Backup failed

[Alan Holmes]

How the f*** do I make a FULL backup of everything on the master
hard disk?

The programme misleads you to thinking that this can be done, but
when you try it. it comes back with a message telling you that
'The files for the recovery diskette could not be created',
what the hell does that mean?

I'm trying to make the backup to the 'D' drive, which has more
than adequate space on it.

I did try to do it to a CD but it would not allow me to chose the
CD drive.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Are you by any chance referring to Windows' own ntbackup program?

If so, it is well documented that ntbackup does not backup directly to CD or
DVD. For example:

"Windows Backup Does Not Back Up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Devices"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315255

Exactly what do you wish to backup? If you are trying to create an identical
copy of your hard disk - which is a very good idea - you need disk imaging
software. Look at Ghost 9.0 by Symantec and True Image 8.0 by Acronis.
However, disk imaging is not really a task for a new user. You'll do fine if
you carefully read through all the documentation.

 

[CWatters]

Are you by any chance referring to Windows' own ntbackup program?

It's not a perfect program either. I recommend investing in the latest
version of Norton Ghost (based on Drive Image by Powerquest). It allows you
to backup direct to DVD. However I prefer to set it up to backup to an
external USB 2.0 hard drive. I like this set up because:

a) I can schedule it to run at 3am and it makes an entire copy of my HD (and
verifies it) in about 45mins.

b) It sends me an email to tell me if the backup passed or failed. No need
to find log files. Just check email.

c) I set it up to split the backup into 600MByte files - that way I can move
them onto CD or DVD at will.

d) I can set it up to keep only the last 7 days of nightly backups and 4
weekly backups - that way my external HD is kept full but never fills up
causing a backup to fail.

 

[abram]

XP Home won't create ASR floppy.
For XP Pro, search microsoft.com for the error text. You'll find a few
articles.

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Sounds like you have XP Home version. The NTBackup program that ships with
the Home version of XP has less than minimal value which is likely the
reason why it is not installed by default. The version that ships with XP
Pro is only slightly better but not by much. Try Acronis TrueImage or
Symantec Ghost.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


|
| How the f*** do I make a FULL backup of everything on the master
| hard disk?
|
| The programme misleads you to thinking that this can be done, but
| when you try it. it comes back with a message telling you that
| 'The files for the recovery diskette could not be created',
| what the hell does that mean?
|
| I'm trying to make the backup to the 'D' drive, which has more
| than adequate space on it.
|
| I did try to do it to a CD but it would not allow me to chose the
| CD drive.
|
| --
| alan
|
| reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net
|
|
|
|
|

 

[Alan Holmes]

Are you by any chance referring to Windows' own ntbackup program?

Whatever it is that comes with Win XP Home.

If so, it is well documented that ntbackup does not backup directly to CD
or

I have been also trying to backup to the 'D' drive

DVD. For example:

"Windows Backup Does Not Back Up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Devices"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315255

Exactly what do you wish to backup? If you are trying to create an
identical
copy of your hard disk - which is a very good idea - you need disk imaging
software. Look at Ghost 9.0 by Symantec and True Image 8.0 by Acronis.
However, disk imaging is not really a task for a new user. You'll do fine
if
you carefully read through all the documentation.

This is what I'm trying to do, a complete backup of the whole of the 'C'
drive.

The next question is, where do I find these programmes?

I think it's bloody ridiculoous that MS do not provide a sensible backup
system with this very expensive software.

Alan

 

[Alan Holmes]

Are you by any chance referring to Windows' own ntbackup program?

If so, it is well documented that ntbackup does not backup directly to CD
or
DVD. For example:

"Windows Backup Does Not Back Up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Devices"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315255

Exactly what do you wish to backup? If you are trying to create an
identical
copy of your hard disk - which is a very good idea - you need disk imaging
software. Look at Ghost 9.0 by Symantec and True Image 8.0 by Acronis.
However, disk imaging is not really a task for a new user. You'll do fine
if
you carefully read through all the documentation.

I thught I'd replied to this but it hasn't appeared, so:-

How, or where, will I find these programmes?

Alan

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

How, or where, will I find these programmes?

=============================
CompUSA would have them, or Office Depot etc. Prepare to spend about $80 to
$100.

FS~

 

[ggull]

If so, it is well documented that ntbackup does not backup directly to CD or
DVD. For example:
"Windows Backup Does Not Back Up to CD-R, CD-RW, or DVD-R Devices"
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315255

Apart from the breathtaking stupidity that Backup does not work with the
most commonly available devices of adequate size,

(1) "well documented" would be to document it IN BACKUP (or ntbackup if you
prefer) ITSELF. I.e., backup should say, "You can't backup to a CD/DVD.
Sorry about that." right there. This has certainly got to be one of the
most common "errors", and should have a clear error message, not a cryptic
"the backup file name could not be used".

(2) Why, then, does my CD-RW drive appear in the list of backup devices?
(When I select it, I get an error message on trying to write.)

 

[Tom]

(2) Why, then, does my CD-RW drive appear in the list of backup devices?
(When I select it, I get an error message on trying to write.)

Because that is the default behavior of Explorer when referring back to the system for reference. You can back it up to your hard drive, then burn it to disk if you so desire.

 

[Santa]

http://www.stompsoft.com/
Click on TRIAL VERSIONS


Get Backup My PC

The Trial Version Works... Backs up Comlete HD to either Cd-r Cd/rw
DVD/RW DVD-r DVD+r.. Mix or Match ...
You will need Your XP Product In Number. Also 4- 1.44 Floppies for
the restore process

No Reactivation after u Restore your Hard Drive ..
Works Better than Ghost !!!

The DEMO works

 

[Sharon F]

(2) Why, then, does my CD-RW drive appear in the list of backup devices?
(When I select it, I get an error message on trying to write.)

It's possible to get the drive to show up as an available location (mapping
it as network drive is one way) and it's possible to use it *IF* the
resulting backup file will small enough to fit on a single CD. Spanning
disks is out of this program's scope.

Backup is too important to work with a lot of "ifs" and "maybes." I used
NTbackup within its limitations until I settled on a third party backup
solution. It was good for the interim but am happier with the alternative I
chose.

 

[Alan Holmes]

Sounds like you have XP Home version. The NTBackup program that ships with
the Home version of XP has less than minimal value which is likely the
reason why it is not installed by default. The version that ships with XP
Pro is only slightly better but not by much. Try Acronis TrueImage or
Symantec Ghost.

When is someone going to tell me how to get at these programmes?

 

[David Nimon]

Well, gee, do you think going to Acronis.com or Symantec.com just might be a
start?

 

[Not Me]

Harry Ohrn is telling you that that the XP backup program is a. Not
installed [default] on the Home version. b. In his opinion, the XP
NTBackup program is not the best available. Better are Norton's Ghost 9
and Acronis TrueImage; however, they both are not free.
You can pull NTBackup off your XP CD and install it or download it from
:http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm . Scroll down to
"Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version" and click the
highlighted words to download.
Gene K

 

[shakey]

I have little faith in XP when using DVD's based on my experience but need a
backup program like ghost 9. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a
trial copy and refuse to pay $70 for something that may not work for me. Any
idea where to get a demo copy? None at Symantec site that I can find. I am
currently testing NTI BACKUP and it looks OK but no drive image, just files.
SG

 

[Tom]

Yes, but theHarry made slight point in the difference between Home and Pro versions.

Even if he installs the Home program, it won't do what he wants, which a is a full system backup, since Home will only back up data and settings. Pro will do a full system backup as well (called Automated System Recovery Wizard).

Harry Ohrn is telling you that that the XP backup program is a. Not
installed [default] on the Home version. b. In his opinion, the XP
NTBackup program is not the best available. Better are Norton's Ghost 9
and Acronis TrueImage; however, they both are not free.
You can pull NTBackup off your XP CD and install it or download it from
:http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm . Scroll down to
"Installing the Backup Program on the Home Version" and click the
highlighted words to download.
Gene K

When is someone going to tell me how to get at these programmes?

 

[Tom]

BootIt NG makes a nice imaging program, as well as having a great partition manager, and much more. It comes iwth a 30 day full functional trial, $35 to pruchase.
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/bootitng.html

I have little faith in XP when using DVD's based on my experience but need a
backup program like ghost 9. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a
trial copy and refuse to pay $70 for something that may not work for me. Any
idea where to get a demo copy? None at Symantec site that I can find. I am
currently testing NTI BACKUP and it looks OK but no drive image, just files.
SG

Sounds like you have XP Home version. The NTBackup program that ships with
the Home version of XP has less than minimal value which is likely the
reason why it is not installed by default. The version that ships with XP
Pro is only slightly better but not by much. Try Acronis TrueImage or
Symantec Ghost.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


|
| How the f*** do I make a FULL backup of everything on the master
| hard disk?
|
| The programme misleads you to thinking that this can be done, but
| when you try it. it comes back with a message telling you that
| 'The files for the recovery diskette could not be created',
| what the hell does that mean?
|
| I'm trying to make the backup to the 'D' drive, which has more
| than adequate space on it.
|
| I did try to do it to a CD but it would not allow me to chose the
| CD drive.
|
| --
| alan
|
| reply to alan(dot)holmes27(at)virgin(dot)net
|
|
|
|
|

 

[~ FreeSpirit ~]

I have little faith in XP when using DVD's based on my experience but need
a backup program like ghost 9. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a
trial copy and refuse to pay $70 for something that may not work for me.
Any idea where to get a demo copy? None at Symantec site that I can find. I
am currently testing NTI BACKUP and it looks OK but no drive image, just
files.
SG

========================
Loads of freebies here. Or ask in the alt.comp.freeware NG. I got most of
my software for free with their help, including one of the best burning
programs I've yet to find.

FS~
Pricelessware: FREE
http://www.pricelessware.org
http://www.pricelesswarehome.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[ggull]

Thanks for these ref's.