Backing up


  1. CJW
    Posts : 439
    10 Pro. 64Bit
       New #1

    Backing up


    Comfuser:
    I have a 500GB internal SATA HD which the OS is on (using very little space).
    I also have a 500GB external USB Passport which is used only for media (also using very little space).

    I just finished doing a complete DBan, reinstall of 7 Pro 64Bit as well as all my programs & removal of much MS clutter (fonts, cursors, sounds, pictures, etc).

    So I'll have a much easier & faster time reinstalling again if/when I need, what would be the best way for me to backup?

    1. Partition the HD & use that
    2. Partition the Passport & use that (but I'd still want to use the Passport as a USB Flash Drive-type to bring to family & use on their computer/tv).
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  3. Brink
    Posts : 72,050
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #2

    Hello CJW,

    I would say partitioning the external HDD and creating a system image on it would be best. This way if you lose your computer's HDD completely, you could just pop in a new HDD, then do a system image recovery from the external drive to restore your Windows 7 with everything else back to the new HDD.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
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  4. CJW
    Posts : 439
    10 Pro. 64Bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for the info, think that's what I may do, so long as I'll still be able to use the Passport as a normal USB drive to put & take media (music, picture) on & off.

    I also recived this from Western Digital
    "Regarding your concern, if you are trying to back up the computer including the OS, the best way for you to go is to partition the HD just in case the OS gets corrupted, the data will still be intact on the other partition. If you will choose to put it in the Passport drive, you will need to install the OS there & since it is using USB, the interface will render the OS to be very slow. Also, you will not be able to back up OS files & system files in the Passport."

    Is this correct that I cannot back-up to the Passport & what is the difference between a system image & backup? Sorry, it'll be my 1st try at this.
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  6. Brink
    Posts : 72,050
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #4

    CJW,

    If the USB Passport HDD is formatted as NTFS and not FAT32, then you should be able to use it to backup to in Windows 7 as long as there is not some sort of security measure on the HDD that would prevent it.

    A system image (click on link for more info) is a complete backup of Windows 7 and any selected HDD. It's the same as making a clone of the Windows 7 HDD.

    A normal backup (click on link for more info) allows you to select specific file types, folder, drives, and a system image to backup with doing it on an optional schedule.
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  7. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       New #5

    CJW said:
    I also recived this from Western Digital
    "Regarding your concern, if you are trying to back up the computer including the OS, the best way for you to go is to partition the HD just in case the OS gets corrupted, the data will still be intact on the other partition. If you will choose to put it in the Passport drive, you will need to install the OS there & since it is using USB, the interface will render the OS to be very slow. Also, you will not be able to back up OS files & system files in the Passport."
    If this is a verbatim quote from WD then I'm puzzled why they would say such a thing. I don't think Windows 7 can be put on an external USB HDD - you wouldn't really want to anyway. Secondly you cannot make an image to the OS partition and again it would be pointless.

    I have 3 external WD (Elements) usb HDD all partitioned and all with images on them.
    500GB - 2 partitions
    750GB - 2 partitions
    1TB - 4 partitions

    Elements is the bare bones disk. Passport I think may come with some WD backup software.
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  8. Brink
    Posts : 72,050
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       New #6

    Yeah, I'm not sure why they would say that either. You would not be able to install Windows 7 to a external USB HDD.
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