best way to backup

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by kcvale, Oct 27, 2006.

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  1. kcvale

    kcvale Registered Member

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    Hi,
    I need to develop a backup system that I will actually use. That means it needs to be simple... very simple. I have 2 networked computers- 1 windows xp 250 gig hard drive, no partitons; the other is a WinMe Compaq laptop 18 gig, 2 partitions;
    I bought a 300 gig external hard drive. Then discovered that there is a question of formating- ntfs or fat32. If I understand this issue then it means that if I want to backup the winme drive to the external then the external needs to be fat32 formatted. Is this right? What impact would this have on my ntfs formated winxp computer?

    Ideally, I would like to be able to make images of both computers. I have True Image 8 that I tried to use a year ago to backup my laptop to an older win98 computer. It never worked. But I still have the software. I'm open for suggestions on better backup software. I've been looking at Image For Windows.

    The Windows Xp is my primary computer now so I could, if necessary, just backup my files on the laptop. I just hate restoring to factory condition and I've had to do that 2x in the last few months.

    Thanks very much,
    kc o_O
     
  2. the Tester

    the Tester Registered Member

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    Image for Windows may be a good choice.People that use it seem to like it.
    Paragon has a discount til' Nov1.
    Drive Image XML may be another option for free.
     
  3. DCM

    DCM Registered Member

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    DriveImageXML has worked very well for me. I have removed Ghost and Acronis from my computer. Surprising that free software can actually do the job.

    It is simple, will create and image drives and allow restoration of that image or individual files.

    Cost is right for a trial.
     
  4. kcvale

    kcvale Registered Member

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    thanks for the info on backup programs... i'm a big fan of 'free' so i'll check out drivexml.
    Any thoughts on the best way to format the external hard drive?
     
  5. ErikAlbert

    ErikAlbert Registered Member

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    I formatted my external harddisk the same way as my other two internal harddisks, using the normal format function of Windows Explorer.
     
  6. kcvale

    kcvale Registered Member

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    If I do ntfs formatting will I be able to backup my WinMe computer to this drive?
     
  7. Longboard

    Longboard Registered Member

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    Maybe create a fat32 partition on the external if you want, copy the whole 18G into that on a regular basis?

    never get tired of saying it : BING/IFW/IFD/Copy-Wipe :thumb:
    http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.html

    HTH
     
  8. kcvale

    kcvale Registered Member

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    I didn't know you could do 2 diff type formats on same drive. What's the simplest way to do this? Should I buy special software? If so, which one?

    Thanks for the help.

    kc
     
  9. Longboard

    Longboard Registered Member

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    @kcvale

    You're not alone :D

    imho as you are obviously not a newbie to different set-ups, go look at the terabyte site. With BING fom floppy or cd/dvd if needed, you can set up the external drive any way you want. BING is a partition manager/imaging tool and boot manager par excellence.
    If you are feeling really up for it BING installed will allow multiboot options, or from floppy will offer direct boot options
    Don't be put off by the apparently dense manuals for the terabyte utilities.
    I am complete doof and I can use these tools (probably a fraction of what they can really do, but more than I need.

    Go here:
    http://www.heffy.com/image.htm
    http://www.bootxp.com/examples.html
    http://members.shaw.ca/bootitng/
    The video demos are very useful
    The utility 'Copy/Wipe' is free to any one.

    This was a good thread I found about BING
    http://www.abxzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102874

    if you have time read these:
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=139716
    and
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=140271
    and
    https://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=133283

    Those provide an absolute panacea of information about backing up and as extra, will give a good insight into the very useful FDISR concept.

    Don't take my word for it, there are very experienced users here who would support terabyte as a useful and more importantly very reliable set of tools. (very cheap for what they do and promised upgrades for free to recent purchasers are on the go)

    Even if what they do protects you just once a year: good value.

    HTH
    regards
     
  10. kcvale

    kcvale Registered Member

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    Longboard,
    Wow! Thanks for the good information. BING looks like just what I need. And between the manual and the links you provided I think I'll be able to work my way through this.

    Appreciate the help!

    kc
     
  11. Longboard

    Longboard Registered Member

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    My pleasure. Good luck.
    Tell us how you get on.
    Regards.
     
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