Backing up, Then Reformatting (Using XP Slipstream)

Hi Guys,

I am going to format my system 'Completely' Shortly, but first of all I need some comments from you guys that have done some system backing up, or data backups. I was thinking of putting everything I have to backup, into a main 'C:\BACKUP' directory, then letting the tree grow from their, dumping everything I have to backup, then co-ordinate it into groups of DVD disks ready to burn, aka:

C:\BACKUP\DVD-1\*.*
C:\BACKUP\DVD-2\*.*
C:\BACKUP\DVD-3\*.*
C:\BACKUP\DVD-4\*.*
C:\BACKUP\DVD-5\*.*

I got about 55GB of data to backup, that encludes 20 odd gig of movies I`ve ripped from my DVD collection, and converted into DivX, images of my legally owned games I have backed up into images, so I can use a copy and keep my original discs safe! and a slew of game patches, demo's, applications, etc etc from my ISP game site, here @ majorgeeks, etc

Now is this a good idea backing it up that way? or should I go about it another way, the reason I thought of this way was becuase I can access files this way per CD, without having to restore a massive 55GB backup image split over 13 DVD Discs as a system image backup, but let me know. Also my tool of choice to backup is nero 7 demo, making DVD Data CDs, this a good choice.

Finally, my next question, I slipstreamed my original WindowsXP OEM with Service Pack 2, which worked perfectly performing the combining anyway, and making it bootable, now I did this becuase apparently the reason I can't just have a C:\ with it utilizing 100% of my SATA HDD, is becuase I didn't have the XP with either service packs, and apparently now that I have combined them, when it asks me what to do, I just delete both partitions C: 127GB and D: 21GB, then create a new partition that will utilize ALL available space, just to double check, is this correct, or will I have to perform another task before I do this? I just don't want to format again and then have to go to admin tools and find any unpartitioned space, and have to have a legacy partition, I just want a C: utilizing 100% of my hard drive space. later on I will get myself another large SATA hard drive for D: as my backup drive, but right now I don't want a partition.

Thanks guys, Also, I plan on Installing Avast Home, and I have Lavasoft firewall but its about to expire, so any suggestions on a good Firewall that will protect me, but free, would be greatly appreciated, I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER TROJAN OR VIRUS, otherwise I think I`ll crack, it took me ages to calm down and try again this time yesterday, when I found I got the ciadoor trojan/virus, I couldn't handle it for the 3rd time.

 

I think you have a fairly decent idea for someone who doesn't want to image (ie data only), and doesn't have access to a higher capacity backup medium.

As for firewalls, I love Sygate Personal Firewall. There's a decent user's guide at this link. If you want to stay clean, I highly recommend the how to protect yourself from malware thread. This will show you how to set up an excellent, redundant and free defense against spyware and viruses.

And, while I did read that you don't want a partition, I must express my advocacy of this! Having a small system partition, and a larger data partition just kicks ass in so many ways. You'll be faster to virus/malware scan, and defragging the system partition, and you'll never lose data (or have to burn 13 DVDs to backup ) if you have to format. Coupled with a regular off-site backup, you should have enough data redundancy for just about every situation.

 

Hi Mada,

With regards to sygate personal firewall, I completely agree, I have never used a firewall as great as it 'was'... And to some, still is, I still have a backup of the last version that came out, however it is a redundant application now which is the only reason why I won't use it, it's a damn good application, all of Sygate products were, I used to use Sygate for Windows 98 > 98 to share ADSL/Dialup between 2 systems, worked far better than the windows ICS, still does actually.

I have to also agree with you on partitioning, but it's just a personal preference, I don't like it personally, this drive I have now is 160GB, so when I purchase another hard drive for a slave, I`ll likely get about 300GB, which will be adequate enough, I plan on reformatting and then getting a secondary HDD ASAP, which would make my 2nd partition void, then I would have to reformat to get that space back, something I`d rather not do, I will get my system formatted, installed and all that, then I`ll perform a Windows Defrag, which should hopefully speed things up a bit.

I also have to get myself another 512MB stick of memory, I only have 512MB as is, which today seems to be very low, I don't know if the extra 512MB would make a noticable diffrence in system performance, or how applications/Games run, but hopefully load/save times will be cut a fair chunk, I am going to start backing up shortly and will post my progress as I can.

Thanks,

David

 

Sorry, can you explain 'redundant application'? Are you concerned that it is no longer updated? If so, be aware that a firewall's actual security engine can't be updated that often (if at all!). It just allows or denies network traffic. I bet if you were to take a look at the release notes for say, Zone Alarm, you'd see that their updates are mostly for shell/GUI/functionality, and not security.

 

By redundant I mean it's a canned peice of software since Synmatec brough them out, fools! They would have had a better product canning Norton series and grabbing the sygate series and riding that!

As for updates, its more than gui, etc... Compatibility, reliability, error corrections, etc.

When Windows Vista hits australian shores I plan on buying my own OEM version, and want to take most of my favourite programs along with it, and since no one's updating Sygate products, their will no doubt be more than enough problems with other software compatibility, let alone with an now unsupported product.

Dont get me wrong, I don't want to sound derogative towards SPF, it's a genuine 'Kick-Ass' product, and I am gob smacked why they sold out and what was Synmatec thinking canning the project.