This quick guide outlines a suggested sequence. It is possible to load differently however this is a proven way that works.

It is important to back up all your files before you start any maintainence on your computer. A USB drive is an ideal way to do this. You can drag and drop files to be backed up, however a good utility is Fab’s Auto Backup. This will lessen the chance of missing important files. Make sure you take care to back up the files for specialty programs such as accounting software. Some programs provide a backup option that you should already be familier with.

Make sure you have the Windows install Key. This should be attached to the case of your computer. In a rare case you may need to use a utility to reveal the key before you start.

DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LEGAL AND VALID WINDOWS KEY.

Make sure you have a Windows install disk for the version on your computer.

If you do not have the driver disk that came with your computer, you need to source all the relevant drivers before you begin your install.

If your Windows disk is old you may need to obtain Service pack 1, 2 & 3 before you start.

Set your computer to boot from the CD/DVD drive and use your Windows disk to start the computer. (You will need to press a key to boot from CD.

Follow the prompts to load a fresh copy of Windows. Use the full format option if you are not using a new drive.

Do not activate automatic updates when Windows first boots

Load mainboard drivers, in this order. Chipset (if applicable eg. Intel Inf), Sound, LAN, Video then any other drivers.

Load Modem drivers if required

Load Service pack files starting with the first one above the version of Windows loaded. Service pack 3 is the latest.

Load an Antivirus program of your choice

Set Automatic updates on and ensure you are connected to the internet. Allow the updates to install as they are recieved.

Activate Windows

You can now load basic software…

Load PDF writer

Load MS powerpoint viewer

Load latest AVG version and do updates

Load your word processing software. OpenOffice is a decent free alternative but make sure you set it tosave Microsoft Office Docs

Load Acrobar reader

Load Irfan View then Load Irfan View plugins

Load Faststone image viewer

Load CD/DVD Writing software

Now you can load any other software as required

Now you can restore your own data that was saved at the start.

Disclaimer. If you decide to act on any advice or suggestions on my pages, you do so at your own risk. I strongly suggest that you backup all your files before you attempt any computer changes. If you are able to back up an image of your computer, this is good also.

Whats all the fuss?

Have you wondered what Microsoft are doing back in the office? One of the projects in progress is the next version of Windows. With Vista being hailed as a huge “Ho Hum”, the boys at MS are busy working away at the next version. At this time it is expected to be named Windows 7 as indeed the beta is named. It is so named because (more…)

I have previously written about Ubuntu Linux, but since the recent new release I thought it might be timely to express a few first impressions. I know you are windering what this has to do with virusses so first I will explain. For any executable code to be installed with the Linux operating system, the user must supply theadmin password to allow the install. This makes installation quite difficult and ultimately keeps a Linux system virus free.

Back to Ubuntu….  Every new release seems to get better. So far we have used this Operating system for near two years on public access internet with no failures whatsoever. This would not be possible with Windows unless there was lots of setting up of permissions. Ubunto just worked out of the box with no special setting up.

Maurie has just setup v9.04 on a p4 3000 . It boots up in 20-30 seconds and feels very crisp to use. Networking works as it should on the wire and apparently WiFi is well supported. I was interested in how well it would deal with Dodo 3G wireless.

I expeced  a little difficulty so was none too surprised when there was no profile for Dodo. There was one for Optus, the parent network but this did not work. I felt it was down to a simple setting but just about ran out of patience trying every combination I could think of including a few things other recommended. Finally I realized that we had misread the Access Point setting. When this was rectified it connected with no problem.

Overall I was quite impressed. If you can accept a bit of a step learing curve, I would recommend to give it a try. It is especially excllent for an internet station.

I managed to break the web pages. It might take a few days to get it all back in order and it looks like I might have lost a lot of info. I thought I would be able to simply restore the data base backup, but alas it is not to be. The database was not forward compatible. I probably should have done a CSV backup.

Over the next few weeks or days I expect it will all get back near to what it was. Check Back soon for updates.