Major Problems With Windows Vista?

[Sherman]

Has anyone been having problems with Windows Vista as of late?

The foul-up has surfaced on Thursday.

It stalls out, freezing up the pc, causing programs, incliding Internet Explorer, to run sporatically, too blasted slow or not at all!! I've tried for several days to run a McAfee virus scan and just friggen couldn't!! The extreme slowness of the OS had stopped me right in the middle of it!

Seems that the OS is atrociously late making Windows updates availible to help maintain the function of the OS, the pc and everything else to help keep the system running smoothly!!

Twenty-seven availible Windows updates had only just became availible sometime after midnight! The OS is still having some problems, butit seems somewhatr better than it has since last Thursday.

I had the pc stored from an earlier backup disk, thinking THAT was the problem. It had went away, but it came right back yesterday! I began to suspect that there was a glitch with Windows Update.

Seems to be getting back on track now, but I think that some improvement is still needed. :shock:

[Adillo303]

Run both of these. I suspect you go to a lot of shopping sites and they give you spyware / adware / malware.

http://www.superantispyware.com/

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

[Adillo303]

BTW - Vista was replaced by Windows 7, because, so many people were unhappy with it. I believe an upgrade is available.

[Sherman]

Yeah, seems every other OS from Microsoft is no good! Windows Millenium also was another crappy OS as well.

I might get the upgrade Windows 7 disk as soon as I know if it's safe to use.

[Adillo303]

Ummm - You could buy an iMac. Otherwise a Microsoft O/S or Unix / Linux are your choices.

[Sherman]

Run both of these. I suspect you go to a lot of shopping sites and they give you spyware / adware / malware.

http://www.superantispyware.com/

http://www.malwarebytes.org/



The 2nd link that you posted has been blocked and a warning posted by my WOT account, so I'm not using that one. :excl:

[Lefty]

Has anyone been having problems with Windows Vista as of late?

The foul-up has surfaced on Thursday.

It stalls out, freezing up the pc, causing programs, incliding Internet Explorer, to run sporatically, too blasted slow or not at all!! I've tried for several days to run a McAfee virus scan and just friggen couldn't!! The extreme slowness of the OS had stopped me right in the middle of it!

Seems that the OS is atrociously late making Windows updates availible to help maintain the function of the OS, the pc and everything else to help keep the system running smoothly!!

Twenty-seven availible Windows updates had only just became availible sometime after midnight! The OS is still having some problems, butit seems somewhatr better than it has since last Thursday.

I had the pc stored from an earlier backup disk, thinking THAT was the problem. It had went away, but it came right back yesterday! I began to suspect that there was a glitch with Windows Update.

Seems to be getting back on track now, but I think that some improvement is still needed. :shock:

This is advice I give anyone on PC problems so please don't take any of the following personally.

1, Internet Explorer is a pig, huge resource hog and many exploits. If you have minimum or lower amounts of memory using a memory hog will limit you further. I recomend using Mozilla FireFox and customizing it for your needs.

2, Macafee (Crapafee) & Norton both have lost sight of what security is and they both miss even average exploits. I recomend Microsoft Security essentials, http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/ (free)

3, If you have a problem that is re-surfacing after you restore you are infected and just keep re-activating the bug in your system.

1 tool you may think about is hijack this, http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/ is a free utility that generates an in depth report of registry and file settings from your computer. It does not tell you what is bad or good, but you can post the report to their forum and users will quickly reply and tell you what is suspicious. Warning this is for advance users.

CCleaner is a freeware system optimization, privacy and cleaning tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. Additionally it contains a fully featured registry cleaner. http://www.ccleaner.com/

Good luck.

[Adillo303]

Shermie - I have no idea what WOT is, I always thought it was Wide Open Throttle (I'm a diesel truck nut). Malware bytes is a major remover of spyware / adware / malware and often access is blocked by those types of programs.

It is, however, your machine, do with it as you will.

[joec]

I agree with most of what you have been told especially about getting Malware it is one of the better programs for its purpose. If blocked then odds are your problem is exactly what Malware is designed to fix.

[buzzard767]

Going back to the original question, I've had no significant problems with Vista. Same goes with Windows 7.

[Sherman]

Shermie - I have no idea what WOT is, I always thought it was Wide Open Throttle (I'm a diesel truck nut). Malware bytes is a major remover of spyware / adware / malware and often access is blocked by those types of programs.

It is, however, your machine, do with it as you will.



WOT is an account system that you can download and install from it's website that is set up to warn you of any impending and potential danger from websites that it suspects might be bogus, illigit or otherwise untrustworthy.

It lets you know which sites are good or bad, who to trust and who to stay away from. It also lets you rate sites yourself and block the ones that you've had trouble with yourself.

Also, it warns you of sites who have compromised the security of peoples'
credit & debit cards once they've bought something on line at certain websites. :idea:

[Fisher's Mom]

If you aren't able to update your antivirus program, I suspect you have a Trojan Horse or some other bad thing. Andy and everyone else is right - Malwarebytes is one of the best programs for detecting, isolating and deleting problems like this. Like Lucky mentioned - Crap Cleaner is something I have on every computer in the house. Both are free programs and highly recommended. Google them and read reviews.

I don't think your problem is Vista - I think it's some malware on your computer. As was mentioned before, too, Internet Explorer isn't the safest browser and leaves you more vulnerable to malware. I use Firefox. Also, Thunderbird is a much safer mail program than MS Outlook.

[FryBoy]

Windows 7 is not only safe to use, it's far superior to Vista. The installation of the upgrade is simple, albeit time consuming, and the result works very well -- or you can do a clean install, starting from scratch. In that you're having problems, this is a no-brainer -- DO IT!

[Fisher's Mom]

I agree with Doug that Win 7 is far superior to Vista. But I don't think Sherman's problem is Vista - I think he has malware that needs to be dealt with before he upgrades or does anything else.

[Sherman]

Ok, I ran the Super-anti-spyware, and the software found 173 potential threats!

The process took well over 4 hours. I've removed the potential threats from the pc and quaranteened them. I'll closely monitor and see now, how the pc will run now.

[joec]

One other thing you might consider it to run restore to a previous date. That is a standard part of windows since XP. Now that assumes it is turned on. That is usually something if not a virus (haven't had since Windows 3.1) or malware. Most of the problems I get (rare on my system now) are due to upgrades of existing software.

[Sherman]

I did that over the weekend.. The problem had went away for only a day, and came right back yesterday!

Hopefully, the malicious spyware is at bay. I'll try to run another virus scan to see if it will work all the way and detect anything further.

Also, a very trusted friend of mine told me that since I have McAfee, to turn off windows Defender, saying that it more than likely was clashing with the mcAfee software and caused things to go haywire. We'll see what else happens.

[Kimchee]

I had McAffee for years, but finally dumped it.
Whenever it was active, my computer CRAWLED.. I couldn't do much
of anything else with it.. both my XP and my Vista computer.
Norton seems MUCH better.
Something to think about.

[Fisher's Mom]

Avast and Avira are both excellent (and free) antivirus programs. Look into them, Sherm.

Also, I urge you to run Malwarebytes. It is the best and finds things that other programs don't pick up. Seriously. There are things called root kits that will behave exactly as you have described - will block your antivirus software from updating. Not all software will detect root kits.

[joec]

I'm using AVG's Internet Suite and turn off Windows Firewall as AVG has a much better one. I stopped using both Norton and McAfee years ago as both became memory hogs on my older systems. AVG runs pretty quickly with little hold up.

[joec]

Avast and Avira are both excellent (and free) antivirus programs. Look into them, Sherm.

Also, I urge you to run Malwarebytes. It is the best and finds things that other programs don't pick up. Seriously. There are things called root kits that will behave exactly as you have described - will block your antivirus software from updating. Not all software will detect root kits.

My version of AVG has a root kits detector as well but I still run Malwarebytes and this is on 3 computers one of which is a server also.

[Fisher's Mom]

I forgot AVG!!! You are absolutely right, Joe. AVG is awesome and it's free, too.

[Lefty]

I did that over the weekend.. The problem had went away for only a day, and came right back yesterday!

Hopefully, the malicious spyware is at bay. I'll try to run another virus scan to see if it will work all the way and detect anything further.

Also, a very trusted friend of mine told me that since I have McAfee, to turn off windows Defender, saying that it more than likely was clashing with the mcAfee software and caused things to go haywire. We'll see what else happens.

That is true, if you have too much security software running you are likely to get a false positive.

[joec]

I upgraded from AVG 7 free version to AVG 8 full version which has a lot more protections. Mine expires in Dec of 2011 so then I will decide to upgrade or move on at any rate I got a 3 year upgrade deal for 3 machines for just under $75 which is pretty cheap. My malwarebytes is the freeware version but I'm considering buying it for all 3 machines also, one of which is a server and handles our site security system. All 3 of my machines are mission critical so I can't afford any problems.

[Sherman]

Well, McAfee was free. A friend of mine bought the software that allows him to install it into up to three computers.

[joec]

I got a call from my internet supplier (windstream) this week offering me a free year of McAfee and I turned them down. I loved it when it first came out but within a few upgrades got as bad as Norton with over head. Once I tried AVG I've not looked back since Windows 98. Though it is a much larger program now I've not found any slow downs regardless. Some things one just needs to buy and not mess with the free stuff though I do recommend trying it first for a reasonable amount of time before buying if possible.

[FryBoy]

I agree with Doug that Win 7 is far superior to Vista. But I don't think Sherman's problem is Vista - I think he has malware that needs to be dealt with before he upgrades or does anything else.
Not if he does a clean install.

[Lefty]

Well, McAfee was free. A friend of mine bought the software that allows him to install it into up to three computers.

With all due respect, a bunch of us have chimed in against McAfee. We have offered alternatives to it and many of them for free. If you choose to keep going with it, you are at your own mercy. Sherman, while this is a cooking site, we have some folks that are adapted in internet security. Please heed the warnings. They are not unfounded.

[Maverick2272]

I get MacAfee free from Comcast, and I still recommend dumping it. It clashes with Windows Defender and misses tons of stuff.

Also, dump IE, I ran it (Version 9 or 10 I think) on the wife's computer and it runs so slow it gets passed by snails. I have also had it claim there is no internet connection while other programs are busy accessing the internet..

[joec]

I get MacAfee free from Comcast, and I still recommend dumping it. It clashes with Windows Defender and misses tons of stuff.

Also, dump IE, I ran it (Version 9 or 10 I think) on the wife's computer and it runs so slow it gets passed by snails. I have also had it claim there is no internet connection while other programs are busy accessing the internet..

The latest version of IE is 8 Mav. It actually runs better than the rest on my systems and I've also tried them all. Now with that said results can be different as no to machines are really the same when one things about the software configurations involved.

[Maverick2272]

The latest version of IE is 8 Mav. It actually runs better than the rest on my systems and I've also tried them all. Now with that said results can be different as no to machines are really the same when one things about the software configurations involved.

I just checked, yea it's Version 8, I turned it off and installed Firefox on her computer. It is running much better now and way faster. Microsoft claims that Version 9 will be much faster and have a better experience.
I think I will stick with Firefox for now.

[Adillo303]

Anybody tried safari for the PC?

[joec]

Yes I've tried safari and found it the same as Firefox and Chrome all of which depend on IE files to run hence to me slower with more overhead, but then that is me. Overhead to me means it starts slower though once going about the same as the rest including IE.

[Keltin]

I don’t really like having Adaware, SpyBot, etc, always running in the background, so I don’t use those types of programs an instead rely heavily on a good AV and Firewall.

This PC I’m on now, I had built fresh at the start of the year, so I’m about a year in running nothing but Avast.

Out of curiosity, I just downloaded the Malware program everyone is talking about in this thread and ran a scan.

It found nothing! Perfectly clean!

A year of working and surfing with nothing but Avast between me and the world…..and no infections.

That speaks volumes to me! :thumb:

[joec]

It hasn't found anything on mine either Keltin but I keep it just in case.

[Keltin]

I can respect that, but eventually you become a digital hoarder or agoraphobic if you aren’t careful.

If you need personal protection, you might buy a .357 magnum……then, just in case, a derringer in the back, a .38 at the hip, a boot knife, a Kubaton keychain, pocket mace, a taser in the cargo pocket, credit card knife in the wallet, assault rifle in the trunk of the car, shotgun under the bed, ruger under the pillow…….and on it goes.

The just in cases can build up into a maddening array, when in the end, a good .357 and proper training does all you ever need.

[joec]

To hell with the .357 as a Glock 9mm has more impact power, no ballistics other than gun type but not individual is all that is needed in most cases. It is also easier on the recoil than a .357 so at my age less sore muscles. The only thing better is a shot gun but then they have some recoil hence I take a glock. :wink:

[Keltin]

With hollow points?

[Keltin]

We watched a show on one of the Court channels the other night abut some psycho that goes crazy and unloads on a school of kids. A 16 year old girl took three hits from a 9mm uzi and ran off! And lived perfectly fine!

Thank god!

But, the point being I’ve read many a medical reports saying the proliferation of the 9mm into the population (it’s a cheap, popular, and an easy semi-automatic to get) has lead to an incredible rise in long-term care shootings. The rounded bullets of the 9mm tend to pass cleanly through the body, have no stopping power, and the victim often runs off in fear and then undergoes hours of surgery to stop bleeding arteries and is released within 24 hours. The most common carry over fatality is infection and not the gunshot.

Without hollow points, I don’t see the stopping power in a 9mm.

[Fisher's Mom]

LOL! You and Joe are cracking me up here! I still can't get the image of you with a 9mm next to your computer as "personal protection".

It reminds me of an afternoon I spent at my neighbor, Jay's, house with him and Kinky Friedman (who is Jay's best friend.) Anyway, when I asked Jay if he got mice every year when they mow the big park area near us, he said yes. When I asked him how he dealt with them, Kinky interrupted and said "he shoots them". I laughed and asked again. Kinky said "I told you - he shoots them". He walked me into the kitchen where, sure enough, there were several big holes in the cabinets near the floor!!! (It was the weirdest afternoon ever.)

[Sherman]

Not if he does a clean install.



A restore back to an even earlier date, or even a recovery might be in order to kill the suddens problems that have occuered since last Thursday.

The friend who helped me restore THIS pc, I asked him if he's had any problems with Vista, and he said he has and has had to do a restore himself. :ohmy:

[Maverick2272]

LOL! You and Joe are cracking me up here! I still can't get the image of you with a 9mm next to your computer as "personal protection".

I can honestly say there have been times I have wanted to point a gun at my computer...:glare:

A Glock 9mm, gotta respect that! I am partial to the Colt 45 semi auto, especially the pearl handle my dad carried while in the Marines (to go with the dress uniform). Nice gun. Also kinda like their revolvers, too. The ones you always see in the Westerns.


Guns and computers in one thread, who woulda thought it?:lol:

[Adillo303]

I can respect that, but eventually you become a digital hoarder or agoraphobic if you aren’t careful.

If you need personal protection, you might buy a .357 magnum……then, just in case, a derringer in the back, a .38 at the hip, a boot knife, a Kubaton keychain, pocket mace, a taser in the cargo pocket, credit card knife in the wallet, assault rifle in the trunk of the car, shotgun under the bed, ruger under the pillow…….and on it goes.

The just in cases can build up into a maddening array, when in the end, a good .357 and proper training does all you ever need.


Keltin - You never told us you worked in NYC. LOL

[Sass Muffin]

I am running on Vista with the new computer. I have Avast.
No problems whatsoever.
Don't expect any either.

[Sherman]

Ok, I've restored the pc all the way back to the first bacup, which was done on June 29th of this year.

If the pc still shows signs of acting up, then the next and final course of action is a recovery, which erases EVERYTHING and brings the pc back to when it was brand new with the setup process as though I'm setting it up for the first time, ever.

Let's hope that this isn't neccesary, but if it is, them it will have to be done.

[lilbopeep]

Ok, I've restored the pc all the way back to the first bacup, which was done on June 29th of this year.

If the pc still shows signs of acting up, then the next and final course of action is a recovery, which erases EVERYTHING and brings the pc back to when it was brand new with the setup process as though I'm setting it up for the first time, ever.

Let's hope that this isn't neccesary, but if it is, them it will have to be done.
total reinstall isn't that bad if you backup everything. i do it often just to get rid of the stubborn crap that can't be deleted.

[Sherman]

I'l have to start making new backup disks next month as long as this latest restore lasts that long or longer.

I've also created a restore date in System Restore just in case things start to mess up then.

If needed, I'll go back to that restore date through System Restore and then make a backup disk immediately.

[ChowderMan]

Sherm -

you may want to investigate "disk imaging" software. it takes a byte-for-byte 'image' of your hard drive / partition and can put all the ones and zeros back in exactly the same pattern.

"System Restore" sometimes cannot cope with the 'damage' done - a disk image is a lot like the on-board utilities tp 'put it back to factory conditions' but you can put to factory fresh, do all the updates, install your normal software stuff, then capture an image - saves a boatload of time when you need it.

has other advantages - I suspected a hardware failure issue - so I made an image, then put it back to factory condition with the hidden partition utility thing, then rechecked the hardware. (yup, web cam broke. . . oh well)

then using the just captured image, in 30 minutes I had my "old" machine back exactly as before and saved myself a lot of time&effort troubleshooting a broke webcam.

[Rob Babcock]

Malware Bytes is a great piece of software and I've used it a few times to remove trojans that no other utility could remove. I agree that Norton & McAfee are way down the list- there are much better AVs, many of them free.

The disk imaging software is a good idea. But short of that I suggest keeping extensive backups of your important files and making sure to keep 'em current. Your music collection, photos from your parents anniversary or your vacation to Hawaii, your tax returns...keep this stuff on an external drive that you can plug in just to back up. Then when you do have problems it's just an inconvenience, not a catastrophe.

Ask me how I know.:glare:

[Wart]

s...keep this stuff on an external drive that you can plug in just to back up. Then when you do have problems it's just an inconvenience, not a catastrophe.

Ask me how I know.:glare:


Thats what I started doing.

I got a 1Tb external, copied and backed up the internal three different ways (DAMN! Storage has gotten cheap!).

Then did a low level format on the internal and reinstalled the OS and all programs.

The external drive sits here unplugged or is in the safe.

What I've found is I have transferred damned few files back into the machine.

Mostly I move data out of the machine, no need for old eBay graphics or last semesters files.

[joec]

I do the same myself and backup the office data daily to my personal computer and the external HD's (I have 2 WD book type).

[Fisher's Mom]

Me, four. I pretty much put everything onto external drives now and only leave the OS and drivers on the hard drive.

[Adillo303]

All well and good. External drives are also hardware and will fail eventually. Does anyone back up the externals?

[FryBoy]

In addition to the external drives, consider www.mozy.com (http://www.mozy.com). Runs in the background, updating the backups on a remote server in Utah whenever the computer is idle or on any schedule you select. You pick the files/directories/discs to backup. Fast. Highly secure, 448-bit encryption, 2GB of backup free, $5 per month for unlimited storage. A good supplement to your external drive as it can't be stolen or destroyed by fire.

[joec]

All well and good. External drives are also hardware and will fail eventually. Does anyone back up the externals?

I actually do first with a second external hard drive as I said. Now I also back up to DVD once a month as my data can't be lost for 7 years regardless. I might add we also keep hard copy of everything so if a computer goes down I'm not with 3 machines and a new one on line with in a week.

[Sherman]

Some good news!

One of my laptop pc's, (this one) has been set up and is now running smoothly after some major adjustments!

It crapped out earlier last year. I had the hard drive and keyboard replaced, but never used it or went online with it. A friend set it up for me, and it now flies. Going to have to get a Norton Ghost disk to make backups, as Windows Vista backups won't restore the pc properly.

The one that I was using, now needs a complete recovery done to it to completely erase the hard drive and reset the pc back to the new way that it was when I first got it.

[Maverick2272]

All well and good. External drives are also hardware and will fail eventually. Does anyone back up the externals?

All of my computers back up to a network drive once a week. Done automatically in the background which means I know it will get done but also while it is going things slow way down. But I also know if I leave it up to the kids to let it do its job when it asks, they don't LOL.
The network drive is backed up once a month onto DVD. Since the DVD burner is part of the network drive case, it is also done automatically for me but in this case it only starts automatically. It takes multiple DVDs to back everything on the network drive up, so as soon as it finishes the first DVD I get a notice on my computer to swap it out.
This means a quick trip(or 4) downstairs to keep loading the DVD burner with fresh DVDs but hey, it works so I won't mess with it for now LOL.

I have been eyeing a Terabite Station (not sure of the spelling) which has a huge 1tb HDD and a built in DVD with changer so it will autoload the DVDs and save me the trip downstairs to re-load. But, unless the price drops by 50% or so I don't know if I can justify such an expense. The only real info of great importance is the wifes business stuff, and her laptop has dual drives so her second drive is acting like backup storage between the weekly backups to the network drive.
Mine laptop also has two hard drive in it (320gb each), but they are both full right now!

[Sherman]

For now, I must use System Restore until a suitable backup software disk can be bought.

[Keltin]

Most people have less than 1 gig of real personal data. Video files bump that, but really……text files, spreadsheets, some pics. Not much that makes a system “yours”.

You can back that up to a thumb drive and then do the right thing and wipe that freaking drive and start clean.

I’ve no idea why anyone would sweat a full wipe. As long as you have the key and own the OS S/W, back up the gig or so of your stuff to a drive, then do it. The OS is so advanced now that drivers aren’t usually a problem, and the rest of your pet proggies can be DL’d again. In fact, I keep my fav proggy EXEs in my backup files.

I OWN my PC……it does not own ME. If I want to wipe it, I’ve got the OS discs and the backups to make it happen. It’s really very easy. Patches upon patches are just duct tape on top of duct tape over a very real hole that is blowing fire and ice.

Don’t let your PC own you…..you are the master if you choose to be.

[Maverick2272]

I don't back up the OS, any programs, or drivers. I have all that on CD and is a cinch to re-install all of it. I always have done it this way so I am not dependent on OEM disks or 'restore' partitions on the HDD. What I do back up is all of the wife's files, her pictures, my pictures, the kids pictures (they take their own pics too), my movies, everyone's videos, my files, kids files. Comes to about 600gb worth in the end.
I alone have over 4,000 songs on my computer and about 150 movies in various formats but mostly in HD format for playback. One of these days I will get around to burning them onto DVD, LOL. When I do it should free up about 400gb worth of space, mostly on my computer.
As for restore partitions and OEM disks, if you use those you end up with your computer back to square one, complete with all those useless 'add-ons' and unwanted programs they ship your computer with.
For this reason, I always get a full copy of the OS it is running, then wipe the computers HDD clean with a full reformating (including removing the restore partition so the drive has one partition not two) and do a fresh and clean install of the OS. Then I can load it up only with the programs and freatures I want with none of the clutter that it came with. I have always found the computer runs both faster and more stable this way.

[Adillo303]

I OWN my PC……it does not own ME. If I want to wipe it, I’ve got the OS discs and the backups to make it happen. It’s really very easy. Patches upon patches are just duct tape on top of duct tape over a very real hole that is blowing fire and ice.

Don’t let your PC own you…..you are the master if you choose to be.

I am so with you here Keltin. One of my pet peves lately is that when I go to use any given program I get a popup that says that I need to install an update first.

[Fisher's Mom]

I OWN my PC……it does not own ME. If I want to wipe it, I’ve got the OS discs and the backups to make it happen. It’s really very easy. Patches upon patches are just duct tape on top of duct tape over a very real hole that is blowing fire and ice.

Don’t let your PC own you…..you are the master if you choose to be.This is a very powerful statement, Keltin, on a lot of levels. I think most people are afraid of their PCs because they feel like it is so complicated that one little mistake will screw it up forever. Not true. Yes, there are some mistakes that can cause you big time problems, but 99% of those can be fixed, too.

Like you said - aside from pictures and video - there is very little personal information on a home PC. If people learned when they first get their PCs to back up, or as Chowder mentioned, make a disk image, and did this weekly - they would feel much more confident.

[Adillo303]

Yes, there are some mistakes that can cause you big time problems

The best example of this in my life is answering a question that says Are you Sure you want to - Without thinking first. LOL

[Fisher's Mom]

So true, Andy. And it applies to way more than computers! LOL

[Adillo303]

Um.... Well yes it does. This could be an interesting conversation.

[Wart]

This is a very powerful statement, Keltin, on a lot of levels. I think most people are afraid of their PCs because they feel like it is so complicated that one little mistake will screw it up forever. Not true. Yes, there are some mistakes that can cause you big time problems, but 99% of those can be fixed, too.

We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology. - Carl Sagan (who died in 1996)


Like you said - aside from pictures and video - there is very little personal information on a home PC. If people learned when they first get their PCs to back up, or as Chowder mentioned, make a disk image, and did this weekly - they would feel much more confident.

Yeah, but when trying to tell people of the need to maintain their computer they get a little freaky.