Progress Report #2:
So far my two attempts to backup failed: when I click Finish on Backup Wizard, it freezes, so I have to use Device Manager to end it up (though DevMan shows that Backup Utility is running). Besides, that window sits atop a previous Backup window, where I potentially might click on Start Backup, i. e. if that one wasn't covered. But the top one (or both) is frozen. Very confusing, and this situation is not described in Ed Bott's column. My general rule is not to fight circumstances, it's always better to find a workaround, especially if problems happen at night (Night brings counsel). So, tomorrow I'll try to follow M$ backup website, to see if it makes any difference. Now I run M$ Full Service Scan herehttp://http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm . It may take a few hours, so I'll continue tomorrow...
Will keep you posted.
P. S. I missed Train's remark. Perhaps they are basic for you' but for me... everything saying "insert the Windows original setup CD" is scary :-).
Last edited by yurka; December 4th, 2009 at 10:23 PM.
Last night I went to bed while M$ was still running its scan. I post below the results (so far I don't see them, they are supposed to appear as attachments). So far I did Disk Defragmenter, and had to do chkdsk /f, as DD stalled twice. It still could not defragment everything:
I also ran msconfig>start and removed as much as I felt was safe. Now I have to start some programs manually but in return the Windows starts fast and without annoying popups; Event Viewer does not show any red or yellow items. I will continue to work on M$ scan results as well as on my backup problem.Thank you all for your help. See you soon.
P. S. Defragmeter results did not get attached, if interested, let me know and I'll try again.
Last edited by yurka; December 5th, 2009 at 11:37 AM.
I did chkdsk /f; DD worked after it but left a lot of fragmented files on C: . I ran DD again, D: and E: are Okay, yet C: is still fragmented. I now will try to find a third party more powerful DD.
yurka--Before you ran Defragmenter, did you click the Analyze button. In WinXP Defragging is seldom needed.
And what is the present status? In other words, what problems remain?
Jim
WIN7 Ultimate SP1 64bit, IE 11, NTFS,
cable, MS Security Essentials, Windows 7 firewall
I have had that work when the plain /f or /r did not seem to work right.
Originally Posted by SpywareDr
Tip: Chkdsk's "/R" switch implies "/F".
Originally Posted by Train
I know, but when it does not work, I force it to work.
Seen that about 8 times now.
To fix errors such as lost clusters, cross-linked files, directory errors, etc., without scanning the entire volume for bad sectors, you use chkdsk's /F (/fix) switch.
If you suspect that a disk might have bad sectors, you can use the /R (/repair) switch to force chkdsk to scan the entire volume. Chkdsk will then not only attempt to /Repair (remap) the bad sectors, it will also try to /Fix any errors caused by the bad sector, (such as lost clusters, cross-linked files, directory errors, etc.).
Progress report #3:
I did both chkdsk /f and chkdsk /r, both were done after restart, on blue screen. The DD still does not work: it hangs up when it reaches 3%; it's "moving" different files, yet it hang on whatever file forever. I installed and ran Quicksys - a free app. but it looks like a commercial one, elaborate and overdesigned interface, etc. It defragmented disc C:/ and now it tells me that 162 files out of ~57,000 are defragmented, yet Windows' DD says that 16% of C:/ is fragmented. Should I disregard DD?
The backup does not work either: it hangs almost from the beginning and cannot even be closed by clicking on X; only Task Manager is able to close it (although it shows it's "running"). I have to ask this question again: Do I need it at all? Is System Restore not enough?
My Run>msconfig>Start looks like this: attached. "v" stands for checked lines. Incidentally, who knows what Logi_MwX is. And what is cpf? So far I haven't noticed anything negative but if these guys are not essential, the fewer programs launch at the startup, the merrier. BTW, I found a culprit: it's GoogleQuickSearch. A convenient feature but I have a regular Google toolbar, so not a terrible sacrifice. Now Windows starts in ~1.5' and no error messages of any sort. I just wonder: is my experience unique or it's all a part of M$ against Google war? I mean M$ does not want people to have GoogleQuickSearch in Windows, period.
What do you guys think?
Last edited by yurka; December 6th, 2009 at 10:56 PM.
logi_mwx.exe is a process which is associated with Logitech MouseWare. It loads software for non-standard mouse buttons and should be left alone whilst these non-standard buttons are used.
And there really is no need of having a program start until it is needed I agree.
I use msconfig.
Here is how to check msconfig
Start/Run and type in
msconfig
OK
Startup Tab
Keep the page open then go to link below. It will tell you what all the entries are and whether you can disable them or not. It will also identify any malware. Disable everything which is not needed to run at start up http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
Read the Key at top of page. Use the Search box at the top to check all your entries
Train,
I used to have Logitech Trackball with many non-standard buttons. Now it's trackball (marble) mouse, so I do not need logi_mwx.exe, not at the startup, nor later. I have only the following lines checked now: ashDisp (Avast!), processlasso and processgovernor (I am not even sure what the program does,yet I like to have processor usage meter in Systray), AAWTray (AdAware), TCLOCHEX (I have had it for many years and got used to it; not a resources hog), winpatrol (a very useful prog - it warns me if any app. wants to get started at the Startup). I disabled Sbautoupdate as SpywareBlaster tells me that it is not necessary to keep it open because it always protects the PC in the background. Not a single line of mine is listed in you recommended link.
I'd like to have Comodo to start automatically, but don't know how to do it; so far I could not find an appropriate setting; if you do know, I'd appreciate. There is no line for Network Connection in Start Up tab; apparently it starts automatically by default as a part of Windows.
Now I have to pick up a good third party Backup utility (there are many free programs, many with 4 stars by users and CNET editors. Incidentally, do you have any preferences? I do not have an external hard drive (BTW, will it work if the internal one suddenly dies; if I backup to a DVD, at least I can run it from another PC, or am I wrong again?). The other remaining issue is the Registry fix: M$ OneCare Scan found 189 registry errors. I am leery of standard registry scaners like Registry Mechanic, as they do more harm than good; I used them and after them the PC went awry: many programs did not work, familiar websites stopped recognizing me, etc. M$ own Registry cleaner promises to remove programs installed by Windows Installer! What kind of fix is that?
Nobody answered my question about DD. Since I have no other solution for now, I consider it broken and trust Quicksys.
Go into add/remove or whatever you OS calls it and uninstall the Logitech stuff if it is not needed.
TCLOCHEX - experiment with ti. It should run so you can make your changes when needed.
processlasso - is suppost to improve your PC's responsiveness and stability.
processgovernor - Process Supervisor "is a technology designed to automatically configure and manage processes on one or more computers for the goal of maintaining system stability and responsiveness, restricting executables from running, and logging of program executions"
I see no use for them for myself.
BACK UP:
Normally, I back up to data CD/DVDs and I use CD burnerXP for that. http://cdburnerxp.se/
Notice it is free. And any cd/dvd rom can read the disk.
So data is so important that it is backed off site and some family genealogy stuff is backed to about 20 different places around the U.S. Why so much, the family does not want to take any chance of it getting lost due to fires, floods or any other disaster like those.
I copy paste the data to one of 3 USB hdds each week. or sooner as I think is needed and 2 of them are always off site.
I only hook up the USB hdd when I am going to be backing up and disconnect as soon as possible.
Also I have a couple data servers, older XP machines that have several hdds in them just for backing up through my lan.
Yes, there are programs that image everything on your hdd to dvds or a different hdd.
Programs like acronis, yes they have their place. But we must figure out what is it we would hate to lose adn figure out a way to protect it.
Family heirloom stuff is my pet hate to lose, if you noticed.
Now reference "my question about DD" , I can not find what you posted about it, so would you explain what it is.
I did both chkdsk /f and chkdsk /r, both were done after restart, on blue screen. The DD still does not work: it hangs up when it reaches 3%; it's "moving" different files, yet it hangs on whatever file forever. I installed and ran Quicksys - a free app. but it looks like a commercial one, elaborate and overdesigned interface, etc. It defragmented disc C:/ and now it tells me that 162 files out of ~57,000 are defragmented, yet Windows' DD says that 16% of C:/ is fragmented. Should I disregard DD?
Also I have a couple data servers, older XP machines that have several hdds in them just for backing up through my lan.
I have an old Compaq with WXP SP3 and Dell Dimension with W 2000 SP3. Can I use either of them as an external HD, for a backup? [I use about 20GB (of available 80 GB of HD) and won't back up everything, just hard-to-restore items, so I think either HD will be enough]. I am not sure I can figure out the hook up; I imagine it won't be a "network", I'll just will use their HDD. Ideally, I'd like to permanently connect the HD/PCs and set up CD burnerXP or whatever to backup automatically, say biweekly or so. Any adwice on registry cleaners? Or should I leave the Registry alone, as I don't see anything terrible going on?
Originally Posted by Welshjim
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