Is creating a system backup worthwhile and if so what's the best way

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  1. Posts : 102
    Wind 7 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #11

    Guys

    Thanks. I would like to go the external USD3 HDD.

    I am a little (lot) confused with "imaging" - what is it?

    Cannot a backup be the same as what is on the source HDD?? Why does it have to be altered.

    As I said before, my preference is for the backup to be exactly as the source drive, so there is no stuffing around with re-fomating and ISO files (whatever they are) and I can just take the back up and connect it to the PC and we are working????

    I am sure all this re-installing is very amusing and satisfying, but I really do not want the aggravation

    Dan
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #12

    A Backup Image is a copy of the partition, but it must be restored to be usable.

    You must Restore the image to "recover" ...
    - There is NO "stuffing around with re-fomating and ISO file" needed.
    - You can NOT " just take the back up and connect it to the PC and we are working"
    - A Backup Image must be restored!

    If you don't want to use Backup Images, then you would need to learn and use Disk Cloning.
    THAT is NOT the way to go, and is much more difficult...
    Just take the time to learn and Use Backup Imaging, or have a tech friend help you.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 102
    Wind 7 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #13

    Hi David,

    I know it sounds a little strange. But I have no tech friends in town. I moved to the country from the city. My wife has friends here not me.

    So I have to find resources where I can.... So here I am...

    OK is Mercircal Restore the best/easiest... seems like the one the forum is suggesting??
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #14

    No matter what tool you choose, you do have to take the time to learn it and test it to know it works for you.
    Macrium is highly recommended here, and it works for me, but I still prefer and use Acronis because I have used it for years without problems...

    In the OP you stated you use RAID 1.
    I don't use RAID so I can't comment on what might work best with that.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 102
    Wind 7 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Hi David,

    I have seen Acronis....I have all Seagate HDD, except for 2 OWC-Extreme SSD's. Yes all boxes have 2 HDD and ALL are in Raid 1. So in the event of a hardware failure I am OK, but if both drives go or if a virus hits.... not sure even if I have a "back-up"... am I safe???

    So is Acronis.... better/easier. Please remember I am in the bush and am Nigel-no-friends.....
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #16

    Just one more thought. Let's say you have 50GB on your hard drive and you want to make a system image. If you try to back up 50GB to CDs, you'll have to use more than 50 CDs because each CD holds less than 1GB of data. If you back up to DVDs, you'll need more than 10 because a typical DVD holds less than 5GB. If just one of those disks fail to burn properly the entire image is compromised. Not to mention the time involved sitting by the computer waiting to insert the next disk.

    How to verify a Windows System Image
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #17

    If a virus hits, I believe any ONLINE storage may be compromised...
    I'm no security expert, but I keep OFFLINE backups for everything I would need to recover in such an event.

    You already use RAID 1, so you see the need for backups, and you realize both HD's may fail, so RAID 1 may not be good enough, right?

    Well, so it goes with everything, including Backup Imaging programs...there is no 100% guarantee IMHO!
    Some people suggest using more than 1 Backup Imaging program, in the event program "A" fails...
    How important is this to you, and how much time are you willing to spend testing different programs to make sure they work for you?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 102
    Wind 7 Pro 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #18

    Good point - David. I really do not want to be spending too much time testing which system is right. I would like a turn-key approach.

    I agree CD/DVD too hard. I have say 5 boxes I see to back up, so I need 5 external boxes with say 1 HDD of 1 x TB, since none of my HDD are larger than 1 TB.

    Seems like a choice between Mercurial or Acronis. Is this the consensus?
    If I have the externals attached with USB3, is this considered – off-line??
    Dan
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6,330
    Multi-Boot W7_Pro_x64 W8.1_Pro_x64 W10_Pro_x64 +Linux_VMs +Chromium_VM
       #19

    foxint said:
    If I have the externals attached with USB3, is this considered – off-line??
    Dan
    They are ONLINE if you can see and use them in Windows.
    For OFFLINE they would need to be disconnected, or powered off...
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #20

    Think of a disk image as a picture of your C partition as it is right now. If you ever have a major problem with windows in the future, you can use that image to put windows back to the way it was at that moment. It`s a lot faster then re installing windows.
      My Computer


 
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