Thread: Automatic switch on Window system

Automatic switch-on

After following the instructions laid out in the previous two steps, you now have a Windows system that runs perfectly well, thanks to sound hard disk partitioning and junk data removal. But there's still one problem-creating backups remains a nerve-wracking and boring process. Here, we tell you how to automate this entire process using Drive Backup, so you can be spared from this torture in the future. Installing a checkup lJtility is also practical, since it continuously monitors the hard disk and sounds an alarm as soon as there is a threat of a system crash.

AUTOMATIC BACKUP

Start Drive Backup and select 'Schedule Backup' under the 'Backup!Restore Tasks' on the left panel. In the wizard's first step, select the 'Master Boot Record' of the 'Base hard disk 0' and the Windows partition drive and check'the option 'Change baCkup settings' before pressing 'Next'. Specify the data partition drive as the target location. If it is located on the same disk as that of the Windows operating system, then select a different partition as the target partition, maybe even an external hard drive. Otherwise, not only will you lose the operating system but also the backup file in the event of a disk crash. Next, specify how and when you would want the backup process to run, for instance on the fifth day of every month. If you don't want to be disturbed when working, specify a time around bedtime. This will, however, give rise to power costs as the PC has to run all night long.

If you want to take a back-up during the day, make sure that the 'Hot Processing' option is activated. This facilitates taking a backup in the background while you work on the PC. If 'Hot Processing' is not activated, you may access the advanced backup settings from the main application window before taking a backup for the first time, accessible via 'Tools Settings Hot Processing options Enable Hot Processing I Always Use Hot Processing'.

NOTE



If you want to use another tool instead of Drive Backup, you can use the backup utility Z-Cron Scheduler, available on this month's CHIP DVD. While the installation
process is in the German language, the program's user ,interface is in English. It is to be used in conjunction with Z-Cron Data Backup, but can also be used to start and stop other programs installed on your PC. To schedule a run, either input the desired program's name in the 'Parameters' field on the 'Z-Cron Task' tab by pressing 'Tools' or enter the batchfile name.

MONITORING HARD DISKS

Now we will set up a continuous security system for the PC. Install HDDHealth from this month's CHIP DVD or download the installation file. On opening the program, the status of the hard disk is displayed immediately under the bar graph 'Health'. If the percentage value is a hundred percent, your system is perfectly healthy. The present operating temperature of the hard disk is also visible. Most PC manufacturers suggest 40 to 50 degrees Celsius as the optimal temperature value. If the temperature is higher, check the ventilation of the PC. Other values monitored by the tool can be viewed by going to 'Drive SMART Attributes'. The details displayed here depend on the manufacturer of the hard disk. In the best case scenario, all the values displayed will be lower than the 'Threshold' value. If the value is larger than this 'Threshold' then your PC is at risk, and HDDHealth will sound an alarm. The values under 'Worst' indicate the maximum possible load of the hard disk. It must be noted that the service life of the disk decreases rapidly if this value is frequently exceeded.

To deactivate the automatic mechanism go to 'File Options' in the main application window and uncheck the option 'Open HOD Health window at startup' in the dialog box. Select 'Show popup message' under 'Notification methods'. It is a good idea to switch off the sound since we do not want to be distracted as this feature can be highly annoying. With this, the alarm system for the hard disk is now activated. If hardware break down is in store, back-up your data immediately, get yourself a new data carrier and partition it as described.