Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2013 January 7

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January 7

Easy Windows 7 backup software

A relative of mine who uses Windows 7 has an external, USB drive that they want to use for automatic, no-effort backups. Apparently the particular drive is not super compatible with Windows 7's own default (bundled) backup software.

I don't use Windows 7 too much myself... is there some sort of very standard, reliable piece of software that does this? I'm thinking of something that makes automatic backups, restore points, and the like, but isn't the default Windows Backup software. It can't be too difficult to set up or they'll never be able to use it. All germane suggestions appreciated. --Mr.98 (talk) 01:54, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

If you want something free I have heard good things about CrashPlan. I personally use Acronis True Image, which was recommended to me by my uncle who runs an company offering IT support to businesses. It offers disk image backups (which are browsable so you can recover individual files if necessary), file/folder backups and continuous backups (á la Time Machine (Mac OS)). It is easy to use as far as navigating the software goes, and has a good help system, but you do need to know what you want to do (e.g. incremental vs. differential backups) so it isn't quite as easy as e.g. time machine, where you don't get any options at all. The new version does come with some nice graphics which explain what the different sorts of backup do, and it has some "standard" schemes to choose from, so that may not be too difficult for your relative. As far as reliability goes I have personally recovered my OS three times "for real" and each time it was painless and quick. Once my windows install was unbootable and I used an acronis bootable CD (which I really recommend burning as soon as you have installed the software). Equisetum (talk | contributions) 13:30, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

I want to say CrashPlan is what some of the regulars at ##windows on irc.freenode.net recommend as well, couldn’t think of it. ¦ Reisio (talk) 18:02, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

Windows 7 movie suppression

I frequently find my computer slowing to a crawl when I load a web page, because it has some movie player on it which starts automatically. Is there any way I can make it wait until I hit the play button to do that ? StuRat (talk) 09:03, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

If running Firefox, Flashblock blocks all flash applets from auto-starting, meaning you have to explicitly click them to make them start. You can whitelist specific sites to allow their applets to start normally. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 12:44, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

Would that stop all video ? StuRat (talk) 00:54, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

Essentially, yes. The number of videos in web pages that use other technologies (media embedded in object tags, and html5 video tags) is still very low. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 11:06, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

Well not “still”; using Flash (which does use object tags) has supplanted most other proprietary video plugins (QuickTime, Windows Media Player, etc.), which were previously more popular. Using “HTML5” is still likely less popular than Flash, however, partly of course because no single video format will quite yet work in all relevant browsers without Flash’s help. ¦ Reisio (talk) 22:20, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

Didn't quite work. Flashblock still allowed the video to play automatically, in that I heard the audio and saw the slider move. Only the images were blocked. StuRat (talk) 22:27, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

Flashblock traditionally only works for Flash objects, although the developer had planned to add supports for “HTML5” media, too, and went as far as releasing a beta that does so. ¦ Reisio (talk) 22:40, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

On which site? -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 22:50, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

edx.org (you have to register for a free class to see videos). StuRat (talk) 19:54, 9 January 2013 (UTC)

And which OS/browser/version? ¦ Reisio (talk) 23:04, 9 January 2013 (UTC)

Windows 7, 32 bit version, running Firefox 18.0. StuRat (talk) 23:07, 9 January 2013 (UTC)

The video links at the top right of course pages, that open a YouTube video Lightbox-style, or something else? ¦ Reisio (talk) 15:43, 10 January 2013 (UTC)

No, just the video right on the site, like on this page: [1]. StuRat (talk) 04:29, 11 January 2013 (UTC)

That’s what I meant. Works fine with Flashblock here. ¦ Reisio (talk) 04:49, 11 January 2013 (UTC)

You might look into something like VLC media player’s browser plugin, which most likely can be configured to not automatically play things upon page load. ¦ Reisio (talk) 22:20, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

Wireless

Is there a software for Windows XP that makes a sound when it detects an unencrypted wireless network? My aim is to walk around with my laptop in my backpack and discover free internet access spots. 193.224.66.230 (talk) 14:58, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

The Wardriving article lists software suitable for this kind of thing. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 15:02, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

RAM suppliers

I'm building a personal computer. Where do I purchase RAM? -- YPNYPN ✡ 16:34, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

Any search engine will give you tons of online retailers, and there will likely be local retailers where you live as well. http://crucial.com/ is one large name in online RAM retailing. ¦ Reisio (talk) 18:04, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

Thanks! -- YPNYPN ✡ 18:55, 7 January 2013 (UTC)

Crucial is a consumer brand and retail operation of Micron Technology. It is also sold through other retailers and if you shop around, you can usually buy Crucial ram (exact same brand, exact same ram) cheaper from other stores than from the Crucial website itself (they don't want to compete with their customers pricewise, I guess). Newegg is a big US retailer with generally low prices. 67.117.146.66 (talk) 12:17, 9 January 2013 (UTC)

G.skill, Corsair are also acceptable brands and should be available at most computer stores. If you're in the US or Canada, definitely get it from large reputable stores such as Newegg (as someone had mention), or NCIX as they are able to offer consistently and relatively low prices, however from memory, the postage cost to areas outside of North America is quite high and you would probably be better off buying it online locally. YuMaNuMa ^Contrib 17:48, 10 January 2013 (UTC)