Creating a back up image

[mitchell65]

I am creating a back up image onto a 250gb external hard drive. All is going OK but it is taking a long time. It has been going now for 2 hours and is only at 44% complete. It is an older Ext HD so may not be that fast. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[theog]

If you are backUp alot data, it will take some time.

 

[EzioAuditore]

If you are backUp alot data, it will take some time.

This and if the write speed of the ext HDD is low.

 

[mjf]

USB 2 to an external HDD takes me around 25min to image (Windows imaging) an original size of 50GB.
USB 1, I wouldn't waste my time.

A personal point of view: OS, (heaps of software), and a limited amount of data falls in the 50-60GB range. I find this an acceptable amount and time to image on a reasonably regular basis. If you're imaging anything larger it's time to segregate your data and adopt a multi backup strategy.
I think waiting around for 2hours+ for a single image would drive me nuts.

 

[Cato]

I have an external using E-Sata and a 55GB partition backup takes about 18 minutes.

If you're using the USB 1, that's probably normal for it. As mjf said, I would look to segreate data. Create a partition and only put the crucial files in one and the not so important ones in the other. That way you could schedule backup times for each partition separately and it shouldn't take so long.

This is my own personal way of doing things, so it may not be yours.

 

[kado897]

takes me about 45 minutes to backup an original size of around 100gb via usb 2 to a 1tb Iomega drive. Just time to eat my Sunday lunch.

 

[mitchell65]

Thanks to all for the help and advice. Have now looked at the content of my C drive and would be embarrassed to reveal my findings
Segregation and a good clean up are called for so this will be my first task for 2011.
A happy new year to all, thanks!

 

[kado897]

You are welcome. A happy New Year to you also.