Vista backup using two hard drives

[JimW]

I can't believe Vista backup. The simplest thing is apparently not possible.

I have a system with two hard drives. I always buy two hard drives for my
systems. Drive C: gets the OS and installed programs, things I can restore
from original CDs, and the drive most likely to crash. Drive D: is intended
for my own data files.

With two drives, I should be able to back each of them up to the other.

In particular, I want to back up my data files (on Drive D: ) to a folder on
Drive C:.

Apparently that can't be done. Vista backup wizard selects the C: drive by
default, and then won't let me backup to the drive that it is backup up.

If I get past this, I suspect that Vista backup will not allow me to select
the folders I want to backup.

Any suggestions?

Do I have to buy a real backup program to do what I want to do?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I can't believe Vista backup. The simplest thing is apparently not possible.

I have a system with two hard drives. I always buy two hard drives for my
systems. Drive C: gets the OS and installed programs, things I can restore
from original CDs, and the drive most likely to crash. Drive D: is intended
for my own data files.

With two drives, I should be able to back each of them up to the other.

I don't think that's a good idea at all. 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.

 

[JimW]

Ken,

Thanks for your input. All good suggestions.

Sometimes the situation is one where the perfect becomes the enemy of the
good. The perfect solution to this problem is really quite expensive. If the
answer is the perfect solution or nothing at all, that's bad.

In my primary job I manage a network of about 15 computers. We have a tape
drive with capacity to back up anything in the network that changes. We have
daily differential backups. Weekly full backups. Monthly backups on tapes
that go offsite, and annual backups that are archived.

DVD's are really not big enough for the backups that I need to make.

So, I could buy a large external drive. But, the next problem: as far as I
know, Vista backup doesn't let me control very well what gets backed up. I
want the ability to select which folders get backed up. Can Vista backup do
that?

Jim

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Ken,

Thanks for your input. All good suggestions.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

Sometimes the situation is one where the perfect becomes the enemy of the
good. The perfect solution to this problem is really quite expensive. If the
answer is the perfect solution or nothing at all, that's bad.

In my primary job I manage a network of about 15 computers. We have a tape
drive with capacity to back up anything in the network that changes. We have
daily differential backups. Weekly full backups. Monthly backups on tapes
that go offsite, and annual backups that are archived.

DVD's are really not big enough for the backups that I need to make.

So, I could buy a large external drive.

That would be my recommendation.

But, the next problem: as far as I
know, Vista backup doesn't let me control very well what gets backed up. I
want the ability to select which folders get backed up. Can Vista backup do
that?

I'm not sure, but there are several third-party backup programs that
are much better, and can do that. I recommend Acronis True Image.

By the way, you might like to read this article on backup I recently
wrote: "Back Up Your Computer Regularly and Reliably" at
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=314