Hi
Why would you want to?
Just check the number of posts in this group about problems with the
product---MS just does not have a good rep re backup.
A viable backup strategy is one that assumes the hard drive will
crash(software or hardware reasons) and plan on having a new OS
installed to a fresh hard drive without any software or data that you
want.
With that assumption, it is (y)our responsibility to be sure you have
all the software that you will need, and, more importantly, all the
data that you want. If you have a lot of personally important stuff
like pictures, etc. that are important to you but prevent them from
being regularly backed up because of size, copy them to a CD
regularly.
With regard to 'real' data that you need for business or whatever,
spend a few dollars and pick up software that does what you want.
There is a lot out there.
For example, backrex has a very simple Outlook Express backup that
just flat out works(all IE Settings, favorites too). I use Second Copy
to do all my data file updates and I do it without compression---I do
not want to rely on software to put the data back as it was. Other
applications(Quick Books, ACT, etc.) have their own backup routines,
some of them like ACT force you.
Now when something happens, you get the system running, put on your
most important applications, get back to business and deal with the
onesy-twosies as you need them. The biggest pain in the xss is finding
all the software keys so it can be reinstalled. The biggest bonus is
that you find out exactly what you don't use and save disk space and
clutter!
I have done this a lot and trust me, you need to take charge of your
data...no one else will. There are local and distant backup companies,
that, if you have broadband, will suck your data to their site daily
or more frequently and charge for it--but, it is always there. They
are making money because of problems, flaws, lousy hardware, lousy
software or what have you. The fact that they exist and prosper should
tell us something.
The bigest problem I have in this area is a reliable backup device--I
don't like tape(crinkle and other reasons) so I spend money on devices
that have problems too. About a year ago I settled on the Iomega
Peerless---10 or 20 GB external storage--which allows me to just copy
more data than I need daily. OE takes a large chunk of space as I use
email for business, but the thing handles it fine. Of course, now I am
reduced to purchasing the storage modules at E-Bay as Iomega moved to
the external Hard Drive, which is exactly where I do not want to go. I
will probably go to backing up to another hard drive and then copying
to CD or DVD when the Iomega piece fails as they inevitably do(they
have MS philosophy too--'the less you use it the less likely it will
fail' or if you don't use it at all it will last forever") so it is a
constant chase if you don't give in to tape.
Sorry for the rant. I see poorly prepared backups all the time and am
the one they beat over the head because the data they need is not
available when the inevitable happens.....when I tell them it is/was
their responsibility they are very surprised. I sometimes am able to
come back with a quip like, 'if you don't assure there is enough oil
in your car's engine, at some point there will be a price to pay'.
Same for your computer data. Stuff fails--even if you check it.
Joe
Sure,
