Backing up files

B

Bernie

Hi. I wish to carry out a back-up of my files to an external HDD but I am not sure exactly what can be backed up and what can't. When I read the Help Files they simply refer to backing up one's "Data" but what exactly does that mean?

What confuses me even more is that most of what I wish to save is in "My Documents" which is part of my XP Home OS and yet I am told you cannot save the Operating System, so please put me out of my misery and kindly tell me exactly what can and cannot be backed up. :confused:
 
data: pictures, music, videos, documents

that is what you can backup.

programs can not be backed up.

however it is better to create an image of your system with acronis true image, this takes a copy of the entire system, programs and all, and if then needed you can restore your system to this backup.

windows NTBackup is not very good, read the following on backup:

Using NT Backup (Courtesy of Jose Ibarra)

If you are using/relying on the built in NT Backup to backup your system, that is primitive technology (obviously - since it will ask you for a floppy when it is done). If you have a disaster (even a minor one), you are going to have a big problem trying to recover your stuff if you don't have a floppy drive - and maybe even if you do have a floppy drive you are very likely still to a big problem if you need to restore your stuff.

If you want to make a backup, an image or some kind of clone of your system, it makes sense to use modern technology - and that technology is not built in to XP.

There are lots of popular options for third party XP backup and imaging software(s).

A popular one folks seem to like is from Acronis.

With that (free 30 day trial) you backup, you can make a bootable CD or bootable USB (that's modern, huh?) and use that in the event of a disaster.

They used to have a totally free version - maybe not anymore - just the 30 day trial, then you have to buy it, but it is well respected.

It is so much more robust than the XP backup, it is laughable.

There are many other options if you do a little Googling...

Here are some products that other forum users suggest might be appealing. Use Google to find them and read about their features, and capabilities. Some have free versions or you can purchase them to get more features:

If you have a Western Digital drive, you can get a version of Acronis True Image free from WD:

http://support.wdc.com/product/downloaddetail.asp?swid=119

Or you can obtain backup and cloning software separately (this is not a comprehensive list and is no particular order; some are free, others not):

Acronis True Image Home
Easeus ToDo Backup Free
Paragon Drive Copy or Partition Manager Personal
Casper
Norton Ghost


Some disk cloning software ideas for you to Google:

XXClone
Marcium Reflect Free
DriveImageXML
Acronis True Image Home 11
Easeus ToDo Backup
Paragon Drive Copy or Partition Manager Personal
Casper
Norton Ghost

Whatever method you choose, it is prudent to test your method from end to end to be sure it works.

You can create a temporary folder somewhere on your system and copy a bunch of files into it, perform your backup, then delete the temporary folder and be sure that you can recover it from your backup.

The day you need your backup/restore process to work is not the day to find out it doesn't work.

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Thank you Elizabeth 23 for explaining everything so clearly. I was not too concerned about backing up the little data I have on my PC, it was just that I had no idea what was included in the term "Data" and thought I would find out. Now I know, I feel a lot better and will probably back those files up in the future.

In the meantime, my main concern is my XP OS, as I was not sure whether I would still be able to get updates from Microsoft if it crashed. As it happens, I do have Acronis True Image installed, having a WD hard drive and I will, as you suggest, clone the Hard Drive in total, although I must admit, their instructions take some reading !

Believe it or not, I have been computing for many years but there are still things I get stuck on, so I am very pleased to have found this forum.

Thanks once again.
 
No problem, and yes you can still get updates, acronis is good especially after a fresh install with everything just like you want it then you can reinstall in an hour or so, a fresh install takes me about 13 hours.

and I would use wsus to download all the updates and then you can update offline, before ever connecting to the internet.

http://dellwindowsreinstallationgui...ndows/legacy-windows-xp-reinstallation-guide/

read above for wsus

read below on using acronis

http://dellwindowsreinstallationguide.com/backing-up-your-windows-installation-using-acronis/

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I'm sorry to trouble you once again but when you say I would still get updates for XP Home, did you mean online via Windows Update in the usual way. Or, did you mean I could get them via wsus?

I was under the impression that when Microsoft stopped supporting XP, this meant no more security updates or indeed, no more anything. Fortunately, I have not had to reinstall XP since then, so have not had the opportunity to find out. If they are still issuing updates, what exactly is it they are not supporting.

I promise to leave you alone after this!!

PS. I found the 2nd link concerning Acronis to be most helpful. Thank you.
 
no support means no more NEW updates all of the updates to april 2014 are still available through microsoft updates.

I like to have them installed offline through wsus as it does not take as long as through microsoft updates, either way is viable.

Always glad to help when I can, :)

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