January 2026 - Blind-sysadmins - lists.hodgsonfamily.org

Accessible and FREE Windows 10/11 Backup Software
by Steve Matzura 05 Feb '26

05 Feb '26

I have acquired a client who (1) is not a native English speaker, (2) has no computer training whatsoever, not to mention the money to afford a quality trainer, (3) has been shafted by many who wanted to be her trainer but didn't know how to teach an ESL person and explain things, and (4) weren't truly equipped for the job in the first place. The client knows me very well, has gotten proper references, etc., and has placed her system in my hands. Her system is an abysmal mess. While the operating system--Windows 10--is as up-to-date as its ever going to get, she's running on an overloaded Outlook Express for email, and a broken Microsoft Office 2003 ... yes, you read that right ... for everything else. OE has now stopped working, and we think it's because she never deletes anything. Word has stopped being able to save things to the standard default Documents folder, throwing an error about permissions. I looked into this, and nothing looks wrong. What I propose for her is: (1) make an image backup, (2) provide an accessible way to restore it in case steps 3 and beyond go horribly wrong, (3) completely re-install Windows 10, (4) replace all the Microsoft products with OpenOffice/Libre Office, or something like it, and (5) dump OE and replace it with Thunderbird. My questions are: [1] What's a viable and accessible free backup solution, and [2] what's the best option for an accessible bootable CD or DVD for recovering? TIA

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System backup and restore
by Ibraam Wahib 29 Jan '26

29 Jan '26

Hello dear. Hope all is fine. Would you please did you able to use acronis true Image? I think it’s a rescue disc built in Lennox, do you think able to use orca or another screen reader under Lennox use it for backup and restore Windows system? Awaiting your recommendation even another software for this matter. Also need another windows program for regular backup file and folder locally on external USB disc instead of only depend on cloud driver. Thanks very much for your care.

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Experience with taking Comptia test online with PearsonVUE
by Chris Turner 08 Jan '26

08 Jan '26

HI all. I said I'd get back regarding this. I've just passed the Comptia Security+ exam online with Pearson VUE. Woo! I won't talk about the questions, obviously. However, a couple of observations on the test process from a Windows screenreader user PoV. Firstly, once you have accomidations granted, you have to do a system test. This checks network bandwidth, camera, microphone, sound and some security aspects. You may need to disable or uninstall Dropbox for example. I did need help with Aira over a remote call, just to check I was visible in the camera view. This was several weeks ago when accomodations were granted. On the day itself, when you check in to the exam, you do another system test, which is now logged against your ID. I did not use Aira at this time. System passed. You then wait for the proctor to do what ever it is they need to check there end. Make sure you have valid photo ID in case you need to show it. There was quite a delay between checking in and the exam starting. I was getting a bit worried but message on screen says it can start after your appointment time. Eventually the proctor spoke to me and the screen updated so I could proceed. The exam itself was almost entirely accessible. The one bit that wasn't, some text, a fragment of a log, was not read out. I had to used JAWS OCR to access this text. I did not experience any questions with diagrams but this could be possible I suppose too. The rest of it was fine, with standard form controls and no gotyas. Anyway would use again. I'm interested in looking at perhaps trying the penitration cert or Linux cert. Regards Chris -- My stuff. Dreams of Tharsis: Metal, industrial, synth metal, instrumentals. dreamsoftharsis.bandcamp.com LostDroid: Electro, synthwave, soundscapes. lostdroid.bandcamp.com On Spotify, Apple Music, all the usual places...

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