Backup and Recovery

Brent wants to create a central network attached storage that can cater both OS X and Windows. Leo says a NAS devices are great for that purpose. Western Digital is a basic NAS that can do the job. More advanced products like Synology offer advanced features that can be advantageous.

Mike has written a novel, but he has to send in his computer for repair and is worried that even if he deletes it, it'll be recoverable. How can he be sure? Leo says to first make sure he's made at least three copies of it so it's backed up. Then he can erase the computer by using Apple's built-in "secure erase" feature. He'll have to reboot the Mac and hold down Command and R keys, and then launch Disc Utility. There's a secure erase feature in there that will write over the drive several times and remove all the data. Nobody will be able to recover that.

Wally has a corrupted SD card and while he can get videos off it, they can't be played. Leo says that if the video file isn't complete, there's a good chance he won't be able to play it. There may be software that can rebuild the corrupted video, but what he really wants is to get every bit of the data off every sector. Leo uses Recuva by Piriform. It's very good. Then, open the files in VLC Video Player. It's the least vulnerable to file corruption issues.

Sherry has to replace her XP computer. Is it possible to transfer her programs to the new computer? Leo says that moving apps really isn't doable. She can use the Microsoft settings and file assistant (Easy Transfer wizard) to move her data, but the apps really need to be installed fresh on the new computer. Leo says it's a recipe for disaster to try and transfer those. There's going to be apps she won't want to use anymore, also. Sherry should start fresh with that new computer and install the apps as she needs them.