Backing Up

cormie

Hi,
My laptop is in flying form, last thing I want is for something terrible to happen. What's the best way to back up my data? I have external Hard Drive storage and a DVD Recorder, the only program I use that would constantly be changing info that is irreplaceable is Mozilla Thunderbird, I'd like to keep this as up to date on a back up as possible, other files like photos etc are easy enough to back up. I'd also like to know how to back up settings for everything, like XP, IE and what not, Is there any way to just mirror everything so if my hard drive went kaput I could get a new one and mirror it back on and it would be as if nothing ever happened since I'd be on the same model laptop?

Any feedback would be appreciated:)

unklerosco

Files n settings transfer wizzard does all that but im sure there's something better.. Need something like this myself, want to be able to back up 2 pcs n a laptop onto the 1 external HD...

Karoma

NT/MS-BACKUP.
Norton Ghost, or similar imaging software is fantastic / what you're looking for.

cormie

Thanks for the replies,

I'm not sure what any of them programs you mentioned above are, where would I get them? Are they free?

Capt'n Midnight

If you have any version of windows except for XP home you can Start RUN the backup program it will be called MSBACKUP or NTBACKUP ( or BACKUP for very old machines)

For XP home users, microsoft don't want you to backup your data. That is the only explaination I can think of for not installing the NTBACKUP program. On the CD there is a file called NTBACKUP.MSI run it.

Use NTbackup to backup system state, C:\windows folders and it's subfolders and C:\ as a minimum even if you use any other backup software.

One thing to watch NTBACKUP does not compress data, if backup to a drive it's the drive that does the compression. If backup to a file on USB HDD simply enble compression on the NTFS folder.

Karoma

Sorry for the delay.

Ghost and other 'imaging' software will copy the contents of your drive/paritition exactly as it is,bit by bit (To DVD, drive,etc.).


http://www.symantecstore.com/dr/sat3/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?CID=0&PN=5&SP=10007&SID=27685&PID=777334&API1=65&API2=GOOGLE_UK&API3=sea_norton_ghost_exa&API4=Search&API5=www.google.ie&CUR=826&DSP=&PGRP=0&ABCODE=&CACHE_ID=0

or google.

Not free though. Check the cover of a PC mag for a free Personal/lite edition of another similiar package. (They're a worthwhile investment.)

okden

trueimage is very good
or you could get an external hard drive with a one button backup built in like maxtors one touch drives

cormie

thanks for the feedback.

I have XP Pro, I don't want to spend any money on doing this if I can do it for free. My HD is 100GB with about 60GB used on it. Will I need 100GB storage to back it up or 60GB? So what's the best solution considering I don't want to spend money on anything and that I have XP Pro? Is there a free personal version of any such software around?

Most of the 60GB is files that can be permanently backed up and wont need to be updated like Thunderbird would need to be. In fact, most of it is Pro Evo 5 replays uncompressed avi's:rolleyes:

okden

you could try one of these if you dont want to spend money.
you might want to google reviews of the most popular ones.
( image file = all your files compressed into one file, to save space on your external drive. )

rexjones

Acronis true image is a bit cheaper than Norton Ghost

BACKUPANYTIME.COM give a free trial. There corporate packs are not cheap but they have specials every now and them.

RJ

fastedmund

We use backupanytime.com in the office. Very clean, full automation and reporting. Can't recommend more highly. May be a little expensive for non commercial users. They had a non commercial offer at Euro 29 a while back but I cant see it on their website now.

cormie

Don't really want to have a "trial version" of anything, they get really annoying after a while asking you to buy or register etc.

How do you use the one on windows XP does anyone know?

**Timbuk2**

Capt'n Midnight wrote:

If you have any version of windows except for XP home you can Start RUN the backup program it will be called MSBACKUP or NTBACKUP ( or BACKUP for very old machines).

I have Windows XP Home Sp2, how come this works on my computer

NTBACKUP works when I type it into run and also it will work if I right click on a drive and go to tools, and it has the option to backup the hd??

My Windows XP is an version that came with my Medion PC

cormie

Just before I back up, if I do it through the NTbackup thingy, will I need the same size space as my HD? My HD is 100GB, will I need 100GB free on an external HD?