Help with Backup

Ok, this may seem silly... but I'm a little confused when it comes to backing up my system...

What SHOULD I back up & what things do NOT need backed up?

I tried to do it awhile back with the software (or program?) :confused that came with the laptop... but it didn't go so well.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I really need to back up my computer! (In the meantime, I'll go try this program & maybe it will answer my question. I'll let you know!)

Thanks, LH! :cool

P.S. Uh... how do I ZIP a file? (I know how to unzip... but zipping it... hmmmm.)

P.P.S. I'm usually more technically inclined than this! But those are 2 of the things I haven't quite "mastered". Again, any help... Thanks!

 

Re: MajorGeeks Backup Software

I'm back with another question... I started this back up (doing it locally onto an external hd.) It started at 6:55p (ET)... & It's STILL going! It's over 60g ... So is that typical of a 1st time back up?''

Hope this makes sense it is 3:39a & I just woke up for a few... & I wanted to post this so I can free my mind to go back to sleep.

Thanks, LH! :cool

 

Re: MajorGeeks Backup Software

LH, you'd probably be best served by using a dedicated archiving tool for creating zip packages - I'm partial to 7-Zip (here is the MG link, but be advised: I think this might be a beta version - the latest stable version can be found here)...there are other compression programs listed on the MG Misc page...

As far as backing up files and folders, IMO you should do just that: store any important data (pics, music, video, downloaded program executables, documents and information, etc.) in an online or external repository, but only do so in raw, unopened format...in other words, don't try to image operating systems or installed programs to a backup drive...

 

Re: MajorGeeks Backup Software

I am backing up on to an external hard drive (locally)....
& It's STILL going! Geesh.... is this normal for about 60g (give or take) of stuff?

It's been going since 6:55p yesterday & it's 10:47a now. :banghead

Please advise if I need to cancel or what? Thanks LH :cool

 

Re: MajorGeeks Backup Software

Uh.. I guess never mind on that question... Hubby made me cancel the back up. He said it should NOT have taken that long.

NOW WHAT DO I DO????

 

What is this backup really for? Is it just to have a backup of your personal files, or is it a full system backup you want so that you can recover from a disaster such as a failed HDD without having to reinstall?

If, as I guess, it's for your personal files you really are spoilt for choice, and many of the programs are free. Let us know.

 

The best approach imo is only to image the entire system periodically - once a month is adequate for most people - but also to use a separate backup program to automatically backup your data files at least once per day. It is also preferable to keep all your personal data files on a separate drive or partition from the operating system and installed programs as this greatly simplifies the backup routine, and means your personal files are unaffected by any problems in the operating system.

I too use Acronis True Image for the system images, and WinRAR for the data backups. Neither is free, though there are free alternatives for both.

This approach guarantees that whatever may happen - from the accidental loss of a few files to a hard disk failure - recovery will be quick and simple.

Using the latest version of Acronis, 2010, my 100GB Vista partition (60GB used) backs up to an eSATA external drive in about 10 minutes, and the data backups, which only backup files which have changed, take just a few seconds.

 

Seconded! On another forum I recently talked a novice through the process of getting his entire system off of a small HDD onto a new 160GB job. He didn't want any expense apart from the new drive so we used EaseUs Todo to image everything to an external DVD writer and then write it all back to the new drive.

Worked perfectly, and he found it straightforward to use. Recommended :-D

 

I was trying to do a FULL system backup. The program in this thread didn't seem to like me. :-D It was going for over 18 hours. Is that normal for a full system backup of 6.9g (give or take)???
I really need to backup my laptop... what do I do now?

 

You haven't actually told us which program you have been attempting to use - only that it came with your laptop.

Never mind, now we know what type of backup you want then if you are happy to pay I would recommend Acronis True Image 2010. If you prefer a free program then you could see how you get on with Halo's suggestion of EASEUS Todo.

With a decent backup program your small backup should only take a few minutes.

 

Oops... I thought I was posting in the thread where Corporal Punishment posted this link: http://files1.majorgeeks.com/MajorGeeksBackup.exe to the MG's backup program.

That's the one that was taking over 18 hours & still was not finished when my hubby demanded I shut it down.

So, I'm at a loss... did I do something wrong? I was trying to back up the full system to an external hd. Should 6+ gig of info actually take that long???
Should I try it again & do something different? I still want to put it on our local external HD... NOT online!

 

It seems the MG program doesn't work well for you. Try our other suggestions, as they are proven and will give you what you want - a local full system backup.

 

I'm sorry... I just now reviewed the above answer... I'm wondering, were you able to test that program? If not, I understand.

If so, did you find it to take an unusually long time to complete? We now have 1 more external HDD that I'm to use to back up my laptop...

& by what I skimmed through the answers below is that I just need to back up is my documents; photos; music (if any); & other stuff that doesn't have an .exe file... correct?

I believe I had tried to do a full system back up... which would have included all executable files, including the OS. Which I understand is not needed... Especially since a Recovery disc was given with the laptop when purchased.

Am I correct in assuming I would not have to back up stuff I've downloaded... like Avast; Gimp (graphics program, if you didn't know); Open Office; MS Office (which I'll be getting rid of, more than likely, since Open Office is so much nicer than the outdated MS Ofc I have... & it's FREE)... Anyway, programs such as those, don't need backed up, correct?

If I use that program the "MG Backup"... about how long do you think it should take to complete the backup process. (Doing just the files as mentioned above.) All total I have used 43+ gigs on my HDD ... I know that is much higher than what my actual backup would be.

btw... I have already moved (yes, moved) all my photos (over 1g worth) to the external HDD. & Then copied back the folders that I use the most. Sooo... my next backup should not take as long... correct??

Thanks all! :cool

 

There are two aspects to backup, each requiring a tailored approach. First is disaster recovery - i.e. how would you deal with an unrecoverable error in your OS or a failure of your hard drive, and second is securing your personal files.

Disaster recovery requires an imaging program such as Acronis True Image, though there are loads of alternatives to that, some of them free. These programs create an image of your entire drive, or of selected partitions, and store it on DVD or on an external drive or on some other suitable medium. In the event of a catastrophic failure you can restore the image and be put back exactly as you were at the time the image was created. This is very different from relying on a recovery disk or partition which, if it works at all, can only restore your computer to its 'as purchased' condition, in the process losing all installed software and any personal files. Recovery disks/partitions are simply not up to the job. Note that in order to be able to recover to a recent state it is necessary to update your image periodically, at least once a month.

Your personal files - documents, photos, emails etc are actually more valuable than the OS and your software, as they are often irreplaceable. They therefore need backing up very frequently, say daily, and it is often sufficient simply to copy them to a separate storage medium such as an external drive. There are myriad ways of simplifying and automating this process, depending on the users needs, but the key thing is choosing what to include in such backups. It is also good practice to backup your downloaded installation files, but it isn't as essential as your personal data.

I've written this for you because your reply above contains a number of misconceptions, and if you are going to get into backup then it's obviously best to tackle it methodically to ensure you will always be able to recover whatever may happen.