Deleted File Recovery

  Files which are permanently deleted(as specified by Windows) can be recovered using third party recovery software.I'll take Recuva as an example to show how such software can be used.
  1.Start off by specifying the type of file:

2.Then specify the location of the file:

 3.To make a thorough search enable deep scan;a similar option will be available in many softwares.(a deep scan is done if the file is not recovered through the normal scan)

 4.The software will scan the disk;after this is done click on Switch to advanced mode.
This option will allow to search for individual files or file types and also watch a preview of  a file that is selected in the left panel.

 5.The software indicates whether a file is recoverable or not using different coloured icons.

  Green: recoverable

  Red: not recoverable

 6.For more search customisation click on options.

  This software can be downloaded from http://www.piriform.com/recuva/download

CDBurnerXP

  Today I've decided to feature a burning software that is a free alternative to nero.Mind you I'm not saying this has the all the features of Nero;its just that this one is a light and simpler alternative.
  My idea here is to give a short tour of cdburnerxp so that anyone can use it.Starting off here's the startup screen:

The different options are listed out as in nero..
  The next page is used to add data to the disc:

 

The data should be added to the corner indicated on the screen.
  The next option is multisessioning;to enable this select leave disc option.The advanced settings options allows one to set writing speeds,verify data after burning and so on..

In case a new disc is inserted you can continue multisession(select continue disc);else starting a new session will delete older data:

However creating multiple sessions on a cd/dvd can cause issues when you try to read data after writing.This I learnt from personal experience.

  I hope this turns out to be useful..

Hidden Folders:Update

  Previously I've described how to unhide folders using smart virus remover.Recently I came across another way to solve the issue.
  In this case use a file manager software to browse through the drives;this will display the hidden folders which can be made visible.This feature is also present in compression softwares like winrar.To access this start the winrar program from program files.
 This screenshot shows data in the C drive from Winrar:

  And this is how it is appears when its accessed through the desktop :

  Compare them to see the hidden folders..
  Select the folder and go to properties to unhide the folder.
There are many other softwares that do the same like 7-zip,Total commander and so on..

Partitioning in Vista

  Many computers that come preinstalled with Vista have only one or two partitions on the hard disk.This consists of a main partition containing the OS;this occupies most of the hard disk and another partition which is visible or hidden.
  The second partition is used to store an image file of the OS and system drivers;this is used to reinstall the OS.
  For the end consumer there are two issues:
 1.How to create a partition where data can be saved?As during reinstallation the partition will be formatted.
 Vista has the feature to shrink/extend partitions via the disk management tool.To do this:
 (a)open the disk management tool,right click a partition and select shrink.
 (b)Specify the size by which the partition has to be reduced and start the process.
 (c)After this is done free space is created and can be used to create a new partition.
 Anyone may ask "Why cant some other software be used to do this?"
 Well using other software can lead to loss of data in the partition.And if the default way to reinstall Vista does not work what can be done?Think about it.
 2.How to reinstall vista?
 This can be done as described previously.

Filehippo.com

  This time I'm featuring a site from which I use to download software.Allow me to tell you why:
 1.Easy to use with software being placed in different categories(browsers,firewalls,..)
 2.Update checker:this software scans the installed programs in a pc and tells which programs have newer versions available.
 3.The software updates are listed on the homepage under updates.
 4.Older versions of listed software can be downloaded.
 5.Subscribe to update notifications via RSS,Email or Twitter.
 6.Most of the softwares are free and good(never caused me any problems).
 7.The md5 checksum value for each software is also provided.Hit the link to know more abt md5:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MD5
  Need I say more?

Unlocker

  This utility basically indicates which process is using (or has locked) a particular file,folder or drive.This can be very useful when messages like “Generic Volume is in use” when trying to safely remove a pen drive or “The file cannot be deleted” when you're trying to delete a file are displayed.I'll show a particular instance where this utility can be used in a future post.

   In such cases the utility will show the processes that is using the file and displays the option to stop the processes from using the file.(i.e. unlocking the file)

Usage:Install the application.Right-click any file,folder or drive and select the unlocker icon.

 The Unlocker Icon

 

     The next menu shows the list of processes using the file.Select unlock to free the file.

 

                          

                      












List of  Processes using the file

  And here's the download link http://www.filehippo.com/download_unlocker/