Ask Leo! #389 - If there's only one copy, it's not backed up. Plus - slow as a snail, TV viruses and more.... - Confident Computing

The Ask Leo! Newsletter

*** Featured

If there's only one copy, it's not backed up. Why is that so hard?

If there's only one copy, it's not backed up.

It's something that I say and say and say because every day, I see the disasters that result from not understanding that simple concept.

It hurts me every time I have to tell someone "Sure, here's how to resolve the problem you're having. But your data? That's gone forever."

I say it more frequently than I want to and what's frustrating is that I know deep down that I say it more frequently than I should have to.

I'm not saying backups are trivial, although even just backing up the basics can be a lot easier than most people think. And I do recognize that there are obstacles, not the least of which is that people often think they're backing up when they're not.

Continue reading: If there's only one copy, it's not backed up. Why is that so hard?
http://ask-leo.com/C5785

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*** Answercast

Answercast #52 - Slow computers and internet connections, negative search matches, extra-large windows and more...

Do you have a computer that is slow as a snail, or video that stops and starts? Have trouble saving webpages or finding the Next button? Ever wonder if a TV can get a virus from your PC? All this and more in this Answercast from Ask Leo!

Continue reading: Answercast #52 - Slow computers and internet connections, negative search matches, extra-large windows and more...
http://ask-leo.com/C5798

Can my Wi-Fi slow down my internet browsing?
Several things can slow a browsing session. Wi-Fi is one of them, but I certainly wouldn't limit my investigations to just the Wi-Fi.
Continue reading: Can my Wi-Fi slow down my internet browsing?
http://ask-leo.com/C5799

What happens to streaming video if my internet connection doesn't meet the requirements?
Short on speed? Exactly what effect that has will depend on the technology being used by the various streaming services you're talking about.
Continue reading: What happens to streaming video if my internet connection doesn't meet the requirements?
http://ask-leo.com/C5800

How do I exclude irrelevant yet matching pages from a search?
It depends on where you're doing your search. Different search engines have different approaches to specifying "negative matches."
Continue reading: How do I exclude irrelevant yet matching pages from a search?
http://ask-leo.com/C5801

How do I merge applications and settings from my old hard drive into my new?
Trying to merge desktop and application settings is more prone to failure than anything else. A clean set-up will get you what you want.
Continue reading: How do I merge applications and settings from my old hard drive into my new?
http://ask-leo.com/C5802

Why does it take so long for webpages to load?
The three top culprits to look for are: connection overload, toolbar applications, and inadequate memory and/or caching.
Continue reading: Why does it take so long for webpages to load?
http://ask-leo.com/C5803

Can a TV get malware from my PC?
This does not sound like a malware issue at all. I think its something much more mundane, probably related to your power.
Continue reading: Can a TV get malware from my PC?
http://ask-leo.com/C5804

My machine is slower than a snail. What can I do?
There are many different things that could be contributing to your system being slow. Everything from malware to running too much software at the same time.
Continue reading: My machine is slower than a snail. What can I do?
http://ask-leo.com/C5805

How do I identify this flashing window at boot time?
A flashing message during boot-up is not necessarily worrisome, but it is worth investigating.
Continue reading: How do I identify this flashing window at boot time?
http://ask-leo.com/C5806

Why does Save As not work in my web browser?
Save As works differently in different browsers. Printing to pdf might be a better solution.
Continue reading: Why does Save As not work in my web browser?
http://ask-leo.com/C5807

Why do navigation buttons not show up on some websites?
This sounds like your screen resolution is set smaller than the minimum required for those web pages to work or it's pushed off the screen.
Continue reading: Why do navigation buttons not show up on some websites?
http://ask-leo.com/C5808

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*** Last Issue's Articles

*** Comments

TeamViewer - Powerful Remote Access Software, Free for Personal Use

Ed Huenniger writes:

In the past, you have recommended Hamachi and LogMein to perform similar functions. Is Teamviewer a better option?

I've never directly recommended LogMeIn (never used it, though I understand it's a fine program). Hamachi is only a VPN, not remote access, but it allowed Windows own Remote Desktop client to work across machines connected to that VPN. Since LogMeIn purchased Hamachi some years ago it seems to have languished and seems quite well hidden at times as LogMeIn attempts to direct people to their paid products. Overall TeamViewer seems simpler to set up, easy to find (everywhere) and free for personal use.

-Leo

My trip pictures vanished from my memory card. How can I recover them?

Peter B writes:

One of the best places to check the memory card content is back in the original camera. If there's any device that might be able to read it, that is it.

My trip pictures vanished from my memory card. How can I recover them?

Cedric writes:

If the pictures still show on the camera, the problem may be with the card reader. Older card readers will not read the newer high capacity cards. (2gig or higher which this sounds like it is) They show as blank. The answer then is to use the camera cable to download or get a new card reader. Recuva (free from Piriform) and other recovery programs work well for recovering pictures from cards where they are mistakenly deleted but if the card has become defective then most likely the only option is professional help. (and of course BU BU BU!)

Is there any chance that Hotmail will revert these broken "improvements" they've made?

Ed Boyd writes:

One way that I have used to keep continuity in my emails is that I got my own domain name at Go Daddy and set email up there. The cost is really chump change. I can't remember exactly but you can afford it! Then whenever I use email, my email address is always ed@mydomain.com. All the email is run through Go Daddy and I have Go Daddy forward to whatever email system I'm using. I don't like Go Daddy's email system...you might? I use Hotmail/Win Live and have most of my mail forwarded there with "have email copies retained on Go Daddy!" That way you use what you want and also backup emails at the same time. Go Daddy has been very reliable. I go in there and weed out most of the junk every once in awhile. It's a great solution.

I strongly recommend this approach in general. My email addresses on my own domains, for example, happen to run through Gmail. if Gmail ever breaks, goes away or pisses me off, I just change to use some other service, but my email address on my own domain never changes.

-Leo

*** Leo Recommends

Macrium Reflect - Powerful Windows Backup Software

I consider backing up to be one of the fundamental necessities for anyone who uses a computer.

As anyone with even a little experience will tell you, you will lose something important someday without a backup; it's not a matter of if, but a matter of when. And someone with more than a little experience will also be able to share horror stories of how and when they learned this important lesson.

In my opinion, that's why it's critical that you backup your computer and data regularly. As I've said repeatedly, if your data is in only one place, it's not backed up.

Over the years, I've developed a set of criteria - a set of features and characteristics - that I want out of a backup program before I recommend it.

Macrium Reflect makes the cut.

Continue reading: Macrium Reflect - Powerful Windows Backup Software
http://ask-leo.com/C4996

Each week I recommend a specific product or resource that I've found valuable and that I think you may as well. What does my recommendation mean?

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