Acronis Back up

[Smirnoff]

Acronis True Image v9.0
I intend to buy a USB external drive for back up purposes but at the moment
have only one DVD-RW disk (4.7GB).
My HD has used 21.3GB and I have 124GB of free space.
Image back up is new to me, so I thought I'd experiment prior to getting my
external disk (belt and braces).
Have tried to make sense of Help files but not sure of how much imaging
compresses/reduces file size.
Given that used space is 21.3GB, would I be able to fit a full HD image back
up on one DVD-RW?

 

[Rock]

Acronis True Image v9.0
I intend to buy a USB external drive for back up purposes but at the moment
have only one DVD-RW disk (4.7GB).
My HD has used 21.3GB and I have 124GB of free space.
Image back up is new to me, so I thought I'd experiment prior to getting my
external disk (belt and braces).
Have tried to make sense of Help files but not sure of how much imaging
compresses/reduces file size.
Given that used space is 21.3GB, would I be able to fit a full HD image back
up on one DVD-RW?

I've not used Acronis but to get 21GB on a 4.4 GB disc (that's how much
space is on it after overhead) is a 5 to 1 compression ration. I don't
think you'll get that. I use Drive Image and the extent of compression
depends on the file types. Some compress more than others. Figure on a
2:1 ratio or less, so no it won't fit on one disc.

 

[Smirnoff]

I've not used Acronis but to get 21GB on a 4.4 GB disc (that's how much
space is on it after overhead) is a 5 to 1 compression ration. I don't
think you'll get that. I use Drive Image and the extent of compression
depends on the file types. Some compress more than others. Figure on a
2:1 ratio or less, so no it won't fit on one disc.

I see, thanks.

 

[DatabaseBen]

you can create a partition on that free space, maybe call it backup, then
store your disk images on it.

 

[Smirnoff]

Thanks, but I wanted to get a back up on removable media as quick as
possible.
I assume backing up to your existing HD must have its uses (Acronis gives it
as an option) but surely if your HD goes bust, so does your back up.

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

Some external drives are sold c/w backup software..

 

[Smirnoff]

Thanks for the info but I already have Acronis.
I intend to buy a USB external disk (hopefully a cheaper one without back up
software).
Wanted to experiment with imaging on a DVD (apparently not enough room on
just one) .
Still don't see the logic of backing up to the hard disk you want to back
up!!?

 

[databaseben]

it is your choice.

But the likelihood of a failing harddrive is much less than a failed
operating system/partition....

If you wanted to backup your 124GB then you would likely need 20 dvds.


If you wanted to backup your operating system, plus software from a singular
partition
then your dvd's would be much less.....

You should consider not having only 1 giant partition unless you like having
all your
eggs in 1 basket......

have a happy backie uppie....

 

[Guest]

I use a 250 GB external hard drive with a USB 2 connection to my laptop. I
can back up data very swiftly and reliably with drag and drop, using Windows
Explorer. I am using a Freecom model, the price of which has gone down a lot
at least in the UK. A DVD system is wholly unnecessary for this purpose, in
my opinion.

 

[Rock]

I see, thanks.

You're welcome.

 

[Rock]

Thanks for the info but I already have Acronis.
I intend to buy a USB external disk (hopefully a cheaper one without back up
software).
Wanted to experiment with imaging on a DVD (apparently not enough room on
just one) .
Still don't see the logic of backing up to the hard disk you want to back
up!!?

You're right, that's not a good backup solution for the long term.
Backups should be stored on removable media; redundancy is also
worthwhile. I use two external USB drives, and also burn a copy to DVD
for redundancy. To be safest one copy should be stored off site so a
fire or some such disaster doesn't get all the backup.

 

[MoonDog]

Hi ... It sounds like you are using one hard drive and with only one big
partition , If this is correct ? I would partition the hard drive into 2
drives , One for just Windows ( C drive ) And the other drive for
everything else , I would make the windows drive about 15 0r 20 gb and the
rest on the other drive , Also when ever you install any programs ? I would
place the program onto the other drive , not on the same drive where windows
is on , This way your Windows C drive wouldn't get that loaded with data on
the drive and its easier to burn the C drive data from a image software onto
dvd disc

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP Windows Shell/User]

Not so.. A set of DVD backups can be stored out of harms way..

 

[Guest]

Acronis True Image v9.0
I intend to buy a USB external drive for back up purposes but at the moment
have only one DVD-RW disk (4.7GB).
My HD has used 21.3GB and I have 124GB of free space.
Image back up is new to me, so I thought I'd experiment prior to getting my
external disk (belt and braces).
Have tried to make sense of Help files but not sure of how much imaging
compresses/reduces file size.
Given that used space is 21.3GB, would I be able to fit a full HD image back
up on one DVD-RW?

Hello,
Acronis v9 will allow you to copy files and folders, this will give you a
chance to use the software without imaging a complete drive.
The software images only used space, using normal compression you may need 4
or 5 dvd disc for a complete drive image.

take care.
beamish.

 

[NewScience]

Make sure you have the actual USED amount. You stated 21.3 GB is being
used. That is WITHOUT System Restore points, correct? And you have cleaned
up prior to taking a snapshot, correct?

Remove unnecessary $Uninstall files
Remove leftover SoftwareDistribution\Download files/folders
Cleaned up Temp folders and Temporary Internet folders
Backup up i386 files/folders to media first and then remove
Cleanup users files/folders
Remove .log files
Uninstall never used applications

The more you whittle down, the better chance you have in getting everything
on one DVD with Acronis (I have it).

My C:\ drive hovers around 9 to 11 GB.

 

[Bill Sharpe]

Acronis True Image v9.0
I intend to buy a USB external drive for back up purposes but at the moment
have only one DVD-RW disk (4.7GB).
My HD has used 21.3GB and I have 124GB of free space.
Image back up is new to me, so I thought I'd experiment prior to getting my
external disk (belt and braces).
Have tried to make sense of Help files but not sure of how much imaging
compresses/reduces file size.
Given that used space is 21.3GB, would I be able to fit a full HD image back
up on one DVD-RW?

Just buy a couple more DVD-RW disks. They're not that expensive. And,
since they are erasable, you can eventually reuse them for other purposes.

Or take the plunge and buy the external drive already.

Incidentally, Acronis is an excellent product.

Bill

 

[Anthony Buckland]

Acronis True Image v9.0
I intend to buy a USB external drive for back up purposes but at the
moment have only one DVD-RW disk (4.7GB).
My HD has used 21.3GB and I have 124GB of free space.
Image back up is new to me, so I thought I'd experiment prior to getting
my external disk (belt and braces).
Have tried to make sense of Help files but not sure of how much imaging
compresses/reduces file size.
Given that used space is 21.3GB, would I be able to fit a full HD image
back up on one DVD-RW?

In a word, no. Too much of your system is going to be
executables, etc that aren't compressible to any
useful extent. I use Acronis myself, but use detachable
drives (LaCie Bricks). With the size I got, many backups
are possible before I need to think about erasing any.
A Brick fits in a (wide but shallow) safety deposit box
neatly for safe offsite backup, backup is fast (over a
coffee break) with USB 2.0, and handling is easy.
It's an investment, but a long-term one that saves time
and hassle.

 

[MAP]

Thanks, but I wanted to get a back up on removable media as quick as
possible.
I assume backing up to your existing HD must have its uses (Acronis
gives it as an option) but surely if your HD goes bust, so does your
back up.

I use Acronis True Image v8.0, backing up to DVD disc's takes about 3 1/2
hours(depends on how much info you are backing up) and requires you to be
there to swap out disc's with a fresh one (the compression settings from
normal to high does very little),however backing up to an external hd takes
only around 25 min and works great. My hd has 69 gigs of info on it and
using the "normal"
compression settings on true image I can get three backups on a 120 gigs
external hd.
restoring the image also requires no interface (feeding the disc's in the
correct order).

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks, but I wanted to get a back up on removable media as quick as
possible.
I assume backing up to your existing HD must have its uses (Acronis
gives it as an option) but surely if your HD goes bust, so does your
back up.

Exactly! It's better than no backup at all, but just barely. Anyone who
values his data needs a backup solution that store the backup(s) externally.
Even a second internal drive is a weak solution, since it leaves you
susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of the
most common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, virus
attacks, even theft of the computer.

 

[Cymbal Man Freq.]

If I span backups of 640MB, I can fit 7 files totalling 4,482MB onto a DVD+RW
disk that has 4,483MB of free space, using Nero 6.6.