PC is being a bitch

[Debaser]

DB - btw heard a song by the pixies today called debaser - who came first ??

Now you know where my names comes from

Simple : C:drive = partition C = OS = back this up after clean install.

So ill be backing up my OS any time between now and a year or so, depending on when it goes wrong again, cos im not going to reinstal what is now a nicely running PC, and with Firefox now on, which is great BTW
Well great once I work out why itsg so slow to load images on sites like Flickr.

Consider this - if you have anything dodgy on your PC, you can erase whetver you like but the ISP will confirm you downloaded it.

I’m not sure of the relevance of that statement in this thread, and it is not one of my primary concerns amyway.

Also, get into the habit of saving your files (documents, downloads, etc.) to appropriate folders on the big (non system) partition. You don't want anything on your C drive that can't be replaced. Windows, drivers, software you can download and reinstall - it is the personal stuff you'll regret losing.

I do save such stuff religiously. I have two large cases full of DVD's of movies and other media stuff.
I don’t trust backing up my media to another HDD, as they have a tendency to fail on me at some point.

Anyway, yes I do back up pretty much everything except my OS.
Obviously not the OS because I have learnt what a shit it is to do so.

[emuler]

OK. Now get Acronis and backup your C drive (to DVD, external HDD or even on your D drive (300GB)). Now at least you'll be able to get back to where you are today. I know it is not ideal (I prefer a clean backup), but hey, it is better than nothing, right? You can look for software at STF. Avoid downloading software from links you found by searching ed2k or KAD - that's what got me into trouble.

Did you do this yet?

http://sharethefiles.com/forum/viewtopi ... 20&t=35560
Get the latest one listed there that does not have any adverse comments (e.g. like crack not working).

Good idea to take a backup of your system now (better than nothing, like I said earlier) and also to get used to using the backup/recovery software. If you don't like this one there are others - Norton Ghost, etc..

Backup only your C drive and save the backup in D drive for now. Create a bootable CD from the menu that will let you run the recovery software if your system gets totally hosed.

[emuler]

TIP: If you want to make any changes to your HDD, like adding another partition, do so now, BEFORE taking the backup. Ignore this tip if you do not want to make any more partitions. You don't need to; two are enough for most people.

It is easy to go overboard with partitions. At one time I had 10 partitions on my 160GB HDD. I've got it down to just 7 now. Guess I'm a recovering partitionoholic.

[Debaser]

Did you do this yet?

To be honest, no. Not because I didn’t trust your suggestion (I do), but because of the other posters suggesting I really should make a clean install first.

Ok so I will do as you suggest!!

Backup only your C drive and save the backup in D drive for now

Is that to say "back up just the partition holding my OS & programs, and then save that to the slave (300GB) drive?

I don’t have that XP disk thing I think I was asked about before, and I take it that wont matter after this anyway?

I guess I wont need the XP (long digit) number password thing either??
I don’t think I ever had it, and why would I need it??

[emuler]

If you bought your computer with XP preinstalled, there should be a sticker on the box with your XP license number on it. You need that for XP installation and activation. (If you want to stay legal, that is. Otherwise, there are very good pirated versions available - Windows Updates and all).

[Debaser]

I’m downloading acronis from emule right now.

I assume you have this program yourself.

The instructions for acronis that I found on the website appear to be aimed at people with a degree in IT lol.
I can see me just following the on-screen instructions for instillation and running the program without any idea what the hell im doing.

http://s4u.download.acronis.com/pdf/Tru ... _ug.eu.pdf

Honestly, what the hell is that all about??
Its talking about doing some kind of initial backup as soon as its installed among other things, but is that what I want to back up?
I just cant find the bit that says how to back up my OS & programs to my slave drive, or how to get the back-up of my OS & programs off of my slave and back onto C drive if a disaster occurs.
Its not like ill be able to login if my PC gets the blue screen of death, and use the backup!!

Perhaps if I just do what you did when you installed it Emuler, then I will be secure.

Now I will pour myself a Baileys Cream as I feel the tension building .
Is the chat room still working, it would help to talk in real time?!

[Debaser]

I have now downloaded the RAR file

I await your command

[emuler]

Sorry. I tend to forget that you don't know geekspeak.

OK. Baby steps.

1. Clean up your C drive as much as you can. Remember, this is what you'll be backing up, so get rid of any unnecessary junk. Anything downloaded (including the manual LOL) should be moved to another drive or removable media.

1a. Empty the recycle bin.
1b. Open c:\windows\temp and delete everything there.
1c. Open C:\Documents and Settings\<your xp login name>\Local Settings\temp and delete everything there.
You might get a few access denied warnings for files that are currently in use. Leave those be; delete as much as you can. Empty the recycle bin again.

[Debaser]

Thanks Emuler (who is now helping me in real time)

[Debaser]

A couple of Firefox questions:

1. Any idea how to block certain pages/popups with firefox?

The function where you select tools/page info/permissions, then block everything appears to be useless.

2. When I used IE, the bookmarks sidebar would stay in position all the time, but with Firefox I have to keep selecting view/sidebars whenever I open a fresh browser page, which is becoming a bore.
I hate just clicking the Bookmarks tab all the time as I have so many items to scroll through.
How do I fix that?

Cheers