Rollback RX - PROPOSED KnowledgeBase article

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by TheRollbackFrog, Apr 1, 2015.

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  1. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    This project is complete and the result is being published under this new THREAD.

    I want to thank everyone for their help with this... maybe we can do it again sometime :cool::D
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2015
  2. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    ...and one of the more dangerous applications run from outside of the protected OS would be any kind of defragmentation software. Running under the protected OS, it will only cause large snapshots... running outside of the protected OS will most likely destroy Rollback and all its snapshot data.
     
  3. pandlouk

    pandlouk Registered Member

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    Frogie what dangerous applications you are talking about?
    You want to kill Rollback RX effectivly and not being able to boot,defrag or delete any snapshots?
    Just fill the protected/space with files/data and post back how it handles a situation like that.No need to be an administrator of the system,no need to run a single program.

    Panagiotis
     
  4. Kurtis Smejkal

    Kurtis Smejkal Registered Member

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    Froggie, great write up.

    If a program utilizes/attacks/occupies the MBR; or removes the sub-system it's going to nullify RollBack Rx. There's a lot of programs out there that do this. It's great if you guys let us know and our technical support team can advise around it. Problem is, we are not always up to date with various new programs that do this, and I think writing a KB article about being weary of installing other software that interferes with the MBR or subsystem might be better, so that users are more aware of the restrictions of that space and how to not cause errors within it.

    Cheers,
     
  5. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

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    Froggie, perhaps a wiki page would be good for this sort of thread.
     
  6. bjm_

    bjm_ Registered Member

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    Will this Thread be for Home Edition Free ?
     
  7. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    It will include all editions of Rollback RX (Pro, XP, Home, & probably Server). We're trying to develop a good KnowledgeBase article that all Rollback users can refer to.
     
  8. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    I'll be happy to develop such an animal but I need to ascertain all the issues first and this is the best Forum for that. When the dust settles, I'll structure it in a way that HDS may be able to use it and create some Public Wiki page somewhere for it to be referenced.
     
  9. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

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    Was/is this not a conceivable problem? On Rxs home page it says that Rx could handle all conceivable problems. I guess thats not the case then.
     
  10. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

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    I would not expect HDS to do this, can it not be done without HDSs involvement?
     
  11. Kurtis Smejkal

    Kurtis Smejkal Registered Member

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    I like the idea you're going for, if you'd like we can talk about compensating you for your efforts.

    However, if you could, focus on the root cause. Especially the MBR and the Subsystem. You're a great writer in terms of the more technical minded stuff, if you can write something very technical, feel free to email me it when you're done and we'll go from there, but like I said, try to not focus on programs but rather that base issue.

    Cheers,
     
  12. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    Nope... all will be written. Very technical folks will understand base issue no-nos (which will be included) but the general user won't have a clue as to what that means. It makes much more sense to the user to see what applications/class of applications (when there's lots of them) affect their Rollback protected system. That's what they buy, that's what they see... they have very little idea what's going on under the functional application as far as MBR modification, etc. is happening.

    When it's all done we can all discuss it further... just gimme all your current knowledge as far as Rollback No-Nos are concerned, I'll gather it all together.
     
  13. Kurtis Smejkal

    Kurtis Smejkal Registered Member

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    Sure, write it up in a Word doc if you can and email it to me when you're done. Thanks Froggie :)

    Cheers,
     
  14. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    Lead article updated (overall). Future edits will be identified.
     
  15. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    The group here at Wilders is happy to consider any constructive input towards the creation of this Rollback RX proposed KnowledgeBase article by anyone from Horizon Data Sys, the author of the application being documented. After all, who knows better the shortcomings of the application in question than the official author(s) themselves.

    Bring it on, Kurtis, et al!! :-*... we need all the help we can get!
     
  16. Kurtis Smejkal

    Kurtis Smejkal Registered Member

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    I don't want everyone to think that if they put in an issue it'll make it in, I'll have to have quite a few people look it over, so no guarantees! That's why I'm saying keep it broad, a few examples of programs are helpful, try to go for popular ones. That said, we want this to be more concept-based. Still, I fully back this, and I'm considering bringing up the idea of a crowd-sourced wiki page for our products. I'll keep you guys updated on that.

    Cheers,
     
  17. Kurtis Smejkal

    Kurtis Smejkal Registered Member

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    All versions of our software operate on a somewhat similar wavelength, so yes, it would apply in a general sense (How it uses the MBR/Subsystem)
     
  18. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    Lead article updated (#2)... clarifications, reorganization (hopefully better organization).
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2015
  19. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

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    Froggie, you might want to address the Windows update issue in the article.
     
  20. Kurtis Smejkal

    Kurtis Smejkal Registered Member

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    This is really coming together! I appreciate your efforts so far Froggie.
     
  21. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    Lead article updated on 03Apr2015:0947 EDT.

    Includes new section on Microsoft Windows Update...
     
  22. jwcca

    jwcca Registered Member

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    The instructions under Partitioning would also apply to Imaging, Defragmenting and Specialized device access:
    The scary part is where you said "if the proper uninstall option is selected" because that implies that there's at least one "wrong uninstall option". Since I don't have the software, I'll ask: Is it likely to be clear to a 'normal' user that each option can have consequences? Is the 'proper' option the default option?(for those that just click the [NEXT] button without understanding what they're doing).
     
  23. bgoodman4

    bgoodman4 Registered Member

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    Thanks Froggie, the lead article is coming along nicely.
     
  24. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

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    In previous versions, during the unINSTALL process, Rollback offered a user the option to unINSTALL to any snapshot in time he wished, BUT... the DEFAULT was set to his Baseline (the oldest time point in his snapshot chain... really dumb decision on HDS part)). When a user just bounced through (without really understanding each window offered) his uninstall process, the system would reBOOT and he would be at the time point of his original Rolbackk installation... every change since then would be lost forever, pretty drastic if you ask me.

    The current release offers the same options but has no DEFAULT pre-set. If the users tries to pass that point, it says pick a snapshot to uninstall to. If the user completely understood what the uninstaller was asking, the options are clear from the INSTALLATION snapshot to the CURRENT SYSTEM STATE snapshot and all in between. The problem is, many users pick the snapshot called INSTALLATION (the oldest) thinking they are selecting the "installation" of Rollback, rather than what it really is... the oldest system state at the time of INSTALLATION. They go from there and the result is the same as it was in previous versions.

    The offered selections are pretty clear (the CURRENT SYSTEM STATE is even marked "for uninstall") but we still find users pop up here on Wilders with horror stories following their unINSTALL and losing all their files since the original installation. We really can't hold their hands and they need to carefully understand what they are doing rather than hurrying through an uninstall process.
     
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2015
  25. jwcca

    jwcca Registered Member

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    @ RBF
    That's definitely scary then. HDS should include a clear explanation plus maybe even a pop up which says "You will lose everything after THIS point, are you sure that you want to do this?".
    Unless of course they pick the very last incremental... :)

    Maybe change "for uninstall" to "if uninstalling the program, use this one to preserve all of your system"

    And maybe change:
    "If the user tries to skip selecting a snapshot, it says "pick a snapshot to uninstall to." "
    to
    "uninstall everything AFTER the selected snapshot"

    I find it a bit confusing when trying to wrap my head around the idea that I want to "uninstall to" something, in fact I think it's ridiculous.

    In fact the screen should have two sections:
    1) Uninstall the Rollback program and leave all other programs and data intact.
    2) Roll back to this point in time by selecting a snapshot that you want to keep along with all prior snapshots.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2015
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