Is creating a system backup worthwhile and if so what's the best way

[foxint]

Hi

[FONT=&quot]have been advised to this but not sure where to start....


[/FONT] I have 3PC’s, 1 external HDD-box and a NAS: all have similar configurations 2 HDD in Raid 1. So I need some advice on software and how/what/where to put the backup discs. D-PC 2 x 500GB HDD; F-PC 2 x 225BG SSD; T-PC 2 x 1TB HDD; External box 2 x1TB HDD; and NAS 2 x 1 TB HDD.

Dan

 

[Golden]

Try Macrium Reflect - follow the tutorial

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

 

[foxint]

All very interesting.

I did not understand the warning. Plus it seems the back-up goes to another part of the HDD. But my SSD’s are almost full and what happens if the HDD breaks.

It was very confusing. Anything simpler?? Can I get a back-up on another HDD? This is what I thought was back-up. How do you back up to the same HDD, especially if there is no space???

Again anything simpler and easier to understand

 

[Golden]

Purchase separate external USB HDD's - image to these external HDD's.

The warning means that if you image to a USB3 HDD, and you then need to restore from it, plug it into a USB2.0 port on the computer when doing that.

 

[Britton30]

Look at this post too, may be some clarifications. http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/43219-image-your-system-free-macrium-102.html#post414672
You always want to store a backup image to some external drive. Or two.

 

[Mark Phelps]

Backing up to same drive can be done, just not to the same partition being imaged. The problem is, if that drive fails, you lose your backups, as well.

I always back up to a different drive, and then periodically, migrate those backups to an external drive.

With MR, the backups only take a few minutes, and they can prevent HOURS of work needed to restore a working version of the OS.

 

[foxint]

Hi

Thanks. I read about MR and got confused about images and ISO and boot disc etc.

I am happy with backing up one box to an external HDD (I am good with that), just want it to happen at 3am. Then when I restore.... that scares the bee-jeusus out of me.... I would like to take the backed up drive (everything from the failed drive) and just put it in the box and there you go.....

By the way ALL my drives are the same Seagate Barracuda, except the 2 SSD's that are OWC Extreme.

I will tell the truth - I have never backed up... well I have done it once and then I did not understand....

I would like an exact copy that I can just put in a PC and run with....????

 

[WinterBlue]

If you wish to backup your system via CD's, please watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma6Dt8ofQl0

 

[AddRAM]

It`s a piece of cake to use windows built in imaging, just make sure you have a Windows 7 install disc, or make yourself a system repair disc.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2083-system-repair-disc-create.html

 

[mjf]

All very interesting.

I did not understand the warning. Plus it seems the back-up goes to another part of the HDD. But my SSD’s are almost full and what happens if the HDD breaks.

It was very confusing. Anything simpler?? Can I get a back-up on another HDD? This is what I thought was back-up. How do you back up to the same HDD, especially if there is no space???

Again anything simpler and easier to understand

If I understand the warning you are talking about it refers to a linux recovery disc. A pe recover disk will not have the USB3 problems. You may need to manually load the USB3 drivers - we can help here if you have problems. Note WHS provides a link in his tutorial for a pe disc download.

I would say Macrium is as "simple" as you are likely to get. It may be a case of a bit of perseverance since I suppose imaging may be a bit daunting at first.
I would absolutely endorse the earlier comment that recommends using an external HDD. I'd make sure it's USB3 which is backward compatible with USB2.

I also use Windows inbuilt imaging but some members don't care for it.

 

[foxint]

Guys

Thanks. I would like to go the external USD3 HDD.

I am a little (lot) confused with "imaging" - what is it?

Cannot a backup be the same as what is on the source HDD?? Why does it have to be altered.

As I said before, my preference is for the backup to be exactly as the source drive, so there is no stuffing around with re-fomating and ISO files (whatever they are) and I can just take the back up and connect it to the PC and we are working????

I am sure all this re-installing is very amusing and satisfying, but I really do not want the aggravation

Dan

 

[DavidE]

A Backup Image is a copy of the partition, but it must be restored to be usable.

You must Restore the image to "recover" ...
- There is NO "stuffing around with re-fomating and ISO file" needed.
- You can NOT " just take the back up and connect it to the PC and we are working"
- A Backup Image must be restored!

If you don't want to use Backup Images, then you would need to learn and use Disk Cloning.
THAT is NOT the way to go, and is much more difficult...
Just take the time to learn and Use Backup Imaging, or have a tech friend help you.

 

[foxint]

Hi David,

I know it sounds a little strange. But I have no tech friends in town. I moved to the country from the city. My wife has friends here not me.

So I have to find resources where I can.... So here I am...

OK is Mercircal Restore the best/easiest... seems like the one the forum is suggesting??

 

[DavidE]

No matter what tool you choose, you do have to take the time to learn it and test it to know it works for you.
Macrium is highly recommended here, and it works for me, but I still prefer and use Acronis because I have used it for years without problems...

In the OP you stated you use RAID 1.
I don't use RAID so I can't comment on what might work best with that.

 

[foxint]

Hi David,

I have seen Acronis....I have all Seagate HDD, except for 2 OWC-Extreme SSD's. Yes all boxes have 2 HDD and ALL are in Raid 1. So in the event of a hardware failure I am OK, but if both drives go or if a virus hits.... not sure even if I have a "back-up"... am I safe???

So is Acronis.... better/easier. Please remember I am in the bush and am Nigel-no-friends.....

 

[marsmimar]

Just one more thought. Let's say you have 50GB on your hard drive and you want to make a system image. If you try to back up 50GB to CDs, you'll have to use more than 50 CDs because each CD holds less than 1GB of data. If you back up to DVDs, you'll need more than 10 because a typical DVD holds less than 5GB. If just one of those disks fail to burn properly the entire image is compromised. Not to mention the time involved sitting by the computer waiting to insert the next disk.

http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-restore/233960-how-verify-windows-system-image.html#post1956291

 

[DavidE]

If a virus hits, I believe any ONLINE storage may be compromised...
I'm no security expert, but I keep OFFLINE backups for everything I would need to recover in such an event.

You already use RAID 1, so you see the need for backups, and you realize both HD's may fail, so RAID 1 may not be good enough, right?

Well, so it goes with everything, including Backup Imaging programs...there is no 100% guarantee IMHO!
Some people suggest using more than 1 Backup Imaging program, in the event program "A" fails...
How important is this to you, and how much time are you willing to spend testing different programs to make sure they work for you?

 

[foxint]

Good point - David. I really do not want to be spending too much time testing which system is right. I would like a turn-key approach.

I agree CD/DVD too hard. I have say 5 boxes I see to back up, so I need 5 external boxes with say 1 HDD of 1 x TB, since none of my HDD are larger than 1 TB.

Seems like a choice between Mercurial or Acronis. Is this the consensus?
If I have the externals attached with USB3, is this considered – off-line??
Dan

 

[DavidE]

If I have the externals attached with USB3, is this considered – off-line??
Dan

They are ONLINE if you can see and use them in Windows.
For OFFLINE they would need to be disconnected, or powered off...

 

[AddRAM]

Think of a disk image as a picture of your C partition as it is right now. If you ever have a major problem with windows in the future, you can use that image to put windows back to the way it was at that moment. It`s a lot faster then re installing windows.