New
#1
Still Lost and Confused On Backing Up System and Programs Files
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.