Best way to back up?

[Guest]

Hi all,

I currently use 'My Briefcase' to back up selected files on my computer. I
previously used Windows Backup but I found that everytime it ran, the backup
fiie grew in size until it was too big for the drive (I use a seperate
hardrive for backing up). I tried the different type of backup settings but
didn't seem to make much difference.

'My Briefcase' synchronises the files so when I delete, add or modify the
source files, it does so on the backup, preventing the unnecessary growth in
size. I'd prefer to use a backup program as I feel 'My Briefcase' is not
100% stable. Can anyone tell me if Windows Backup (or any other backup
program) can be made to work this way? Or is there a better way to backup?

Thanks for any help,

Matt.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi all,

I currently use 'My Briefcase' to back up selected files on my computer. I
previously used Windows Backup but I found that everytime it ran, the backup
fiie grew in size until it was too big for the drive (I use a seperate
hardrive for backing up). I tried the different type of backup settings but
didn't seem to make much difference.

'My Briefcase' synchronises the files so when I delete, add or modify the
source files, it does so on the backup, preventing the unnecessary growth in
size. I'd prefer to use a backup program as I feel 'My Briefcase' is not
100% stable. Can anyone tell me if Windows Backup (or any other backup
program) can be made to work this way? Or is there a better way to backup?

Thanks for any help,

Matt.

I often use a batch file with xcopy.exe to copy selected
folders to an external USB disk. It's simple and it makes
file recovery very easy. However, it is not suitable to
back up the operating system.

 

[Uncle John]

Use Acronis True Image and backup to an image file on your archive drive.
Set the back schedule to create a new image, not an incremental image. Give
the date of your back up as the date.tib and save the image to a folder e.g.
My Backup Images and inspect it regularly so that you can limit the number
of backups stored.
Do not use the Acronis secure zone (hidden from Windows Explorer) as you
will not be able select images to delete.

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Hi all,

I currently use 'My Briefcase' to back up selected files on my
computer. I previously used Windows Backup but I found that
everytime it ran, the backup fiie grew in size until it was too big
for the drive (I use a seperate hardrive for backing up). I tried
the different type of backup settings but didn't seem to make much
difference.

'My Briefcase' synchronises the files so when I delete, add or modify
the source files, it does so on the backup, preventing the
unnecessary growth in size. I'd prefer to use a backup program as I
feel 'My Briefcase' is not 100% stable. Can anyone tell me if
Windows Backup (or any other backup program) can be made to work this
way? Or is there a better way to backup?

Thanks for any help,

Matt.

I find imaging software to be the best when you have an external hard drive.
There is no single foolproof backup solution. You should backup individual
applications like Quicken or Money to removable media every time you close
the application.
Your email and contacts can be backed up daily by selecting the backup
option of the email client. I.E. for Outlook you export to a .pst file. This
file can then be imported to restore the information and settings as
established on that date and time.
Any backup regimen is only as effective as it is updated. An out of date
backup applied to a system may do more harm than good.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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