Use of Windows Backup Utility

[Frustrated Dave]

I have an external 300 GB drive dedicated to storing backup data. I also
want to periodically clean up that external drive and save the backed up data
on CD/DVD media. I would like to automatically schedule the Backup utility
to do a normal weekly backup of all data, system info etc plus append
incremental backups of this data on a daily basis. Presumably to restore
files etc the backup utility will recognise the date batches on my external
drive. However once this data is no longer on the external drive (having
been cleaned up and "copied" onto CD/DVD media) does the Backup Utility still
recognise the data on CD/DVD media for restoration purposes?

 

[smlunatick]

I have an external 300 GB drive dedicated to storing backup data.   I also
want to periodically clean up that external drive and save the backed up data
on CD/DVD media.   I would like to automatically schedule the Backup utility
to do a normal weekly backup of all data, system info etc plus append
incremental backups of this data on a daily basis.  Presumably to restore
files etc the backup utility will recognise the date batches on my external
drive.   However once this data is no longer on the external drive (having
been cleaned up and "copied" onto CD/DVD media) does the Backup Utility still
recognise the data on CD/DVD media for restoration purposes?

Windows Backup does not normally understand any CD / DVD drive /
media. I would consider looking for another backup software?

 

[Raymond J. Johnson Jr.]

I have an external 300 GB drive dedicated to storing backup data. I also
want to periodically clean up that external drive and save the backed up data
on CD/DVD media. I would like to automatically schedule the Backup utility
to do a normal weekly backup of all data, system info etc plus append
incremental backups of this data on a daily basis. Presumably to restore
files etc the backup utility will recognise the date batches on my external
drive. However once this data is no longer on the external drive (having
been cleaned up and "copied" onto CD/DVD media) does the Backup Utility still
recognise the data on CD/DVD media for restoration purposes?

I don't see why not, but what's preventing you from trying to restore
something so that you know for sure?

 

[Jim]

I have an external 300 GB drive dedicated to storing backup data. I also
want to periodically clean up that external drive and save the backed up
data
on CD/DVD media. I would like to automatically schedule the Backup
utility
to do a normal weekly backup of all data, system info etc plus append
incremental backups of this data on a daily basis. Presumably to restore
files etc the backup utility will recognise the date batches on my
external
drive. However once this data is no longer on the external drive (having
been cleaned up and "copied" onto CD/DVD media) does the Backup Utility
still
recognise the data on CD/DVD media for restoration purposes?

It might if the backup file will fit on a single disk. Otherwise, you must
restore the backup file to the hard drive before you can use it.

ATI or Ghost have no such restriction.

At present, I only use Ntbackup to save the system state.

Jim

 

[Frustrated Dave]

Thanks to all for your comments. I have used other Backup Utilities in the
past such as Ghost. Have not always found them to be that user friendly
especially when attempting to restore the "odd" file. I have used the
"in-built" Windows Backup Utility which comes with the operating software
going right back to Win3.1 days with 3.5" floppy discs. I guess that I will
have to suck it and see by copying the ext hard drive back up data and seeing
if I can restore from CD/DVD.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Thanks to all for your comments. I have used other Backup Utilities in
the
past such as Ghost. Have not always found them to be that user friendly
especially when attempting to restore the "odd" file. I have used the
"in-built" Windows Backup Utility which comes with the operating software
going right back to Win3.1 days with 3.5" floppy discs. I guess that I
will
have to suck it and see by copying the ext hard drive back up data and
seeing
if I can restore from CD/DVD.

I've found Acronis TrueImage extremely friendly and easy to use in this
regard; just mount an image, such as an update from a specific day, and
search as you would normally, with any search utility.

You can try this for free; there's a two-week demo at the Acronis site. If
you decide you like it, it's somewhere around $50.

One thing to keep in mind if you're planning on scheduling is that by
default, the account the scheduler runs under has to have a password. If
it doesn't, tasks will not run. You can turn this behaviour off, but it's
there for security.

HTH
-pk