Back-up Query

redmandarin

Hi Guys,

My PC is approx 4 yrs old and runs quite slowly now (also the fan is becoming increasingly louder - although not excessively so). It's a Dell, using E7, C drive capacity 71.7GB, freespace 36.1GB (50% free). I run CCleaner and defrag regularly and I've removed any software I don't need. I think it might be best to have the PC professionally cleaned in the hope that it'll run more efficiently (although I suppose could be too old and on it's way out anyway?).

I'm just about to back-up to an external hard drive.

My query is: Can I copy everything, including firewall and anti-virus software - Sunbelt, AVG Anti-virus & Anti-Spy, AdAware, Spyware Doctor, MalwareBytes and then re-install it all in one go, after cleaning?

Or do I need to not back up the firewall and antivirus progams and re-install them separately?

Thanks a lot.

redmandarin

Bump!

Anyone?

moonrakerz

Don't be so impatient - especially on a Saturday night !

Use something like this:

http://www.acronis.co.uk/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

You can use it for 15 days free to try it. There are free ones around but not as good.

spud17

ps it's not too old, they don't get slower with age

Don't start saying things like that or my supplies of bits and pieces may dry up!

Also think of all those poor sales people persuading [strike]mugs[/strike] customers to buy vastly over-specced machines for their needs, in order to impress the neighbours or in fact just to run Nortons.

Linbox

How to do a complete backup and restore http://www.djinnsplace.co.uk/ghost.html

How to clean the insides of a computer:

Buy a tin of air from your local PC store make sure there is a thin plastic tube with it.
Disconnect all cables/plugs from PC
Remove screws from rear of PC - Usually the ones around edge - on newer machines they are screws you can undoo without the aid of a screw driver. Careful do not remove screws holding PSU (power supply)
Take the lid off.
Take the PC outside DO NOT do this in the rain.
Starting at the top of the machine and working down - using the air blow out all the dust from :-
Power supply
Processor cooling fins
Ram
Video Card
Any other cooling fins
Mobo
USB sockets
Remove all dust from bottom of machine and reassemble.
Done

*If you are big, brave and slightly stupid, you can use a soft brush to clean specific items - make sure that the mains lead is plugged in at both ends but turn the mains off - this earths the machine and you while you clean it.

*There is some thought about stopping any fans from moving while you use air as this may cause problems.

*Take a look at http://www.technibble.com/how-to-clean-the-inside-of-a-computer-case/ for some nice graphics.

HTH

Linbox

PROLIANT

If you are using Windows XP, use the built-in backup tool, that is what is was designed for, and since it uses the shadow copy service it will even backup open files and other files i.e data files like MDB/LDB/DBF/MDF(SQL), you can do a complete disaster recovery from it, tried, tested, works...job done. Oh and it comes free with your Operating System.

chunter

Yeh, your best bet in to back up your documents, reformat the hard drive reinstall windows and install XP SP3.
By just creating a mirror of your hard disk, you're not fixing any of the underlying problems - they'll still be there when you copy all across again.

By the looks of all the security you have installed, you've had virus/spyware problems before.
If they've been serious, they've probably left "bits of broken windows" in their wake.

Anyway everybody should wipe they're computer every 4-5 years - it's like colonic irrigation....

tweet

Exactly, mirroring the system then wiping it and restoring the mirror is like photocopying a document, snowpaking out a word and replacing with the photocopy - you'll get the same problems back.

Backup (manually I'd recommend to make sure it's all there) photos, documents, emails - all personal data then I'd kist format your drive, install XP & SP3, everything on Windows Update website, reinstall your firewall, antivirus etc then just go from there.
May take a long time but you'll get rid of any nasties or errors on your system and start a fresh.

I know people who do this every month, which is way over the top - I've done it twice in 6 years and it's well worth doing, cleaning out all the crap you don't need on your pc.

Just make sure you get the security and anti-vir updates done first. Oh, and check, and double check your backups are fine

spud17

install XP & SP3, everything on Windows Update website, reinstall your firewall, antivirus etc then just go from there.

Just me, but I'd make sure you have antivirus, perhaps firewall while you're at it, on a flash drive or CD, install these, update, then off to the Windows Update.

Also don't forget to save Favourites/Bookmarks, also emails (if not kept on server) and Contacts/Address Book.

Write a checklist.

redmandarin

Thanks everyone for your replies and for your excellent advice!

moonrakerz - sorry for my impatience yesterday - after 4+ hours, I was starting to feel a bit neglected!

loaner - so, pc's don't get slower with age - that's fab news - apart from the expense of a replacement, my pc was a birthday present [lucky me!] and I don't want to part with it!

Linbox - ta for the cleaning tips! Feather duster at the ready!

tweet and chunter - Before you posted, I was just thinking the same thing - backing up, then restoring everything, would just keep the same problems!

Thanks for showing me how to "clean things up" myself. Does re-formatting remove all the "bits of broken windows" then?

Unfortunately, I don't know how to re-format the hard drive, please can someone kindly talk me through the process? (then all I'll need to sort out is my colon!)

Linbox

Formatting wipes the drive.
Clean slate - make sure you have all your drivers, install disks, downloads, codes etc. BEFORE thinking of formatting. I reformat every 9 to 12 months but, I have a Ghost image ready - one, fresh install - sort of factory supplied state. Two, fully working system ( get out of jail type thing ) for when things go bad.