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

Richie-from-the-Boro

MuddledOfMiddlesex, Sorry to hear about your plight !

- did you use the LittleDisk Genie software to make the backup, or did you use Win7 software ?

- if you used Win7 to backup from Win7 to your LaCie did you make the additional Restore CD that you were prompted to by the Win7 Backup Software ?

- do you have a record of the Microsoft Serial Number which will still be stuck to the bottom of your Lappie ?

MuddledOfMiddlesex

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

MuddledOfMiddlesex, Sorry to hear about your plight !

- did you use the LittleDisk Genie software to make the backup, or did you use Win7 software ?

The stolen laptop is running Vista Home Premium - I used the Windows Backup and Restore. I did use LittleDisk software as well but about three weeks ago it corrupted and I had to reformat the disc and I was of course 'going to get round to it.'

- if you used Win7 to backup from Win7 to your LaCie did you make the additional Restore CD that you were prompted to by the Win7 Backup Software ?

I don't remember being prompted by Vista to make other Restore CDs though I did do the restore DVDs when I bought the original computer.

- do you have a record of the Microsoft Serial Number which will still be stuck to the bottom of your Lappie ?

Somewhere I will have it, yes.

What does it all mean?

Donnie

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

MuddledOfMiddlesex, Sorry to hear about your plight !

- did you use the LittleDisk Genie software to make the backup, or did you use Win7 software ?

- if you used Win7 to backup from Win7 to your LaCie did you make the additional Restore CD that you were prompted to by the Win7 Backup Software ?

- do you have a record of the Microsoft Serial Number which will still be stuck to the bottom of your Lappie ?

They didn't have Windows 7, it was Vista.

MuddledOfMiddlesex

kwikbreaks wrote: »

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.

Hmm kwikbreaks, well there's a lot of data on there alas. I have lots of notes that remind myself of what passwords are with oblique references that wouldn't help the average thief here in Spain, but which I am sure someone who really wanted to and fancied some guesswork/crossword puzzling could work out. Not to mention bank statements etc. which we've had as downloads while we've been studying here in Spain as mature students. My best hope is they were opportunists but beyond changing passwords everywhere, not sure what more I can do? I have always thought I was fairly security conscious but obviously wasn't. I'm still about 100 per cent more than most people I know, but most people I know haven't had their laptops nicked... yet. Will be an evangelist in future. Still in shock to be honest.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Donnie wrote: »

They didn't have Windows 7, it was Vista.

Huiya Donnie :beer:

Ok ! same restore disk required if it was made by WinBlows

Donnie

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Huiya Donnie :beer:

Ok ! same restore disk required if it was made by WinBlows

I'll drink a soft beverage with you.

Donnie

If it's just for work and general use, consider this TOSHIBA SATELLITE L450D-11V for £274. You did write about two laptops, so perhaps you are looking to replace both.

If you want an all singing, all dancing version(if you play some games for example) at the other end of the scale is this Toshiba Satellite A500 - 1GL for £434
Expect the machines to be in 'as new' condition.
There are possibilities in between of course.
Ordered now, will be delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday....oh....you're in Spain.

Richie-from-the-Boro

MuddledOfMiddlesex wrote: »

Somewhere I will have it, yes.

What does it all mean?

There are 2 ways you could have made your backup.

.1. Your LaCie drive has some software on it that makes Backups, did you use the LaCie software to make your backup ?

Or

.2. Did you use the windows Vista backup software to make the backup to your LaCie drive ?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Donnie wrote: »

I'll drink a soft beverage with you.

Its a long time since Vista, I'll have to dig out one of the old Vista gaming machines to check, but I'm almost sure Microsoft protect their income by requiring a machine specific Vista CD restore disk made at the time of the Backup.

It is definitely the case with Win7

Can anyone else still using Vista verify that a Restore CD is made / required to put the image back from a HDD caddy ?

MuddledOfMiddlesex

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

There are 2 ways you could have made your backup.

.1. Your LaCie drive has some software on it that makes Backups, did you use the LaCie software to make your backup ?

Or

.2. Did you use the windows Vista backup software to make the backup to your LaCie drive ?

Hi Richie,
Sorry, I had answered your questions in my previous post, but they came up within the actual quote box for some reason. I had done both but then the Little Disk corrupted so I reformatted and just used the Win Back up. If it made me make a disk I probably have it somewhere but I honestly don't remember making one...

Just found the plastic trim from the DVD drive of the other laptop on the pavement outside, suggesting they dropped it. Hope they bloody well did. On their foot.

MoM