Whole PC Backup – saving space by selecting partitions to back up for

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  1. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
       #1

    Whole PC Backup – saving space by selecting partitions to back up for


    Hi,

    I have a PC with one HDD and 2 Operating systems on it – there is one additional Partition for Data.
    I now I want to save the whole system in a storage economical way by skipping the Data Partion,
    So I think the Partions of the ‘Operating Systems’, the ‘MBR (for boot)’ and the Partition Table (for creating the same size of all partions) should be saved.

    I would like to have a Live CD that can save in this way (just skipping a selective partion – the user data partition) at once (one ‘image’) without much manual interaction to an external HDD.
    It should be free for personal use 

    What I’ve found now is only ALL or one partion at once … not comfortable not secure.
    Is there any tool that could really help me?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #2

    You would have to have a truck full of C/D's to do backups.

    I would suggest getting a extra hard drive (internal or better yet a external) to install backups.

    I use Macrium Reflect.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Layback Bear said:
    You would have to have a truck full of C/D's to do backups.
    Why? I don't want to back up to a CD.

    Layback Bear said:
    I would suggest getting a extra hard drive (internal or better yet a external) to install backups.
    Yes thats what I want backup to external HDD (USB/eSATA).

    Layback Bear said:
    I use Macrium Reflect.
    I take a look at it, but it seems to not beeing able to use as a LiveCD.
    Also selective Backup (Full HD but not all Partitions) seems to be not supprted.

    I was thinking about CloneZilla. Not having a GUI is not ideal.
    But what is a problem that it seems also to be not possible to BackUp the full HDD but skipping the Content of a selective Partition ...

    As mentioned I was thinking about a tools, that Saves the MBR + Partition Table + all Selected Partitions.
    On Recovery it creates all Partitions (from the Partition table), restores the MBR and than restores the partitions.
    Last edited by MPREv; 20 Jul 2014 at 09:09.
      My Computer


  4. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #4

    Have a look at this nice tutorial on (free) Macrium Reflect. It is an excellent imaging program.
    Imaging with free Macrium

    Windows inbuilt system imaging is ok for imaging a basic Windows system but Macrium would be better for you and it also performs some compression reducing the size of the image files. It saves the MBR along with whatever partitions you nominate. BTW the MBR contains the partition table.

    By "live CD" I think you mean the boot rescue CD? The author of the tutorial, WHS, has thoughtfully made available a rescue pe ISO so that you can burn your own rescue CD easily.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,941
    Linux CENTOS 7 / various Windows OS'es and servers
       #5

    Hi there

    If you are reasonably technical and don't want to pay for a backup program -- honestly these days your DATA is usually more valuable than your computer itself -- do you want to re-rip 6,000 CD's / recover lost music from ITunes, re-create a video library / recover Tax / business documents, work spread sheets, presentations etc etc. that a 45 USD commercial product say like ACRONIS IMO is well worth it - then use a LINUX live CD, and use either GPARTED to copy partitions or the standard Linux DD command which will handle ANY type of partition.

    The decent commercial backup products as well as the free one's have bootable versions too so you can do "Bare metal" recoveries even when your HDD on the machine is totally hosed up. You can usually create bootable USB sticks too.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  6. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #6

    I don't think the OP ever meant he wanted to backup to CDs.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #7

    I'm thinking the op meant a recovery CD when he referred to a live CD. Macrium Reflect Free (here is a good tutorial on how to use Macrium Reflect) will make one.

    I also recommend backing up your data as well as your system partitions. For that, I recommend a folder/file syncing program, such as FreeFileSync. A folder/file syncing program is much faster than imaging, requires less space, and gives you a usable copy rather than an image that has to be restored. For restoring an OS and Programs partition, though, imaging is essential.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hi guys.

    If it is still unclear (hmm) ...
    I want to boot from a CD (not saving to CD) and start the backup.
    I want to save the complete HDD but skipping one/more Partitions content (the Data partitions).
    The Images should be saved to a external (USB) Hard disk.

    No I don't want a backup strategy for the data, realy only the system should and has to be saved.


    @mjf: thanks, now I see that I can "hack" me a LiveCD with MacriumFree - lets see if I find time for that.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #9

    MPREv said:
    ...No I don't want a backup strategy for the data, realy only the system should and has to be saved...
    While I agree the system should be backed up (and I backup mine by imaging it at least once a week), why would you feel data shouldn't be backed up?
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 136
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Lady Fitzgerald said:
    While I agree the system should be backed up (and I backup mine by imaging it at least once a week), why would you feel data shouldn't be backed up?
    Because its not the topic of this thread
      My Computer


 
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