December 30, 2004
Tools to Make Your Hard Drive Forget Its Past
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ou, too, can erase your hard drive. Here's what you will need:
PAPER AND PEN Make a list of all hardware components, software registration codes, and tech support phone numbers for your Internet service provider and computer maker, just in case you encounter problems when you rebuild your system.
SOFTWARE DISCS If you do not have the original discs for all of your software, make sure you burn copies for reinstallation later. If you do not have the Windows installation discs that came with your computer, you will have to buy them ($300 for the full Windows XP program; $80 for an update) or contact the computer maker to get new ones; sometimes there is a fee.
STORAGE DISCS Writeable DVD's, CD's or any other form of storage media can be used to create a second backup of your files. If you are using DVD's, make sure that the format (DVD+R or DVD-R) is compatible with your own burner or the system on which you will be doing the burning.
CD OR DVD BURNER Use this to back up everything onto a disc. Zip drives will also work, but because of Zip discs' smaller storage capacity (250 megabytes), it will take much longer to save an extensive music collection.
EXTERNAL STORAGE UNIT If you will be using a second PC to burn backup discs of your files, an external storage unit can be an intermediary. Either a keychain drive or an MP3 player will do. (If you are on a network this is unnecessary - just save your files to a networked folder.) BACKUP PROGRAM After you rebuild your system, use a backup program. Norton Ghost ($70) features scheduled incremental hard-drive backups so you can restore to an earlier point if it gets re-infected. I.B.M. users have the luxury of Rapid Restore, which does the same thing. (If you have an older I.B.M. model, you can download this free at www.pc.ibm.com/us/think/thinkvantagetech.html).
SECURITY SOFTWARE Lead a virtuous virtual life: make sure that when you get back online, you are operating with a firewall and updated anti-virus software, or this whole effort will be in vain. Personal security packages, which include anti-virus and a firewall, generally cost $70 to $100. Brands include Zone Alarm (www.zonelabs.com), Norton (www.symantec.com) and McAfee (www.mcafee.com). An external router is also recommended, especially if you are conducting any business transactions on your PC; good ones cost less than $100.
A SHOULDER TO CRY ON A tech-savvy friend is an invaluable resource should anything go dreadfully awry. Rachel Dodes
Copyright 2004 The New York Times Company
