Backup advice needed

[szeik]

Hi,

I just picked up a 160 GB external hard drive and I want to start
backing up my main computer on a regular basis.

This morning I had a big scare when I couldn't boot up after a power
failure. Somehow I got it to boot up again, but I am very motivated to
get a backup system in place.

Someone told me to just use ntbackup. I want something that can run on
a scheduled basis like every night at 3 am without me having to do
manual backups.

Should I just use ntbackup or should I buy some software to handle
this?

I am mostly concerned with data files but I guess something that could
help me out in the event that the main OS becomes corrupted would be
nice. I guess a dual boot might be an option to think about.

I'd appreciate any advice on this topic.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi,

I just picked up a 160 GB external hard drive and I want to start
backing up my main computer on a regular basis.

This morning I had a big scare when I couldn't boot up after a power
failure. Somehow I got it to boot up again, but I am very motivated
to get a backup system in place.

Someone told me to just use ntbackup. I want something that can run
on a scheduled basis like every night at 3 am without me having to do
manual backups.

Should I just use ntbackup or should I buy some software to handle
this?

Your choice. Ntbackup is a very primitive program compared to almost any of
the third-party choice, but the good ones cost money and ntbackup is free. I
personally like Acronis TrueImage.

I am mostly concerned with data files but I guess something that could
help me out in the event that the main OS becomes corrupted would be
nice. I guess a dual boot might be an option to think about.

I recommend creating an image of the entire main drive using TrueImage. In
my view, it's not so much that the main OS might become corrupted, but that
all sorts of things (severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, user
error, virus attacks, even theft of the computer) could cause the loss of
the drive or its contents. If that happens, it's much easier and faster the
restore that image rather than install the operating system, install all
your software, configure all your software, restore your data backups, etc.

 

[szeik]

I recommend creating an image of the entire main drive using TrueImage. In
my view, it's not so much that the main OS might become corrupted, but that
all sorts of things (severe power glitches, nearby lightning strikes, user
error, virus attacks, even theft of the computer) could cause the loss of
the drive or its contents. If that happens, it's much easier and faster the
restore that image rather than install the operating system, install all
your software, configure all your software, restore your data backups, etc.

OK, I just purchased TrueImage.

Seems like I have some setup work ahead of me.

If you don't mind, seeing as you are an experienced user, where should
I start other than of course reading the user manual.

Did you create a secure zone first?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

OK, I just purchased TrueImage.

Good!


Seems like I have some setup work ahead of me.

Very little. It's very easy to use.

If you don't mind, seeing as you are an experienced user, where should
I start other than of course reading the user manual.

As I said, I find it very easy to use, and you can pretty much just follow
its prompts.

Did you create a secure zone first?

No, since I back up to an external drive not used by anything else.

 

[szeik]

No, since I back up to an external drive not used by anything else.

That is what I am going to do also. What is the first thing you tried
to do? I tried clone disk but it gave me an error message saying I
would not be able to boot from the external drive since it is not a
bootable device.

The choices available are "Backup, Recovery, Clone Disk, or Add New
Disk". Clone Disk seems like the best thing to have available so I can
boot in the event of some major problem but it seems like I am missing
something here.

Sorry to keep bugging you but if you remember what option you picked to
get started I'd appreciate any advice here.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[szeik]

No, since I back up to an external drive not used by anything else.

That is what I am going to do also. What is the first thing you tried
to do? I tried clone disk but it gave me an error message saying I
would not be able to boot from the external drive since it is not a
bootable device.

The choices available are "Backup, Recovery, Clone Disk, or Add New
Disk". Clone Disk seems like the best thing to have available so I can
boot in the event of some major problem but it seems like I am missing
something here.

Sorry to keep bugging you but if you remember what option you picked to
get started I'd appreciate any advice here.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

That is what I am going to do also. What is the first thing you tried
to do? I tried clone disk but it gave me an error message saying I
would not be able to boot from the external drive since it is not a
bootable device.

The choices available are "Backup, Recovery, Clone Disk, or Add New
Disk". Clone Disk seems like the best thing to have available so I
can boot in the event of some major problem but it seems like I am
missing something here.

I do "Backup," which creates an Image

 

[szeik]

I do "Backup," which creates an Image

Ok, I did that and now I have a backup on my external drive. The thing
I am worried about is that drive is not bootable. So if the os on my
main drive goes down I'm still in trouble although I will have my data
of course.

Did you do anything like "Create Bootable Rescue Media"? I think there
is something that I need to do so I can access Acronis via F11 Setup
during bootup in the even that the system becomes corrupted and I can't
boot.

I'll keep reading the manuals but if you remember if you did anything
like this I'd appreciate any feedback on it.

Thanks again!

At least now I am backed up.

Steve

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ok, I did that and now I have a backup on my external drive. The
thing I am worried about is that drive is not bootable. So if the os
on my main drive goes down I'm still in trouble although I will have
my data of course.

You have all your data and everything else on the drive. If you lose the
contents of the original drive, you restore the backup and you are back
where you started on the day you made the backup.

Did you do anything like "Create Bootable Rescue Media"?

Yes. Sorry, I forgot to mention that.

 

[Anna]

That is what I am going to do also. What is the first thing you tried
to do? I tried clone disk but it gave me an error message saying I
would not be able to boot from the external drive since it is not a
bootable device.

The choices available are "Backup, Recovery, Clone Disk, or Add New
Disk". Clone Disk seems like the best thing to have available so I can
boot in the event of some major problem but it seems like I am missing
something here.

Sorry to keep bugging you but if you remember what option you picked to
get started I'd appreciate any advice here.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve:
Here are some step-by-step instructions for using the Acronis True Image 9
program...

1. With both hard drives (source & destination disks) connected, boot up.
But before you do, ensure that no other storage devices, e.g., flash drives,
USB external hard drives, etc., are connected.

2. If a Windows message appears stating that a new HD has been detected and
suggests a reboot - do so.

3. Access Acronis True Image 9 and under "Pick a Task", click on "Clone
Disk".

4. On the next "Welcome..." window, click Next.

5. On the next "Clone Mode" window select the Automatic option (it should
be the default option selected) and click Next.

6. On the next "Source Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct source HD
has been selected (the disk you're cloning from). Click Next.

7. On the next "Destination Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct
destination HD has been selected (the disk you're cloning to). Click Next.

8. On the next window, select the option "Delete partitions on the
destination hard disk". Understand that all data presently on the disk that
will be the recipient of the clone will be deleted prior to the disk cloning
operation. Click Next.

9. The next window will reflect the source and destination disks. Ensure
that the correct drives have been selected. Click Next.

10. On the next window click on the Proceed button. A message box will
display indicating that a reboot will be required to undertake the disk
cloning operation. Click Reboot.

11. The cloning operation will proceed during the reboot. With modern
components and a medium to high-power processor, data transfer rate will be
about 1 to 2 GB/min. should you be cloning internal hard drives. If you're
cloning to a USB external HD the data transfer rate will be somewhat slower.

12. When the cloning operation is completed, a message will appear
indicating such. Press the Enter key to shut down the computer.

13. a. If you've cloned the contents of your internal HD to another internal
HD, then disconnect the source HD and boot ONLY with the destination HD (the
recipient of the clone) connected. DO NOT BOOT WITH BOTH DRIVES CONNECTED.
Assuming the boot goes without incident, shut down the computer and
disconnect the newly-cloned HD. Reconnect your source HD.
b. If, on the other hand, you've cloned the contents of your internal HD to
a USB external HD the above step will be unnecessary.
Anna

 

[Anna]

Steve:
Here are some step-by-step instructions for using the Acronis True Image 9
program...

1. With both hard drives (source & destination disks) connected, boot up.
But before you do, ensure that no other storage devices, e.g., flash
drives, USB external hard drives, etc., are connected.

2. If a Windows message appears stating that a new HD has been detected
and suggests a reboot - do so.

3. Access Acronis True Image 9 and under "Pick a Task", click on "Clone
Disk".

4. On the next "Welcome..." window, click Next.

5. On the next "Clone Mode" window select the Automatic option (it should
be the default option selected) and click Next.

6. On the next "Source Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct source
HD has been selected (the disk you're cloning from). Click Next.

7. On the next "Destination Hard Disk" window, ensure that the correct
destination HD has been selected (the disk you're cloning to). Click Next.

8. On the next window, select the option "Delete partitions on the
destination hard disk". Understand that all data presently on the disk
that will be the recipient of the clone will be deleted prior to the disk
cloning operation. Click Next.

9. The next window will reflect the source and destination disks. Ensure
that the correct drives have been selected. Click Next.

10. On the next window click on the Proceed button. A message box will
display indicating that a reboot will be required to undertake the disk
cloning operation. Click Reboot.

11. The cloning operation will proceed during the reboot. With modern
components and a medium to high-power processor, data transfer rate will
be about 1 to 2 GB/min. should you be cloning internal hard drives. If
you're cloning to a USB external HD the data transfer rate will be
somewhat slower.

12. When the cloning operation is completed, a message will appear
indicating such. Press the Enter key to shut down the computer.

13. a. If you've cloned the contents of your internal HD to another
internal HD, then disconnect the source HD and boot ONLY with the
destination HD (the recipient of the clone) connected. DO NOT BOOT WITH
BOTH DRIVES CONNECTED. Assuming the boot goes without incident, shut down
the computer and disconnect the newly-cloned HD. Reconnect your source HD.
b. If, on the other hand, you've cloned the contents of your internal HD
to a USB external HD the above step will be unnecessary.
Anna

Steve:
Let me quickly correct step #1...
If you're using a USB external HD as the destination drive, i.e., the
intended recipient of the clone of your internal HD, the USB EHD would
obviously need to be connected at bootup.

When I prepared these instructions in response to a request I received from
a local computer club in our area, it was originally designed to provide
instructions for undertaking the disk cloning process using two internal
hard drives. Had that been the case, naturally it would be wise for the user
to disconnect his/her USB EHD before undertaking the disk cloning process.
Anna