Backing up to External Hard drive - do i need to partition?

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  1. Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #21

    Cheers! I'm just using the windows 7 one at the moment to create the image and then the repair disc.
    Will I only be able to use this to reinstall windows on the same hard drive if something went wrong or could I used it to install windows on another hard drive (if say my current one broke or something) ?

    One more question - If i wanted to create a backup for my laptop, would I be able to save it on the external as well? As wouldnt the PC and the laptop backup try to use the same folder name in the root of my external? (this isn't really an issue for me at the moment as I havent yet brought a windows 7 laptop, but I was just wondering for the future)

    Cheers
    Soph
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #22

    You can use it to restore to a new hard drive if the original fails.

    You can't backup another computer to the same drive. As you have surmised there will be a name clash. This is possible with Macrium, you just need to create the backup in a new folder so that you know which is which.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #23

    Ok, cheers for all the info, it's been a great help :)
    I'm going to have a go at using Macrium once this windows one has finished

    Thanks
    Soph
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #24

    No problem. Post back if you need to.
      My Computer


  5. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #25

    kingmonkeywoman said:


    I just googled I/O speed... am I right in saying this means 'input/output' speed?
    Are you saying that putting the back up on a partition on the external rather than a folder on the external would increase the speed when accessing my files?

    Cheers
    Soph
    No I'm not saying this. For what you describe partitioning will serve little purpose. Although I still think having more than one file system (ie more than one partition) has an advantage I do not partition most of my externals. But I am against the blanket statement that partitioning is bad.
    I keep multiple images on my externals and as the HDD fills up you certainly notice an increase in the time it takes to make an image.

    I use Windows imaging and Macrium to be on the safe side. If you read the tutorial
    Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
    it is easy to create multiple images with Windows own imaging and I use it all the time. However, Macrium is considered by many more straightforward.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 20
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    Thread Starter
       #26

    Cheers Kado897 and mjf
    I've now used both the windows 7 imaging and macrium , and tested both out on a spare HDD and they both work! So much easier than I thought it would be, I wish i knew about this in the past, I could have saved myself sooo much hassle!!

    I have another question regarding dual booting unbuntu and windows 7 on serperate hard drives, and also about mixing SATA and IDE HHDs, but I don't think this is the right heading to post it under, or if infact this is even the right forum to post on? Any idea where would be a good place to post this question?

    Thanks again
    Soph
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #27

    I would post in the General Discussion forum. The mods will move it if they think it should be somewhere else.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 325
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #28

    kingmonkeywoman said:
    Cheers Kado897 and mjf
    I've now used both the windows 7 imaging and macrium , and tested both out on a spare HDD and they both work! So much easier than I thought it would be, I wish i knew about this in the past, I could have saved myself sooo much hassle!!
    Excellent! You are ready!
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10,455
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
       #29

    Victor S said:
    kingmonkeywoman said:
    Cheers Kado897 and mjf
    I've now used both the windows 7 imaging and macrium , and tested both out on a spare HDD and they both work! So much easier than I thought it would be, I wish i knew about this in the past, I could have saved myself sooo much hassle!!
    Excellent! You are ready!
    Glad to hear it.
      My Computer


  10. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #30

    kingmonkeywoman said:
    Cheers Kado897 and mjf
    I've now used both the windows 7 imaging and macrium , and tested both out on a spare HDD and they both work! So much easier than I thought it would be, I wish i knew about this in the past, I could have saved myself sooo much hassle!!

    Thanks again
    Soph
    Doing this on a spare HDD is the way to go! When I first did this it was a great boost to my confidence that imaging could get me out of all sorts of trouble - even if your HDD dies.
      My Computer


 
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