How to avoid data/OS/HDD corruption ?

[Guest]

I'm designing an embedded system that will be installed inside a machine.

The embedded computer is a VIA EPIA ME 6000 motherboard and the operating
system is Windows XP Embedded (based on "Windows-based terminal professional"
template).

The computer is powered by the same power source that feeds the machine.
This means that when the machine user turns on the machine every working day
at 8 AM the computer starts automatically. When the user finishes its working
day he turns off the machine and the computer is suddenly shut down due to
the power loss.

When the computer is active the only program doing something is a small one,
working with RAM, and it doesn't write anything in the hard disk, it doesn't
write any file and it's not constantly reading files.

My main concern is hard disk, data or operating system corruption due to the
sudden power offs. ¿What could I do to avoid corruption?

Maybe since I'm using a small XPe image (190 MB footprint before First Boot
Agent, FBA) and the hard disk is not being used when the power off happens I
don't have to worry about data corruption.

Maybe if I turn off the hard disk after certain time of inactivity
everything will be safe when the power loss happens.

Maybe I should use a Flash disk instead of a conventional hard disk. First I
thought about Compact Flash cards, but maybe a Flash Disk Drive (FDD) will be
a better solution (http://www.m-sys.com/site/en-US/Markets/EmbeddedSystems/)

I've been thinking on EWF (Enhanced Write Filter), but I haven't got very
clear how it works. Once I have created my XPe image I have to install
certain programs on the computer, will EWF cause any problem? I mean that
maybe in spite of installing the programs when I reboot the computer I find
out that the programs are no longer installed since the image reloaded is the
one protected by EWF.

I hope that you'll be able to give me some answers.

Thank you very much.

Yours,
Asier



PD: My embedded computer's specifications:

Motherboard: VIA EPIA ME 6000 LVDS fanless
CPU: 600 MHz
RAM: 256MB DDR400 DIMM
Hard Disk: Seagate Momentus 20GB 5400RPM 2.5in HDD
Case: Travla C158 Mini-ITX Case 90W Black
OS: Windows XP Embedded

 

[Heidi Linda]

Hi. What you do is this: You create your image, with the EWF components
in but not set to start. You install your applications, you set the EWF
to start on next boot, and then your image, complete with applications
installed, will be protected from now on.
If you then want to make some changes, turn off the filter, reboot, make
your changes, turn on the filter, reboot.

 

[Guest]

Thank you very much, Heidi.

It's the second time that your answers solve my doubts, thank you, thank
you, thank you...

But I'm afraid that EWF is a bit too complicate, I've read so many FAQs,
tips, tricks, questions... that I'm a bit afraid of EWF.

What about the other possible solutions? Flash disks, turning off HDD after
certain time, not need to worry...

Thans again,
Asier

 

[Heidi Linda]

Thank you very much, Heidi.

It's the second time that your answers solve my doubts, thank you, thank
you, thank you...

But I'm afraid that EWF is a bit too complicate, I've read so many FAQs,
tips, tricks, questions... that I'm a bit afraid of EWF.

What about the other possible solutions? Flash disks, turning off HDD after
certain time, not need to worry...

Ah well those I don't really know much about... flash disks will wear
out over time, and EWF really isn't all *that* complex. I can see how
easy it is to get lost when trying to use it.
I posted quite a bit about EWF way back when, but I've not used it in
well over a year...