How can I backup an entire system?

[dev]

/OM/ said:

I want to be able to setup XP, install key programs and then backup this
whole configuration.
Then, if needed at a later stage, I want to wipe the hard disk and start
again exactly as the system was before.

I've heard of a few programs that do the above.
But... I haven't heard of any programs that use a DVD, and instead use a CD.
A typical system frshly setup, will be at least a few GB.

(And is there any recommended programs that I can use to reinstall
everything remotely? Or is this asking for too much?)

Imagers, such as http://GHOST.com or http://TERABYTEUNLIMITED.COM (Image
for Windows) are invaluable tools. No need to write directly to CD or
DVD. Write to another partition on the hard disk, then copy to the media
of your choice...in case the hard disk dies.

 

[OM]

I want to be able to setup XP, install key programs and then backup this
whole configuration.
Then, if needed at a later stage, I want to wipe the hard disk and start
again exactly as the system was before.

I've heard of a few programs that do the above.
But... I haven't heard of any programs that use a DVD, and instead use a CD.
A typical system frshly setup, will be at least a few GB.

(And is there any recommended programs that I can use to reinstall
everything remotely? Or is this asking for too much?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.


OM

 

[William J. Lunsford]

Acronis TrueImage can write to CDs.

/OM/ said:


Imagers, such as http://GHOST.com or http://TERABYTEUNLIMITED.COM (Image
for Windows) are invaluable tools. No need to write directly to CD or
DVD. Write to another partition on the hard disk, then copy to the media
of your choice...in case the hard disk dies.

--
For most XP answers and tweaks...
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm
http://dougknox.com http://aumha.org
http://support.microsoft.com

 

[Doug Main]

I want to be able to setup XP, install key programs and then backup this
whole configuration.
Then, if needed at a later stage, I want to wipe the hard disk and start
again exactly as the system was before.

I've heard of a few programs that do the above.
But... I haven't heard of any programs that use a DVD, and instead use a CD.
A typical system frshly setup, will be at least a few GB.

(And is there any recommended programs that I can use to reinstall
everything remotely? Or is this asking for too much?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.


OM

You could get a slave HDD of a couple of gigs for next to nothing and
use Acronis True Image's free download to copy it over. Then it's right
there when you need it...it's easy to update and add stuff to...and it
can take over if the main HDD croaks.

 

[Santa]

http://www.stompsoft.com/bump_upgrade.html

The Trial Version Works..For 30 days Backup my PC


Backs up to Cd-r cd-rw Dvd-r/+r/rw ZIP Mix or Match them
Works good... I have the Full version... NEVER FAILS

But to make the DISASTER RECOVERY SET in XP, You will be asked for your
Product Id # so have it handy..

 

[Michael Stevens]

I want to be able to setup XP, install key programs and then backup
this whole configuration.
Then, if needed at a later stage, I want to wipe the hard disk and
start again exactly as the system was before.

I've heard of a few programs that do the above.
But... I haven't heard of any programs that use a DVD, and instead
use a CD. A typical system frshly setup, will be at least a few GB.

(And is there any recommended programs that I can use to reinstall
everything remotely? Or is this asking for too much?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.


OM

Ghost writes to DVD, I believe Acronis also has this capability.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 17:26:16 -0800, dev

| No need to write directly to CD or
|DVD. Write to another partition on the hard disk

I use USB2 HD for sink that goes 4X faster than using
separate IDE internal drive.

Didnt sound right so posted results here but got no
commments so it's likely true.

So u get speed,size, & portability.

Just my 2¢ worth-Larry
Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.

 

[Kenny S]

what about DRIVE IMAGE 7? cant that work? I have done a backup with that,
but I have never tried to do a restoration from that backup.
Can I do it?

 

[Alex Nichol]

I want to be able to setup XP, install key programs and then backup this
whole configuration.
Then, if needed at a later stage, I want to wipe the hard disk and start
again exactly as the system was before.

I've heard of a few programs that do the above.
But... I haven't heard of any programs that use a DVD, and instead use a CD.
A typical system frshly setup, will be at least a few GB.

I use Image for Windows, $27 from www.bootitng.com. 30 days free trial
That will backup to DVD (spanned set if needed) and there is an Image
for DOS can be used to restore, though I normally use a second instance
of the system, dual booted

 

[Darrell S]

Consider an external USB 2.0 hard drive. Their prices are coming way down
and they are much more reliable that cd/dvd backups. I use Drive Image 7.0
to make images of my C: drive on my external drive. If I can't access my
hard drive for some reason I can boot to my DI 7.0 CD and restore my saved
image to the internal hard drive.

My first line of backup is GoBack. 2nd line is documents and files directly
saved to my external hard drive. 3rd line is a complete re-write using DI
7.0. I have 3 rotating updates using DI 7.0.

I have my external drive powered through a surge protector which I turn off
until I need items powered by it. That saves electricity and protects that
data. Even when the surge protector is turned on, my external hard drive
itself has a power switch to control access.

 

[Jam]

Imagers, such as http://GHOST.com or http://TERABYTEUNLIMITED.COM
(Image

for Windows) are invaluable tools. No need to write directly to CD or
DVD. Write to another partition on the hard disk, then copy to the media
of your choice...in case the hard disk dies.

OK... let's say I use Ghost to backup my entire system.
Then lets say sometime later... 'capputz!' the whole system goes down
with viruses and adware and spyware etc.

I want to format the whole damn hard drive and just do a restore!
: )

I FDisk, format the hard drive...
Now what...?
If my backup is on DVD's how can access this data to restore it?

One of the other replies said something about Drive Image allowing you
to boot from its own CD? And then allowing to restore? Does this
allow access to a DVD drive?

I don't want to mess around with having another partition if at all
possible.
But... if I have to, then I'm OK doing this.
Any replies to the above would be appreciated.

Thanks.


Jam

 

[Larry(LJL269)]

On 1 Jan 2005 16:56:35 -0800, "Jam"

|OK... let's say I use Ghost to backup my entire system.
|Then lets say sometime later... 'capputz!' the whole system goes down
|with viruses and adware and spyware etc.
|
|I want to format the whole damn hard drive and just do a restore!
|: )
|
|I FDisk, format the hard drive...
|Now what...?


I Dont use Ghost but in DI6, u'd run it in DOS, select
image file to restore, then tell it which unallocated
space to restore it in. So u'd restore image of C then
D then E

Simple huh?

Do it 1x 4 practice ie if data in F, image it &
restore to unallocated space at END of drive so
letters dont change. Ck byte, file & folder counts.
Then when shit hits fan process will be familiar.

HTH-Larry
Any advise is my attempt to contribute more than I have received but I can only assure you that it works on my PC. GOOD LUCK.