Complete Backup

[Guest]

Recently bought a Dell XPS 400 from Dell with a 48X CD-RW drive, a 16X
DVD+/-RW Drive, and a Dell 13 in 1 Media reader.

I tried to use the backup utility to do a complete back-up - when it comes
to the saving area - it has the default of F:, G:, H:, or I; which is (I am
assuming the Dell 13 in 1 Media reader) - if i do the browse function and
change the drive over to the D: drive (which is the CD drive), it will not
let me start the backup stating that "The backup file name could not be
used." ""D:/backup.bkf" "Please ensure that it is a valid path and that you
have sufficent access." This computer does not have a floppy disk drive nor
a Zip disk drive. I tend to believe since the default drives ask for F:,
G:, H:, or I; it is asking me to use the 13 in 1 Media reader to perform this
backup. Am I correct in that assumption? and if so, what storage do I use
for this complete backup? Help!

 

[ANONYMOUS]

MS Backup program will not back up to a CD device such as CD-RW, CD-R,
or DVD-R drives.

To back up your data to these devices, you must first back up the data
to a file. Then, copy the .bkf file to the CD and used for future
restore purposes.

 

[Plato]

have sufficent access." This computer does not have a floppy disk drive nor

Ordering a PC without a floppy drive is like ordering a new car without
an overhead light.

 

[Guest]

wasn't my ordering or call - did without my knowledge unfortunately!!!!

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Hey Plato,

Have you ever bought a laptop recently? Nobody will install a floppy
drive for you on a laptop. The reason being bootup can be done from CDs
and USBs. Floppy is a very old technology according to them and it
costs too much to fiddle with connections.

I agree, floppy drives are very useful to copy small files but laptops
don't have these anymore. PCs you can fix yourself as they cost only
$5.

hth

 

[Plato]

wasn't my ordering or call - did without my knowledge unfortunately!!!!

Then you have my permission to send my comment to your superiors.

I know where your coming from. No harm intended.

 

[Plato]

Have you ever bought a laptop recently? Nobody will install a floppy
drive for you on a laptop. The reason being bootup can be done from CDs
and USBs. Floppy is a very old technology according to them and it
costs too much to fiddle with connections.

OK. But often bootable cds dont work. Yes the floppy is going away. It's
just not ready yet to go away. And, yes I hope for a better alternative.
There isn't one yet tho.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

For nearly 4 months I am looking for a new laptop with a floppy drive
but UK is completely bankrupt for this sort of thngs. I have created a
bootable CD but it isn't a perfect solution for my purpose.

Best regards,

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ordering a PC without a floppy drive is like ordering a new car
without an overhead light.

I'm not sure if one *can* order a new car without an overhead light, but if
it's possible, a *big* difference between the two is that if you have a
computer without a diskette drive, it can very easily and cheaply be
remedied.

You can buy a diskette drive for $10 US or so, and they are very easy to
install.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

OK. But often bootable cds dont work. Yes the floppy is going away.
It's just not ready yet to go away. And, yes I hope for a better
alternative. There isn't one yet tho.

We agree again.

Laptop are, of course, the one kind of computer where it's difficult or
impossible to get a diskette drive (except an external one).

My laptop doesn't have a floppy drive either, unfortunately. But that's
because I didn't have a choice. When it comes to desktops, I have a choice,
and all my desktops have them. I would never choose t have a machine without
one. If I bought a computer that didn't come with one, I'd add it myself.

 

[Plato]

We agree again.

Laptop are, of course, the one kind of computer where it's difficult or
impossible to get a diskette drive (except an external one).

My laptop doesn't have a floppy drive either, unfortunately. But that's
because I didn't have a choice. When it comes to desktops, I have a choice,
and all my desktops have them. I would never choose t have a machine without
one. If I bought a computer that didn't come with one, I'd add it myself.

The positive thing is that *most* of the time laptops *dont* have a
problem with bootable cds. I still find it odd that desktops often
develop a problem tho. Even with official MS CDs. My only guess is that
it's a sign of the drive wearing out.

In other words, I can have a pc to fix here, and put in the owners XP
CD, and it refuses to boot from it. I try homemade bootable cds, same
problem. Try cleaning the drive, no joy. I put in a new drive and wala,
problem fixed.

 

[Jonny]

Lot of PCs nowadays don't have a floppy diskette drive. Thing is some
things still require a floppy drive, unless you're versed enough to write a
driver file to a cd, or have access to a PC that someone else can do that
for you. Such will occur when an XP install requires a driver immediately
occurring at setup prior to continuing its install for instance. A standard
floppy drive is inappropriate for a full XP backup (which it cannot do
anyway by the definition), for 2 reasons. The capacity is way to small, and
the throughput speed for writes is way too slow.

Believe windows backup and mandatory file install during initial part of
setup in XP need addressing for today's hardware. But don't see that
happening anytime soon, if at all. Suggest you find a 3rd party alternative
to windows backup.

Believe the XPS 400 has the option of Ghost installation with a hidden
partition to write image files to. RAID was also an option with an extra
physical hard drive for RAID 0 or 1 operation.

 

[Jonny]

A floppy drive may exhibit the same symptoms, and the fix may be the same.
Replacement.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

The MS Backup does not allow you to save the backup direct onto CDs/CD-RWs.
You will need to use a "packet-writing" utility which will make the
CD/CD-RW/DVD media look like a huge floppy disk. Both Roxio's Drag to CD and
Ahead(Nero)'s InCD work.

 

[Plato]

A floppy drive may exhibit the same symptoms, and the fix may be the same.
Replacement.

Of course. That's why it's nice to have two potential bootable devices.
Heck, the new Airbus Jet has 4 redundant hydraulic systems.

 

[Plato]

Lot of PCs nowadays don't have a floppy diskette drive. Thing is some
things still require a floppy drive, unless you're versed enough to write a

True. But often its still listed as an option for $50 or so when
ordering online from most big online brands. If you buy from a big name
store tho you very often dont have that option.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Of course. That's why it's nice to have two potential bootable
devices. Heck, the new Airbus Jet has 4 redundant hydraulic systems.

*Now* you tell me! I just got a new computer, and I foolishly ordered mine
without *any* hydraulic systems.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

True. But often its still listed as an option for $50 or so when
ordering online from most big online brands. If you buy from a big
name store tho you very often dont have that option.

Rather than pay $50, I'd much rather order a computer without one, then buy
one for $10 or so, and install it myself. Installation is quick and easy; it
shouldn't take more than about ten minutes.

 

[R. McCarty]

If you want to avoid using the Floppy cable & power, consider a
USB Floppy disk drive. Works for 99% of situations, except for
some basic driver installs on OS setups. ( Limitation of support by
the installer). I carry one for use with systems without a floppy. I
know that many consider a floppy obsolete, but I still have cases
where a floppy disk is a life saver. Average prices around ~$30.00
of less.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

If you want to avoid using the Floppy cable & power, consider a
USB Floppy disk drive. Works for 99% of situations, except for

No thank you. I'd much rather have an internal floppy drive. It's much
cheaper, there's no reason to avoid using the Floppy cable & power, and it
works in 100% of situations.

I might consider a USB floppy drive for a laptop, but not for a desktop.