September 2008

There are several items in this month’s message:

• Windows XP with SP3
• Remote operation via CrossLoop
• MS Office version compatibility problems
• Backups onto USB HD are simple

—so let’s get to it.

Windows XP with SP3

There are two situations in which you may be installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)

• When upgrading a working XP system (that already has SP1 and SP2 installed)
• When reinstalling XP because the originally-installed version is not working.

Upgrading a working XP system to SP3:

1. Before you begin, you should:—
   • Assemble the materials you will need.
   • Review the procedure you will be using.
   • Install patch KB953356 if running an AMD CPU computer before installing SP3.
   • SP2 must be installed or present before the KB953356 patch can be installed.
2. Identify any files that need to be backed up; make full back-up if possible. Run a verify run on the resultant backup. Assure that the version number of Acronis is made a part of the name of the backed up file. Assure that you have a bootable CD of Acronis of the same version that made the backup.
3. Assuming that you have made a full backup on either a second partition on the Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or on a USB HDD:
   • Install new HDD as Master and old HDD as Slave or make old drive USB-attached if you want to upgrade computer.
   • Copy old Hard Disk Drive (HDD) to new HDD using Acronis or Ghost.
4. Clean up your computer by (assumes a running XP load):
   • On "C:" Right Click for Properties/Disk Cleanup to get rid of unnecessary files.
   • Run CCleaner to get rid of even more unnecessary files.
   • Defragment
   • Run: Google and search for [ WINDOWS LIVE SAFETY SCANNER ] and run the resulting program. This will clean up the registry and look for rootkits, and lots of undocumented cleanups.
5. Without going out onto the net, unless necessary:
   • Install SP3 - use CD (317 MB) if available, else allow download about 61 MB from IE/Tools/Windows Update.
   • Run Microsoft patches (TOOLS/Windows update) after SP3 install is completed to fix any SP3-induced errors.
   • Install AVG (free) or equivalent anti-virus.
6. Connect to the Internet and Run Secunia to establish how much of your software is obsolete. Update as needed.

Full reinstall of an XP operating system to the SP3 level

1. Before you begin, you should:
   • Assemble the materials you will need.
   • Review the procedure you will be using.
   • Install patch KB953356 if running an AMD CPU computer before installing SP3. SP2 must be installed or present before the KB953356 patch can be installed.
   • Print out or write down the Mail Client ACCOUNTS data if any. Plan, if you can before you start the reinstall, capture all data hat you can such as email passwords and server addresses, bookmarks, favorites, and all personalizations that will make your life easier when you are initializing a newly-loaded program(s).
2. If possible do full back up with a program, such as Acronis, that will permit selecting individual files from the backup. The Acronis Bootable Recovery CD which you should have created, can backup a dead computer’s HDD by using the CD mentioned (Acronis Bootable Recovery CD) to make a full backup of your computer without involving Microsoft at all. While it will run slower, Acronis Bootable Recovery CD will do both backups and restores from a program that resides on the CD.
3. If using Outlook Express, backup email files using Outlook Express Quick Backup (http://tinyurl.com/6ppc9h) and save your them for easy recovery when you are restoring the email from Outlook Express. The reason for singling out Outlook Express email files is because they are encrypted by Microsoft and are not easily transferred to the new load, but Outlook Express Quick Backup will make the files available without the compression and encrypting that Microsoft imposes.
4. Do the install of XP onto your HDD. Choose carefully whether you want (need) to format the disk or use the REPAIR option. The REPAIR option is designed to reinstall only the operating system, leaving the balance of the HDD alone – and sometimes it works!
5. For AMD CPU owners only, install patch KB953356 on computer before installing SP3. SP2 must be installed or present before the KB953356 patch can be installed.
6. Immediately install SP3, preferably from CD for speed reasons; else go out on the net to get the 61+ MB.
7. Go to TOOLS/Windows Update and bring down updates.
8. Install from the SPAUG CD those programs you need/want for your computer. Don’t bother to put the source files onto your computer – you already have them on the CD.
9. Import e-mail, Address Book, and Favorites from backup drive as needed. Transition all personalizations for Firefox and Thunderbird or Eudora etc.
10. Allow new operating system to go onto the net.
11. Install desired programs such as Office or Open Office as desired.
12. Install Acronis and backup your hours of work onto another HDD (USB drive?}.
13. Enjoy your “new” computer.

Remote access via CrossLoop

CrossLoop continues to be a valuable tool for providing support to those who do not have problems significant enough to bring their computer to the Clinic but still isn't working totally correctly. Usually a phone call starts the process and, by mutual agreement, CrossLoop is installed on the target computer. Usually the install is accomplished in a minute or two and the session begins with connection to the receiving computer. Telephone contact is usually maintained.

MS Office Compatibility Issues

By using 4-letter suffixes (example: docx vs doc), beginning at Office 2007, Microsoft changed the output of Office programs in a way that makes them incompatible with earlier versions. To handle this problem, Microsoft has released the Compatibility Pack for the Office 2000 Office System that lets you read Office 2007 output using your older Office programs. To get a copy go to http://tinyurl.com/2zpc5q . If you install the Compatibility Pack, be sure to use Windows Update and the separate Office Update to obtain all of the patches that the install causes to the original Office package. If you are using an Office 2007 program, one way to create files that are compatible with older versions is to “save as” the older version, with appropriate three-letter extensions.

Backups onto USB are simple

If you have not been doing your weekly backups because it is too complicated, then it is time to purchase an external USB drive. Complete with the drive inside ready to go, USB drives are under $100 and usually have a backup program included; although some are easier to use than others. Acronis is compatible with all of them. Be sure you understand how to set up for a restore in case your hard drive takes a vacation.