The data on the hard disk is the most valuable part. How many hours of work did you put into creating that data? One little event, like a power line spike from a lightning strike, and all that work could be lost. Unfortunately, backing up with Windows XP Home Edition is not as simple as it should be.
The first step is to choose a backup device. You might choose a tape drive(if you don't like change), external hard drive or a DVD drive, but those devices might require drivers to be installed before you could restore from them. The simplest option is to install an external hard drive to your computer.
The second hard drive doesn't have to be equal to your main hard drive. You can use an older, smaller hard drive as the backup device, as long as the backup drive has more "Free Space" than the main hard drive has "Used Space".
***If using an external drive or DVD as your backup, skip to, "Install Backup Utility" and continue on from there***
Of course if you decide to just throw in a slave, then read the following:
Install a Second Hard Drive
When installing a second hard drive in your computer, it's important to configure the drives correctly. Your motherboard should have two ATA (sometimes called IDE) connectors. The primary connector should have a cable with two drive connectors. The end connector should go to your main hard drive, the middle connector can be used for a backup hard drive. The second motherboard ATA connector should go to your CD-ROM.
On the back of each hard drive is a jumper. The jumper on your main hard drive should be set to the "Master" position. The jumper on your backup hard drive should be set to "Slave" position. Most modern computers use "Cable Select", so you can set both jumpers to the "Cable Select" position. Don't forget the power connector for the second drive.
When you restart your computer, the second drive should be automatically recognized and be designated with the next drive letter available, usually E: (D: being used for the CD-ROM drive).
Format the Second Hard Drive
Generally, you will want to re-format the second hard drive after installation to remove any previously installed operating system and to remove any previous file access rights. To format the drive, select Start | Settings | Control Panel | Administration Tools | Computer Management. In the "Computer Management" window, under "Storage", click on "Disk Management".
Right click on the backup disk's drive letter. In the popup menu, select All Tasks | Format... In the Warning dialog box that appears, click on the "Yes" button. In the "Format" dialog box, in the "File system" drop-down list, select NTFS. Click on the "OK" button. Again, in the Warning dialog box that appears, click on the "Yes" button.
Install the Backup Utility
Windows XP Home Edition doesn't install the Backup utility by default. You'll need to install it manually from your Windows XP CD-ROM.
1. After inserting the CD-ROM, open Control Panel's "Add or Remove Programs" utility. In the "Add or Remove Programs" utility", click on the "Add New Programs" button, then click on the "CD or Floppy" button.
2. In the "Run Installation Program" dialog box that appears, navigate to the VALUEAD/MSFT/NTBACKUP folder on the CD-ROM and select the file NTBACKUP.MSI. Click on the "Finish" button. The Backup utility will be installed.
Perform a Full Backup
To perform a backup, select Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Backup to open the Backup Utility.
Note: If you don't find Backup listed in System Tools, double click on the file name ntbackup.exe in the Windows\system32 folder.
In the "Backup or Restore Wizard", click on the "Advanced Mode" link. In the "Backup Utility" dialog box, select the "Backup" tab and set the checkbox next to the drive to backup (c:) and set the checkbox next to "System State".
In the "Backup media or file name" text box, enter the path to the file for the backup (example E:\Backup.bkf). Click on the "Start Backup" button.
In the "Backup Job Information" dialog box that appears, set the radio button next to "Replace the data on the media with this backup". Click on the "Start Backup" button. The "backup Progress" dialog box will appear.
Even when you backup to relatively fast media like hard disk, the process can take 30 minutes or longer depending upon how much data is on the main drive.
When the backup is complete, turn off the computer and remove the data and power cables from the backup drive. It doesn't make sense to leave the backup drive connected because if the cause of a failure is a power spike, it will take out both drives. Next time you want to backup you'll need to reinstall the cables.
How to Perform a Restore
In the unfortunate event that your computer crashes and you can't get it back by any other means, you'll need to reinstall Windows XP from the CD-ROM. (Automated System Recovery is not supported in Windows XP Home Edition.) You'll need to re-install the Backup utility. Then you'll need to shut down the computer to install the data and power cables to the backup drive. Restart the computer and use the Backup Utility to restore Windows XP from the backup file.
When using this backup method, it's important to be careful not to break any pins when you are removing and installing the data cable of the hard drive. And if your computer doesn't use "cable Select", don't forget to change the jumper on the main hard drive back to "Single".
These instruction are for the PC users that feel comfortable with installing and configuring. If you feel any doubt at all then let a professional help you with your back up. You will be ahead of the game if your PC or workstation ever crashed.
Tampa Empire Computer Consulting Service and Repair is able to provide remote and on-site service. Contact us today to see if your precious information is at risk. Call (727)470-1034 for more information or visit http://www.tampaempire.com
Friday, August 21, 2009
How the heck do I change my username or password on my computer?
I have had many contact me over the years on how to change their passwords and or user names on their PC or Laptop.
I realized that these people that called me for this were not incapable of learning on their own and getting it done but were afraid of messing up their system.
So, we took some time and came up with simple instructions on how to change your user name and password on Microsoft based OS's and some other ones as well.
Here it is:
Windows 95, 98, and ME( because we still love the oldies but goodies)
Change password
To change your password or password settings in Windows 95, 98, or ME, follow the below steps.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Passwords icon.
3. In the Password Properties window, click the Change Windows Password button.
Note: The Windows password can also be changed through the Users icon in Control Panel.
Change username
You can change the user settings in Windows 95/98 through the Users icon in Control Panel. However, this does not allow you to change the actual username. If you need to change the username, we suggest you create a copy of your existing username and use the new user name. Below are the steps to do this.
1. Open Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Users icon.
3. Highlight the user you wish to make a copy of and click the Make a copy button.
4. Follow the wizard in creating a new user account.
Windows 2000 (personally not one of my favorites. Or ME)
Change password
Microsoft Windows 2000 users can simply change their username by pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL while in Windows to open the Windows Security window. From this window click the "Change Password"button.
Enter your old password and the new password you wish to use.
Change username
In order to change the username of an account on Windows XP you will need to have an account with Administrator rights. If you're logged in as Administrator or have an account with Administrator rights, follow the below steps.
- Open Control Panel.
- Double-click the Users and Password icon.
- Make sure "Users must enter a user and password to use this computer" is checked.
- Highlight the account you wish to change the username for and click the Properties button.
- Within the Properties you'll be able to change the User name.
Windows XP (The Best OS ever made)
Change password
- Open Control Panel.
- Double-click the Users Accounts icon.
- Select the account you wish to change.
- Select the option "Change my name" to change your username or "Create a password" or "Change my password" to change your password.
Note: Windows XP Home users can only change the Administrator password through Safe Mode.
Change username
- Open Control Panel.
- Double-click the Users Accounts icon.
- Select the account you wish to change.
- Click "Change My Name"
- Enter the new name you wish to use and click the Change Name button.
Vista and Windows 7 instructions to come soon.
Linux / Unix and most variants
Change password
Almost all Linux / Unix and variants have access to the passwd command. Enter this command at the prompt to change your password. You'll need to know the current password before being able to change the password to a new password.
See our passwd command page for additional information about this command.
Change username
In order to change the username you will need to have root or super-user access.
To change the username of an account, use the vipw command. See our vipw command page for additional information about this command.
To change the user settings, use the chfn command. See our chfn command page for additional information about this command.
Change password
The system password (password you see when first turning on the computer) as well as the BIOS password (password you see when entering the BIOS) are both changed through the BIOS.
Additional information about how to enter the BIOS can be found on document CH000192.
Change username
A computer BIOS does not have a username.
Internet username and passwords
Changing your Internet username or password is really dependent on how your Internet Service Provider is setup and what their policy is for changing the username and password. Often, most ISPs will allow you to change your password whenever you need to; however, they will not allow you to change your account name.
Because every Internet Service Provider (ISP) and webhost is different, we suggest you contact the company for additional help with changing your username or password.
Keywords: username password change windows 7
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)