Last week, I started having MAJOR computer problems.
I guess it was about time. I’ve got a Dell Inspiron 9200 laptop computer running Windows XP. The date this computer was shipped to me was February 28, 2005 — so it’s more than four years old, practically an eon in the world of computing.
To sum it all up, my computer slowed to a c-r-a-w-l. Programs started crashing repeatedly. Then the computer would completely lock up. It got so bad that “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” wasn’t even working. I had to do forced power downs, restart, and try again.
The strangest part of all was that I hadn’t installed any new programs, and I was running the same programs I’ve always run.
I took some intermediate steps to try to solve the problem. Uninstalled McAfee, XSitePro, and miscellaneous digital detritus.
Unfortunately, nothing worked. The problems remained.
So for a few days I worked on my wife’s computer, and transferred over any files I needed using my flash drive.
I bought my wife’s laptop less than a year ago for two reasons: 1) so she could have her own computer, and 2) so I would have a back-up in case something happened with my computer.
Since I run my entire business from my computer, not having a computer to work on is simply not an option.
I learned this a couple years ago when there was a recall on my computer. Turns out, there was a defect that caused vertical pin-stripe lines to appear on the screen. This had happened to my computer, so Dell offered to fix it.
The good part was I got a new screen out of the deal — for free. The bad part was I had to be without my laptop for nearly a week.
At that time, I still had my old Dell desktop computer, so it was my back-up. That’s when I realized how important it is to have some kind of back-up computer available when problems come up.
So now my rule is to always have two computers — plus a full back-up of all my files on an external hard drive. This has been my system for about two years now, and it’s served my well.
Ultimately, this past weekend I had to reformat the disk on my laptop and do a fresh install of Windows. It was a pain — not to mention time-consuming — but my computer is running way better now.
If there’s something I’ve learned from this experience, it’s that I need to have a better system for tracking software, both the .exe installation files, as well as the software keys. I didn’t realize how unprepared I was to reinstall software programs until now.
There are some pretty critical pieces of software I use that I simply don’t know how to reinstall without purchasing a new license. It’s not necessarily a bad thing — I’ll get all the most recent versions — but still something I need to be better about.
Key takeaways:
- Always back up your files on an external hard drive (or online data storage service).
- Keep a back-up computer handy in case of catastrophic computer failure.
- Develop a system for tracking software, licenses, and keys.
- Extra credit: Develop another system for tracking your user names and passwords — both for web sites and FTP accounts.
-Ryan M. Healy
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About Ryan M. Healy
Ryan Healy is a direct response copywriter. Since 2002, he has worked with scores of clients, including BoostCTR, Alex Mandossian, Terry Dean, and Pulte Homes. He writes a popular blog about copywriting, advertising, and business growth, has been featured in publications like Feed Front magazine, and is a regular contributor to WordStream.com, BoostCTR.com, and MarketingForSuccess.com.
I launched my freelance copywriting career on June 13, 2005. Much to my surprise, I landed three clients in the first two weeks. If you'd like to discover how I did it, then click here now » |
{ 26 comments }
Key Takeaway #5. Get a Mac
(You left the door wide open for us smart-azz Mac owners on this one)
Ben
Key Takeaway #5. Get a Mac
(You left the door wide open for us smart-azz Mac owners on this one)
Ben
Ditto!
Get a Mac….
Keith
Ditto!
Get a Mac….
Keith
Good post, Ryan.
That’s why I use Maxtor Minis One-Touch drives. They are self-powered (via USB) and can go up to 500 GB. I use Replicator from http://Karenware.com to replicate all my docs in the Maxtor external drive once a day, at night. And I also have a massive 1 TB external drive for backing up the entire computer each week.
Plus, I use http://LastPass.com for storing all my passwords and usernames, and it works cross-platform, plus it’s stored online (fully encrypted) so that I can use it on any other computer, without any problems.
Finally, I use Google Notebook (or Microsoft OneNote) to store software license keys in case I need to resinstall. I also have from KarenWare.com the Directory Printer to print my programs directory in case I lost everything and need to remember exactly what programs I had. I do this about once a month.
Good post, Ryan.
That’s why I use Maxtor Minis One-Touch drives. They are self-powered (via USB) and can go up to 500 GB. I use Replicator from http://Karenware.com to replicate all my docs in the Maxtor external drive once a day, at night. And I also have a massive 1 TB external drive for backing up the entire computer each week.
Plus, I use http://LastPass.com for storing all my passwords and usernames, and it works cross-platform, plus it’s stored online (fully encrypted) so that I can use it on any other computer, without any problems.
Finally, I use Google Notebook (or Microsoft OneNote) to store software license keys in case I need to resinstall. I also have from KarenWare.com the Directory Printer to print my programs directory in case I lost everything and need to remember exactly what programs I had. I do this about once a month.
I’m another Mac user, but rather than point out that you should be using one I’ll suggest that all four of your key takeaways still apply if you switch to Mac ;-)
Another thing I’d suggest, on either platform, is to make an image backup of your system, using something like Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost on Windows or Carbon Copy Cloner on the Mac.
If you make an image of your system right after reinstalling everything, you can restore it back to that “clean” state a lot faster than by reinstalling everything from scratch. If it’s a year or two down the road, the software is likely not going to be the most current versions but it lets you get back up and running a heck of a lot quicker.
If you activate all your software before you make the backup image, you can avoid having to find all the keys when you restore it.
I’m another Mac user, but rather than point out that you should be using one I’ll suggest that all four of your key takeaways still apply if you switch to Mac ;-)
Another thing I’d suggest, on either platform, is to make an image backup of your system, using something like Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost on Windows or Carbon Copy Cloner on the Mac.
If you make an image of your system right after reinstalling everything, you can restore it back to that “clean” state a lot faster than by reinstalling everything from scratch. If it’s a year or two down the road, the software is likely not going to be the most current versions but it lets you get back up and running a heck of a lot quicker.
If you activate all your software before you make the backup image, you can avoid having to find all the keys when you restore it.
@Ben & Keith – Nice one. That made me laugh. Getting a Mac *is* on my list of things to do. :-)
@Michel – Thanks for that info. VERY helpful. I’m going to check out both Karenware.com and LastPass.com for sure.
@John – I hadn’t thought of that before — making an image backup. Thanks for the advice.
Ryan
@Ben & Keith – Nice one. That made me laugh. Getting a Mac *is* on my list of things to do. :-)
@Michel – Thanks for that info. VERY helpful. I’m going to check out both Karenware.com and LastPass.com for sure.
@John – I hadn’t thought of that before — making an image backup. Thanks for the advice.
Ryan
Darn it. Ben & Keith beat me to it.
On another note, looks you you got yourself a new logo… representing the Colorado mountains?
Darn it. Ben & Keith beat me to it.
On another note, looks you you got yourself a new logo… representing the Colorado mountains?
My Dell laptop is from 2003 and still kicking thanks to the extended warranty I went with. They even came to me within a few days each time so I never had to send it in.
2 motherboards, 1 hard drive, 1 new screen, 1 replaced charger, and 2 batteries later, my old workhorse sits ready to go as my back up (and traveler) to my Mac. On its 5th birthday I even got it a present: maxed out RAM.
I still need to get around to picking up an external HD though.
My Dell laptop is from 2003 and still kicking thanks to the extended warranty I went with. They even came to me within a few days each time so I never had to send it in.
2 motherboards, 1 hard drive, 1 new screen, 1 replaced charger, and 2 batteries later, my old workhorse sits ready to go as my back up (and traveler) to my Mac. On its 5th birthday I even got it a present: maxed out RAM.
I still need to get around to picking up an external HD though.
@Colin – Yes, the new logo is an abstract of the mountains. On Twitter, Norm Lanier said it reminded him of upward movement, which I thought was another good interpretation. :-)
@Tim – Man, you really do have a workhorse! I hope I can keep my Dell working for another few years, even if I do get a Mac in the mean time.
Ryan
@Colin – Yes, the new logo is an abstract of the mountains. On Twitter, Norm Lanier said it reminded him of upward movement, which I thought was another good interpretation. :-)
@Tim – Man, you really do have a workhorse! I hope I can keep my Dell working for another few years, even if I do get a Mac in the mean time.
Ryan
2005? I bought this computer in 2003 (soon after I got married). I’m still using it. I did send it into the shop last December for a performance upgrade which cost about $150 and took about 48 hours. Though, that’s one of my qualms with laptops, you pay more for something slower.
Like you, my wife’s computer is the back up. I’ve had to use it a few times (had an electrical explosion one day — and a problem with the monitor another time).
I’d also seriously consider backing up to an OFF-SITE storage service. I use carbonite.com which is very reasonably priced with unlimited storage. Backups every file you save. Just in case you have a fire, asteroid or something. Plus, two backups are better than one, for sure.
I remember Bill Glazer saying the that “one” was the worst number in business. It goes for computer, goes for assistants, goes for almost everything. E.g., I’m just starting to have an assistant scan and back up all of my financial records. I realized I’m only one fire away from a really nasty audit.
2005? I bought this computer in 2003 (soon after I got married). I’m still using it. I did send it into the shop last December for a performance upgrade which cost about $150 and took about 48 hours. Though, that’s one of my qualms with laptops, you pay more for something slower.
Like you, my wife’s computer is the back up. I’ve had to use it a few times (had an electrical explosion one day — and a problem with the monitor another time).
I’d also seriously consider backing up to an OFF-SITE storage service. I use carbonite.com which is very reasonably priced with unlimited storage. Backups every file you save. Just in case you have a fire, asteroid or something. Plus, two backups are better than one, for sure.
I remember Bill Glazer saying the that “one” was the worst number in business. It goes for computer, goes for assistants, goes for almost everything. E.g., I’m just starting to have an assistant scan and back up all of my financial records. I realized I’m only one fire away from a really nasty audit.
I feel your pain. I have recently moved to a mac & can honestly say that it is worth it. It was a breeze because of the compatibility built inyo the mac programs
I feel your pain. I have recently moved to a mac & can honestly say that it is worth it. It was a breeze because of the compatibility built inyo the mac programs
@Redundant Ryan… great post. Having a backup plan is vital in any business. I think this is something a lot of people “believe” will never happen to them.
I use Carbonite and RoboForm, but I think I will be checking out LastPass.
I might also have to check out these mac things everyone always talks about. I guess I am just to set in my ways and love rebooting my computer and crossing my fingers all the time. Some day I am sure I’ll learn…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DHxMUi47FA
-Lance
@Redundant Ryan… great post. Having a backup plan is vital in any business. I think this is something a lot of people “believe” will never happen to them.
I use Carbonite and RoboForm, but I think I will be checking out LastPass.
I might also have to check out these mac things everyone always talks about. I guess I am just to set in my ways and love rebooting my computer and crossing my fingers all the time. Some day I am sure I’ll learn…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DHxMUi47FA
-Lance
Nice article!! I completely go for using online backup since I once lost all my files I saved on my external HDD.
For me SafeCopy (www.safecopybackup.com) is a perfect fit. I can backup USB drives, share files and backup both my Mac and PC with one account. It’s a different approach to online backup with one account for all your computers. I’m very happy with it and it may be worth checking out.
Nice article!! I completely go for using online backup since I once lost all my files I saved on my external HDD.
For me SafeCopy (www.safecopybackup.com) is a perfect fit. I can backup USB drives, share files and backup both my Mac and PC with one account. It’s a different approach to online backup with one account for all your computers. I’m very happy with it and it may be worth checking out.
@John – Computers are a lot like cars: you never know how reliable your specific car/computer will be, even if the particular brand you’re buying is known for reliability. Thanks for the suggestions.
@Tony – I’m still considering a Mac. It’s very tempting, even though I got my laptop working again.
@Lance – Wow! I was really impressed with your video. First time anybody has ever responded to one of my blog posts by VIDEO. Pretty cool. I linked to your video yesterday from my Twitter profile at http://www.FollowTheMonster.com
@Jane – Thanks for the recommendation.
@John – Computers are a lot like cars: you never know how reliable your specific car/computer will be, even if the particular brand you’re buying is known for reliability. Thanks for the suggestions.
@Tony – I’m still considering a Mac. It’s very tempting, even though I got my laptop working again.
@Lance – Wow! I was really impressed with your video. First time anybody has ever responded to one of my blog posts by VIDEO. Pretty cool. I linked to your video yesterday from my Twitter profile at http://www.FollowTheMonster.com
@Jane – Thanks for the recommendation.
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