Tiff's PC Panic!

Tiff_2

Hi guys!
Morning all. Yes folks, it's time for the Tiffster's annual pc panic.
There are two or three or five things that I need help with if no-one minds me posting, and I'm hoping some kind soul can advise me please using very basic idiot speak. I'd also like to apologise in advance for the use of smileys on a techie forum. (Head hung in shame!)

The pc is running Vista Home Basic and IE. I've also got Virgin's basic security package, malware bytes, ccleaner and Defender and I use disk cleanup too. It's a Packard Bell Intel Celeron, Service Pack 1, with 512mb RAM memory (don't laugh!), and 32 bit OS. It's running very slowly.
DS also used pc before he went to Uni and still does when home - loves his games, photos, ipod and media and I use a lot of digital photo stuff, as well as doing a lot of research that I keep. There's also ATI in my tray, whatever that does. To tell the truth, I'm not sure what I should still have application wise, on my pc. (Head hung even lower in shame!)

Ok, here I go follks...

1. I wasn't getting on with avira, (wouldn't update plus getting too many avira pop-ups and getting lots of the security warning flags about Defender and avira being switched off), so instead switched to Virgin's PCGuard, which is part of my ISP package. I'm being prompted with two messages and I don't know whether to allow them or not and I'd appreciate your advice. They are:
- Microsoft SeaPort Search Enhancement Broker Outbound TCP.
- Windows Live Toolbar User Elevation Helper.

2. For some reason, even though switched on, I can't get it to do a system restore these days. It goes through all the motions but won't co-operate.

3. When I bought pc from Currys two years ago, Vista was already installed and there was no backup disk. I was already online and reading the techie forum when I read that I should have created a boot cd/recovery cd first. (?) Is there any way to do that now?

4. My PC accused me on Friday of ''excessive paging'' and said memory was very low and I don't know how to fix this - or even what it means!
With DS' and my photos and family history stuff, including multiple edited copies for DS' portfolio and photo duplicate files, there must be around 4500 photos! (Now cowering under table in shame and fearing techie wrath!)
I bought 2 x 4GB USB2 flash drive stick thingys hoping to backup photos and docs but I don't know how to use them, (and they had no instructions), so I thought I should ask the experts here first.
I've got work saved in google docs, picasa3 and favourites that I need to work with and I don't know if what I created/edited in those programmes can be saved to said stick or how to do it? Also, can you store actual programmes on stick?
And is there any way to separate the original from the edited pics and duplicated pics as I'm already 44 years old and I'm afraid of running out of time?! I do promise to buy an external Buffalo wotsit soon to store and backup everything.

5. Finally, windows updates keeps trying to install IE8 as an update, even though I'm not using it. I've got IE7, I think. I just thought it strange that it was trying to sneak in as an update - should I install it?


Gosh - I feel like I've just been to Sunday Techie Confessional!
I know people like me shouldn't be let near pcs without some kind of license, but I do try and help and do good work with my pc. I would therefore be very grateful if any name calling be limited to 5 characters or less.

Submitted humbly as my only way of thanking you Tiff-style, for even reading this essay...



Sorry for the long post guys and many thanks for your time.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

aliEnRIK

Tiff ~ id much rather youd stuck with Avira but its your computer

512 is too little RAM for a VISTA computer. You REALLY need 1 gig as an absolute miminum for it to run effeciently (But id recommend 2 gig)

1 ~ yes theyre fine
2 ~ probably the cr*ppy virgin software your using
3 ~ id suggest you start a new thread for this as theres quite a few different answers youll get
4 ~ simply plug the usb drives into a spare usb port. Goto COMPUTER and there they will be. Then COPY the folders you want and PASTE to the usb drives
5 ~ your call but ive decided against IE8 at the moment due to a problem with spybot. Though on the whole it 'should' work fine

dogmaryxx

quote Microsoft SeaPort Search Enhancement Broker Outbound TCP.
- Windows Live Toolbar User Elevation Helper quote

This will help with above,not a techie so you decide but it sounds unwanted.

£$&*"($£&(

Sort the backup first. You just plug the "usb drive stick thingys in" and they will appear in the list of drives when you open My Computer. Then find the folders with your photos and documents in. Select the folder and choose copy. Then select the usb drive and click paste. If you don't want to copy the entire contents of either folder open the usb drive and make a new folder. The select the files you want to backup and copy and paste them into the folder on the usb drive.

You would not store programs onto the disk.

There should be an option to create restore disks in the Start Menu list.

When you open My Computer how muxch free space do you have on Local Disk C:?

kippen_noedel

• 1st thing I'm impressed you get vista running at anything other than a snails pace with only 512MB ram.
• You do not need anything that comes from Virgin
• Do you need Seaport and live toolbar ? probably not but they are legitimate, if you want them disabled it's quite easy, just post and ask how.
• You should have a hidden partition on your comp to retore to factory settings, means you'll lose everything you've installed since you bought it but it's easy. Before taking various peoples advice on how to create a rescue disk, go to the manufacturers website and search under support to see if they have a method specific to your model.
• Backup personal doc/photos, just go to the folder containing them, right click on it and select send to, make sure your USB stick is already plugged in.
• Lots of programs can actually be installed directly onto a removeable drive.
• Never remove any USB drive without clicking the icon in task bar and selecting remove and waiting for the message Safe to Remove, or turn off the computer first.
• I'm biased against IE n all forms so I'd suggest using Firefox instead
• Auto updates, I never allow this, but probably not a good idea for beginners, you can go to the MS website and select which updates you want it to install.

superscaper

kippen_noedel wrote: »

• Never remove any USB drive without clicking the icon in task bar and selecting remove and waiting for the message Safe to Remove, or turn off the computer first.

I disagree with this generalisation. You only need to "safely" remove usb drives if they are formatted in NTFS (it's one of the main disadvantages), if it's FAT/FAT32 formatted it does not need to be "safely" removed it can simply be unplugged. If you're ever unsure, then sure make sure it's safely removed, but "Never" isn't really strictly necessary.

Tiff_2

Hi guys!
Thank you so much for your helpful replies everyone - I really do appreciate your time and help.
rik - thank you for the advice hunnie - much appreciated. I will revert to avira and as you advised and in general, the consensus seems to be to get rid of carpy Virgin security which I will also do. I will also start a new thread regarding creating a recovery disk, probably best done once I sort the rest out. I will also ignore IE8 for now, until I'm settled with everything backed up.
dogmaryxx - thanks for the link, angel. I just wanted to make sure that they weren't part of my OS life support system before refusing them!
grahawk - thank you for your help hun. I had to click on the drives to find out which one 'stick thingy' was on and it's Removable Drive E. I've managed to select folder or file but don't see where to paste it, as I've explained below.
According to My Computer, it says:
50% Free HDD (C:) Local Disk Total Size 141GB Free Space 76.4GB
kippen noedel - thank you for your time hunnie and the helpful points you made. If I've understood correctly, I should highlight what I want to copy and then right click - send to - Removabl Drive E? I guess that's really what I'm asking below.
superscraper - thanks for the information angel. As I have noted below, it comes up as FAT32.

I have plugged 'stick thingy' into a USB port and it installed itself and said it's ready to use.

There was a file called UFB Utility, (exactly no .exe or other suffix) and a PDF VF3210-User Manual. So trying to be a good Tiff techie student, I read the manual first. It talked about boot disks and partioning and auto-runs. Result = Tiff

I clicked on UFB Utility file and an icon bar appeared on screen. The icons don't marry exactly with the icons/order I have, but the names are the same. So this is a clip of what I got:

wrote:

Public Area + Security Area

wrote:

UFD can be partitioned into 2 areas, Public area and Security area. All data stored in Security area is protected by password. However, the Public area has no restrictions in access.

2.1 Partition Manager

The icon is able to use to partition UFD into “public area” only or “public area + security area”. It supports to modify disk label and password for security area.

2.2 Boot Manager

The icon is able to make UFD as a boot disk as USB-ZIP or USB-HDD.

2.3 Security Manager

The icon is able to Login security area after correct password key in and logout after data access for protection.

2.4 Autorun Manager

Create virtual CDROM partition with auto-run feature embedded on top of “Partition Manager” made 1 or 2 partition areas. This tool also supports ISO image file making and one single “Removable Disk” default setting call back function.

2.5 Flash Mail Manager

The icon is able to copy mail, address book and accounts in the Outlook Express to the UFD. It can use to read mail at any Windows Outlook Express platform.

2.6 PC Lock Manager

Lock PC to prevent un-wanted operation during setting time after un-plug UFD. User can define PC lock time and text/picture display they prefer during PC lock time.

2.7 Bookmark Manager

Copy my favorites in the Internet Explorer to the UFD. It can be used to visit favorite website on any Windows Internet Explorer platform.

2.8 Security Folder

Put the file you want to secret or compress to the vfzip folder under public area. The tool will create a special vfbest.vfo Zip file.

2.9 Remark

Whenever “Partition Manager”, “Boot Manager” and “Autorun Manager” executed, the “UFD Utility.exe” will be duplicated to the Public area for user convenience.

Do I have to use any of the above to enable it to make a copy of my files? If so, what do I need to do, please?

In My Computer, I clicked on that E drive and it says ''File: FAT32'' (which I thought was a bit personal!)

I went back to My Computer and opened a folder - right click - copy, but I couldn't find anywhere to ''paste'' it ?
I did right click on a copy of a folder and I saw the option ''Send To'', and among the locations on the list is Removable E drive. So should I create duplicate folders of exactly the bits that I want to copy, and then click on them - Send To - E?

If I just send the original file/folder to removable E, will that take the file/folder off my pc?
I just tried to send a copy of a Doc folder and a warning window's come up, saying:

Property Loss
Are you sure you want to send this folder without it's properties?
The folder Docs XYZ copy has properties which cannot be copied to the new location.

The copied folder had 7 docs in, 1 was a scan and 1 was a PDF - does this explain the warning message? How do I check what's on the 'stick thingy' to see if it's transferred?
And that's where I am now.
I'm so sorry for what must seem stupid questions to you folks.
Assuming you guys have the patience of a saint, I'd be very grateful for any advice on this.
Sincere thanks and best wishes to you all.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

£$&*"($£&(

Tiff wrote: »

I went back to My Computer and opened a folder - right click - copy, but I couldn't find anywhere to ''paste'' it ?
I did right click on a copy of a folder and I saw the option ''Send To'', and among the locations on the list is Removable E drive. So should I create duplicate folders of exactly the bits that I want to copy, and then click on them - Send To - E?

If I just send the original file/folder to removable E, will that take the file/folder off my pc?
I just tried to send a copy of a Doc folder and a warning window's come up, saying:

Property Loss
Are you sure you want to send this folder without it's properties?
The folder Docs XYZ copy has properties which cannot be copied to the new location.

The copied folder had 7 docs in, 1 was a scan and 1 was a PDF - does this explain the warning message? How do I check what's on the 'stick thingy' to see if it's transferred?

You can use the send to. It will just copy waht your sending to the drive and won't remove the file from your PC. Otherwise just right click the usb drive (Removable Disk E) and select paste or double click the usb drive and select paste. Double clicking the usb drive will open it and show what folders are present. It should show nothing prior to pasting or sending. No idea about the properties thing.

Tiff_2

Hi grahawk!
By jove - I think I've got it!
I'd managed to copy the file and after reading your last post, I opened E, and there the folder was - just like magick...or alchemy even. Obviously, I'm thinking too hard!
Thanks for the clarifications, angel.
One final question on this query number 3 from my original post...will this mean I can delete files that I don't need from PC now and will that free up more space and stop my ''excessive paging'' problem?
Oh and erm, what is ''excessive paging''?

Any ideas on question 2, anyone? I don't think it was down to carpy virgin software, rik as the problem was there before PCGuard was installed. Virgin is my ISP though.
So between you guys, it would seem question numbers 1, 4 and 5 are resolved then, bless you.
I'll start a separate thread for question number 3, as rik suggested.

Thanks for your patience with me everyone and for your helpful replies. Very much appreciated.
Much Love,
Tiff xxx

£$&*"($£&(

You shouldn't delete any files that you've copied. Backing up is all about keeping a copy of a file on a sepeartate drive so if one drive breaks you always have the copy. Never keep a single copy of important and irreplaceable files. Your drive has plenty of room anyway.

At a guess I would say that excessive paging means you don't have enough RAM installed. The PC has to keep writing stuff to the hard drive and moving data it needs in RAM in and out of the memory. Memory is cheap - upgrade to at least 1GB which will cost about £10.