back up to.........

[Guest]

Dimension 4600, win xp sp2, 40 gb single partition, cd-rw write.
I have both true image and Norton Ghost. It takes 15 cds to backup this
drive. I am not skilled enough to create partitons during reinstallation or
with Partion Magic so is there some way I can back up this drive?
I think a dvd writer would require about 5 disks. I did not know if there is
a flash drive or something like it to accomodate such a volume that a non
tech could use.
I do back up my personal data to cd and can restore the o.s. and other
programs with the o.s. disk if necessary. I just missed the automatic
restore feature by a few months.
Thank you.

 

[null2006]

You could use tape backup, the advantage of which is that tapes are
overwritable, the disadvantage could be the initial cost.

 

[LS \(V\)]

I would say your best option would be an External DVD Writer.
That would be the best solution in your case.
Next option might be to get another drive and copy the present drive
to it with a program such as Ghost or True Image) these programs will
make a complete image of the present drive.

 

[AJR]

External USB drives are now at good prices - suggest you decide on either
True Image or Ghost (dual installations waste of space) - not familiar with
True Image - find Ghost OK.
BTW: Explain "I just missed the automatic restore feature by a few months."

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

External USB drives are now at good prices - suggest you decide on
either True Image or Ghost (dual installations waste of space) - not
familiar with True Image - find Ghost OK.

I second the recommendation for external USB drives. You can either buy them
or make one yourself by buying a USB enclosure and installing a regular IDE
drive in it yourself. It's very easy to do, and takes only a couple of
minutes.

I greatly prefer Acronis True Image to Ghost.