Replies

I finally found the answer.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000183948/latitude-systems-shipped-with-default-raid-on-mode-from-the-factory
<h3>Dell Systems shipped with default RAID On mode</h3>
To ensure that your computer has the highest performance possible, the RAID On solution allows an Intel Rapid Storage Technology (IRST) driver vs. a Windows native driver in Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) mode. This IRST driver allows the highest performance for read/write data.

New Dell G16 7630 laptop.  I use Acronis True Image 2019 created thumb drive to boot computers to make backups.  On this laptop, it never sees the internal hard drive.  Booted to BIOS.  It is set to RAID ON verses AHCI mode.  Only 1 internal drive.  If you change to AHCI, computer won’t boot.  Called USELESS Dell unsupport.  I asked the lady TWICE WHY  RAID vs AHCI.  She refused to answer.  She then said it was a software issue (Windows) and offered to charge me $100 (a $30 discount – WOW) to get software support for this one issue.

https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/inspiron/bios-storage-configuration-before-clean-os-install/652b1df9ca0c8e4a1b653064 there is a post that indicates:

“With this model, it appears that AHCI mode becomes disabled with at least the newer/newest firmware.  That being the case, IRST is the way to go (you could find yourself needing to do a reinstall after a firmware update).
Intel has publicly stated that it will be discontinuing AHCI support — this is one of the first models for which that’s becoming reality, at least with newer firmware.”

I have googled without success trying to find any mention of AHCI support ending.

I’m about ready to ship this laptop back to Dell and get a refund.  Too many support people their mouth may speak English but their brain DOES NOT.

Anyone ever heard about Intel ending support for AHCI?

Anyone understand WHY you would have RAID mode turned on in a computer with only one drive?

THANKS in advance for anyone reading and answering.

Download and playing with it.  REALLY glad I found this.

Question about Tools, Windows
Does DesktopOK handle open explorer windows in the backup?

It is common for me to regularly have 8-10-12 file explorer windows open depending on what I’m doing.
It is also common from time to time for windows explorer to reset, and I lose all the open folders.  Some programs require all open windows explorer windows to be closed prior to updating a program (Norton Security frequently has patches that require this).  There are times Windows Updates do the same.

So finding something to save desktop icon layout leads me to wonder if this, or another program, would be able to save the list of open windows explorer windows.

If DesktopOK doesn’t do this, does anyone know of another program that does?

Thanks much in advance for reading and responding.

Thanks for the update.  FYI.  I contacted Acronis tech support and asked a few questions.  I have multiple computers and a NAS.  I copy the .tib files to my NAS either by drag & drop in File Explorer or SyncBackPro with ATI2019 with no issues.  Per tech support, in the current Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, the ONLY way to be able to use a backup file to extract files/folders OR do a full restore is for it to be IN THE ORIGINAL LOCATION or to move it FROM WITHIN CPHO.  I use SyncBackPro that automates copying these backup files from the various computers to my main desktop and my NAS.  When the need arises to restore a file or a folder, I often do this from my main desktop.  In my testing several years ago, if you try to open a backup after copying it outside the program to another location, you will get a corrupt file message and it is useless.  Appears this is still the case.  So if this is true, and you perhaps make a backup on an external drive, and for whatever reason you copy that backup anywhere else, it immediately becomes useless in the new location.  I’ve suspected external drives of possible defects and immediately attempt to copy the data off before investigating.  And I also tested copying the backup file back to the external, returning it to the original location, and it STILL is reported as corrupt and won’t open.

I’ve learned the hard way that ANY backup solution is not fully validated until you’ve done test restoring of files/folders AND full image restores.  When something goes wrong, and you think “no problem, I’ve got backups” and then the backup files won’t open, now you’re screwed twice.  When I had to reinstall Windows from scratch and rebuild all the settings and so forth, NOT an insignificant effort, I vowed I would never trust backup files as being useful without periodically opening them and test restoring files/folders to an alternate location.  If you value your data enough to buy software and make backups, you are only half done with the job.

I’m probably a unicorn.

I’ve used Acronis True Image for more than a decade.  I stopped updating at 2019.  From 2020 and beyond, they changed the file naming and structure.  I have multiple PCs that I backup and save to my NAS.  I always bought the 3 or 5 license version.  I’m looking for something that is not out of date, but with the following features:

1. Filename that is customizable to include PC name and versions:
   ATI2019 = PCOne_b1_s1_v1.tib for example
   ATI2020 drops versions = PCOne-Acr.tibx and PCOne-Acr-0001.tibx
   With 2020, you could not move the backup file to another location and use it to restore.  You could not rename the files to reflect a version or a new backup would fail.  ALL the files are linked in a chain it seems.  Acronis claims the structure change was necessary.  I’ve never understood why, or the benefit of the new structure.
2. Ability to customize whole disk backups to exclude files and/or folders to minimize size on the OS drive = hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys especially to reduce size.
3. The ability to move the backup file to another location and still be able to use it to open and restore files/folders/disk whether on that system or another without getting a corrupt file message.

I tested AOMEI Pro 6.2 in December 2020 and found that the file sizes were much bigger because you could not exclude swap file, page file, hiberfil and temp directories.  Could not modify file name to include system name or versions.  I just looked at their website, and it now has the ability to exclude a particular file extension.  hiberfil.sys and pagefile.sys are both .sys files.  Problem is there are thousands of .sys files on my OS drive.

So, anyone know of a solution?  I have not found it, free or paid.  I’m ok with paying if it works for me.

TIA

I have worked on multiple computers recently that automatically install previews.  I am not deciding to install them.  They attempt to install on their own and fail.

I’ve been using Ventoy for years, and until 22H2 have never had any problem with Win10 images.  I always use the Win10 Download Tool to get the ISOs.  The appeal of Ventoy was being able to just copy the ISO to the USB stick and not have to go through anything else.  I assumed once 22H2 came out, the basic ISO would not change.  I found out today that is not true.  It at least identifies itself by a different date on the OS selection screen.

When I use Rufus, I select MBR as the Partition scheme of the stick.  I also have Ventoy configured with MBR.

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rc primak

Win10 22H2 x64 which has Home, Home N, Home Single Language, Education, Education N, Pro, Pro N as OS choices when I click on I don’t have a key.  All have a date modified of 9-8-2022.  I have previously only tried Pro, as that is the version registered with Microsoft for all my hardware.  I have now tried Home, Education, and Pro.  All same result.  Size of target drive is brand new 2.5 inch Samsung 870 EVO 512gb.  So no issues of MBR vs GPT.  Size of ISO is 4,671,872 kb in Windows Explorer.  2209 10.0.19045.2006 when installed before connecting to internet, so no updates.  Downloaded using Microsoft’s Creation Tool on 4-28-2023, using tool downloaded on that date, which has file version of 10.0.19041.572.  Put same ISO on YUMI and Ventoy.  Normal mode on both ends up same result – flashing cursor in upper left corner.  I did not let it sit past 30 minutes or so.  Wimboot choice will boot the ISO on both, but when I get to the screen where you choose the partition to install, I get the same error about not being able to create a new partition.

Take the same ISO, use Rufus to install on a dedicated USB stick, works without issue.

FYI – filename = “Windows 10 2209 10.0.19045.2006 22H2.iso”

Using the next oldest build I have downloaded, again using the Creation Tool, Ventoy works successfully to install.  Tested more than once, so not a fluke.
FYI – filename = “Windows 10 2110 19044.1288.211006-0501.21h2_release_svc_refresh x64 x86 Pro Edu Home Windows.iso”

I had recently stopped downloading both x86 and x64 architectures to make the file size smaller – can’t remember that I have ever installed Win10 x86.  Today, downloaded the Win10 Creation Tool again directly from MS, downloaded ISO with x86 and x64 architectures.  File size 8, 118,080 kb.  Left filename unchanged = Windows.iso.  Chose x64.  On OS choice screen, says date modified 5-5-2023.  Type of installation = custom as I have nothing to upgrade.  Same result = “We couldn’t create a new partition or locate an existing one.”  As in the past, creating a new partition, formatting Partition 1, then hitting next get same error.

I tried clicking on Repair your computer, Command Prompt, diskpart, and then creating a partition, assign, active.  No change.  Same error.

Update:

Spent some time exploring YUMI.  Same result as with Ventoy.  In both YUMI & Ventoy, after selecting the iso, if I select Normal mode, the screen goes black and the text underscore cursor is in the upper left corner forever.  Selecting Wimboot mode leads to the failure at the partition screen (Where do you want to install Windows?).  I get the same error – “We couldn’t create a new partition or locate an existing one.”  When things work correctly, you just select Drive 0 Unallocated Space and hit Next, and it rips along formatting the drive and copying the files.  Using the exact same iso and Rufus on a dedicated USB drive, it works correctly.  So, there seems to be some issue I have not yet identified.

Interesting to note YUMI has some parts of Ventoy in it.

THANKS Ben for an excellent detailed article.  Just the kind of quality detailed useful articles askwoody is known for.

Food for thought:  For the hardware to use –

Sandisk makes the Extreme Pro, which I have in 512gb, which is an SSD in a USB (A) stick configuration.  I had a need to clone my Win10 configuration for use on different hardware while RMA’ing the original hardware.  It does get warm in that usage configuration, and my usage was short term – a few weeks.  I never thought of getting an NVMe drive in an enclosure so I was looking for the (reasonably priced) fastest USB stick configuration, and settled on this.

I have used Ventoy for years, with great success and very simple operation to both update the program to newer versions non-destructively and to add/remove ISOs from the storage partition.  I have a few older Lenovo laptops that are non-UEFI, and recently worked on updating them to Win10Pro 22H2.  On one, I wanted to install 22H2 from scratch.  I downloaded the 22H2 ISO using Microsoft’s download tool.  I copied the ISO to Ventoy.  It would not boot.  I never did figure out why it would not boot.  It just went to a blank screen.  I once waited 30 minutes, just for giggles.  Finally resorted to Rufus making a dedicated 22H2 USB stick, which worked.  I never found any solution on Ventoy’s forums, though I never posted anything.  I am now determined to explore YUMI to see if it works any better.

I not only enjoyed the article, but this forum as well.  THANKS ALL.

I have purchased several times on Stack Social.  Most have been good.  In December I purchased a lifetime access to a language learning app as a gift for my daughter.  After using it for a week she hit a wall where it would not educate as much as it just quizzed her.  I asked the app for a refund.  They said go to Stack Social.  Stack said once you redeem the access you can not get a refund.  So you have to try it to know if it will work for you, and once you use it you can not get a refund if it doesn’t work.  I was not aware of any of these gotchas at purchase.

Buyer beware on Stack Social.  They are not a scam site.  Some times you get taken even when you read the fine print.  For the Office purchase, probably ok but you likely won’t get any help or service from Stack if anything doesn’t go perfectly.  My 2 cents.

1 user thanked author for this post.

blueboy714

FYI – there is a HUGE discussion on slickdeals.net

https://slickdeals.net/f/15579793-microsoft-office-professional-plus-2021-lifetime-license-windows-download-50-more?src=SiteSearch

I posted #98.

HILARIOUS reading this thread.

I don’t know about this website. I have purchased from keysworlds.com a number of times over several years for both Win10Pro & Office keys. Just received an email today offering Office 2021 Pro Plus for $36.75 – “58% off.”

It shows at $87.50.
● 58% OFF Coupon: “KW2158” for Office Series
After adding to cart and applying the code, the total comes to $36.75. I did not check out.

At least for keysworlds.com, these are keys that came with computers that were never activated. I have bought both Win10Pro licenses as well as Office Pro Plus licenses. They are completely legit. I have NEVER had a key be denied, with one HUGE exception.

FOR OFFICE: You can install it once on one computer. If you ever have to reinstall Windows, even on identical hardware, you can NOT install and activate the key the second time.
FOR WINDOWS: Microsoft for WIn10 tied all licenses to the hardware. I have repeatedly reinstalled Win10Pro on same hardware and it ALWAYS activates. Repeatedly, because it is tied to the hardware. Different from Office.

If they were NOT legit, Microsoft would shut down all these sites. They do not.

Once installed, the license never expires. It is a perpetual license. Use it as long as your computer lasts and/or your copy of Windows runs without needing nuked, whichever is shorter (FOR OFFICE). The impact of this varies widely depending on your personal usage of computers.

Microsoft has decided that for Office 365, features are added and updated all the time. In contrast, perpetual licenses get fewer feature updates but do get all security/bug patches.

My logic is I can buy several copies at $37 over a 3 or 4 year period and come out far ahead of buying retail.

I have never found anyone legit at a lower price than keysworlds.com.

=============

I have since purchased at HRKGame at

https://www.hrkgame.com/en/games/product/microsoft-office-2021-professional-plus-phone-activation

I installed it, but never got the chance to do the phone activation.  The only option offered was over the internet, which worked the first time.

Seems like if you do the phone activation, and write down the codes they give you in response, if you ever need to reinstall it after a fresh install of Windows, it will activate again if you use those same codes on the same computer.  Since I didn’t get offered phone activation, I doubt my $5 will allow me to install again after a fresh install of Windows.

For whatever reason, I did not get notified of your reply though I am subscribed to this thread.  I am NOT an Office 365 user.

I am using IMAP/SMTP as the type for my hotmail.com/outlook.com/live email.  Mail (Microsoft Outlook) is the Control Panel module.  I also have a gmail and a yahoo email account setup with IMAP/SMTP.  For hotmail/outlook/live, incoming IMAP port is 993, SSL/TLS, outgoing server SMTP port is 587 STARTTLS.  Interestingly, Incoming mail server is outlook.office365.com, outgoing server is smtp.office365.com.  UNCHECKED is Require logon using Secure Password Authentication.

This config allows me to be logged into hotmail.com/outlook.com/live email account for web access and does not log me into an account for Windows and still be able to conveniently access all my email accounts in Outlook 2019.  On rare occasions, Outlook 2019 will pop up a box asking me to enter my id and password for gmail or yahoo.  It is rare enough I have not invested any time to further investigate.

God only knows what awaits in Office 2021.  I am in no hurry for either Win11 or Office 2021.  In 2 or 3 years when it MIGHT be out of alpha testing, I will look into it.

My spouse’s laptop (Lenovo T series Win10Pro last updated 2018 – my custom install, not what came from Lenovo) sits and never get used.  Booted it up with no internet this week.  Ran Group Policy Editor, set Do not install drivers with Windows Update.  Connected internet.  Ran Windows10Upgrade9252.exe to bring current faster than a series of updates and restarts.  After update, looking at Apps.  ALL drivers listed have an install date of the day I did the update.  Run Windows Update to get some more updates.  It shows drivers as optional updates.  Check GPE – it is reset as well.  Reset GPE no drivers with Winupdate.  Run WinUpdate again.  No optional updates.

I find the same behavior on custom built desktops as well, so I don’t think it is Lenovo related – that GPE is only a pacifier to delude the public into thinking they have ANY control over what the softies decide is in my best interest.  I’ve tried using the registry editor to effect the no drivers in WinUpdate as well with same result.

Alex I have found that the GPE setting is completely ignored.  I have found it doesn’t seem to matter whether I have ever logged into a MS Account or not.  I have systems logged in and those that have never been logged in ever and still the same situation.

What is the “one ring to rule them all” to forevermore stop Windows from ever updating my drivers for Win10Pro?  I understand that most users don’t know/care about driver updates.  I also know not all driver updates are good/beneficial.

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Mike

Awesome article on a neglected topic.  THANKS.

I have used Hard Disk Sentinel Pro for over a decade.  As a 30+ year IT tech, I have a number of desktops and laptops in my household.  I have the Family pack (5 PCs Lifetime) of HD Sentinel Pro and it is installed on every one of them.  Currently that costs $53 US.  I’ve never noticed a performance hit using this software.  For each internal hard drive, it provides a status icon in the system tray and an activity icon (once turned on).  The status icon is color coded, and provides the temperature of each drive (F or C).  In my custom built desktop, I have 1 NVMe drive and 6 spinner drives.  You can set custom thresholds for each drive for temperature (NVMe slots on the motherboard have different temp ranges from spinner drives, for example) – 3 different thresholds – below x is normal, x1-x2 is yellow, and above x3 is red.  You can configure audio alarms also and even set Panic Backup and Shut Down for each temp threshold.  It has far too many customizations to list, and a huge amount of info on the Information tab for each drive.

For non-tech users, it summarizes each drive as a percentage of health.  Anything below 100% gets my attention.  The default configuration is pretty good.  I tweak a few settings, but not many.  I was a beta tester years ago for a major brand hard drive manufacturer.  One drive was a large capacity drive (for the time), and so I continued to use it.  After 10 years HD Sentinel warned me when it started getting wobbly.  I replaced it before it failed because of the warning, and had zero data loss.

On the overview tab for each drive, it estimates remaining lifetime, with the standard being “more than 1000 days” and shows Performance and Health as a percentage – starting at 100%, Power on time in days and hours, total start/stop count.

There is an Enterprise version.  The standard version for 1 PC costs $20US, so the family pack is a really good value IMO.

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GoneToPlaid, wavy, windbg