Back-Up

[~Laughingstar~]

In All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Back-up, when preparing to back up
"entire computer" the only option was the A drive 0r "floppy." What on
earth? I use DVDs, but usually perform this mess myself (haven't segmented
the HD). Greatly appreciate your advice. Thank you.

info:

XP Pro, SR everything; IE6 ++SP3; all updates current; Windows Defender;
Ad-Aware; OneCare run every 2 wks; AVAST; using 38%.
--


"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead

 

[Sunny]

Windows Backup won't write to DVDs. If you want to back up the C: drive,
you'll have to write the backup file to another drive such as a USB-attached
drive and then copy the backup file to a DVD. If the backup file is too
large to fit on a DVD, you will have to use some program to split the backup
file first so that the split pieces will fit on multiple DVDs.

 

[~Laughingstar~]

This doesn't 'ring' with me, sorry. Is there an easier way to explain it,
please? I have ScnDisks but that defeats the benefit of DVDs. Is there a
program to "split" back-ups? I have Roxio, also. Thank you.

 

[~Laughingstar~]

Total C is 19.5 GB

This doesn't 'ring' with me, sorry. Is there an easier way to explain
it, please? I have ScnDisks but that defeats the benefit of DVDs. Is
there a program to "split" back-ups? I have Roxio, also. Thank you.

 

[peter]

I would suggest not using the build in backup program for a complete drive
backup.
It is ok for smaller backup jobs where you pick the directory/folder/files
you wish to backup.
I suggest you do a google for Acronis True Image which is more suited to
whole drive backups.
The website will explain all of the ways this program can be used...

peter

 

[~Laughingstar~]

Thank you -- I'll check it out.

I would suggest not using the build in backup program for a complete
drive backup.
It is ok for smaller backup jobs where you pick the
directory/folder/files you wish to backup.
I suggest you do a google for Acronis True Image which is more suited
to whole drive backups.
The website will explain all of the ways this program can be used...

peter

 

[~Laughingstar~]

love the disclaimer - how to make such sigs in OE?

 

[Bill in Co.]

It's in the signature options. Look for it.

love the disclaimer - how to make such sigs in OE?

 

[~Laughingstar~]

Your's may be different than mine in XP Pro OE 6 ++

 

[Mike Tm]

I would suggest not using the build in backup program for a complete
drive backup.
I suggest you do a google for Acronis True Image which is more suited to
whole drive backups.

I agree and like to add some general advice for backing up:
Split the HDD into two partitions, one for user data, the other for
system and program data.

You'll have to transfer some system folders from the system partition to
your user data partition. TweakUI is an excellent choice for this, free
from MS.

For Backing up the system and program data, use Imaging software like
Acronis True Image, as peter suggested, or Ghost, or DriveImage. Backing
up this is necessary only before you install something new.

For Backing up the user data daily I recommend to keep the data in their
original format and back it up on an external USB-HDD. In case of a
crash you can access your files on a friends computer. Avoid proprietary
backing up like MS' Back-up program.

A powerful tool is MS' free robocopy. Write yourself a batch script in
which robocopy does the central job of copying either all (full backup)
or only the recently changed files (incremental backup, recommened for
daily backing up). Robocopy is configurable in many ways, the manual
consist in some pages, and it's worth the time getting friendly with it.
Include in your daily back-up some system files from your system
partition like configuration files, Application data - in general those
files that are changed daily as a result of your work.

On my machine, it only takes one mouse click in the evening (all right:
switch on the USB-HDD) and it does the daily back-up and hibernates the
computer when it's ready.

It is comfortable, secure and transparent.

Best
Mike

 

[Jim]

This doesn't 'ring' with me, sorry. Is there an easier way to explain it,
please? I have ScnDisks but that defeats the benefit of DVDs. Is there a
program to "split" back-ups? I have Roxio, also. Thank you.

Creator Classic (a part of Easy CD Creator) will split files so that they
will fit on the correct number of CDs or DVDs. I use double layer DVDs
because this option uses fewer disk (which are thus easier to manage). My
backup strategy is as follows:
1. Every Sunday at 11:00 AM (or at boot up if the computer is not running at
that time), ATI creates a backup of the entire system disk into a file on
another drive. This backup contains all partitions.
2. Once per month, I copy the current backup to the correct number of double
layer DVDs using the Creator Classic option of Easy CD Creator. I have
decided that I can afford to lose a month's work with serious problems. You
may want to archive the backup file to DVDs more often.

In case of a problem, you must create the correct backup file on a disk with
Easy CD Creator. You cannot read directly from the disk. With the backup
file created, you restore the backup with ATI.

It takes about 15 minutes to create the backup file. It takes about 30
minutes to copy a backup file to two double layer DVDs. It takes about 30
minutes to restore the file to a hard drive.
It takes about 15 minutes to create a new system disk for the disk file.

Jim

 

[~Laughingstar~]

Now to digest all of this -- I shall work on it -- thank you, Mike

 

[~Laughingstar~]

THANK YOU!

Creator Classic (a part of Easy CD Creator) will split files so that
they will fit on the correct number of CDs or DVDs. I use double
layer DVDs because this option uses fewer disk (which are thus easier
to manage). My backup strategy is as follows:
1. Every Sunday at 11:00 AM (or at boot up if the computer is not
running at that time), ATI creates a backup of the entire system disk
into a file on another drive. This backup contains all partitions.
2. Once per month, I copy the current backup to the correct number of
double layer DVDs using the Creator Classic option of Easy CD
Creator. I have decided that I can afford to lose a month's work
with serious problems. You may want to archive the backup file to
DVDs more often.
In case of a problem, you must create the correct backup file on a
disk with Easy CD Creator. You cannot read directly from the disk. With
the backup file created, you restore the backup with ATI.

It takes about 15 minutes to create the backup file. It takes about
30 minutes to copy a backup file to two double layer DVDs. It takes
about 30 minutes to restore the file to a hard drive.
It takes about 15 minutes to create a new system disk for the disk
file.
Jim

 

[Jim]

Just a few minor corrections inline:

Creator Classic (a part of Easy CD Creator) will split files so that they
will fit on the correct number of CDs or DVDs. I use double layer DVDs
because this option uses fewer disk (which are thus easier to manage). My
backup strategy is as follows:
1. Every Sunday at 11:00 AM (or at boot up if the computer is not running
at that time), ATI creates a backup of the entire system disk into a file
on another drive. This backup contains all partitions.
2. Once per month, I copy the current backup to the correct number of
double layer DVDs using the Creator Classic option of Easy CD Creator. I
have decided that I can afford to lose a month's work with serious
problems. You may want to archive the backup file to DVDs more often.

In case of a problem, you must create the correct backup file on a disk
with Easy CD Creator. You cannot read directly from the disk. With the
backup

"disk" means CD or DVD. By the way, it takes way too many CDs for the use
of them to be practical.

file created, you restore the backup with ATI.

It takes about 15 minutes to create the backup file. It takes about 30
minutes to copy a backup file to two double layer DVDs. It takes about 30
minutes to restore the file to a hard drive.
It takes about 15 minutes to create a new system disk for the disk file.

should read "from the disk file."

Jim

In addition:
Ntbackup requires use of an XP distribution disk for the restore operation.
It also requires creation of a floppy disk, and it requires use of this
floppy during the restoration. The BIOS must be able to recognize a USB
floppy if you do not have a built in drive. Mine can, but many will not.
It is not clear to me that ntbackup copies and restores all partitions. If
it does not, then, as far as I am concerned, ntbackup is useless.
Jim

 

[~Laughingstar~]

Jim, what is ATI????

Creator Classic (a part of Easy CD Creator) will split files so that
they will fit on the correct number of CDs or DVDs. I use double
layer DVDs because this option uses fewer disk (which are thus easier
to manage). My backup strategy is as follows:
1. Every Sunday at 11:00 AM (or at boot up if the computer is not
running at that time), ATI creates a backup of the entire system disk
into a file on another drive. This backup contains all partitions.
2. Once per month, I copy the current backup to the correct number of
double layer DVDs using the Creator Classic option of Easy CD
Creator. I have decided that I can afford to lose a month's work
with serious problems. You may want to archive the backup file to
DVDs more often.
In case of a problem, you must create the correct backup file on a
disk with Easy CD Creator. You cannot read directly from the disk. With
the backup file created, you restore the backup with ATI.

It takes about 15 minutes to create the backup file. It takes about
30 minutes to copy a backup file to two double layer DVDs. It takes
about 30 minutes to restore the file to a hard drive.
It takes about 15 minutes to create a new system disk for the disk
file.
Jim

 

[~Laughingstar~]

I think I'm drowning in info ... need to digest this ... use adaptive
equipment so soemtimes things are a challenge, at best. ;-)

 

[~Laughingstar~]

inline comments/questions

I agree and like to add some general advice for backing up:
Split the HDD into two partitions, one for user data, the other for
system and program data.

Agree - it would be far simpler to back-up

You'll have to transfer some system folders from the system partition
to your user data partition. TweakUI is an excellent choice for this,
free from MS.

OK - have it, but there's nothing on it to indicate how to partition. v
2.10.00

For Backing up the system and program data, use Imaging software like
Acronis True Image, as peter suggested, or Ghost, or DriveImage.
Backing up this is necessary only before you install something new. OK ...

For Backing up the user data daily I recommend to keep the data in
their original format and back it up on an external USB-HDD. In case
of a crash you can access your files on a friends computer. Avoid
proprietary backing up like MS' Back-up program.

right now, using DVDs (moving so will utilize ext USB-HDD later)

A powerful tool is MS' free robocopy. Write yourself a batch script in
which robocopy does the central job of copying either all (full
backup) or only the recently changed files (incremental backup,
recommened for daily backing up).

Lost me with this last paragraph ... haven't a clue what a "batch script"
is....

Robocopy is configurable in many

 

[Jim]

Sorry, I should said that ATI means Acronis True Image. Norton Ghost is
another, but I have never used it.
Jim

 

[Mike Tm]

inline comments/questions


OK - have it, but there's nothing on it to indicate how to partition. v
2.10.00

Oh, here I was misleading. TweakUI is not a program to partition, but to
configure Windows. In fact, TweakUI is a GUI to comfortably tweak the
windows registry. For example it lets you shift the directory My Files
from it's default place on C.\ to e.g. D:\. Windows then automatically
looks for that directory on D:\. All the operations could be done
directly in the registry, but its safer, more comfortable and easier to
understand with TweakUI. Even though be careful with it, its possible to
smash your system.

For non-destructive partitioning, however, there seem to be only
commercial programs as far as I know.
I use partition magic, Acronis offers a good partition tool, too.
("non-destructive" means that the program creates and changes the size
of partitions without destroying the data on the partition. To be on the
save side, however, back-up the data before nonetheless.)

Lost me with this last paragraph ... haven't a clue what a "batch script"
is....

Batch means a list of operating system commands, please look it up.
Windows batch files consist exclusively in windows commands. Typed in a
text editor and saved with a .bat extension. Files with the .bat
extension are executable: A double click on its icon, and windows will
execute the commands in it one after the other.
There are tutorials in the internet to write these. The commands are
listed and explained in the windows help.
I probably suggest too much, am I?

To keep it simple for now, use the DVD backing up that you are
comfortable with for the user data. Robocopy and batch can wait

Best
Mike

 

[peter]

its under Tools/Options/signatures.....and I use Windows Live Mail but
Outlook Express was the same..

peter