Backup, Repair etc

[snowfreeze]

I would like some detailed explanation on backing up, repairing and creating installation discs for my Windows system. But I will be burning these images to the external 1.5Tb hdd I have instead of dvd's as I find that dvd's become unstable if not stored correctly
Please bear with me as there a quite a few things in Windows that I need to learn again after being with Linux for a few years. I still use Linux, but dual boot

EDIT 27 Nov - this is now solved

 

[gregrocker]

Back up a Win7 image directly to the external: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

Along with the image you can also backup specified files externally with incremental backups after the first one. This can be scheduled on a regular basis in the Win7 Backup Center. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/615-backup-user-system-files.html

When you make the first image backup, it will offer to burn a System Repair CD which can be booted to reimage the HD or replacement, Repair Win7, System Restore, Test Memory, etc. http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/51100-repair-cd-system-repair-disk.html This CD holds the same Repair console as is on the Win7 install DVD and also frequently available by tapping the F8 key at bootup.

If you bought Win7 preinstalled on a computer, there is likely a built-in Recovery Partition from which you can make Recovery disks that will return your computer to factory condition. Look for Recovery under the maker's name in All Programs. The disks are best used if the HD fails, since the Recov Partition itself can also be run from the OS or from boot (if Win7 fails to start) and is more stable than running the disks.

 

[mjf]

In addition to Greg's comments here's the link to the image recover tutorial.

The computer will probably pester you to make the factory recovery disks. I would make these asap and store them away. Copy isos from them to HDD if you want some extra protection if worried about DVD disk stability. Note these are different to the imaging discussed above.
Eventually having a second (often free) imaging program is good insurance.

 

[snowfreeze]

Hi Gregrocker & mjf

1. I'll be doing this within the next few hours. Being a bit of a Windows-noob and am so used to doing backups etc the Linux way.

 

[snowfreeze]

Guys, thank you so much.
This helped me after all the reading and following step-by-step, I got the exact results that I was looking for.

Txs a million

 

[gregrocker]

Glad it helped. Enjoy Win7.