Comments on: Set up family computer for Internet

By: D-Link DSL-2540 ADSL2 modem router | Rarst.net

D-Link DSL-2540 ADSL2 modem router | Rarst.net — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:37:43 +0000

[...] I had observed it for some time supplying Internet to small office LAN and last weekend used one for building home LAN for family. [...]

By: CrossLoop – remote access and support software | Rarst.net

CrossLoop – remote access and support software | Rarst.net — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:20:53 +0000

[...] had picked CrossLoop while back for my family PC setup and had several opportunities to test it since (naturally [...]

By: Rarst

Rarst — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:53:41 +0000

@Rush

Welcome to blog. :) Martin always sends awesome readers my way.

Will take a look at Returnil, new one to me. Never used sandboxing much so not proficient in the area.

By: Rush

Rush — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:53:13 +0000

Cool blog. Been a long time gHacks reader but not too much on change. Glad I checked it out, although probably should have picked another (new) post, but oh well.
I have 6 kids and live in the wildly tech savvy state of Wv. Needless to say, I have to do this process a lot. I mean A LOT. I’ve tried a ton of different sets trying to find the right bunch of apps. CCleaner rocks, I like smart defrag by iobit, returnil is great for idiot proofing (serious cases) and I’ll definitely have to check out CrossLoop. Been looking for a new remote choice. I was using UVNC but I haven’t liked anything since 1.02
I have found for certain is that less is better, both in number of apps and complications with using them. One thing I’d add to all this (6 weeks later) is the first thing I do, right off the top, is re-partition the system drive down to no more than 25gb, create a new one and point the documents at the new partition. That way if I ever do have to go back, worst case and reformat, I dont have to spend 5 or 6 hours recovering that all important prom picture or tax return. I would say that in the last two years, that partition and Returnil have saved me two weeks or more of my life.
Great blog, Rarst. Now I have a new daily stop.

By: Rarst

Rarst — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:02:05 +0000

@Jim

I am not a big fan of imaging for home computers. It is pretty much impossible to estabilsh proper scheduled routine to update it. Even if profile folders are moved out of the way users still tend to save data in most weird of places. And so on.

In the end solving specific issue is usually more convenient (and fun) than nuking system partition every time.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:15:30 +0000

Whatever you out on it, install Macrium Reflect Free. Set up the PC the way you want, do a full disk image and store in a safe place. Whenever the PC gets infected, just reimage with backup.

By: Figure out svchost.exe with svchost Viewer | Rarst.net

Figure out svchost.exe with svchost Viewer | Rarst.net — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:28:21 +0000

[...] mini-discussion about Windows services with Noah (check out his fresh tech blog) under setting up family computer post. svchost.exe is one of the most confusing aspects of issue – it acts like container process [...]

By: Rarst

Rarst — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:45:05 +0000

@Noah

Lucky you. :)

By: Noah

Noah — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:20:17 +0000

Well, I’ve been doing it for years, haven’t come across any problem so far ;)

By: Rarst

Rarst — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:16:37 +0000

@Noah

My main concern is that it can create wicked chain reactions. Turn off something and three months later you try to use software that uses service that uses service that uses service you had turned off…

Total pain to deal with, easier to leave them alone. :)