External hard drive backup question

[Ferdy]

I have just bought an external hard drive to backup my main internal drive
on my computer.

I have not even opened the box, but my question is the procedure to do the
backup---just hook up the USB 2.0 and copy? Or is there backup software to
deal with? I thought that somewhere in XP there is a transfer utility, but
required some other connective media rather that USB. Also, after the
transfer is complete, I plan on just disconnecting the drive and storing it
away until another incremental backup is needed. Or should I just leave it
hooked up?

Any tips and advice along these lines appreciated--

Incidentally, I learned the hard way about backing up large hard drives to
removable media such as CD-R's or CD-RW. Then I noticed how cheap external
drives are compared to the media costs and unreliable media. Dumb me. Not
to mention the aggravation factor when you get to CD #22 after 5-6 hours and
the backup software reports a problem and aborts the backup!!! Happened
FIVE times!!! Twice with CD-R's. 44 CD's and 50 bucks down the drain, half
the cost of the external HDD!

I'm still pissed off about it----

TIA

 

[Dwight Stewart]

(snip) I have not even opened the box, but my
question is the procedure to do the backup---just
hook up the USB 2.0 and copy? Or is there
backup software to deal with? (snip)

Yep, you'll need some type of backup software. The specific location of
many files on the drive is stored in the registry, which will change if data
is simply copied back and forth.

I thought that somewhere in XP there is a transfer
utility, but required some other connective media
rather that USB. (snip)

The old Windows "Backup" has not really kept up that well with changing
storage technologies. As such, you may find its capabilities somewhat
limited.

Also, after the transfer is complete, I plan on just
disconnecting the drive and storing it away until
another incremental backup is needed. Or should
I just leave it hooked up? (snip)

If you want a reliable backup, never leave the backup drive connected.
While connected, it is vulnerable to viruses, computer breakdowns, and so
on. Disconnect the drive when the backup is complete and store it away in a
secure place. That also reduces the wear and tear on the drive, increasing
it reliability.

Stewart

 

[Guest]

One can consider two different approaches to 'backing-up' a working system

1. Use an application [backup] that attempts to 'copy' the entire contents
of your hard disk, or specific files and folders. Windows Backup will
perform such a function, however it will fail to copy any files [ .exe, .dll
and others] that are 'open' or in use. This will create a 'compressed' file
that maintains all the relevant information.

2. Use a disk imagine or 'cloning' application that will make an copy of the
entire disk to a second partition or disk drive. This could be Ghost or
another application.

I recommend that you use option 2, because in the event of a total disk
failure or even non-working operating syste, you can use you Ghosted image to
recreate the entire system disk in less than the time it would take to
reinstall XP. After the installation, then you could use restore to write
back to the target drive all the data 'backed up'.

 

[Ferdy]

OK, thanks, this gets me started.

Doing a search on MajorGeeks.com, there are several "mirroring" type
programs to create an exact image of the main drive to the secondary drive.

Can anyone recommend the best ones?

Thanks again--

One can consider two different approaches to 'backing-up' a working system

1. Use an application [backup] that attempts to 'copy' the entire contents
of your hard disk, or specific files and folders. Windows Backup will
perform such a function, however it will fail to copy any files [ .exe,
.dll
and others] that are 'open' or in use. This will create a 'compressed'
file
that maintains all the relevant information.

2. Use a disk imagine or 'cloning' application that will make an copy of
the
entire disk to a second partition or disk drive. This could be Ghost or
another application.

I recommend that you use option 2, because in the event of a total disk
failure or even non-working operating syste, you can use you Ghosted image
to
recreate the entire system disk in less than the time it would take to
reinstall XP. After the installation, then you could use restore to write
back to the target drive all the data 'backed up'.

Yep, you'll need some type of backup software. The specific location of
many files on the drive is stored in the registry, which will change if
data
is simply copied back and forth.




The old Windows "Backup" has not really kept up that well with
changing
storage technologies. As such, you may find its capabilities somewhat
limited.




If you want a reliable backup, never leave the backup drive connected.
While connected, it is vulnerable to viruses, computer breakdowns, and so
on. Disconnect the drive when the backup is complete and store it away in
a
secure place. That also reduces the wear and tear on the drive,
increasing
it reliability.

Stewart

 

[Ferdy]

A couple of other questions before I get started, please.

Will the new drive be pre-formatted to NTFS standard, correctly partitioned
and ready? Will the imaging software take care of this?

Also, is there a way to boot from the secondary hard drive to test the
backup's reliability and integrity?

TIA, again

One can consider two different approaches to 'backing-up' a working system

1. Use an application [backup] that attempts to 'copy' the entire contents
of your hard disk, or specific files and folders. Windows Backup will
perform such a function, however it will fail to copy any files [ .exe,
.dll
and others] that are 'open' or in use. This will create a 'compressed'
file
that maintains all the relevant information.

2. Use a disk imagine or 'cloning' application that will make an copy of
the
entire disk to a second partition or disk drive. This could be Ghost or
another application.

I recommend that you use option 2, because in the event of a total disk
failure or even non-working operating syste, you can use you Ghosted image
to
recreate the entire system disk in less than the time it would take to
reinstall XP. After the installation, then you could use restore to write
back to the target drive all the data 'backed up'.

Yep, you'll need some type of backup software. The specific location of
many files on the drive is stored in the registry, which will change if
data
is simply copied back and forth.




The old Windows "Backup" has not really kept up that well with
changing
storage technologies. As such, you may find its capabilities somewhat
limited.




If you want a reliable backup, never leave the backup drive connected.
While connected, it is vulnerable to viruses, computer breakdowns, and so
on. Disconnect the drive when the backup is complete and store it away in
a
secure place. That also reduces the wear and tear on the drive,
increasing
it reliability.

Stewart

 

[Dwight Stewart]

(snip) I recommend that you use option 2, because
in the event of a total disk failure or even non-
working operating system, you can use you Ghosted
image to recreate the entire system disk in less than
the time it would take to reinstall XP. (snip)

I use the disk image/cloning method also (Norton Ghost). Luckily, I've
only had to rebuild my computer once using a backup, but this method did
work perfectly that single time.

Stewart

 

[shakey]

I have just bought an external hard drive to backup my main internal drive
on my computer.

I have not even opened the box, but my question is the procedure to do the
backup---just hook up the USB 2.0 and copy? Or is there backup software
to deal with? I thought that somewhere in XP there is a transfer utility,
but required some other connective media rather that USB. Also, after the
transfer is complete, I plan on just disconnecting the drive and storing
it away until another incremental backup is needed. Or should I just
leave it hooked up?

Any tips and advice along these lines appreciated--

Incidentally, I learned the hard way about backing up large hard drives to
removable media such as CD-R's or CD-RW. Then I noticed how cheap
external drives are compared to the media costs and unreliable media.
Dumb me. Not to mention the aggravation factor when you get to CD #22
after 5-6 hours and the backup software reports a problem and aborts the
backup!!! Happened FIVE times!!! Twice with CD-R's. 44 CD's and 50
bucks down the drain, half the cost of the external HDD!

I'm still pissed off about it----

TIA

Thanks for your good timing. I recently Bought Ghost 9.0 on sale for $20
during a super BestBuys sale. Everything I had read said it would backup to
DVD's and also do Incremental backups. TRUE but it didn't say that it
wouldn't do incremental backups to DVD. Damn them!
Off this morning to buy a 120 external Western Digital there for $80.
Good luck
SG

 

[Ferdy]

Shakey,

I would highly recommend Acronis True Image over Norton's Ghost--this was
recommended here and if you go to cnet.com and read the reviews, you'll see
why.

I have the trial version with my new external Maxtor, and it's worked great.

Question, though, to group---why does acronis partition the secondary
external drive in FAT 32? Why not NTFS? As a matter of fact, I didn't
think FAT 32 was even possible on a drive that big (80 GB).

 

[shakey]

Shakey,

I would highly recommend Acronis True Image over Norton's Ghost--this was
recommended here and if you go to cnet.com and read the reviews, you'll
see why.

Just came back with new WD drive.
Appreciate your Acronis/Ghost comment but I have Ghost now and at a super
savings. Also having looked over the internet and chatrooms I find it to be
a matter of personal preferences. I see/here haters/lovers of both programs.
SG

 

[shakey]

Just discovered that new WD external HD also came with Dantz Retrospect
Express baqckup software.
More options for me now.
SG