Solved Understanding backup correct format.

[Oldhead]

Im self taught ,and read this forum regulary for instruction and knowledge but .i have this issue re backup format /protocols.
SSD (C) drive with OS and apps.>
WD Black 1 Tb split into (2) 500gb drives (data)
Seagate 1 TB USB3 for backups ,offline until required for use. Manually connected .
Back ups held on both WD 500gb partition as well as External drive.

Aomei V2.5 ( one click backups and have used Aomei for 12 mths) no issues , easy interface and perform integity checks with each backup performed.
Aomei boot disk on USB is in drawer.

My question is .(1) I have been performing System backups ,size approx 26gb , includes MBR and do this on the 1st of every month.Then delete oldest 6 mths backup files ,so i have last 6 mths held as current.
So am i using the correct format (IE Full system) or should i perform an Image file backup or Clone ???????
Whats the diff ???? and does full system also include any data held on C drive??????
I dont want to do Incremental nor Differentials as issues can arise and i find that 26gb only takes approx 5 minutes inc integrity check but I DO want it to all be there just in case.!!!!

I have experienced the pain when a hardware failure MOBO or HD suddenly expires .(full re install)
Thanks in advance

 

[ignatzatsonic]

My question is .(1) I have been performing System backups ,size approx 26gb , includes MBR and do this on the 1st of every month.Then delete oldest 6 mths backup files ,so i have last 6 mths held as current.
So am i using the correct format (IE Full system) or should i perform an Image file backup or Clone ???????
Whats the diff ???? and does full system also include any data held on C drive??????

I assume the PC boots fine and operates well with only the SSD connected. Is that correct?

If it is correct, and all you want to do is be able to restore the C partition, including Windows and applications, you would have to make an image file of the C partition and most likely any other partition found on the SSD, such as "System Reserved" since your boot files probably are not on C. You could make separate image files of each partition, or make one image file containing all the necessary partitions.

You use the terms "full system" and ""Image file backup and clone". Is that Aomei nomenclature? I don't use that application and don't know for sure how those are defined.

A screen shot of Windows Disk Management and the Aomei interface showing the confusion options might help.

 

[whs]

The AOMEI definitions are all here. I think you want a system backup. A clone would give you a bootable system. You use that if you want to transfer the system from one disk to another. The term 'image file backup' is not separately described. I guess that would be an image and is the same as a system backup unless you mean a separate backup of the image files.

 

[Oldhead]

My question is .(1) I have been performing System backups ,size approx 26gb , includes MBR and do this on the 1st of every month.Then delete oldest 6 mths backup files ,so i have last 6 mths held as current.
So am i using the correct format (IE Full system) or should i perform an Image file backup or Clone ???????
Whats the diff ???? and does full system also include any data held on C drive??????

I assume the PC boots fine and operates well with only the SSD connected. Is that correct?

If it is correct, and all you want to do is be able to restore the C partition, including Windows and applications, you would have to make an image file of the C partition and most likely any other partition found on the SSD, such as "System Reserved" since your boot files probably are not on C. You could make separate image files of each partition, or make one image file containing all the necessary partitions.

You use the terms "full system" and ""Image file backup and clone". Is that Aomei nomenclature? I don't use that application and don't know for sure how those are defined.

A screen shot of Windows Disk Management and the Aomei interface showing the confusion options might help.

PC has both SSD and internal wd Black 1 tb running at optimum , SSD has only 1 partition (c) with 26 gig used space ,all i wanted to know was should i be performing

(1) (full system )with Aomei which includes MBR as a regular backup or perform a Disc (c) backup
as im haviing issues determining what format would be best if i ever have a hardware failure and need to recover.I fully understand you are not familiar with Aomei.
Thanks for prompt responce

 

[Oldhead]

The AOMEI definitions are all here. I think you want a system backup. A clone would give you a bootable system. You use that if you want to transfer the system from one disk to another. The term 'image file backup' is not separately described. I guess that would be an image and is the same as a system backup unless you mean a separate backup of the image files.

Cheers ,thanks for link , I think you have answered my query , Clone !!!!
Im trying to determine which would be best if ever the need arose to recover from a hard drive failure and or corruption in the future (which will happen) sooner or later .
Full system ???? Disk ???? or Clone??????
The above 3 descriptions are causing head spins .

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Definitely not a clone. Cloning is typically used when everything is fine and you just want to move to a new hard drive. It's not intended for recovering from a disaster.

I don't see the term "full system" on the Aomei help page. I do see:

"Disk backup", which should be for ALL partitions on a drive. Including data partitions if you had any on that disk. I guess you don't.

"System backup" would be for only those partitions on a drive that would be needed to restore Windows. On your SSD, that would be C and the normally unseen System Reserved, which you may nor may not have since we have yet to see a screen shot of Windows Disk Management as requested.

I'd guess all you need to do is a "System Backup", saving the image files to some other drive entirely. When disaster strikes, you would then do a "System Restore".

 

[Oldhead]

Copy of current disc management

 

[ignatzatsonic]

The SSD shows 2 partitions. C and a very small 100 mb partition marked "system, active, primary".

Windows needs both to start as you are now configured. So you would need to back up and later restore both of them.

I'd expect a "System Backup" per Aomei instruction page would back up both because Aomei will realize that both are needed and C isn't enough. You should confirm that by reading through the help files.

That small partition is not necessary IF your boot files are on some other partition, but in your case they are on the small one. So backing it up is mandatory. My SSD has C only.

 

[Oldhead]

Many thanks ,for patience and advice ignatzatronic ! System backup it is.