Feature of the Month: June 2005

(Versions 6, 7 and 8)

SURVIVING SYSTEM RECOVERY

As most of our clients are aware, every computer configured by BHD’s hardware dept has an image file of the C: drive stored on the Q: drive.  This image, along with System Recovery Disk attached to the side of each PC, can be used to restore Windows to it’s original condition in the event of a crash or un-cleanable virus infection.  (NOTE: the System Recovery Disk should NEVER be discarded or even removed from the PC!)  However, in restoring Windows, everything on the C: drive is replaced by the image file.  This can mean losing everything stored in My Documents or on the desktop, as well as email messages and addresses.  All of this can easily be avoided by following a few simple steps.  BHD-configured PC’s also have a D: or R: drive, which is not touched during the system recovery process.  Any files stored on this drive will survive the system recovery process.

My Documents:

By default this folder is located on the C: drive and will be lost when using the recovery disk.  To move it to the D: or R: drive, right-click on the My Documents folder (located on the desktop) and left-click on properties:  Click on the Move button.  In the Select a Destination window, click on the ‘+’ sign next to My Computer, then the ‘+’ sign next to the D: or R: drive (Use R: if it exists, if not use D:).  Highlight the drive and click on the Make New Folder button.  A New Folder icon will appear below the drive, waiting to be renamed.  Name the folder My Documents by typing over the words ‘New Folder’ and hit <Enter> to save the new folder name.  Click on the OK button in the Select a Destination window, then click on Apply in the My Documents Properties window.  A message will appear asking if you want to move all of your documents to the new location.  Click on Yes.  Once the move is complete, close the My Documents Properties window and you’re done. 

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**NOTE:  you should now store all of your documents, spreadsheets and other files in the My Documents folder, NOT the Desktop!  Any files saved on the Desktop will be overwritten during system recovery, and there is no way to change the location of the Desktop folder.

Email:

Moving an email address book and message storage location depends on the program you use for email.  While we highly recommend doing this, the procedure is a bit too involved for a Feature of the Month.  Please contact BHD Tech Support for assistance in moving your email to a safer location, and with any questions you may have regarding the My Documents process.