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| Thread ID: 113839 | 2010-11-06 03:28:00 | Simple (but sensible) backup procedure? | kapkol (15132) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1150654 | 2010-11-06 03:28:00 | Ok, I’m not a geek – I just want to backup my PC (Win XP) to my new, shiny(!) 500Gz external HDD. Without going overboard, can someone (in words of one syllable) suggest the best approach? eg. System tools/backup, or just select the programmes, files , music, pictures etc. I really don’t want to lose, and then copy them to the new drive. To date I’ve been using CDs and DVDs but realize I should have a second system as one or two of these discs have failed in the past. There seems to be a proliferation of ideas out there usually trying to sell me some more software – I’m just a simple home pc user so it’s not high tech stuff I’m after. Or am I asking too much? (we’ll see!). | kapkol (15132) | ||
| 1150655 | 2010-11-06 03:51:00 | You can simply plug in the external drive and use copy paste would be the easiest way, or if you want to setup something with a schedule try syncback free download from here (www.2brightsparks.com) very easy to set up and use but does require your computer to have a password to be able to use the schedule facility | gary67 (56) | ||
| 1150656 | 2010-11-06 04:22:00 | Much appreciated your quick response – so what extra does ‘system tools/backup’ do exactly? Does it backup “all the other systems” in my PC which I would require if the whole thing died and which I might not think about if I just selected the files I am using? Sorry, this seems so simple compared to the high tech stuff I usually read about on these pages but I guess we’ve all gotta learn, and I’ve experienced a HD failure before! Now I’m trying to be a boy scout! | kapkol (15132) | ||
| 1150657 | 2010-11-06 04:56:00 | Theres basically two types of backups . Back up your data Back up the whole system The difference is, if you only back up your data, then in the event of a failure, say a HDD, then you have to manually reinstall Windows, all programs etc . If its a complete backup, then the whole OS, Programs, Data - Everything, gets put back in one go . Generally called an Image . End of the day it comes down to one thing - back up what you cant afford to lose . Hardware can be replaced, programs reinstalled, Data you create not always replaceable (unless backed up) . Things like documents, photos etc . With a full image backup, when put back, its exactly the same as it was at the time of its creation . Edited: BTW - dont apologize for asking, if you dont ask you wont learn :) |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1150658 | 2010-11-06 05:49:00 | One thing wainuitech forgot to mention is the size difference between the two. A full image backup is going to be much larger than just your critical files. | pine-o-cleen (2955) | ||
| 1150659 | 2010-11-06 08:46:00 | Many thanks for your much appreciated replies folks. Since I have this shiny new 500GB ext HDD, I guess I might as well backup the whole system initially (looks like I have 111GB showing in drive C) then add to it as I need to via copy and paste? Am I on the right lines here? In which case should I use the ‘system tools/backup’ procedure initially? | kapkol (15132) | ||
| 1150660 | 2010-11-06 10:22:00 | Personally I use Active@disk Image (www.disk-image.net) - IF you want to give it a go, get the trial, version the download in the middle that says installer and bootable CD. Its real easy to use. I made a video ( rough) on the complete process - making the Bootable cd, and imagining to a removable drive - bit rough On Youtube (www.youtube.com) -- shows the complete process,start to finish. |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 1150661 | 2010-11-06 19:18:00 | You can't add data to an image as such so what I do is image my c drive and then all the data I create which is stored on my D drive (I have 2 hard drives in my box) I copy using syncback every day. The reason I don't image the D drive as well is so that I can browse my data on another computer which you can't do with an image as easily | gary67 (56) | ||
| 1150662 | 2010-11-07 03:16:00 | Use the built in NTBackup | Deimos (5715) | ||
| 1150663 | 2010-11-08 05:48:00 | Thanks a million for all your advice guys! (Don't know what NT is though!). Decided just to use the "system tools>backup" for the experience - then separately backup my pics/docs/music etc so I can easily access them and add as necessary (as previously suggested). Maybe the software suggested has advantages but at my level this seems ok. I feel able to sleep a little easier- thanks again! | kapkol (15132) | ||
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