Reader Jerry wrote about a problem he was having when he tried to make a backup image using Acronis True Image…
Terry I want to make a hard drive image for a backup so that when I have to reinstall my windows and programs all I have to do is copy the [...]

Long-time subscriber Irving wrote to ask:
I have XP SP2. I downloaded a zip file to my desktop. I then clicked the icon and ran into a problem. The screen started to “blink” and I couldn’t do anything. CTR-ALT-DEL couldn’t do anything. I had to shut down with power switch. Tried again…..same problem. This has also [...]

Reader Jeanne Wright wrote me about her recent hard drive failure:
My computer just crashed and I had to have a new hard drive installed. Is there any way to get the information on my files and folders from the old hard drive? If so, where can I find someone to do [...]

As a long-time personal computer user, I learned the importance of backing up my data long, long ago.

There are just too many things that can go wrong when you’re working on your computer. Whether it is a hard drive that goes bad (or a floppy, in the old days), or a mental lapse on [...]

Reader Ian Holland wrote after reading one of my Special Edition Newsletters, which sometimes go to email subscribers:
Hi Terry,
Just read your VERY absorbing newsletter, I have a ( moronic??) question about those SATA hard drives.
I recently ( 2006) built 5 pcs for the [...]

In order to use a hard drive with an existing Windows XP system, you have to prepare the hard drive before Windows XP can use it.
The good news is that you can do this in Windows XP while WinXP is running, and even while you are doing something else.
To do this, you want the Disk [...]