Reducing size of backup space

[karlo]

Hi,

I backup using Vista backup onto an external hard drive, over the
network. I want to periodically reduce the space used for backups.
Initially, there was a full backup. Since then, there have been
updates. Should I avoid deleting the initial full backup? My
understanding is that un-modified files remain in that full backup and
do not reside in the most up to date update. If I delete the initial
full backup, I delete any backup of original and unmodified files. Is
that correct?

Also, my understanding is that a backup update contains files that are
new or modified since the last update. If the new or modified files
remain unchanged, they are not part of future updates. And, if these
files are deleted, without subsequent update or modifications, then
there is only one backup update containing the files. Deletion of
that update, but not the initial full backup would result in the loss
of a backup of those files. Am I correct?

Thanks
karlo

 

[solon fox]

Hi,

Ibackupusing Vistabackuponto an external hard drive, over the
network.  I want to periodically reduce the space used for backups.
Initially, there was a fullbackup.  Since then, there have been
updates.  Should I avoid deleting the initial fullbackup?  My
understanding is that un-modified files remain in that fullbackupand
do not reside in the most up to date update.  If I delete the initial
fullbackup, I delete anybackupof original and unmodified files.  Is
that correct?

Also, my understanding is that abackupupdate contains files that are
new or modified since the last update.  If the new or modified files
remain unchanged, they are not part of future updates.  And, if these
files are deleted, without subsequent update or modifications, then
there is only onebackupupdate containing the files.  Deletion of
that update, but not the initial fullbackupwould result in the loss
of abackupof those files. Am I correct?

Thanks
karlo

Hi,
I just started messing around with the backup to an external drive
using the Vista Ultimate backup utilities. I was expecting incremental
backups, but what I see sure looks more like a full backup to me.

The first full backup consumed 12.8 GB in 222 zip files. The second
automatic backup, which I hoped would be incremental, consumed 12.8 GB
in 222 zip files. Umm... that isn't what I wanted at all. :-(

So, since these look like full backups, it seems a waste to keep all
old backups, which means now you need a different archival strategy
for deleting files.

Any ideas out there?

-solon fox