Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Sunday, August 9, 2015
[Software RAID] Software RAID 1 in Windows 7 for Increased Data Security
Software RAID 1 in Windows 7 for Increased Data Security
Software RAID 1, or "Mirroring", makes an exact copy of all the data between two disks. So, when one of the drives fails - because HDD failure is a matter of time - all data is safe on the other disk. Let's create a software RAID 1 in Windows 7.
To create software RAID 1 with Windows 7 we will need two hard disk drives - preferably of the same size - and at least Windows 7 Professional or Windows 7 Ultimate.
We can't create a software RAID 1 in Windows 7 Home Premium
Software RAID in Windows 7 is nothing less than a mess. Different Windows 7 versions have arbitrary restrictions on which RAID levels they allow us to create.
If we bought a PC with pre-installed Windows 7, chances are that we have Windows 7 Home Premium. That means that software RAID 1 is out of reach.
Due to licensing reasons, on Windows 7 Home Premium we can only create a RAID 0, "Striping", which is a useless type of RAID for data security.
When one disk fails in the RAID 0, all the data from all the disks is lost, permanently and without any chance for recovery.
The "Spanned Volume" option isn't even RAID. It's a JBOD array (Just a Bunch of Disks), where two or more disks appear as a single large disk. But this too doesn't offer any data security, when one disk is lost, all the data from every disk in the array is lost.
So, we won't be covering either scenario in Windows 7 Home Premium.
Why software RAID 1 and not software RAID 5?
For the same arbitrary licensing reasons, software RAID 5 is completely off-limits to any version of Windows 7.
We will find the option by right-clicking on the drive, but it will always be grayed-out, just taunting us with what it would be...
Only Windows Server editions - as old as Windows 2000 server - can create a software RAID 5.
With RAID 0 being useless for data security and RAID 5 being unavailable, creating a software RAID 1 in Windows 7 is the only viable option.
How to create a software RAID 1 in Windows 7
As we mentioned earlier, on a level 1 RAID two disks have the exact copy of all the data at any single moment. So, when one of them fails, the data is safe on the other.
The downside of RAID 1 is that we lose 50% of the total disk capacity. If we use two 1TB disks for RAID 1, the array will have a 1TB capacity in total.
To create the software RAID, we press the Windows key + R, to open the "run" dialogue, and type:
diskmgmt.msc
Creating a software RAID 1 with brand new disks
If both of the disks we will use for the Software RAID 1 are brand new, once we open the Disc Management console, we will get a message to initialize the disks.
If the disks are smaller than 2TB each, the MBR partition style is good enough. Else, we need to select the GPT partition style.
After that, we right-click on one of the two unallocated volumes, and select "New Mirrored Volume...".
On the New Mirrored Volume Wizard we add the 2nd disk...
...which will allow us to move forward.
In theory we can have more than two disks in a RAID 1 array, but they will all be copies of one disk, and a terrible waste of space. Four 1TB disks in RAID 1 give us a 1TB array, with 75% of the total capacity lost.
Finally, we assign a drive letter to the new array...
...and format it to NTFS.
The system warns us that this operation will convert basic disks to dynamic. The only downside of that is that we can't dual-boot another operating system from a dynamic disk e.g. a Linux distribution or another version of Windows.
By choosing "Yes", our Software RAID 1 in Windows 7 is ready.
We will find it in the "Computer", as a single disk.
Creating a Software RAID 1 copy of an existing data disk or partition
Let's say we didn't buy two more disks, but had already a disk or partition containing our data, and bought another disk to create a RAID 1.
In this case, we right-click the NTFS volume and select "Add Mirror...".
The system will show us the new disk, and we click on Add Mirror.
Both the disk we already had and the new disk will be converted to dynamic disks.
The software RAID 1 is created, and starts resynching.
As you can see, the original data we had on the single disk isn't lost, and we have complete access to it while the RAID is resynching.
It's best to leave the RAID 1 resynching complete before we do any intensive writing or deleting of data. It is a strenuous procedure for the disks, and we shouldn't make it any harder. Disks are known to have failed during the RAID resynching.
Creating a Software RAID 1 for the Windows installation
Since we don't need to format both drives to create Software RAID 1, we can also create a RAID 1 with the Windows installation. But we shouldn't do this if we wish to dual-boot with an other operating system, because of the dynamic disk restrictions we mentioned earlier.
We just need to mirror both the System reserved partition...
...and the C: partition.
Mind you that if, for some reason, we don't have a "System Reserved" partition, it's impossible to create a bootable software RAID 1, the option will be grayed out.
Now, on each system startup, we will get two boot options, one for each disk.
Both installations are identical, so it doesn't matter if we choose the "secondary plex" one.
What happens when one disk fails in RAID 1
When one of the hard drives does fail, we get a "Failed Redundancy" message at the Disk Management console.
We still have complete access to our data, and nothing is lost provided the other disk still works properly.
Unfortunately, the system doesn't give us any warning whatsoever that one of the disks has failed.
This is a huge oversight, especially if we consider that a Linux Software RAID can send us an email as soon as a disk fails. But that's Microsoft for you.
We must make a habit of checking ourselves the Disk Management console every once in a while, to make sure that RAID 1 is working with both disks and full redundancy.
If we have the Windows installation on RAID 1, and lose the original disk, we will just get a cryptic message when trying to start the plain Windows 7 option.
In this case, we need to reset and choose the secondary plex.
How to fix a collapsed software RAID 1
We must replace the HDD that has failed with a new one, as soon as possible.
Then, before we remake the array, we take a complete backup of any essential data from the working disk, preferably on an external hard drive.
The last thing we want is for the only working disk to also crash while rebuilding the array.
After we have backed up our data, we remove the mirror...
...making sure we have selected the Missing disk...
After that the missing disk entry will disappear, and we can create the RAID with the new hard drive.
Why choose the Software RAID 1 instead of the motherboards "hardware" RAID?
Many users thing of this as a "hardware" RAID, and thus a better solution than a software RAID 1 or software RAID 5.
The thing is that motherboard RAID isn't hardware RAID. It actually is software RAID, run by the BIOS and the Windows drivers.
It's a worse solution than both true software and true hardware RAID, and that is why it is known as Fake RAID. You can read about it at the linked article.
The fact is that we need a really expensive hardware RAID controller - upwards of $300-$400 - to get true hardware RAID. Some cheap PCI or PCI-E controllers also use Fake RAID.
All in all, software RAID 1 in Windows 7 is far from perfect, but it is the best way to get RAID 1 on our Windows 7 PC, without paying through the nose for it.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
HOW TO MAKE SYMBOLS WITH KEYBOARD
HOW TO MAKE SYMBOLS WITH KEYBOARD
Alt + 0153..... ™... trademark symbol
Alt + 0169.... ©.... copyright symbol
Alt + 0174..... ®....registered trademark symbol
Alt + 0176 ...°......degree symbol
Alt + 0177 ...±....plus-or-minus sign
Alt + 0182 ...¶.....paragraph mark
Alt + 0190 ...¾....fraction, three-fourths
Alt + 0215 ....×.....multiplication sign
Alt + 0162...¢....the cent sign
Alt + 0161.....¡..... .upside down exclamation point
Alt + 0191.....¿..... upside down question mark
Alt + 1...........smiley face
Alt + 2 ......☻.....black smiley face
Alt + 15.....☼.....sun
Alt + 12......♀.....f emale sign
Alt + 11.....♂......male sign
Alt + 6....... ♠ .....spade
Alt + 5....... ♣ ...... Club
Alt + 3.............♥ Heart
Alt + 4.......♦ ...... Diamond
Alt + 0153..... ™... trademark symbol
Alt + 0169.... ©.... copyright symbol
Alt + 0174..... ®....registered trademark symbol
Alt + 0176 ...°......degree symbol
Alt + 0177 ...±....plus-or-minus sign
Alt + 0182 ...¶.....paragraph mark
Alt + 0190 ...¾....fraction, three-fourths
Alt + 0215 ....×.....multiplication sign
Alt + 0162...¢....the cent sign
Alt + 0161.....¡..... .upside down exclamation point
Alt + 0191.....¿..... upside down question mark
Alt + 1...........smiley face
Alt + 2 ......☻.....black smiley face
Alt + 15.....☼.....sun
Alt + 12......♀.....f emale sign
Alt + 11.....♂......male sign
Alt + 6....... ♠ .....spade
Alt + 5....... ♣ ...... Club
Alt + 3.............♥ Heart
Alt + 4.......♦ ...... Diamond
How to : Create invisible folder in windows
1. Create invisible folder in windows
http://www.ethicalhackx.com/how-to-create-invisible-folders-with-no-name/
2. Prevent USB Disk from Virus for ever:
http://www.ethicalhackx.com/how-to-prevent-usb-disk-virus-forever/
http://www.ethicalhackx.com/how-to-create-invisible-folders-with-no-name/
2. Prevent USB Disk from Virus for ever:
http://www.ethicalhackx.com/how-to-prevent-usb-disk-virus-forever/
Friday, February 13, 2015
[Windows]: How to Create a Password Protected Folder without any Extra Software
How to Create a Password Protected Folder without any Extra Software
There are a lot of methods that you can use to create a password protected folder, most of which require the use of some third party software. Using this neat method you can hide your folders with a quick batch script.
It’s important to note that this will not actually conceal your data from somebody who knows what they are doing.
Note: if you are a beginner you should not do this. We get emails once a week from people that don’t know what they are doing and complain they can’t find their files anymore. We also have instructions at the bottom for how to see the files again should you forget how to see them.
Create Your Password Protected Folder
Before you get started you need to create a folder that will house your password protected folder, this is just an ordinary folder and can be located anywhere and named anything.
Navigate into your newly created folder and create a new Text Document. This can easily be done from the context menu.
Open the document, now paste the following code into the contents of the document:
cls @ECHO OFF title Folder Private if EXIST "HTG Locker" goto UNLOCK if NOT EXIST Private goto MDLOCKER :CONFIRM echo Are you sure you want to lock the folder(Y/N) set/p "cho=>" if %cho%==Y goto LOCK if %cho%==y goto LOCK if %cho%==n goto END if %cho%==N goto END echo Invalid choice. goto CONFIRM :LOCK ren Private "HTG Locker" attrib +h +s "HTG Locker" echo Folder locked goto End :UNLOCK echo Enter password to unlock folder set/p "pass=>" if NOT %pass%== PASSWORD_GOES_HERE goto FAIL attrib -h -s "HTG Locker" ren "HTG Locker" Private echo Folder Unlocked successfully goto End :FAIL echo Invalid password goto end :MDLOCKER md Private echo Private created successfully goto End :End
Change the PASSWORD_GOES_HERE text to the password you want to set. Now go ahead and save the file as locker.bat.
Once the file is saved as a batch file you can delete the original text file.
Now run your batch file by double clicking on it–the first time you run it, it will create a folder called Private. This is where you can store all your secret things. When you have finished adding all your stuff to the Private folder, run locker.bat again.
This time you will be asked if you sure that you want to lock the folder, press the “Y” key and hit enter to lock your folder.
You will see that your Private folder quickly disappears.
If you run the script yet again, you will prompted for a password.
If you enter the same password as you set in the script the Private folder will reappear if you enter the incorrect password the script will just Terminate.
How to See the Files Again
Most people don’t know how to show system files, but anybody who has some experience will probably be able to quickly figure it out in the Folder Options. To see the files again, all you have to do is uncheck the boxes for “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” and uncheck the box for “Hide protected operating system files”.
But any ordinary user who unchecks the box will most probably be scared off by the warning message that appears.
The second way someone could comprise the folder is to open the batch file and read your password. It’s definitely not a really secure way to hide your files, but it is fun.
Attribution note: We found this script on dozens of different web sites going back many years. We have no idea who first created the script, so we’ve omitted any sort of attribution link. If you do have proof that you first created the script, contact us and we’ll adjust the article accordingly.
If You Forget Your Password
Seems like once a week somebody writes in asking how to figure out the password they set. And the answer is really simple: Right-click on the locker.bat file and choose Edit.
Then you can see the password you set in the file.
[Windows]: How to Convert a Mac-Formatted Drive to a Windows Drive
How to Convert a Mac-Formatted Drive to a Windows Drive
Macs format drives with Apple’s HFS+ file system, which Windows won’t recognize or access without third-party software. Macs may also create a protected EFI partition on these drives that you can’t delete with the usual disk-partitioning tools.
Some drives are even sold as “Mac-formatted drives” — this just means they come with the Mac HFS+ file system instead of NTFS or FAT32. Macs can read NTFS drives, and can read and write to FAT32 drives.
Back Up the Drive’s Data First
First, back up the data on the Mac-formatted drive if you have anything important on it. This process won’t actually convert the file system. Instead, we’ll just be wiping the drive and starting over from scratch. Any files on the drive will be erased.
If you have a Mac lying around, you can plug the drive into a Mac and back up the files. If you only have Windows systems available, you can use HFSExplorer to copy files from the drive onto your Windows system drive or another drive. HFSExplorer unfortunately requires you install Java to use it, but it’s the only free option here. You’ll probably want to uninstall Java when you’re done.
Erase the Mac Partitions, Including the EFI System Partition
First, open the Windows Disk Management tool. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog, type diskmgmt.msc into the box, and press Enter to open it. This tool allows you to manage the partitions on drives connected to your computer — internal ones or external ones connected via USB.
Locate the Mac drive in the list of disks. Be sure you’ve identified the Mac drive — if you accidentally delete partitions from another drive, you could damage your Windows installation or lose your files.
If you’re lucky, you can just right-click each partition on the Mac drive and select Delete Volume to remove the partitions. You can then right-click in the empty space and select New Simple Volume to create a partition and format it with the Windows NTFS or FAT32 file systems.
The Mac drive may have an “EFI System Partition” on it. This partition is marked as protected, so you can’t just right-click and delete it — the delete option will be disabled.
To erase this partition, we’ll have to wipe the entire disk. This process erases everything on the disk, including its files and all its partitions. First, note the number of the disk in the disk management window. For example, in the screenshot below, the Mac-formatted drive is Disk 2.
Next, open a Command Prompt window as administrator. To do this on Windows 8 or Windows 7, press the Windows key once, type cmd , and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Type diskpart into the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
Type list disk at the DISKPART prompt and press Enter to view a list of disks connected to your computer. Identify the number of your Mac disk in the list. It should be the same as the number of the disk in the Disk Management window.
Be sure to double-check this — you could accidentally wipe the wrong drive if you select the wrong disk here.
Type select disk # and press Enter to select the Mac disk, replacing # with the number of the Mac disk. For example, here we’d type select disk 2.
Finally, type clean and press Enter. This command erases the entire selected disk, including all its files and partitions — whether they’re protected or not. You’ll have an empty, uninitialized disk after you do this.
Close the Command Prompt window when you see a message saying “DiskPart succeeded in cleaning the disk.”
Create an NTFS or FAT32 Partition
You can now open the Disk Management window again. If you’ve left it open, you may have to click Action > Rescan Disks to update the data.
Locate the Mac disk in the list. It will be completely empty and display a message saying “Not Initialized.” Right-click it and select Initialize Disk.
Select the MBR or GPT partition table format and click OK to create a partition table for the disk.
Right-click in the unallocated space on the initialized disk and select New Simple Volume. Use the wizard to create a partition with the NTFS or FAT32 file system. The drive will now be formatted for use by Windows systems. There will be no space wasted by protected Mac partitions.
Some Mac functions require an HFS+ formatted drive. For example, Time Machine can only back up to HFS+ formatted drives.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)