backing up my computer.

[Dominic]

i have wasted 54 cd tring to back up my computer. everytime i get to the 17Th
cd and put a new cd just to make sue that there is no problem with the cd/s.
i never had this before.. the computer well not get done backing up my
computer. it just freeze up. then said can not back up your computer. what
should i do. i have vista. the computer i have is a t3604 emachines..

 

[Malke]

i have wasted 54 cd tring to back up my computer. everytime i get to the
17Th cd and put a new cd just to make sue that there is no problem with
the cd/s. i never had this before.. the computer well not get done backing
up my computer. it just freeze up. then said can not back up your
computer. what should i do. i have vista. the computer i have is a t3604
emachines..

Gracious, what are you using that requires 54 CDs?! I don't know why your
computer is freezing (although I suspect it's overheating or the optical
drive is failing) but for backing up:

1. Purchase an external hard drive.
2. Purchase Acronis True Image.
3. Purchase a DVD burner if you don't have one (unlikely).

1. Use Acronis True Image to image your system and store the image on the
external hard drive. True Image also does incremental backups. Do this
regularly and you will be able to get back to a working system in minutes
instead of hours.

2. Periodically burn data files to DVD-R (not RW) and put the media in a
safe place.

Malke

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You don't say which application you are using to back up your PC.
Personally, I would be inclined to use Acronis True Image.

As for 54 cd's how much stuff have you got on your PC?

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
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reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
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use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[oscar]

Do what Malke said. Buy Acronis and be done with it. You'll be glad that you
did.

 

[PD43]

You don't say which application you are using to back up your PC.
Personally, I would be inclined to use Acronis True Image.

As for 54 cd's how much stuff have you got on your PC?

--

54 CDs ain't that many Gigs.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

Its still around the 38GB (give or take) even my machine only has 21GB and I
have quite few large software applications installed.


--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
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reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[PD43]

Its still around the 38GB (give or take) even my machine only has 21GB and I
have quite few large software applications installed.

Not everyone is a computer purist... think of all the folks who have
videos, photos, and music on their machines.

Hell, I have 60 gigs of just old time radio programs (on a separate
drive), and 11 gigs of classical music I ripped from my CDs.

Documents is another 3 gigs.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

54 CDs ain't that many Gigs.

Especially if the page file is being backed up too..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[PD43]

Especially if the page file is being backed up too..

YUP!

Mine is 2 gigs, but it's on another drive too.

 

[Henry]

On Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:33:16 -0700, Malke wrote:

... but for backing up:

1. Purchase an external hard drive.
2. Purchase Acronis True Image.
3. Purchase a DVD burner if you don't have one (unlikely).

1. Use Acronis True Image to image your system and store the image on the
external hard drive. True Image also does incremental backups. Do this
regularly and you will be able to get back to a working system in minutes
instead of hours.

2. Periodically burn data files to DVD-R (not RW) and put the media in a
safe place.

Malke;
Does it *have* to be an external drive?
The reason I ask:
I had to throw out my troublesome MoBo and replaced with Intel Core 2 Duo.
At the same time replaced (upgraded) my C: drive with a larger/faster unit.
The technician installed the old drive (D as well and I use it presently
as a 'storage' for various files, data, applications etc.

Could I use this (old) drive (D in conjunction with Acronis and/or Nero
for backing up instead of purchasing an external drive or would I encounter
limitations to this arrangement?

 

[Henry]

Hi there,

Yes that would be the best setup because if you were using and external
usb drive you would have to plug it in as you should really not leave
them plugged in as there not designed to be left switched on. Using a
drive built in to the computer d:\ would be an ideal solution.

Thanks schweppes79.
Makes me wonder why an additional buil-in drive is hardly ever recommended
in newgroups like this. Could it be cost differences?

<snip>

 

[Nonny]

Thanks schweppes79.
Makes me wonder why an additional buil-in drive is hardly ever recommended
in newgroups like this. Could it be cost differences?

It's recommended because it's the easiest route for most people to
take. No need to open the computer, set jumpters, etc.

Myself, I have 4 internal hard drives and two external (one external
is for my notebook).

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

Thanks schweppes79.
Makes me wonder why an additional buil-in drive is hardly ever recommended
in newgroups like this. Could it be cost differences?

<snip>

The essence of a backup is that it can be made and then isolated from the
system such that nothing bad can happen to it. This is why drives sold as
backup devices are ALWAYS sold as external drives.

Having an extra internal drive has always been a good idea as it can be
used to isolate data from the drive which has to do the most work,

BUT, if anything untoward happened inside the computer case, the second
internal drive would be in the firing line too..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[John Barnett MVP]

There is no reason why you can't use your old drive for backup, but it is
wise to have a backup that is kept separate to your PC. I personally backup
to a second hard drive on my system, but I also have a external drive which
I 'also' back up to; and just to make sure I also back up to a set of DVDs.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Nonny]

There is no reason why you can't use your old drive for backup, but it is
wise to have a backup that is kept separate to your PC. I personally backup
to a second hard drive on my system, but I also have a external drive which
I 'also' back up to; and just to make sure I also back up to a set of DVDs.

--

WOW... you're as obsessive as I am!

I weekly clone the system drive to another internal drive (it's the
backup in the boot order) and then regularly backup (image,
incremental) to another internal drive... AND I keep a recent full
backup on an external drive.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

You don't know how useful those backups are until the day arrives when your
system crashes and you loose your valuable data. It is pointless saying 'it
will never happen to me' because, believe me, it will.

I wouldn't actually say backing up is an 'obsession' Because I beta test
software it is important to always have a working backup then, if a problem
arises, I can always recover quickly without having to re-install.


--

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..

 

[Henry]

The essence of a backup is that it can be made and then isolated from the
system such that nothing bad can happen to it. This is why drives sold as
backup devices are ALWAYS sold as external drives.

Having an extra internal drive has always been a good idea as it can be
used to isolate data from the drive which has to do the most work,

BUT, if anything untoward happened inside the computer case, the second
internal drive would be in the firing line too..

What would be a credible scenario for malware 'jumping' form C: drive to
and internal drive (D?
And, if the possibility is likely, could not this be avoided by
implementing 'certain' measures?

 

[Henry]

You don't know how useful those backups are until the day arrives when your
system crashes and you loose your valuable data. It is pointless saying 'it
will never happen to me' because, believe me, it will.

I wouldn't actually say backing up is an 'obsession' Because I beta test
software it is important to always have a working backup then, if a problem
arises, I can always recover quickly without having to re-install.

I currently back-up using the WinXP facility. But with an extra internal
drive (slave drive D: 40GB) I am going to obtain Acronis and back-up more
comprehensively. At this stage, I am going to take the chance to back-up
without external drive.

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

What would be a credible scenario for malware 'jumping' form C: drive to
and internal drive (D?
And, if the possibility is likely, could not this be avoided by
implementing 'certain' measures?

I was thinking more of an electrical problem..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

All malware has to be able to do is piggyback on Windows Explorer and its
into everything. There are a zillion other ways.