Windows 7: Looking for a Backup Setup

Hi Guys, I am looking for a backup system. I was thinking I should make a folder in Data partition called Default System, which would take ages to clone, so I always have a Backup of fresh files, but I guess I can't now unless I reformat.

The current Backup I do is through Control Panel/System/Advanced System Settings/System Protection/Create restore point every so often.

But I honestly don't think that's enough.

I do not have a USB Stick/Disk/Ext. HDD and just the 2 HDD's in my System which I will inlcude a Screenshot of.

Please let me know how you think I should partition my PC for Optimal Backup and what programs for free will give me a good solid backup system.

I would also like to backup my Data, not just OS and System Files. I do not mind using a cloud based service such as Windows Live/Dropbox, etc.

Hi.


Your OS is Windows 7 Ultimate,so you have and you can use this for a full system image backup.


Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

I just shrinked my data Partition to 100GB and now have a 300GB Backup Partiton, will backup to that.

However, it asks whether or not to Backup System, Windows 7, Data and Ubuntu, should I chose Windows 7 and System first and then seperately do Data?

It really isn't a very good idea to backup to a partition on your internal hard drive.

If the drive fails you'll lose everything.

Is there any particular reason why you haven't got access to an external hard drive? Failing that do you have access to a network?

Well I do not have a external Hard Drive due to having no money left, spent most on games, gonna get an controller and a monitor very soon too, so will not have enough money for a Ext. HD

I do have a Network, but am worried to store it there as it is getting DoS attacks right now.

With your setup, this is what I would do:

Shrink C, then make another partition on that same drive. Put your data in this new partition. After you do that, C and data will be on the same drive, in separate partitions. Your current C has over 400 GB unused. That empty space is being wasted.

Use Disc 0, partition Z for all backups. Backup C to Z via an image. Backup your new data partition to Z via a "file by file" program, rather than an image program.

Leave Ubuntu where it is if you need it.

Do you mean like this?

Also what file by file backup software do you recommend and what files to Backup?

I can't see your pic. I get an error message "invalid attachment".

How far did you shrink C?

Windows Disk Management often can't shrink C beyond a certain point. In which case you have to use something like Partition Wizard bootable disk to shrink it further.

There are plenty of good file by file backup programs---Synctoy, Syncback, Allway Sync, Karen's Replicator, etc. They all basically do the same thing.

Hi Sorry, I updated the post as I misread one of your steps.

Now I can see the pic.

Yeah, that's what I mean. C is still much too large if you are not going to keep data on C.