Q. I have a laptop running Windows XP on it. I installed Microsoft Virtual PC on it to run a Windows 2000 server. The Windows 2000 server crashed. I was wondering how hard it would be to recover the information that was lost on the virtual machine that crashed. I read that when installing the VM you needed to create a backup on the regular disk in order to be able to have a backup, and I don�t believe I did this. Is that true? Is there any way that I can recover what I lost?
A. To my knowlege, there isn't a "one click" solution to your problem. If you're looking for a "one click restore" and you like the technology, consider spending a little money on VMware workstation which supports "snapshots" - A sort of virtualization Restore Point.
Although I haven't tried to do it, you can probably run disk recovery tools from the VM's virtual CDROM, but that's quite a bit of trouble to be weighed against just chalking your situation to experience.
As you've noted, since backups are as easy as simply copying the disk file it should be done often and regularly.
Another thing I do is to deploy the VM with multiple disk files, putting the OS on one disk file and the data on another. That way if something happens to one disk file, then the other is unaffected.
As I'm writing this, occurs to me depending on what crashed in your VM, you can probably try this, too... Build a new Win2K VM and add the old VM disk file as a second drive. Maybe you'll be able to pull the data off the file if the internal logical disk geometry has been damaged. And, along the same lines a similar strategy would be to boot to a LiveCD in the virtual CDROM... If the LiveCD's OS can read the disk you can pull the data off that way, too.
Although I haven't tried to do it, you can probably run disk recovery tools from the VM's virtual CDROM, but that's quite a bit of trouble to be weighed against just chalking your situation to experience.
As you've noted, since backups are as easy as simply copying the disk file it should be done often and regularly.
Another thing I do is to deploy the VM with multiple disk files, putting the OS on one disk file and the data on another. That way if something happens to one disk file, then the other is unaffected.
As I'm writing this, occurs to me depending on what crashed in your VM, you can probably try this, too... Build a new Win2K VM and add the old VM disk file as a second drive. Maybe you'll be able to pull the data off the file if the internal logical disk geometry has been damaged. And, along the same lines a similar strategy would be to boot to a LiveCD in the virtual CDROM... If the LiveCD's OS can read the disk you can pull the data off that way, too.
file recovery emergency?
Q. i downloaded windows 7 beta and i wanted to install it as fast as possible, so i began creating a new partition... but through a series of unfortunate events and poor decision making (cause i had VMware...) i accidentally erased my sister's personal folder... here's what happened: (all partition in this list are on a secondary hard drive)
1) i had a large partition (60 GB)
2)i made a smaller one to install win7 on (20 GB)
3) win7 installation said that the partition didn't have the required free space, so i rebooted, and using partition magic 8.0, resized the large partition into a 20GB-20GB state... then i merged the old 20GB (number 2) and this new one i had gotten from the unallocated space.. and as u know, partition magic makes a list of what u do and then it does everything at one...
so when it was "cleaning the truncated partition" my computer kinda froze... i think it was a normal thing to happen, but i'd never done it before... so, i cancelled the partition magic process via task manager... and all i had left where two 30GB partitions... with nothing in them...
so i need to know if there's ANY way at all to retrieve the lost files... because i really need to restore that folder...
1) i had a large partition (60 GB)
2)i made a smaller one to install win7 on (20 GB)
3) win7 installation said that the partition didn't have the required free space, so i rebooted, and using partition magic 8.0, resized the large partition into a 20GB-20GB state... then i merged the old 20GB (number 2) and this new one i had gotten from the unallocated space.. and as u know, partition magic makes a list of what u do and then it does everything at one...
so when it was "cleaning the truncated partition" my computer kinda froze... i think it was a normal thing to happen, but i'd never done it before... so, i cancelled the partition magic process via task manager... and all i had left where two 30GB partitions... with nothing in them...
so i need to know if there's ANY way at all to retrieve the lost files... because i really need to restore that folder...
A. Two choices here.
1. Use a partition recovery program like Paragon's or OnTrack's or Active's
http://www.partition-recovery.com/
2. Use an Undeleter and search for your sister's folder
Rest2514 is free
http://www.win-freeware.com/REST2514.htm
I use the shareware Active@ Data Recovery tool myself
http://www.file-recovery.net/
bye bye
1. Use a partition recovery program like Paragon's or OnTrack's or Active's
http://www.partition-recovery.com/
2. Use an Undeleter and search for your sister's folder
Rest2514 is free
http://www.win-freeware.com/REST2514.htm
I use the shareware Active@ Data Recovery tool myself
http://www.file-recovery.net/
bye bye
Tell me if this whole process to make a partition is correct, please.?
Q. Ok, I have an old pc that used to have XP the last owner upgraded it to Vista and now I want to restore it back to XP. Now, I have read forums and a few problems come up when downgrading so I am going to use a program called DBAN (Darik's Boot And Nuke) to erase completely the hard drive after I backup all my files. Then I am going to insert the XP installation CD and you know how it goes. After that I'll install the drivers (I had to download them from the manufacture site 'cause I lost the CD), what I don't know is if the computer has to be connected to the Internet 'cause I was hoping I could do it without the internet 'cause I have none where I live. Now the partition is not in one HDD, I plan on having different OS in different HDD. After that I plan on doing the same process with the slave HDD so I can install Linux. I just don't know if I have to erase the whole HDD or if I can leave the folders there 'cause I am not downgrading nor upgrading, obviously I am changing. Thanks for your help and if there is something else I should know about the whole process, other problems that might occur or even a better process please do tell, I will be doing this for the first time and I want to learn (that's why I didn't ask someone to do it for me).
Ohh and if there's something I should know about the DBAN program do tell as well, as I said its my first time using the program and doing the process so I have a lot of questions and I am also a bit insecure about the whole process but what the heck.
Ohh and if there's something I should know about the DBAN program do tell as well, as I said its my first time using the program and doing the process so I have a lot of questions and I am also a bit insecure about the whole process but what the heck.
A. Okay, DBAN will nuke everything, It will delete your partitions and you will have to use the Windows XP disk to create new partitions.
Option 1 � Dual Boot
It�s by far the easier and best method to run XP instead of Vista if you have another partition or hard disk. Simply boot up any XP setup media and install XP into different partition or hard drive than the Vista installation. Once completed, you can choose to boot up either XP or Vista, and has the best of both world.
Option 2 � Virtual Machine
Install VMware Server or Virtual PC 2007 (both free) or any other virtualization software, and then install Windows XP into the virtual machine environment. You will get XP which runs inside Vista, with minor compromise on speed, performance and have to go through Vista first on every boot up.
Option 3 � Format the Hard Drive, Wipe Off Vista and Install XP
For those who totally fed up with Vista and just want XP, or prefer a clean installation of OS has only this option to rely on. To downgrade to XP from Vista, you have to basically delete the whole hard disk that installed with Vista, and start anew with XP. Here�s a simple guide and procedures that you can try to follow to switch to XP. However, each system configuration is different, so you may have to adapt the steps to suit your own need.
Download all drivers for your system for Windows XP from the manufacturer�s website. Copy the drivers files to a USB flash driver or external hard drive or burn them to CD/DVD.
Find a Windows XP installation CD (should be pretty easy to find or else you can search in torrent sites such as Demonoid to download via BT network such as uTorrent and BitComet or search and download via ED2K network client such as eMule. You can also use Volume Licensing (VL) CD, retail (FPP) disc, or system builder hologram CD provided by Microsoft.
You will also need a XP product key even if you legally can downgrade from Vista Ultimate or Business edition. The Vista serial number won�t works with XP. (try to search for XP product key on web).
Backup to USB flash disk, external portable hard disk or CD/DVD every data files and any other things such as documents, downloads, pictures, movies, programs and etc that you need and want to keep. You can also create a second partition with disk management utilities such as Acronis Director or Partition Magic, and then move the data files to the new partition.
Ensure that also you have CD or DVD setup media for the software applications that you want to install and use after wiping off your system from Vista.
If your OEM doesn�t provide you with recovery CD/DVD discs and Windows setup media discs (it�s because they�re stored in the hard disk in hidden location), you may want to burn a copy of recovery CD to CD/DVD first before you proceed, just in case the hidden partition is lost and you want to recover your computer to original state. (How-to Guide: IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad recovery CD)
If the system has SATA (Serial ATA) hard drive, locate the driver for SATA controller and put it in USB flash drive, diskette or CD first. If you have PATA (normal IDE) hard disk, simply go to BIOS CMOS to disable SATA or Native SATA mode if you don�t want to install XP on SATA hard drive. Else, you can also create an XP install disc with the SATA drivers integrated by using tool such as nLite.
In the BIOS, also set the CD or DVD optical drive as the first boot device in the boot sequence.
Put in the Windows XP installation CD into CDROM drive and boot up the computer by using the CD. You probably need to press a key when prompted with �Press Any Key to Boot from CD��.
If you�re using SATA hard disk with driver on external media (not integrated into XP setup disk), remember to press F6 when you see the message at the status base: �Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver�� during the very initial stage of setup to load the SATA driver so that the SATA hard disk can be recognized.
Run through the setup wizard at per normal. However, when prompting for where to install Windows Vista, delete (by pressing D and then confirmation), create and format the Vista disk drive or partition (if you have multiple partition). And then choose to install on that just formatted partition or hard drive.
Option 1 � Dual Boot
It�s by far the easier and best method to run XP instead of Vista if you have another partition or hard disk. Simply boot up any XP setup media and install XP into different partition or hard drive than the Vista installation. Once completed, you can choose to boot up either XP or Vista, and has the best of both world.
Option 2 � Virtual Machine
Install VMware Server or Virtual PC 2007 (both free) or any other virtualization software, and then install Windows XP into the virtual machine environment. You will get XP which runs inside Vista, with minor compromise on speed, performance and have to go through Vista first on every boot up.
Option 3 � Format the Hard Drive, Wipe Off Vista and Install XP
For those who totally fed up with Vista and just want XP, or prefer a clean installation of OS has only this option to rely on. To downgrade to XP from Vista, you have to basically delete the whole hard disk that installed with Vista, and start anew with XP. Here�s a simple guide and procedures that you can try to follow to switch to XP. However, each system configuration is different, so you may have to adapt the steps to suit your own need.
Download all drivers for your system for Windows XP from the manufacturer�s website. Copy the drivers files to a USB flash driver or external hard drive or burn them to CD/DVD.
Find a Windows XP installation CD (should be pretty easy to find or else you can search in torrent sites such as Demonoid to download via BT network such as uTorrent and BitComet or search and download via ED2K network client such as eMule. You can also use Volume Licensing (VL) CD, retail (FPP) disc, or system builder hologram CD provided by Microsoft.
You will also need a XP product key even if you legally can downgrade from Vista Ultimate or Business edition. The Vista serial number won�t works with XP. (try to search for XP product key on web).
Backup to USB flash disk, external portable hard disk or CD/DVD every data files and any other things such as documents, downloads, pictures, movies, programs and etc that you need and want to keep. You can also create a second partition with disk management utilities such as Acronis Director or Partition Magic, and then move the data files to the new partition.
Ensure that also you have CD or DVD setup media for the software applications that you want to install and use after wiping off your system from Vista.
If your OEM doesn�t provide you with recovery CD/DVD discs and Windows setup media discs (it�s because they�re stored in the hard disk in hidden location), you may want to burn a copy of recovery CD to CD/DVD first before you proceed, just in case the hidden partition is lost and you want to recover your computer to original state. (How-to Guide: IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad recovery CD)
If the system has SATA (Serial ATA) hard drive, locate the driver for SATA controller and put it in USB flash drive, diskette or CD first. If you have PATA (normal IDE) hard disk, simply go to BIOS CMOS to disable SATA or Native SATA mode if you don�t want to install XP on SATA hard drive. Else, you can also create an XP install disc with the SATA drivers integrated by using tool such as nLite.
In the BIOS, also set the CD or DVD optical drive as the first boot device in the boot sequence.
Put in the Windows XP installation CD into CDROM drive and boot up the computer by using the CD. You probably need to press a key when prompted with �Press Any Key to Boot from CD��.
If you�re using SATA hard disk with driver on external media (not integrated into XP setup disk), remember to press F6 when you see the message at the status base: �Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver�� during the very initial stage of setup to load the SATA driver so that the SATA hard disk can be recognized.
Run through the setup wizard at per normal. However, when prompting for where to install Windows Vista, delete (by pressing D and then confirmation), create and format the Vista disk drive or partition (if you have multiple partition). And then choose to install on that just formatted partition or hard drive.
Good place for a high school tech-geek to work?
Q. So I'm a high school Senior right now and I'm looking into a job. Here are some details about me:
- I love technology (i.e. computers, cameras, cellphones, etc.), but my main strength would be my extensive knowledge on cell phones.
- I'm 17 years old, turning 18 early next year (I don't know if I should wait until I'm 18 to apply for a job)
So the question is...
What are some good places that will hire someone like me? I looked at a couple of stores such as Best Buy and the AT&T Store, but a lot of their job openings require a high school diploma. I would really like to work in a location where I can use my knowledge on cell phones to help people buy new ones; however, I doubt anyone would allow me to perform monetary actions involving people's personal information if I'm not 18 yet and I'm still in high school.
Any tips would be appreciated. :-)
Oh, I forgot to mention: Please don't say Apple Store. I may sound picky, but I dislike Apple products and never owned one.
- I love technology (i.e. computers, cameras, cellphones, etc.), but my main strength would be my extensive knowledge on cell phones.
- I'm 17 years old, turning 18 early next year (I don't know if I should wait until I'm 18 to apply for a job)
So the question is...
What are some good places that will hire someone like me? I looked at a couple of stores such as Best Buy and the AT&T Store, but a lot of their job openings require a high school diploma. I would really like to work in a location where I can use my knowledge on cell phones to help people buy new ones; however, I doubt anyone would allow me to perform monetary actions involving people's personal information if I'm not 18 yet and I'm still in high school.
Any tips would be appreciated. :-)
Oh, I forgot to mention: Please don't say Apple Store. I may sound picky, but I dislike Apple products and never owned one.
A. If you are still in High School and want to get prepared for an IT career there are some things you can start working on to make yourself more successful in that career area.
The first thing is to start taking High School computer courses if any are available at your school. Sometimes High Schools have agreements with local colleges so Jr. and Sr. students can take college classes while you are still in HS. If your HS has a computer club that is a good idea also. If your school has a computer lab find out how you can volunteer to work in the lab and help the instructor.
One way to get exposure to people in the IT field and to make valuable future contacts is to attend user group meetings in your area. Various operating system or applications user groups exist in many cities. Microsoft, Cisco, VMware and others may have free seminars in your area. Be sure that you are present at all these and collect and pass out business cards.
If there are any small computer retail stores near, you see if they will hire you to put together motherboards and cases for them and perform other hardware and software tasks. Remember that there is not really any money in working on hardware as far as a career but this experience will help you become familiar with the computer components and also perhaps earn a few dollars.
Go out and start looking at study materials and sample test questions for the CompTIA certification tests. There are many web sites where you will find sample questions. Eventually when you feel ready you will want to take the 2 A+ certification tests and get that cert. When you are old enough this will help you get a better job at a large computer retailer like Best Buy or Staples. This may not sound like a big deal but just remember some of your friends may still be working in fast food.
There are two main computer areas of study: Programming and General IT studies (Networking, Computer Security, Systems Administration, etc). You will need to decide which one is best for you. Many people think programming sounds like a good major and career until they realize it involves advanced math courses. If you are poor at math, Programming is probably out for you. However, don�t be discouraged as there are many IT jobs that don�t require programming advanced math.
Here are some of those non-Programming jobs.
Computer Technician, Service Center Coordinator, Help Desk Staff, Storage Administrator, Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, Systems Engineer, Enterprise Administrator, Active Directory Administrator, Exchange and Messaging Administrator, Backup Administrator, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Database Administrator, Computing Security Specialist, Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist and Data Center Administrator, just to name a few.
In a small business the list above might be one or two people doing all these jobs. In a large Enterprise environment this could be hundreds of people.
If you are not sure if you want to go to college I will tell you there are a lot of reasons � actually a million reasons. The most recent salary study shows a 4 year college degree graduate will earn $1 million more than a HS grad over their lifetime. I�ve given you a link to salary studies that discuss this. There are two main goals that you want to accomplish while in college: 1. Get good grades 2. Save money on your education.
As far as what you need to get an IT job: The Holy Grail for IT employment is a 4 year computer related Bachelor�s degree, some industry certifications and some work experience. Also another optional thing that may help is some skill and training in a specialization area like Scripting, Database Administration, Virtualization, Computing Security or other similar topics. If you have all 4 (degree, certs, experience and special skill) of those you should be good. If you have only one element that will help but you may be competing with other people who have two, three or perhaps all four elements.
Don't even think about technical schools like ITT-Tech or Devry. These class credits and degrees are usually not accepted by other schools or by employers.
Best wishes!
The first thing is to start taking High School computer courses if any are available at your school. Sometimes High Schools have agreements with local colleges so Jr. and Sr. students can take college classes while you are still in HS. If your HS has a computer club that is a good idea also. If your school has a computer lab find out how you can volunteer to work in the lab and help the instructor.
One way to get exposure to people in the IT field and to make valuable future contacts is to attend user group meetings in your area. Various operating system or applications user groups exist in many cities. Microsoft, Cisco, VMware and others may have free seminars in your area. Be sure that you are present at all these and collect and pass out business cards.
If there are any small computer retail stores near, you see if they will hire you to put together motherboards and cases for them and perform other hardware and software tasks. Remember that there is not really any money in working on hardware as far as a career but this experience will help you become familiar with the computer components and also perhaps earn a few dollars.
Go out and start looking at study materials and sample test questions for the CompTIA certification tests. There are many web sites where you will find sample questions. Eventually when you feel ready you will want to take the 2 A+ certification tests and get that cert. When you are old enough this will help you get a better job at a large computer retailer like Best Buy or Staples. This may not sound like a big deal but just remember some of your friends may still be working in fast food.
There are two main computer areas of study: Programming and General IT studies (Networking, Computer Security, Systems Administration, etc). You will need to decide which one is best for you. Many people think programming sounds like a good major and career until they realize it involves advanced math courses. If you are poor at math, Programming is probably out for you. However, don�t be discouraged as there are many IT jobs that don�t require programming advanced math.
Here are some of those non-Programming jobs.
Computer Technician, Service Center Coordinator, Help Desk Staff, Storage Administrator, Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, Systems Engineer, Enterprise Administrator, Active Directory Administrator, Exchange and Messaging Administrator, Backup Administrator, Disaster Recovery Specialist, Database Administrator, Computing Security Specialist, Corporate IT Acquisition Specialist and Data Center Administrator, just to name a few.
In a small business the list above might be one or two people doing all these jobs. In a large Enterprise environment this could be hundreds of people.
If you are not sure if you want to go to college I will tell you there are a lot of reasons � actually a million reasons. The most recent salary study shows a 4 year college degree graduate will earn $1 million more than a HS grad over their lifetime. I�ve given you a link to salary studies that discuss this. There are two main goals that you want to accomplish while in college: 1. Get good grades 2. Save money on your education.
As far as what you need to get an IT job: The Holy Grail for IT employment is a 4 year computer related Bachelor�s degree, some industry certifications and some work experience. Also another optional thing that may help is some skill and training in a specialization area like Scripting, Database Administration, Virtualization, Computing Security or other similar topics. If you have all 4 (degree, certs, experience and special skill) of those you should be good. If you have only one element that will help but you may be competing with other people who have two, three or perhaps all four elements.
Don't even think about technical schools like ITT-Tech or Devry. These class credits and degrees are usually not accepted by other schools or by employers.
Best wishes!
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