On 16 Oct 2008, at 19:26, Ron Jones wrote: > Ann wrote: >> An update... >> >> Many thanks to those who offered advice with my PC freezing. >> Martin, I tried to run Housecall but something called DEP wouldn't >> let me :-( >> >> Adrian had mentioned that Active X might be the problem so I googled >> and ran a scan with RegCure. It found over 1400 problems! The free >> version wouldn't sort the problem so I lashed out and bought the >> clean up version and ran it. twice, just to make sure. >> My PC still freezes but only a few times day instead of every few >> minutes. I know that I still have problem lurking there and must do >> something about them but for the moment, I can live with things. >> >> >> Thanks again all those who offered advice either on here of >> privately. > > Rather late now... But my solution is rather different - but it needs > *advance* planning...
Oh well, if the ground rules allow *advance* planning.... > 1. Start with new PC or wiped hard drive > 2. Install windows > 3. Install all updates for hardware and windows. > 4. Activate Windows. > 5. Install Acronis True Image, allow it to make a small (20-30GB) > hidden > partition, and back up the entire C: drive to it as an image (A), > and also > to a bootable CD. > 6. Install all your favourite software > 7. Make another image (B) with Acronis to the hidden partition. > > If you ever get real problems, you can go back to image B or A in > about > 10-15 minutes Here's my solution then: 1. Start with an Intel Mac and a copy of Parallels 2. Install Windows and all updates in Parallels 3. Activate Windows 4. Use Parallels' Snapshot Manager to take a snapshot of the entire drive image 5. Install all your favourite software 6. Take another snapshot If you ever get real problems (with Windows that is :-), you can go back to any previous snapshot in the twinkling of an eye ;-) And of course you can run multiple different versions of Windows - all sandboxed - as well as Linux.... My even shorter solution is... 1. Start with a Mac. :o) -- Andy Greener n.b. Whisper Pangbourne, UK http://www.nb-whisper.com "Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid"
