Build Disaster-Proof Systems

The sad truth is, system crashes happen. Worse, many users neglect the important task of making backup copies of their vital programs and data. So when those inevitable crashes do occur, users are woefully unprepared.

What's more, even if users have made copies, they still must dedicate serious time and effort to restore crashed system to pre-disaster status. Chances are, they will have to restore the system to "day one" condition as delivered by the vendor. That will then leave the user with the arduous task of personalizing the system all over again. Not to mention long hours, or even days, of painful downtime.

It doesn't have to be this way. Most PC disasters can be avoided—or, at least, easily reversed—with minimal planning, expense and time. This is where system builders can offer a value-added solution, and make money in the process.

In this TechBuilder Recipe I will explain how system builders can offer customers a solid disaster-recovery solution for their systems. The four key ingredients are: drive partitioning, disk imaging, software protection and hardware fortification.

The benefits should include thankful customers who will remember you when the time comes to upgrade. And a significant reduction in your technical-support headaches.

STEP 1: DRIVE PARTITIONING

The first step in this process is to partition the drive. The days are long gone when a system builder could ship a single-drive system with one large partition. Today, most new PCs sport hard-drive capacities of 250 GB or greater; some even approach the terabyte level. Drives this large positively beg for multiple partitions.

There two important reasons why. First, to provide the ability to store programs and data separately, making backup and restoration both easier and more secure. Second, to provide a convenient place to store drive images. That is a key factor in disaster recovery.

It is normal practice for system builders to include a hidden partition for disaster recovery. But few computers are delivered with multiple, visible partitions. For optimal disaster recovery, that is a mistake. No user should be limited to restoring a PC to its "day-one" state after they've invested significant time and effort configuring it for their own use. While that is an accepted practice, delivering such systems won't set you apart from the crowd. Instead, do yourself and your customers a favor by shipping systems that are pre-configured with multiple partitions. Better yet are multiple drives.

At a minimum, you will want to offer two partitions. Three are even better. In a three-partition setup, the first partition contains the OS and application software. The second is designated for user data: documents, photos, music, etc. The third acts as a repository for images of the first two. In this way, the user ensures that current images of their OS, applications and critical data are always available.

A fourth, hidden, partition can also be included. This partition could contain the default, as-shipped drive image for easy restoration of "day-one" status. In addition, a recovery disc can be provided that contains this image, as well as the recovery software itself. All of which brings us to the next step...

STEP 2: DISK IMAGING

Disk imaging is currently the best form of disaster recovery. The main advantage to the system builder is a reduction in the number of technical-support issues. The advantages for the customer: The ability to perform drive imaging on their own; a solution that increases the value of their investment and enhances the security of their data; and savings in time, money and emotional turmoil.

With disk imaging, customers can tweak a system to their heart's content, then create an exact image of their hard disk—including its various partitions—at any time. What's more, in the event of a fatal system crash or virus attack, users can instantly restore the entire machine, including OS, applications and all data. And they can do so in a matter of minutes.

An ideal imaging candidate, and one I recommend wholeheartedly, is a high-volume solution for small- to medium-sized (SMB) system builders called True Image OEM for PC Vendors from Acronis.

Pricing is a bit complex. I called Acronis for an explanation. "OEM pricing is difficult to discuss, since it really varies," the company rep told me. "We have several different versions of Acronis True Image for OEMs, as well as several custom versions. Generally speaking, we don't release OEM pricing because so much of it has to do with engineering costs."

In other words, you need to first fill out the form on the Web page I cite above. Then an Acronis company rep will contact you personally to discuss your needs and the relevant pricing.

The product also offers the Acronis OEM Zone, a hidden, packaged, non-writable environment (partition). Invisible to Windows Explorer, it serves as a last-resort restore. OEM Zone can also place both recovery software and ISO images on disc as a second restoration safeguard; it is essentially a bare-metal rescue solution. When recovery is necessary, the user simply activates the Acronis Recovery Manager software, which is also included with the solution.

For a few dollars more, there is also an OEM edition of Disk Director, which allows end users to manage and create partitions on their own. System builders on a limited budget could use this to simply split the disk themselves.

Pricing for the Acronis True Image 10 Home upgrade and Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 upgrade go for just under $30 each—a good deal. For more info, here is the Upgrade your product page from Acronis.

For end users, the OEM version of True Image allows drive imaging, as well as the creation of bootable recovery media (hard drive, optical disc or USB drive). Users can access entire images, mount and explore partitions, and extract individual files with just a few simple clicks.

However, the OEM version is limited in functionality. For example, automatic scheduling is not available. But users can easily upgrade to the full Acronis product, called True Image Home 10 Upgrade, to enable auto scheduling and other features. That product's box cover is shown here:

True Image Home 10 allows non-Windows partitions to be restored within Windows. Also, it fully supports all flavors of Windows Vista. Unlike Vista's built-in imaging solution, however, True Image does not require the original product disc.

You may also want to consider offering customers a crash (no pun intended) course in using imaging software. For many PC owners, disk imaging is terra incognita, and it can seem quite daunting. Without a nudge in the right direction, technophobic users simply won't employ the tools provided. You could include the basic guidelines on an insert card or PDF document. One page should be sufficient. Make the process simple, and encourage your customers to image regularly. This should also reduce the number of tech-support calls you receive. STEP 3: SOFTWARE PROTECTION

Virus, spyware and firewall protection is also critical. System builders should offer a default option or two in the way of security software. The most popular products are those from McAfee and Norton. But they're not the only alternatives. In fact, while those two firms are the biggest players in the field, they're not necessarily the best.

I prefer Trend Micro's Internet Security 2007 (formerly known as PC-cillin). It often receives better reviews than either the McAfee or Norton competitors, and it retails for about $50.

Another option is Microsoft's Windows Live OneCare. It offers a holistic approach, incorporating PC maintenance while placing fewer demands on system resources. You can get a free 90-day trial from Microsoft. Or you could buy the product outright for much less than the purchase price of $40, if you google around a bit. Here is a screenshot showing some of Windows Live OneCare benefits:

Don't forget the free antivirus and spyware apps, either. These can serve as a basic line of defense. I recommend trying freeware from AVG or Ad-Aware SE.

You may also want to include some other truly useful programs with your systems. For example, a freeware offering called CCleaner (short for Crap Cleaner) is an excellent optimization and privacy tool.

However you decide, don't leave your customers without viable software protection. No computer should go out the door today without basic security software already in place.

STEP 4: HARDWARE FORTIFICATION

System builders should also encourage customers to invest in key hardware alternatives. Here we're looking at multiple internal hard drives used in both standalone mode and RAID arrays; external hard drives; and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

Most computers still ship with a single hard drive. A far better alternative is a multi-drive configuration. Data spread across two or more drives provides an added safeguard. You can reserve one drive for the OS and applications, and another for the data. In the event of a drive failure, this setup offers extra protection.

A even more effective way to protect data: employ multiple drives in a RAID array. By electing a RAID configuration that provides redundancy, data is given an extra dose of security. If one drive fails, it is simply replaced with a new one, with no data lost. Variants that offer a level of redundancy—RAID 1, 0+1 and 5—are preferable. RAID 1 is the most cost-effective option.

External drives are another powerful solution. They're a positive lifesaver when disaster renders a PC completely inoperable. Also, they're easy to use, increasing the odds that users will actually use them.

External solutions, such as OneTouch III from Maxtor, are an excellent second line of defense. These can provide users with reliable added protection. They also include ease-of-use features like one-touch and automated backups, file synchronization between multiple computers, password protection, and system rollback for incremental restores.

Pricing is attractive, too. For example, a 500 GB model of the OneTouch III has a street price of about $200. Models of Maxtor's OneTouch III drive are also available with FireWire 400/USB 2.0 interfaces or USB 2.0 only. Here is a photo of the Maxtor OneTouch III external drive:

When it comes time to transfer data from an old PC to a new one, you may want to offer customers a bridge device like NewerTech's USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter. This tool is compatible with both SATA and PATA hard drives, as well as with optical drives. It costs just $25. And it is an easy way to move data from a standalone drive to a new computer via USB.

You don't even need to remove the hard drive from the old system. It is all plug and play: Just pop the case, disconnect the data and power cables from the hard drive, and attach the UDA's connectors. Then plug the USB cable into the new system. Here is a shot of NewerTech's UDA adaptors:

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is the final component in the equation. While not considered an essential purchase by most consumers, a high-quality UPS is a wise investment. Power outages and spikes can fry circuit boards and crash hard drives. A UPS protects against such damage by offering battery backup, surge protection and automatic voltage regulation.

While several companies offer UPS lines, products from APC and Belkin are among the best. For example, Belkin's Battery Backup with Multi-Computer Connections (1200VA) is a good solution for customers with more than one system to protect; it sells for about $180.

For users with just one PC, a more affordable option is Belkin's Battery Backup with Flashlight. For just under $100, this 550VA UPS unit includes a detachable flashlight. It could come in handy in the event of a blackout.

Also, both of these Belkin UPS units offer software that can safely shut down a PC without user intervention. And Belkin's warranty is solid.

Here is a shot of both Belkin units. The Battery Backup with Flashlight is on the left; the Battery Backup with Multi-Computer Connections, on the right:

Serving up a disaster-proof PC should be a priority for every security-minded system builder. To excel in this area, provide an enhanced user experience, and you'll go a long way toward setting yourself apart from the big boys. It only takes one disaster to cement—or destroy—a relationship with the customers you serve.

CHUCK MILLER is a technology journalist and game consultant. For nearly two decades he has covered the computer and video game industries, filling editorial roles at Computer Gaming World, Game Briefs and GamePower.