Solved Looking for a Backup Setup

[seavixen32]

OK, you could use a letter higher up the alphabet that is not in use.

 

[Infinite]

Changed it to S

Anything other than Data Backup, I was thinking more along the lines of Windows OS Backups, etc.

 

[seavixen32]

You can name the drive whatever you like. As a matter of interest I do use the name Data Backup.

 

[Infinite]

No, I didn't mean the name. I meant other than making backups for my Data, is there any good methods of making backups for Windows in a whole.

 

[seavixen32]

Have a look at this tutorial, which Panais posted for you at the start of the thread.

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

Macrium is very good. http://www.macrium.com/personal.aspx?FREELINK=Y

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The only way to backup a Windows "system" is with an image.

File by file backup programs won't work to backup Windows.

Images can be used to backup data as well as Windows, but I don't like entrusting backups of something as valuable as my data to something as shaky as imaging.

If your image backup of Windows drops dead--so what? You just reinstall manually. All you have lost is time.

If your image backup of your data drops dead, you have probably lost the data forever. I'm not going to live with that possibility.

 

[Infinite]

I might also try installing Windows to another partition and copying all the files to Data and then removing the OS. So I have all the default system files.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I might also try installing Windows to another partition and copying all the files to Data and then removing the OS. So I have all the default system files.

What??

If all you want to do is "copy all the files to Data", why not do that from your original installation, rather than from this other new installation on another partition???

If you don't already have a Windows installation disk, download the ISO and then burn it to a disk. And then make a copy of that burned disk if you want to.

 

[seavixen32]

ignatzatsonic has given you good advice with which I agree.

Far better to create a Windows system image, and then create a separate backup for your personal data.

Call it the belt and braces if you will, but I'd hate to give advice that resulted in the loss of everything.

 

[Infinite]

But if I look at the ISO Files through WinRAR, they are not the same as an OS pre-installed?

Oh and I forgot to mention, I need my Steam/Steam Games on another Partition (about 30GB used - will need 130GB approx), where do you recommend I move these?

EDIT: The reason I don't do it to my Pre-Operating System is because some of the files have probably been modified

 

[ignatzatsonic]

But if I look at the ISO Files through WinRAR, they are not the same as an OS pre-installed?

Oh and I forgot to mention, I need my Steam/Steam Games on another Partition (about 30GB used - will need 130GB approx), where do you recommend I move these?

A burned DVD of the ISO is identical to a store-bought installation disc. What more do you want?

Your new data drive (A or whatever letter you gave it) is the likely candidate for a games partition, since it has the most available free space---but do games even have to be on a separate partition?? I don't know.

 

[Infinite]

Well it's preferable on another Drive, downloading 30GB of game data with a 10MB/s internet speed -.-

If I reinstall I have to redownload all the games which will take a long time plus my progress won't be lost.

 

[Infinite]

Also, here is my last question. If I were to get an/a few Ext. HDD, how would it function?

Could I keep the Images/Backups on there instead of on the PC and use the other Data Space for something else?

How would you suggest I sort my partitioning out if I get 2/3 Ext. HDD's?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Also, here is my last question. If I were to get an/a few Ext. HDD, how would it function?

Could I keep the Images/Backups on there instead of on the PC and use the other Data Space for something else?

How would you suggest I sort my partitioning out if I get 2/3 Ext. HDD's?

There is effectively no difference between internal and external other than the obvious. Access to the external will be slower since data has to travel through the slower USB connection.

I would not use a different partition scheme just because it was external. One partition per drive would normally be fine. They have these wonderful things called folders. Check 'em out.

No need to get more than 1 external unless you need more space.