3 Windows Cloning Applications for BootCamp Partition

Shortly, when the first Intel-based Macs reached in the market, Apple took the initiative to release a useful tool known as BootCamp Assistant. Using the help of BootCamp, Mac users now install and boot their native machine on Microsoft Windows along with the pre-existing OS installation. It minimizes the running of the different operating system simultaneously.

Backup BootCamp

For Backing up all the files and folders, one can easily use Time Machine features of Mac OS X. However, Time Machine can’t backup the BootCamp partition on the Apple hard drive. In such case, a 3rd party application comes handy which takes care of data backup on Windows partition.

Applications to Clone BootCamp

1) AOMEI Backupper

It is perfect for both new and advanced level users and provides a clean, user-friendly GUI. The primary backup option which this software provides is Disk Backup, Folder Backup and Partition Backup, System Backup.

Note: if you are looking for a fast and reliable data backup option on the fly, then AOMEI Backupper is the best solution for that.

2) Macrium Reflects Free Edition

After installation of this app, you will be presented with a registration form having a pop-up box that contains a serial key which is very specific to your system. After clicking on ‘OK’, an internet connection is required to provides necessary authorization of serial key before you can start using the program.

3) Drive Image XML

Though its GUI is not as interactive as its competitor, still, it is one of the powerful software for cloning Windows hard drive.

Image Creation

Here, you have two options for creating a data backup image: Drive to Drive as they call it or the standard backup that gives you the option to either use "Volume Locking" or the "Volume Shadow Service" since it is the system drive I'm backing up from within Windows.

So, the default selection Volume Locking is a bad idea in this case, as it does what it say's "locks the volume" aka drive.

Mac Based Software to Clone / Image BootCamp Partition

1) Stellar Drive Clone

It is a useful application for cloning the Mac based hard drive data including the BootCamp partition. Along with cloning from Mac internal hard drive, it provides certain other features:

• Cloning NTFS BootCamp partition to EXFAT
• Cloning a particular Mac volume
• Cloning network drive
• Cloning without resizing
• Creating a disk image of Mac
• Creating Bootable media for Mac OS X

2) Winclone

Winclone is an another great utility for Mac users for imaging the BootCamp partition. Winclone comes in 3 different version having different features in each version.

It is helpful in Cloning and restoring boot camp, cloning windows drive, and disk-to-disk cloning.

Final words

Now, using the help of Windows cloning tool mentioned above, you can easily clone your Windows based hard drive data. Choose the best one which suits your requirements and budget.

How to recover data from an inaccessible Mac hard drive

Thousands of Mac users around the world face a most common Mac data recovery problem, i.e. Data recovery from Inaccessible OS X Hard Drive. Usually after a period of time, Mac hard drive become unreadable or inaccessible due to certain circumstances and many users may not be able to get access to their precious data that were already stored on their OS X hard drives.

Such type of problems might be caused due to system volume corruption, malware attack, file corruption etc. There are 2 different methods to resolve such problems and in this blog post we will explain both of these methods step-by-step.

Ways to regain the accessibility in your Mac hard drive

Corruption in the PRAM or NVRAM may be the cause of drive inaccessibility, and the system fails to boot from the appropriate drive where OS X resides. This can be corrected by resetting the PRAM or NVRAM. Also, the files may become invisible to the internal search engine on Mac viz. Spotlight. This can be corrected by indexing the items again.

1. Resetting PRAM or NVRAM

Parameter Random-Access Memory (PRAM) stores settings that can be easily accessed by OS X. It includes settings for startup disk selection. If the drive on the Mac is inaccessible, restoring these settings may help in gaining the accessibility back. Here’s how to do it:

I. To reset the PRAM, shutdown the Mac system.

II. Start the Mac and immediately after hearing the startup sound press CMD, Option, P and R keys simultaneously.

III. This will restart the system and on the startup sound again, release the keys.

Once these settings are reset, you may need to configure speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection and time zone information again. Select the startup disk as appropriate. In older macs, the PRAM feature is in the form of Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory (NVRAM). NVRAM can be reset following the same steps as listed above.

How to look for inaccessible data through Indexing

Some of the files may simply go missing if their indexing is not properly done. To rebuild the index, follow the steps below:

I. Go to: System Preferences > Spotlight.

II. Choose Privacy tab.

III. Add the media on which the files have gone missing.

IV. Remove the media from Privacy. This rebuilds the index.

Now the files should appear in the Spotlight search or system navigation.

In case if the above mentioned method doesn’t work, then you can take the help of Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery Software for recovering the inaccessible hard drive data.

Recovery Inaccessible Mac Hard Drive data using Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery Software:

Stellar Phoenix Mac Data Recovery Software provides support for data recovery from inaccessible hard drive with a Recover CD. This CD is used to boot the inaccessible Mac and perform file recovery on the hard drive. The software provides other useful functionalities like RAW Recovery, Image Creation, Encrypted Recovery, Photo and Video recovery.

4 Methods to Access Settings in Windows 10

We somehow got access to Windows 10 Preview 9901 Build and explored newly introduced features. Settings in Windows 10 is changed completely, separated along with different options like System, Devices, Network & Internet, Personalization, Accounts, Time & Language etc. Moreover, way to access Settings option in Windows 10 has been also changed. For example, you may find it directly by pressing Windows + ‘I’ Key, on top of the menus at Windows explorer interface, at start screen.

Settings option are also nested and you’ll need to click on any specific category to find more setting options lying under each category. Please read the detailed steps to access settings using different methods:

               

Method #1
As explained earlier, press Window + I button and you’ll see all the settings categorize in list order such as Display, notifications, speech, storage sense etc.
 

Tap/click on any option to see inner settings option. For example, after clicking on Display under settings, you’ll see further settings options related to Devices i.e., Devices, Mouse and touchpad, typing, auto play etc. 

Method #2
Unlike start button in Windows 8/8.1, you’ll be able to see old styled start button interface. Settings option is also equipped with your start button menu options as described in the image below:
 

To access start menu, simply press on Window button on your keyboard.

Method #3
You can also access these settings from start screen in Windows 10. Small light blue setting button will be placed at your start screen. Simply click on tap on it to access settings windows on Windows 10. 

Method #4

On Windows explorer window, you’ll find the settings button entitled ‘Open Settings’ along with other header menus options i.e. Access media, Map network drive, Add a network location etc.
 

 

Mentioned 4 methods are completely new and was missing in previous version of Windows. This will lighten your burden and lets you directly access all the settings option, no matter on which screen you are active. You’ll be able to directly access settings option in not more than 2 clicks.

Mac keeps freezing !! What to do ??

Mac freezes, when the system halts to respond to inputs. Why does this occur??

Causes of the freezing

• Too many programs open at the same time
• Operating system issues
• Heat related issue
• 'Software Updates' not updated
• Not have enough memory
• Duplicate and hidden files 

Steps to Unfrozen the Mac

1) First step is to open the 'Activity monitor' to analyse that what is eating up the system resources. So just drive your cursor on Applications folder, then on Utilities and lastly click on Activity Monitor. You could be able to see the list of certain files.

2) Next step is to sort the list by CPU percentage. After the sorting procedure, the applications with the higher percentage of CPU value causes slow down of the system.

3) Now sort the Activity monitor by RSIZE i.e. according to the memory, each program is using. This list will makes us to look for the file that uses higher memory which indicate the reason to slow down the speed of the system.

4) After this procedure, you will surely find the files which need to be quit from the system. Before proceeding further, either you need to take the bcak of the system or you will loose any data in that program. Now select the program from the list above which slow down the speed or uses more memory and click the Quit button in the window above.

5) Sometimes we came across the programs that are failed to run correctly or not responding at all. This is the very critical situation which affect the freeze up of the system and locks it up. In this situation, we need to force quit the particular program.

6)  Last step is to boot the Mac. If you can't be able to access the mouse, you need to reboot your Mac. And since you can't access the shutdown option, just press and hold down the power button till the computer shut down.

Measures to prevent it from freezing

1) Clean the space on the hard drive

This is an important step because the less space on the primary drive will encounter the higher chances  to slow down the task.

2) Upgrade software updates

Timely updating the software and version of Mac OS X will enhance the system with greater security and certain other features, which reflect a greater impact on performance and other factors too.

3) Repair hard disk
Due to some errors on to the disk, the computer can become unresponsive and slow. Regularly verifying and repairing the disk with the help of Disk Utility will minimize the freezing upto larger extent.

4) Booting in safe mode
This feature helps to determine the number of programs that will affect the computer to freeze. After booting the computer in safe mode, don't forget to reboot your computer normally.

5) Reinstall programs which do not run properly
The programs which constantly gives you difficulties should be reinstalled again to avoid such problems.

6) Avoid opening corrupt files
Corrupt files will lead to encounter freezing problem in Mac. If the Mac freezes after opening some file, then that file has to be deleted to avoid any discrepancies.

7) Check SMART status of the hard drive
The special SMART(Self Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) status of the hard drive will indicate the health of the hard drive which is very helpful to monitor the freezing or slow down issues.

These points will surely rescue you from the problem of freezing or system hang kind of problems.

How to Use Old Windows Boot Manager Screen in Windows 8 Dual Booting Environment

Windows 8 lead outstanding changes in their fastest ever OS, formally known as Windows 8. Changes including Start Screen, metro style interface, faster boot processing etc. are some of the major one that greatly modified the way we interact with the PC.

Boot manager in Windows 8 is a part of the booting process that lets you choose desired OS to start with if you’re running in Multiple OS platforms. You’ll see this screen just after starting your system. Once you select the operating system, you’ll need to press Enter to start with desired version of operating system.

                             
                               
Microsoft had decided to remove the old boot manager screen and replaced with modern boot loader screen in Windows 8 so you can reach to desktop within the shortest possible span of time. However, some user didn’t liked it at all as it’ll restrict capabilities like advanced startup options, capabilities to start system using various other method like Safe Mode, Clean Boot Mode, system recovery options (all these options was previously found at Advanced startup options in Windows 7/Vista/XP). 

Moreover, if you’ve installed multiple OS including Windows 8 on the same system, it’ll directly boot into Windows 8 OS without giving any options to choose other installed operating system.
This will seems annoying if you want to boot into different copy of OS, Windows 7 or Windows Vista.

Sometime, user may get distract with their modern boot manager screen of Windows 8 and desperately want to bring back the old interfaced boot manager screen like Windows XP or Windows 7. This article will guide you how to bring back old boot manager screen without digging much deeper and conflicting your customizations and settings. Once you’re done with following all the steps, you’ll probably see your old boot loader screen instead of metro boot loader screen, as seen in the image below:

                  
                  

Disable Metro Boot Loader Screen
Follow the steps mentioned below to get your old boot loader screen:

1. Open elevated command prompt in your Windows 8 computer by pressing ‘Window’ + ‘Q’ button, type cmd and right click on it. You’ll see an option to start command prompt using administrative credentials on the right screen.
   
   P.S. Enter desired admin details if asked and hit enter.
   
2. Once you are on the black screen window (MS-DOS screen), type the below mentioned command and hit enter:
   
   bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy
   
3. After receiving the conformation message, you’ll need exit from the command prompt window and restart system to see the old boot loader screen.
   
   

How to restore or enable metro boot loader screen back again
If at some time, you want to restore modern boot loader screen in Windows 8, just follow the tutorial below:

1. Start command prompt as described in the first step of disabling metro boot loader screen and type the command mentioned below:
   
   bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy standard
   
2. Again, you’ll get a confirmation message as received in the previous tutorial that confirms that metro boot loader screen has been restored successfully.
   

In case you aren’t able to perform steps described above or facing problem while enabling/disabling metro boot loader screen, post your questions using the comment section and we’ll look onto it.
Moreover, if you’re continue receiving boot manager popups even after removing other copies of Installed OS, you’ll need to follow the tutorial to remove boot manager popups error.

Issues that won't let Macbook pro start at all

Apple Macbook pro is one of the portable computers with high technology and powerful apps. These notebooks are thinner and lighter. The latest model of Macbook 17 inch pro is also experiencing start up problems which has become a major issue nowadays. These problems may arise due to:

Peripheral devices

Peripheral devices could be the problem. Just check its connectivity and then try starting Macbook pro. If not, then you need to disconnect the peripheral devices and then turn it on to check everything goes well or not. By doing so, you can address the issue.

RAM issues

If the computer beeps more than one time or the lights are blinking, then there must be some hardware failure. Bad RAM is very common issue on newer Mac's. So, to test this case, just remove one RAM at a time and reboot. Repeat this activity again till you find the problem. If any of the culprit arises, then have a look in Mac owner Manual and install RAM.

Bad battery

Just check the battery level of the Macbook. To perform this task, press the battery button or on the side of your computer. Single light blinking may lead you in the condition of dead Macbook. So, you need to charge accordingly whenever necessary.

Operating system

The operating system may stuck resulting in start up problems. All you need to do is to hold down the control key, command key and the power button together to restart the computer. In this scenario, try booting off an OS CD and run Disk Utility to repair the disk. If this also doesn't work, last option is to use the software like Stellar volume repair or Onyx software to repair.

Hard drive failure

A major issue is of the hard drive. If the hard drive has been corrupted or damaged or makes abnormal noises, first thing you need, is to back up your data safely and replace it immediately.

Mac's SMC

Resetting SMC is the important feature. The simple SMC reset can resolve number of failures such as battery not charging, USB ports and Bluetooth not working, fans running fast, erratic sleep mode performance, failure to response to power button, sluggish performance etc. So, to reset the SMC, first shut down the Mac, disconnect from MagSafe connecter, remove the battery and hold the power button for 10 seconds. After releasing the power button, reinstall the battery, reconnect the MagSafe connector and turn your Mac on.

Thermal sensors not working

This issue is noticed when the fans run at a higher speed but the computer does not boot. You have to ensure first, that the sensors are plugged in properly. If yes, then replace it. If this doen't fixes the problem, you need to change the logic board.

Faulty MagSafe adapter

To test that the adapter is faulty or not, one needs to check the electrical outlet and the plugs are inserted properly or not. If the outlets works smoothly, then unplug the power adapter for a while and then plug it again. By doing so, if the power adapter's LED does not light up, then definitely MagSafe is damaged.

Therefore, fixing these issue in the appropriate manner will resolve most of the start up problems of the Macbook pro.

Threats, weaknesses to an iPhone

The iPhone is the smartest technology these days among all. Everybody has the craze to tickle the extraordinary features of the smartphone. But due to some weaknesses and threats, iPhones are declining in the market. Some of the threatening points to an iPhone are:

iPhone competitors hitting the market
Apple launched its product every year but if we think about its competitors they are releasing their product probably every month. Smartphones and Android phones in the market with its incredible features are hitting the market. iPhone being expensive incorporates glossy features but Android on other hand provide lesser glossiness but offers great deals of app through ‘Play Store’, thus making easy to penetrate the smartphone market.

iPad sales are higher than iPhone
There are billions of users of iPad in the market as compared to the iPhone. Undoubtedly, iPad is a boom with the superior quality features and a large screen. The iPad doesn't have calling feature, still the users are interested in buy this product. In all, iPads are more busniess oriented.

AT & T and T-Mobile are Apples threats
These companies are hitting the US market to a greater extent. Apple's business is getting affected and its is very difficult for them to maintain the current position in the market. T-Mobiles are affecting the market of iPhones as they are successful in selling some of the iPhones as consumers can't bear the price of Apple iPhone's. They are increasing with the sales because of their exciting plan which provide reduction in cost with the greater quality.

Apple's own smartphone is an idea for other competitors
At first Apple launched its smartphone in the market. Its superiorty and quality features allows Apple to sell their product at higher prices. But on the other extent, competitors and the other brands come up with the same smartphones at lower prices which has again let the Apple product fall in the market. Asian markets are much inclined towards smartphones that look-alike iPhones and cost lesser.

Latest iPhone still lacking in some features
iPhone 5 has massive competitors in the market. Now this iPhone 5 has a nano-sim which is a curse as it cannot swap while upgrading contacts and all. Also it does not have headphone jack which is a great problem for those people who does not have Bluetooth capabilities. Then Apple's maps are not up to scratch. One needs to stuck with iTunes for loading content as microSD card slot, USB slots and NFC connectivity is not there.

Competition is tough in China for iPhone
China has unexpectedly hit the market with their smartphones at a cheaper price. These phones has Google Android operating system which has led the Apple sales down due to its superb features, apps and quality. China beat the biggest companies such as Apple, Samsung and many other companies.

Android apps are beating iPhones
There are certain android apps auch as Cover, Swype, profile scheduler etc. in the market which iPhone didn't support. They are doing the terrific business with its functionality and features in it.

Not have any recovery software for deleted content
One of the major issue these days that being very expensive in the market, it does not have any recovery software for the deleted content. Sometimes, if data got accidently deleted, then one has to buy some software to recover it.

History and working of an iPod

After 10 years of sustainance, iPod has gained cavernous number of users in the world of entertainment. iPod has become one of the most advanced technology and smarter choice. If we look back in history, the percentage of users are increased rapidly.

History of iPod

:Source:Msmillersartblog

iPod Classic 
 

The first model of iPod generation is iPod Classic. The first portable music player with the mechanical scroll wheel. Later on from 2001 to 2009, it came with features such as mechanical scroll wheel, dock connector, color screen plus picture viewing, 120 GB capacity etc. Last version of classic is seen with slimmer case and larger screen with video playback.

iPod Mini

Then comes the iPod Mini, a digital audio player which was launched in 2004 with the ultimate 5 colours. It introduced the click wheel with the brighter color variants and longer battery life. In that time, this is the most famous electronic product available in the mini.

iPod Nano

Release of ever thinnest iPod Nano by Apple announced the stylish portable media player with the flash memory as storage. This was the first iPod with the passionate features of including video camera, accelerometer for shake and horizontal view, 2.5 inch multi touch screen, Bluetooth etc.

This version with the enhanced model gained the enormous number of people towards it.

iPod Shuffle

iPod shuffle is the smallest member of the iPod family which uses flash memory. The first model of this category released on January 2005 with no screen. It is a slim and highly proficient music player which encases a 1Gb flash based media player. The iPod shuffle is a random player which pop up the music on its own with a loud rock tracks.

iPod Touch

One of the most widespread and thinnest model which weighs 88 g possessed brilliant design, 4-inch retina display, superb camera and many more advanced features marketed by Apple. It is a multitasking pocket size gadget which consist of outstanding user interface that is touchscreen based. The latest model was dispatch in 2012 which has new aluminium design with several colour case options featured with iOS (Apple operating system).

How iPod works?

iPod is the most popular gadget of the decade which is used for storing, transferring and playing multimedia files. Generally iPod stores all the multimedia files on an internal memory chip. From here we could able to retrieve the files accordingly. The working of the iPod is very simple. All the devices of the iPod are integrated with iTunes. So, first download your music files or Cds into the computer. Then that files are loaded into the iTunes software. After ensuring that the multimedia files have been transferred to the particular software, plug the iPod in the computer and tranfer them from the software to the iPod. Unplug and there are your favourite numbers on it. Let us see the different parts that how it works:

1) iTunes:

This is a software developed by Apple which is used to organize, add or delete the multimedia files from the computer to the iPod and vice versa. All the devices are generally integrated with this piece of amazing software which always sync it with a portable device. With this software we can easily pluck the music from Cds into MP3 or various other formats as well. When we connect the iPod to the PC it automatically updates the music files and all.

2) Touch-sensitive wheel:

Touch is the sensitive feature which makes the task of accessing the menus and features on the screen faster by dragging. iPod uses a technology called capacitive sensing. These capacitive sensors are hypersensitive to detect anything that is conductive and consist of an insulator different fron that of air. It uses electrical impulses and react accordingly.

So this is the overall history and working of tremondous digital portable media players i.e. one and only iPod.