Disaster-Proof Your PC

Neeyik · 11-21-2007, 12:48 AM

Whether your PC is just for gaming or it's a central part of your lifestyle, suddenly losing all of your important data due to hardware or software problems is like a very bad nightmare. Chuck Miller takes us through 5 important steps that we can all take to ensure that, if the worst ever happens, the dream never becomes reality.

http://www.yougamers.com/articles/14...proof_your_pc/

Jarnis · 11-21-2007, 07:36 AM

I'd add to the list a good firewall/antivirus package that I use myself:

F-Secure Internet Security 2008

http://www.f-secure.com/

It Just Works, rarely bugs you with unneeded windows, and has no Norton-style tendency to get completely messed up over time requiring reinstall of the whole package. I installed mine back in November 2007 (2007 version) and the first time I had to do something about the software after the initial setup was when it told me that my yearly subscription was running out...

Sure, costs money, but IMHO worth it, and the licensing deal is reasonable - one package is good for three installations - covers your desktop, laptop and that second computer most of us already has around.

Controll3d_1 · 11-21-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarnis

I'd add to the list a good firewall/antivirus package that I use myself:

F-Secure Internet Security 2008

http://www.f-secure.com/

...

F-Secure IS is nice software. Used it until moved to Vista 64. Got license running atm, but no use for it.
Vista been out almost year and still no support for 64bit version. Beta had support for 64bit (except didn't work with Ultimate 32/64), but nothing since.

Can recommend aswell if have 32-bit windows and system to run it.
It's quite heavy to run with older system and needs lot of RAM to run with.

Jarnis · 11-21-2007, 03:28 PM

Agreed, I wouldn't try F-Secure without at least 1GB RAM. Then again I wouldn't do *anything* with a Windows PC these days without at least 2GB, so...

64Bit support on Vista is more of a Microsoft issue. They have locked the kernel up tight, and I guess F-Secure guys don't want to resort to undocumented hacking to get their scanning engines into kernel space...

_FAKE_ · 11-22-2007, 04:00 PM

I noticed you said 3 partitions is optimal. I have like 5:
320GB:
- 58.0GB (Boot)
- 100GB (Games)
- 100GB (Programs)
- 40GB (Music)
250GB:
- 232GB (Documents and Downloads)(and other crap)

I never worried to much about imaging. I usually just backed up all my gear onto a few DVD's before formatting and re-installing the OS. Plus I never really had a problem with viruses, spyware etc. I usually only format my computer when I start to notice it slowing down due to fragmentation etc. I do use PerfectDisk 8.0, but even that doesn't help after a few months. I guess the more you dump stuff onto your HDD the slower your PC gets.

Is there anyway to make a recovery disk for Vista, like in XP. Where you can install the OS, and all your programs, games, music, documents etc all in one go?. It gets annoying after a while having to re-install all your games and stuff. It can take hours to do it all, and get your PC back up the way it used to (Without the slow downs).

I know imaging is similar, where you can backup everything and just copy it back after your finished installing the OS, but is there a way where you do that while installing the OS.

EDIT: Is there also a way in which you can change the default install drive. For instance, every time I go to install a program, it automatically defaults it as C:/Program Files (x86)/. I remember a mate of my dads a few years ago saying you can. because it gets annoying having to change it to the drive in which i want to install it E:/ Program Files/, and a lot of times I have to create a folder for the program. I prefer to just install the program without the hassle.

dragomirc · 11-22-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarnis

Agreed, I wouldn't try F-Secure without at least 1GB RAM. Then again I wouldn't do *anything* with a Windows PC these days without at least 2GB, so...

64Bit support on Vista is more of a Microsoft issue. They have locked the kernel up tight, and I guess F-Secure guys don't want to resort to undocumented hacking to get their scanning engines into kernel space...

I just love that fact (Vista 64 never crush or froze)

stealth_wing · 11-22-2007, 10:30 PM

The section about malware avoidance needs to mention something else: common sense. Thinking about a pop-up dialog instead of mindlessly clicking OK gets you already pretty far in the field of malware prevention.