Complete PC Backup to external hard drive: share the drive?

[Dick Watson]

Does Complete PC Backup to an external hard drive allow the drive to store
other files and, specifically, to use the same external drive to do Complete
PC Backups of, say, both a Vista Laptop and a Vista Desktop?

Or does it assume the external hard drive is dedicated to a Complete PC
Backup of just one Vista machine?

 

[John Barnett MVP]

The trick is to partition the external hard drive.

I have a small external hard drive (80GB) which I use for backing up. I have
created two partitions one of 20GB which I use for backing up data (i.e.,
simply copying and pasting files from my PC hard drive) and a 60GB partition
which is used for backing up my system.

When you first use Complete PC Backup you direct the backup to the
drive/partition you want the backup to be stored on. After the initial
backup Complete PC Backup makes a note of that drive/partition so that the
next time you come to backup Complete PC Backup will immediately recognize
where it needs to put the files. It will then do an 'incremental' backup
(Only replacing the files that have been updated or changed.)

As you are using a laptop and desktop you would probably be wise to
partition the external drive and give the partitions meaningful names, such
as laptop backup etc. Because you will be using the copy of Complete PC
Backup which resides on each of your computers, Complete PC Backup will know
which partition to update when you next come to backup ether of your
systems.

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John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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[Dick Watson]

And if I don't partition it, can I still store two system's worth of
"Complete PC Backup" .VHD files (and maybe use it for regular file backups
besides) and they don't conflict?

BTW, while we are on the subject, what happened to just being able to pick a
folder and back it up? I guess I see why they dumbed down Backup and Restore
Center for the majority of users, but am wondering if there is a more
flexible UI hiding somewhere for the rest of us.

The problem with partitions is always how to size them to avoid having to
use a tool like Acronis Disk Director.

I'd test this, but I don't have a free external to play with. I use WHS to
back up my systems, but my daughter is looking for a simpler solution for
her desktop and laptop.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

That question, Dick, I cannot readily answer and, unfortunately, due to my
laptop not being able to run Vista Ultimate, I'm not in a position to test
it. With something like Acronis True Image each file can be given its own
name, whereas with Complete PC Backup you can't rename the file, Complete Pc
Backup uses its own naming convention, this is why I prefer separate
partitions.

To be honest, although I do use Complete PC Backup, I much prefer to use
Acronis True Image, simply because it gives me more control.

As for backing up a folder there isn't any 'hidden' GI as far as I know. The
only folders available for backing up are: Pictures; Music; Video; E-mail;
Documents; TV Shows; Compressed Files and Additional Files.

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--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..