Trouble Backing Up

[Guest]

I'm running Win XP SP2 and I've been trying to backup my computer for, like,
forever! Every time I tried looking through help files, I was always
referred to the 'system disks' that I don't have. Why don't the help files
understand that Win XP doesn't necessarily come with these disks? Am I
expected to make my own disks in case I need them later -- like right now? I
called the store back when I bought my computer and they told me the same
thing, that Win XP is 'partitioned' with everything I need in case I want to
restore or recover my system, but here's problem #1: I wanted to use backup,
but it wasn't automatically installed. The help files said I had to install
it via the system disks. I was to open a certain file from the 'mystery
disks' and find the backup program and install it that way. No disks, no
backup.
Problem #2: I installed Norton Save & Restore in order to backup my stuff,
but when I received the email and clicked the link on their site, I got an
'Internal Error 2753' message involving something about 'VProSvc.exe' and the
installer said the program did not complete it's installation. I've had a
Support Ticket out with Norton for 2 weeks now and so far, all I've gotten in
return was the automated message everybody gets when you first send the
request for support!
Problem #3: I downloaded Win Live OneCare specifically to backup my
system. Like Norton, I haven't been able to do any backing up. Like Norton,
I've had a Support Ticket out with Microsoft. Unlike Norton, however, I've
been writing back and forth with Microsoft, but they haven't been able to fix
OneCare, so I thought maybe now it's a problem with my CD-RW rather than with
OneCare which brings me, finally, to the questions I have for this post.
If I forget everything else, for the moment anyway, how could I check the CD
burner -- or whatever it's really called. I don't even really know that
much. I'm a newbie when it comes to the CD-RW portion of my computer. I
read the post by AmyM called "XP Backup Utility vs. Disk Imaging?" on
11-03-06 in this same newsgroup and I was overwhelmed by all the info I found
there. I have some questions, if someone hasn't already fallen asleep
reading all of this. LOL
One product suggested was 'Acronis True Image' and perusing it's site I
found that it can "Copy your entire PC, including the operating system,
applications, user settings, and all data using our patented disk imaging
technology." ASSUMING my CD works, is this something I could use to backup
more than just my 'pictures and documents'. Would this make 'system disks'
for me? What's the difference between it and 'Acronis Disk Director Suite
10.0'? I won't need them to find Windows Backup Utility anymore. Obviously,
if TI backs up my system, I wouldn't need another backup program. My point,
I guess, would this make CDs I could use to restore my computer? Would I
finally have something 'in my hands' that would equal everything that is 'my
computer'?
Another site mentioned on the other post was 'Bootdisk.com' at
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and one of the options there was a link
for 'XP Home/Pro Original/SP1/SP2'. I never used anything like that before.
Can these be trusted? Would this link I mentioned make the CDs I can use to
restore my computer back to the day I bought it? Granted, I've got a lot of
'stuff' invested in my machine since the day I first brought it home, but if
it meant I'd get what I started out with, it'd be better than nothing at all,
right?
I don't believe I have any viruses or what have you. I just finished a
subscription with Computer Associates and had no complaints. That's when I
installed OneCare with the intentions to start backing up my stuff so I
wouldn't lose any of it, for one thing, and secondly, I want to regain some
space back. To date, here's some stats that may help steer me in the right
direction:
HP Pavilion 503n
Celeron(R) CPU 1.70GHz
1.69GHz, 760 MB of RAM
C: 13.5 GB free space remaining (of 32.2 GB)
D: 753 MB free space remaining (of 5.01 GB)
Windows XP SP2 with IE 7
Out of curiousity, I'd also like to know what the next best/worse processor
is so I'd have an idea about what requirements compare to what I have. For
example, to install 'Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0', it suggests:
A PC-compatible computer with a Pentium or similar CPU
128 MB RAM
A floppy or a CD-RW/DVD-RW drive
When it mentions '128 MB RAM', does this mean on the hard drive? There's
sooo much, I now realize, that I don't understand about such things, but you
really need to know most of it if you need to install programs, perform tasks
above and beyond or simply if you want to preserve what you've already
accomplished with your computer. I'm still learning and I'm not afraid to
explore. I just don't want to lose anything in the process. I'm working on
a website of my own and I want to devote most of my time to it, but I really
need to do some 'spring cleaning' at this point.
Anything anyone could suggest about any part of this will be greatly
appreciated. I know I said a lot and asked a lot, but I've been working on
this issue for over a month now. I lost my Adobe a couple of weeks ago and
just got that problem fixed. Performing a non-destructive recovery isn't all
it's cracked up to be and I don't like relying on recovery to solve my
problems -- it certainly didn't help me with my CD burner or backing up. I
want to back up all my files, programs I like but maybe don't want them
taking up space right now, hard copies of my system and, well, just to know
that if something should happen -- I'll be able to restore any of it I want
when I want, when I need to. Thanks

Mel Anne [;}]

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Here's a newbie's best friend - don't be put off by the titles:

"Windows XP For Dummies, 2nd Edition"
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0764573268.html

"PCs For Dummies, 10th Edition"
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-076458958X,subcat-HARDWARE.html

And a friendly tip: You're more likely to be ignored in a newsgroup when
you post a novel.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

I'm running Win XP SP2 and I've been trying to backup my computer for, like,
forever! Every time I tried looking through help files, I was always
referred to the 'system disks' that I don't have. Why don't the help files
understand that Win XP doesn't necessarily come with these disks? Am I
expected to make my own disks in case I need them later -- like right now? I
called the store back when I bought my computer and they told me the same
thing, that Win XP is 'partitioned' with everything I need in case I want to
restore or recover my system, but here's problem #1: I wanted to use backup,
but it wasn't automatically installed. The help files said I had to install
it via the system disks. I was to open a certain file from the 'mystery
disks' and find the backup program and install it that way. No disks, no
backup.
Problem #2: I installed Norton Save & Restore in order to backup my stuff,
but when I received the email and clicked the link on their site, I got an
'Internal Error 2753' message involving something about 'VProSvc.exe' and the
installer said the program did not complete it's installation. I've had a
Support Ticket out with Norton for 2 weeks now and so far, all I've gotten in
return was the automated message everybody gets when you first send the
request for support!
Problem #3: I downloaded Win Live OneCare specifically to backup my
system. Like Norton, I haven't been able to do any backing up. Like Norton,
I've had a Support Ticket out with Microsoft. Unlike Norton, however, I've
been writing back and forth with Microsoft, but they haven't been able to fix
OneCare, so I thought maybe now it's a problem with my CD-RW rather than with
OneCare which brings me, finally, to the questions I have for this post.
If I forget everything else, for the moment anyway, how could I check the CD
burner -- or whatever it's really called. I don't even really know that
much. I'm a newbie when it comes to the CD-RW portion of my computer. I
read the post by AmyM called "XP Backup Utility vs. Disk Imaging?" on
11-03-06 in this same newsgroup and I was overwhelmed by all the info I found
there. I have some questions, if someone hasn't already fallen asleep
reading all of this. LOL
One product suggested was 'Acronis True Image' and perusing it's site I
found that it can "Copy your entire PC, including the operating system,
applications, user settings, and all data using our patented disk imaging
technology." ASSUMING my CD works, is this something I could use to backup
more than just my 'pictures and documents'. Would this make 'system disks'
for me? What's the difference between it and 'Acronis Disk Director Suite
10.0'? I won't need them to find Windows Backup Utility anymore. Obviously,
if TI backs up my system, I wouldn't need another backup program. My point,
I guess, would this make CDs I could use to restore my computer? Would I
finally have something 'in my hands' that would equal everything that is 'my
computer'?
Another site mentioned on the other post was 'Bootdisk.com' at
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and one of the options there was a link
for 'XP Home/Pro Original/SP1/SP2'. I never used anything like that before.
Can these be trusted? Would this link I mentioned make the CDs I can use to
restore my computer back to the day I bought it? Granted, I've got a lot of
'stuff' invested in my machine since the day I first brought it home, but if
it meant I'd get what I started out with, it'd be better than nothing at all,
right?
I don't believe I have any viruses or what have you. I just finished a
subscription with Computer Associates and had no complaints. That's when I
installed OneCare with the intentions to start backing up my stuff so I
wouldn't lose any of it, for one thing, and secondly, I want to regain some
space back. To date, here's some stats that may help steer me in the right
direction:
HP Pavilion 503n
Celeron(R) CPU 1.70GHz
1.69GHz, 760 MB of RAM
C: 13.5 GB free space remaining (of 32.2 GB)
D: 753 MB free space remaining (of 5.01 GB)
Windows XP SP2 with IE 7
Out of curiousity, I'd also like to know what the next best/worse processor
is so I'd have an idea about what requirements compare to what I have. For
example, to install 'Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0', it suggests:
A PC-compatible computer with a Pentium or similar CPU
128 MB RAM
A floppy or a CD-RW/DVD-RW drive
When it mentions '128 MB RAM', does this mean on the hard drive? There's
sooo much, I now realize, that I don't understand about such things, but you
really need to know most of it if you need to install programs, perform tasks
above and beyond or simply if you want to preserve what you've already
accomplished with your computer. I'm still learning and I'm not afraid to
explore. I just don't want to lose anything in the process. I'm working on
a website of my own and I want to devote most of my time to it, but I really
need to do some 'spring cleaning' at this point.
Anything anyone could suggest about any part of this will be greatly
appreciated. I know I said a lot and asked a lot, but I've been working on
this issue for over a month now. I lost my Adobe a couple of weeks ago and
just got that problem fixed. Performing a non-destructive recovery isn't all
it's cracked up to be and I don't like relying on recovery to solve my
problems -- it certainly didn't help me with my CD burner or backing up. I
want to back up all my files, programs I like but maybe don't want them
taking up space right now, hard copies of my system and, well, just to know
that if something should happen -- I'll be able to restore any of it I want
when I want, when I need to. Thanks

Mel Anne [;}]

 

[Guest]

Here's a newbie's best friend - don't be put off by the titles:

"Windows XP For Dummies, 2nd Edition"
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0764573268.html

"PCs For Dummies, 10th Edition"
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-
076458958X,subcat-HARDWARE.html

And a friendly tip: You're more likely to be ignored in a newsgroup when
you post a novel.

Duly noted, Ted, duly noted. Unfortunately, I've already invested too much
time reading help files and trying to do things myself to start reading
books. Not that I'm too lazy to read them -- I wasn't too lazy to 'surf the
boards'. Next time, I won't wait a month, write down everything I know and
ask for everything I don't, OK? LOL

Seriously, all I want to know is how to backup my system and no matter what
I've tried to date, I have not been able to do so. Here's your one-liner:
What's the best way to backup my entire system on Win XP SP2 without Windows
Backup Utility or my own system disks?

[;}] Mel Anne [;}]

PS: I'm not 'put off' by the titles, by your friendly tip or by admitting
'someone might fall asleep reading all of this'.

"If I can't make fun of myself, who can?" Anonymous

 

[Ted Zieglar]

If you don't have an XP CD you can download Windows Backup at
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msi.

The answer to "What's the best way to backup my entire system on Win XP
SP2" is 1) a matter of opinion; and 2) way beyond the scope of a newsgroup.

A web search using "how to backup a Windows XP computer" will yield
piles of good information. If you're feeling overwhelmed by all that
information, start with some of the major on-line computer publications,
like CNet (www.cnet.com), PC World (www.pcworld.com) and PC Magazine
(www.pcmag.com).

If you're going to use a computer you'd best be prepared to do plenty of
research. Computers are high technology devices that come with no simple
answers.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

Here's a newbie's best friend - don't be put off by the titles:

"Windows XP For Dummies, 2nd Edition"
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0764573268.html

"PCs For Dummies, 10th Edition"
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-
076458958X,subcat-HARDWARE.html

And a friendly tip: You're more likely to be ignored in a newsgroup when
you post a novel.

Duly noted, Ted, duly noted. Unfortunately, I've already invested too much
time reading help files and trying to do things myself to start reading
books. Not that I'm too lazy to read them -- I wasn't too lazy to 'surf the
boards'. Next time, I won't wait a month, write down everything I know and
ask for everything I don't, OK? LOL

Seriously, all I want to know is how to backup my system and no matter what
I've tried to date, I have not been able to do so. Here's your one-liner:
What's the best way to backup my entire system on Win XP SP2 without Windows
Backup Utility or my own system disks?

[;}] Mel Anne [;}]

PS: I'm not 'put off' by the titles, by your friendly tip or by admitting
'someone might fall asleep reading all of this'.

"If I can't make fun of myself, who can?" Anonymous

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Here's your one-liner: What's the best way to backup my entire system
on Win XP SP2 without Windows Backup Utility or my own system disks?

This may be a one-line question, but there's no simple one-line answer.
Here's my standard post on this topic:

First of all, almost everyone should be backing up regularly. It is always
possible that a hard drive crash, user error, nearby lightning strike, virus
attack, even theft of the computer, can cause the loss of everything on your
drive. As has often been said, it's not a matter of whether you will have
such a problem, but when.

Essentially you should back up what you can't afford to lose--what you can't
readily recreate. What that is depends on how you use your computer and what
you use it for.

It takes time and effort to backup, but it also takes time and effort to
recreate lost data. If you back up daily, you should never have to recreate
more than one day's worth of last data. If weekly, there's potentially a lot
more to recreate. You should assess how much pain and trouble you would have
if you lost x days of data, and then choose a backup frequency that doesn't
involve more pain and trouble than that you would have if you had to
recreate what was lost.

Some things (photographs, for instance) can never be recreated, and more
frequent backup may be wanted for them.

At one extreme is the professional user who would likely go out of business
if his data was lost. He probably needs to back up at least daily. At the
other extreme is the kid who doesn't use his computer except to play games.
He probably needs no backup at all, since worst case he can easily reinstall
his games.

Most of us fall somewhere between those extremes, but nobody can tell you
where you fall; you need to determine that for yourself.

Should you back up Windows? Should you back up your applications? Most
people will tell you no, since you can always reinstall these easily from
the original media. But I don't think the answer is so clear-cut. Many
people have substantial time and effort invested in customizing Windows and
configuring their apps to work the way they want to. Putting all of that
back the way it was can be a difficult, time-consuming effort. Whether you
should backup up Windows and apps depends, once again, on you.

How to backup? What software to use? There are many choices, including the
Windows-supplied backup program. Which choice is best for you depends at
least in part on the answers to some of the questions above.

Finally what backup media should you choose, and how should it be stored?
There are many choices, including CDs, tape, zip drives, and second hard
drives.

I don't recommend backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it
leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to
many of the most common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning
strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept in
the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the life of
your business depends on your data) you should have multiple generations of
backup, and at least one of those generations should be stored off-site.

My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme uses two
identical removable hard drives,I alternate between the two, and use Acronis
True Image to make a complete copy of the primary drive.

I also use a pair of 1GB thumb drives for making more frequent backups of my
most critical data (like financial information). For that I just drag and
drop.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, the one-liner was meant for Mr. Zieglar. He made a point about the
length of my original post. I double-clicked on your name by mistake and the
posts opened up on the whole page -- I was viewing the threads one at a time.
What a difference! No wonder he thought I should write less, but I
digress!! LOL LOL

About a month ago, I installed Live OneCare for the purpose of backing up my
system. I, too, believe backups are important, but as I explained in my
post, every time I tried getting help on the subject I was ALWAYS referred to
system disks that I never had. According to Ted and Bootdisk.com, I can make
a set myself. Just learned this today. Why don't they include that fact
when they talk about these disks?

After OneCare failed, I tried Norton Save and Restore, but kept getting the
same error messages. "I got an 'Internal Error 2753' message involving
something about 'VProSvc.exe' and the installer said the program did not
complete it's installation." I've since given up on an answer from Norton
for a better answer about a better product here.

So, my problem #1 about boot disks I now know I can make myself and problems
#2 & #3 I'm giving up on. If OneCare and Save & Restore are this much of a
headache BEFORE I even get to try them, who needs 'em? Which leaves me short
one backup program, but first, I do have two questions about making my own
backup disks.

I mentioned a reply to another post written by a fellow MS-MVP'er like
yourself. I mentioned that I was 'overwhelmed by all the info I found there.
I have some questions...' by which I meant to weed through it all with a
little help from 'those in the know'. I felt like a kid in a candy store, is
all. Shenan Stanley was so thorough, but I went from less than nothing to
more and then some that I just needed a little help sifting through it.

From the following page,
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=310994, it talks about
creating disks for computers 'without a bootable CD-ROM', but I have one and
it says 'disks are not interchangeable'. Does the latter portion mean I
should use the link that matches the system 'the way I bought it' or 'the way
it is now'? If my system did not include SP1 & 2, it sure would make things
easier on me if I didn't have to load the system and download 60 + updates as
well as the SP2 CD and my printer CD, etc., etc. It's one or the other. I
bought my computer BEFORE SP1, but I now have SP2. So which is it?
Bootables BEFORE SP2 as it was purchased and installed? I'm guessing YES
only because it would be too easy the other way, right? LOL

Now I am babbling, so before I REALLY get going, let me get to the final
chapter. Assuming my CD-RW is in working order, all I really need now is a
good backup program. I've done some homework and I like what I see -- so
far, but what's the difference between Acronis True Image 10 and Acronis Disk
Director Suite 10.0? So you're clear about what I want to backup, it's
mostly pictures and documents, but I usually transfer my pictures onto a jump
drive and/or copy to disk to store. I do a lot of photography and you're
right -- pictures aren't replaceable. Documents, on the other hand, are a
bit more accessible as I tend to include pages I find on the web in Favorites
for starters. I could go on, but the point is this. I want to make a set of
'bootable disks' as long as I make the correct set per my earlier question on
the subject. Except for System Restore and Recovery, I have nothing to
recover from. If you know which set to make, that'll be half the battle.

If you know the difference between the Acronis products, I'm confident one
or both will more than cover my remaining needs. I've checked the Device
Manager and it tells me that my equipment is in working order, so why Live
OneCare won't complete a backup is beyond me. Microsoft is still working on
that issue with me, but by the time we figure it out, the trial period will
expire and I won't know if it's my next security software or not, you know?
I don't see getting another trial period, so I really don't know which way to
go with that.

Tonight, I'm going to make my first set of system disks (SP2 or not) and
depending on the answer to the Acronis question, I'll be backing up my files
for the first time within a day or two. To think I've been trying to do
these things for such a very long time and now, they're within my grasp and,
more importantly, within my power. For that, I thank all of you for your
contribution towards that end. At my age, teaching yourself 'everything you
ever wanted to know about computers but were afraid to ask' is a very
rewarding adventure. I've taught myself HTML and everything I needed to
learn to build my own website including style sheets, some scripts and the
like and I've enjoyed every headache. Sure I've had hair-pulling days -- I'm
having one today! I wouldn't change a thing, though. I think the computer
itself is the best classroom and I never did do well with books. Sorry
Ted.

Having said that, I have to ask -- books or no books -- what 'classroom'
would be complete without it's teachers? You happen to be one of the good
ones, Ken. You took the time to explain as much as you could. I can
appreciate the fact that we are limited here in what we can and can't do, but
you sure as hell gave it your all. Thanks -- really -- I mean that. I hope
that with my business nearly wrapped up, I can contribute some time and
thought to these newsgroups about something I've learned. I'll be back, I
can tell you that. BUT, first things first. A boot disk here and a backup
there and I'll be all set. Look forward to the reply. I just hope all my
jibber-jabber didn't fog the requests outstanding. To be honest, I don't
want to bum anybody out, but I'm typing like a bandit today because we have
to put our dog, Storm, down. We squeaked by today, but it's coming -- soon.
Communicating elsewhere helped keep my mind off of the subject -- if even for
a short while.

Thanks for reading my novel. I promise I won't write another......

Mel Anne [;}]