Restoring my computer hardrive

[Janice]

Okay, I've decided to take the plunge and to reinstall windows or whatever it's called. I've got the three discs here. System Restoration Kit, Discs 1, 2 and 3. Windows ME I guess.

I want to save some pictures. Can I download them on floppys like documents? Should I be online when I begin? When, or should I say if, I'm successful, do I have to install a browser...what is it I have.....robyrob? Mozilla or something. I know how to reload the Microsoft programs...with the registration stuff.

Then, I want to buy a really good virus and firewall. What's the best?

I'm super stupid when it comes to this stuff, so if nobody hears from me for a week or so, it means I crashed my system, had to buy a new computer...along with the acccompanying problems with tech support folks, modems, Comcast, etc.

Any advice *cough* robyrob?

[robyrob]

I want to save some pictures. Can I download them on floppys like documents?

well, you CAN save them to floppies, but how many pics do you HAVE - if its more than a dozen you probably want to choose a different method of backing up, in which case i would suggest one (or more) of a couple options: buy/borrow an external cdrw drive and CDR disks, buy an external hard drive, buy a USB thumb drive, find a good free site and upload all of your pics there - each of these options has pros and cons, but the most important factor is how much space do you need to back up the pics you want to keep?

Should I be online when I begin? When, or should I say if, I'm successful, do I have to install a browser...what is it I have.....robyrob? Mozilla or something. I know how to reload the Microsoft programs...with the registration stuff.

you dont need to be online when you reinstall, but you WILL need to get online to download and install updates/patches/software/whatever (did you get the MS sercurity updates cd - it would save you some download time) it is CRITICAL that you go to Windows Update and install the Critical Updates RIGHT AWAY.

Then, I want to buy a really good virus and firewall. What's the best?

well, its hard to say which is the best; its a pretty subjective topic, I've always liked Norton's Internet Security, but Trend Micro's PC-cillin Internet Security 2005 is a good deal for $49.95 - it includes a firewall and it seems to work as well as Norton's in recent tests....

I'm super stupid when it comes to this stuff, so if nobody hears from me for a week or so, it means I crashed my system, had to buy a new computer...along with the acccompanying problems with tech support folks, modems, Comcast, etc.

take it one step at a time, keep that manual handy and GOOD LUCK!

[Janice]

Thanks. I've got about 20 or so pictures and graphics that I like. How about if I just e:mail them to a friend who can e:mail them back after I'm done.

Where will I find Windows Update? No, I don't have the MS sercurity updates cd. I probably won't do this until a day or so, or until I find the confidence.

[Chelsea]

Janice....alone....doing a computer restore.

Oh. holy. ****.

Windows Update should be located in the Tools menu of Internet Explorer, may or may not be a shortcut on the Start menu...or can be found at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

[robyrob]

Originally Posted by Janice

Thanks. I've got about 20 or so pictures and graphics that I like. How about if I just e:mail them to a friend who can e:mail them back after I'm done.

Where will I find Windows Update? No, I don't have the MS sercurity updates cd. I probably won't do this until a day or so, or until I find the confidence.

you COULD just email them to yourself - just send them to your Hotmail/Yahoo/Gmail/other online account....

Go through your Start Menu and make a list of all your programs you use, and make sure you've got all your necessary cds or know where to download them from first.

It IS a scary thought having to start over again, but it will ultimately be worth it .

[I am Roboto]

Originally Posted by robyrob

It IS a scary thought having to start over again, but it will ultimately be worth it .

Especially considering the ME factor..........

[Janice]

Originally Posted by I am Roboto

Especially considering the ME factor..........

Why?

[I am Roboto]

Originally Posted by Janice

Why?

Windows ME is not a good operating system at all. It gets corrupted easily and crashes easily, because it still has the underlying 16-bit (DOS) code from the old days. That's why it's often better to reinstall then repair with Win 9x systems. If you could upgrade to Windows 2000 or XP it would be a heck of a lot more stable. I don't know what hardware you have (CPU, Memory...RAM, ect.), but most newer hardware will upgrade to at least 2000 easily. The 2000/XP CD-ROM's are bootable, meaning you just pop in the CD and start up the computer, and it will guide you through the setup. Aside from the partitioning, it may actually be easier than an ME install, especially if you're using a floppy disk to get CD-ROM access for the ME install.

[robyrob]

Originally Posted by I am Roboto

Windows ME is not a good operating system at all. It gets corrupted easily and crashes easily, because it still has the underlying 16-bit (DOS) code from the old days. That's why it's often better to reinstall then repair with Win 9x systems. If you could upgrade to Windows 2000 or XP it would be a heck of a lot more stable. I don't know what hardware you have (CPU, Memory...RAM, ect.), but most newer hardware will upgrade to at least 2000 easily. The 2000/XP CD-ROM's are bootable, meaning you just pop in the CD and start up the computer, and it will guide you through the setup. Aside from the partitioning, it may actually be easier than an ME install, especially if you're using a floppy disk to get CD-ROM access for the ME install.

actually because Janice has a Gateway with system restore disks it SHOULD be a fairly painless install - they basically use a Ghost Image, so all she has to do is boot to the System Recovery disks, start the program, and it will automatically reimage the hard-drive with the original setup it had when it came from Gateway.

It will have all of her bundled software and drivers pre-installed, and unfortunately, as you mentioned, ME.

[Janice]

Well I'm back from the depths of hell. I restored my system with the usual problems. Had to call Comcast (modem issue), AOL (connection issue), Symantac for Norton virus protection and troubleshooting. I was behind my computer in a jungle of wires doing my Lucille Ball routine. I spoke with someone in Newfoundland, India (that was fun) and New York.

It took hours to unload and load everything back into the system. Everytime I slipped a disc in the computer, I was sure that was the one that was going to blow it up or at the very least, crash it. I was finished, or so I thought, and then I couldn't access AOL. I called them and they had me run a test, and it was Symantac's issue. Today, I ordered Norton Internet Security 2005 (virus, firewall, spy/ad blocker). In the meantime, the rep suggested that I download the 15-day free trial version, so I did. That's when I couldn't access AOL, so I called them. They asked if I had installed a firewall. They had me disable it, and then I could access AOL. The firewall was the culprit. It clashed with AOL.

My husband knew enough not to get too close, but I remember at one point, he tossed a sub and a soda onto my desk and ran. I have no memory of eating it.

I called Symantacs and waited for 30 minutes and gave up. Called back, and waited another 45 minutes. They guided me through a reconfiguration deal, and I'm all set.

I also went into Maintenance Wizard, so my system will do disc cleanup/defrag, get rid of temporary files, once a week.

I'm up and running. There's eight hours of my life I'll never get back. I will say it's running like new. Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm like an expert now. From this point on, come to me instead of robyrob. I'll get you up and running in eight hours flat, 10 the very most.

[Chelsea]

Roby, I've got an idea: Let's teach Janice Linux.

Even though I've said in the past that It + Me = Trainwreck, I know enough of the stuff to get by

[Janice]

Originally Posted by Seth

Roby, I've got an idea: Let's teach Janice Linux.

Even though I've said in the past that It + Me = Trainwreck, I know enough of the stuff to get by

I know about Linus. One of the Peanuts gang, right.
I can run circles around all you computer gurus now, lol. I paid my dues today.
Actually, I almost said the hell with this and bought a new one, but I knew this system had more life in it. It's a nice Gateway, 3 1/2 years old. I paid 3 grand for it. I knew it just needed a tune-up. It just had too many bugs and junk making it sluggish. It's working now like the day I bought it.

[Chelsea]

Originally Posted by Janice

I know about Linus. One of the Peanuts gang, right.

Good Grief...

Come on, Good Grief was the obvious joke

[robyrob]

Originally Posted by Janice

I know about Linus. One of the Peanuts gang, right.
I can run circles around all you computer gurus now, lol. I paid my dues today.
Actually, I almost said the hell with this and bought a new one, but I knew this system had more life in it. It's a nice Gateway, 3 1/2 years old. I paid 3 grand for it. I knew it just needed a tune-up. It just had too many bugs and junk making it sluggish. It's working now like the day I bought it.

I'm glad that it went well (nothing ACTUALLY blew up, right?) , now make sure you have all of your Windows Updates, install SpywareBlaster AdAware and Spybot - Search and Destroy - Norton's anti-spyware is ok, but NOT enough IMO.

maybe your NEXT computer can be friends with Linus

[robyrob]

Originally Posted by Janice

I spoke with someone in Newfoundland,

i BET that they were actually on Cape Breton Island...