yea...storage capacities/cost of regular hdd's is a whole lot better than flash drives....but storing small amounts of stuff and the portability of flash drives certainly has it's advantages. The "proper tool for the job" type of thing...
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yea...storage capacities/cost of regular hdd's is a whole lot better than flash drives....but storing small amounts of stuff and the portability of flash drives certainly has it's advantages. The "proper tool for the job" type of thing...
To throw in another two cents, I use three hard drives which gives me a lot of flexibility. My OS is on one drive and most program files are on another along with my data. I back program and data files using Karen's PT Replicator www.karenware.com, which simply copies all files (and skips unchanged files, works in the background and is quite fast) (I want to avoid backup programs that use proprietary formats).
To back up my OS, I use XXClone www.xxclone.com. It is not automated, but I can clone my OS drive while I am working (it has saved my neck on numerous occasions and it is fast using the incremental cloning option. I also zip up email and important data files and put them on CDs and DVDs. The cost was $40 for XXClone. PTReplicator is free.
Edit: fixed url - Train
XX copy works also. http://www.xxcopy.com/index.htm
Caught stopped by and said, in part:
Caught, it's great to see that you have found an approach to protecting your data that you are happy with and that you have tested under fire. While different enthusiasts could jaw back and forth about which backup program is the best, you have touched on what is really important --is a backup plan currently in place and being adhered to, and when the proverbial wheels come off, will I be able to recover what I've been backing up? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by caughtintheact
I rejoice when I see a user who means business in preventing the loss of all of his "stuff." Way to go! May your tribe increase! :D
Happy Computing!
Limerick
https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Train,
Does xxcopy make a fully bootable clone drive? With XXClone I can boot into either the normal OS or the clone (and I am cloning as I write this). An incremental cloning operation just took 9 minutes (total OS drive size is 13GB)
Okay, guys...please explain to me the difference between ...cloning..ghosting...taking an image...etc..??
Sorry, I do not remember. Been to long.Quote:
Originally Posted by caughtintheact
Clone - a byte for byte copy of the original drive/partition to a another hdd.
Image - is a slightly different type of clone that is usually in a compressed format that can be burned directly to cd/dvd or placed on a hdd. Some progams will even let you place the image on another computer on your lan.
Badly worded, but hope you understand the gist of it.
Using Norton's Ghost program, the act of ghosting is the method of copying the complete hard disk drive contents to another media such as a CD or network drive. Once ghosted, this image can quickly be distributed over several computers.
My favourite subject..
Recently I've started to think, we all use USB flash and external HDD's, but what if we lose one while on our travels. Is there stuff on there that you wouldn't want others to see. I don't mean anything illegal, I'm talking about your personal letters, bank details, pictures of your kids etc. To remedy this problem I've been encrypting mine with Truecrypt and I'd suggest you all give that some thought.
There are lots of other free encrypting software but I've tried Truecrypt and I like it. http://www.truecrypt.org/
Good points there!
Actually, that raises another very important point - if you use any form of encryption, then make sure that you have the necessary keys to decrypt it again.
If you use the built-in (or wish to start using) Encrypting File System (WinXP Pro only), then it is essential that you create a Recovery Agent Certificate before you encrypt any files. Otherwise, if you ever need to reinstall Windows, you will lose the ability to decrypt them and you can kiss the data goodbye.
Also, if you copy any encrypted files to removeable media such as CDR or floppy, then they will be unencrypted on the removeable media, as the EFS requires the NTFS filesystem (only available on hard drives).[/color]
Windows Encrypting File System
Inside Encrypting File System, Part 1
Inside Encrypting File System, Part 2
Step-by-Step Guide to Encrypting File System
How to back up the Recovery Agent for EFS
I have lost data myself through injudicious use of EFS. And all the backups in the world will do no good if they are in a form which cannot be recovered :eek:
Quote:
Originally Posted by caughtintheact
Hey CITA, you need to edit your XXClone link, it doesn't work the way it's typed becuse you make a ")" a part of the link accidentally.
Should be just www.xxclone.com
Url has been fixed.
It seems I, we, need constant reminding of this most important aspect of computing---Backup, Clone, Copy, image or whatever name you choose to call it but saving that which is on your present computer hard drive (if it is worth saving) is necessary. I have our three computers back upped up by using Acronis True Image 9.0 build 3677.
I cloned our full hard drives to a separate hard drive in a separate enclosure some time ago but never checked to be sure I could boot to the enclosure's hard drive. I have just finished checking one of the computers; powered down, pulled off the side of the case and disconnected the ribbon(cable) and the power from the permanently attached hard drive, hooked up my enclosed USB hard drive and then booted up just like I always do. WOW!! I was one more happy computer user.
Now I have finally proven to myself that my clone is bootable and my files, OS; are intact. I gotta thank those who have contributed to this thread and to Limerick for starting it :D
This thread has definately been instructional and useful. I certainly plan to buy a second hard drive to use as a backup and clone/copy my current set up to it as soon as possible.
Thanks for all the info guys and all the links to different programs. I don't know yet which I'll use but i'm sure which ever one it is will do the job reliably.
The first thing I do when upgrading to the new version of Acronis True image is make a Bootable Rescue Disk on a CD. I store all my images on an external USB HD. In case of a sysem failure I boot from the rescue disk. This ends up with the opening True Image screen in Safe Mode. I can the restore any image I want from any drive to any other dive. No need switching hard drives physically.
If the need to restore is for a reason less drastic than system failure I just start the True image then restore any image I want from the USB drive to any other drive, usually C:\
Buf...gotta question. When you booted up your back up hdd, did it look just like the regular hdd...meaning, did the desktop appear the same...everything exactly like the regular set up? It may sound like a silly question...but until I get another hdd ( will be ordering one very soon), I haven't had the chance to see what my one & only Acronis complete hdd back up does when I use it.
I have decided to use a second internal hdd for my hdd back up and I might see how the incremental backing up program works...sounds like it would be a good way to insure that the back up stays current...anyone have any experience with that process?
I will also...and have been already...be burning all of my pixes to cd's...especially the hand full of short videos that my daughter has been e-mailing me of my little Granddaughter Brooke...3 months old...Gosh, I miss her!!
Yes....thanks, Limerick for getting this most important thread going...it has really been the "jump start" that I needed!!
stevejr, if you could not physically see my USB external case and the USB connection to my tower box, you would not know the difference. :D Everything I checked, including current emails received, looked identical as though I was looking at the installed hdd in the tower box.
I was extremely happy to see the clone results. I wasn't sure of what I would see. Never cloned and checked using Acronis before. I am now a more entrenched user of this software.
BTW, I don't have a single problem using the external hdd in the enclosure and it only takes 3-4 minutes to actually set it up. And, my enclosure has a fan inside it.
Additionally, someone posted that he always burned a bootup disk when he installed Acronis. Well I also do that but the original CD will also boot the computer, if needed.
EDIT: Forgot to mention. I cloned a 80GB hdd to a 30GB hdd. This was possible because I only have about 12 gigs on the 80 gig hdd. Staples has a 100GB Maxtor for a net cost of $30 after their rebate. Perhaps you can then pick up an enclosure for $20-$30. A shop around and good luck.
Just to clarify the reference Nick made on post #18, ImageAll is a utility that works with one of Terabyte Unlimited's imaging programs. In and of itself, ImageAll would not be functional.
Since Terabyte Unlimited was brought up, their imaging software easily gets my highest recommendation. My favorite is Image for DOS. I have been using it for almost 2 years and have successfully restored from DVD images many times. It has ran on any PC I have tested it on and doesn't need installation.
Image for DOS http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/image.html
Terabyte Unlimited does make a free utility to wipe or copy entire hard drives. Not what most of us want or need but it might be handy if replacing a drive that has grown too small. http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/copywipe.html#download
Buf...very encouraging to hear...I look forward to being able to try it out when I get another hdd.
Since I have lots of room in my case I think that I will just go with an internal hdd...I removed the hdd cage...mounted my one hdd across two small 1/2''wide blocks of cedar...and now I have excellent air flow from my front 120mm fan across the hdd...I can mount the 2nd hdd on top of the first by just using a couple of small spacers to keep the two hdd's about 1'' apart...and still have some room left....it's not high tech, but it works.
I may get a 120Gb WD Caviar hdd. I have the 80GB version now and so far it's been great...no problems at all...had it since last Spring...very quiet & cool. But I have also been looking at the Seagate's...haven't quite decided which way to go but I think that a 120GB will be plenty...the 80Gb would probably be plenty if all I use it for is to keep my main system backed up.
Opinions on hdd's?? :p
Your plan sounds good stevejr. You can always install the hdd in an enclosure at a later time if you choose. Hard drives can always be found and most times, at cheap prices. Hard to beat $0.25-$0.35 per gig. And I think I read that Seagate will be honoring the Maxtor drives longer than one year; maybe 3 or perhaps 5 years.
Well...I have a slight problem. I was gonna do another complete hdd back up to a dvd so I opened Acronis...and immediately I get a dialogue box that says "Error: E000101F4: Acronis True Image has not found any hard disc drives."
Huh??
Now, I also have a back up utility in Nero which opened as soon as I clicked 'okay' to the error box...is there a conflict there??
Update...I un-installed and then re-installed Acronis...no more error boxes...good!!
Now I have to find out why I wasn't able to use dvd's, even though I was using the dvd drive....the program kept spitting the dvd back out of the drive...asking for a cd...hmmm...will keep after it...maybe something I didn't quite set up correctly ( most likely!!).
I went ahead and made a new, up to date back up of my hdd...but it took 9...yes..9 cd's..!!That's why I gotta find out how to use dvd's...will only take 2 of them.
A back up hdd is looking better & better...
Update to the update....:( It appears that I can't use Acronis to burn to dvd's....I wonder why Acronis doesn't have that ability?
Okay, Nero...here I come!!
Now I will have two complete back ups...9 cd's...:p :p ...and 2 dvd's...:D !!
Which version do you have?
I am assuming you are using Acronis version 10. That would be the version IF you downloaded from their site. Don't think you could download an earlier version.
Steve, I have version 9 build 3677 (there is a later build but I have it saved but not installed---can do that anytime I want to since I have it downloaded already. Would suggest you consider downloading and saving in a work folder of some type any recent build(s) of Acronis.) Yep, DVD media will store a bunch more info than the regular 650MB CDs. I also have a set of each BUT I have not used the DVD backup to restore and I can only guess that I could do that. But since I am now saving backups to my external hdd, and have proved to myself it works, I don't worry too much about burning ANY kind of CD.
As future versions of Acronis are available, they will remove those older builds and then you can't get to them. That is why I download/save later builds with the assumption that I can install one at my choice of time. A build is equal to the size of the software on their store bought CD and that is why I think I can install when I wanna.
I have version 9 ( build 2,323). I bought it thru Newegg...I like having the cd available....like earlier when I uninstalled & re-installed it...having the cd made it easy ( thankfully, I had the product key written down in my rollo-deck).
Nero worked just fine....my hdd has about 10Gb's of info so it took 3 dvd's to get everything....that's okay because that may be the last time that I need to use dvd's for hdd back up.
I need to check out Acronis's site...hadn't thought about getting the latest build that may be available because up 'til now I haven't been using Acronis..:o ...but that is changing...:)
You gotta go to the Acronis site and register your software and then you can access the builds and update what you have. I am using build 3677 and will stay with it until it stops working; if ever. Update to that build first and then download/save the next build and save it. If fact, you may choose to download/save build 3677 and then go back to the site and install the same build to your computer. Good luck to ya.
Half time-----GO GATORS :D
Limerick: Thanks for this outstanding post!
Train got me to using Ghost a few years ago. However, I'm in exactly the same postition as TPM; that is I do a Ghost backup regularly to a second hard drive; however, thankfully, I've never had to access my Ghost backup and have wondered exactly how to do it especially in the moment of panic that would surely follow a hard drive failure.
Your post #4 above where you explain how to access the Ghost backup is extremely reassuring. I have a 3-ring binder where I file information that I feel I may need to access in the future on computer processes. A copy of your post #4 above will be receive a prominent place in that file.
Thanks!!
I just thought I'd mention that Windows Vista now comes with the ability to natively create an image of the OS, and any other partitions that you choose. I've used it - it creates an image quickly and painlessly, my only criticism being that there is no compression, so you get a large image file. You can save images to DVDR, to another partition on the same PC or to an external drive.
The file backup utility is also a vast improvement over the Ntbackup utility in Win2000/XP as well.
Stevejr, and others interested:
I bought one of these several months ago at a $29 cost. The price of $45 is too much but with a rebate of $30, this is a darn good price. Am sure shipping will be a cost also, of course:
http://www.globalcomputer.com/applic...CCODE=GLOEM413
a TINY URL for you just in case:
http://tinyurl.com/y7wta Everything you need to use it comes with it except the hard drive :D
Buf...that's a cool looking enclosure...sure would look nice next to my case..:) I read some of the reviews and most of the people mentioned the fan being rather loud...a negative for me...I like quiet...but the fan could probably be replaced with a better, quieter fan. I have decided to start with an internal sata drive...but who knows...I might want to play around with external enclosures & drives later on. Thanks for the link!!
Speaking of links...the tiny url link didn't work...did I miss something?
Can't explain the bad URL link but you are welcome. I have not found the fan to be loud at all; and my hearing is good.
buf...yea, reading reviews need to be done with a large grain of salt.Some reviewers loved it...others didn't...go figure!! Thanks for your info about the fan.
About as good as it gets for hard drives: http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...ref=performics
UNLESS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...AFC-C8Junction
I had already decided on a WD Caviar...hadn't quite decided how big, though. I currently have the 80Gig WD Caviar and it's running great...very quiet. Those 16MB caches look nice, too. I was gonna at least get a 120Gig...I think that it would be plenty for my back ups and for pixes but I may be fooling myself as to just how fast I will fill up the hdd with pixes of my daughter & Granddaughter...so I might as well just do it right and get a 250Gig.
Thanks for the links and for re-inforcing my choice.!!
UK man's laptop stolen.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6263827.stm
The good news is that he got it back today, it was returned by Taxi.
Another story that shows how easy it is to loose your irreplaceable photos.
So get them backed up, you'll never be able to take them again.
I know what it feels like to lose some irreplaceable pictures. Back in the 1980's, when my two kids were very young, I had a 35MM SLR...took lots of pictures but times were very lean and there were a lot of rolls of film that I just wasn't able to afford to get developed. Years later I got around to getting some of them developed and some came out alright but some didn't make it...I lost many years of memories...that hurt.
Digital photography is fantastic...both still & video.!! I can now instantly "develop" pictures...color correct them...crop...etc...and then save to cd's or dvd's or to hdd....wow!! what a terrific invention. And, of course, now I can print any pictures at any time...which I need to start doing more of and put in photo albums...which will last many, many years...that way even if all of the electronic forms of storage were to somehow go bad, there would still be hard copies ( printed photos).
Yes...back ups have a wide variety of applications....I hope that I can keep that sense of "urgency" an ongoing attitude.
I hope that this thread helps to instill that same sense of 'urgency' in others as well.
This has been a very enlightening thread. I thank Limerick for starting it and all who have posted. However, as I am very limited in my knowledge of computers, I have really not been able to follow everything completely. I have realized that I am due for a hard drive crash since I have not had one in the several years that I have been using computers. I have several different machines set up here at home. (I have 5 children. Four have their own computer, my wife has one, and I have one. Therefore, I have six different setups) All of them are different configurations and capabilities. Three have XP and three have ME. All have their own driver and program needs. I hope to someday have an in-home network to maintain them all from my office, but at this time they are all stand alone as I have not been able to figure that project out yet. Mine is the one shown below with two 40GB hard drives. (my second drive is one salvaged from another trashed machine) I would like to be able to backup all of them, but perhaps the real need is only on the two listed below. I have been considering a new harddrive, but budget restrictions limit my options. I was pleased to note in one of the posts that there was mention of a 100GB for $30 after rebate. If possible I would like to have as many of you as would like to state as simply as possible the steps necessary for a novice like myself and any others reading this thread to set up a complete backup arrangment. Keep in mind that anything that is too "technical" may not be understood! Start to finish. How much free space do I need? What will be included in the "image"? Can I use the "image" to place everything including OS and all needed files onto a new harddrive? If so, what about the size difference between the two drives. (going either way-I don't want to go smaller, but I may use a salvage drive that is smaller as a temporary measure.) And any other questions that you might suggest answers for before we have them. Thank you again to all of you who devote much time and effort to rescuing the ignorant and the unwary!!
**I realize that much of the needed info is already in the thread, but it is difficult for me (and perhaps others) to filter out the particular parts needed and in the correct order. A simple step by step would be greatly appreciated**
**I realize that much of the needed info is already in the thread, but it is difficult for me (and perhaps others) to filter out the particular parts needed and in the correct order. A simple step by step would be greatly appreciated**
I may have answered many of my own questions by further surfing of VDr.
This thread was very helpful to me....
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=175784
This one also had useful information....
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=215395
NOTE: this thread contains links provided by Train in the second post which correspond to the link above for discussion 175784 as well as this thread which we are in now.