DIY: Personal Disaster Recovery Backup Server part 1

DIY: Personal Disaster Recovery Backup Server
Part 1

Chances are that you found this DIY post from Google. You were searching for terms like "I just formatted my Hard Drive" or ''My Hard Drive crashed'' and you probably need your files and pictures back ASAP! You can hear that voice telling you "I told you so..."

Well, now is the time to build your own Personal Disaster Recovery Backup Server so you will always have a backup of your personal files.

Yes, you can use online services, most of them cost, and there are a few that are free with plenty of storage. But the biggest drawback is your computer needs to be connected to the internet, which is hard to do if you don't have an Operating System on it.

First, we will go over 2 types of data loss

Type 1: You deleted some files on accident or on purpose, not realizing what you were deleting.
Here, you are able to boot to your OS and use Online recovery services or some of the following suggestions:
- Check the Recycle Bin
- Use System Restore (doesn't recover data files, just system files)
- Run a "File recovery program" see below

Type 2: Failed Hard Drive - you can’t boot to your Operating System
Here, the computer fails when it boots, and either can’t find the Hard Drive or can’t read from it.
Simple steps to try in this scenario:
- Take out the Hard Drive and put it in another computer, as a "second" Hard Drive
- Put the Hard Drive in an external usb/firewire case and try in another computer
- There are a lot of tools on Hirens Boot CD that could be helpful

Quick story about a failing Hard Drive

I had a friend take his computer to Geek Squad, because his computer didn’t boot, and he had a lot of family pictures that he didn’t burn on CD. They told him that his hard drive failed because the platters could not get up to speed and he needed to buy a new one. He told me about it and I asked for the hard drive and plugged it in my computer, and all his files were still there. Something happened to Windows where it just wouldn't boot to the desktop. Nothing was wrong with the hard drive at all.

Part 1

I have not needed a file recovery program in a long time, but I did find that I needed one last month when I was "cleaning" up my hard drive. I was selecting multiple folders at a time and hitting Shift-Delete, which skips the recycle bin and deletes them right then.
Unknowingly, a couple of business project files had been deleted and I was not the only person that needed them.

After a little research, I came across a program called Stellar Phoenix Windows Data Recovery Software which had the feature that I was looking for and many more.
One of the features it has is to recover deleted files after recycle bin has been emptied, or use of Shift+Delete. That's exactly what I needed and was able to recover my files.

After installing it, it took about 7min to scan my hard drive and recover the files I needed. It also found some accidentally deleted family pictures - and recovered them also.

Here's a list of Key features

• File System supported: FAT and NTFS
• Windows Support: Windows Vista, XP, 2003, 2000
• File Types: More than 300 types are recognized along with the option to add new ones
• Photo Recovery: Recovery for almost all camera file formats
• File Preview: Great for sorting through deleted images
• Options to Recover: Can be saved as compressed file or to a FTP server
• File Filter: Search quicker using masks and filters

Below are some very helpful screen cast of the product in action

Recover files quickly and easily

Recover deleted partitions

Preview delete Photos before restoring them

Save a recovery scan for later restoration


Coming Up in Part 2

I will show you how to build a home backup/recovery server from an old computer. After all, you know you are getting a new one for the holidays :)

(who knows how many "old" computers you have laying around)

Possibilities are Endless

- A Stand-alone server always ready to be used no matter what time of day.
- If your hard drive crashes, replace it and have all your information back on the new drive in less than an hour.
-Peace of mind knowing that your information is safe and accessible anytime
-Doing all of this yourself and saving big $$$

Make sure to leave you suggestions and comments below

Free Remote Access Software Setup and Review

How-To Setup Remote Access software for connecting to any computer across the internet when your on a budget.

This is my experience using different software products and what I found out about each of them.

Products included in this article:
(Click the logo for a quick jump to the information)


LogMeIn [link]





RealVNC [link]






GoToAccess [link]




I do a lot of remote access troubleshooting for clients, and so I wanted to share what I have learned about various remote access software programs that I have used and some quick tips on each.

I have a few things that I look for in remote access software, which include, but not limited to: price, ease of setup, required customer interaction, file transfers, firewall setup, router setup, speed, and others. I will be focusing on Free versions in this post.

Let me show you how to install and setup each program and I will also give a bit of commentary on each.



LogMeIn

There are different versions available on their website, some with 30-day a trial, but I will be focusing on the Free version.

To install:

1. goto LogMeIn website
2. create an account using your email and password
3. sign in your account
4. click Add Computer
5. select product (FREE)
6. download the software and install
7. after running the setup wizard your good to go

What i like about LogMeIn is that you can have multiple computers added into your account, so you can keep track of them all an never have to worry about remembering IP address.
You are able to organize all of your computers by putting them in different groups. for example: you can have groups for you parents, relatives, friends and enemies.
Also, and probably my favorite feature is that its runs as a "Hosted Service" meaning you (or your client) don't have to mess with any router/firewall settings.

That's about the limit of the free version, so what if you need to transfer a file, well thats when you rely on an Instant Message program, like Yahoo/MS Messenger, Google Talk or AIM. Sign on IM on both computers and transfer files through IM.




RealVNC

RealVNC is the fastest and uses the least amount of memory of the three reviewed programs, but it is a little harder to setup, especially if you're not computer savy. The downside is that you have to modify firewall settings to allow connection and forward ports if your behind a router. But once its setup, it is very simple to connect and control.


To install

1. download the software from their website
2. run the setup program
3. after installation is complete, configure a password
4. configure firewall programs to Allow VNC access to internet
5. configure Router to Forward the port 5900 to the computer's local ip address (most cases 192.168.1.xxx)
6. after the server (remote pc) is up and running, all you need to do is connect from your local computer.

Now VNC can be setup to run as a service (always on) but you will still need to know the IP address of the remote computer to access it. Unless your client likes looking up his own IP address every time you want to connect, you need to setup a no-ip.org /dyndns.com service. These services provide an easy-to-remember constantly-updated IP address. So instead of remembering an IP address like 64.233.169.147, all you have to remember is www.google.com

• One thing I noticed is that when you are controlling a Vista machine, you will get kicked off every time the UAC box pops up on the remote machine and you cannot reconnect until the client closes the UAC box or disables it altogether.

As with LogMeIn, these free versions do not allow file transfers, so you have to rely on IM or a website where you can host your own files.


GoToAssist Express


GoToAssist Express is new for me, and, at the time of this post, it is in a public beta stage, meaning that it is a FREE download and install. I stumbled across this program via [youtube] Chris Pirillo gives a fine video review on it.

To Install

1. sign up for the beta program here
2. download and install the program
3. once you get it running it will open a new session with a key associated with it
4. instruct you client to go to the website and input your session key
5. thats it. Your connected!

Clients install
(Java is needed on clients computer)

1. go to the link
2. enter name and support key
3. software is download and installed
4. asked to share your screen
5. thats it

Unattended setup
After you connect to the clients computer, you can setup an unattended session, meaning you can connect whenever you want. You have to initiate the setup, but the client needs to be present to confirm the action taken.
After it is setup, there is a dialog box that asks for connection confirmation, that has an auto-accept timer. So there is no need for the client to be there.

Here's what I like with this program: Simple setup, minimal client knowledge needed to install, and you can get a detailed diagnostic report from the remote computer.
Best of all, this Free version allows file transfers!

• There is a FREE training Webinar that will teach you how to use GoToAssist Express to your best advantage.
Video HERE (requires media player 9)

This post was written to cover Free versions of versions for remote access. There are many more options that were not covered, like Windows built-in Remote Desktop, and different flavors of VNC. Also, all the PAID services were not talked about because this is a DIY blog.

Please leave comments that will help readers make informed decisions about FREE products, and dont leave comments like "LogMeIN sucks!" rather "LogMeIn does not work on a PSP, but VNC does"

Any comments that have to do with software not covered in this post, should be specific and may be moved to the post itself.

Fix that LCD Flat Panel Monitor

HOW-TO:
Fix a faulty LCD Monitor Power Supply

Problem: You have a LCD monitor that either does not turn on or turns on and off randomly. There might even be a high pitch squeal when it is on.

Solution: Replace the power supply of the monitor.

Options:
1) get a new monitor (cost: too much)
2) get a new power supply (cost: too much, that is, if you can even find one)
3) FIX IT YOURSELF (cost: FREE)

I will show you how easy it is to fix it with the scrap parts you already have.

I received a FREE lcd monitor (remember the cost) that would turn on but after 15 minutes or so would turn back off and would not turn on unless it was unplugged then plugged back in. After opening it up, I noticed there was a bad capacitor on the power supply. So I dug through all my spare components to find an identical (rated) capacitor.
When I got it changed out and powered back on, it still had a high pitch squeal and random power problems. So I just replaced the whole power supply.
The power supply of the monitor had 6 connections. 3 ground, 2 12volt and 1 5volt. I have several old computer power supplies, so I used one of them (cost: Free)
All I had to do was strip it down to what I needed.
Next I mounted the PS on the back of the monitor. Using the existing mounting points (for wall mount) Make some custom connections (cost: Free), so the monitor can easily be taking apart.

Connected it all together and fired it up.

Now I have a working LCD Flat Panel Monitor for a total cost of $0

HOW-TO: Unlimited Free MP3s (legally)

Blackberry Scroll Wheel 'Clicker' and 'Back' Button Fix

BLACKBERRY SCROLL WHEEL CLICKER BUTTON FIX
Click here for the 'Back' button fix



If you ever had to replace your Blackberry, chances are that the buttons on the side didn't work anymore. That scroll wheel wouldn't click, and it was such an inconvenience to hit the enter key all the time. If you were lucky, you could push it down just right and it would work. But after a while nothing would work anymore and you were stuck with a hundred dollar repair charge or a new phone.

Well now you can keep your old trusty phone and repair that bum button yourself.

This how-to should work for any phone that has buttons that don't 'click' anymore, because I am going to show you how to fix the button, no matter what phone you have.

DISCLAIMER: Taking apart your phone will void your warranty. This is a how-to guide. I cannot be held responsible if you damage your phone. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!


The hard part is trying to figure out how to disassemble your phone. Each phone is different so have GOOGLE be your guide when you take it apart.

Once you have opened it up all the way to the circuit board then you are ready to go



In the upper right of this picture you can see the wheel and directly to the left of the wheel is the 'back' button.
The next pictures will show why the button doesn't 'click' anymore





The first photo shows the accumulated lint that sometimes hinder the correct functionality of the wheel.
The second one show that the little 'clicker disk' has a crack in it.
The last one shows the crack in detail.

Next you need to find another 'clicker' button. Those can be found on any old phone that has buttons on the side of the phone. The dial pad number buttons are too big to use. It should be easy enough to find an old phone that can be used for parts nowadays.

The next pictures are of the button you should be looking for.





Now that you found the replacement, let take out the old one.

The best tools I found to use are a tiny jewelers flat screwdriver and a pair of long nose needle nose pliers.

Pictures always help



Locate the 'orange' area. This is a plastic cover for the button. Use the screwdriver to carefully pry up a section of the 'orange' plastic, just enough to grab it with the pliers. Pull it out with a slight upward motion.

The goal is to grab the plastic and the 'clicker' button will stick to it and it will all come out as one piece.




Here are the two 'clickers' side by side



The next thing to do is to put the new 'clicker' back into the wheel housing, then put the plastic on top of it. Give it a couple of clicks to seat it into it's spot and then reassemble the phone.

Now you will have your wheel clicker back and you can work on that high score in BrickBreaker.


Blackberry 'Back' Button Fix

The 'Back' button is fixed in the same way as the scroll wheel button. The only difference is the actual 'clicker' that goes in there.



Here is a picture of the 'Back' button.




You need to take a razor blade and trim back that black 'melted' plastic that holds the cover on.



After you get it trimmed back. then use the razor blade to pry off the cover. Try not to bend the cover because you need to use it again.



On the inside you can see the square 'clicker'. Take it out and replace it with the new one.



These buttons are harder to find. You either need to use another blackberry for parts or any Push-To-Talk button.



The hard part of this repair is getting the white plastic to balance straight up.



Notice the two metal tabs that stick up, you use those tabs to hold the metal cover back in.
Just bent them down a little so the hold the cover. Don't bend them too hard because the button will not work.



Pictures of the tabs to bend.



Once you get the tabs bent in place you can reassemble the phone.


Save some money, fix your own blackberrys!!!

DIY Wireless Network Printer

With everything going wireless, it's a logical choice to have a wireless printer. They can range from a couple hundred dollars to a couple thousand, depending on what kind of printer you choose.

But you don't want to invest in a new printer when the one you have works perfectly. Well I found a solution! And it is very inexpensive!

The key to this setup was the router. Fonera makes a very small wireless B/G router which makes it easy to install anywhere. You can find them on ebay for less then $20

The original firmware would not do for my project so I installed DD-WRT. and I would like to thank all those who answered my questions and helped me at www.dd-wrt.com

So now I will show you the construction on my wireless network printer adapter.

Step 1

Gather all the parts together

You will need a printer, a network adapter for the printer, a wireless router, wire, LEDs, solder, and plenty of time.

Printer: I think any printer will work, as long as there is room inside it to fit the router. I was given the LaserJet 5 and found out that it had network capabilities. I searched Ebay and found a network card, untested, for $7. A most definite BARGAIN! For all those with printers that attach with usb, they make usb-to-network adapters, I believe they will work too.

Router: I chose the FONERA wireless router based on three things: 1) it's size, 2) customization with DD-WRT, and 3) the Price. I was able to pick up a couple of these for free.

Router Software: DD-WRT is software that is installed inside the router and opens up the potential that many routers contain.

NOTE: As far as the exact setup for your router and printer, you will find the most help in the forums. At the end of this post, I will put screen shots of my current setup. Hopefully that will help.

Misc Parts: I used many different parts from various computer/electrical components. All of the parts have been laying throughout the house collecting dust. I don't have a parts list, so just follow the basic layout and you can find out what works best for you.

Step 2

Find space for your router

There are two was to locate some extra room inside your printer. One way is to just take it apart. You're going to be taking it apart anyway so why not start there. Unless, of coarse, you still need a functional printer at this time. And the second way to find some open space is to use Google. There are many sites that carry "service manuals" for your printer. A "service manual" is the manual that the repair technicians use to fix the printers. it gives detailed instructions that go beyond printing-a-test-page. For example: we will be covering how to power the router later and the "service manual" will give information on the power supply and the wires inside the printer.

I found a perfect spot to mount my router. It is located towards the front of the printer, and has plenty of space.

Step 3:

Make your mounting bracket

The simplest bracket mounting system I found was to use one of those computer expansion port covers. It's the piece of metal that most people remove from their computer when they add a video card, network card, sound card or other pci/agp card into their computer. Just drill 2 holes and add some spacers (I used motherboard stand-offs) The result has a nice clean look.

Cut a little slot in the metal and slide your bracket in. Then mark the cutout area.

Next I used a blank CD to make another mounting for the quick connect and the antenna connection. (blurry, sorry)
To bend the plastic, just heat it up with a hot air gun or blow torch. Then drill the hole for the antenna connector.

Step 4:

Wire the adapter

This is the part where you can use whatever you have.

I pulled a jumper block off an old parallel/serial pc card and used that as a quick connection block. Using my dremel, I carefully drilled a series of holes in the CD bracket and soldered the jumper block to it.

I need 2 connection for each LED: Power, LAN (cat5), and WLAN (wireless). and 4 connection for the reset switch. I intended also to have the antenna connected also but decided on a different method for that.

The goal here is to have access to the lights and reset switch when the router is installed in the printer.

Wiring for the LEDs
Wiring for the reset switch
All wired

Step 5:

Find some power

The Fonera runs off 5v and according the the Laserjet 5 service manual it also produces a 5v source. Now I'm not an electrician, but using my multimeter, I was comfortable using the power from the printer.

Blue wire: Ground, Brown wire: 5v, Red wire: 24v.

Remove the needed wires from the connector so you can solder to them

(no picture: The wire I used was pulled off the computers internal speaker. One end soldered directly to the power supply wires and the other end has the the connector for the block pictured below)

Another custom jumper block soldered to the router.

Step 6:

Some Assembly required

At this point you should have your router mountable and wired up. Now comes the fun part.

Adding lights. Standard LEDs will work fine.

Here's a little tip: To get the "Glowing" effect, just use some fine sand paper and lightly sand the LEDs

finding a location to mount the lights and switch, and still trying to make it look nice, might be a challenge. So find a spot that looks good and can be accessed easily.

Once you find a spot, dill the holes and mount them

a little hot glue to hold it in

a little more wiring

cleaned up

a little pre-Assembly testing

Step 7:

Final Assembly and testing

In this picture you can see the router mounted in place. Also you can see the antenna installed and the connector that leads to the lights and the reset switch.

one note about the antenna:

I wanted to mount the antenna on the outside of the printer to get a better signal (i get a decent signal now) but I did not have a long enough cable. I had 2 failed attempts at making my own cable, not only that, but i got worse signal then with no antenna connected at all. So if you have a long antenna cable then it is recommended to mount it on the outside of the printer.

Before:

After:

Before:

After:



Final Thoughts:

After you have completed this project, you will have a less clustered mess of wires. Also, using DD-WRT, you have the option of making your printer a Hot-Spot for your wireless network.
DD-WRT on the Fonera is still in its infancy, so there are a lot of options that have yet to be perfected.



My Wireless Setup:

The following screen shots are of my current dd-wrt settings.

192.168.1.2 (fonera plugged into the Buffalo)

administration-management

administration-keep.alive

security-firewall

setup-advanced.routing

setup-basic.setup

status-lan

status-wireless

sys-info

wireless-basic.settings

wireless-wireless.security

---------------------------------------------------------

192.168.1.3 (fonera plugged into the printer)

administration-management

security-firewall

setup-advanced.routing

setup-basic.setup

status-lan

status-wireless

sys-info

wireless-basic.settings

wireless-wireless.security

If you have any questions or need something explained in more detail, just let me know


As Always, Have Fun