Backup. How Do You Know Successful

[B]Hi.

New to the forum and Windows 7. I have been here many times reading the great posts before taking the 7 plunge.

-Today I did a backup using the tool in W7. I just want to insure that I have the system image and basic files, in case my system ever crashes and I can use the recovery and my install disc successfully.

The primary question is, How do you know if it was successful, if you can't see the size or content of the folders when you right click them (they say 0 size 0 folders? Is that normal?

I want to verify or know that the save/backup was completed.

The story:
1) I did the initial first time backup, which stores everyting, including image. It took about 45-60 minutes.

2) I had directed everything to 109 GB partition in my external Lacie Quadra.

3) I watched intermittently and saw various files and things being sent, and then the last thing was the system image.

4) So when it was all completed, about 17-20 GB's of the new partiton was used for the backup.

5) Now, I can see Three new folders, MyName-PC, Windows Image Backup, and MediaID bin. My concern is that I cannot see the size of MyName PC and SYSTEM IMAGE , when I look at the list detail (example it doesn't say like MyName PC size is 8 GB or SYSTEM Image is 10 GB) it does say 528 K for the Bin folder). When I right click for Properties, on the two in question, each says 0 folders 0 size.

6) If I go to the Backup Restore Program, it shows that the system was backed up and when the next was scheduled. Also in that same Program if I click Manage, it does individually list the size of those two (PC - IMAGE).

So maybe I am worrying over NADA and it's a matter that you just can't see those amounts, when you look at the folders directly or something.

Any information or comments is greatly appreciated. :)

For Windows Backup, double click any of the folders, accepting the UAC prompt and you'll eventually see a lot of .zip files.

I keep a backup image in a Primary formatted partition on every machine, copied to external drive.

I always test the image by booting into the Win7 DVD Repair Console to "Recover Using an IMage" to see if it is auto-detected in the partition and in the external root.

I then cue up the image and click through to the last step before reimaging.

Sometimes I go ahead and reimage since I now know it always works and the image was just made.

I have also reimaged to another HDD several times with success, but others report problems there.

As SIW2 sez: If you want to be absolutely backed up with your image, then make another one with another program like free Macrium Reflect.

richc46 said:

I just got Paragon for back up. Its great. I put a link for the source in the Chill Room, about 2 days ago.

Is that the Paragon Hard Disk 2009?

I want to try the bootable capsule hidden partition that reimages your hard drive by tapping F1 at bootup.

Brink told me about this. Gonna try it.

richc46 said:

Free Paragon Back Up Software

Here is the link Greg

Thanks Rich. Lookin forward to checking this out tomorrow.