Backup to External drive

[qim]

I have an external drive with lots of data. If I use it to back up from Windows 7 64 bit, do I lose the fata already on the drive?

Thank you

qim

 

[jumanji]

Welcome to SevenForums.

Which program do you use for backing up? Keep your data in a seperate partition and backups in a seperate partition on your external drive.

( I use Paragon Hard Disk Manager Suite 11 to back up to an external drive partition exclusively earmarked for Backups. That way I can monitor and ensure that there is always sufficient space for backups.

I also keep a copy of the most recent backup on a seperate partition (not on the System Partition C drive) in the internal drive and run the WinPE Rescue CD from my bootable pendrive to restore should there be a need, without connecting the external drive.)

 

[qim]

Well. I was going to use the program that came with the Samsung laptop which I assume is part of Windows 7. My external hard drive is NOT partitioned. Does that mnean that if I backup to it I lose the data already there?

Thanks

qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

If you use the native windows backup program your data will not be deleted. Make sure there is enough free space to accommodate your backup though. - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/615-backup-user-system-files.html

It may be worth creating a separate partition on your external though purely for backups -
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2672-partition-volume-shrink.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

Danny

 

[jumanji]

No, it will not erase your data. But it is always better that you create a seperate partition on your external drive for backups.

But before you create partitions on your external drive, back up any data on it to another hard disk and copy them back after creating the partitions.

 

[qim]

Thanks Danny

Is it possible to create a new partition in my external drive WITHOUT deleting the existing data?

Thanks

qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Thanks Danny

Is it possible to create a new partition in my external drive WITHOUT deleting the existing data?

Thanks

qim

Use the first link I posted to shrink the existing partition down then you will be able to create a second partition out of the free space (if there is enough available).

If you like post a screenshot or your disk management screen showing how the drive is set up at present and we can take a look at it for you. - How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...ed-method-uploading-posting-screen-shots.html

Danny

 

[qim]

Hope this shows up properly..

qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Ok qim

There is 83% free space on that drive so use this - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2672-partition-volume-shrink.html to shrink the single partition down then this - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html to create yourself a new partition for your backups.

Danny

 

[qim]

Thanks Danny

Before I go ahead, is it really becessary to shrink the existing data in the external drive, as I have so much free space? I am worried about losing any of the data.

qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Honestly its your choice.

You have plenty of free space on that drive. The backup just creates 2 folders like below and your backup is all kept in zip folders inside these.

So you could either just save it to that one large partition or shrink it down and create another purpose made backup partition.
The shrink will only shrink the size of the partition not the data but is dependant on where the files are located on the disk as to how far it will shrink.
So its whatever you feel more comfortable with.

Danny

 

[qim]

The shrink will only shrink the size of the partition

Fine. That's what I had not understood. Will go ahead with the partition as per your suggestion.

Many thanks for your help and patience.

qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

The shrink will only shrink the size of the partition

Fine. That's what I had not understood. Will go ahead with the partition as per your suggestion.

Many thanks for your help and patience.

qim

Post back with any questions/results

 

[qim]

Sorry to be back so soon, but the backup does not seem to have worked. Although I have folders in the new partition I got a message saying that the backup did not complete successfully due to i/o problem.

Help...

qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Ok first post a screenshot of your new disk management screen again. How long into the backup did the error occur. Did you assign the new partition a drive letter and also choose that letter when setting the backup.

Danny

 

[qim]

It seems to have stopped half-way through. I tried it a second time, and just now a third, with the same result. I accepted theletter assigment as suggested by the prog, and the back up did go to the right new partition. The problem is that I have no idea if it is any good. According to the box that popped-up, it is not. I am attaching screen shpts.

qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

Ok the partition you created is all fine with plenty of space, the error is to do with the backup only not anything to do with the new partitions.
I've done some searching and if I'm not wrong the blame seems to lie with shadow copies and system restore. Turn off system restore on all partitions and apply to delete all restore points. Then turn it back on for your windows partition only and manually create a restore point so you have one available - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/81499-system-restore-configuration-enable-disable.html
After a reboot try again this time configure your backup only to do your user files (ie uncheck the box for system image during the configuration) as this can be done on its own later.


See if that works, post back and I will get some more help with the error if it doesn't fix it.

Regards Danny

 

[qim]

I''m afraid the problem subsists, even after doing as you suggested. By the way, I turned off/deleted all restore points, and when I created new ones I did it for the 3 drives (C, G, H). Does that mean that if, one day, I need to restore it applies to all these drives, or can I choose onbly the one I need?

Qim

 

[xxxdannyxxx]

It would only be the one you do the restore on. Usually you would only use system restore on your windows drive personally I would turn it off on your external as its a backup/data drive.
Please run this - http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html and report any results.Try the backup again after.

Other Reading - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/973455#workaroundissue12

Windows backup can be temperamental at time you may consider using this instead - http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

 

[qim]

Well, now I am havinbg problems with scannow. If I enter the commands in the 'Run' nothing seems to happen and ceratinly I get no results. If I open the Dos window it tells me that I am not an administrator. I am!

The computer is new (two weeks old) and I would be surprised if there is any corruption already.

qim