System backup questions.

[DanGrease]

I know practically nothing regarding backup and backup programs. Why I don't is probably because I've never had to actually backup my whole system. But now that I encountered an issue, I really need to, and I need to know more about the subject.

The thing is this: I want to install Service Pack 2 for Windows XP. Last time I did this on my own computer, Windows XP couldn't boot. I didn't try to actually fix this so I just formatted my hard drive and installed Windows XP on it. I didn't have much stuff when this happened, stuff that i wanted to keep that is.

The thing is, I am scared that this will happen to me once again. I don't want to format and install Windows all over again because I've spent alot of time tweaking Windows XP, and right now its great the way it is. Plus, I have 6GB's of music that I don't want to loose. The music is probably the main reason why I want to backup my system.

So, my first question is: How does this whole backup thing work? Because what I did when I had about 500MB of music was just to pass it to a CD and use it to transfer all my music when I had to install Windows XP all over again. Now that I cant do this (well I can, but I don't want to waste 10+ of CD's) I don't know what to do.

What program should I use? Should I make an image of my whole system using a program? System restore is not an option because if I cant boot into Windows its just useless. I want to backup my whole system, or if not possible, then just backup all my mp3's. I just don't know how to do this. What to use, and how to use it. As you may notice, I am totally new into this whole "backup" thing.

I've heard of Symantec's Norton Ghost, but I don't know how it works. I don't know how to use it, and I don't know if its the right thing for my needs right now. Any help is strongly appreciated. Thanks for listening.

dan

[DanGrease]

No one? Going to bed soon, was expecting answers before I went to sleep.

dan

[Michael Chiew]

Wow, DanGrease, it seems to me that you've worked yourself into a frenzy about back-ups. I know how you feel. I've been there before, done the back-ups, thought they were a waste of time, truly a cumbersome act. Well, what happened? Yup, you've guessed it. I stopped. Guess what else happened. Only the fact that I lost precious data one day several years ago when my hard drive just kicked the bucket without a word, without first saying good-bye.

That taught me a lesson. I've been faithful to back-ups ever since. Do them quite religiously. It's a virtue, really. Now I sleep peacefully at nights. But I can't forget the precious data I lost several years.

My data had nothing to do with music files like yours. They were just files important to my work, quite critical in fact. Of course, I had lots and lots of photos on my machine. They take up a ton of space, you know.

To answer your first question: How does this whole backup thing work?

Well, DanGrease, it's pretty much the same for us common users. I use what's available to me: Iomega zip drives, CDRs, DVDRs, external hard disks, one of those thumbnail things, etc. Backing up data, or music files, really haven't changed that much except that nowadays you're spoilt for choice.

So where backing up is concerned, there really is no short-cut to heaven. I stand corrected on this one. I'm a little rusty on developments for back-up utilities.

Your second question: What program should I use?

Here, you're talking about making an image of "my whole system" because system restore won't work when you're down. There is a workaround to this, though.

In Windows XP, backing up the whole system is backing up what is known as the System State Data in case you need it to revive a fallen operating environment. Symantec's Norton Ghost is one of those options. Windows XP's own back-up program is another. Norton Ghost isn't all that difficult to use. The product comes with instructions so you shouldn't fret much about how to clone a disk.

I don't myself use it although several years ago, I did. But it was in a classroom environment. No problem there, really, DanGrease.

I do however use NTBackUp.exe, Windows XP's back-up utility to copy critical portions of system files needed to restore the OS when the system fails. I do it as an exercise more than anything else.

To get to NTbackUp.exe, click START, select RUN. In the dialog box, type NTBACKUP (and enter).

The Backup Utility Wizard appears. Select BACKUP tab, and check SYSTEM STATE and back up to external media.

The Backup Utility actually allows you to copy application, personal data files, and, of course, your music files.

The thing is this, DanGrease. Even if you do have a system back-up, it is truly wise to back up important data files. You never know what could happen when you least expect it.

Michael Chiew

[John Prophet]

$60 for ghost?? you mean $15 for ghost and $35 left over for crack smoking? lol j/k (prolly cheeper in Sweden anyway) http://www.eastoutlet.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=115

or buy a biostar motherboard...most of them come with ghost

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Dan...do you have another machine or just that one??

you could just use "batch files" to send the data to be backed up to another machine that you are networked with.. a batch file isnt all that hard to set up and they run pretty quickly...techimo members "Meese" and "davidamarkley" are the batch pro's.

if you dont have another machine to back up to...the options then might be a seperate external hard drive...or a second internal hard drive...but then a lightning strike could get em both at once.

also you could just burn stuff to a dvd burner....if you have 6gbs of music then you could burn it to a dvd just to have that copy and then also do the backups to another hard drive or whatever...

they say having 1 backup is like having none, lol

[rkyranc]

At present there are only two outstanding system backup programs and Ghost is not one of them. To be really effective, the C:\ drive has to be reserved for the system and all applications placed on another partition or physical drive. If you keep the system drive below ~1 GB in size then an image of the drive can be produced quickly with True Image (best choice) or Drive Image 2002 after making sure your swapfile is not on C: (no point in backing up the virtual memory!!). Keeping the size <~ 1GB makes sure that the image file of either prograam can be put on one 700 MB CD. Other partions or drives can be similarly backed up subject to the size constraint. Stay away from the version of Drive Image that requires .NET. It does not work as advertised. Best bet is True Image 7.

[DanGrease]

Yes, I forgot about Windows XP Backup program.
More interested in how it actually works. Is it something for my issue?
Anyways, I just tried it and I selected My documents + some folders to backup.
The thing is, how does all that fit in a floppy? As you can see, I know nothing about this.

Thank you all for the help.
dan

[John Prophet]

not gonna fit on a floppy, lol....that why I was suggesting either a second hard drive or external hard drive or using a dvd burner to back stuff up.

a floppy will hold 1.4 megabytes, lol

but you could use XP backup to a spare hard drive or external hard drive

[Idigguns]

I used to have these problems, it sucks! I got tired of it. For the past couple years I've kept two HDD in my PC. One is for Op. system and programs, and the other for all my files, videos, photos, music, etc. Lets face it, to keep things running smooth, you need to reformat and start over every year or so. Well, that's my oppinion, anyway. This way I reformat my C drive whenever I want and don't have to worry about all my personal stuff. I also have a file on my second HDD called "Toolbox" I keep all my updates in there and some of the programs that I've downloaded that I know I'll want to keep if I ever reformat.

[DanGrease]

I know 6GB wont fit in a floppy, rofl.
I just thought it made a small file and when using Windows XP it.. ah forget it.
What I thought is probably wrong anyways. This is starting to get frustrating.

Idigguns: Great idea, and thats what I am probably going to do after all.
I have a second (even third) hard drive.

The problem now is that I have to find the darn key for my computer case.
Its locked, and I cant find that stupid key! Without it I cant open the case to add the hard drive(s).

dan

[John Prophet]

Idigguns....what happens if a lightning strike or surge hits and you lose both drives??? you still dont have a backup, lol