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Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

Hi everyone,

I thought I will share how do I run loads of stealth accounts on my PC. It might be useful to someone too.

It all started when I was annoyed with loads of user accounts on my PC. I have over 150. I was looking for easier way to manage them all without overloading my computer. I thought what if I install windows on external hard drive and have my accounts there. Loads of " ITexperts" told me this is not possible. I spent loads of hours searching and found detailed guide how to do it successfully. Now I run my stealth accounts from USB stick, which has windows 7 installed :)

This a link to a step by step guide on how to install windows on an external hard drive.

47 - How to install Windows Vista/7/SVR2K8 onto a USB drive (or any partition) - RMPrepUSB

It all runs from USB 2.0 port. You can a use usb stick but it needs to be a really fast one. Cheap ones will be very slow. I use SanDisc Extreme 3.0 USB stick and it works just as good as a had drive. Through usb 2.0 port it has read speed of 30 mb/s and this is practically the same speed as external hard drive.

I have been running my stealth accounts from the USB stick for over 3 months now and it works really well. It might help someone too. :)

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

SSD drive consideration?

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

I am not sure if you really see cost effective benefits using SSD hard drive for this purpose. USB 2.0 port has low data transfer rate and this is a limiting factor. If I had SSD then I would be using it but if I had to purchase one I would purchase a better quality HDD because it's much cheaper.

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

That's a really useful insight John.

Thanks for the share.

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

My poor brain can't even process the information in that link! haha.. good for you for finding a solution.

How do you manage your IP addresses / Internet connections, and also your passwords etc for each account, must get confusing?

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

Not confusing at all if you are well organized.

Excel spreedsheet for the IPs.

I use folders for every account I have.

When I run 20 sellers accounts those folders are above the computer that particular account is on and all info in right in front of me to use.

Ebay username on the tab with the password makes for easy access.

All other info on the front of the folder.

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

Make sure to backup the USB stick. I've even had the decent ones die on me!

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

Ouch! Is it possible to recover a USB stick once it stops working? I have collected dozens throughout the years and never have one break on me.

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

Can be done although not always successful

Hard Drive Data Recovery - Recover Deleted and Formatted Files from Computer Hard disk

:ranger:

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

if you can still access to it (means that when you plug it in, it is aknowledged by the PC) but can't read the content, it might be possible to recover.

If you plug it in and nothing happens... it migh be dead... forever

for the acronymous list:
RIP: Rest In Peace

which is the same for Italian "Riposa In Pace" or Latin "requiescat in pace"

;)

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

best software for multiple operating systems on one computer is Booitit

Boot Manager, Partition Manager, and Drive Image Utility - BootIt Next Generation

its like having as many computers as you need all on one computer.

you can also use mac changing software so it actually looks like a total different computer every time you boot in to a new system, bit like VMware but not.

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

Yes, if anyone has this happen to them, PM me and I'm happy to help with this. Files cannot be recovered everytime, though. Here is just a basic guide for deletion (not your drive failing, but you might be able to recover stuff this way too).

Basic scenario - you accidentally delete the account details of some of your stealth accounts by hitting the keyboard. They were stored on a USB or other external medium and have no recycle bin (or windows is set to not send files to the recycle bin).

http://i61.tinypic.com/n62740.jpg

Solution -

Download this : http://www.x-ways.net/winhex.zip the free version allows for file sizes of 200kb, but i'm guessing most of your important information is in a .txt document or other small formats.

Open and go to Tools - Open Disk....
http://i57.tinypic.com/64dtgw.jpg

Choose your drive
http://i57.tinypic.com/24cgsjc.jpg

Find the deleted file which are grayed out
http://i58.tinypic.com/vp89hw.jpg

Right click - then left click Recover/Copy...
http://i57.tinypic.com/200dvl3.jpg

Browse to a location where you want the recovered file to go
http://i59.tinypic.com/301kkme.jpg

Back where it should be
http://i61.tinypic.com/103v5hl.jpg

You can use this program for anything pretty much. If you're paranoid or just wonder what information your eBay photos have in them, you can open them up and look at everything programs that we all use remove.

If this is at all useful I can make another topic on it sometime.

Re: Might be usefull if you run loads of accounts
 

What about switching IP's every time?

I have my own internet here and got a router with it. If that helps. :)