System Backup

[101RRS]

I want to backup my entire C drive - not just my documents. Window XP professional has a backup facility that is slow and not real smart - as well it does not allow you to just do one drive - it defaults to "my documents". If you tell it to backup the computer it also does so including any other attached drives including the backup drive - so you get any backup files on the backup drive backed up as well - wasting space.

As well my laptop has XP home that does not have a backup facility.

Can someone suggest some freeware that I can download that will allow me to backup my entire hard drive including the operating system (with all the updates and other software I have downloaded) - not just selected folders or files. Ideally this will be a smart system that compresses the data and recognises that it doesn't need to backup information that hasn't changed since the last backup - at the moment a full windows XP based computer backup takes about 2 hours for a measly 40gb - if the drive was nearly full it might take days.

Thanks

Garry

[abaddonxi]

Not free, but Symantec/Norton Ghost used to do exactly that, and with a little fiddling you could get it to be self extracting too. Comes as a package with the full Security Centre, or whatever it's called.

Cheers
Simon

[djam1]

Try this you can register and download version 7 of this software for free

http://www.acronis.com/mag/vnu-ati7

Its very good and allows you to backup the whole operating system

djam1

[Blknight.aus]

huh? the MS backup software does let you do individual drives in their entirety...

what version are you running, if you have the following tabs

welcom, backup, restore and manage media, schedule jobs when it opens up simply close the offer to use the wizard, select the backup tab and then in the window setup that opens much like the explorer window from my computer select

my computer (if it hasnt already cascaded open) then the check boxes for the drive yoiu want to back up...

If you have no joy else where I can image off just the directory tree and cab files from my installer since ms has it available for download anyway (if you go this way I can be more help as we will both be using the same proggie)

best of luck...

[HangOver]

try one of these, all say they are free:

http://www.runtime.org/dixml.htm

http://www.majorgeeks.com/HDClone_Free_Edition_d3809.html

http://www.majorgeeks.com/ImageMaker_d3914.html

[101RRS]

Try this you can register and download version 7 of this software for free

http://www.acronis.com/mag/vnu-ati7

Its very good and allows you to backup the whole operating system

djam1

Thanks for that - registered and downloaded amd seems to be OK except that the boot disk does not boot my computer - it freezes halfway through the boot process - reads the boot disk OK but then freezes. I can always boot from the windows XP_ boot disk but I am not sure whether it will be able to read the backup file until I reload the relevant Acronis software - maybe I save the softweare to a CD and run it as soon as I reboot from the windows boot disk.

Cheers

Garry

[101RRS]

huh? the MS backup software does let you do individual drives in their entirety...

what version are you running, if you have the following tabs

welcom, backup, restore and manage media, schedule jobs when it opens up simply close the offer to use the wizard, select the backup tab and then in the window setup that opens much like the explorer window from my computer select

my computer (if it hasnt already cascaded open) then the check boxes for the drive yoiu want to back up...

If you have no joy else where I can image off just the directory tree and cab files from my installer since ms has it available for download anyway (if you go this way I can be more help as we will both be using the same proggie)

best of luck...

Thanks - am running XP professional with SP2.

Doesn't work for me - when you select "C" drive it also automatically checks all the My Documents boxes and when you do the backup it only backs up these files not the whole of C drive. I cannot specifically select C drive without the other boxes being checked and I cannot uncheck them leaving only the c drive.

Thanks - will look elsewhere - the Acronis system looks good if I can get the system to read the backup file after a major failure.

Gazzz

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Acronis is the pick of the litter IF you want to spend $$$

I use COBIAN 8 (free)

and thats what it does,
just copies.(does differential etc)

you can set the scheduler do recopy at a set time
weekly monthly(!!)

but as I unplug my external drive
I just do it whenever--
:D

[101RRS]

Acronis is the pick of the litter IF you want to spend $$$

I use COBIAN 8 (free)

and thats what it does,
just copies.(does differential etc)

you can set the scheduler do recopy at a set time
weekly monthly(!!)

but as I unplug my external drive
I just do it whenever--
:D
The free version of acronis is pretty good and I have now installed on my laptop running with XP home.

There seems to be some conflict issues on my PC which runs XP prof - however as mentioned elsewhere this sytem is crashing so there maybe a bigger issue with it.

Thanks

Gazz

[101RRS]

I ended up using Kerry's Replicator on both my laptop and PC - is easy to do and works well - except as I have just found out does not do a restore when there is an issue. At the moment I am busily loading files and programs back onto my PC from the backup docs. It will take about 2 days with a lot of programs having to be re-loaded and of course I cannot find some of the disks.

Is there a free backup program that back ups entire disks/drives and then when required (after an OS has been reloaded and the backup software reloaded) will fully restore the drive in its entirety so I do not have to reload stuff.

The MS product does not seem to work for me - was using it but never managed to recover backup files etc and lost them. Also used Acronis but again when it was asked to put files back (in particular Windows files) it never succeeded.

Garry

[Ferret]

I have also used K Replicator for many years but as you know it is not really a disk backup solution.

Have you looked at these.

Easeus Todo Backup - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com (http://download.cnet.com/Easeus-Todo-Backup/3000-2242_4-10964460.html)

Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition (32 bit) - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com (http://download.cnet.com/Paragon-Backup-Recovery-Free-Edition-32-bit/3000-2242_4-10972187.html'tag=mncol;pop)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

When I bought the twin 500GB Cavair Black's they allowed me to download the Acronis True Image WD Edition.

Works great,,
am yet to test the data reload function,,

not sure I want to---:o

[steveG]

I ended up using Kerry's Replicator on both my laptop and PC - is easy to do and works well - except as I have just found out does not do a restore when there is an issue. At the moment I am busily loading files and programs back onto my PC from the backup docs. It will take about 2 days with a lot of programs having to be re-loaded and of course I cannot find some of the disks.

Is there a free backup program that back ups entire disks/drives and then when required (after an OS has been reloaded and the backup software reloaded) will fully restore the drive in its entirety so I do not have to reload stuff.

The MS product does not seem to work for me - was using it but never managed to recover backup files etc and lost them. Also used Acronis but again when it was asked to put files back (in particular Windows files) it never succeeded.

Garry

Cant help you with FREE software, but I use Acronis LOTS at work and find it very good. Generally I dont install it on the PC itself, simply boot from the CD and go through the wizard to backup the entire disk/partition as required - usually to an external USB hard drive.

If you already have Acronis I'd try something along the following lines to backup and test that it works OK:
1. Install Acronis on the PC
2. Shut down the PC
3. Boot from the Acronis CD.
4. Make a backup of your whole disk/partition to an external disk
5. Once thats finished, boot the PC normally, find the backup image you've created on the exernal disk and you should be able to open it with Acronis and browse the files etc.
Copy a few files from the backup to a different location and make sure they are OK.

If you have to restore a whole disk from scratch - you just shut down the PC, plug in the external disk, boot from the Acronis CD, choose the backup image off the disk and restore it. No need to install the OS and backup program first.

Acronis should do the same type of backup from within Windows while its running, but I haven't used that much. We use the above method to make backups of PC's and notebooks before wiping the disks and re-allocating the PC to a different user. I've never had a problem restoring whole disk or individual files doing it that way.

Whatever backup software you use you HAVE to regularly test that you can restore from your backups. It might be a hassle, but causes many less tears than eg losing all your family photos (or all the boss's email).
And dont overwrite your last backup with a new one - keep a few backups in case one turns out to be a dud for some reason (usually when you need it for real).

I agree - MS product (ntbackup) is rubbish. No way you can restore a whole computer with it. They've actually removed it from Windows7 - probably because so many people have been caught out.

Sorry the post has turned out so long - hopefully its useful.

Steve

[adm333]

I use syncback by 2brightsparks

2BrightSparks | Downloads (http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html)

Free home use, excellent app, you can back up as much or as little as you like, can set up jobs and groups and can run off a schedule.

Dave

[101RRS]

Thanks for the suggestions - going to give Paragon a go and hope all works well.

Cheers

Garry

[djam1]

Gary you could always use Clonezilla does a great job not perfect but boot from a USB key and copy your drive to an external drive within 20 minutes.

[HangOver]

if you have two disks installed just copy/paste - KISS ;)

[steveG]

Thanks for the suggestions - going to give Paragon a go and hope all works well.

Cheers

Garry

Looks like a nice product. Let us know how it goes.

Steve

[abaddonxi]

I've tried both Ocster and GFI, both with enough problems that I wouldn't trust them.

[steveG]

if you have two disks installed just copy/paste - KISS ;)

That works well for documents or a folder of photos, but its not going to help get all your programs back on if you have a hard disk die or you get a nasty virus and need to start from scratch.

Also, unless you muck around and copy individual folders from your profile, you'll find that you don't have a backup of your email and internet favourites etc.
Generally you cant copy your whole profile while you are using the PC as windows will be using some of the files and wont let them be copied so it rapidly becomes a fiddly selection of individual folders etc and is anything but KISS.

A good image style backup program will back up EVERYTHING from your hard disk, and allow you to have a PC completely restored in about an hour.

Steve

[HangOver]

guess so, if you want an image for preference I would use Nogrton Ghost.

It just depends whats important to you.
I have 3 drives, system, data and backup
System /progs i dont really care about an OS can re-install in 40mins, I do it often at work and one more will make little difference to me.

I backup my data, mosty vids and pics of the little-un to the backup drive once and a while.
Suits me fine, instant retreival and I use Windows 7 so i have "previous Versions" for files and folders too. All I really care about is vids of the little-un so Im happy.

What ever suits you best is what you should go for.

If you want instant recovery and 99% uptime go virtual :D

[Bushwanderer]

Is there the option of copying (mirroring) the hard drive to a second hard drive and then if the main drive fails, swapping the drives over?

[101RRS]

if you have two disks installed just copy/paste - KISS ;)

That is what I had with Karens Replicator - problem is that it keeps your files OK but does not reinstall the operating system info so you have to reload windows and then search for the old files that contain things like your desktop, favourites, e-mails etc. Takes days and there are still issues - am doing that now and is a pain - that is why I want something to put it all back as it was with just a keystroke etc.

Garry

[HangOver]

yes thats what Ghost does but its a manual process.


the only issue with what you suggest is that if your main drive has an OS issue all you will do is copy the issue as well BUT if it just dies that you it's a nice quick option

[Bushwanderer]

Hi HangOver,
I guess that you are replying to my question. If so, :BigThumb:

Many Thanks,
Peter

[HangOver]

yes, was a reply to your post

[101RRS]

Ok - installed Paragon - seems to be the goods buy I have one small issue.

I have a dedicated 500gb backup drive connected to me PC. I have set up a wireless network setup using the shared file system. My laptop can read the backup drive via the network. Paragon on the laptop sees the relevant folder on the backup drive and puts its files there (takes about 6 hours for a backup) but at the end of the process this window comes up

Scripts Interpreter

X Vss: Can’t read volume data


Now I haven't tested the backed up file in case it stuffs everything up.


Given that the backup file does seem to have been written - any ideas on what the above window means?


Thanks


Garry

[Pedro_The_Swift]

a little bit here--
VSS: Can't read volume data - Wilders Security Forums

knowledgebase here
http://kb.paragon-software.com/paragon/templ/302.jsp?catId=2124&pt=3&ptt=1&pg=-1&expId=19064

[101RRS]

Thanks for that - could be the issue - I have changed my settings so we will see what happens with tonight's backup.

Cheers

Garry

[350RRC]

Not being smug here.

The Mac I have gets backed up to two separate hard drives at different times via preferences in Time Machine, which comes free and installed.

All apps, emails etc, anything on the Mac hard drive. Also allows you to go back and access what was on your desktop, etc, at each time it was backed up. Spooky when you first see it.

cheers, DL

[101RRS]

a little bit here--
VSS: Can't read volume data - Wilders Security Forums (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php't=252769)

knowledgebase here
Knowledge Base (http://kb.paragon-software.com/paragon/templ/302.jsp?catId=2124&pt=3&ptt=1&pg=-1&expId=19064)


Unfortunately these did not work - the VSS issue keeps on coming up even though hot processing/hot backup is in use. I think the issue is using a remote hard drive. All of my major PC failures to date have been caused by hard drive failure so there is little point is partitioning my main drive and using it as the backup.

I will keep looking for a backup program.

Thanks

Garry

[Basil135]

I use Sync Toy. It is a free program from Microsoft.

It allows me to backup whatever files I like, and then just refresh the files that have changed since the last back-up.

Have a look. It might do what you are after.

[WhiteD3]

I've been using Gelsoft's Synchromagic for years and it's worked well, if a bit clunky to use.

I've just tried Cobian but it's so slow compared to Synchromagic I'm going to bin it.

Synctoy seems to work well but doesn't schedule which is a small pain.

[101RRS]

I've been using Gelsoft's Synchromagic for years and it's worked well, if a bit clunky to use.

I've just tried Cobian but it's so slow compared to Synchromagic I'm going to bin it.

Synctoy seems to work well but doesn't schedule which is a small pain.

Correct me if I am wrong but Synctoy just copies files to another location but it will not overwrite windows files that are in use when doing a recovery. Therefore you cannot system files that have become corrupt.

Garry

[WhiteD3]

I'd say you're right but I don't use it for that. Just synching working project directories between my laptop, server and home PC.

[abaddonxi]

Unfortunately these did not work - the VSS issue keeps on coming up even though hot processing/hot backup is in use. I think the issue is using a remote hard drive. All of my major PC failures to date have been caused by hard drive failure so there is little point is partitioning my main drive and using it as the backup.

I will keep looking for a backup program.

Thanks

Garry

Dunno if this is the case, but I was reading about another backup program, and it worked most reliably if the remote drive has an IP address rather than connecting via the network share, of course that's only if it's a network drive.