FAQS! FACTS! FAX!  574 (17/07/07)

Q. I want to regularly safeguard my computer contents and currently use a 1Gb memory stick to backup data. Occasionally I would also want to transfer not just data but all contents except the operating system to a new computer. I hear of external HDDs, crossover cables etc but need advice on the best method and how to do it?

Colin Whelan, via email

A. Memory sticks are ideal for both backup and data transfer, though I think you will find the latter a lot easier with a 4 or even 8Gb type, especially if you have a lot of large folders to backup or move to another PC. Networking the two computers is another option though this can be quite slow and setting up the various sharing options and permission is time consuming.

However, the quickest and simplest way to copy large volumes of data to a new PC is to temporarily ‘slave’ the old drive in the new machine. Normally all you have to do is remove the old drive, set it to ‘Slave’ mode and connect it to a spare drive socket and power lead and fit the drive into a spare bay. Windows will assign it a drive letter and you can then copy and paste folders and files from one drive to the other.

Purely by coincidence we’ve just begun a new series of Boot Camp articles on this very topic and we’ll be looking at this particular method and the various other ways of transferring data and settings from one PC to another in the coming weeks.

Q. My computer is old and slow and it has had a lot done to it over the years. It has suddenly lost its two optical drives. Neither is now recognised by Windows Explorer or My Computer. Both are shown on Device Manager, with an exclamation mark in a yellow triangle and the message  ‘A device for this device has been disabled… (Code 32)’. I have tried uninstalling and re-installing, but the same message appears.

Andrew Miller, via email

A. This error message is usually associated with installing or removing a CD/DVD writing program, there wasn’t one on your list of recent software changes but I wouldn’t mind betting that it’s the same fault, which is due to a glitch in the Windows Registry. Two ‘keys’ need to be removed and unless you know your way around the Registry I wouldn’t recommend that you try to do it manually but refer to the Guided Help section of MS Knowledgebase Article 314060 . If you know what you are doing then you need to open Regedit and go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControSetl\

Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

In the right hand pane right-click UpperFilters and select Delete (Do not delete the UpperFilters.bak key). Now do the same with the LowerFilters key, exit Regedit and reboot.

Q. For some unaccountable reason, three days ago the icon titles on my desktop are highlighted and there is a boxed red cross in the top left hand corner of the screen. I am unable to correct either of these items. On switching over to another User the icon titles on the desktop are not highlighted.

I tried System Restore to two dates before the incident occurred but without any success and, not unexpectedly, an attempt of a later Restore did not resolve the problem. I would appreciate any help you can provide.

Bernard D.W. Wright, via email

A. This is an odd one and normally I would suggest you have a look in Display Properties, switch themes or check your video card driver but since it disappears when you change users, and there’s a rogue icon on the desktop, I wonder if this is some sort of malware infection, or possibly a web page has taken over the desktop.

Either way the first thing to do is run a malware scan, and in addition to my long-term favourites, AdAware and Spybot S&D I’m also now recommending A-Squared Free. In fact they are all free, and you’ll find links to them all in the software section of the PCTopTips website. If that makes no difference and your PC has been given the all clear check for an improperly installed web page. Right-click on the desktop, select Properties, then the Desktop tab and click the Customize Desktop button. Now select the Web tab and make sure that nothing is selected in the box.

Q. I run two XP computers from the same BT wireless home hub (though rarely at the same time). One computer will not connect to the Internet between 8.30 and 9.30 in the morning, whereas the other one has no such problem. The signal from the home hub is strong enough but the computer will not connect, either automatically or even using the Wireless Connection Manager utility. The ‘faulty’ computer is a Dell Dimension 5000, bought pre-owned but in every other respect faultless. Can the computer settings be altered to prevent Internet access at certain times and can it be undone?

Henry Chance, via email

A. I was scratching my head until I saw the words ‘pre-owned’. The cut-off times are so precise that it has to be the work of some sort of timer. I suspect it was installed by the previous owner possibly to restrict web access during a scheduled backup, or simply to stop the kids playing around with it before school in the morning. You should be able to find out the name of the program involved when the block is on, by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete then select the Applications tab. Once you have identified it you can disable or remove it.  

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© R. Maybury 2007 0307