Suffering From Lots Of Spam?

Alex Webley — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:25:51 +0000

There seems to be a lot more SPAM about lately.

Currently I have 24,056 messages in my SPAM folder and none are more than 30 days old. In fact, it may be less than 30 day’s worth because I have only recently stopped emptying it and the folder has auto delete set for anything over 30 days old. (I used to press ‘delete all’ whenever I popped into the folder to look for something which may have been mis filtered).

If you are overwhelmed with SPAM then frankly I strongly suggest that you consider moving your email to Google Apps. The SPAM filter is very accurate with very rare mis-filters either way. This means that you can just let the SPAM folder fill up, knowing it will delete anything over 30 days of age. Enough time usually to look for anything that may have been wrongly filtered. I rarely visit the folder personally.

In the past I used Mailwasher back when I was running Microsoft Outlook 2007. Mailwasher is a very good program but frankly I would have been snowed under and unable to cope with over 24,000 emails in a month had I still been using it!

You can read more about this issue (& Mailwasher/Google Apps) in a post I wrote earlier this year:

Fed up with Spam? Want an easy solution which really works?

Google Apps is not hard to use or set up.

And how much time do you have to waste processing SPAM each day? Every little bit counts!

Suffering From Lots Of Spam? is a post from: Joy Wizard Blog

Joy Wizard » Software

Back Up Your Computer The Easy Way

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