Backing Up the System

[Guest]

Haas anyone the an idea on the best way of doing this. I first tried using
the backup option and saved a backup file to my desktop. The wizard created a
floopy disk called Windows automated recovery disk for backup but i was then
left with a file sat on my desktop which is 12 gb in size!! WHich I
obviously can do nothing with. Any advice out there? What have others done??

 

[Ted Zieglar]

"Windows XP Backup Made Easy"
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03july14.mspx

Ted Zieglar

 

[bxf]

If you are really concerned about backing up your entire system (and
you should be), then you need to ask yourself what you would do in the
event that you are unable to start Windows. The answer to such a
question is that you need a tool that can restore your system without
relying on your Windows installation.

I've used Norton Ghost 2003 and TrueImage, both of which can backup
drives and partitions, using compression to save space, to several
types of devices. While Ghost works quite nicely (once you get it to
work), it is anything but user friendly, and quite stupidly throws
DOS-related questions at you, as if everybody is expected to understand
DOS terminology (such as "assign drive letters"). Also, Ghost 2003 runs
under DOS for its BACKUP and RESTORE functions.

Trueimage is much more intuitive to use, and also offers the advantage
of incrmental backups (as does Ghost 9, which I haven't used). Also, TI
will perform a backup (even your C drive) without rebooting, so the
total time for a backup may be lower than that of Ghost 2003.

Ghost 9 may be worthwhile to consider. Lots of info available via
Google.

 

[Stanley F. Nelson]

My experience with the backup utility in Windows XP Pro has been completely
satisfactory and on a couple of occasions a real lifesaver! And it could
not be easier to use or more reliable. I have two hard drives -- C, my
system drive, and D, a smaller drive which I use entirely for backups and
storage. With hard drives as inexpensive as they are now, I really
recommend adding a second drive of 10gb (or more depending on your needs).
You'll find the XP backup utility works quite well with this arrangement.

Stan Nelson
Dallas.
Windows XP Pro SP2

 

[HillBillyBuddhist]

While that may be a good part of a total backup strategy by itself it is
insufficient.

Having your only backup inside of, and electrically attached to the same
system as the original data is a recipe for disaster. Any event (electrical,
data corruption, weather, theft, gremlins that can take out one drive
can take out two. It happens. (more often than you think)

Personally I use and like Stomp's BackUP MyPC. It writes to most all form of
media including optical, spans discs and does "disaster recovery." I do an
original backup to an external harddrive which I can remove from the system
and store somewhere else. I do full and then regular incremental backups to
a network attached drive *and* DVD.

If you have "mission critical" files that would be financially detrimental
to lose offsite backups are essential. Same theory as the "backup stored
inside the computer" problem. Any event that can take out one room in a
building can take them all.

I Just purchased Acronis True Image today, based on several recommendations,
and look forward to comparing imaging to "file type" backups now that
imaging programs have progressed to the point where incremental backup and
"file level" restorations are possible.

http://www.stompsoft.com/backupmypc.html
(last I checked a free trial was available)

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/
--
Doug

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details.

Remove shoes to E-mail.
| My experience with the backup utility in Windows XP Pro has been
completely
| satisfactory and on a couple of occasions a real lifesaver! And it could
| not be easier to use or more reliable. I have two hard drives -- C, my
| system drive, and D, a smaller drive which I use entirely for backups and
| storage. With hard drives as inexpensive as they are now, I really
| recommend adding a second drive of 10gb (or more depending on your needs).
| You'll find the XP backup utility works quite well with this arrangement.
|
| Stan Nelson
| Dallas.
| Windows XP Pro SP2
|
|

 

[bxf]

My experience with the backup utility in Windows XP Pro has been completely
satisfactory and on a couple of occasions a real lifesaver! And it could
not be easier to use or more reliable. I have two hard drives -- C, my
system drive, and D, a smaller drive which I use entirely for backups and
storage. With hard drives as inexpensive as they are now, I really
recommend adding a second drive of 10gb (or more depending on your needs).
You'll find the XP backup utility works quite well with this arrangement.

And are you able to RESTORE if Windows won't start for some reason?

 

[Ron Martell]

Haas anyone the an idea on the best way of doing this. I first tried using
the backup option and saved a backup file to my desktop. The wizard created a
floopy disk called Windows automated recovery disk for backup but i was then
left with a file sat on my desktop which is 12 gb in size!! WHich I
obviously can do nothing with. Any advice out there? What have others done??

The first thing you need to do is to decide why you are backing up -
what sort of problems you want to be able to recover from.

A backup that is good for one purpose may not be ideal for another.

Some examples:
- Recover from a botched program install or update. Normally the
"System Restore" function in Windows XP, provided it is functional,
will suffice for this. But you need to test it periodically to ensure
that it is in fact usable.

- Recover data files that have been corrupted or inadvertently
deleted. System Restore does not work on data files, and a disk image
backup usually does not allow the restoration of individual files.

- Recover from a total collapse of the system, such as a hard drive
failure

- Recover from total destruction of the computer, such as in a fire.

Once you have decided which of these you want to provide for then you
can develop a backup strategy for that purpose.

Good luck


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

In memory of a dear friend Alex Nichol MVP
http://aumha.org/alex.htm

 

[bxf]

...a disk image
backup usually does not allow the restoration of individual files.

Both Ghost and TrueImage enable you to access, and hence restore,
individual files, using Explorer-like interfaces.

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

"Windows XP Backup Made Easy"
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03july14.mspx

==========================
This is from that website. Why do these people always assume everyone has
the MS CD? What about the millions of us who get several CDs from the PC
mfg? Which CD do we install of the 3 to 6 CDs to browse - looking for this
backup program? How do we find it? Ntbackup.msi is not on my HP PC and I
have 6 CDs that came with it.

Open Windows XP Backup
Windows XP includes its own backup program, although you may need to do some
digging to find it. You can also take your pick of third-party programs
(listed at the end of this column) that add bells and whistles you won't
find in the basic Windows XP Backup utility.
If you use Windows XP Professional, the Windows Backup utility
(Ntbackup.exe) should be ready for use. If you use Windows XP Home Edition,
you'll need to follow these steps to install the utility:
1.Insert your Windows XP CD into the drive and, if necessary, double-click
the CD icon in My Computer.
2.On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform Additional
Tasks.
3.Click Browse this CD.
4.In Windows Explorer, double-click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, and then
Ntbackup.
5.Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility.

Thanks...

FS.........

 

[Nepatsfan]

==========================
This is from that website. Why do these people always
assume everyone has the MS CD? What about the millions of
us who get several CDs from the PC mfg? Which CD do we
install of the 3 to 6 CDs to browse - looking for this
backup program? How do we find it? Ntbackup.msi is not on
my HP PC and I have 6 CDs that came with it.
Open Windows XP Backup
Windows XP includes its own backup program, although you may
need to do some digging to find it. You can also take your
pick of third-party programs (listed at the end of this
column) that add bells and whistles you won't find in the
basic Windows XP Backup utility. If you use Windows XP
Professional, the Windows Backup
utility (Ntbackup.exe) should be ready for use. If you use
Windows XP Home Edition, you'll need to follow these steps
to install the utility: 1.Insert your Windows XP CD into the
drive and, if
necessary, double-click the CD icon in My Computer.
2.On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click
Perform Additional Tasks.
3.Click Browse this CD.
4.In Windows Explorer, double-click the ValueAdd folder,
then Msft, and then Ntbackup.
5.Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility.

Thanks...

FS.........

You can download ntbackup.msi from this web site:

Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm#backup_home

Or download it directly from here:
http://home.comcast.net/~cerelli/ntbackup.msi

Nepatsfan

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

You can download ntbackup.msi from this web site:

Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm#backup_home

Or download it directly from here:
http://home.comcast.net/~cerelli/ntbackup.msi

Nepatsfan

==========================
I downloaded it. Thank you. ;-)

FS~

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

If you are really concerned about backing up your entire system (and
you should be), then you need to ask yourself what you would do in the
event that you are unable to start Windows. The answer to such a
question is that you need a tool that can restore your system without
relying on your Windows installation.

## We already did a complete backup using Norton's Ghost. But can't use it
for incremental backups because we use Direcway as our download ISP and it
prevents us from getting online. I need something to backup *new* files as
time passes.

I've used Norton Ghost 2003 and TrueImage, both of which can backup
drives and partitions, using compression to save space, to several
types of devices. While Ghost works quite nicely (once you get it to
work), it is anything but user friendly, and quite stupidly throws
DOS-related questions at you, as if everybody is expected to understand
DOS terminology (such as "assign drive letters"). Also, Ghost 2003 runs
under DOS for its BACKUP and RESTORE functions.

## Then I'm screwed because I know nothing about DOS. What we didn't like
was we were given no choice of what files to back-up - it did the whole HD.
We didn't want to back up the MP3s as we already have them backed up on
DVDs.

Trueimage is much more intuitive to use, and also offers the advantage
of incrmental backups (as does Ghost 9, which I haven't used).

## I wonder of the incremental backups would work with Trueimage and allow
us to get online. We had to uninstall Ghost after ghosting our HD.

Also, TI

will perform a backup (even your C drive) without rebooting, so the
total time for a backup may be lower than that of Ghost 2003.

## Even the C Drive? That's my main Drive on this HP PC.

Ghost 9 may be worthwhile to consider. Lots of info available via
Google.

## We already have it. I need something to back up the new files since we
ghosted the HD a few months ago.

FS~

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

My experience with the backup utility in Windows XP Pro has been
completely satisfactory and on a couple of occasions a real lifesaver!
And it could not be easier to use or more reliable. I have two hard
drives -- C, my system drive, and D, a smaller drive which I use entirely
for backups and storage. With hard drives as inexpensive as they are now,
I really recommend adding a second drive of 10gb (or more depending on
your needs). You'll find the XP backup utility works quite well with this
arrangement.

=================================
We've considered that option already. However if the main HD crashes and
burns (dies) what good would the second one be? You couldn't get to it.
I'd rather have everything backed up and in a safe place outside the PC.

FS~

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

Some examples:
- Recover from a botched program install or update. Normally the
"System Restore" function in Windows XP, provided it is functional,
will suffice for this. But you need to test it periodically to ensure
that it is in fact usable.

------------- SNIP!

And how do you do that without actually "restoring the system?" The last
two times I tried a "system restore" the damn thing didn't work. It only
managed to restore the system one time. It's been defunct since then.

FS~

 

[bxf]

## We already did a complete backup using Norton's Ghost. But can't use it
for incremental backups because we use Direcway as our download ISP and it
prevents us from getting online.

I don't understand this. Did I miss something? What does your ISP have
to do with performing a backup?

I need something to backup *new* files as time passes.

Essentially, that's the function of "incremental backups".

## Then I'm screwed because I know nothing about DOS.

Well, you don't really need to know DOS. Once you know (after asking
here, if necessary) where to click you just follow the same procedure
each time.

What we didn't like was we were given no choice of what files to back-up -
it did the whole HD. We didn't want to back up the MP3s as we already have them backed up on DVDs.

Again, thet's the purpose of incremental backups. If you want to backup
individual files, you can do that youself by simply copying them
(perhaps you can find some compression tool). Better still, you can
organize your data on different partitions in a manner that suits your
backup requirements. You don't have to backup an entire disk - you are
able to dictate which partitions are to be backed up.

## I wonder of the incremental backups would work with Trueimage and allow
us to get online. We had to uninstall Ghost after ghosting our HD.

I Don't understand these statements. Why would you have to uninstall
Ghost?

Also, TI

## Even the C Drive? That's my main Drive on this HP PC.

Well, the point is that in the past it was not normally considered
acceptable to backup your C drive while it was being accessed by
Windows, as some files may be open.

## We already have it. I need something to back up the new files since we
ghosted the HD a few months ago.

So what's wrong with an incemental backup using Ghost 9?

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

I don't understand this. Did I miss something? What does your ISP have
to do with performing a backup?

$$ Norton Ghost prevented us from connecting to our ISP. We had to
uninstall Ghost to get connected.

Essentially, that's the function of "incremental backups".

$$ But then we can't connect to the Internet! Something in the Ghost
software prevented us from connecting to our ISP and my PC, this PC, is the
server for the other computers on our network - so no one could get online.
So after we ghosted my HD we had to UNINSTALL Ghost so we could get online.

Well, you don't really need to know DOS. Once you know (after asking
here, if necessary) where to click you just follow the same procedure
each time.

## In a DOS window? I may not be following you - you can't click in a DOS
window as far as I know.

Again, thet's the purpose of incremental backups. If you want to backup
individual files, you can do that youself by simply copying them
(perhaps you can find some compression tool). Better still, you can
organize your data on different partitions

## I have no way to make partitions. I wouldn't know where to start.

in a manner that suits your

backup requirements. You don't have to backup an entire disk - you are
able to dictate which partitions are to be backed up.

## Norton Ghost didn't ask what partitions to back up....... even if I had
them.

I Don't understand these statements. Why would you have to uninstall
Ghost?

## Because we couldn't connect to our ISP with Ghost on this PC. No data
would move between us and the Internet/ISP. It was like trying to use a
phone with a cut cord.

Well, the point is that in the past it was not normally considered
acceptable to backup your C drive while it was being accessed by
Windows, as some files may be open.

## Oh!

So what's wrong with an incemental backup using Ghost 9?

## I would have to reinstall it, backup the files, then UNINSTALL it again
so I can connect to my ISP. Then reinstall it, back up more files a few
days later, UNINSTALL it so I can connect to my ISP...... who the hell
wants to go through that several times a week or even once a week? In
essence, if I leave Ghost on this PC we have no access to the Internet. And
just try and find a phone number to call Symantec! Posting boards and NGs
are useless as I never found another person using one ISP to upload
(Bellsouth) and another to download (Direcway-Satellite) as we do. Somehow
Ghost interferes with this connection preventing is from accessing our ISPs.

FS~

 

[bxf]

$$ Norton Ghost prevented us from connecting to our ISP. We had to
uninstall Ghost to get connected.
(snip)

$$ But then we can't connect to the Internet! Something in the Ghost
software prevented us from connecting to our ISP and my PC, this PC, is the
server for the other computers on our network - so no one could get online.
So after we ghosted my HD we had to UNINSTALL Ghost so we could get online.

This is not a problem I've seen mentioned anywhere, so I can't comment.
Somewhat baffling, though.

## In a DOS window? I may not be following you - you can't click in a DOS
window as far as I know.

No, nothing like that. Ghost 2003, when performing a backup (or a
RESTORE), shuts down your Windows system and reboots into DOS to
perform its BACKUP operation. This is "automatic", and is no big deal
as long as everything works as it should, which is not to be taken for
granted with Ghost 2003 when trying to backup to an external device. In
such a situation, the absence of appropriate USB drivers will prevent
successful execution by Ghost, and you end up spending a lot of time
trying to locate the appropriate USB drivers and make them work.

I am not aware of a feature that enables one to specify individual
FILES to be processed neither by Ghost nor Trueimage.

## I have no way to make partitions. I wouldn't know where to start.

Not really difficult or complicated, especially with some third party
products like Partition Magic (the only one I've used).

## Norton Ghost didn't ask what partitions to back up....... even if I had
them.

Well, perhaps it didn't ask about partitions because there weren't any.
It's easy to make a decision when you have no choice.

## I would have to reinstall it, backup the files, then UNINSTALL it again
so I can connect to my ISP. Then reinstall it, back up more files a few
days later, UNINSTALL it so I can connect to my ISP...... who the hell
wants to go through that several times a week or even once a week?

Not acceptable.

So try Trueimage. It works on principles completely different from
those of Ghost 2003 (but so does Ghost V9, if I understand correctly
from some posts). Whatever reason Ghost interfered with your ISP
connection may not exist with these other products.

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

This is not a problem I've seen mentioned anywhere, so I can't comment.
Somewhat baffling, though.

## We couldn't see any connection either. However, when we uninstalled
Ghost we could connect. I was very disappointed as I had hoped I could do
the incremental backups.

No, nothing like that. Ghost 2003, when performing a backup (or a
RESTORE), shuts down your Windows system and reboots into DOS to
perform its BACKUP operation. This is "automatic", and is no big deal
as long as everything works as it should, which is not to be taken for
granted with Ghost 2003 when trying to backup to an external device. In
such a situation, the absence of appropriate USB drivers will prevent
successful execution by Ghost, and you end up spending a lot of time
trying to locate the appropriate USB drivers and make them work.

## How would I know which ones were needed? I have Ghost 9.0.

Well, perhaps it didn't ask about partitions because there weren't any.
It's easy to make a decision when you have no choice.

## Yes, there is a partition on HP PC's HDs. D:\ is a partition that has a
copy of XP I believe.

Not acceptable.

## RIGHT!

So try Trueimage. It works on principles completely different from
those of Ghost 2003 (but so does Ghost V9, if I understand correctly
from some posts). Whatever reason Ghost interfered with your ISP
connection may not exist with these other products.

## That's true. This Satellite is a real PIA. You'd think they'd have
cable through here already......

FS~

 

[bxf]

## How would I know which ones were needed? I have Ghost 9.0.

The above applies specifically to Ghost 2003, and I believe it to be a
moot point with Ghost V9, and certainly with Trueimage. I'm not going
to elaborate on this since you are not going with 2003. However, if you
find that that's what you need, get in touch and I will provide
details. FWIW, I understand that not all external devices have problems
with 2003.

## Yes, there is a partition on HP PC's HDs. D:\ is a partition that has a
copy of XP I believe.

Well, I am absolutely certain that Ghost 2003 and Trueimage 8
specifically ask you which partitions you want to image. Ah, but
perhaps that's the catch. What type of backup were you doing? I always
do IMAGE, but perhaps other options, like CLONE (which I haven't used),
don't provide the option.

 

[HOM]

==========================
This is from that website. Why do these people always assume everyone has
the MS CD? What about the millions of us who get several CDs from the PC
mfg? Which CD do we install of the 3 to 6 CDs to browse - looking for this
backup program? How do we find it? Ntbackup.msi is not on my HP PC and I
have 6 CDs that came with it.

Open Windows XP Backup
Windows XP includes its own backup program, although you may need to do some
digging to find it. You can also take your pick of third-party programs
(listed at the end of this column) that add bells and whistles you won't
find in the basic Windows XP Backup utility.
If you use Windows XP Professional, the Windows Backup utility
(Ntbackup.exe) should be ready for use. If you use Windows XP Home Edition,
you'll need to follow these steps to install the utility:
1.Insert your Windows XP CD into the drive and, if necessary, double-click
the CD icon in My Computer.
2.On the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP screen, click Perform Additional
Tasks.
3.Click Browse this CD.
4.In Windows Explorer, double-click the ValueAdd folder, then Msft, and then
Ntbackup.
5.Double-click Ntbackup.msi to install the Backup utility.

Thanks...

FS.........

I recently tried to do exactly wht you described above only to find
that when I tried to backup all of my files, and after being told that
Backup would create a boot disk, that I could not proceed. I received a
message that the boot files necessary to set up the floppy boot disk
could not be found!!! I checked the ReadMe file for the MS Backup
Utility and it told me that ASR (whatever that is) was not supported.
Is there something I should be doing differently?? I am tempted to use
Ghost 9, but i noted that this has received mixed evaluations by users
with XP Home. Any comments or advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.