Set it up...back it up...recover it

 

 

I must say one of my happiest moments is getting hold of a new computer or laptop, tablet whatever (you name it) and getting the chance to put it through it's paces. I must say it can be fun to push technology to the extreme to review or just for reference (note, I don't endorse this unless you're experienced and are aware of what you're doing).

 

But, in the excitement of getting set up and playing with our new toy, one thing can get overlooked all too easily. What do we do when it breaks? Can we get our computer back to the beginning? Well yes provided that you have a disk with a Windows installation or a system image from which you can reboot your system.

 

These days, the responsibility is being put more and more on the user to remember to create their backup media and their reboot media in the event the unthinkable happens. Rule 1...get the system image (often called a system recovery disk) created and set up as soon as it is possible to do so. Rule 2...keep it somewhere safe for when you need it. I can guarantee you that many computers end up being replaced or new licenses purchased when they don't need to be because of the loss of recovery media.

 

It's a simple disk to create and most manufacturers put the media creation software into their devices and it will prompt you after a certain time to take action and create your disk. Do NOT ignore this message for too long or you could find yourself with a heavy penalty financially unless you know someone who can bail you out in some legal way (I do not and never will condone pirated software always buy legit or make sure you have access to legit software it always works out better).

 

It is not always the case that recovery media needs to be created from the system when you buy it. Some systems shipped direct from manufacturer have all the required utilities built in to do this from a reserved section of the hard drive and, if you have purchased a Windows disk, this acts as your recovery media but always always double check. If you're being prompted to create media, it'll be because the system doe not have a built in reinstall tool.

 

If you don't know where to start with making this data or if you want to check if it's needed, you would be best to check your manufacturer's documentation supplied with the computer or laptop or with the manufacturer website. They will normally have documentation and FAQs on the subject so do read around but make sure you're checking for support for the correct manufacturer and the correct model type (again this is supplied with the documentation and will most likely be on the system somewhere).

 

If you are having difficulty with this, we can assist you with our out the box range of services to get you fully set up and running and our system recovery options if you need your system restoring. Check out www.worleyitservices.com for more details and as ever, email enquiries@worleyitservices.com if you would like advice at no cost on how to approach these options. But please do not attempt to create backup media or reboot your system unless you are fully confident in your actions and are completely sure it is the best option.

 

For those windows 10 users out there, I have come across a few instances where Windows 10 is unwanted and a rollback is required to the previous operating system. Do not attempt to system restore as this will lock out the hard drive. Windows 10 has a built in utility to downgrade if you wish to revert to your previous operating system within 30 days of upgrading but please, consult with an experienced IT professional first.

 

I do hope you have found this little snippet useful if you are considering purchasing a device in the near future or just for general reference. Comments are welcome so please feel free to leave them at the bottom of this post and we'll get back to you if you have any other questions.

 

Hope to catch you soon

Ash

Blue Screen

A rather nasty failure commonly known as the Blue Screen of Death which we normally take as the computer is broken. Well yes and no so, what exactly is it?

Blue screen is an error that triggers when Windows encounters a system fault and thus saves and initiates an emergency shutdown to help save the computer as best as possible. It is important to remember that this fires after a piece of hardware fails or encounters an error. This is not an error fired generally by software as they have built in (and not always useful) options to inform Microsoft of the issue.

So what should we do when we get greeted with a blue screen error? Well, first of all....don't panic let the computer work through the error. Not all occasions of blue screen are fatal however, turning the system off by the mains will certainly kill the system off completely.

Although not all errors are fatal, they should be taken as a serious warning and that should be the point (if not already) backups should be made of your important files and folders in case the error repeats.

But, what if the computer fails to start again after blue screen? This is normally when a component has irreparably failed and replacement will be necessary. The awkward bit here is, we don't know exactly what has failed and so, many (myself included) have been known to assume that all data is irretrievable. Well not quite, only if the error was as a result of the hard drive failing will the data be irretrievable.

We can offer a free diagnostic to determine if any data can be recovered if this error has ever occurred with fatal results and, if recoverable, we can recover as well (see www.worleyitservices.com/Repairs/HDDRecover.aspx) for more info.

So for the best results, don't panic! Keep calm and restart and remember, help is at hand if it doesn't come back on.

Until next time

Ash

Back It Up!

A frequent problem that ties into our data recovery post from the other month, very commonly witnessed is the lack of backing up I see people do. Possibly the single most important (and certainly the most secure) way of protecting your data against all problems.

So, what are the best tips for backing up your data? Well to begin with, its important to know how much you want to back up. Remember, hard drives, pen drives and so on can only hold so much so make sure you know what you want to save and try to quantify it as accurately as possible.

There are a number of types of backups that can be made depending on the system you're using. Most computers and laptops these days have a function to back up the core operating system in some way shape or form in case a reboot is needed to prevent loss of data and settings. Or you can back up just selected files and folders (which is the absolute minimum that should be done).

If you are a tablet user, SD cards are the way to go to keep backed up and these can be quite reasonably priced (we will be looking at getting these in stock soon).

If you would like the reassurance that your backup has been/is being done correctly, we offer a data back up service at affordable rates, for more details visit: http://www.worleyitservices.com/Repairs/DataBackup.aspx

To cap it off we also offer backup restore services to find and restore your files from an existing backup. If you have had your data backed up with us, we can take 10% off the price: http://www.worleyitservices.com/Repairs/backuprestore.aspx

If you are looking for somewhere to back up to, we currently have a small stock of reconditioned hard drives which have been restored to factory defaults and all previous usage erased. Please see http://www.worleyitservices.com/Products for more details.

To summarise, make sure there is adequate backups in place to protect your data. These do not have to be company standards of several backups in case one fails and are very easy to set in place. Back ups are worth having at least every 6 months to prevent loss of changes etc.

Hope you find this useful.

ATB

Ash

Ubuntu - A Hidden Gem

For most people, the choice of laptop or computer is Windows or Mac both of which are very valid and good strong systems to have. We trust them and we've gotten used to their little quirks over the years (we know the complaints we all have about Windows!).

But for some Windows or Mac isn't the big flashy system we want. Many will have heard of Linux but not necessarily have used Linux. Possibly one of the largest collections of operating systems, Linux systems are just as robust and just as useful. In fact, they can be more secure than their Windows and Mac counterparts as well as less resource hungry resulting in better efficiency. For this reason many servers run a flavour of Linux and this is invisible to the end user.

Now this may sound great but, certain Linux distributions (Red Hat springs to mind) can be quite costly however, as the core of Linux (Unix) has exceptionally similar counterparts, we are fortunate to be able to obtain certain Linux distributions for free...ain't that awesome? These Unix-based systems form the core of a number of distributions and also point to the cheaper price Mac OS X software compared to Windows (seriously read on and I'll explain that further).

The biggest of these distributions is a fantastic operating system called Ubuntu which many may of heard from time to time. A great system with all the features that we've come to love over the years in Windows and Mac and looks a little bit like this:

For those of us that are Mac users, you can probably see the similarities between Ubuntu and Mac in the layout this is because they have the same core system. Pretty cool?

So what are the key advantages of Ubuntu then? Well for a start...it's free including updates and upgrades (apps purchased from the store may come at additional cost). Second, Ubuntu is an open source project meaning that anyone can contribute to the project. Now yes, that sounds risky but these people are experts and have been working on this for decades. But it is due to this, that Ubuntu is relatively secure and immune to viruses. However, this shouldn't be taken for granted and for peace of mind you should source some antivirus software to be safe. There are some good freebies out there.

It doesn't stop here though. As a taster, when you download Ubuntu to a disc, you can boot what is called a live version of Ubuntu on your computer to trial the software. In doing this, your current operating system is not affected and you can experiment with Ubuntu to your hearts content and then remove the disc, restart and you have your computer back as before. This is possibly the only case (certainly the only one I have come across) where you can 'try before you buy' (in this case install).

As well as this, if you're not a hundred percent on giving up your current operating system, you can install Ubuntu side by side with Windows or Mac and use the two. All in all not a bad deal and the installation is clear and well described at every stage.

As well as this, there is a huge amount of support documentation easily accessible by just typing in the issue you have and the answers are there for you, very clear and concise.

So if you've decided that you don't want Windows or Mac or you just feel like something different, give it a spin (please don't do anything you're not confident with without seeking help or consulting the Ubuntu documentation online) and see how you find it. The system will sit on the majority of computers and laptops that have been running Windows and Mac so you don't have to splash out for a new computer.

Hope for those who give it a try you enjoy the user experience of the upcoming system in the computer world.

Until next time enjoy!

Ash

The Multidevice Approach

There are many advantages to modern technology which we see as a great convenience to ourselves and many can be. However, I will reiterate what may have been heard many times before. Exercise caution especially if you sync across many devices.

It's a great and useful tool to have your data accessible across multiple devices so you have it on the go. But, as I discussed in an earlier post, its a one hit takes all if your devices get hacked.

So more a general advice and tips job this post. Don't take this as a don't sync across devices as it's a great approach for the modern day to day tasks we are faced with but don't sync the personal and confidential data across. That is where trouble begins and the difficult task of undoing the damage.

To upgrade or not?

With every new operating system that comes out, be it Mac, Windows, Android or iOS, the most frequent question is should I upgrade my software? The answer to be quite honest, is complex lets not forget the let down Vista was and the abomination that was called Windows 8.

Many did think upgrading to be the best option and were very quickly upset to find several stability issues. However, when the operating system after came round, these users were more cautious of upgrading to then find they were missing out on the complete package that is Windows 7. I can't speak for Windows 10 yet as it is in it's infancy after Wednesday's release however, so far I've heard positive remarks.

Now, upgrading does have numerous benefits including security improvements, especially those still using XP after it's support has ended. But at the same time, the newer systems that are supported by their vendors receive copious updates to keep these vulnerabilities at bay.

To be quite honest with you, it's personal preference. If there are any reader's still on XP then upgrading to at least Windows 7 is a must. If you're on Windows 7, you don't need to be too worried about upgrading at this time as it will be supported for a good few years to come. However, this depends on if you want to take advantage of the free Windows 10 upgrade offered by Microsoft for the next 12 months. If you're on Windows 8, you have nothing to lose in upgrading and you're systems will be the best to handle a newly released operating system.

As I said its preference over necessity at this point for a few years but Windows 10 will ultimately be the defacto in the coming years when 7 is gone.

If you need some more information, visit our new Windows 10 page for upgrading possibilities and advice at www.worleyitservices.com/Windows-10.aspx or get in touch for independent advice on enquiries@worleyitservices.com.

I'll leave it for you to mull over but that's the best way to look at the question. It is preference over necessity at the current time if you don't use XP.

 

The same applies to Mac and Android although, there's not so much a case of security risk as older versions are supported much longer and updates come out more frequently. More often than not, the system will get upgraded when you install updates.

 

At the very least you should aim to have either the current version of software or the version before. These are the most heavily supported systems and will keep you active for much longer before the money needs to be spent on the next best version.

 

Keep it in mind and I'll leave it to you to discuss and debate.

 

ATB

Ash

Data Recovery

A very tricky one that many I know think is the end of their data. Well not entirely...when we delete files we didn't mean to we start to panic about important files we haven't got a backup of. Likewise, when a computer crashes and won't turn on properly anymore we think it's the end of the data we want. But, there are ways to get the data back however, there's a huge catch to the whole problem.

 

This catch applies to the wiped files. When we delete data to make more room on a computer, the data is not completely destroyed. Traces are left of the file and can be used to reassemble the file using data recovery software. However, these traces can get overwritten if we keep saving data. So the best advice is, if you've deleted something permanently by accident, stop using the device immediately to better your chances of a successful recovery and contact a company that can provide a data recovery service. The important point...data recovery is a tricky process and not always guaranteed. Stopping use of a device does improve recovery potential but does not guarantee recovery.

 

We offer a no fix no fee data recovery for this and you can see more at www.worleyitservices.com/Repairs/HDDRecover.aspx

 

Now, for those who lose access to their laptop or computer etc, 90% of the time the data is more than recoverable if the system has crashed and won't come back on. The data being stored on the physical hard drive is accessible by removing the hard drive from the system and plugging it into a second computer. This effectively turns the hard drive into an external hard drive and is accessed similar to flash drives etc. Again, it is best advised to consult an expert in these circumstances to ensure a professional and proper recovery of data. Again, we offer this service under our hard drive recovery service (see above).

 

So, to sum it up, keep your data backed up at least in one location and if you do delete something by accident, contact a data recovery provider asap to increase your chances of a successful recovery. If your computer won't come back on or has crashed, it's not the end of your data so long as you do not reinstall the operating system over the top in a bid to get it working again. Get the files backed up first to save disappointment.

 

If you need any help on this then please get in touch at enquiries@worleyitservices.com and we can quote you a price.

 

Hope you have found this useful.

 

Ash

Data Security

Another one that's important yet gets forgotten, data security. Quite important and certainly the one we hear the most about when CD's, USB drives, hardrives etc get left behind in taxis or on trains etc. Lets bring this into the personal environment however, and look at the security of our personal data within our own home.

Of course password protection is one way but that won't stop someone who is determined to do a smash and grab of your devices they will find ways of getting the data off and of course, anyone who has had data recovery done will know that some people will use the software maliciously. So we need to think about the physical security as well (lock and key is certainly useful here). However we don't need to go over the top to protect our data, just a few useful little bits will make it easy and secure.

My five top tips on this one really are:

1. Passwords - always use a password to protect your data it's a good barrier for when your computer is hacked
2. Don't leave personal data on cloud systems (like iCloud, OneDrive or Google Drive). You're not in control if the server gets hacked and you won't know what gets taken!
3. Keep your laptop or device safe - if you have a cabinet, keep it in there over night or when you go out. Don't advertise its presence
4. Avoid Linux and Windows on the same computer. This sounds a bit far fetched I know, but laptops dual booted with Ubuntu are quite insecure. From my experience, Ubuntu is quite good at breaking into Windows partitions and bypassing the need for passwords to access the files
5. Don't sync your data between devices. There's a whole post coming on this soon (stay tuned) but in short, the synced data can be intercepted!

Very simple and basic I know and easily considered but also, easily forgotten. Data is important to us all so keep these tips in mind and stay safe!

All the best
Ash

Security

An important issue, yet I see a lot of people who miss some very simple little bits that could increase the security of their computers and devices. It is important to keep systems and data secure to minimise the risk of having your personal data stolen by the hackers and the thieves. Believe me, if they spot the smallest flaw they will exploit it.

 

A few simple tips to reduce the risk then:

1. Change your passwords regularly. One you may hear a lot and yes its a pain to go through and change them every couple of months but, it keeps brute force attacks at bay. Particularly if you've got numbers and special characters (!@#£$%) in there.
2. Make sure you've got antivirus installed. It's not expensive, in fact there's some good freebies out there (AVG for a start). I've seen many computers with no antivirus installed at all. It's more important than some give it credit for.
3. Keep antivirus software updated. Every month at least, vendors release updates of virus definitions to update their software with. this helps keep you ahead of the game with the more recent viruses that crop up. Just like human viruses, computer viruses can mutate too!
4. Don't store you're passwords on your computer or written down. Again another simple one but it does happen. Not so long ago a well known game production company managed to lose a lot of these as they were not stored correctly for user accounts.
5. Finally...reduce the amount you use remember my password. It's a useful tool and even I'm guilty of using it but don't use it on everything you need a password for on every device you have. Especially devices you may use on the move. Public wifi is not as secure as home wifi and once a hacker has that password they've got your info.

These are some useful tips just to keep in mind to reduce the risk of being attacked or hacked by computers. These aren't completely tight and some viruses can fall through the cracks but the risk will be significantly reduced.

 

Many computer specialists, like ourselves, offer virus removal services if you think you may have a virus on your computer.

 

For more information visit our Virus Removal page for more information or contact us.

All the best
Ash

Welcome

Hello readers and welcome to the Worley I.T. Services blog. This blog is set up by Worley I.T. Services as part of our impartial advice approach to our customers. Here you will be able to find unbiased reviews and opinions on the latest I.T. related news and happenings that may be of interest for those who are unsure of news items they may have read or just for general reassurance.

We will run a small series of useful how to's and how don'ts to help with some of the smaller tasks that can be carried out that may help to make using and maintaining I.T. equipment that little bit easier. We don't and will never recommend readers carry out any tasks we discuss if you are not confident in your abilities. If in doubt, contact us and we will discuss what services that we offer that can be of use to you to rectify any problem you have.

Finally, please visit our website to learn more about us by clicking here and feel free to contact us to discuss any I.T. issues you have and if we can be of assistance to you.

All the best

Ash