Computer Question Thread

[Monazwx]

Hi everyone. I have two queries;

(i) Does anyone know what the program ElevateSoft DB Manager is supposed to do? IS anyone acquained with it? Do you use it often?

(Edit - I forgot, how is it different from Elevate DBISAM?)

and

(ii) If I want to backup all of my computer files onto an external HDD, what do I do?
(Yes, I have a feeling that I know, but I'm nervous and what to maek sure to get it right)

Thanks!

 

[kindashy]

1 http://www.elevatesoft.com/edb_prodinfo.htm
2 Move all your files to My Documents folder, then copy and paste the folder to external drive/USB stick.

 

[Monazwx]

Hey Kindashy, thanks much. I didn't know they had a website.
Will (ii) work if I want to save my entire C:\ (yes, the entire OS)
(I have an external HDD for 80G, so I'm assuming that I have enough space)

 

[structure]

You can use a program like Ghost by Symantec. It will create an exact copy to another drive.

 

[cd1_christine]

Clonezilla

Hey Kindashy, thanks much. I didn't know they had a website.
Will (ii) work if I want to save my entire C:\ (yes, the entire OS)
(I have an external HDD for 80G, so I'm assuming that I have enough space)

If you're wanting to save your entire HD, you can't do it from within Windows, because Windows can't copy files that it's currently using.

The suggestion to use ghost isn't a bad one, although there are cheaper ways than buying a copy of ghost.

My personal favourite is Clonezilla, followed close behind by WISP. Both these are free, and will clone most Windows computers to an image file on an external drive. WISP will only work with NTFS partitions, which is what most Windows computers use nowadays, although I've seen a lot of Acer machines with FAT32, and a few other brands, too. For that, you'll need Clonezilla, as it will clone just about anything.

Having said that, both of these are a little more technical than some programs to use, but I'm an IT guy, so it doesn't bother me. Either way, though, it's free to try either, other than the cost of a blank CD, so it's not a great investment if you decide you don't like it.


CD

 

[Monazwx]

Great suggestions. Thanks so much.

 

[kindashy]

Hey Kindashy, thanks much. I didn't know they had a website.
Will (ii) work if I want to save my entire C:\ (yes, the entire OS)
(I have an external HDD for 80G, so I'm assuming that I have enough space)

structure and cd1_christine are absolutely right. What you have in mind is taking a snap shot of your hard drive, technical term is disk image.

Ghost would probably work real well, I have used it at work, but that was several years ago and IT department set it up, not I

If I was doing it for myself, I would make a bootable USB stick to boot into some distro of Linux. Since I am running operating system from USB stick, the operating system on hard drive is not activated, so you make a disk image of your hard drive, it will be an iso file, copy the iso file on the external hard drive, you are done. This is an outline of what to do, actually doing it is a little more involved so if you going this route, see if you know someone who has done it or plan on spending a day to set it up. Since reinstalling everything from scratch on my Xp machine takes roughly a day while I am doing other chores, this is reasonable amount of time and next time it will be much easier since you already learned how to do it.

 

[openminded_boca]

You can use a program like Ghost by Symantec. It will create an exact copy to another drive.

I've used many programs but GHOST is the best program out there by far (and I am talking from experience).

Reasons why I like Ghost:

1) MOST IMPORTANT: when you backup your full computer & your computer dies. The retrieval is very very simple and extremely fast. It backs up not only your personal files but also your operating system and hidden files. If you have ever installed windows you will know it takes at least 1 hour to install it. GHOST retrieves your operating system & all other files in less then an hour.

2) you can schedule your backups

3) you can do a full back up or create a special folder. Lets say you want your emails to be backed up every day but your pictures to be backed up once a week. You can do that...

few months ago my harddrive got a virus and nothing I did cleaned up the virus so I decided to reinstall my last backup. It erased the complete harddrive and then reinstalled from Ghost everything. It took about 45 minutes (120 gig harddrive) and now the computer runs great & faster then before (cause the virus slowed it down).

I think it cost around $50 and it was the best money I ever spent.

 

[Monazwx]

Update - Thanks to everyone who responded. I downloaded the Norton Ghost software and it is brilliant!!! When I first tried it out, it was stuck at 5% and I wondered what happened, but after a quick restart, it worked like a dream. Also, got the information I needed from elevatesoft, but now i have another question,

Does anyone know of any good database programs, where I can load information and run queries? (I want to create an eletronic booklet/pricelist of hotels where I can run queries based on price and location, etc.)

EDIT - I probably should have added that I want to run Ad Hoc queries. I also need to place pictures in the fields, so I don't think that MS Access will work for me. If anyone knows what I can use, hit me up. Thanks again!

(This is the final computer query, I swear. After this, the thread can die a quick death)

 

[Eritz]

If you want to play around with databases than you want to try MySQL. It's open software so you can find several front ends for ease of use and it's compatible with many modern web programming languages,

 

[Monazwx]

Thanks much. I didn't realize that there was a difference between regular SQL and postgre SQL as I was going to download a Postgre SQL my mistake, not realizing that they weren't the same thing.

 

[elleanor]

structure and cd1_christine are absolutely right. What you have in mind is taking a snap shot of your hard drive, technical term is disk image.

Ghost would probably work real well, I have used it at work, but that was several years ago and IT department set it up, not I

If I was doing it for myself, I would make a bootable USB stick to boot into some distro of Linux. Since I am running operating system from USB stick, the operating system on hard drive is not activated, so you make a disk image of your hard drive, it will be an iso file, copy the iso file on the external hard drive, you are done. This is an outline of what to do, actually doing it is a little more involved so if you going this route, see if you know someone who has done it or plan on spending a day to set it up. Since reinstalling everything from scratch on my Xp machine takes roughly a day while I am doing other chores, this is reasonable amount of time and next time it will be much easier since you already learned how to do it.

With all due respect to the OP and yourself, I do think the Linux method is a bit beyond what the OP is seeking in terms of technical ability. I work in a computer field and a simple GUI is where it's at for 90% of the users I encounter. Their dependence on Microsoft is appalling, though. Gah.
If someone wants to challenge themselves for the first time outside of Windows, I recommend Ubuntu which is a relatively simple Linux distro. And Linux is always free.

 

[Monazwx]

I noted Ubuntu during one of my other searches, and plan to make use of it when I purchase a new system. (In relation to the above, I download a version of Navicat. Once I apply the instructions, we'll see how it goes).