Solved Looking for a Backup Setup

[Infinite]

Hi Guys, I am looking for a backup system. I was thinking I should make a folder in Data partition called Default System, which would take ages to clone, so I always have a Backup of fresh files, but I guess I can't now unless I reformat.

The current Backup I do is through Control Panel/System/Advanced System Settings/System Protection/Create restore point every so often.

But I honestly don't think that's enough.

I do not have a USB Stick/Disk/Ext. HDD and just the 2 HDD's in my System which I will inlcude a Screenshot of.

Please let me know how you think I should partition my PC for Optimal Backup and what programs for free will give me a good solid backup system.

I would also like to backup my Data, not just OS and System Files. I do not mind using a cloud based service such as Windows Live/Dropbox, etc.

 

[panais]

Hi.


Your OS is Windows 7 Ultimate,so you have and you can use this for a full system image backup.


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

 

[Infinite]

Hi.


Your OS is Windows 7 Ultimate,so you have and you can use this for a full system image backup.


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

I just shrinked my data Partition to 100GB and now have a 300GB Backup Partiton, will backup to that.

However, it asks whether or not to Backup System, Windows 7, Data and Ubuntu, should I chose Windows 7 and System first and then seperately do Data?

 

[seavixen32]

It really isn't a very good idea to backup to a partition on your internal hard drive.

If the drive fails you'll lose everything.

Is there any particular reason why you haven't got access to an external hard drive? Failing that do you have access to a network?

 

[Infinite]

It really isn't a very good idea to backup to a partition on your internal hard drive.

If the drive fails you'll lose everything.

Is there any particular reason why you haven't got access to an external hard drive? Failing that do you have access to a network?

Well I do not have a external Hard Drive due to having no money left, spent most on games, gonna get an controller and a monitor very soon too, so will not have enough money for a Ext. HD

I do have a Network, but am worried to store it there as it is getting DoS attacks right now.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

With your setup, this is what I would do:

Shrink C, then make another partition on that same drive. Put your data in this new partition. After you do that, C and data will be on the same drive, in separate partitions. Your current C has over 400 GB unused. That empty space is being wasted.

Use Disc 0, partition Z for all backups. Backup C to Z via an image. Backup your new data partition to Z via a "file by file" program, rather than an image program.

Leave Ubuntu where it is if you need it.

 

[Infinite]

Do you mean like this?

Also what file by file backup software do you recommend and what files to Backup?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I can't see your pic. I get an error message "invalid attachment".

How far did you shrink C?

Windows Disk Management often can't shrink C beyond a certain point. In which case you have to use something like Partition Wizard bootable disk to shrink it further.

There are plenty of good file by file backup programs---Synctoy, Syncback, Allway Sync, Karen's Replicator, etc. They all basically do the same thing.

 

[Infinite]

Hi Sorry, I updated the post as I misread one of your steps.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Now I can see the pic.

Yeah, that's what I mean. C is still much too large if you are not going to keep data on C.

 

[Infinite]

It wouldn't let me shrink it further, might have to use EASEUS Partition Master. I won't be able to use 200GB of Data anyway, and by the time I do, I will have an Ext. HD.

 

[seavixen32]

I see you haven't yet shrunk your C drive.

Rather than using Windows disk management, check this Partition Wizard tutorial.

Along with ignatzatsonic I suggest this method because the Windows utility will only let you shrink the C drive once, and then won't let you extend the D drive to the left.

PW will carry out both tasks for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

 

[Infinite]

One problem, I do not have a disk to burn the ISO to.

I did shrink it:

Before - http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...kup-setup-disk-management-16-january-2012.png

After - http://www.sevenforums.com/attachme...p-setup-disk-management-3-17-january-2012.png

However Windows Disk Management wouldn't let me shrink further than 204GB, I might try EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition Free, that worked well before for me unless I get some other suggestions.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

It wouldn't let me shrink it further, might have to use EASEUS Partition Master. I won't be able to use 200GB of Data anyway, and by the time I do, I will have an Ext. HD.

OK. EaseUS should work and you don't have much data right now anyway.

With this setup, your backups and your originals are on 2 entirely separate drives. If one drive dies completely, you can survive.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

what files to Backup?

Anything you value, excluding Windows itself.

Don't forget bookmarks and email, along with the obvious stuff like pictures, tax records, mp3s, video. Whatever you generate with the PC.

I also backup the uninstalled versions of downloaded programs---they are just data of another type---and have value to me.

 

[seavixen32]

As part of your backup project you might want to consider using Microsoft's SyncToy.

If you use the Echo function it does a good job of syncing folders on your hard drive with a folder of the same name in your backup location by the use of folder pairs that you create. The Echo function looks for files that have changed in the source folder, and then updates the destination folder. I use it a lot and it hasn't let me down yet.

Download: SyncToy 2.1 - Microsoft Download Center - Download Details

 

[Infinite]

Here we go, I guess I am done with the partitioning part then?

The icons kinda got messed up after changing all the drives. :/

Will check out that SyncToy.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Here we go, I guess I am done with the partitioning part then?

The icons kinda got messed up after changing all the drives. :/

Will check out that SyncToy.

Yeah, the partitions look about right---112 GB for C, which should be plenty. All you have to do is get your data onto A.

Weird seeing an A drive for something other than a floppy---I'm kinda surprised it was allowed. My data drive has the D drive letter.

 

[seavixen32]

Looks good to me.

You might want to change the drive letter of your Data partition to D (if it is not already in use).

A is usually reserved for a floppy drive.

 

[Infinite]

I can't change the Data Drive Letter to D due to the Disk Drive being D:// and if I change it, I can not use Disks.