Mirroring or creating backup of your existing hard disk

Hard Disk Mirroring (also called as Disk Backup/Disk Cloning) is a process where you can create an exact copy of your existing primary hard disk including partitions to the new hard disk.All data including operating system, drivers, files and programs will be copied sector by sector to your new hard disk. In case if your existing primary hard disk fails you can use the mirrored hard disk to boot your computer. For mirroring a hard disk your need to have one extra hard disk with the same capacity or more. If not make sure that your new hard disk capacity should be more than the total size of all the files and programs (including all partitions) of your existing primary hard disk.

There are many tools available for disk mirroring. Almost all tools will allow you to assign partition size manually to your new hard disk while mirroring, but assigning partitions automatically by the tool is recommended. It is easy for the tool to create size of the partitions based on your existing partitions used space size.

Most popular tools are Acronis True Image, Easeus Disk Copy, HD Clone, Norton Ghost, Paragon Drive Backup and Ultimate Boot CD

How to create Windows Unattended Setup Disk

Unattended Windows Setup, as the names suggests Windows can be installed easily without user intervention. When creating unattended setup you can add as many programs you wish to be integrated along with Windows setup.Once the setup disk with is created, Windows with added programs can be installed without waiting for the user to enter all the details required during the installation process. For creating Unattended Setup Disk you should have Windows operating system CD/DVD, nLite or vLite program (to create unattended setup disk) and a empty media (CD/DVD).

Click here to find more details to create Unattended Windows Setup Disk. Or Click here for the procedure to create Unattended WindowsXP Setup Disk

Click here for the procedure to create Unattended Windows Vista Setup Disk.

Click here for the procedure to create Unattended Windows7 Setup Disk.

Computer turns off automatically

In most cases the computer turns off automatically due to hardware related issues.

• Check the power supply also called as SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) at the back side of the cabinet where you connect the power chord from main power board. If the power supply is overheated or the fan of the power supply is not rotating, then you have to replace the power supply.

• Check the heat sink fan placed on the processor. The fan should be rotating constantly when you switch on the computer. If not, check the heat sink fan power connection on the motherboard. Remove the fan power connection and plug it back. If still nothing happens, replace the heat sink fan. Remember to apply heat sink paste also called as heat sink compound solution between the heat sink fan and the processor in-case if you replace the fan.

• Clear all the dust occupied inside the computer. Turn off the computer and open the CPU cabinet and blow off the dust present in the cabinet and make sure that all the connections are intact before switching on the computer.

• Remove the RAM and clean it with soft cloth. Plug it back to the original position in the motherboard

• Check for any virus or spyware present in the computer by scanning with antivirus and antispyware. You can download free Avira Antivir Personal antivirus and Arovax Antispyware programs.

• There are chances of computer turning off automatically if some of your operating system files are corrupt. If so repair the operating system files using your operating system CD/DVD.

How to remove CD/DVD media struck inside CD/DVD drive

If your CD/DVD drive has a problem and not able to open the CD/DVD media struck inside the drive. No need to get panic. The procedure to remove the media is very simple.

Open "MY COMPUTER" and right-click on the CD/DVD drive and click on "EJECT" to open the tray. If this method did not open the tray, then open the tray manually by inserting a stiff thin pin which is around 2 inches or more long into the small hole as shown in the image.

Push the pin bit inside (not too hard), so that the tray comes out a bit. Pull the tray out and remove the media and push back the tray to close it. Don't make it as a habit, you may end up with problems with the drive.

Delete virus or trojan from System Volume Information in WindowsXP

System Volume Information is a hidden folder. It is a part of System Restore that stores details about system restoration set points. All the partitions or drives on your computer have this folder. Follow the simple steps to delete the virus or trojan infected files located inside System Volume Information folder manually if your existing antivirus did not do the job for you.

Right-click on "MY COMPUTER" and go to "PROPERTIES" to open "SYSTEM PROPERTIES" window or go to "START" and click on "RUN" or hold "WINDOWS" key and press "R" to open RUN window and type "sysdm.cpl" and press "ENTER" key. In the "SYSTEM PROPERTIES" window select "SYSTEM RESTORE" tab and select or check the "TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE ON ALL DRIVES" option. You will get the confirmation window to select "YES" or "NO". Click "YES" to remove files stored in System Volume Information folder thus making your system free from virus or trojan.

There is another way of removing virus/trojan from System Volume Information folder. Open "WINDOWS EXPLORER" by doing right-click on the "START" menu and selecting "EXPLORER" or hold the "WINDOWS" key and press "R" and type "EXPLORER" in the RUN window and press "ENTER" key. In the Windows Explorer go to "TOOLS" menu and select "FOLDER OPTIONS" to open Folder Options window. Click on "VIEW" tab. Now uncheck the "HIDE PROTECTED OPERATING SYSTEM FILES" option and make sure you have selected "SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS" under "HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS". Now you will be able to see "System Volume Information" folder in Windows Explorer..

Manually search for the infected file and delete it. If you are not able to delete the infected file, restart the computer and first delete the infected file before opening any application or program.