Backup of data files to CD

[Jeff]

I am sure this question has been asked many times but I use Acronis for my
own backups to an external HD and therefore am not familiar with the methods
of backing up data files to a CD other than just copying them using Nero or
similar. I am, however trying to teach my college daughter to do regular
backups of her data files onto CDs and would therefore appreciate advice on
the best way to do such backups using Windows XP built in tools or free
utilities software.

She just needs to make full copies and maybe incremental copies using her CD
drive. Should she just create a new folder on the CD for each backup date?
Is there a copy or xcopy command that can create incremental backups? I
believe Nero6 (which she owns) has something called "Backitup". Does that
work well for data backups to CDs? How exactly do others go about backing up
to CDs.

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

I've noticed that some people have some belief that backing up one's computer
involves burning some hidden files that one can't burn normally or something
like that. Some back up services involve copying the entire hard drive. But I
find that completely unnecesary. What you should do is just take the files
that you have on your computer, and put them on discs. If you want to back up
the files you want to keep, just simply burn the files you want to keep onto
CDs, you don't need a special program for 'backing up', to put the files you
want to have copies of on a CD.

So what do I suggest? Just using the normal data burning options on whatever
CD burning device you're using, and just put on CDs the folders and files
that you want to have copies of in case your original data is erased. There's
no need to use some fancy 'back-up' option, y'just don't need to.

 

[Jeff]

I essentially agree. In this case I just want her to back up her data
files. However, these data files change as she changes what is written in
some of them. That is why she would need to re-back them up. Recopying
them to a diskette can be done, but that does not work in writing to CDs and
she would need to use CDs because of the amount of files involved. Hence
the need for "incremental" backups of changed data files and some more
complicated way to backup. You cannot re-write files on CDs - at least not
on one time write CDs.

For backing up the OS partition, I use an image backup system.

--

Jeff Williams
Email address deliberately false to avoid spam
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Test User]

I am sure this question has been asked many times but I use Acronis for my
own backups to an external HD and therefore am not familiar with the methods
of backing up data files to a CD other than just copying them using Nero or
similar. I am, however trying to teach my college daughter to do regular
backups of her data files onto CDs and would therefore appreciate advice on
the best way to do such backups using Windows XP built in tools or free
utilities software.

She just needs to make full copies and maybe incremental copies using her CD
drive. Should she just create a new folder on the CD for each backup date?
Is there a copy or xcopy command that can create incremental backups? I
believe Nero6 (which she owns) has something called "Backitup". Does that
work well for data backups to CDs? How exactly do others go about backing up
to CDs.

Thanks.

The main issue for incremental backups wiht XP is that XP does not include
packet writing, so you can't just treat the CD as any other drive. Nero's
InCD and Roxio's DirectCd and Sonic's DLA perform this function. Then, you
can use somethign like Backup Plus to do scheduled or manual incremental
backups.

HTH
-pk

 

[MedRxman]

I would suggest you look at a USB flash drive as a storage device and then
go to www.karenware.com
and look at the free program replicator. I used to back up to CD but now
back up to the Flash drive and occasionally will burn the files from the
Flash drive to a CD. The flash drive is Thumb size and acts just like a
small hard drive.

Good luck

 

[Jeff]

Excellent idea.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I've noticed that some people have some belief that backing up one's computer
involves burning some hidden files that one can't burn normally or something
like that.

Backing up the *system* does - special methods are needed to back up the
registry files. But data files can be backed up by just copying.
However most people find it a good idea to use a backup package program
that provides 'incremental' backups - of only those files changed since
last time.
Eg Simple backup from www.stompinc.com or the more advanced BackUP My PC

The NTBackup that comes with XP Pro, or on retail XP Home CDs will do
so, but is really oriented to using tapes, and is tricky with CDs, as it
will not 'span' over more than one, even with the additional 'packet
writing' for CD-RW which is essential for it to work with CD at all

 

[Blair]

Backing up the *system* does - special methods are needed to back up the
registry files. But data files can be backed up by just copying.
However most people find it a good idea to use a backup package program
that provides 'incremental' backups - of only those files changed since
last time.
Eg Simple backup from www.stompinc.com or the more advanced BackUP My PC

The NTBackup that comes with XP Pro, or on retail XP Home CDs will do
so, but is really oriented to using tapes, and is tricky with CDs, as it
will not 'span' over more than one, even with the additional 'packet
writing' for CD-RW which is essential for it to work with CD at all

I use Acronis True Image and my C drive is held on 4 CD-Rs. The C drive
contains all my programmes. Do I take it that the registry will be included
so that when I reinstall everything will be present?
Blair

 

[Darrell S]

Why don't you buy her one of those small USB flash-memory plug-ins? You
could get her one as big as a CD's storage for just a few bucks. Then she
could backup the same way you do on your external hard drive. And they're
small enough to carry around easily. If she can handle something a little
larger physical size you might consider a USB external Zip drive.

The only way she could do what you want with a CD-RW would be to use packet
writing techniques wherein the CD-RW is pre-formatted to work like an
external hard drive. EZ CD Creator has that function. It will allow any
program to write to it and change things. My experience(and others whose
reports I've read), however, is that packet writing is full of "bugs". And,
unreliability is the last thing you want in a backup media.

You can get a 128 MB flash drive USB plug in for less than 30 bucks. If
that will handle her needs it's a best buy. Take a look at
http://www.flash-memory-store.com/usb-flash-pen-drives.html for some ideas.

 

[NobodyMan]

I essentially agree. In this case I just want her to back up her data
files. However, these data files change as she changes what is written in
some of them. That is why she would need to re-back them up. Recopying
them to a diskette can be done, but that does not work in writing to CDs and
she would need to use CDs because of the amount of files involved. Hence
the need for "incremental" backups of changed data files and some more
complicated way to backup. You cannot re-write files on CDs - at least not
on one time write CDs.

For backing up the OS partition, I use an image backup system.

Actually, if you are using WinXP's inbuilt burning engine:

If you save a file in one session, then re-save the file using the
exact same name when you open a new session, the TOC is changed to
point to the new version of the file. This makes it appear that the
file is only on the disc once, even if it does exist on the media more
than once.

This works, but it does create the potential for a LOT of wasted space
on the CDR.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I use Acronis True Image and my C drive is held on 4 CD-Rs. The C drive
contains all my programmes. Do I take it that the registry will be included
so that when I reinstall everything will be present?

Yes. Acronis backs up everything.

 

[Jeff]

Sounds like a winner. Thanks.