Is Image Enough? Or Backup files too?

Discussion in 'Acronis True Image Product Line' started by Chamlin, Oct 1, 2007.

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  1. Chamlin

    Chamlin Registered Member

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    New to this game. I just created my first image in TI 11 and validated it (for what that's worth from what I read here).

    Is that sufficient in terms of having all my files backed up? Meaning if I need a file from the backup can I just get it from the image?

    Or should I also just back up my files (docs) as well?

    Thanks,
    Chamlin
     
  2. Little Pete

    Little Pete Registered Member

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    An image normally will do. You can explore it later on and restore any individual file from it. But making an image can take some time depending on the amount of stored data on your disk.

    I prefer to take an image every two weeks (I can go back 2 months because I circulate over 4 different images, the oldest one will be replaced every two weeks).
    I also make small back-ups on demand for some important folders. When I did a lot of work and I have a little time, I just start the necessary file-backups.

    I thing this is good practice, but it only depends on how you want to handle your back-ups.

    Hope this helps...
     
  3. shieber

    shieber Registered Member

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    This mainly involves subjective judgements.

    How often you back up your data depends upon two things, the practicality of doing it frequently (how long it takes and how much disk space you have) and how much data you are willing to lose.

    If a weeks worth of data/work is too much to lose (how much work do you want to do over if you lose those files), then back up more often, so long as it's practical to do so.

    You might want to backup the drive once a week or so but back up "My documents" and its subdirectories every night.

    Generally, one should keep old backups for as far back as practical (enough disk space) but non longer than obsolencence. If week-old data is not going to be useful (say, incase other later backups don't work) because it is too old, then there's no need to save the backups any longer than that.

    For me, it's easy enough once the automated backup management is set up, to run full didsk backups everynight and to keep a copule weeks' worth before old ones are deleted. Except for the disk with pics and music --since that changes much less often and takes up a lot of disk space, I only back it up a couple of times each week.

    good luck,
     
  4. Chamlin

    Chamlin Registered Member

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    Thanks for the input. I'll automate images for once a week but manually add an image after a major change when necessary in between. It didn't take that long.

    And I'll back up key data files daily.

    For the key data files, is incremental backup the best option?

    For the image files, is it best to avoid the incremental option?
     
  5. GroverH

    GroverH Registered Member

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    IMHO you cannot have too many backups. One is definitely in-adequate.

    You should have multiple backups created by different methods. Hard drives routinely fail for a variety of reasons==the question is not "if" only "when".. Backup programs use proprietary coding so other programs are unable to read their contents. This has both good and bad connotations.
    • Suggestions for a variety of methods:
      1. Use True Image Home for a full and complete backup of all partitions--both hidden and diagnostic. Keep this backup reasonably current. This would enable you to restore your entire system should there be a need. Keep these backup archives on other internal/external/network drives and retain some prior copies. Many times, problems do not show up right away so some backup set retention is important.
      2. Use your Windows copy feature and copy some of your personal data files; e-mail; etc and store these copies on DVD as a supplementary backup.
      3. Use the XP backup program or other software program and make additional copies of your data files, etc.
      4. Backup sets can even be stored on DVD (using the 2 step copy function) as another means of having additional copies of your archives.
    The point I am trying to make is what if your computer fails; or your storage drive fails which is storing your backups, what are your plans for recovery?

    If you have some extra reading time, the links below can contribute additional information. Not all is pertinent but the concepts can be helpful in preventing trouble or enabling you to recover from trouble. Many other good links exist via the search function.

    An improved method to backup a PC by Xpilot
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=136754

    My backup strategy by Escalader
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=159177

    Backups
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=1036066#29

    Recommend backup scheme for photos, music 32 replies--2 pages
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=164175

    SAVE MY MUSIC COLLECTION! PLEASE (29 replies --2 pages)
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=167710

    Best way for making functioning images
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=1047306
     
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