Disabling Internet Freezes my PC

[Paula De Niro]

I have a shortcut on my desktop to the Local Area Network Connection and have used it frequently to successfully disable my connection, which I like to do whenever I don't want interrupting internet boxes appearing (such as audio or video recording).

But lately, if I try to disable the connection, the connection box freezes and although I can continue using some programs, I cannot shut down the PC at all, not even with the power button - I have to unplug it at the mains.

I previously thought it was a virus, but I've had several logs checked on the security forum and my PC is clean.

Anyone know why this is happening with the disabling connection?

Thanks

[Sylvander]

1. "I have to unplug it at the mains"
Whenever I'm forced to do that [with Windows]...
It causes errors in the [FAT32] file system.
[I ALWAYS scan with either MS Scandisk or chkdsk after the power-off]
Sometimes the errors include "lost" files or portions of files.
The files affected would be some of those [Windows files] that were in use at the time.
"Lost" files are those that have become disconnected from the file system, and so no longer function.

If this happened to your file system...
One or more of the lost files may be causing your PC's problem.

A way to protect your PC against such problems is to make backups of some kind, or have some way to restore the contents of the partition to the state it was in before the problem was introduced.
Do you have a suitable Restore Point?

I like:
(a) SyncBack backups:
This [FREE version] detects any differences [your missing file(s)?] between the "source" [the Windows partition], and the "destination" [the backup copy].
The differences detected are displayed in a list, and the list kept in a log, so you'd be able to study that looking for the affected file(s).
The problem is that although it's good at making up-to-date copies of the latest files, it doesn't normally keep older versions.
Hence, you'd need to spot the problem immediately [before backing up with the problem in place], and restore immediately.

(b) Image backups keep copies made at various points in time, which is good, but take more time to make and restore.

[Sylvander]

1. So no-one will be misled by the above, I should point out that...

(a) The FREE version of SynBack (http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware) [when working within the Windows environment] CANNOT backup ALL of the files on the Windows partition.
This is because it cannot backup files that are presently in use and therefore locked.

(b) My solution to this problem is to run the FREE version of SyncBack under WINE within a copy of the FREE Puppy Linux [BoxPup] (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=67796).
When running from an OS other than the one on the partition to be backed up...
There is no problem of "locked files"; SyncBack can backup or restore quite easily.
By-the-way, BoxPup [and I think Puppy also] includes a FREE backup program named "Puppy Universal Drive Dump" [[B]Pudd], that uses a GUI to control the dd program to make [or restore] ".img.gz" compressed backup images.
I've used this to make backup images of Linux partitions; I guess it will do Windows partitions also.

(c) I've also used this method within the Ubuntu environment.
WINE is easier to install here, and also easier to run because it is added to the "Applications" menu.
Installing and running SyncBack is similarly really easy. [Whereas Puppy doesn't add SyncBack to its menus]

[mjc]

About the only thing I can think of is when you disable the connection, Windows or some other program drops into 'search' mode and ties up everything looking for a network connection that is no longer active, but it can't find a new one, because there is nothing to find...the 'disabled' one is still there.

When you disable it can you get into TaskManager?

Can you start programs?

If you can you may want to run Process Explorer (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx) by Sysinternals...

[Paula De Niro]

Thanks a lot both.

Yes MJC, I can access Task Manager and Programs, but nothing in Task Manager resembles the Connection box Which is a blank grey and certainly looks like it's not responding. I'll check out Process Explorer thanks.

Sylvander, I need to spend time researching your information, and I'll post my progress.

I downloaded the free Syncback when you suggested it previously, and I do a backup once or twice a week. It includes all my new files, but if I've deleted stuff, they are often still present in the backup. Is this what you mean by not backing up everything?

I'll check out your other suggestions, and get back.

[Sylvander]

1. "I do a backup once or twice a week"
(a) Is the Windows partition included?
(b) Is SyncBack working within Windows when you backup the Windows partition?
(c) If it is [and it's the FREE SyncBack], then it will be reporting that it was unable to backup certain files [Windows files in use], and those will be excluded from the backup copy of the partition contents. :(

2. "It includes all my new files"
Do you mean...
When you do a SyncBack backup, it reports files newly created, that were not present at the previous scan.
[They are now on the source, but not the destination, right?]
And when you give the go-ahead they are copied to the destination, right?

3. "but if I've deleted stuff, they are often still present in the backup"
(a) If you delete stuff [folders & files] on the source, and then scan....
With the profile PROPERLY configured to make a backup...
Then the "differences" report will show that there are files on the destination that are not on the source.
If you give the go-ahead to deal with those, then they SHOULD BE DELETED.
[See (b) following]

(b) Here's what you should have done to properly configure a backup of any particular profile:
1) highlight the "profile" used to backup or restore [for example] the Windows profile.
2) Click the "Modify" button at the bottom.
3) When the "profile setup" dialog open, click the "Advanced" tab.
4) In the 3 regions on that dialog click the following 3 option buttons [in red below]:
Remember, these are the configurations for BACKUP; when you want to restore you must change these to suitable settings for a restore. :)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to do if the same file has been changed in the source and destination:
Source overwrites destination always (backup)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to do if a file is in the source but not the destination:
Copy file to destination
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What to do if a file is in the destination but not in the source:
Delete file from the destination
----------------------------------------------------------------------

[Paula De Niro]

Thank you Sylvander,

To answer part 1, I back-up 'My Documents' to a folder on the WD external hard drive (H Drive) called 'LatestBackup'.

(a) Is the Windows partition included? I don't think so. Just 'My Documents', which includes all installation files.

(b) Is SyncBack working within Windows when you backup the Windows partition? Syncback is working within windows, but I have not yet been backing up Windows - only My Documents.

(c) If it is [and it's the FREE SyncBack], then it will be reporting that it was unable to backup certain files [Windows files in use], and those will be excluded from the backup copy of the partition contents. I don't mind paying for the upgrade, but I remember you saying you use the free version and it does what you need. However, it looks like you use it in conjunction with the other free software, so I'll learn and use that too.

2. With regards to the new files the back-up includes:
Do you mean...
When you do a SyncBack backup, it reports files newly created, that were not present at the previous scan.
[They are now on the source, but not the destination, right?]
And when you give the go-ahead they are copied to the destination, right?
I think so! I mean the software does backup the new files to the destination.

3. I made a profile called 'MyDocsToHdrive' and I've just been clicking on it, doing a simulated run, then a Run. But now I just followed your instructions, and notice that the third box:
What to do if a file is in the destination but not in the source:
was set to 'Do Nothing'. I have now changed that to Delete file from the destination

I probably never dared touch the Advanced tab for fear of messing up, yet that one detail makes all the difference - so thanks for that.

I'll also try including Windows in the back-up from now on, but what would be the source folder if it also includes My Docs? Can I backup the whole C Drive?

For some reason I thought I could not include Program Files in a backup, but of course they would be included in C Drive.

Or do I have to do two backups: ‘My Docs’ and ‘Windows’?

Thanks

[Sylvander]

1. "Can I backup the whole C Drive?"
Yes, you set up a profile with the C: partition/drive as the source.
That would backup everything on the C: partition/drive.
Naturally, if "My Documents" are held on C: they will be included in the backup/restore/sync.

2. If you use the FREE version of SyncBack [the version I use]...
And run it within the Windows that is held on the Windows partition you are attempting to backup...
Then SyncBack will report that certain files could not be copied .
And you would need to note those files [on paper]...
And re-run the SyncBack backup, and when the differences are listed, right click those [about 10 or 20] files and specify that they be EXCLUDED from this and future scans.
Unfortunately this means the backup is incomplete, and therefore not nearly so useful.
SO...

3. The method I'm using to overcome this problem:
(a) Use a Linux Operating System; install WINE, then SyncBack...
I'm using:
Puppy Linux 4.1 (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/official-releases/puppy-linux-412) [Small, simple, easy, FAST]
And...
BoxPup Linux 4.1 (http://www.puppylinux.org/downloads/puplets/boxpup) [Elegant, small, simple, easy, FAST]
And...
Ubuntu 8.10 (http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download) [More comprehensive, but slower, and not so easy as Puppy]
Yes, I have all 3 set up.

(b) With SyncBack installed under WINE within Linux...
Because Windows is dormant at backup, the FREE version of SyncBack has no problem copying ALL files on the Windows partition.
Both the source and the destination partitions must be mounted at the time of the operations by SyncBack.
Partitions are very easy to mount/unmount in Puppy; not quite so easy in Ubuntu.
Any one of the OS's can be used to backup to [or restore from] the very same "destination" copy of the files/folders.
Just make the profiles in all 3 copies point to the same "source[s]" and "destination[s]".

(c) Ubuntu adds WINE and SyncBack to its menus, so is easier to use once set up, but takes more work to install etc.
Puppy or BoxPup are easier to set up for use, but don't add SyncBack to the menus [I need to try figure out how to do that], and it's necessary to type a command [or copy & paste] in a terminal window as follows:
wine "c:\Program Files\2BrightSparks\SyncBack\SyncBack.exe"

I find that fairly easy to remember, but it is a small inconvenience.

4. "it looks like you use it in conjunction with the other free software, so I'll learn and use that too."
(a) SyncBack is good for QUICKLY/EASILY updating the backup copies of the contents of partitions.
I normally do these quite frequently, whenever convenient, and the mood strikes.
Hence, SyncBack backups are usually very up-to-date, but don't provide any historical copies from various points in times past.
Image backups are good for that, hence...

(b) My favourite image backup program is normally "Image for DOS", but just recently I've been trying out...

(c) "Puppy Universal Disk Dump" = [B]Pudd. [A GUI controlling the Linux dd command]
This is included with the installation of Puppy and also BoxPup.
So far I've only made compressed image backups [img.gz files], and saved the files to a folder on a partition on an external USB HDD.
Not yet tried restoring one of these.
Good thing is that it can backup/restore Windows OR Linux partitions.
I used it to backup the Ubuntu partition.

[Paula De Niro]

I only have one OS for now, so I did a quick look at what having Linux would involve (it's free - that's always a good start!) but I would need time to commit to doing it properly, so I'll have to do it after the urgent work I'm doing at the moment.

But I've bookmarked this page for future reference. Thanks Sylvander - as always, you're a star! :cool: