Hi Phyllis, I'll do my best!
You will only need to use Linux Puppy if for any reason your backup is deficient in any way….. I often emphasize the importance of checking tha back up is up to date, as some folks have never backed up their important stuff at all. It's easier to copy stuff off from within Windows, but if Windows won't boot up then using Linux Puppy is pretty effective:
The Linux Puppy Live distro is a very useful tool, that is in constant use in the workshop, but for a home user it has 3 main uses:
In explanation, Linux Puppy Live distro is a self contained operating system that runs in memory from a CD…..or even a thumb drive if you are crafty (That's what the "Live" bit means), so it doesn't need Windows at all, IE no need for a working copy of Windows XP, Vista, 7 or any earlier version of Windows. It is in effect an alternative to Windows and also has the advantage of being free (quite legally). Because Windows is fitted to the majority of PC's, folks are often unaware that there are different operating systems available….one of the advantages of Linux is that it is issued free under a general licence unlike some other operating systems (like Windows) that are charged for by their developers.
1
If a machine won’t boot, then we need to know first off, if its a hardware problem. or an operating system (Windows) problem…..if it is hardware then there's no need for us to spend time trying to alter Windows settings……. so first we try to boot from the Linux Live Puppy disc (altering the boot priority in the BIOS if necessary to facilitate this) if the machine works perfectly under Linux then we can be reasonably sure that the hardware is OK and so we start looking at the Windows operating system to try and identify the problem so that we can fix it.
2
If a machine won't boot into Windows even in safe mode, It can be a very worrying time.
For Example
When the machine won't boot up, no matter what you do and you realise that all your important stuff, (music, photos, work, address books and contact lists, emails, downloaded programs and all your Microsoft Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, data bases PowerPoint presentations and all the rest perhaps including the only draft of the book you have spent the last 3 years researching and writing or your PHd thesis) have all disappeared…………
then we can try to boot into Linux Live Puppy, access the hard drive (Live Puppy does this automatically) and copy off the data to safe external media (its surprising that despite everything that has been written about the need for back ups, so few folks actually have an up to date accurate and reproducible back up of all their important stuff kept safe on removable media……
3 Its a super way of becoming familiar with a different operating system…….without making any changes to the hard drive..that might affect Windows…its a way of learning and experimenting and finding out information in a no risk, or at least low risk way.
There's lots of other things, but hopefully, the above will give you the idea.
Linux Puppy backup Introduction: Back up when you can't boot into Windows:
A.) Please take the opportunity now to bring your back up/archive/copy of all your important stuff 100% up to date, check that it's accurate, reproducible and held securely on removable media (not your hard drive)……
the idea here is to ensure that all your important data, files, spreadsheets, work, music, emails, log in details, user names, address book, drivers, letters, invoices, videos etc….in fact everything that is important to you (stuff that you would not like to permanently lose) is kept safe on external media. I recommend the use of a USB external hard drive for this.
Whilst you are doing this, collect together all your application installation discs (or downloaded installation executables) serial numbers, product licence keys (including the one for Windows itself and the Microsoft Windows installation disc and or Manufacturer's Restore and Driver/utilities discs.
If you have made a "disc image" using Paragon, Acronis, Ghost or one of the free disc imaging alternatives then keep this image safe also on removable media, verify it for correctness and reproducibility and ensure you have made a bootable CD/DVD for use in the event that Windows will not start.
Now, here's the detailed instructions on how to do it. You will need access to a working computer for this.
B.) Download Linux Puppy from here:
Linux Puppy
Its a download of only around 100MB, so a broadband connection is advisable for the download… Puppy is an alternative operating system….. it does not need Windows to run, and the licence to use it is free of charge and comes included automatically. It is different in its interface from Windows, but sufficiently intuitive for most folks to use it successfully without problem.
C.) Burn the iso (that you have downloaded) to CD ROM as an "image"…it must be as an image, a copy will not work!……..Imgburn is good for this, available from here:
http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
D.) Switch on your "unco-operative" computer and Set Bios to Boot from CD as first priority…on most Dells it's F2 to enter the Bios (set up) otherwise try F12, Esc or Del.
NOTE you will need to press the appropriate key (to enter the Bios) immediately after power on.
Your hard drive should be next in priority followed by USB/network if the settings provide these options. Remember to save your altered settings in the Bios before exiting
E.) With your external back up media plugged in to a USB port I.E. External USB hard drive, flash drive etc and the Linux Puppy CD ROM inserted into the CD drive, close down your machine and:
F.) Boot from the CD, you may get a message to "press any key to continue booting from CD" so allow this, Now follow the on-screen Linux Puppy prompts as to location, keyboard, video etc., and will allow you access to your Hard drive so you can copy off to your external media anything you need. You will soon get used to Puppy and you'll find that you will be able to use the Internet and do most things that you want to do. However as you need to back up your files, I suggest you concentrate on copying off your important stuff first.
G) With your external hard drive or memory stick in the computer (click on) open a window for your hard drive and the external drive and simply drag and drop your folders and files across……..tip……. only drag one folder at a time (otherwise Puppy can get "indigestion") so when you have dragged your "My Documents" folder across wait until its finished copying before dragging the next folder across.
Good luck
Regards
paws
