DOS Boot Disk

Creating a DOS boot disk is very simple.  DOS can be booted from a floppy, CD, USB flash drive, or a hard drive.  I prefer a USB flash drive, since it is very convenient to carry and easy to use.  I use Windows 98 DOS, but free DOS and other variations will also work and can be found on many sites on the Interent.  There are only three files that make up DOS and they are command.com, msdos.sys, and io.sys (the last 2 files are normally hidden to prevent accidental deletion).

There are two ways to make a device DOS bootable.  You can reformat the device using the DOS format command along with the /s switch which will add DOS after format is complete or you can use the DOS SYS utility to transfer the files to a recently formated device.

To create a DOS bootable USB flash drive you will need a utility that can prepare a USB flash drive to receive the DOS boot files.  The HP USB flash drive prep utility is a great utility that can be found at many sites on the Interent.  It is free and easy to use.  I like to also include several DOS programs, such as, Norton Ghost and Partition Magic to help prep hard drives and recover and/or install images to partitions.  This can allow you to quickly recover from an infected system or corrupted hard drive.  There are also many other great DOS programs that will allow you to do any type of system maintenance or recovery that Windows can preform.

CD’s can also be made to boot DOS.  I like to use Nero which has a built-in feature for creating bootable CDs.  I also like to add my own autoexec and config files to prepare the system memory for loading programs and maintenance utilities.  You can also create self bootable and running CDs to preform automated tasks for maintenance or image restoring.  I use this function for preparing new hard drives or restoring failed hard drives.  I have also created boot disks to restore different operating system images for different classes that I might be teaching that would would different needs and requirements.

DOS boot disk devices and utilities are something every tech should have.  Some students are reluctant to learn DOS, but I like to remind them that Windows is the problem and DOS can be a good solution.

The Computer Repair Training website has additional information that you might find useful.

October 16th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | Category: DOS Boot Disk | Leave a comment

Computer Training

To stay up to date on the latest trends in the world of business, it seems that you must be up to date on the ways of technology.  For older individuals, you may not be comfortable with all of the new ways of communicating and operating a business.  Many people may be using social media around you, but you may feel clueless to this new phenomenon that is taking over advertising and promotions.

Fortunately, there are computer training programs that can teach you the basic skills that you will need to stay up to date on all of the latest technologies.  This will obviously mean that you will have to take some time to read and learn computer basics.  However, you should not be worried that it is above your level or too confusing to learn in a short period of time.  You can choose a program that will fit your lifestyle and method of learning.  You will also be able to consider the different programs that will best fit your level.  Since some people may know nothing about computers, and others may know quite a bit, you want to be sure that you choose the best training program to benefit you.

You can find a computer classes in your local area in a variety of different ways.  If you find yourself quite busy and being unable to attend a lecture or attend a certain class, you can always look for training courses online.  This means that you can learn the material anytime you would like within the convenience of your own home.  You never even have to drive to class to learn the different techniques.  It is a great way to update your computer skills, or learn computer basics to help you function better within the world of business and communication.

One thing that you should certainly consider when you take a computer training program is the cost and flexibility.  You want to be sure that the program is giving you exactly what you pay for.  This requires you to do a bit of research about the company or school that is offering the training program.  You will want to be sure that it is a company that has a history of benefitting people, and teaching individuals computer skills.  This is a perfect way to learn how to better connect with the younger generation, and can be a valuable skill when searching for a job.

The Computer Repair Training Plus website has additional information that you might find useful.

September 10th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Computer Training | Leave a comment

PC Data Recovery

Getting work done on your computer can be expensive.  A diagnosis can cost anywhere up to a few hundred dollars and that may not even be including the cost of the actual repair or parts that will be needed to get your computer running again.  One of the most difficult and common problems that computer users have is deleting files that they actually needed.  Although there are expensive options that involve sending your machine to a repair shop that may not even be in your state, there are other options that include PC data recovery software that can be downloaded from the Internet.

Since data recovery can be so expensive and may not even work it is important to take precautions and prevention that will make it difficult for you to delete files that you need.  One of the most basic options that you have is having a back up hard drive that you can use to back up the files on your computer.  There are many different programs that will automatically back up the contents of your machine to an external hard drive every time that it is plugged in.  This is a good option because even if you get rid of the files you will have a back up copy saved on the external drive.

The next thing you can do to prevent the need for a recovery program is checking your computer’s trash before you empty it.  If there are folders in the trash it makes a lot of sense to open them and see what the contents are so you don’t unknowingly delete something you need.  Another smart idea is to open files and other documents before pushing the delete key.  When you open the files you are ensuring that you know exactly what they are before you get rid of them.

Once the files are gone you will have to rely on recovery software if you don’t want to spend the money to send your machine out to a repair shop.  PC recovery software can be found by running a search on any online search engine.  You will want to make sure that the recovery program is legitimate and that there have been satisfied customers who have had success with the software.

PC data recovery software is a great way to get your data back once it is deleted.  Try your best to prevent the loss of the data but if it is already gone you may have to rely on a good recovery program.

The Computer Repair Training website has additional information you might find useful.

August 27th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: PC Data Recovery | Leave a comment
« Newer Entries  
  Older Entries »