Online hard drive backup.

[Rosmon]

My lap top has no sound and has to go in for repair. I have made a recovery disc so that's ok and I expect that it will need a new mother board and come back with Windows 7 re-installed. ???? I want to save my other settings though, eg, google chrome, dropbox, etc.

1. Could this be done with a cloud storage service?

2. If yes, then what would I be storing? If my computer is returned with Windows 7 re-installed then if I re-install from cloud storage would I be duplicating my OS on my hard drive?

3. And all other permutations of the above!

Rosmon.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

Firstly it is very unlikely that whoever does a repair will reinstall the operating system. If the hard drive is OK and the operating system and therefore all your data is OK as well, the hard drive will be fitted back in untouched.

That was the case when my laptop blew up in a cloud of smoke while fortunately still under warranty so it cost me nothing, but the entire motherboard was replaced.

Cloud storage, is another ball game however and unless an external hard drive is an impossibility, I would not recommend it unless for a very short term.

However, if using any external storage cloud or otherwise, you choose what to save in there and how it is saved, so if for example you wanted to be sure all photo's are kept, but don't want to bother with music, then that is exactly what you can do.

 

Personally I would recommend buying an external hard drive and putting everything on that, it is much safer as it cannot be hacked into or the server not available, as can happen with cloud storage, it isn't infallible.

 

If possible though I would be making enquiries with the repair service about the likelihood of not loosing all your data and that you do not want a reinstall of the operating system back to factory settings.

 

Also for future safety of your data, even if an external hard drive is not something you can afford now, then look to getting one as soon as you can. Then look into what is called mirror imaging, that does store everything, including the original operating system, and can return a computer back to what it was when the image was created.

 

Please do ask if you would like more information on any of the above.

 

Nev.

[Rosmon]

Online hard drive backup.

 

Just thought that the deal was 'Reply to Thread', 'Submit Reply', Log-in and it's done and posted. Take 2. Test.

[Rosmon]

Online backup cloud storage

 

Lost my typed reply for a second time:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:.

 

Thanks Nev. Great reply.

 

The briefest summary. I'm fed up with what I'm typing vanishing into the ether.

 

Good to know that it can be done with cloud as it will be the cheapest option.

 

Returning to factory ready before sending in for repair must be good practice. An engineer will have full access to everything on your computer. Wouldn't you be more worried about that than the risk of a hacker mistakenly thinking that your Google, Firefox settings and Dropbox or VPN are of some value.

 

For convenience it would be nice to re-install everything in one go and I'm not sure that that's worth 50€ for an external hard drive as my OS is backed up on disc.

 

The question is who and how for me now.

 

Thanks Rosmon.

[KenB]

Hi Rosmon

 

Lost my typed reply for a second time

This should not happen ( obviously :) )

When you are typing you should see a yellow "Auto Saved" box appear periodically in the bottom right of the reply box.

If you do lose the text then you should be able to "Restore Auto Save" text.

This may not restore all that you have written as it depends when the auto save kicks in.

 

An engineer will have full access to everything on your computer

This is correct.

This is why it is important to remove any personal information that you keep on your system before you return the machine.

Save it to CD then delete from the system.

 

We deal with problems like yours on a daily basis and Nev is really good with sound problems.

 

If you wish we could have a go at advising you on what to try - it may be something simple and save you worrying about returning the machine.

 

Out of interest:

 

Start .....type in.....devmgmt.msc .....ENTER

What is listed against "Sound Video Game Controllers" ?

 

Are there any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs?

[Rosmon]

Online hard drive backup.

 

Hi KenB,

 

I've done the software check and everything is apparently functioning, i.e., no red crosses or yellow exclamation marks.

 

I went through an online system check under the guidance of the companies help desk, which didn't manage to fix the problem. As a temporary solution I ordered an external audio card that didn't work either.

 

A disc sounds OK because I have a few spare discs lying around, or discs that I can wipe if I can find out how. (one for Computers - For Dummies)

 

My hard discs currently have 47.8 GBs of memory being used. This, of course, is everything, so I need to know how much will return with the computer, how much is already saved on my backup discs (that I imagine comes back as this is my factory ready OS), leaving what kind of storage I'll Need. I know it's possible if I get the calculator out and scroll through the programs but my approach is to try and do this in a much smarter way.

 

Rosmon

[KenB]

Do you want to go a bit further to try to resolve your problem yourself ?

 

1. Is there a speaker icon showing bottom right of screen ?

If so ....... click on this and see if the volume slider is set at max.

Also there will be a square at the bottom - this is used to mute the sound. If it is muted it will show a small red circle.

 

2. Go back to devmgmt.msc ( you will need internet access )

Click the + next to Sound Video .....

Right click on the Sound Device that is showing > Update Driver Software

Use the Auto option

 

Let us know the make and model number of your laptop.

[Rosmon]

Hard drive backup (sound problem)

 

Hi KenB,

 

ASUS K53E.

 

Thanks, I have checked the sound icon.

 

I went through what you suggested though I'm sure I've already done this. Device Manager - Sound, video and game controllers - Realtek High Definition Audio - (right clk) Update driver software. I went to auto and it scanned the network to discover that " Windows has detemined that the driver software installed is up to date."

 

Next step, that I haven't done yet is a hardware scan.

 

5 mins later; That did absolutely nothing.

 

Rosmon

Edited September 1, 2012 by Rosmon

[KenB]

Hi Rosmon

 

Try installing the drivers from here: [ you obviously need the audio one ]

http://support.asus.com/Download.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=K53E&p=3&s=252

 

You need to know if you have a 32 bit or 64 bit system.

(actually I think the drivers are the same :) )

 

Have you tried ear-phones to see if you get sound ?

[Rosmon]

Thanks, But I did that with the help desk. It didn't work.

 

I think I'm back to the original question of finding the best to way to backup my file and sending my computer in for repair. I don't know how to select specific programs to save. I only seem to have the option of uninstalling a program from 'control panel' 'programs'.

 

Rosmon

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, can you confirm you have tried other speakers or headset plugged into the sound port as Ken asked Please.

 

Otherwise it looks like all software options have been covered and is maybe a blown chip. That will possibly mean a replacement motherboard unless your lucky and it is just a loose internal connection.

Being a laptop, they are difficult to work on and is best looked at by a technician who has experience in this case.

 

Unfortunately, installed programs cannot be backed up by the methods at your disposal, the only way is by creating a full mirror image of the entire system, which does mean a large storage device such as an external hard drive.

 

If you have an external hard drive, can borrow one , or willing to buy one, (Needs to be bigger than your original drive in the computer) we can help in creating such an image, not too difficult to do once you understand the software that does it.

 

Once an image has been created and is on the external drive, it doesn't matter what is then on the internal hard drive, because re installing that image automatically reformats the internal drive first.

 

However, be aware that if the sound fault is not a hardware issue after all, the fault will still be in that image.

 

Nev.

[Rosmon]

Online backup.

 

Hi Plastic Nev

 

Yes, I've checked with headphones and speakers. I have also tried the solution of using an external sound card and have noticed an anomaly: that is when I plug in or unplug the headphones there is no sound, but when I plug in or unplug the sound card wearing the headphones, I hear that connection blip!:confused:

 

The external hard drive is looking more attractive now or simply download everything again and create a folder in my downloads for the programs that want backed up that I can save.

 

Rosmon

[KenB]

Hi Rosmon

 

Just to clarify:

 

When your laptop goes away to be fixed there are a few things that could happen.

 

1. It is a software problem and this will not result in any changes to your system

 

2. It is a connection problem and - if this is a simple re-solder job then again there will be no changes to your system.

 

3. It is a blown chip. If this is the case then the repairers can replace the chip. Again, no changes to your system.

 

4. It could be a Windows Operating System problem and the repairers may decide to re-install Windows. If this is the case - all installed software will be lost and anything else stored on the same drive partition. Sometimes a hard drive is divided to give separate storage space. If this is the case then only the partition where Windows is installed will be affected.

 

5. The motherboard ( main circuit board ) is replaced. This is rather drastic to solve a sound issue but if it is the case then the repairers will need to re-install the operating system. ( unless they replace with exactly the same motherboard ) This will result in everything on the hard drive being lost. It is not possible to backup installed software like MS Office etc but you should make a copy of files / photos etc that you cannot afford to lose. As Nev suggested earlier, an external drive is relatively inexpensive and gives you peace of mind.

 

I hope this helps :)

[Rosmon]

Online hard drive backup

 

Hi Ken,

 

That was a great: You covered a lot of what I was wondering about without me having to ask. :)

 

Am I on the right track to start with if I download Paragon or DriveImageXML. Though with these can I choose either an external hard drive or cloud to store my clone?

 

If I download either of above, is the next phase to save the download to a disc?

 

If I knock my computer down to factory ready before I send it in, will this secure my files: some people don't think it's necessary; they suggest that an engineer won't even bother to look at them - I'm not sure myself, and I'm not sure if it's worth taking the risk, I believe that there's some kind of trace on your computer of past actions that can be restored.:confused::confused: Would typed in passwords be retrievable by some method as well as saved passwords:confused:

 

When my computer is returned, what are my next options?

 

Again it appears that system recovery software can be stored on separate discs for different system failures?

 

If I have chosen cloud storage, the first step would be to reconnect to the internet, so would this be done by the recovery disc or is this an independent action?

 

I think I've asked for quite a lot of info. here: I'm just worried that it won't be so easy to find out further info. without a computer or internet connection.:(

 

Rosmon

[KenB]

Hi Rosmon

 

You are right to be concerned about sending your system away - but returning it to factory settings is a bit extreme in my opinion.

 

I have already stated that if you have files / family photos etc that you would not want anybody looking at then these need to be copied to a disk or external drive or Cloud.

(copies to 2 different places would be better)

 

You talk about cloning your hard drive.

This is good practice but if it is necessary to replace your motherboard then a cloned image of your old drive will be no use to you as the main system hardware will have changed. If you did manage to re-install the image onto a new hard drive it still wouldn't boot up.

 

Cloud is not a suitable location for a cloned image of your hard drive as your system needs access to the image to install it.

You do not have internet access at this stage.

 

I believe that there's some kind of trace on your computer of past actions

There is no way that passwords to banking accounts can be traced by somebody repairing your computer.

There is "Keylogger" software ( often malware ) that does do this but it needs to on your system first.

 

Saved passwords ( stored by Windows ) could be accessible using software.

 

Where do you go from here:

 

I suggest you take reasonable precautions but it is not necessary to go over the top.

 

1. Decide if you are going to use a DVD or external hard drive.

I prefer an external hard drive. Having a backup of your important files / data makes sense.

 

2. Create a folder for "Word Files" ..........."Photos" ..........."Other" ...........etc. on the desktop of your machine.

 

3. Move all important data into the relevant folders.

 

4. Copy the folders to the external drive / DVD ( remember copies to 2 different places is better )

 

5. Check that you can open the files / photos that are now stored on the external drive / DVD.

 

6. Delete the folders from the desktop.

 

7. Delete the files etc from the computer hard drive.

 

8. Just to be sure .......... Start ....type in

.doc

.docx

.jpg

.xls

.xlsx

This will search for Word / photos / Database documents for you to check if they are ok to leave.

( assuming you have MS Office on your system )

 

You could then do the following:

 

9. Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Delete

Select "Cookies" ......"History" ........"Temp Files"

Delete

 

This will clear your website browsing history and remove the legitimate software that they use to speed up the browsing when you re-visit the sites.

It will also clear the auto-login to sites like this ( e-bay too )

 

10. Make absolutely sure that - if you use internet banking - that you have removed any reference to your bank and login details.

 

These guys are repairing computers all day - every day.

If people were getting their banks hacked or personal details put over the web there would be complaints and investigations.

You need to be vigilant but it is not necessary to completely wipe your hard drive prior to a repair :)

[Rosmon]

Online hard drive backup.

 

Thanks Ken B.

 

I'm sure that you're right about it not being necessary to wipe all my settings. My most important files are already backed up and I appreciate the the info. about deleting my internet history. :)

 

Thanks again to freepchelp for the support forum. I'll be offline from tomorrow for the next week or so as It's time to send my computer in for repair.:(

 

Rosmon.

[KenB]

Good luck with the repair.

 

Let us know how you get on :)