10 things you should know about moving from Windows XP to Windows 7

10 things you should know about moving from:

Windows XP to Windows 7

Greg Shultz

September 4, 2009

If you skipped Windows Vista and stuck with Windows XP, chances are good that you are now seriously considering moving to Windows 7 after it’s released on October 22. If so, there is much for you to do. Not only should you begin planning for your operating system migration, but you should begin learning as much as you can about Windows 7. Here are 10 things you can do to get ready for the switch.

1: Check your hardware

Windows 7 was designed to be lean in terms of hardware, so that it will be able to function satisfactorily on sub-powered netbooks. If you’re running Windows XP on a computer manufactured within the last three or four years, chances are good that Windows 7 will run fine on your system. However, you can make sure that your hardware is compatible by running Microsoft’s Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor will perform a detailed scan of your entire system, checking hardware, programs, and peripheral devices. Once the scan is complete, the Upgrade Advisor will display a report telling you whether your system meets the hardware requirements and idenfying are any known compatibility issues with your programs and devices. If it finds problems, the Upgrade Advisor will provide suggestions you can use to better analyze your upgrade options to Windows 7.

You can download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor from the Microsoft Download Center. At the time of this writing, this tool is listed as being a Beta version. However, running it now will give you a good idea of what you will be facing as you prepare for your upgrade.

If you’re planning a much bigger Windows XP to Windows 7 migration, you’ll want to investigate the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit. This free toolkit, which runs across the network without having to install software on client systems, will allow you to investigate systems and compile reports on hardware and device compatibility.

2: Understand the Custom Install

If you’re running Windows XP on your computer and you want to use Windows 7 on that same computer, you’ll purchase an Upgrade license package of Windows 7. However, you won’t be able to perform an in-place upgrade. In other words, you won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 7 on top of XP and keep all your applications and settings “in place.” Instead, you’ll have to perform a Custom Install, which Microsoft describes as follows:

A custom (clean) installation gives you the option to either completely replace your current operating system or install Windows on a specific drive or partition that you select. You can also perform a custom installation if your computer does not have an operating system, or if you want to set up a multiboot system on your computer.

When you completely replace Windows XP, the installation procedure will not totally obliterate it. In fact, the installation procedure will create a folder on the hard disk called Windows.old and will place the Windows, Documents And Settings, and Program Files folders from your Windows XP installation in it. Your data files will be safe and accessible, but your applications will not be viable. (Even though the Custom Install saves your data in the Windows.old folder, you will want to have a separate backup on hand just in case!)

Regardless of whether you choose to completely replace Windows XP or set up a multiboot system, you are going to have to back up and transfer all of your data, reinstall all of your applications, and reconfigure all of your settings.

3: Consider a setting up a multiboot configuration

When pondering a Custom Install, you should consider setting up a multiboot configuration. That will place both Windows XP and Windows 7 at your disposal, which will be a big advantage as you begin migrating your settings, documents, and applications. More specifically, you can boot into Windows XP to check out how something is set up and then boot into Windows 7 to re-create the same configuration. Once you have everything in Windows 7 exactly the way you had it in Windows XP, you can remove the multiboot configuration set Windows 7 as the primary OS and then remove Windows XP.

To be able to perform this type of switch, both XP and 7 must be installed on the same hard disk but on separate partitions. (If you install Windows 7 on a second hard disk, the boot partition will exist on the first hard disk, so you won’t be able to remove that drive once you’re ready to get rid of XP.) As a result, you’ll need to repartition your hard disk to make room for Windows 7. To repartition your hard disk without destroying data, you can take advantage of partition management software, such as Norton PartitionMagic 8.0, which retails for about $70, or Easeus Partition Manager Home Edition 4.0.1, which is available for free and earned a 4.5 star rating in a recent CNET editors’ review.

4: Plan your backup and restore strategy

Before you move from one operating system to another, you’ll want to back up all your data – at least once and maybe twice, just in case. While it may sound like overkill, having an extra backup will give you peace of mind.

If you’re using a third-party backup program, you will need to check the manufacturer’s Web site to see whether the program will be upgraded to work in Windows 7. If you aren’t using a third-party backup program, you’re probably using Windows XP’s native Backup Utility. As you may have heard, the file format used for this tool isn’t compatible with Windows Vista’s Backup And Restore Center. To provide for that, Microsoft released a special version of the XP Backup Utility, called the Windows NT Backup – Restore Utility. It’s designed specifically for restoring backups made on Windows XP to computers running Windows Vista. While I was unable to get official confirmation, it is a safe bet that this special version will work in Windows 7 or will be adapted to do so.

If you aren’t willing to take that bet or you are not sure whether your third-party backup program will be upgraded to work in Windows 7, you can simply make copies of all your data files on CD/DVD or on an external hard disk.

5: Plan your data transfer strategy

To move from one operating system to another, you’ll probably want to use a transfer program that will scan your XP system, pull out all your data and settings, and then transfer them to Windows 7. Fortunately, the Windows 7 Easy Transfer utility can provide this service for you. However, before you perform this transfer operation, it will be in your best interest to have a separate back up copy of your data (see #4).

The new operating system will come with two copies of the Windows 7 Easy Transfer. One copy will be on the DVD and the other will be installed with the operating system. Before you install Windows 7, you will run Windows 7 Easy Transfer from the DVD and back up all your files and settings. Then, once you have Windows 7 installed, you’ll use it to move all your files and settings to the new operating system. You can learn more about the Windows 7 Easy Transfer by reading the article Step-by-Step: Windows 7 Upgrade and Migration on the Microsoft TechNet site.

6: Inventory your applications and gather your CDs

Since you won’t be able to perform an in-place upgrade when you move from Windows XP to Windows 7, you’ll have to reinstall all your applications that passed the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor compatibility tests (see #1). It will be helpful to have an inventory of all the installed applications so that you can track down all your CDs or compile a list of Web sites for those applications you downloaded.

While the report generated by the Upgrade Advisor will be helpful as you create an inventory, it won’t be comprehensive. To create a detailed inventory, you can use something like the Belarc Advisor. For more details, see the article Gather detailed system information with Belarc Advisor.

7: Become familiar with the new UI

The UI in Windows 7 is quite different from the UI in Windows XP, and it offers a lot of new features. As a result, you may encounter what I call “UI Shock.” You’ll know what you want to do, but you’ll experience a momentary lapse of composure as you strive to adapt what you know about XP’s UI to what you’re seeing and experiencing in Windows 7.

To ease the level of UI shock, you’ll want to become as familiar as possible with the features of the new Windows 7 UI. One starting point is Microsoft’s Windows 7 page. While a lot of the content here is essentially marketing related, it will give you a good idea of what to look for when you actually move into the Windows 7 operating system.

To help you get right to the good stuff, check out:

• The Windows 7 features section, where you’ll find a host of short videos and descriptions.
• The Windows 7 Help & How-to section, where you’ll find a whole slew of step-by-step articles that show you how get around in Windows 7. Be sure to check out the section on installing Windows.

You’ll also find useful information on the Windows Training Portal on the Microsoft Learning site. Be sure to check out:

• The Windows 7 Learning Snacks, which are short, interactive presentations. Each Snack is delivered via animations and recorded demos using Microsoft Silverlight.
• The Microsoft Press sample chapters from upcoming Windows 7 books. Viewing the free chapters requires registration, but it is a short procedure. Once you’re registered, you can access sample chapters from Windows 7 Inside Out, Windows 7 Resource Kit, Windows 7 Step by Step, and Windows 7 for Developers.

8: Check for XP Mode support

If you discover that some of the applications you’re currently running in Windows XP are not compatible with Windows 7 (see #1) or you just want to keep Windows XP accessible, don’t forget about Windows XP Mode. This virtual environment includes a free, fully licensed, ready-to-run copy of Windows XP with SP3 that runs under Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7.

As you consider the Windows XP Mode, keep these things in mind:

• Windows XP Mode is available only in Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions.
• Your computer must support processor-based virtualization.

You can learn more about Windows XP Mode from the following TechRepublic resoruces:

• Determine if your hardware can support Windows XP Mode in Windows 7
• Hands on: Windows 7 XP Mode
• 10 reasons why Windows 7′s XP Mode is a big deal

9: Ask questions

You aren’t the only one making the move from Windows XP to Windows 7, so ask questions and share information you pick up along the way. Of course, you can use the TechRepublic discussion forums. But you should cast a wider net.

One good place to connect with Microsoft experts is the Getting Ready for Windows 7 section of the Microsoft Answers site. Another good place is in the Windows 7 forums in the Windows Client TechCenter on the Microsoft TechNet site.

10: Subscribe to the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Report

TechRepublic’s free Windows Vista and Windows 7 Report newsletter, which is delivered every Friday, offers tips, news, and scuttlebutt on Windows 7. As we count down to October 22, the day that Windows 7 is to be released to the general public, we will be covering topics of interest to Windows XP users in more detail. You can sign up on the TechRepublic newsletters page.

Comment on this article: TechRepublic blog.

Network Notepad creates quick diagrams and flow charts

Filed under: Business, Utilities, Windows, Productivity, Freeware

 

by Lee Mathews Oct 31st 2008 at 10:00AM

While network planning and design isn’t usually part of my job, I do sometimes need to put together a quick sketch of a client’s systems to help me oragnize a plan of attack.

Network Notepad is exactly what I was looking for – a small, free app that lets me lay out network devices, servers, printers, and workstations quickly and easily. It’s a great tool for documenting sites in case another tech has to attend to a call in my absence. Once you’ve set IP addresses, you’re able to use the F1-F6 keys as hotkeys to ping, surf, or telnet to a device.

Don’t be fooled by the Notepad in the name, though. This app is full-featured enough to tackle complicated networks. Be sure to download the Cisco-created object libraries and hub/switch pack, as they provide several icons that aren’t included in the default set.

There’s even a flow chart icon pack which turns Notepad into a kind of poor man’s Visio (if you’re looking for a Visio clone, try the open source Dia). You can’t argue with the price, and the feature set is impressive for such a small download.

Tags: diagram, diagramming, flow chart, flowchart, networking

All the week’s news and views about Security, 04/16/09

All the week’s news and views about Security, 04/16/09

Botnets: Reasons It’s Getting Harder to Find and Fight Them
http://www.networkworld.com/nlsecuritynewsal192072

 

The perpetual proliferation of botnets is hardly surprising when
one considers just how easy it is for the bad guys to hijack
computers without tipping off the users.Read full story
http://www.networkworld.com/nlsecuritynewsal192072

Senior Editor Ellen Messmer covers security for Network World.
E-mail Ellen mailto:emessmer@nww.com .

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This newsletter is sponsored by Oracle
The Cost of Securing your Database

Make the most of IT security and compliance dollars by ensuring
your databases are secure. Get concrete tips and recommendations
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This newsletter is sponsored by Oracle
The Cost of Securing your Database

Make the most of IT security and compliance dollars by ensuring
your databases are secure. Get concrete tips and recommendations
in this Live Webcast sponsored by Oracle, scheduled for
Thursday, April 16, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT. Learn
how to cost-effectively safeguard sensitive and regulated
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Technology Update: 03-30-09

Kaspersky Lab announces the launch of Kaspersky Internet Security 2009 for Ultra-Portables.

http://kasperskyav.blogspot.com/2009/03/kaspersky-lab-launches-comprehensive.html

 

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Cisco Announces Intent to Acquire Pure Digital Technologies, Makers of Flip Video

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SonicWALL, Inc. , today announced the immediate availability of its new E-Class Email Security Appliance (ESA) ES8300

http://sonic-wall.blogspot.com/2009/03/innovative-email-security-protection.html

 

IT security and control firm Sophos is warning computer users to be on their guard following the discovery of a new large scale malicious spam campaign posing as an email from courier firm DHL.

http://sophos-enterprise.blogspot.com/2009/03/spammers-exploit-dhl-in-another.html

 

Astaro today announced availability of version 2.0 of its Astaro Command Center.

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Virtual Graffiti, Inc
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Barracuda Networks Inc. today announced it has acquired Yosemite Technologies,

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VirtualGraffiti, Inc

http://www.VirtualGraffiti.com

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ParagonHost, LLC

http://www.ParagonHost.com

“Home of VIP Hosting”

Hiren.info Boot Disk – Password and File Tools and More

Hiren’s BootCD 9.4
All in one Dos Bootable CD which has all these utilities

Partition Tools

Partition Magic Pro 8.05 Best software to partition hard drive Acronis Disk Director Suite 9.0.554 Popular disk management functions in a single suite Paragon Partition Manager 7.0.1274 Universal tool for partitions Partition Commander 9.01 The safe way to partition your hard drive,with undo feature Ranish Partition Manager 2.44 a boot manager and hard disk partitioner. The Partition Resizer 1.3.4 move and resize your partitions in one step and more. Smart Fdisk 2.05 a simple harddisk partition manager SPecial Fdisk 2000.03t SPFDISK a partition tool. eXtended Fdisk 0.9.3 XFDISK allows easy partition creation and edition GDisk 1.1.1 Complete replacement for the DOS FDISK utility and more. Super Fdisk 1.0 Create, delete, format partitions drives without destroying data.

Disk Clone Tools

ImageCenter 5.6 (Drive Image 2002) Best software to clone hard drive Norton Ghost 11.0.1 Similar to Drive Image (with usb/scsi support) Acronis True Image 8.1.945 Create an exact disk image for complete system backup and disk cloning. Partition Saving 3.50 A tool to backup/restore partitions. (SavePart.exe) COPYR.DMA Build013 A Tool for making copies of hard disks with bad sectors

Antivirus Tools

F-Prot Antivirus 3.16f (1602) Very good virus scanner (with ntfs support and easy to use menu) McAfee Antivirus 4.4.50 (1602) a virus scanner (with ntfs support and easy to use menu)

Recovery Tools

Active Partition Recovery 3.0 To Recover a Deleted partition. Active Uneraser 3.0 To recover deleted files and folders on FAT and NTFS systems. Ontrack Easy Recovery Pro 6.10 To Recover data that has been deleted/virus attack Winternals Disk Commander 1.1 more than just a standard deleted-file recovery utility TestDisk 6.9b Tool to check and undelete partition. Lost & Found 1.06 a good old data recovery software. DiyDataRecovery Diskpatch 2.1.100 An excellent data recovery software. Prosoft Media Tools 5.0 v1.1.2.64 Another excellent data recovery software with many other options. PhotoRec 6.9b File and pictures recovery Tool.

Testing Tools

System Speed Test 4.78 it tests CPU, harddrive, ect. PC-Check 6.5 Easy to use hardware tests Ontrack Data Advisor 5.0 Powerful diagnostic tool for assessing the condition of your computer The Troubleshooter 7.02 all kind of hardware testing tool PC Doctor 2004 a benchmarking and information tool Test Cpu/Video/Disk 5.6 a tool to test cpu, video, and disk Test Hard Disk Drive 1.0 a tool to test Hard Disk Drive

RAM (Memory) Testing Tools

DocMemory 3.1b RAM Test utility GoldMemory 5.07 RAM Test utility Memtest86+ 2.00 PC Memory Test

Hard Disk Tools

Hard Disk Diagnostic Utilities Seagate Seatools Desktop Edition 3.02 Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools Western Digital Diagnostics (DLGDIAG) 5.04f Maxtor PowerMax 4.23 Maxtor amset utility 4.0 Maxtor(or any Hdd) Low Level Formatter 1.1 Fujitsu HDD Diagnostic Tool 7.00 Fujitsu IDE Low Level Format 1.0 Samsung HDD Utility(HUTIL) 2.04 Samsung Disk Diagnose (SHDIAG) 1.28 IBM/Hitachi Drive Fitness Test 4.11 IBM/Hitachi Feature Tool 2.08 Gateway GwScan 5.12 ExcelStor’s ESTest 4.20 MHDD 4.6 WDClear 1.30 Toshiba Hard Disk Diagnostic 2.00b SeaTools for Dos 1.09 HDD Regenerator 1.51 to recover a bad hard drive HDAT2 4.6b main function is testing and repair (regenerates) bad sectors for detected devices Ontrack Disk Manager 9.57 Disk Test/Format/Maintenance tool. Norton Disk Doctor 2002 a tool to repair a damaged disk, or to diagnose your hard drive. Norton Disk Editor 2002 a powerful disk editing, manual data recovery tool. Hard Disk Sentinel 0.01 Hard Disk health, performance and temperature monitoring tool. Active Kill Disk 4.1 Securely overwrites and destroys all data on physical drive. SmartUDM 2.00 Hard Disk Drive S.M.A.R.T. Viewer. Victoria 3.33e and 3.52rus a freeware program for low-level HDD diagnostics HDD Eraser 1.0 Secure erase using a special feature built into most newer hard drives

System Information Tools

Aida16 2.14 a system information tool, extracts details of all components of the PC PCI and AGP info Tool (1602) The PCI System information & Exploration tool. System Analyser 5.3t View extensive information about your hardware Navratil Software System Information 0.59.16 High-end professional system information tool Astra 5.34 Advanced System info Tool and Reporting Assistant HwInfo 5.1.0 a powerful system information utility PC-Config 9.33 Complete hardware detection of your computer SysChk 2.46 Find out exactly what is under the hood of your PC CPU Identification utility 1.12 Detailed information on CPU (CHKCPU.EXE) CTIA CPU Information another CPU information tool

MBR (Master Boot Record) Tools

MBRWork 1.07b a utility to perform some common and uncommon MBR functions MBR Tool 2.2.100 backup, verify, restore, edit, refresh, remove, display, re-write… DiskMan4 all in one tool for cmos, bios, bootrecord and more BootFix Utility Run this utility if you get ‘Invalid system disk’ MBR SAVE / RESTORE 2.1 BootSave and BootRest tools to save / restore MBR Boot Partition 2.60 add Partition in the Windows NT/2000/XP Multi-boot loader Partition Table Doctor 3.5 a tool to repair/modify mbr, bootsector, partition table Smart Boot Manager 3.7.1 a multi boot manager Bootmagic 8.0 This tool is for multi boot operating systems MBRWizard 2.0b Directly update and modify the MBR (Master Boot Record)

BIOS / CMOS Tools

CMOS 0.93 CMOS Save / Restore Tool BIOS Cracker 4.8 BIOS password remover (cmospwd) BIOS Cracker 1.4 BIOS password remover (cmospwc) BIOS Utility 1.35.0 BIOS Informations, password, beep codes and more. !BIOS 3.20 a powerfull utility for bios and cmos DISKMAN4 a powerful all in one utility UniFlash 1.40 bios flash utility Kill CMOS a tiny utility to wipe cmos Award DMI Configuration Utility 2.43 DMI Configuration utility for modifying/viewing the MIDF contents.

MultiMedia Tools

Picture Viewer 1.94 Picture viewer for dos, supports more then 40 filetypes. QuickView Pro 2.58 movie viewer for dos, supports many format including divx. MpxPlay 1.56 a small Music Player for dos

Password Tools

Active Password Changer 3.0.420 To Reset User Password on windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista (FAT/NTFS) Offline NT/2K/XP Password Changer utility to reset windows nt/2000/xp administrator/user password. Registry Reanimator 1.02 Check and Restore structure of the Damaged Registry files of NT/2K/XP NTPWD utility to reset windows nt/2000/xp administrator/user password. Registry Viewer 4.2 Registry Viewer/Editor for Win9x/Me/NT/2K/XP ATAPWD 1.2 Hard Disk Password Utility

NTFS (FileSystems) Tools

NTFS Dos Pro 5.0 To access ntfs partitions from Dos NTFS 4 Dos 1.9 To access ntfs partitions from Dos Paragon Mount Everything 3.0 To access NTFS, Ext2FS, Ext3FS partitions from dos NTFS Dos 3.02 To access ntfs partitions from Dos EditBINI 1.01 to Edit boot.ini on NTFS Partition

Dos File Managers

Volkov Commander 4.99 Dos File Manager with LongFileName/ntfs support (Similar to Norton Commander) Dos Command Center 5.1 Classic dos-based file manager. File Wizard 1.35 a file manager – colored files, drag and drop copy, move, delete etc. File Maven 3.5 an advanced Dos file manager with high speed PC-to-PC file transfers via serial or parallel cable FastLynx 2.0 Dos file manager with Pc to Pc file transfer capability LapLink 5.0 the smart way to transfer files and directories between PCs. Dos Navigator 6.4.0 Dos File Manager, Norton Commander clone but has much more features. Mini Windows 98 Can run from Ram Drive, with ntfs support, Added 7-Zip which supports .7z .zip .cab .rar .arj .gzip, .bzip2 .z .tar .cpio .rpm and .deb Disk Defragmenter, Notepad / RichText Editor, Image Viewer, .avi .mpg .divx .xvid Movie Player, etc…

Other Tools

Ghost Walker 2003.793 utility that changes the security ID (SID) for Windows NT, 2000 and XP DosCDroast beta 2 Dos CD Burning Tools Universal TCP/IP Network 6.2 MSDOS Network Client to connect via TCP/IP to a Microsoft based network. The network can either be a peer-to-peer or a server based network, it contains 91 different network card drivers

Dos Tools

USB CD-Rom Driver 1 Standard usb_cd.sys driver for cd drive Universal USB Driver 2 Panasonic v2.20 ASPI Manager for USB mass storage ASUSTeK USB Driver 3 ASUS USB CD-ROM Device Driver Version 1.00 SCSI Support SCSI Drivers for Dos SATA Support SATA Driver (gcdrom.sys) and JMicron JMB361 (xcdrom.sys) for Dos 1394 Firewire Support 1394 Firewire Drivers for Dos Interlnk support at COM1 To access another computer from COM port Interlnk support at LPT1 To access another computer from LPT port and too many great dos tools very good collection of dos utilities extract.exe pkzip.exe pkunzip.exe unrar.exe rar.exe ace.exe lha.exe gzip.exe uharcd.exe mouse.com attrib.com deltree.exe xcopy.exe diskcopy.com imgExtrc.exe undelete.com edit.com fdisk.exe fdisk2.exe fdisk3.exe lf.exe delpart.exe wipe.com zap.com format.com move.exe more.com find.exe hex.exe debug.exe split.exe mem.exe mi.com sys.com smartdrv.exe xmsdsk.exe killer.exe share.exe scandisk.exe scanreg.exe guest.exe doskey.exe duse.exe biosdtct.exe setver.exe intersvr.exe interlnk.exe loadlin.exe lfndos.exe doslfn.com

Windows Tools

SpaceMonger 1.4 keeping track of the free space on your computer WinDirStat 1.1.2.80 a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for Windows. Drive Temperature 1.0 Hard Disk Drive temperature meter Disk Speed1.0 Hard Disk Drive Speed Testing Tool MemTest 1.0 a Memory Testing Tool S&M Stress Test 1.9.1 cpu/hdd/memory benchmarking and information tool, including temperatures/fan speeds/voltages PageDfrg 2.32 System file Defragmenter For NT/2k/XP WhitSoft File Splitter 4.5a a Small File Split-Join Tool Ghost Image Explorer 11.0.1 to add/remove/extract files from Ghost image file DriveImage Explorer 5.0 to add/remove/extract files from Drive image file Drive SnapShot 1.38 creates an exact Disk Image of your system into a file while windows is running. Active Undelete 5.5 a tool to recover deleted files Restoration 2.5.14 a tool to recover deleted files GetDataBack for FAT 2.31 Data recovery software for FAT file systems GetDataBack for NTFS 2.31 Data recovery software for NTFS file systems Recuva 1.10.223 Restore deleted files from Hard Drive, Digital Camera Memory Card, usb mp3 player… Partition Find and Mount 2.3 Partition Find and Mount software is designed to find lost or deleted partitions Unstoppable Copier 3.12 Allows you to copy files from disks with problems such as bad sectors, scratches or that just give errors when reading data. HDD Scan 2.8 This is a Low-level HDD diagnostic tool, it scans surface find bad sectors etc. Express Burn 4.06 CD/DVD Burner Program to create and record CDs/DVDs, also create/burn .iso and .nrg images Data Shredder 1.0 A tool to Erase disk and files (also wipe free space) securely Startup Control Panel 2.8 a tool to edit startup programs NT Registry Optimizer 1.1j Registry Optimization for Windows NT/2000/2003/XP/Vista DefragNT 1.9 This tool presents the user with many options for disk defragmenting JkDefrag 3.34 Free disk defragment and optimize utility for Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista Startup Monitor 1.02 it notifies you when any program registers itself to run at system startup IB Process Manager 1.04 a little process manager for 9x/2k, shows dll info etc. Process Explorer 11.04 shows you information about which handles and DLLs processes have opened or loaded Pocket KillBox 2.0.0.978 can be used to get rid of files that stubbornly refuse to allow you to delete them Unlocker 1.8.5 This tool can delete file/folder when you get this message – Cannot delete file: Access is denied, The file is in use by another program etc. HijackThis 2.0.2 a general homepage hijackers detector and remover and more RootkitRevealer 1.7 Rootkit Revealer is an advanced patent-pending root kit detection utility. Silent Runners Revision 55 A free script that helps detect spyware, malware and adware in the startup process Autoruns 9.12 Displays All the entries from startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys, Explorer shell extensions,toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, Scheduled Tasks, Winsock, LSA Providers, Remove Drivers and much more which helps to remove nasty spyware/adware and viruses. Dial a Fix 0.60.0.24 Fix errors and problems with COM/ActiveX object errors and missing registry entries, Automatic Updates, SSL, HTTPS, and Cryptography service (signing/verification) issues, Reinstall internet explorer etc. comes with the policy scanner CurrPort 1.20 displays the list of all currently opened TCP and UDP ports on your computer Unknown Devices 1.2 (1602) helps you find what those unknown devices in Device Manager really are PCI 32 Sniffer 1.4 (1602) device information tool (similar to unknown devices) NewSID 4.10 utility that changes the security ID (SID) for Windows NT, 2000 and XP Double Driver 1.0 Driver Backup and Restore tool DriverBackup! 1.0.3 Another handy tool to backup drivers CPU-Z 1.44 It gathers information on some of the main devices of your system CWShredder 2.19 Popular CoolWebSearch Trojan Remover tool SmitFraudFix 2.289 This removes Some of the popular Desktop Hijack malware Winsock 2 Fix for 9x to fix corrupted Winsock2 information by poorly written Internet programs XP TCP/IP Repair 1.0 Repair your Windows XP Winsock and TCP/IP registry errors CCleaner 2.04.543 Crap Cleaner is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool EzPcFix 1.0.0.16 Helpful tool when trying to remove viruses, spyware, and malware Content Advisor Password Remover 1.0 It Removes Content Advisor Password from Internet Explorer WinKeyFinder 1.73 Allows you to View and Change Windows XP/2003 Product Keys, backup and restore activation related files, backup Microsoft Office 97, 2000 SP2, XP/2003 keys etc. ProduKey 1.20 Recovers lost the product key of your Windows/Office Wireless Key View 1.15 Recovers all wireless network keys (WEP/WPA) stored in your computer by WZC Monitor Tester 1.0 Allows you to test CRT/LCD/TFT screens for dead pixels and diffective screens Shell Extensions Manager (ShellExView) 1.19 An excellent tool to View and Manage all installed Context-menu/Shell extensions TweakUI 2.10 This PowerToy gives you access to system settings that are not exposed in the Windows Xp Xp-AntiSpy 3.96.7 it tweaks some Windows XP functions, and disables some unneeded Windows services quickly PC Wizard 2008 1.83 Powerful system information/benchmark utility designed especially for detection of hardware. Spybot – Search & Destroy 1.5.2 (1602) Application to scan for spyware, adware, hijackers and other malicious software. SpywareBlaster 3.5.1 (1602) Prevent the installation of spyware and other potentially unwanted software. Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06 (1602) find and remove spyware, adware, dialers etc. (a must have tool)

http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

Hide Window Hotkey 3.0

Hide Window Hotkey is a utility which allows you to hide windows application, and hide programs which are running on your screen. It will instantly hide or close all (or some) programs on your screen through Mouse Hotkey or Keyboard Hotkey in order to prevent uninvited persons from seeing them. It will serve you well at your work place or at home. By hiding windows you have the freedom to protect your privacy and hide sensitive information from praying eyes. For example, you hide some selected programs by pressing hotkey. At a later time you will be able to return all hidden windows back to the desktop and continue your work. And you also can close those hidden windows through another hotkey. You can also hide the current window through a hotkey.

    Automatically manages any window you specify. For instance, some web browsers open up in a non-maximized window. Using Hide Window Key, you can set those windows to automatically maximize (minimize, normal, minimize to tray, stay on top) every time they’re opened. It works with almost any program, including web browsers, Notepad, etc. Hide Window Hotkey stays running in the system tray, so it stays out of your way while it works.

It can also protect the hidden windows with a password. You can set other options too, such as muting all sounds during hiding, specifying hotkeys etc. Reorder and arrange the windows on taskbar based on your choice. Makes the desired window transparent. Transparency varies from 0% (opaque) to 100% (transparent): the larger is the value, the more transparent the window is. Show window property of application, such as window handle, class name, process id etc. Hide Window Hotkey also could hide taskbar and hide desktop icons.

Key Features:
• Hide any application window completely through Mouse Hotkey or Keyboard Hotkey.
• Arrange the windows on taskbar based on your choice.
• Quiet all sounds when hide program windows.
• Password protect hidden windows.
• Automatically maximize or minimize or normal all new windows you specify.
• Automatically minimize all new windows you specify to system tray.
• Minimize the current window to system tray.
• Show window property of application, such as window handle, class name, process id etc.
• Hide taskbar, hide desktop icons.
• Apply transparency effect from 0% (fully transparent) to 100% (solid) rate to any program in Windows 2000/XP/2003.
• Customizable hot keys.
• Automatically select newly created windows.

 http://www.elongsoft.com/hidewindow/hidewindow.htm

 

Peachtree Data Repair. Same-day turnaround, no minimum fee!

Peachtree Data Repair. Same-day turnaround, no minimum fee, 
guaranteed success.

The original, the best.

Don’t be fooled by inexperienced, copycat websites out there on the internet. PeachtreeUsers.com file repair 
services has successfully corrected thousands of sets of damaged accounting data, far more than anyone else.
(Read dozens of testimonials here…)

* Btrieve and I/O errors in jrnlhdr.dat, jrnlrow.dat, general.dat and other files
* Module 4 errors
* Unable to error
* Corrupted .dat files
* Failed integrity check
* Failure during version upgrade
* Many other errors

           Call free 1-800-999-9209 or click here to begin your Peachtree data recovery immediately.

Our techs use software written especially to recover and reconstruct Peachtree company 
data. Our 85% success rate is the best in the business. That is how we can make such a strong 
guarantee: if we can’t fix your data, there is no charge to you. You never have to pay someone to 
attempt to fix your problem, or worse, damage it further. 

       “A tech elsewhere told me my situation was hopeless. You literally solved my 
       problem within hours of receiving my data files. Thank you!”  — Tommy Turritt, TLC Ingredients

Industry-standard customer service.

Your accounting data is very important to you, and it is important to us too. That’s why our staff is ready
to speak with you live (call us free at 1-800-999-9209) and help you immediately. You don’t have to
be a technical whiz, either.

     “Other ‘tech support’ organizations could take a lesson in customer service from your staff!“
              — Vincent J. Fachini, Systems Doctor LLC

Secure services for your private accounting data.

Your books are private. So we set up a special secure upload account especially for you, and you login
through a secure connection over the internet. It’s like an online banking transaction. This is much more secure 
than FTPing or emailing your data around, like other services do. Total confidentiality. Worldwide service.

        Call free 1-800-999-9209 or click here to begin your Peachtree data recovery immediately.

Fast and flexible service options.

You can choose between two guaranteed services:  Same-Day, and Standard Service.

Same-Day Data Recovery:

	Turnaround in 12 hours guaranteed if data uploaded by 3:00 p.m. eastern. We often work into the night.
	$650 flat fee. No guesswork about what you will end up paying.
	Guaranteed success, or no charge

Standard Data Recovery:

	Turnaround in about 2 business days
	$450 flat fee. No guesswork about what you will end up paying.
	Guaranteed success, or no charge

“Thank you, thank you, thank you. You had the right price, right people on
the job, and a turnaround I can only describe as ‘awesome’. Our backups
failed, and when our server shut down unexpectedly, we lost all of this data.
I’d rather not need you guys in the future, but if I need anyone I will definitely
come back. Absolutely outstanding service.”  — Derek Spiewak, Datawave, Inc.

         Click here for more comments from our data recovery clients

         Call free 1-800-999-9209 or click here to begin your Peachtree data recovery immediately.

Source: http://peachtreeusers.com/datarepair.htm

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Data Checker Utility for Peachtree® — Free

 Data Checker Utility for Peachtree^® — FreeHere is a free utility you can run whenever you want to do a quick diagnostic check of your Peachtree company 
data files. It’s simple, safe, and quick.

It’s different from the built-in integrity check and reindex commands in Peachtree: Those Peachtree commands 
need a Peachtree expert on hand to make sure that your data isn’t harmed or altered in the process. But this Data 
Checker utility is safe to use because it doesn’t make any changes to your data. It simply tests the physical 
data structure of your files and reports if there is a problem.

Suggested use: Use the Data Checker before making a backup of your Peachtree company data. If your 
data passes the Data Checker’s tests and you haven’t received any errors when you use Peachtree, then 
it’s very likely that you are backing up good data. That’s an important thing to know about a backup. 

If the Data Checker finds problems, then at least you know about the problem and you can immediately 
either restore your last good backup, or get your data repaired.

Simply click the download link below and save the file to your desktop. After the download has
completed, open the downloaded file from your desktop and follow the simple installation
instructions. Then you can run the software and check a Peachtree company any time you like.

  Now also works with Peachtree 2007 and Quantum.

Download it here.

Source: http://www.peachtreeusers.com/.forums/showthread.php?t=5793

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