Which prog to use for backing up?

Hi
I have bought a Maxtor Basics Eternal Hard Drive 500GB, My pc is running Win Xp.

I want to back up the hard drive so that if I crash (virus etc) I can re-install from the external drive.

I have read that I need to get a specific program to do this, has anyone any suggestions, are there any things I need to do before I start, basically how do I set about this back up. Also could I get this program free or is that not an option?

At the moment I just copy over files that I want to keep ie photos etc but think I need to do more that this if I have to reinstall settings etc

Many thanks in advance for your time

 

Couple of suggestions -

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Macrium_Reflect_FREE_Edition_d6034.html

http://www.majorgeeks.com/EASEUS_Todo_Backup_Free_Edition_d6195.html

Many ppl find backup programs of this type, programs that can completely restore your system to how it was at an earlier time, a bit confusing but the process itself is completely straightforward. Bear the following in mind and you should be able to follow it through whichever program you choose -

- Attach an external drive

- Start the program

- Choose the disks or partitions you want to back up

- Choose the disk or partition where the backup file is to be stored - your external drive

- Select Full backup rather than other choices such as Incremental or Differential

- Run Validation when the backup has completed. That assures you your backup is good.

- Find and complete the process in the program to create a rescue disk and check that your system will boot from the rescue disk and can see both the drive that was backed up and the drive that contains the backup file. In the event your hard drive failed you would need this disk to boot the system and restore your backup to a replacement drive.

 

I use Acronis True Image. It can build an initial image and simply update the image thereafter. If your hard drive dies simply replace the drive, pop in the Acronis rescue CD, and re-image your hard drive and away you go.

 

I use Acronis too but the OP is asking about free programs. I've tested both of the free programs above, they work similarly to Acronis, are reliable and are quite sufficient for most users.

 

Sorry overlooked the FREE aspect.

 

If the Op has either a WD, Maxtor or Seagate hdd, Acronis True Image is free

 

Yep, I'd forgotten about that too. It's a cut down version of Acronis True Image called Disk Wizard and you can get it HERE. I believe it applies to Seagate and Maxtor only, not WD, though they probably do have something similar.

 

This program does apply to WD as well - while it may be a little less than the full program, it actually cuts down on some of the unnecessary extras and does a great job.

 

There you go then, plenty of good suggestions but in the meantime the OP appears to have lost interest rolleyes As MA says, yclahtwbycmhd :-D

 

Sorry guy's, I have not lost interest, I must have turned off my e-mail when question is answered,:-o I have been waiting then decided to look on the site and you had all taken the trouble to reply.:confused

Many thanks, I see that you say I should get Acronis True Image free, have I missed something here, there was nothing in the box about that do I just go onto Acronis site to get it??

Thanks all as usual the input is great

 

You cannot get Acronis True Image free, but if your hard disk is Seagate, Maxtor or WD you can get Disk Wizard, which is derived from Acronis. If that's no good use one of the two I recommended earlier as all the recommended programs will do what you want.

 

Go to the link provided by Earthling and download it.
You can then create an image of your system and save it to another hdd and recover to your system if needed.

 

Thanks to all its now work in progress, will get back online if there are any hick-ups.

 

Make sure to click "backup options" and 'validate" to make sure the image is good.

Then press "finish" and proceed.

Let us know how it goes.

Also, make periodic backups of your bookmarks separately.