Re: Backup failure due to Windows "protection"?


chicagofan wrote:
My new Maxtor external backup drive [Mini III version with NO *user*
guide], says my backup of my *entire* system failed because:

c:\Windows Not supported/Folder skipped [backup of Windows system
directory is not supported]

So I can't actually backup my *entire* C drive for a complete backup
right?

If my pc crashed, I would have to restore Windows, etc. from my
original EOM DVD, and then restore *other* files from the Maxtor
drive?
Sorry if these sound like stupid questions, it's just not what I was
led to believe elsewhere.
It also had a problem with backing up "ntuser.dat", but I'll keep
looking for the answer for that at the Maxtor site. TIA for any
responses.


Anna wrote:
chicagofan:
In addition to the recommendations provided you by Rob Moir concerning a
backup strategy, let me give you another option to consider...

You indicate that you're interested in backing up your system in a
comprehensive way -- you say "...backup my *entire* C drive for a
complete backup..." and that "If my pc crashed, I would have to restore
Windows, etc. ...". I take it from your statements that you're looking
for a backup program that will do more than merely backup up your created
data, i.e., the files & folders you have created (as important as that
might be!). That you do have an interest in also "backing up" your
operating system, together with the programs/applications residing on
your computer so that in the event of your system becoming non-functional
(for one reason or another) you would be able to *completely* restore the
system to a functional state and do so in a reasonably simple &
straightforward manner.


"chicagofan" <me7@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
EXACTLY.....


Anna wrote:
If that is indeed your goal, let us know and I (and I'm sure others) can
give you some specific details about another more comprehensive approach.
On the other hand, if your principal (if not exclusive) interest is
backing up your "created data" as mentioned above, then Bob's suggestion
re using the XP NTBackup program should suit you fine.
Anna


"chicagofan" <me7@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
Oh, I definitely want to back up my *entire* system, and that's why I
bought this external hard drive. I don't want to be *at the mercy* of
another PC shop, as I was last year. I thought the Maxtor would help me
do that... simply.

I have an 80 GB hard drive, but only have 10 GB in use [including MS XP OS
and other stuff]. The Maxtor is 60 GB. I'll appreciate any advice on how
to do this... hopefully without buying additional backup software. TIA...

Barbara


Barbara:
Everything was going fine until the final part of your last sentence when
you said "hopefully without buying additional backup software.". While there
are some "freebie" programs available that purport to do what I'm about to
describe to you, based on the experience we've had with them we cannot
recommend them because of their excruciatingly slow performance and frequent
erratic behavior.

The kind of program we are recommending is usually called a disk imaging
program. Using this type of program you can, in effect, clone the contents
of your day-to-day working HD to your USB external HD. Through this direct
disk-to-disk cloning operation, the recipient of the clone, i.e., your USB
EHD will be, for all practical purposes, a bit-for-bit copy of your "source"
disk, your internal HD. As such it will contain the operating system, all
your programs & applications, all your created data - in short, everything
that's on your internal HD. What better backup system can one have?

So if & when the day comes when your system is no longer functional because
of some aspect of system files corruption that simply can't be internally
"fixed" or because your internal HD just fails for one reason or another,
you can easily restore your system from the cloned contents residing on your
external HD. You would do this by simply reversing the cloning operation -
this time cloning the contents of the external HD to your internal HD (or
possibly a new HD should the original one have failed). Again the process is
simple & straightforward. Obviously you would be using this disk imaging
program on a routine & systematic basis.

Using a disk imaging program to perform the direct disk-to-disk cloning
process is relatively simple to undertake, reasonably quick, and best of
all -- most effective. You mention that your system contains only 10 GB of
data at this point. Assuming you have reasonably modern computer components
(which I'm sure you now have in your system) you could figure on the disk
cloning operation to take somewhere between 10 to 15 minutes - give or take
a few minutes. Obviously as your data increases so will the disk cloning
operation take somewhat longer.

There are a number of commercially available disk imaging programs
available. One of the more popular ones is the Acronis True Image program
(Home Edition) - see
http://www.acronis.com . I see Newegg
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832200204) is selling
a boxed version for $30 (incl. shipping). The program is quite easy to use
along the lines I described above. Acronis has a 15-day trial version
available for download - see
http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/download/trueimage/

There are other disk imaging programs commercially available as well. A
Google search will lead you to them; many of which will have a demo version
available for download.

Unless you're "dead-set" against purchasing a backup program, give the
Acronis program a try. If you want, I can provide you with step-by-step
instructions to use this program for direct disk-to-disk cloning.
Anna


.

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