Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
September 6, 2009
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 5, Number 13 — Sunday, September 6, 2009
IN THIS ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. Acronis Scheduled Backup Problems
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
3. Upgrading to New Antivirus & Antispyware Software
4. Computer Shuts Down By Itself
5. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
6. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
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1. Acronis Scheduled Backup Problems
Reader and friend Jack Carmena has been having a problem with getting scheduled backups to run with Acronis True Image...
First, he wrote:
My Acronis back up has missed the last two scheduled backups and I can't figure out why.
My first suggestion was that he delete the scheduled task and set it up again. Sometimes, that's enough to solve the problem — especially when the scheduled backups have been working in the past.
Unfortunately, he wrote back:
I did what you said and cancelled the existing save job and initiated another one for 11:40 p.m. last night.
It did not work.
At that point, I stopped by and took a look. We deleted the task, set it up again and scheduled it to run a couple minutes later. The backup ran just as expected.
Problem solved, we thought...
Then came the bad news:
My auto backup failed to execute or run a week after you left when it was scheduled.
When I clicked on the event, it said: "Last result: logon failure,user account restriction. Possible reasons are blank passwords are not allowed, logon hour restrictions,or a p.......(I can't see the rest of it)."
Any suggestions other than trying again?
I wrote back to Jack to suggest that he check his UserName on Acronis True Image''s Sheduling tab. In my case Dragon is the computer name and tas is my userID. You can confirm your user name by clicking on the Windows XP start button — it's shown at the top of the Start menu. I use a password, but don't fill one in — Acronis recognizes that it's running as the same user as the one that's logged in, so it proceeds.
I also did a Google search and found that someone had solved the problem by uninstalling and reinstalling Acronis True Image, so I suggested that Jack try that.
Jack also downloaded an update to the Acronis Scheduler, which didn't solve the problem.
His next step was a "live chat" with Acronis' tech support and downloaded a new release of True Image Home 2009.
After installing it, he set up a new backup task to run an hour later — which it did. Again, the problem seemed to be solved.
But, the problems came back, and the scheduled backups didn't work.
I hope I've come up with the solution. Remember, the scheduled backup works when he sets it up for a test shortly after creating the scheduled task. The ones failing are the later executions of those tasks.
I asked Jack if he had changed any of his power settings to get his computer to shutdown or go to sleep when it's been inactive.
Acronis won't wake up if the computer is asleep — or at least I don't think it will. (Some computers are designed to run maintain the scheduler even through they're asleep, and wake up to run scheduled tasks.)
You can check your Power settings via:
- right-click on a blank part of the desktop
- select Properties from the right-click "context" menu
- click the Screen Saver tab
- Click the Power... button at the bottom right. That section says "Monitor power" but don't believe it
- the Power Options Properties dialog box should open to the Power Schemes tab.
- Check your settings on System standby and System hibernates - it either has the Plugged In setting set to anything other than "Never," that can be the source of your problem.
The system may be asleep or hibernated when Acronis would have run the backup — but, since it's hibernated or asleep, Acronis isn't running (and neither is the Windows scheduler) so the backup doesn't take place.
Unfortunately, Jack responded today that Both "SYSTEM STANDBY" and "SYSTEM HIBERNATES" were set on "NEVER."
2. The Lighter Side of Technology
This week's technology cartoon at Terry's Computer Tips!
3. Upgrading to New Antivirus & Antispyware Software
Subscriber John Meyer wrote recently to ask for help converting to different antivirus and antispyware software. He had reasonable concerns about uninstalling his AV & AS while still connected to the Internet...
I am a subscriber to your weekly e-mail and am interedted in taking your advise and using Sunbelt's VIPRE Antivirus & Antispyware. I currently have AVG FREE 8.5 and Ad-Aware Free (Anniversiary Edition) on my computer and I, per some previous experiences, AM CONCERNED ABOUT DELETING THE ABOVE COMPLETELY FROM MY COMPUTER SO AS TO BE ABLE TO CORRECTLY INSTALL THE VIPRE SOFTWARE.
What gudiance or help can you provide to assit my in properly deleting what is currently on my computer?
Thanks, John Meyer
I wrote back to John to note that he was using the cable Internet service provider cox.net. Hopefully, he's using a router, even if he only has one computer.
The router acts as a hardware firewall for you — this really helps since some of the past Windows security problems have been so large that the computer could be successfully attacked without even triggering a software firewall. With a router, your computer gets a local area network address instead of an address on the Internet. The router gets the Internet address. Result: replies can get to your computer through the router, but people on the Internet side can not initiate connections to your computer.
Anyway, since I'm behind my router, I don't think anything about uninstalling antivirus in order to install new antivirus - and that's a necessary step no matter which AV's you're switching between.
If you don't have a router, just unplug your computer from the cable modem while you do the upgrade.
With VIPRE, you can download the VIPRE software and you can also download the current AV+antispyware definitions file (otherwise VIPRE installs and then gets updates as its first task).
Once you install VIPRE, you can have VIPRE update itself from the new definitions file you downloaded. That way, you can get totally current before you hook up again to the cable modem (or router, if you have a router and want to disconnect).
Steps:
- download VIPRe
- download the current VIPRE definitions file
- disconnect from the cable modem (if you're on a home network, disconnect your computer from the network)
- uninstall your current antispyware
- uninstall your currrent antivirus
- REBOOT
- install VIPRE
- reboot (it will force this)
- install new VIPRE definitions — open VIPRE, then File > Settings > Update Tab > in the Update Now section (top of window) click Browse button, and select the definitions file you downloaded
- reboot if it forces you to (I don't think it will)
- connect your computer to your network/router/cable modem
4. Computer Shuts Down By Itself
Subscriber Helen Provencal wrote to ask:
How come my cp keeps on shutting down when I am doing my tasks or e-mail. Would you know if you do pleases let me know how to fix it ok thanks helen1
I wrote back to Helen to first ask for some more information.
"cp" ? ? ? is that "computer"?
What kind of computer?
which operating system - XP Home, XP Pro, Vista?
What symptoms - just running and then blue-screens, or it starts an "orderly shutdown" as if you clicked the Shutdown button?
I need more on what's happening and what might be triggering it.I also wrote that it might just be a dirt problem.
It sounds like she needs to get a can of compressed air, take the computer outside, open it, and blow out the CPU's heat sink. The heat sink acts like a dirt magnet, with a fan to help pack the dirt...
When the CPU gets too hot, the computer stops.
I also referred her to my article Spring Cleaning — Don't Forget Your Computer about the need to do periodic cleaning inside the computer.
Helen wrote back to say:
Ok I will try that thanks
5. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
I review my security software recommendations and update them for each weekly newsletter issue, if I think they need to change.
My Philosophy: Many people want to pick their most economical solution and prefer an all-in-one anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall solution. In concept, that's a great idea. In actual practice, I don' think that this type of package is likely to be the best in all the protection categories you need.
Other people want to pick the best of each type program. I'm one of the these folks.
My choice of software that I am willing to recommend is driven by my search for software for me to use. I only recommend programs that I like and that I use. I will sometimes suggest alternatives to my recommendations, but I clearly note if I no longer use them.
Anti-Virus
I'm often asked about several other popular anti-virus or anti-virus combination packages. Yes, I realize that they are not in my recommendation list. "Enough said..."
From 2003 through mid-2008, my personal choice was ESET's small, fast NOD32 anti-virus program, which offers a FREE 30-day evaluation license. I still consider NOD32 to be one of the best in anti-virus protection — and it continues to get recognition and awards. Unlike some of its competitors, ESET offers multiple-year licenses also, and includes program updates in the multiple-year license.
However, I've changed from my long-time choices NOD32 (antivirus) and Sunbelt's CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks. Sunbelt Software offers multi-year licenses and home site licenses on its software, both of which include program updates as well as signature updates.
I'm often asked for alternatives to the programs that I recommend, especially by people who want to buy one package (a "suite") to do everything.
As a result, I tried a couple security suites in the last few months to pick a suite to recommend. ESET Smart Security 4 is my recommended suite alternative. Smart Security 4 has gotten great ratings and includes antivirus and antispyware, both from their current NOD32 v4 version, and antispam and firewall. I no longer use it and have returned to Sunbelt's VIPRE, but for a suite choice, that's what I would use.
Tech Tip
Many antivirus programs will offer you an anti-virus signature subscription renewal when your subscription renews. I strongly recommend against this option — buy the full program or make sure you get program updates with the subscription renewal. Both NOD32 and VIPRE purchases include both program updates/upgrades AND antivirus signature updates.
Vendors routinely improve the capabilities and speed of the programs, too. If you update only the signatures, you miss any program improvements.Related articles:
- VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware Review
- A Look at ESET Smart Security 4
- Anti-Virus Programs and Online Scanners
- Free Online Antivirus Scan
- NOD32 Anti-Virus Review - A Look at NOD32
Firewall Software
While the Windows XP firewall is much better than no firewall at all, don't count on the Windows XP firewall to meet your needs.
You need a two-way firewall, which the Windows XP firewall is not!. Microsoft woke up and supplied a two-way firewall with Windows Vista.
The Windows XP firewall does not control outbound communications originating from your computer — and you should want to have control if adware/trojans/spyware or even commercial products want to talk to the Internet. Whether they are calling home or spewing spam, you want to be able to control your computer.
Do you want Windows Media Player to call home every time you play something? It does! Do you use the Search function in Windows Explorer to find things on your hard drive? Did you know that every time you search, Windows Explorer talks to Microsoft?
I didn't know that when I ran ZoneAlarm, but the Sunbelt Personal Firewall flags that to me, and I can stop it or allow it to happen. Many other programs try to call home when you run them, too.
I recommend my choice for a firewall program, which is Sunbelt Personal Firewall.
You can try the full-featured "paid version" of Sunbelt Personal Firewall free for 30 days — after that, you can register it or, if you're using it on a home non-business computer, you can let it revert to the free, lesser-function license.
Tip: Be sure to read my review of SPF for the settings I recommend.Sunbelt Personal Firewall is regularly $19.95 (with discounts for multiple computers and/or multiple years!) for a non-expiring license for the program and includes one year of their updates subscription.
Related articles:
Anti-Spyware / Anti-Adware Software
CounterSpy, from Sunbelt Software, has received many kudos from the computer press for its always-running and periodic full system scans. It has been my personal choice for my PC's and my family's PC's.
Sunbelt's CounterSpy v2.5, both improved CounterSpy's performance against malware and reduced its impact on system resources and responsiveness when its scanning.
Sunbelt continues to release updated program versions — the current version is v3.1 — and there's an even newer version about to be released. Nicely, Sunbelt do NOT install the updated programs automatically. You have to use the Update process in the program, which means that you'll know that something significant has changed.
Now, I've changed from my long-time programs NOD32 (antivirus) and CounterSpy (antispyware) to Sunbelt's new VIPRE Antivirus + Antispyware.
I've found that VIPRE puts even less load on my computer than the speedy combination of NOD32 and CounterSpy. My computer seems to have much more pep and power than it had previously. I've also been impressed with the way its "deep scan" has found and eliminated risks that were stored in zip files, which is one of the latest malware email tricks.
Related articles:
Anti-spam Software
In today's Internet world, the question is not "if" you will get spam, but "how much will you get?"
I use and recommend POPFile as my first choice for handling spam. POPFile sits on your computer, between your email program and your ISP mailbox, and handles emial as it downloads.
POPFile uses a different approach to handle spam than some other programs do — it does nothing to reduce spam. It is designed as an email classification tool — you train it to recognize spam and any other type of email that you want to classify. These classifications can help you sort your emails into appropriate folders in your email program.
Sunbelt Software, who makes the anti-spyware program CounterSpy (which I use and recommend) and the firewall that I use and recommend (Sunbelt Personal Firewall) also has a well-regarded, award-winning anti-spam program called iHateSpam for Outlook and Outlook Express. Since I don't use Outlook or Outlook Express for email, I haven't tried iHateSpam.
Mailwasher Pro would be my first choice to handle spam before it ever gets into your computer's Inbox. Mailwasher Pro uses on-line Realtime Black Lists mail servers sending spam recently, "training" by you of what you think is spam, and your own "friends" and "blacklist" lists. Note: I found that PopFile generally meets my needs and stopped using Mailwasher Pro, even though PopFile works AFTER the emails have been downloaded. If I used a dialup connection, I would be more interested in Mailwasher Pro.
Mailwasher Pro can even bounce spam messages, as if your email address was not valid, although the usefulness and appropriateness of this is questionable. There is a free version called "Mailwasher," but it omits the functions that I consider critical for this purpose -- such as safely previewing the emails safely before they ever get to your email inbox.
Related articles:
Cable/DSL Router
If you have a cable modem or a DSL modem, you need to have another layer of inexpensive protection between you and the Internet. A cable/DSL router isolates your computer from direct connection to the Internet. Your computer can easily request your email, web pages, etc. through the router. The responses come back to the router and are smoothly routed to your computer. But, someone on the Internet side of the router can not initiate a connection to your computer — they can only respond to your request.
Even if you only have one computer to connect to your cable or DSL modem, I recommend that you purchase and use a cable/DSL router because of the protection it can give you against attempts to attack through some flaws in Windows itself.
A router isolates your local network, whether it is only one computer or several, from the Internet by actually making it a separate network. The router gets the "public" IP address and handles all your outbound communications and the responses to them. But, it blocks computers on the Internet side from being able to initiate communications with your computer! This will prevent you from falling prey to many worms that try to attack security holes in Windows itself.
For a wireless router, I still recommend the Linksys WRT54G
wireless router. When the "n" specifications become final, I'll recommend an "n" router. Even though the specs have been through so many drafts, I still remember the fiasco of the dialup modems built on the draft specifications — and then the final specs were not quite compatible...
If you don't want wireless, I recommend the Linksys BEFSR41
Tech Tip
By the way, if you get tempted by the new "802.11n" routers, please pay close attention. So far, the 802.11n specification has not been approved and finalized. IEEE is currently working on Draft 9 of the standard. The final standard is expected to be approved in January 2010.
If you buy one, you may be locked into a specific vendor's implementation of a draft of a standard that never got approved. I recommend choosing 802.11g for now, or recognizing and accepting that you're purchasing a model based on a work-in-progress, and that your router and computer's wireless card may not meet the final standard.See these related articles:
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Volume 5, Number 13 — Sunday, September 6, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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