Disk Image Backup and Computer Upgrades

Things to know about maintaining a Windows PC
Index

Introduction

   The topics of backup and computer upgrades are both far-ranging and difficult to cover in a concise way. However, developments in the way that software is produced and sold have increasingly made these two topics related. This webpage attempts to provide an informative overview of what you should know, and what your options are, in regard to keeping your computer running with the software that you like to use.

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What is Disk Image Backup - Why is it Better?

   When most people think of backup they think of copying their pictures, music and personal files onto floppies or CDs. A disk image backup works differently. It creates a mirror-image copy of the drive or partition that holds Windows (usually C drive). This is not a copy of just the files on the drive but rather a copy of the whole drive itself, including the boot sector. The backup can be stored on CD and/or on another partition. When Windows becomes corrupted the entire configuration can be restored quickly without needing to reinstall programs, drivers, etc. In other words, you can delete "C" drive and replace it with a backup of "C" drive.

   Under normal circumstances, a re-install of Windows can take a full day or more. You not only need your Windows CD but you also need the installation CDs for all of your hardware and software, copies of all patches you've installed, copies of your internet connection settings, etc.
   If you've made a disk image backup then none of that is necessary. Windows can be easily re-installed with everything already configured, just as it was. If you then, also, keep separate backups of personal files, what used to be a disaster of lost work and time becomes a minor inconvenience.

(Note: The information on this page is presented for Win9x: 95/98/ME. The details will be similar but slightly different for WinNT: NT4/2000/XP).

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Partitioning for Better Backup and Multibooting

   The hard disk (sometimes called the hard drive) is the hardware component where data is stored. It's "where" your files are. On most computers there is an A drive, which is the floppy drive. There's also a C drive, which is Windows. And there's a D drive, which is the CD. In other words, a drive is anything that Windows sees as an independent storage area. The hard disk is usually C drive, but through the use of partitioning software, the hard disk itself can be divided up into multiple "partitions" and those partitions will be seen by Windows as separate drives. The designers of Windows had a provincial attitude, assuming that Windows is on the computer alone and will, naturally, use all of the space. That made some sense when space was at a premium, but it's now common to have a hard disk of 3 GB (gigabytes) or larger. A Windows installation with numerous programs installed rarely needs to be over 2 GB, and there are advantages to not having C drive any bigger than it needs to be:

•  Disk maintenance, such as defragmenting, is faster and easier on a smaller drive; and a disk image of the drive will likely fit on a single CD.

•  Dividing up the hard disk provides room for redundant backup and multiple operating systems.

•  If you use disk image backup it's best to store data on other drives rather than having "all your eggs in one basket". For example, if you've collected hundreds of family photos and you only have a C drive, your photos will all be on C drive. When Windows becomes corrupted your photos will be lost...everything on the computer will be lost. On the other hand, if you create a D drive on which to store your photos, the next time you lose Windows all the data on D drive will remain untouched. Once Windows is re-installed to C drive, the data on other drives will become available again.

   When you create partitions on a hard disk they're created with software, but Windows will see those partitions as separate drives - regardless of whether or not they actually exist on separate hard disks. In brief: A hard disk can be partitioned into as many as 4 "primary" partitions. A primary partition can also be used as an "extended" partition. An extended partition is a container for one or more "logical" partitions. Primary and logical partitions can both be used to store data but under normal circumstances only a primary partition is bootable. Each operating system has its own requirements in that regard.
Partitioning for disk image backup:
   If you are not interested in installing multiple operating systems but do want to use disk image backup, a good setup might be to assign approximately 2 GB to C drive (a primary partition) and then create an extended partition from the rest of the hard disk, dividing that into a number of logical drives for data storage and backup.
   Note that this arrangement assumes that you use the other drives for storage of data files such as music, pictures, etc. It might also be a good idea, if you use the "My Documents" folder, to move that to D or E drive. If you use the default method of allowing everything to be saved to C drive, not only will the extra drives be of no value, but you'll also quickly outgrow the 2 GB allotted to C drive.
Partitioning for multibooting:
   It is possible to install and boot multiple operating systems on a single computer. You can install different or multiple versions of Windows, Linux and other more exotic OSs. (A notable exception is MacOS, which is not compatible with AMD/Intel processors.)
Booting requirements of different OSs:
   Windows comes in two basic versions: Win9x and WinNT. After v. 3.1, Windows was marketed without the version number, which makes it confusing. Win9x comprises Win95 (v. 4.0), Win98 (v. 4.1) and WinME (v. 4.9). These are all the same basic system. WinNT comprises NT4, NT5 (Win2000) and NT5.1 (WinXP). Each OS and each version of Windows has different requirements in terms of multi-booting:

  •  Win9x does not recognize other operating systems. It can only be installed to the first primary partition of the first hard drive (usually IDE 0, master). Once installed, however, it can be moved to any other primary partition via disk image or copying.(Note: If you plan to install Win95 on a computer with a processor over 1 GHz, or Win98 on a computer with a processor running at over 2.1 GHz, see the Problems with Fast Processors on Win9x topic below for information about required patches.

  •  WinNT will recognize other Windows OSs (with some restrictions) and can be used to boot some other Windows versions. (Note that WinXP is badly behaved on this score. It will take over the boot of other Windows versions without asking but will refuse to recognize any versions, such as Win95, that Microsoft has already "disowned"!) NT must have at least part of the install on a primary partition under the 2GB mark. Note that the WinXP hardware-linked activation may or may not present complications with multiple installs. Though it seems to work fine on an XP machine to just move XP down, create a new partition in front, and install another version of Windows to that.

  •  Linux can be installed on any partition, primary or logical, and may also be installed on the second hard drive. Linux recognizes Windows OSs and can "mount" their partitions, making them visible and accessible from within Linux. In fact, Linux can be useful for that quality alone. If Windows becomes unbootable it can still be accessed through the Linux GUI like a data partition, allowing easy file editing or massive file copying that may not be feasible in DOS. Linux also comes with a boot utility, LILO (Linux Loader), that will boot other OSs.
   As far as Linux versions go - there are many variations and much discussion about which is best. If you want the convenience of Windows you probably want Mandrake or Suse.
Sample multibooting scenarios:
   Given the requirements of different OSs and the limitations of partitioning, a total of 3 Windows versions plus Linux can be installed to a single hard disk.
   If, for example, you want to install a version of Win9x, a version of WinNT and a version of Linux: You could install Win9x on the first 1900 MB (and preferably image it). Then install WinNT, starting its partition at the end of the Win9x partition to keep its starting point below 2 GB. You could then use the rest of the drive for data partitions and install Linux onto one or more of those. (The Linux install will let you choose which partitions to use (or create) and will format them.)

   If you just want a second copy of your Win9x system, copy it to another partition. The second Win9x OS should be a different size so that you don't have mirror-image installations that might confuse your boot utility. Or you could simply copy it as-is to use as an on-board, non-booting backup.

   If you want multiple versions of Win9x: Install each by turn on C drive and copy it to another partition. Once that version is copied, C drive can be re-used to install the next version.

   If you have a new WinXP computer and want to also continue using your old Win9x version: Use partitioning software to move XP down by about 2 GB, then make a primary FAT32 partition in front of it and make some logical FAT32 data partitions after it. Next, install your Win9x to the first partition and install a boot utility. You can then choose between booting WinXP and Win9X. And both Windows versions can share the data partitions.
WinXP Caution:
    Some WinXP computers (most notably Hewlett-Packard) have been shipping without any Windows CD at all, not even a "restore" CD. Instead, the Windows backup CAB files are stored on a hidden partition of the hard disk. That means that even though you've paid for a Windows license, you really only have access to it as long as the hard disk is not damaged. So watch out for this kind of sleazy cost-cutting if you're buying a new computer. If you're already stuck with one of these computers then you might want to disk-image the hidden partition and/or copy the files from it before re-partitioning the hard disk.

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Disk Image and Partitioning Software

   There are three types of software that you may need for disk image backup:

1) Partitioning - Partitioning software can be used to create, move, or delete partitions on a disk. (A partition is a division of the disk that is formatted for a specific operating system and is seen by operating systems as an independent drive.) As explained above, it makes no sense to install Windows to a single partition on a disk of 20 GB or bigger because you risk total data loss unnecessarily if something should happen to Windows.
   The DOS program FDISK can be used to create partitions but its functionality is very limited. Linux installation disks come with software to create Linux partitions but cannot create Windows partitions.
   If you want the easy ability to create, move, resize and delete partitions, without losing data, you need to get a partitioning program.

2) Imaging - Imaging software can be used to create and re-install a copy of an entire partition or hard disk. For disk image backup you want a program that can copy the entire Windows partition (usually "C" drive), copy the backup to CD, and re-install it when necessary.

3) Booting - If you want to have more than one copy of your operating system on your computer, or if you want to be able to boot multiple operating systems, then you need boot software. (Windows XP includes primitive boot software but it will generally refuse to recognize anything other than supported versions of Windows. If you want to try using only the WinXP boot, note that the bootable systems are listed in the boot.ini file in the root folder of the home drive. Boot.ini can be edited, which may provide some flexibility in terms of which operating systems XP will boot.)

Software for Partitioning, Imaging and Booting
BootIt NG
   BootIt may be the best bet among currently available software. For about $35 it includes everything: A multi-booting program, disk imaging software that can produce compressed backups, and full partitioning functionality.

   BootIt can copy, image and restore any partition. Although the help does not specifically say that Linux partitions can be imaged, it does mention that BootIt can recover deleted Windows and Linux partitions. BootIt also recognizes Linux installations and will automatically add them to the boot menu. The one disadvantage of BootIt is that the onscreen interface is simple and minimal. It may be more difficult for beginners to use than the more polished, more expensive programs.

   BootIt has two notable advantages:
1) In contrast to the licensing of Partition Magic and Drive Image, an additional BootIt license is available to enable use on multiple machines, for use in tech support. Also, both the Powerquest (now Symantec) and Acronis products divide the basic disk functions into two or more programs in order to sell more software. BootIt puts all of the functionality in one, less expensive, program that fits onto a floppy disk.

2) BootIt provides a function that enables editing any file on disk without booting. That function can be critical in the case of Windows XP. When XP is booted it looks to the file boot.ini to find which disk partition should be booted. For example, if XP is alone on the disk, C:\boot.ini will list "disk(0), partition(1)" as the partition to boot. But should you install another OS in front of XP and use a multi-boot program, XP will fail to boot until the boot.ini file is edited to read "disk(0), partition(2)".

Powerquest Partition Magic and Drive Image
  Previous versions of Partition Magic and Drive Image were very good programs for use with disk image backup. Partition Magic 7, for example, can handle partitions for all Windows versions plus Linux. Also, PM7 and earlier versions of Drive Image can be run from a floppy. They do not need to be installed on the computer where they are used.

   On the other hand, these programs have always been over-priced, with Powerquest carefully dividing partitioning and imaging functions between the two programs so that both programs would have to be purchased (at $70 each) in order to get full functionality. And the licensing has been outrageous, with Powerquest licensing the software to a single hard disk, resulting in the absurd situation whereby the software to back up your hard disk costs more than the price of a second hard disk!

   As of this writing, Partition Magic and Drive Image have been bought by Symantec. Even before they were sold, these programs were of dubious value. Drive Image had already been reduced to little more than an XP backup program. The disk imaging software that used to fit onto a floppy is now a program written in .Net, which is beyond ludicrous. .Net is Microsoft's answer to Java, requiring some 70 MB of support files ands unable to run outside of Windows! Designing such a program to handle imaging of installed operating systems is simply nonsensical. Avoid any version of Drive Image beyond v. 5. It seems likely that Symantec bought the Powerquest programs with the intention of gradually phasing them out so that their own Norton Ghost might capture more market share.

Norton Ghost
   Norton Ghost has always been a very basic disk cloning program, with somewhat limited functionality. At this point, Symantec owns Norton Ghost, Partition Magic and Drive Image. It remains to be seen what will happen to these programs, but there is no reason to be hopeful. Consider: Symantec partners closely with Microsoft. Microsoft has been working hard to increase premature obsolescence in PCs by licensing their OS to a single machine that requires "product activation" and by refusing to support their older software products. Drive Image has already been rendered nearly useless by rewriting it as a .Net program. (There is not much point to a disk image program that can only run in Windows, and requires special .Net support files to even do that.) So it seems likely that Microsoft is pressuring its partners to back away from disk imaging and partitioning software. These programs, after all, not only allow a PC to be treated as a machine separate from any operating system(s) installed on it, but also allow people to easily explore using Linux in a dual-boot scenario. Neither of those abilities is desirable from the point of view of Microsoft's ambitions to control the Desktop and to keep people going back to the store on a regular basis for more computers (and the involuntary purchase of a Windows license that goes with those new computers).

Acronis True Image
   As with Drive Image and Partition Magic, Acronis has put the basic disk utility functions of imaging, partitioning, etc. into two separate programs unnecessarily. Either program alone is more expensive than BootIt. Acronis has a good reputation, though, among people who use it. If you have more money than experience you might want to look into buying the two or more Acronis programs that you'll need for the job.

Partition Image for Linux
   No information about this one. It's a possibility if you only want to back up Linux.

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Disk Image Preparation - Backing up Important Data

Prepare the system to be copied:
   • Install windows.
   • Install all software, drivers, updates, etc.
   • Configure everything the way you want it.
   • For pre-installed windows: copy the CAB files to at least one external medium.*
     The CABs can then be deleted to save space.
   • In Win98 - If you use System File Checker it would be good to run it.
     By so doing the record of changes can be cleared, making SFC
     easier to use and more useful later.
   • Do a Defrag.

* The CAB files are compressed storage files that contain backup copies of all Windows files. If you install Windows from a CD the CABs are on the CD. If Windows is pre-installed the CABs should be in a Windows subfolder like Windows\Options\Cabs or WINNT\Options\Cabs.
When everything is set up the way you want it. . . .
   • Make a disk image backup.
   • Store it on CD(s) and/or on another partition.
Backing up important files and folders
   If you have multiple partitions/hard drives, multiple copies of important files can be saved in different places. Copies of patches, updates, etc. should also be saved as they're collected. Ideally, only Windows and software programs should be on C drive. By keeping data files on other partitions the main operating system can be kept small and tidy, and data files will not be lost when Windows becomes unbootable.

   Some sources recommend installing software to other drives. That is not a good idea in conjunction with disk image backup because the software program will then be vulnerable to problems on either drive. And if a program was installed after the most recent backup it will need to be re-installed, anyway, when Windows is re-installed because the Registry settings will be missing.
   The point here is to create a disk image of Windows with all of its software and settings intact.

   It IS a good idea to keep backups of program document files on another partition. Files such as office documents and graphic work are normally stored in the program folder. If these are not backed up they'll be lost when Windows is lost.
On a regular basis:
   • Make backups of important files.
     Keep all work files in single folders and copy whole folders to backup.
     (For example, a folder for graphic work, a folder for word processing doc.s, etc.)

   • Go to Windows\Application Data. If you use Outlook Express you should
     find all of your mail and your address book in subfolders there, along with files
     relating to various other programs.
     Copy the relevant folder(s) to a safe backup if you don't want to lose your mail, etc.

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Reinstalling a Disk Image

When reinstallation is required:
   • Boot the disk image program.
   • Delete the Windows partition and install the backup image in its place, then reboot.
   • Replace Windows\Application Data subfolders with their backups.
   • Replace other backed up files and folders.
   • If hardware changes have been made since last backup it will be necessary
     to update the software for that.
   • Any changed or added passwords will also need to be re-entered.
   • Finally, run a defrag. The new installation will probably need it.

That's it....in less than an hour you should be back where you started with a fresh system.

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Warning About XP Restore CDs

WARNING: Be wary of Windows XP restore CDs.

   Most name brand PCs now come with "restore" CDs that will re-install the original operating system configuration when necessary. With Windows XP restore CDs there may be a risk that all partitions will be over-written during restore, rather than just the "C" drive. In other words, if you have created data partitions or installed Linux on the hard drive, the restore CD may overwrite all of it, restoring the hard disk to its original state rather than just restoring Windows to its original state.

   It is difficult to imagine how such a grave bug could be overlooked. After all, given the size of today's hard drives it's not only conceivable, but advisable, that people should have multiple data partitions on a single hard disk.
   Yet, even given the sleazy design of Windows XP, it is still hard to believe that Microsoft might be so brazen as to do this deliberately; taking the liberty of monopolizing any PC where XP is installed, deliberately destroying your data without permission. Could it be just a case of incompetence on the part of either Microsoft, the name brand computer companies, or both?

   This restore CD fiasco shows how little people have come to expect from Microsoft and their partners in terms of customer satisfaction. If a Linux install CD erased the entire hard disk without asking then very few people would be installing Linux!

   In any case, be wary. Using the restore CD with XP should be avoided. If disk image backup is used there is no reason to ever need the restore CD, anyway. If you do use a restore CD be sure to back up the data on all partitions first. Also be prepared to rebuild partitions and re-install other operating systems if necessary.

Back to the Future
   If you get tired of these outrageous problems with Windows XP, you can try the ultimate XP service pack: a Windows 98 installation CD. Do you think that sounds batty? What would you say if Microsoft came out with a fast, compliant operating system.... a system that didn't need 128 MB of RAM just to sit there....a system with no spyware, no product activation hassles, no Passport nags, no update nags, no SP2 nags....a system that would let you fully control all running services and didn't hide the means to uninstall software....a system free of Microsoft's next-big-thing "metadata", saving hidden information about files without asking you....and perhaps most of all, a system that was finished when it shipped. (Remember when Windows didn't need auto-updating, with a steady trickle of who-knows-what patches being installed?) Well, brace yourself...that system is already here in the form of Windows 98!

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Problems with Fast Processors on Win9x

   There are two problems that may arise with Win95/98 when installed onto newer systems with fast processors. Windows95 has trouble with a processor faster than 1 GHz. Windows 98 has trouble with a processor faster than 2.1 GHz.
Windows 98
   If Win98 is installed or moved to a system with a processor faster than 2.1 GHz it may cause problems. Microsoft has a fix but they are cagey about providing the file and refuse, as usual, to even say whether the fix can also be used with Windows 95. The problem is indicated by the following error:
      "While initializing device NDIS: Windows protection error"

Microsoft's information page about it is here:
      http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;312108

  However, that page provides no further explanation and does not have a download link for the patch. The patch, if obtained from Microsoft, is a self-executing CAB file named: 312108USA8.exe. There is only one file in that CAB that is actually needed:
         NDIS.VXD version 4.10.2000 Last Modified 11-28-2001 
  NDIS.VXD goes into the System folder. (If you have Win98SE and check your current version of NDIS.VXD you will see that it is actually a later version but an earlier date! The version installed with Win98SE is v. 4.10.2222 Last Modified 4-23-1999. It is not clear whether Win98SE requires this patch.)

  If you need a copy of the updated NDIS.VXD, try a Google search for the filename: 312108USA8.exe.

   The difficulty with Microsoft withdrawing support for earlier Windows versions is not only that fixes become diffcult to get, but also it gives 3rd-party companies an excuse to withdraw support. Motherboards for 2+ GHz processors are unlikely to "officially" support Win9x because of the need for the NDIS.VXD file update, even though those boards generally do support WinME, which is essentially the same operating system.
   An example of a typical Win9x hardware update scenario, concerning an MSI motherboard with VIA drivers, is recounted below.
Windows 95
   The above patch probably works for Win95, since Win98 is little more than a Win95 update, but Microsoft refuses to say one way or the other.

   A second issue for Win95 is a problem running on 1GHz+ processors. The patch to cure that is AMDk6upd.exe. See this Tweak Home PC page for info. In case you have trouble getting the patch or the necessary information about it, what you need are the following files, which may need to be copied onto C drive from a floppy if Windows will not boot:
    Files to go in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IOSUBSYS\:
       DISKTSD.VXD        4.00.1112     mod. 1-15-97
       CDFS.VXD             4.00.1112     mod. 1-15-97
       ESDI_506.PDR        4.00.1118     mod. 9-4-98
       HSFLOP.PDR          4.00.1113     mod. 8-3-98
       SCSIPORT.PDR       4.00.1112     mod. 9-4-98

    Files to go in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\VMM32\:
       IOS.VXD               4.00.1113     mod. 9-4-98
       INT13.VXD            4.00.1112     mod. 1-15-97
       VFBACKUP.VXD      4.00.1112     mod. 1-15-97
       NTKERN.VXD         4.03.1213     mod. 12-4-98

      Note: Ntkern.vxd is needed only if the version of Windows 95 is OSR2.1 or OSR2.5

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Copying a Disk Image to a Different Computer

Using disk image floppies, install your disk image to the new machine. The disk image file to be copied can be either on the new machine's hard disk or transferred by copying it to CD. (Note: If a Win95 boot disk is used with the disk image floppy there will be no access to the CD drive. Use a Win98 boot disk if you want to copy a disk image file from CD to hard disk.)

   On a new machine, with Windows pre-installed, you could either overwrite the existing operating system or install your image to a second partition. That would provide the option of testing the success of the operation before erasing the pre-installed version. (You'll need to then set that partition active in order to boot it.)

Boot the new copy.....Windows will be confused. There may be a different motherboard, video card or chip, etc. and you'll have to let Windows attempt to install it all before proceeding.

On Win9x only: Open Regedit to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and delete the entire Enum key. (That key holds a record of all hardware ever installed on your computer.... but now it's all wrong and will cause Device Manager to list multiple instances of many components.)

Reboot and let Plug and Play find the new hardware.

  You'll need to make sure you've got access to any drivers that might be needed for the new hardware. If you can put them on a data partition beforehand it might save some trouble. If Plug and Play is not finding the new hardware there may be a driver conflict. You might try selective installation to narrow down the problem. If several items are not being installed properly in Device Manager, or if there are redundant listings, it can sometimes be easiest to just delete the Enum key again and start over.

   There may also be editing required of system files such as autoexec.bat and system.ini. These files may contain references to an old sound card, video card, etc.
   Once Windows is settled in its new home you'll need to make a new disk image.
Legal considerations
   If you haven't bought a computer recently, you may not be aware that most computers no longer come with a Windows disk. In general, a new computer will come with an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version of Windows. You get a "Restore" disk, which is a disk image of the installed system and often will not install on another computer.

   The OEM Windows license claims that this Windows version is licensed to the computer it was installed on. While you may have thought that you got Windows with your computer, according to the Windows OEM license you did not. While it's technically feasible to copy an installed Windows system between different computers, the OEM license claims that to be illegal. Pre-installed WindowsXP takes this a step further, tying the operating system to the machine through programming of the system BIOS (hard-wired software on the computer's motherboard).

   If you don't own a full version Windows CD you are probably not licensed to move a Windows installation, from Microsoft's point of view. If you want clear legal right to keep installing and using Windows into the future you may want to consider buying a full version Windows CD. See the next topic, "The Changing Face of Software" for further explanation about the changeover to the so-called "OEM license".

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The Changing Face of Software - How it Affects You

The maturing of the personal computer
   Before the advent of the PC, people used mainframe computers, with a number of people sharing the processing power of one large computer. Both software and access to the mainframe were very expensive.

   Eventually the technology improved to the point that an affordable computer could be produced for individual use, and the personal computer (PC) was born. The early versions of PCs and PC software were also very expensive, but what the software could do made it worth the cost for many people.

   Over the years, PCs have improved and become cheaper. Technological improvements, competition and market expansion have gradually driven down the prices of both hardware and software. As a result, both hardware and software companies find themselves in a mature market. Companies like Apple, Adobe, Dell and Microsoft had made huge profits selling the latest versions of their products at whatever price the market would bear...and the market was bearing remarkably high prices. Not only were software prices very high – updates, which typically included only a few minor additions to the original product, have usually been priced at an excessive 60% of the full product price.

   Now, like the mainframe producers earlier, the PC product companies are faced with needing to adapt to a leaner market: The general public is beginning to realize that there is seldom anything to be gained, at this point, by updating hardware to a faster speed or updating software to a newer version. If an existing system is still more than adequate to the task, why pay for a new computer with a new operating system that will then also require replacing many of the software programs that you like to use? Indeed, the Windows operating system (and oft-used software such as word processors, browsers and email programs) have not changed significantly since the 1995 versions. And according to Microsoft's own analysis, Win95 and Win98 are still the most-used versions of Windows.
The resulting changes
   Not surprisingly, major software companies are not adapting easily to the news that times have changed. Instead, many software companies have been trying new strategies to maintain sales levels.

   One strategy is the increasing creation of incompatibility, both with hardware and with existing software. Windows XP, for example, demands so much processing power and memory that Microsoft recommends only installing it on new hardware! And the claimed next version of Windows is even worse: It's not even built yet and already Microsoft says that planned new graphic display frills are too demanding for any existing technology to handle.

   Another strategy to maintain sales has been the increasing use of forced product activation. While product activation seems, at first glance, to be a reasonable way to prevent software theft, it can potentially increase the price of software a great deal by forcing people to pay multiple times for the same software license. Product activation restricts software installation to a single machine, despite the fact that the software is actually licensed to an individual. That's comparable to being required to buy one copy of a novel for reading in bed, a second copy for the living room, and a third copy if you also want to read on the bus to work. Or to put it into software terms, it equates to buying one office suite for your home office, another for the living room computer, and a third for work....then being forced to buy them all again when you buy new computers. An average person could easily spend over $3,000 on office software over the course of 3 years, paying over and over again for the same license! Yet despite this change in the way that software is sold, there has not been a commensurate reduction in price.

   Product activation has made it possible for Microsoft to essentially shift their product from being software to being a component of a disposable piece of hardware. The Windows customer is paying for Windows software, but is forced to buy it as an inseparable part of a machine. It's no wonder that Microsoft has been slow to release new products. They don't need to. Their 2005 software is not radically different from their 1995 software, and their next scheduled Windows release, known as "Longhorn", might be more aptly named "LongInTheTooth Shorthorn". It will be at least 3 years behind schedule, when and if it gets released, and many of the planned new functionality has been abandoned in order to get it released faster. But what does it matter to Microsoft? The hardware tie-in of product activation means that they get a cut from nearly every computer sold, whether it's loaded with Windows 95 or "Windows LongInTheTooth Shorthorn 2009 Pro".

   A third, more ambitious scheme to avoid reduced software sales is to return to the software rental model of the mainframe era – to put the PC genie back into the bottle, so to speak. In that vein, some companies are pushing the idea of renting or leasing "web-based" software. In a technical sense, such software may or may not actually be on the Web. More to the point, the web-based view of software provides a way to redefine software as something that one pays for on a usage basis. The problem for companies trying this approach is that they don't really have a product. There's no reason for people to pay overpriced rates to rent software when they can just buy the equivalent software cheaply and, in any case, may already own it.

   Perhaps the most worrisome trend among these various strategies is the general, multi-pronged campaign of forced obsolescence that has been instigated, particularly by Microsoft. The recent changes to Windows, while appearing subtle on the surface, are extreme in their ramifications. If you bought Windows 95 and Office 97 in 1997 you can easily, and legally, keep using both today. However, if you have bought Windows and/or Office more recently, you may find yourself trapped in a cycle of constant forced updates because of the following changes:

•   New name brand computers no longer come with a Windows CD. They now come with a "Restore CD", which is actually only a disk image of the installed version of Windows, generally only usable on the specific computer that it came with. This minor change means that while you used to buy a PC that came with a copy of Windows, you now get a "Windows PC", rendered as a single, irreducible retail product through the trickery of dubious licensing. In fact, many PCs now do not even come with a Restore CD. Instead they just have a disk image stored on a hidden partition. Since the average life of a hard disk is estimated to be 3-5 years, that is also now the life expectancy of a Windows computer.

•   Windows XP and MS Office now use Product Activation, an activation code tied to the computer's hardware. Even a moderate upgrade of your computer, such as replacing the motherboard and processor, would likely result in disabling Windows XP and force you to buy another copy of Windows - or a new PC.

•   Microsoft has instituted what they call an "end of life" schedule, arbitrarily declaring that each version of Windows will "die" on a given date. Once a Windows version reaches "end of life" Microsoft will not provide tech. support even for a fee, essentially refusing to acknowledge the existence of the product that was bought from them earlier. (Imagine what it would be like if Sears, Ford and Maytag all did the same thing. Fortunately, those companies can't afford to treat their customers that way because they don't have monopoly control of their market.)

•   The Windows XP license claims the right to automatically install updates to your system without your knowledge or approval...WinXP product support and some of the pre-installed software are unavailable unless you sign up with the MS "Passport" ID and tracking system...WinXP may even disable some of your installed software if it doesn't conform to Microsoft's DRM (Digital Restriction Management) system.

   Each of these changes can be justified to some extent: Product activation was added to deal with illegal copying of Windows; automatic updating could be regarded as a convenient service; and Microsoft cannot be expected to provide tech. support for older products indefinitely. Yet taken together, a picture emerges of a more insidious situation: Microsoft is attempting to forcibly disable older versions of their own product while redefining newer versions as services that must be repeatedly paid for. An analogy might help to clarify how all of this fits together:

   Imagine that cars have just recently come onto the market. There's only one major automaker, Acme Auto, and they've now saturated the market. There is no realistic way to maintain sales levels and the Acme leadership refuses to adapt to their now mature market. But Acme Auto is a monopoly so they're able to institute a new strategy: First, they declare their old car models to be outdated and stop selling parts for them. This guarantees that most of those cars will be off the road within a few years. Next, they introduce a new model, AcmeXP, with great fanfare. The AcmeXP is somewhat different from earlier models: It restricts your ability to customize it to your own needs. It makes clandestine reports to Acme Auto. You cannot change the garaging address of your AcmeXP or use it for both home and work purposes – you'll need to buy one car for personal errands and a second one if you want to commute to work. And on top of all that, your new car comes with a contract that claims Acme Auto can make changes to your AcmeXP at their discretion. That is, Acme Auto claims the right to redefine what you bought!

   So the AcmeXP is a hybrid product. Having thus prepared the ground, within a couple of years Acme Auto will be able to change their whole business model over to a taxi service, charging people by the ride. Most of their old car models will be off the road by then, for lack of parts. So the remaining models in use will all be AcmeXPs. By this time the AcmeXP owners, having been thoroughly and repeatedly "XP-ed upon", will no longer feel like the AcmeXP is really their car, anyway; so the taxi service idea won't sound particularly radical.

   If all of this seems far-fetched, you should know that Microsoft has been talking for some time about changing their products, such as MS Office, into so-called "web services". And corporate customers are already being pushed toward 3-year Windows leasing arrangements. They don't have to accept the leasing arrangement, of course. But should a company refuse, they're reminded that the strongarm unit of Microsoft and Friends, known as the Business Software Alliance, could at any time swoop down and demand proof that all software in use at that company is duly licensed. Such a "software audit" can be very costly even for a company that has all of their licenses in order.
   Further, Bill Gates has described the next planned version of Windows as one with a built-in hardware ID that will log in to some kind of online service automatically when turned on. This new version would restrict the functionality of 3rd-party software while instituting a new, proprietary file system. He's describing a services and shopping appliance that gives Microsoft final say over how you can use the software and files on your computer. With such an appliance, constantly connected to some kind of corporate home base, it becomes entirely feasible to charge you for every page that you type in your word processor. It also paves the way for a fee-based, retail version of the Internet.
So what does all of that mean to you?
   These changes cannot be ignored if you want to keep the version of Windows you now use, and the software that works with it. Many companies are going along with Microsoft's plan. For example, Norton System Works 2004 uses Microsoft-style product activation and is dropping support for all Windows versions except Win2000 and WinXP.
Another telling example:
   Micro-star International (MSI) makes motherboards for PCs. Many of these motherboards use a chipset produced by VIA. The chipset requires driver software. On a recent visit to the MSI website, there were only VIA drivers available for Win98SE and up. MSI had no VIA drivers for Win95, Win98 or WinNT4. Yet a visit to the VIA website told a different story. According to VIA there is only one set of drivers for all VIA chipsets. VIA also provides older versions of that driver pack in case people prefer to use the older driver version with an older Windows version. In other words, MSI is deliberately obscuring the fact that drivers are available for earlier Windows versions... deliberately implying (falsely) that their motherboards will not work with any of the Windows versions that Microsoft is trying to kill off.

   The point here is that the companies to which you gave your business now want to give you the business. Things may eventually end up with Linux being the only reasonable choice for a PC operating system, but in the meantime, if you'd like to avoid being pushed into overpriced "upgrades" that you neither want nor need, you may need to plan how to proceed. Disk image backup could be a good way to conserve your current version of Windows and keep copies of the drivers and software that go with it.

(Note: See the "Home Handyman" page for driver information and links.)

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Buying or Making a New Computer

   If you have read the preceding topic you can see how there could be many interconnected issues to deal with when upgrading a computer. If your last computer came with Windows pre-installed you may not own a full version Windows CD that you can use to install Windows to a new computer.
   If you buy a new computer with Windows pre-installed you'll be getting Windows XP whether you want it or not. If you previously had Win95, 98 or ME then much of your hardware and software may not work with WinXP - so you'll also have to buy new versions of those.
   Of course, you don't have to use the system that comes with a new computer. You can set up a dual boot or you can just overwrite the pre-installed system with your own Windows CD, if you have one. You can also switch hard drives, putting your old hard drive into the new machine and thereby "installing" your old operating system. That method will usually work fine except that some of the drivers will need to be updated - though the legality of moving the Windows installation on your hard drive to another computer is not clear in the case of pre-installed "OEM" Windows. OEM Windows is said to be licensed only to the machine it was originally installed on. The notion of licensing Windows to the machine is an untenable claim to begin with, so it's difficult to know exactly what it means. And what constitutes the machine: The computer case? The hard drive that holds the installed OS? A PC is not a one-piece appliance, after all.

   If you do own a full-version Windows CD or plan to buy one, and you want to keep that Windows version while upgrading the machine, you may need to do some online research to find the drivers that you need. For instance, if you have a Win98 CD and buy a new computer, you can install Win98 onto that computer but the new computer will also have a new modem, sound card or chip, graphics card or chip, etc. You'll need to list the hardware in your new computer and then go to the websites of those companies to download drivers. If you have a version of Windows that has been "end-of-lifed" (as of 8-03 that includes 95, 98 1st edition and NT4) then you may need to hunt around for drivers that work, as illustrated above in the example regarding MSI motherboard drivers.
Buy vs Build
   It is often worthwhile to build, or partially build, your own new computer. Despite the fact that name brand computer makers have a vested interest in having you think that a computer is a one-piece appliance, that is not actually the case. A computer is an assembly of several components. The fact is, name-brand computer makers don't really make computers. They just assemble the pieces. There is no such thing as a Dell processor or a Compaq hard drive, for instance. Name brand computer makers contract to buy computer parts from the companies that actually make them, then they assemble those parts into their own logo-marked cases. And some don't even do that, preferring to subcontract the hardware end of the business altogether. Hewlett-Packard, for example, now subcontracts to a Mexican hardware company to put their computers together.

   You can make your own computer by simply buying a motherboard, case, processor, memory stick, hard drive, etc. and assembling the lot. It's not quite as simple as just snapping the pieces together but it is a reasonably simple job if you're somewhat handy.

   You can also order just about any level of construction from a local store - from a basic box to a fully set-up system. These systems will generally be cheaper and more upgradable than a name-brand computer. For instance, you can buy a high quality case with motherboard, processor and memory installed for about $400. If you are replacing an old computer that may be all you need: the floppy drive, CD, hard drive, etc. can be taken from the old machine.
   Also, if you have any trouble with your locally-built, generic computer you can take it back to the store for service rather than having to ship it off and wait several months for its return.

   There are various pros and cons to buying versus building. If you buy a new computer you get a warranty; the assembly and software installation is all done for you; and in the currently competitive market you can buy a very adequate machine for a bargain price of $500 - $600.

   On the other hand, computer makers will naturally bargain with their suppliers to get the cheapest parts possible, often arranging to use custom-order parts that will only fit into one specific model of computer. While a generic "white box" computer is an assembly of generic parts that are all replaceable, name brand computers are generally designed to thwart upgrading. In the long run that could turn out to be far more expensive then the $500 price tag implies.

For example (This is an actual case involving an EMachines computer):
   Unlike most computers, the EMachines computer in question had only one spare hardware bay, which was in use. In order to add a second hard drive a custom bracket had to be built. The extra hard drive in the small EMachines case warranted an extra fan. Those two additions warranted a new power supply because the EMachines power supply was unusually weak, rated for only 135 watts. Yet EMachines did not even sell replacement power supplies, much less upgrade power supplies, and a generic power supply was too big to fit into the case. That meant that the only way to upgrade the power supply was to replace the computer's case with a larger, standard-size one; but that was impossible because EMachines had used a special-size motherboard that would not fit into a normal computer case. So.... the motherboard would need to be replaced. That meant that the processor and onboard sound would also need to be replaced.....
   So in order to add a second hard drive the whole computer had to be replaced! This example is a typical scenario when dealing with name brand computers.

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Update 2006: Hardware Support for Different Operating Systems

   April 2006 - Microsoft has issued a press release to remind people using windows 98 and ME that all support will end for those systems as of July, 2006. On the one hand, that is fairly irrelevant news. Microsoft has not issued patches for Win9x for a long time now, and they are only partially supporting Windows 2000. Microsoft and other companies that stand to profit from Win9x-to-WinXP upgrades like to repeat the claim that Windows 98 and ME are insecure. But it's Windows XP that has had all the problems over the past few years. Most of the bugs in XP and IE6 are not applicable to Win98/ME.

   However, Microsoft's support schedule is not entirely irrelevant. Some other companies base their support schedules on Microsoft's actions. With developments in hardware and changing support, anyone who wants to use any operating system other than Windows XP may need to do some planning before buying hardware. The information here may help provide some guidance in buying hardware that can provide more flexible support.
Windows 95/98/ME hardware limitations
   There are some minor hardware issues to be aware of with Windows 95/98/ME. Windows 95 has problems running with CPUs over 1 GHz. Win98 has trouble with CPUs over 2 GHz. Fixes for those two issues are described above in the Problems with Fast Processors on Win9x section.

   Win9x seems to be able to handle serial ATA drives (SATA) alright, but some disk partitioning and imaging software may not handle SATA drives. Those issues should be looked at before buying a computer with an SATA hard disk or upgrading to an SATA hard disk. (Note that motherboards with SATA support also invariably have standard IDE plugins and standard IDE hard disks can be used in conjunction with SATA.)    Windows 98 lacks support for drives over 137 GB. There are several options for working around that problem. (That is, assuming that you even expect to use such a volume of storage over the next few years. Hardware companies have been pushing larger and larger drives in order to maintain their profit margins, but there are a great number of PCs with 100-300 GB of storage that only have 5-10 GB filled.)
   Seagate has a very good guide available if you want to support large drives in Win9x. There is a PDF version here: http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/tp/137gb.pdf . (You can also get Google to provide you with an easier-to-read HTML version if you find this URL via search.)

Motherboards: Win9x and Linux
   Buying a motherboard - or buying a new PC - involves a motherboard chipset and, in many cases, may involve on-chip graphic support, on-chip audio, etc. Some chipset companies are ending support for Win9x, and some do not support Linux. In general, the basic chipset drivers are not likely to be a problem, though it is still preferable to be able to install the best drivers for basic mainboard support. Onboard display and audio, though, is a bigger problem. Without drivers for onboard extras you will need to buy extra PCI/AGP cards.

ATI Radeon / CrossFire: ATI is problematic. On-chip Radeon display (soon to be renamed Crossfire) is used on many low-end PCs. ATI does not support Win9x and has been known to be problematic with Linux. Avoid newer ATI products if you might ever want to run anything other than WinXP.

NVidia: NVidia display is best avoided. As of v. 4 of their "GeForce" it no longer supports Win9x.

Intel: Intel is ending support for Win9x with their 945 series boards, so Intel boards may be best avoided.

VIA and Sis: Both VIA and Sis support Win9x. VIA even provides older board drivers for Win9x users who may prefer them. Best of all, all VIA chipsets use the same driver package.

   There are 3 different aspects involved with the motherboard: The board company itself, the chipset maker, and peripheral on-chip support such as display. If you want to save money by buying a board with on-chip display and/or audio - or if you buy a new PC - then you will need to be concerned with that issue.
   The companies making chipsets are usually not the same as the board company, except in the case of Intel. For instance, Asus and MSI make boards, and neither of them seems to care much about Windows 98/ME users. (The latest version of Asus Probe motherboard monitor does not run on Win9x and the Asus people cannot even be bothered to say so on their website. But you can still download a working version of Asus Probe elsewhere. Likewise, MSI will not support anything that Microsoft is not supporting.)
   Nevertheless, if you have an Asus or MSI board with a VIA or Sis chipset then their lack of support should not be a problem. Just don't go to the board maker's site looking for drivers. Go to the chipset maker.
Buying hardware
   Many retailers of PC hardware carry a limited selection. That is increasingly becoming a problem for people who want to run Win9x, Linux and/or a multi-boot. The following information about hardware sources is based on limited experience, but it may be helpful to people currently building PCs.

Shopping for PC hardware in March, 2006:

   This shopping expedition took place in Boston, MA. At one time there were several good suppliers in the Boston area, but things have changed in the PC market. The profit margins are shrinking while less people are building their own PCs.

Chain stores - Microcenter and CompUSA, national chain stores, both have a somewhat limited supply of hardware. But those stores are, first and foremost, retailers. The supply is limited and the sales clerks are rarely knowledgeable. Buying hardware at such stores is risky, a bit like buying car parts in a department store. In the case of Microcenter, I had purchased several faulty items there over the years. Several years ago, in an ugly scene, Microcenter refused (illegally) to accept a return of faulty hardware. And this was not a fluke experience with a bad clerk. I wrote a letter of complaint to the Microcenter home office. Instead of an apology and refund in reply, they offered a discount coupon for use with my next purchase! I never went back.
   In the case of CompUSA, their motherboards and CPUs are limited to a small selection of 2 or 3 models.
   So chain stores are generally not the best place to buy PC hardware, and I ruled them out for anything other than the odd CD writer or floppy drive.

PC specialty stores - Many PC stores - selling parts and custom PCs - have closed up over the years as the market has changed. It's hard to make a living building custom PCs when a full setup can be bought for $350.
   A good source of hardware in Boston used to be PCs For Everyone. But on this latest shopping trip, PCs for Everyone had a greatly reduced line of hardware. Of the few motherboards they carried, none was completely compatible with Windows 98/ME and, to put it bluntly, the clerk could not have cared less. Another PC shop carried only Intel and had even less selection. So if you live in a big city, and you want the latest board with the latest, expensive CPU, to run Windows XP, then you may have good luck shopping locally. Otherwise, watch out for incompatible hardware.

Online suppliers - After ruling out local suppliers I did what most people in non-urban areas are forced to do anyway: buying online. While it would be nice to be able to offer an online shopping guide for people building their own PCs, I can only offer this experience for what it's worth: TigerDirect had a large selection and a clear, easy-to-navigate website. Their phone sales service was good. The order came on time with no problems. And there was no faulty hardware in the shipment.

   Buying online has the advantage that it's by far the cheapest source with the best selection. The notable disadvantage is that faulty PC hardware is not an uncommon occurrence, and returning mail-order purchases is not as easy as returning local purchases.

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A caveat:
   This page is presented as a set of general tips. This page, obviously, is not an attempt to cover disk image backup and computer construction exhaustively. Issues may arise that are not covered here. If you're doing a backup for the first time you may want to do more research before proceeding.