Laptop stolen - interrupted burglars this morning - help with back ups?

jamespir

sorry to hear hope you get it sorted

basmic

When you get your new laptop, make sure you password it to the hilt - I don't just mean a password for Windows, but for the BIOS and harddrive too. This means that unless they can get past both passwords, the laptop is a paperweight to them.

As for backups, I would get into the habit of a dual backup system. Ie: backup frequently changed files, such as My Documents, every day to a portable harddrive - and every week do a full backup (as I suspect you're doing now) to another portable harddrive. Keep both portable drives apart, but in secure places.

Browntoa

well I've always had problems accessing password protected windows files even when using a linux CD on NTFS drives but I would bow to superior knowledge...and stand corrected

kwikbreaks wrote: »

No it doesn't.

kwikbreaks

There are ways to encrypt files on Windows (or even the entire disk) but putting a password on the user account won't do it. If you add one, change one, or remove one it is all instant and if the data was encrypted based on a password all of those operations would be very time consuming.

thomas01155

Free disk encryption:
http://www.truecrypt.org/
http://disk-encryption.comodo.com/

MuddledOfMiddlesex

Thanks for the advice and the links! I will definitely encrypt to oblivion in future... and I will try out the disc on another computer, see what happens.

One further question - regarding software. I had Outlook that I'd bought on the old laptop. Will I have to buy it again or is there any way of using the registration key again as I know it's been stolen and the drive will probably be wiped (reckon I know the answer to that one, sadly, but just wondered...)

Browntoa

outlook is part of Office so as an OEM install the key will not be valid , do you use all Outlooks functions like the Calender etc for appointments

if you have a school aged child ( or know someone who has) then you can get a highly subsidised version from software4students

Donnie

Restore Vista backup with Windows 7 - yes!

kwikbreaks

MuddledOfMiddlesex wrote: »

the drive will probably be wiped

That will depend on how sophisticated the thieves are and who they pass it on to. If you are in the habit of letting windows save your passwords then you need to be busy changing them all pdq. I hope you don't have any plain text files or stored emails giving any personal data, passwords, etc.

MuddledOfMiddlesex

Browntoa, yes, I see. I have a Student/Teacher license for the other apps which I'll be able to use, but that bundle didn't come with Outlook, so asking a friend with children probably is the way to go, rather than buying Outlook for about a hundred pounds again.

And Donnie, thanks so you much for that link, it is reassuring. I hope it's right!!!