I was recently reinstalling Windows to my laptop, which happens a lot with the amount of software I test. I probably reinstall every 4 to 6 months, depending on how mucked up my system gets from using cracks and key generators. Since I do this so often, I imagined a better way of updating Windows after a fresh install than to lock up my internet for many hours while Windows Update does it’s thing. Not to mention, I also have to endure the multiple reboots between major releases.

Then yesterday I took to Google and found a piece of software that will download all of the recent updates to a folder, which can then be installed offline without any waiting for the download process, especially if the connection is slow. For PC techs like me, this is great. In so many instances, I wish I had a way to update Windows by simply running a program that will install everything all at once.

Then I found c’t Offline Update. It’s a simple command prompt-driven batch process that allows you to choose the operating systems (2000, XP 32- & 64-bit, 2003, Vista 32- & 64-bit), the languages (24 of them with 32-bit), and then will also compile an ISO file from all of the updates so you can burn them to a CD/DVD. Not only does it allow you to grab updates for Windows OSes, but also for Office 2000, XP, 2003, and 2007 and the 24 languages for those as well.

I would offer the download here on PCLove, but being that this software is important to keep up to date, you’ll just have to grab it from the source this time.

Again, here’s the link.

Here’s a couple of screenshots.

This is the program window where you choose which OS or Office suite and the language.

This is the command prompt window where the updates are downloading.

Tags: reinstall windows, update windows offline

Being a security-minded tech who relies on certain aspects on my laptop to function without a hitch. Once I notice that errors begin to appear, I then plan my next reinstall thoroughly.  I also test a lot of software on my machine, using patches and cracks that may be infected and may cause system problems, so when I start to see some symptoms, I reach for the Gold OEM XP Pro Disc and begin my journey.

Here are the things I needed to have downloaded and ready before I begin my reinstall.

• A Valid Windows XP Pro SP2 Disc with the valid COA (Certicificate of Authenticity) that is usually on the bottom of the laptop.  When I bought my laptop, it came with SP2, so that’s what I use to begin.
• Recently released was the Service Pack 3 Update for Windows XP, which speeds up the update process.  Previous to the SP3 update, I had to download about 100 different updates individually through the Update module via the browser, and this took more than 3 hours to complete, and it was NOT an unmanned task.
• Since most of my work involves the internet, it is mandatory that I get an exact backup of Firefox and everything within Firefox.  This is effectively done by using the Firefox plugin FEBE (Firefox Environment Backup Extension).  It allows you to make a complete backup of your complete Firefox environment without a hitch.  Remember to save the backup somewhere not on the main Hard Drive.  I use 2 drive partitions, the 2nd is where I store all of these backups.
• Another internet-based backup that I used to forget about very often was Microsoft Outlook.  You can export all of your mail, addresses, setting, and rules before wiping your drive.  I use a program called ABF Outlook Backup.  It grabs many settings that aren’t available to save within Outlook itself.  I highly recommend it!
• If you play games on your machine, then you will want to locate the save game folders for each game.  They are typically located in the My Docs folder somewhere or within the folder where the game was installed.  You might just have to browse around for it, unless you don’t mind starting fresh when reinstalling that game.
• Have ready each piece of software that you use regularly on the standby.  My standby list includes Adobe development software, Multimedia apps (MP3 catalogs, media players, etc.)  Also, any tweaking software needed to clean up the basic crap that windows installs by default.  I use Windowblinds for skinning my system, so that is high on my list too.  One of the first things I install after Windows is finished updating is my ZoneAlarm Firewall.  This will prevent any issues from some other apps that I don’t want accessing the internet (as well as blocking any pirated software from reporting to base and snitching on you).  Followed, of course, by some antivirus.
• I make it a point to not install everything I previously had installed, since it will only clog up the system like it was before.  Rather what I do is leave those softwares on the wayside in the event that I may need them.  When that time comes, I install them as needed.

There really is no perfect way to backup and restore your programs and files, but my method has now been wittled down from a 6-hour process to a mediocre 3 hours.  The saved time comes mainly from SP3 for XP.  Less updates from Microsoft means less reboots and less conflicts in those updates.

Now all is fresh…at least for another 6 months.  We have to be smarter than the hardware.  Don’t let the plastic, metal and silicon beat you or you will be owned by the machines forever.

Tags: reinstall windows

Sometimes our computers become infected with spyware or virii. We are then faced with the task of finding and saving all of our personal files.

The solution I have found to work the best is to create a secondary partition on your hard drive. There are a few ways to do this. You can use a boot CD with a partition manager on it, and then create a new partition which would be labeled as Drive D: or other letter. In my system, I have my Windows installation on C:, called Master, and my D: partition is called Slave. My secondary partition contains ONLY personal files, my music, my pictures, and my videos. Also placed on this drive is a folder that contains all of the software I use on my PC, in the case that I need to reinstall Windows, then reinstall all of those applications. The alternative to this is to use a program such as Norton Ghost, which clones partitions and burns those to a DVD. Said DVD can be booted from and it places an exact copy of your partition where you choose.

As for partitioning my hard drives, I use Acronis Disk Director. It’s the best I have found which allows you to manage your hard drive(s) inside Windows rather than booting from a CD. There are many apps which perform similar functions, but I’ve tested most of them and Acronis is easier and more functional than the rest.

When you get a partition created, you can also reroute your My Documents folder locations to those on the new partition. So if you have partition D: and there’s a folder called My Pictures, My Music, My Videos, etc., you can make the system location for My Documents route to the same-named folder on the new partition. To do this, go to your My Computer folder, then right-click on My Documents. Go to the bottom to Properties. On the Target Location tab, you can designate the target folder where your My Documents folder will reside. For me, the target is my D: partition, so I simply typed in “D:” as the target.

This is merely a way to keep your sensitive data separate from other files. It will NOT protect you from hard drive failure. So I HIGHLY recommend that you create backups of your new partition by either burning it to DVDs or by copying all files to another hard drive that is not always connected to your system. All methods of storage media are not foolproof. DVDs flake or get corrupted and Hard Drives may fail without prior notice as they contain moving parts, which are viable to shock or static charges. If you choose to backup to DVDs, do not skimp on the brand just to save a few bucks. Verbatim are the best in my opinion, but there are others that have similar high quality. The type of DVD does not matter, so choose either DVD+R or DVD-R or DVD+DL (dual layer is helpful is the size of your personal data is enormous as it can store up to 8GB as opposed to 4.3GB for a normal DVD.)