Windows 7: Looking for a Backup Setup

Infinite · 16 Jan 2012

It wouldn't let me shrink it further, might have to use EASEUS Partition Master. I won't be able to use 200GB of Data anyway, and by the time I do, I will have an Ext. HD.

seavixen32 · 16 Jan 2012

I see you haven't yet shrunk your C drive.

Rather than using Windows disk management, check this Partition Wizard tutorial.

Along with ignatzatsonic I suggest this method because the Windows utility will only let you shrink the C drive once, and then won't let you extend the D drive to the left.

PW will carry out both tasks for you.

Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

Infinite · 16 Jan 2012

One problem, I do not have a disk to burn the ISO to.

I did shrink it:

Before - http://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...nuary-2012.png

After - http://www.sevenforums.com/attachmen...nuary-2012.png

However Windows Disk Management wouldn't let me shrink further than 204GB, I might try EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition Free, that worked well before for me unless I get some other suggestions.

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jan 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Infinite

It wouldn't let me shrink it further, might have to use EASEUS Partition Master. I won't be able to use 200GB of Data anyway, and by the time I do, I will have an Ext. HD.

OK. EaseUS should work and you don't have much data right now anyway.

With this setup, your backups and your originals are on 2 entirely separate drives. If one drive dies completely, you can survive.

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jan 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Infinite

what files to Backup?

Anything you value, excluding Windows itself.

Don't forget bookmarks and email, along with the obvious stuff like pictures, tax records, mp3s, video. Whatever you generate with the PC.

I also backup the uninstalled versions of downloaded programs---they are just data of another type---and have value to me.

seavixen32 · 16 Jan 2012

As part of your backup project you might want to consider using Microsoft's SyncToy.

If you use the Echo function it does a good job of syncing folders on your hard drive with a folder of the same name in your backup location by the use of folder pairs that you create. The Echo function looks for files that have changed in the source folder, and then updates the destination folder. I use it a lot and it hasn't let me down yet.

Download: SyncToy 2.1 - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

Infinite · 16 Jan 2012

Here we go, I guess I am done with the partitioning part then?

The icons kinda got messed up after changing all the drives. :/

Will check out that SyncToy.

ignatzatsonic · 16 Jan 2012

Quote: Originally Posted by Infinite

Here we go, I guess I am done with the partitioning part then?

The icons kinda got messed up after changing all the drives. :/

Will check out that SyncToy.

Yeah, the partitions look about right---112 GB for C, which should be plenty. All you have to do is get your data onto A.

Weird seeing an A drive for something other than a floppy---I'm kinda surprised it was allowed. My data drive has the D drive letter.

seavixen32 · 16 Jan 2012

Looks good to me.

You might want to change the drive letter of your Data partition to D (if it is not already in use).

A is usually reserved for a floppy drive.

Infinite · 16 Jan 2012

I can't change the Data Drive Letter to D due to the Disk Drive being D:// and if I change it, I can not use Disks.

Windows 7: Looking for a Backup Setup

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