BACKUP AND SECURITY

Microsoft has just released several important security updates, including a new version of its Malicious Software Removal Tool. In case you still don’t have your system set to automatic updates, go to the Windows Update Site.

Before you do, make a backup of your system state. A while ago I explained how to do it. I’ll go over the steps here again. They’ve changed slightly after installing Service Pack 2. I also urge you to make a backup of your system state every time you install new software, except for small applications by reliable companies, like the Google Toolbar.

You should also regularly backup your system state, as I have previously recommended, especially before cleaning your registry.

Click Start in the bottom left corner, hover your mouse on All Programs, Navigate to Accessories -> System Tools, then click on Backup.

Click on Backup; if you need to restore click the other radio button.

Click ‘Only back up the System State data’ radio button, then click next.

Your system state backup will not fit on a floppy disk. You cannot directly back up to a CD – this must be a bug in the backup utility – you’ll get an error if you try. When you click the browse button, you’ll get a message ‘insert a diskette into drive A’. Close the window. The backup will allow you to navigate your hard disks.

After the backup is finished, click close.

If your internet connection is not already open, connect. Click the Start button, hover over All Programs, navigate to Windows Update, and click. The update page will immediately start searching for updates. When it finds them, it’ll give you two choices. Click Express Install.

You’ll get the list of downloads, including the updated Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool. Click Install.

Microsoft will start downloading the updates to your computer. Use the time to close all your applications, as you’ll have to reboot at the end.

At the end of the installation, you’ll be asked to reboot. If you haven’t closed all your applications, do so. Then reboot.

If you wish to save the system state backup to a CD, put a new CD into the drive.

Depending on whether and which specialized CD burning software you have, you’ll be given a number of choices. Click ‘Take No Action’, then click OK.

Open ‘MyComputer’ and navigate to the folder where you saved the backup of System State. The following is my selection.

Select system state then click ‘copy this file’.

You’ll get a browser window. Navigate to the CD drive, and then click ‘Copy’.

While the computer is copying the files to a folder in ‘Documents and Settings’ – not yet to the CD, you’ll get an icon in your task bar.

Navigate again to the CD drive.

Click write these files to CD. The rest is self evident.

Next week I hope to discuss backup strategies.

Dennis Turner