Internet Links
- Lynn Greiner's previous columns
- Nero BackItUp 2
- Acronis True Image Backup and Imaging Software
- Symantec Norton Ghost
- Description of Backup vs Image
- Compare the Editions of Windows XP
- Castlecops on the Browser Address Error Redirector
Ask the Expert is a column aimed at office workers and business people. Got a question about how a gadget or technology works, whether one technology is a better bet than another, or how to troubleshoot an annoying desktop or network problem? Ask the expert. Lynn Greiner is vice-president of technical services for Ipsos-NPD Canada Inc., and an award-winning technology journalist. She has more than 20 years' experience working in, and writing about IT and holds a business degree.
We have a mixed bag of questions this time.
First, Crawford asks: "On my "add/delete programs" list is a file called "Browser Address Error Redirector". It appears to be empty (ie: 0 kb). Can you tell me what this file is used for? I don't want to delete a necessary program file. I use Windows XP & Mozilla Firefox."
That file was installed (probably by your computer vendor) as a browser helper object to redirect Internet "Page Not Found" errors to a search site that provides related links. It will also "kindly" serve ads. According to the sites I've found that discuss it, it does not contain spyware, however.
Nevertheless, I'd remove it. The Add or Remove Programs item you mention should do the trick.
Next, Vernon wants to know: "What's the difference between Windows XP and Windows XP Pro?"
Windows XP actually comes in a number of editions. Just plain "Windows XP" could refer to any of them.
At the bottom of the heap, cost and functionality-wise, is Windows XP Home Edition. It's designed for home users, as its name indicates, so lacks a number of enterprise-friendly features. It does not support multiple processors, or remote management, and does not contain the encrypting file system. It does not support domain membership, which is usually required in enterprise environments.
It does support simple home networks, including wireless.
Basically, it's meant for use where the enterprise features are of no value. If they're of no value, why pay for them!
Windows XP Professional, on the other hand, includes all of the above features, and costs more. It's what I'd consider the mainstream version of XP.
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is XP Pro with the addition of features that allow the effective use of Tablet hardware, such as handwriting and speech recognition.
Windows XP Media Center Edition is loaded with features that turn the machine into Multimedia Central. It contains goodies like CD and DVD burning software, programs to control a TV tuner and remote control, access to an on-line entertainment guide and more. It is only sold with Media Center PCs.
Finally, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is XP Pro for 64-bit machines.
To wind up, Roy asks: "If I do a complete backup using Nero software, does it copy everything from the hard drive or are there sectors like the boot sector that are not copied? If it does copy everything, how do you recover from a crashed or virus infected drive? I would like to think that I could do an fdisk and format. I'm running Windows 2000 Pro."
Good for you! A lot of people don't think about backups until it's too late.
There are really two types of backup you can do: a full disk image, and file backups. If you want to recover from a crashed or otherwise destroyed (logically or physically) drive, you really need an image of the disk. An image is a special file containing everything that is on the disk — a "picture" of it, if you will: boot sector, file system, operating system, Registry, applications and data — the works. With an image, you can recover to a completely blank hard drive in a few minutes.
A backup, on the other hand, does not necessarily pick up the "plumbing", it just copies files. It doesn't always know what the file system is, for example.
Which should you use? Well, both, actually.
When your system is all set up, with your software and device drivers installed and everything configured to your satisfaction, that's the time to grab an image and stash it, against that time when, Heaven forbid, the drive should go toes-up. Then make backups of your data regularly.
If the drive fails, or the system becomes totally virus-infested, re-image it, which overwrites the whole mess, then restore your data files.
Obviously, whenever you make significant changes to the system (adding devices or software, for example), you'll need to grab another image, which will also contain any data to date.
Depending on the version of Nero software you're using, you may or may not be able to capture an image that will restore to a brand-new hard disk. Check the product specifications, or contact the vendor, for full details on its capabilities.
Two well-respected programs that can do images are Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image; check the links for specs. Both say they can also do backups.
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