Still Lost and Confused On Backing Up System and Programs Files

CLB48 · 13 Feb 2014

I appreciate the replies to my first post, but still am not getting the "hang" of successfully backing up only the critical system, driver, and (complete) program data files before securely erasing my entire hard disk drive with both Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and Linux Mint on two separate partitions/volumes (?). For regular documents like Word files, Excel spreadsheets, .PDF documents, text documents in Notepad/WordPad/Notepad ++, and photos, is it correct that I can just back them up without any special precautions to a DVD +R data disc or my flash drive? What I am most concerned about is that I have stated that I don't have a separate Windows 7 install disc OR key any more. Therefore, if I securely erase the entire hard drive (both the 144 GB Volume with the Linux OS/files on it and the 350 GB Volume with Windows 7 and all the associated files on it) I will lose everything! All attempts via the Control Panel and the Back Up and Restore window to either burn an .img or repair disc have failed. That is one of the best signs I have that my PC's registry and hdd is far too badly corrupted. The only thing I think that makes sense to me and I could try to understand is how to go into Window's Back Up and Restore window's settings and try to back up my Win program application files that way. Is this possible? I know I will have to buy another copy of Win 7/8 from MS if I choose to reinstall a "fresh" Windows OS again.

whs · 13 Feb 2014

1. For backups you will need an external disk - DVDs or flash drives are no good choice
2. Why do you want to secure erase the disk - what sense does that make. Secure erase is for SSDs (mainly).
3. Periodic backups of your system is a good thing. Use free Macrium and make images - maybe once per week.

Imaging with free Macrium

4. If you image the OS and data partitions, you need not seperately backup your user data.
5. How come you have no Windows key. Isn't there one on the COA sticker.
6. If you image your system, you image the whole partition. You cannot backup parts of the OS - at least that makes no sense.
7. If your system is too corrupted, you need to reinstall. but for that you need an OS key.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Kaktussoft · 18 Feb 2014

CLB48 said:

I appreciate the replies to my first post, but still am not getting the "hang" of successfully backing up only the critical system, driver, and (complete) program data files before securely erasing my entire hard disk drive with both Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit and Linux Mint on two separate partitions/volumes (?). For regular documents like Word files, Excel spreadsheets, .PDF documents, text documents in Notepad/WordPad/Notepad ++, and photos, is it correct that I can just back them up without any special precautions to a DVD +R data disc or my flash drive? What I am most concerned about is that I have stated that I don't have a separate Windows 7 install disc OR key any more. Therefore, if I securely erase the entire hard drive (both the 144 GB Volume with the Linux OS/files on it and the 350 GB Volume with Windows 7 and all the associated files on it) I will lose everything! All attempts via the Control Panel and the Back Up and Restore window to either burn an .img or repair disc have failed. That is one of the best signs I have that my PC's registry and hdd is far too badly corrupted. The only thing I think that makes sense to me and I could try to understand is how to go into Window's Back Up and Restore window's settings and try to back up my Win program application files that way. Is this possible? I know I will have to buy another copy of Win 7/8 from MS if I choose to reinstall a "fresh" Windows OS again.

Are you having an OEM or retail license on this pc?