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Novice computer users need not apply (05/10/10)

This Good Boot is for a bit beyond novices only.

If after upgrading to Windows 7 or after you install or uninstall applications that have a CD/DVD filter driver, your CD, DVD and/or Blue-ray drive does not work as expected or you receive an error message "No compatible drives found" it may be because the filter drivers in the CD/DVD/Blue-ray storage stack are not migrated successfully to Windows 7.

Or it may be that you uninstalled software that fails to properly remove itself in the registry, you installed software that adds filter drivers in the CD/DVD/Blue-ray storage stack that interfere with existing filters or for that matter, or perhaps it's just a simple Murphy's Law glitch.

If your technician is on vacation or otherwise unavailable I suggest your first attempt at resolving the problem yourself should be to click the Start button and Control Panel. Click Troubleshooting and then in the left pane click "View all" and "Playing and Burning CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs". The troubleshooting Wizard may solve your problem. If not try the following.

Note: As this solution entails modifying your Registry I suggest you create a Systems Restore and/or a Registry backup.

1. Type regedit in the Start Search box and then click regedit in the Programs list. Or if you have added "Run" to your Start Menu click "Run" and type in Regedit and click OK.

Note: To back up your Registry when you arrive at the Registry Edit pane, click File, Export, give the Registry backup file a name and Save it to a My Documents subfolder.

2. Locate and then click on the little triangle to the left of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. You'll see a list of subkeys. You're looking for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}.

Be sure you're in the appropriate registry subkey before modifying the UpperFilters and the LowerFilters values. To verify you're in the appropriate registry subkey, make sure the (Default) data value is DVD/CD-ROM and the Class data value is CDROM.

3. In the right pane if there's an UpperFilters and possibly a UpperFilters.bak entry, right click on them and click Delete. Click Yes to confirm their removal.

4. In the right pane if there's a LowerFilters and possibly a LowerFilters.bak entry, right-click on it and click Delete. Click Yes to confirm their removal.

Exit Registry Editor and restart your computer. Hopefully you'll be back in business.

Although editing your Registry may sound a bit intimidating, if you're careful, deleting UpperFilters and UpperFilters.bak and LowerFilters and LowerFilters.bak is not really a big deal.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Start Menu fully customizable in Windows 7  (05/17/10)

Perhaps the reason Microsoft eliminated the word "Start" from the Vista and Windows 7 Start Menu access button was because Steve Jobs never missed a chance to question why a Windows user had to click on Start to turn off their computer.

But with or without the word "Start" on the Start Menu access button, each new version of Windows always included a more useful feature-filled Start Menu.

And just as important, regardless of how significantly the landscape changed in each new release of Windows the Start Menu was always the one feature that assured version to version continuity. That once we installed our programs they would be available via the Start Menu.

However it wasn't until the release of XP that we were allowed to begin configuring our Start Menu to display our personal preferences rather than those of Bill Gates.

For example, by default XP, Vista and Windows 7 Start Menus display the programs a user most often accesses. And if a user is so inclined, by right clicking on the Start Menu access button and selecting Properties and Customize they can increase the number of the most-often-accessed programs that will be displayed on their Start Menu.

But what if a user would prefer to select the programs that will permanently appear on their Start Menu, such as a configuration I have found to be far more useful than a list of programs I've recently accessed?

XP, Vista and Windows 7 all offer the option in the Start Menu Customize window to change the "Number of recent programs to display:" to "0". This now allows a user to click on their All Programs menu and by right clicking on the program of their choice select "Pin to Start menu" and have that program permanently available on their Start Menu.

Windows 7 has also replaced the all encompassing "Recent Items" tab on the Vista Start Menu with individual Jump Lists.

When you place your pointer over a program, e.g. Word or Windows Media Player on the Windows 7 Start Menu, a Jump List of recent Word files or Media Player tunes is listed. You can click on any individual document to open it or individual tune to play it.

Note: To increase the default 10 items displayed in a Jump List, right click on Start, select Properties and in the Customize pane increase the number to the right of "Number of Recent Items to Display in the Jump List."

Here's wishing you a Good Boot. 

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Toolbar Notifiction area can be configured (05/24/10)

Many Vista and Windows 7 users are unaware that their Toolbar Notification area can be configured to provide valuable information.

The Notification area is the area on the Taskbar where the computer clock is located. It may also display a volume control shortcut icon, a network connection icon, a virus update icon, a Windows update notification icon as well as some, but not necessarily all, of the programs a user has authorized (intentionally or unintentionally) to start when Windows starts.

The Notification area is primarily meant to provide valuable information icons and alerts.

For example: The availability of Windows updates and virus definitions. But it can also display useless icons that were added without your permission during a program installation.

Both Vista and Windows 7 provide three Notification area customization settings.

1. Hide the icon when inactive

2. Always hide the icon.

3. Always show the icon.

Selecting how you want your Notification area icons displayed can be an important decision. For example: If you choose to always hide your network connections icon you will not be able to see when you have an Internet connection problem. So it's best to set this icon to "always show". By doing so you can be sure your computer is connected to a network and by hovering your pointer over the network connection icon determine the status of your connection. Also by clicking on the icon, access its properties.

To customizing Vista's Notification area:

1. Right click on the Start Menu access icon.

2. Click on properties.

3. Select the Notification Area tab.

4. Click on the Hide inactive icons check box.

5. Click on customize.

6. Go down the list of items and select its behavior - Hide when inactive, Hide or Show.

You can readjust your setting or have Vista reset the icons to their default settings anytime by returning to the Notification tab.

To customize Windows 7's Notification area:

1. Right click on the Start Menu access icon.

2. Click on properties.

3. Select Taskbar, Notification area and Customize.

4. Go down the list of items and select its behavior - Show icon and notification icon, Hide icon and notification or Only show notification.

Or select "always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar".

You can return to the Taskbar, Notification area and Customize panel anytime to reset icon behavior.

With Windows 7 you can quickly customize hidden notification icons by clicking on the little triangle on the left of your Notification area and selecting Customize.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot. 

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Take time to explore some new Windows 7 features (05/31/10)

Following my second Good Boot Start Menu/ Toolbar walk-about last week, I received several e-mails asking why I'm dedicating my Good Boots to "frilly little Windows 7 features" rather than important subjects like viruses and how to back up.

My response was I've been there and done that (viruses and backup) so often, I though Good Booters might enjoy a vacation from gloom and doom.

Besides it's summertime and the livin' should be easy or at least a bit easier. So why not take some time to enjoy and marvel at the new and improved features of Windows 7 installed on the beast that sits on your desktop.

The Windows 7 Taskbar has two improved features.

1. Regardless of how many programs you have open, by passing your pointer over the "preview Desktop with Aero Peek" button located at the far right of your Taskbar you can sneak a quick peek of your Desktop.

By default this feature should be available. If not, right click on your Start Menu access button, click Properties and click on the "Use Aero Peek to preview the desktop" to place a checkmark in the checkbox.

2. Former XPer's and Vista users may remember how difficult it was to find a blank space on their toolbar that would allow them to place their pointer and drag their toolbar about their Desktop.

With Windows 7, by right clicking on your Start Menu access button and selecting Properties, you can conveniently click on the little down triangle on the "Taskbar location on screen:" button to relocate the taskbar to the left, right top or bottom of your screen.

A new Windows 7 Start Menu feature is the option of having the Power button set to activate your action choice. By default the Power button action is "Shut down" with its alternate Power button options available by clicking on the little triangle at the end of the Power button.

However should you prefer having Switch user, Log off, Restart, Lock or Sleep as your default Power button action, right click on your Start Menu access button, click on the triangle on the "Power button action:" button and set your default Power button to your choice of action.

I also suggest you right click on your Toolbar and explore the available quick access options. You can:

1. Access all your Toolbars

2. Create a toolbar.

3. Start your Task Manager.

4. Lock your Taskbar.

5. Adjust your Windows presentation.

6. Access all Toolbar Properties.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Different software available to save Web pages as PDFs (06/07/10)

I'm sure most Good Booters are aware of the value of PDF (Portable Document Format) files. But I'll wager there are many who may not know that one of the best and most convenient ways to create a copy of a Web page is to save the Web page in a Portable Document Format.

Unfortunately the Save As options offered by Web browsers do not include PDF.

For example, Microsoft Internet Explorer Save As options are .MHT, .HTM, .HTML and .TXT. And Google's Chrome Save As options are .HTM and .HTM. These Save As options may not provide a quality copy of a Web page, particularly Web pages that includes a variety of color images.

There are software programs available that will create Web page PDF's. But to my knowledge no free quality programs.

Fortunately however, PDFmyURL.com (pdfmyurl.com) will convert and save Web pages as PDFs and do so free of charge. All that's required is for you to copy and paste a Web site's URL into a designated location in PDFmyURL.com and click on an icon. A PDF of the Web site will be created and downloaded to your Download folder or any other folder of your choosing.

I have thoroughly tested the free version and can attest to the quality of the PDF file PDFmyURL.com creates.

However should you, for whatever reason, want additional PDF formatting options, PDFmyURL does offer a one-year personal license for $9.95.

A personal license includes options to:

1. Set and save personal PDF'ing preferences.

2. Set the PDF orientation (landscape/portrait)

3. Set the default PDF paper size

4. Remove PDFmyURL logo from PDF's

5. Access history of PDF's made

6. Set preferences for bookmarklets

Be aware however, that to view a PDF file you must have a software program installed that reads PDF files.

Adobe's free version 9 PDF file reader for Vista and Windows 7 (32-bit editions only) is by far the most popular. Although you cannot create a PDF file with Adobe Reader, you can view, print and manage PDF files.

Once Adobe Reader is downloaded and installed it will run inconspicuously in the background until you click on a PDF file.

Note: Recently Nitro PDF Software (nitroreader.com) released a 32- and 64-bit beta version of their PDF Reader for Vista and Windows 7, a free PDF viewer that also lets you "create PDFs" from a variety of file formats as well as markup existing PDFs with notes, highlights and stamps.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Easy to modify create 'Libraries' in Windows 7 (06/14/10)

In a previous Good Boot I mentioned that in my opinion Windows Explorer "Libraries" are perhaps Windows 7's most innovative feature. But from your e-mails I've discovered that beyond using the default Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos "Libraries" many have not taken advantage of the variety of ways in which Libraries can personalized.

Perhaps the following scenarios will demonstrate how easy it is to modify and create Libraries.

Scenario 1:

Your photos to be edited are located in your My Pictures folder, but once edited you sort them in appropriate "My Sorted Pictures" subfolders on an external hard drive.

You would like to be able to click on your Toolbar's Windows Explorer icon and then on your "Pictures" Library and be able to view both your default My Pictures folder on your "C" drive and your My Sorted Pictures folder and its subfolders on your external hard drive.

To be able to do so:

1. Click on the Windows Explorer shortcut on your Toolbar.

2. Highlight "Pictures."

3. Under "Pictures library" in the upper left-hand corner of the panel, click on "Includes: 1 location."

4. In the Pictures Library Locations panel, click "Add."

5. Scroll down to and click on your "My Sorted Pictures" folder on your external hard drive and click on "Include Folder."

6. Click OK.

Note: You can add as many folders and subfolders as you want to any Library.

Scenario 2:

You want to create a "Download" Library that displays both the to be installed software in your "C" drive's Download folder and the "My Windows 7 Downloaded Software" folder on your external hard drive where you've archived all your Windows 7 installed downloads.

To do so, first:

1. Click on the Windows Explorer shortcut on your Toolbar.

2. Right click on Libraries, left click on "New" and "Library."

3. Name the new Library "Downloads."

4. Highlight "Downloads" and click "Include Folder."

5. Scroll to and highlight your "Downloads" folder ("C" drive, Users, User Name and Downloads folder).

6. Click "Include Folder".

Then:

1. Click on the Windows Explorer shortcut on your Toolbar.

2. Highlight Downloads.

3. Under "Downloads library" in the upper left-hand corner of the panel, click on "Includes: 1 location."

4. In the Downloads Library Locations panel, click "Add."

5. Scroll down to and click on your "My Windows 7 Downloaded Software" folder on your external hard drive and click on "Include Folder".

6. Click OK.

There's no limit to the ways you can personalize your Libraries.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Folder Lock a good option to secure computer (06/21/10)

I would suspect by now most Good Booters have their favorite way of securing their computer from the prying eyes of Sara Snoop and Nosey Ned. Perhaps it's providing a Guest Account that will not allow them access to password protected files, folders and settings or if they happen to be regular visitors to your computer, maybe you've created standard user accounts with permission to access only public files and folders.

But what if all you need is a safe, secure but easy to access location on your computer for your most sensitive documents? If that's all you need, I suggest you consider Folder Lock (Google it).

Folder Lock software provides exceptionally fast data encryption and password protection. In fact it can simultaneously encrypt, lock and password protect your sensitive files, folders, drives, USB drives and even CD/DVD-RW's.

A user friendly Wizard guides you through the steps necessary to create encrypted "Lockers" in which you can store any number of your sensitive files and folders and then with a single click password protect the Locker.

And to insure you do not accidentally delete a Locker containing your sensitive documents, Locker files can not be deleted on the computer on which Folder Lock is installed.

For added protection, Folder Lock locks the computer if too many incorrect password attempts are made and keeps a log of any and all attempts to open a locked folder. And by not saving your password in your registry or on your hard drive, you're safe from hackers and crackers.

In my opinion Folder Lock is well worth $39.95. But if you'd like to give the program a try before purchasing, there is a trial version.

Good freebie

My recommended freebie this week is VirusTotal (www.virustotal.com).

VirusTotal uses 41 different anti virus products to check for viruses on a file(s) you can send either via its website or via e-mail. It allows a user and I quote: "to check for viruses that the user's own anti virus program may have missed or to verify against false positives."

It's certainly a potential "when in doubt" backup for one's antivirus program. However, it does have a couple of drawback. One, it can only scan submitted files and cannot perform system-wide scans. And two, only files of up to 20 MB can be uploaded or e-mailed to VirusTotal for scanning.

Being the ultra cautious conservative fellow I am, of late I've been using VirusTotal to provide a secondary scan of many of my downloaded files.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

— Contact By Al Winchell at fmbigal@embarqmail.com. 

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In Private Browsing not quite so private (06/28/10)

There seems to be some confusion concerning just how private Internet Explorer's InPrivate Browsing feature is.

InPrivate Browsing is best described as a way to prevent Sara Snoop or Nosey Ned from discovering what websites you've visited and what you looked at on those sites.

However, and this is very important, InPrivate Browsing does not provide anonymity on the Internet!

The following is a summary of what InPrivate Browsing provides:

- Cookies kept in memory to insure Web pages work correctly are "cleared" when you close your InPrivate Browser window.

- Temporary Internet Files stored on your hard drive so Web pages work correctly are deleted when you close InPrivate Browser window.

- Web page history is not stored during an InPrivate Browsing session.

- Passwords are not stored during an InPrivate Browsing session.

- Address bar and search AutoComplete is not stored.

- Document Object Model (DOM) storage, a kind of "mega cookie" web developers use to retain information is as are all other regular cookies deleted when you close your InPrivate window.

The following is a summary of what InPrivate Browsing does not prevent or provide:

- It doesn't prevent someone on your network e.g., a network administrator or a hacker from seeing where you've been.

- It doesn't necessarily provide Internet anonymity. Websites may be able to identify you by capturing your Web address and/or anything you do while on their website.

- Will not remove favorites or feeds you add while using InPrivate Browsing.

- Will not remove Internet Explorer settings e.g., a new home page made during an InPrivate Browsing session.

- Will not clear any history or information concerning your toolbars or browser extensions stored on your computer. However to help protect your privacy, Internet Explorer disables all toolbars and extensions by default in your InPrivate Browsing window.

Note: When you start InPrivate Browsing, Internet Explorer opens a unique new browser window. The protection InPrivate Browsing provides is in effect only during the time you're using that window to browse. You can open as many tabs as you want in the InPrivate Browsing window and they'll all be protected. However if you open another browser window, that window will not be protected.

There's no question InPrivate Browsing will thwart Sara Snoop's and Nosy Ned's efforts to discover where you've been on the Web and what you peeked at on the websites you visited, but be aware you'll need a 3rd party software program if you're concerned about anonymity while on the Internet.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot. 

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It's easy to become Windows 7-literate

I'm not sure why of late I've been receiving so many requests from Good Booters seeking Windows 7 seminars. But I have and I'm sorry to say I know of no summer Windows 7 seminars.

However, I can recommend an excellent way for novices to become Windows 7-literate and a way for them to solve many of their specific Windows 7 problems.

But first I've a recommendation to those of you who are a bit beyond novice and do not need basic Windows 7 tutorials. All you may require to begin a successful Windows 7 adventure is a simple walkabout your Start Menu's "Help and Support" offerings.

With each new Windows version, "Help and Support" has improved. And I can say without hesitation that Windows 7's "Help and Support" is extraordinarily useful and in fact, almost intuitive. I'll wager you'll be able to find information on just about any subject and a solution for just about any problem.

And now for those who may need Windows 7 tutorials.

Know that Microsoft offers an outstanding variety of novice-friendly video tutorials on just about any Windows 7 subject. You can access these tutorial videos by going directly to Microsoft's Web site or by clicking on Start, Help and Support and either "What's new in Windows 7" or "Getting started with Windows 7."

To tweak your curiosity and perhaps then your interest, let's take a look at what "Getting started with Windows 7" offers.

1. The featured video is "Getting started with Windows 7," which can be viewed, saved or the guide printed.

Note: Because the play time of most of the videos is from four to five-plus minutes, you may find it more convenient to download the videos of interest and view them at your leisure.

2. In addition to and below the featured video are six tabs: Getting to know Windows 7 with seven videos; Install, upgrade and activate with five videos; First-week checklist with eight videos; Install programs with six videos; Set up hardware with seven videos and Personalization with seven videos.

3. There are also five additional noteworthy videos on the Getting Started page: Personalizing your PC, Using e-mail and the Internet, Finding your files, Sharing files with HomeGroup and Changing Windows settings.

I truly believe you'll be impressed with the variety and quality of the "How To" videos. In fact in my opinion, most experienced former XP users and just about all former Vista users will find them an appropriate substitute for a Windows 7 seminar.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Windows 7 puts to rest System Restore worries (07/26/10)

For those Good Booters who are smart enough to create a System Restore Point before making any significant changes to their operating system, know that Windows 7 has significantly improved this feature.

When a System Restore was executed in previous Windows versions, a user could not be sure what programs and drivers might be adversely affected.

In Windows 7 you have an option to have System Restore scan for programs and drivers that will be affected if you perform that particular System Restore.

Click Start, right-click Computer, left-click on Properties, System Protection, System Restore and Next. Select a restore point. Now click the "Scan For Affected Programs" button. When the scan is completed you'll know in advance which, if any, applications and drivers may be adversely effected.

"Scan For Affected Programs" is a Windows 7 "always do!"

A little less important but helpful Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 feature is "please help me find my cursor."

I'll wager most Good Booters have at one time or another had trouble locating their cursor when they returned to their computer to renew a particular computing adventure.

In the past to find your cursor you had to jiggle your mouse several times or increase the size or color of your cursor to make it more visible by right clicking on your Desktop and selecting Personalization, Change mouse pointers.

If however you want to keep your cursor small and unobtrusive but be able to find it quickly, Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 keyboard CTRL key can be configured to locate your cursor for you.

To turn on this feature, go to the Control Panel in Windows XP (Classic View) and double-click the Mouse icon. In Vista and Windows, type Mouse in the Start menu Search field and press Enter.

When the Mouse Properties window appears, click the "Pointer Options" tab and under "Visibility" put a check mark next to Show Location Of Pointer When I Press The CTRL Key and click OK.

Now when you press CTRL, a circle will flash briefly to show you where the cursor is.

Another Windows 7 feature that may be of interest is "Speedy program launches."

If you've opened one instance of a program and want to launch another, you can eliminate the need to click your way back though Start and All Programs. Instead, hold down your keyboard Shift key and click the program's icon in the Taskbar. Windows 7 will start a second presentation of most programs.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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Search Windows 7 with ease (08/02/10)

In my opinion “Search” has become one of the most important and useful features of Windows 7. However, by default Search does not initiate a Web search.

Often when I initiate a Search from my Start Menu, I want to gather information on my PC as well as any information I can garner from the internet.

To add a link to search the Internet from your Start Menu:

1. Type ‘gpedit.msc’ into the Search box in the Start Menu and click Enter.

2. When Group Policy Editor opens navigate to User Configuration/ Administrative Templates/Start Menu and Taskbar.

3. Double-click on Add Search Internet link to Start Menu.

A panel will open and display the message: “If you enable this policy, a Search the Internet link is shown when the user performs a search in the start menu search box. This button launches the default browser with the search terms.”

If you disable this policy, there will not be a Search the Internet link when the user performs a search in the start menu search box.

If you do not configure this policy (default), there will not be a Search the Internet link on the start menu.”

4. Select Enable, click OK and close out of Group Policy Editor.

Now, when you want to search for something in the Start Menu, you’ll see an extra link that will allow you to search the Internet.

When you perform a Search query, in addition to the information found on your PC, the requested information will be displayed in your default browser.

Note: This method uses Group Policy Editor which is not available in Home versions of Windows 7. 

I’m sure most Good Booters are aware of the ever increasing number of companies offering to make your computer run faster by accessing your system via the Internet, performing a clean sweep of your computer and once your computer has been optimized, an annual plan of some kind that provides on going tech support.

Please know I’m not challenging the credibility of these companies. What I am challenging is the need for any Southwest Florida Good Booter to sign on with them.

We have many qualified technicians who offer on-site computer services and computer services via the Internet. Technicians who have established their credibility by providing quality service to those in our community.

Before you logon to whomever at wherever, please consider at least a chat with a local computer technician. You’re not likely to be disappointed.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.

— Contact Al Winchell at fmbigal@embarqmail.com

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 Windows offers choices for starting program (08/09/2010)

It's said there are at least three ways to perform every Windows task.

The reasons Windows offers so many choices is because it must cater to both novices and experienced users and, by offering alternative ways to access a task, a user can select the one that's most convenient.

For example: starting a program.

The most common method is via the Start menu by selecting All Programs, scrolling to the program's command and clicking on it. Although this is perhaps the most novice-friendly way to find a program command, it can be a chore if you have to scroll through many programs and then a list of that program's options. Example: When you click on Microsoft Office you're presented with 9 programs and a folder containing 6 tools.

Another program startup method which is far more efficient and quicker is to pin a favorite program's shortcut onto the Start menu or Desktop.

You could also use the Run dialog box on your Start menu to open a program. If you know the exact Startup command, by typing it in the box and clicking OK the program will start.

Windows XPers found the Quick Launch Toolbar useful. It was a simple matter to drag important Desktop shortcut icons onto it.

But what if you're a Windows 7 user who rather than cluttering your Desktop with program startup shortcuts would prefer to Personalize your Desktop with an attractive digital photo or a background slide show of your significant other or your grandchildren.

I have but one Desktop shortcut - my Recycle Bin. By eliminating all but one shortcut on my Desktop my Windows 7 Aero Glass slide shows are truly something to behold.

How did I accomplish this and still have my preferred startups front and center?

I added program shortcuts to my Taskbar by:

1. Clicking on the Start button.

2. Selecting All Programs.

3. Right clicking on the program I wanted on the menu.

4. Selecting Pin to Taskbar in the context menu.

Note: You can arrange Windows 7 Taskbar shortcuts by clicking on and dragging them left or right. Once your shortcuts are arranged to your satisfaction, the first 10 program shortcuts added to the Taskbar are numbered from 1 to 10.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot

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External hard drives better for data backup (08/16/2010)

Thank you to all who e-mailed me concerning the confusing last paragraph of my Aug. 9 Good Boot. It should have read: 

Note: You can arrange Windows 7 Taskbar shortcuts by clicking on and dragging them left or right.

Once your shortcuts are arranged to your satisfaction, the first 10 program shortcuts added to the Taskbar are numbered from 1 to 10. So if Internet Explorer is in the No 2 position, you can either click on the shortcut or press your Windows key and numeral 2 to open it.

• For whatever reason, perhaps the result of a marketing campaign by a disk imaging (a.k.a. cloning) software vendor, many Good Booters have requested my opinion on whether or not they should use a disk imaging program as their primary backup utility.

I'm not an advocate of disk imaging particularly for novices as reinstalling a disk image is not without serious potential problems. I prefer they back up their irreplaceable data to one or more external hard drives.

It goes without saying should a hard drive fail or Windows be corrupted fatally having to reinstall Windows and all programs is a hassle, but in my opinion one I can live with. Although to be fair, I must confess my technician convinced me my new computer should include RAID technology which eliminates the need for disk imaging.

Note: RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is an umbrella term for computer data storage that divides and replicates data among multiple hard disk drives. The data distributed across the multiple disks is seen by the computer user and operating system as one single disk. If my primary hard drive fails I can continue on my merry way as the secondary hard drive continues to function as though nothing happened. When I replace my primary hard drive the data from the secondary hard drive is copied back to it.

Be as it may, if you do decide to try disk imaging please be sure to purchase a state of the art software program. Keep in mind your goal is to image your entire hard drive to include your data and operating system, ready to be copied back onto a replacement hard drive or a reformatted hard drive if Windows was corrupted fatally and must be reinstalled.

I suggest you visit Acronis True Image Web site. Acronis' user friendly way of making weekly full images and daily incremental images automatically is why I recommend it so highly.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

— Contact Al Winchell at fmbigal@embarqmail.com

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Way to update Windows depends on your expertise (08/23/2010)

It goes without saying that updating Windows is an absolute priority. But novices should be aware of the updating choices they have.

A rule of thumb is that Windows "Important" updates should always be expeditiously downloaded and installed.

Note: Installing updates automatically is the default recommended method. However I personally prefer to be notified when an update has been downloaded with the option to install it at my convenience.

To adjust your update settings click on your Start All Programs and Windows update. I suggest you request that you receive "updates" the same way you receive "important updates" and if you have other Microsoft products you select "Give me updates for Microsoft products" and "Check for new optional Microsoft software when I update Windows."

Other than cautioning you not to miss an "Important" update, I have a heads up concerning driver updates that may be included in the "recommended" Windows updates.

Recently Brian Barnes mentioned to me he has found that for whatever unknown reason driver updates offered by Windows update are causing so many problem he is advising his clients not to install them. Rather they should go to the hardware's Web site to download driver updates. But before you update any driver I suggest you contact your technician

- Another heads up: Recently several Good Booters ask me why their Internet Explorer seems to be slowing down particularly when opening New Tabs.

More often than not it's because of the number of Internet Explorer add-ons that have intentionally or unintentionally been installed.

To view your IE add-ons and disable any of them click Tools and Manage Add-ons. In the panel you'll see a column on the right called "Load time." It'll show how many seconds an enabled add-on is adding to the loading process.

Should you decide an add-on is unnecessary, click on the "All add-ons" drop-down, select the add-on to disable, and click on the Disable button.

Do not feel bad if you have unnecessary add-ons. Most of us in our haste to install a program fail to notice add-on checked check boxes. In fact in my haste to install a weather watcher upgrade I often fail to uncheck a check box and more often than not install its unwanted Internet search program add-on.

Fortunately IE anticipated that our add-ons might get out of hand and should they, provides a reset to IE's default settings.

Click on Tools, Internet Options and the Advanced tab. Click Reset.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

— Contact Al Winchell at fmbigal@embarqmail.com

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System File Checker valuable Windows 7 tool (08/30/2010)

I seldom recommend utility programs, particularly if they include a registry cleaning feature. There are two reasons I'm reluctant to do so: One, a novice attempting to clean their Registry is a disaster waiting to happen and two, if a Good Booter purchases the utility program and is not happy I take the heat. 

So why am I going to recommend a particular Windows optimization and tweaking software program?

Here's why:

Recently a Good Boot novice insisted I take her through the steps necessary to execute her System File Checker tool (SFC.exe) that scans for missing or corrupted Windows 7 system files and repairs them.

Apparently she had been told how important a utility it was and she should include it in her monthly computer housekeeping. I'm not sure it's necessary to make it a monthly housekeeping activity, but the System File Checker is a valuable Windows 7 and Vista tool. One I'll wager few novices are aware of.

Be as it may, I tried to walk her through on the phone the steps necessary to execute her System File Checker.

The steps were:

1. Open an elevated command prompt by clicking on Start, All Programs, Accessories, right-clicking Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.

2. If you're prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password or click Allow.

3. Type sfc /scannow (sfc, space, forward slash, scannow) and press Enter.

The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

To determine which files could not be repaired by the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Type findstr /C:"[SR] Cannot repair member file" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log ]]sfcdetails.txt and press Enter.

3. Type edit sfcdetails.txt and press Enter.

Although the scan was accomplished, trying to talk her through the steps necessary to determine the files that could not be repaired was, as you might expect, unsuccessful.

The point is this: If she had a quality Windows optimization and tweaking software program she could have executed the System File Checker tool with two clicks of her mouse.

My favorite Windows optimization program is Windows 7 Manager as was my Windows Vista Manager and Windows XP Manager by Yamicsoft (www.yamicsoft.com).

Space does not allow a detailed list of features, but know it bundles more than 30 optimization and tweaking utilities to include SFC.exe.

Note: There's a 15-day trial version.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

— Contact Al Winchell at fmbigal@embarqmail.com 

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"In Private Browsing" not private (09/06/2010)

There seems to be some confusion about how private Internet Explorer 8's 'InPrivate Browsing' is. 

IE's InPrivate Browsing (Click Tools ]] InPrivate Browsing) enables you to surf the Web without providing nosy Ned and Sara snoop an opportunity to discover where you visited or what you looked at should they gain access to your computer.

However, it does not:

- Prevent someone on your network or a hacker from seeing where you went.

- Necessarily provide anonymity on the Internet as websites have the ability to identify you via your Web address, anything you do on the site, and information you enter on the site.

- Remove favorites and\or feeds you add during an InPrivate browsing session.

- Make changes to Internet Explorer settings e.g., adding a new home page.

When you start InPrivate Browsing, Internet Explorer opens a new browser window. The protection InPrivate Browsing provides is only in effect during the time you use that window. You can open as many tabs as you want in that window and they'll all be protected. However if you open another browser window, that window will not be protected by InPrivate Browsing.

Note: To end your InPrivate Browsing session, simply close the InPrivate Browser window.

During an InPrivate Browse IE stores some information e.g., cookies and temporary Internet files. The reason is to ensure the Web pages you visit will work correctly.

However at the end of your InPrivate Browsing session, this information is discarded.

The following table describes what information InPrivate Browsing discards when you close the browser and how it is affected during your browsing session:

- Cookies. Kept in memory so pages work correctly, but cleared when you close the browser.

- Temporary Internet Files. Stored on disk so pages work correctly, but deleted when you close the browser.

- Web page history. This information is not stored.

- Form data and passwords. This information is not stored.

- Anti-phishing cache. Temporary information is encrypted and stored so pages work correctly.

- Address bar and search AutoComplete. This information is not stored.

- Automatic Crash Restore (ACR). ACR can restore when a tab crashes in a session, but if the whole window crashes all data is deleted and the window cannot be restored.

- Document Object Model (DOM) storage. The DOM storage is a kind of "super cookie" Web developers use to retain information. They're not kept after the window is closed.

If you need Web browsing anonymity beyond what InPrivate Browsing provides, you'll need a 3rd party program.

Here's wishing you a Good Boot.

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