Need Backup advice...

  • Thread starter Thread starter chicagofan
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chicagofan

What is the *simplest* way for a NOVICE to do full system backups once a
week or month? [And of course the least expensive.] :)

It is not that what I have on my machine is so critical, I just do not
want to be at the mercy of a repair shop ever again for 2-3+ wks., and
be forced to buy a new system unexpectedly. My computer is my life! ;)

Presently, I have a new eMachine[80GB, 2.66 GHz, 512 RAM,] I had to buy
off the shelf, so it doesn't have what I understand I need to create DVD
back up disks. I have a DVD ROM drive, and a CD-R/W drive [and a 8 in 1
Digital Media Reader and 5 USB ports - FWIW].

My Gateway that was hijacked and returned, "non-working"... has a 20GB
hard drive, 1.5 GHz, 128 RAM. This machine has OEM "restoration" disks
for WinME; and the $175 DVD "data recovery" disk from that repair shop.

My question is, for someone like me, would it be practical[considering
the cost] to find an honest repair shop and use the Gateway machine as a
backup; and if so, what would be the simplest way to handle them? What
hardware/software would be required? It only has 2 CD drives[ one R/W].

Bearing in mind, it needs to be simple, and of course not more than
another new pc would be [since $175 has already been wasted on this
system], AND after being "serviced", now needs a hard drive I am told.

What would you do, to protect yourself, if you weren't technically
skilled, and had to depend on others? [Also female and slightly over the
hill... well OK, more than slightly.] Greatly appreciate ANY advice!

Barbara
 
New Maxtor OneTouch II Drive Raises the Bar In Consumer Backup
http://www.shareholder.com/maxtor/R...D=143371&reltype=Product&maxtor_section=press

Maxtor OneTouch II FireWire and USB
http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/m...II Family/Maxtor OneTouch II FireWire and USB

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

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:

| What is the *simplest* way for a NOVICE to do full system backups once a
| week or month? [And of course the least expensive.] :)
|
| It is not that what I have on my machine is so critical, I just do not
| want to be at the mercy of a repair shop ever again for 2-3+ wks., and
| be forced to buy a new system unexpectedly. My computer is my life! ;)
|
| Presently, I have a new eMachine[80GB, 2.66 GHz, 512 RAM,] I had to buy
| off the shelf, so it doesn't have what I understand I need to create DVD
| back up disks. I have a DVD ROM drive, and a CD-R/W drive [and a 8 in 1
| Digital Media Reader and 5 USB ports - FWIW].
|
| My Gateway that was hijacked and returned, "non-working"... has a 20GB
| hard drive, 1.5 GHz, 128 RAM. This machine has OEM "restoration" disks
| for WinME; and the $175 DVD "data recovery" disk from that repair shop.
|
| My question is, for someone like me, would it be practical[considering
| the cost] to find an honest repair shop and use the Gateway machine as a
| backup; and if so, what would be the simplest way to handle them? What
| hardware/software would be required? It only has 2 CD drives[ one R/W].
|
| Bearing in mind, it needs to be simple, and of course not more than
| another new pc would be [since $175 has already been wasted on this
| system], AND after being "serviced", now needs a hard drive I am told.
|
| What would you do, to protect yourself, if you weren't technically
| skilled, and had to depend on others? [Also female and slightly over the
| hill... well OK, more than slightly.] Greatly appreciate ANY advice!
|
| Barbara
 
You can use your CD writer to backup. You don't need to backup your entire
C drive, just the folders which contain your data - documents, spread
sheets, etc. If you have a problem you can always reinstall the software
from the original CDs, then restore your data. Another alternative is to
use Norton Ghost. I use this program for backup and it will write to
multiple CDs. Use RW Cds then you can reuse.
 
WWII said:
You can use your CD writer to backup. You don't need to backup your entire
C drive, just the folders which contain your data - documents, spread
sheets, etc. If you have a problem you can always reinstall the software
from the original CDs, then restore your data. Another alternative is to
use Norton Ghost. I use this program for backup and it will write to
multiple CDs. Use RW Cds then you can reuse.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! Apparently for the short term, that is what I
will have to do, backup only my data, and rely on the OEM restoration
disk/s.

Norton Ghost is a consideration, once I have become comfortable with XP,
and know where things are. Appreciate the info, as with the IP Config
response. :)
bj
 
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