Backup & Restore

[justinlee]

Just bought a 1TB external hard drive for use to back up files and system. Now, i understand Windows 7 backup will not back up Program Files and System files even if they are selected. Am i correct in saying that when i go to 'Let me choose' in the backup if a folder is greyed out it means that Windows will not backup that particular folder it up even if it is selected??

 

[richc46]

Back up and restore is for your personal documents
System Image will back up the entire drive
System Restore backs up the entire OS.

 

[justinlee]

So that means i am right in thinking the greyed out folders cannot be backed up even if checked. Instead that will be done by creating a System Image?

 

[richc46]

Read this, I think it explains, what and how to back up
How To Use Backup and Restore in Windows 7 - How-To Geek
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/615-backup-user-system-files.html

 

[justinlee]

Doesn't mention anything about the greyed out boxes. I assume they indicate that they cannot be backed up by checking them? I.e. Program files, system files etc??

 

[whs]

Whatever is greyed out does not qualify.

 

[justinlee]

Thank you.

 

[mjf]

When you are doing a Backup (Files/folders) after "Let me choose" what specifically is grayed out?
Just give a list of some of the grayed out boxes you are referring to.

 

[justinlee]

Program files, recycle bin, HP folder, system volume information, system.sav etc etc...

 

[mjf]

I have a couple of software development, compiler folders under c:\ which I include in my file/folder backup set but never considered it appropriate to even try and backup system stuff (except via imaging).

But these options aren't grayed out for me - now I'm puzzled why they aren't.

 

[justinlee]

That's strange.

 

[mjf]

Here is an example of a test backup I was able to select.
All Users is normally what's backed up by default.

c:\dislin is a graphics library
c:\LF9572 is a directory with compiler, linker, libraries ....
Note
c:\Program Files (x86)\ is what it says

Except note for the last three it states: Included in Backup - "All local data files"
After a bit of exploring the definition of "All local data files" is not that clear to me.

By the way I never actually include c:\Program Files (x86)\ !!

 

[mjf]

Here is what MS have to say"

"You can choose to back up individual folders, libraries, or drives.
Notes

• All files in known system folders (folders that contain files that Windows needs to run), and known program files (files that define themselves as part of a program in the registry when the program is installed) will not be backed up even if they are in a selected folder.

• If a folder or drive is not selected, the contents of that folder or drive are not backed up."

This explains my confusion. You can include .exe in your backup set except when they are recorded in the registry. Of course images includes everything.

 

[mborner]

It's simple. Windows Backup will not back up the operating system, itself. This includes the system files and folders, as they are an integral part of the operating system. As has been pointed out, if you need to backup these files and folders, you'll have to create a system image.

 

[mjf]

It's simple. Windows Backup will not back up the operating system, itself. This includes the system files and folders, as they are an integral part of the operating system. As has been pointed out, if you need to backup these files and folders, you'll have to create a system image.

I know that! and a fair bit about imaging and the difference between the .zip backup.
Read the thread more carefully and my response.

The OP was commenting on folders being grayed out when I didn't have them grayed out. Many of these folders have non registry and non operating system components.
My point was that anything with a registry entry will not be backed up and some of the components in my compiler folder were not backed up with "backup" because they have a registry entry.

Edit: Look at the screenshot in post #12
see folder c:\Program Files (x86) ..... accepted
It appears I need to repeat things -- I'm not suggesting you actually do "backup" (zip style) allowable elements of this folder.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello

I have a sort of similar prob with my lappy it takes forever to select backup to an external HDD and the only option I am left with is a system image.
This happens even when I try Kaspersky Pure to back up as well. Now I don't mind that - BUT each time I do connect an external I end up with disk errors of various drive#'s.
It is getting so frustrating as I have tried 3 brands and each with the same "expensive" result. No such prob with the desktop so am wondering if the errors maybe caused by the mobo or some other internal stuf that I must admit I know not that much about.

 

[mborner]

It's simple. Windows Backup will not back up the operating system, itself. This includes the system files and folders, as they are an integral part of the operating system. As has been pointed out, if you need to backup these files and folders, you'll have to create a system image.

I know that! and a fair bit about imaging and the difference between the .zip backup.
Read the thread more carefully and my response.

The OP was commenting on folders being grayed out when I didn't have them grayed out. Many of these folders have non registry and non operating system components.
My point was that anything with a registry entry will not be backed up and some of the components in my compiler folder were not backed up with "backup" because they have a registry entry.

Edit: Look at the screenshot in post #12
see folder c:\Program Files (x86) ..... accepted
It appears I need to repeat things -- I'm not suggesting you actually do "backup" (zip style) allowable elements of this folder.

Sorry, mjf, my response wasn't to you, it was to the OP

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Apologies

Look I'm sorry that I have caused so much confusion - I am not as savvy as you fellows and thought that a back up was a back up as in the whole shooting match!

I have a system image thats all and now I can see that it probably isn't going to be much good either.

I did a HDD test with HD Tune and it told me that the C: and the external were all good - only to find now I have ntfs errors (flies are corrupted) after that scan and this morning on start up.

Now someone else is asking what the hell am I doing with or running on the machine and the answer is simply the average joe blow stuff. I haven't touched the reg, run Kaspersky Pure, MBAM, just do auto updates for Windows, Kaspersky and have Defender turned off in case it is conflicting with the K and MBAM. I only use an extra usb hub for the external HDD's, printer, wireless mouse, the occasional usb stick for doc files etc, and an audio system (Logitec). I only get named brand plug in stuff and even if that means paying a bit more for items.

I feel deep down that I have a lemon on my hands in that there must be a fault with some other component and am going to contact Toshiba in Sydney as the dealer I bought this from (a Toshiba trained tech site) has been as about as much help as an ashtray on a motorbike. This is the second Toshiba I have had from the same dealer and both have had major faults. The first had a HDD that died and cost me $450 to replace! but at least that time it was a identifiable problem! Not like the current machine which seems to have a mind of it's own.

This one which is ten months old having problems since June that were corrected to a point by a factory default, but it seems every time I put something on the bloody thing as mentioned above - even something essential like the ISS it starts spitting out these errors. So am going to do another factory default tonight and see if it clears the corrupted files as two chkdsk's have not.

Ah well it's just as well I bought two years extra warranty I suppose - even so that flaming dealer charged me an extra $39 more than one ca get it direct from Toshiba!

Still enough ranting and I am so sorry for the confusion, and thank all for the time and patience, only it has become rather depressing to lurch from one problem to another and still have something that I am now really quite unsure to use - or touch.

J