backup

I have copied all of my user files to an external hard drive. That includes documents, pictures, downloads, contacts, etc. I have all of my original install disks for things such as Pinnacle studio, MS Office, AVG, Netgear router, etc. I also copied my downloads folder with things like CCleaner, etc.

Having to reinstall all of that would be very time consuming. Is there a simple and reliable way to back up everything (operating system plus all user files) without spending a fortune in the process? If I did this, would it restore my main hard drive (with user files) to exactly what it was when a failure occurred? I will NOT back up files to an online service - I don't trust them.

So far I have relied on System Restore and that has worked for me every time. As it turns out, I have never (in over 12 years) had to reinstall an operating system. I have had minor problems that were fixed with system restore or by uninstalling the last program installed. I have used Windows 98, XP, and VISTA.

Thanks in advance!

I use this to back up. Never had the need to restore. Others have and say it is great.

Free Backup Software: Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition - Overview


This has also been suggested
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

Hello TeamanFL.




A lot of people are having good success with Macrium as Rich has suggested, have a look at the tutorial at the link below.

Imaging with free Macrium

Macrium is AMAZING and will save you from so many nightmares.

Thanks to everyone for the help.

I tried Paragon and had many problems. I sent a support request, but have no answer or even an acknowledgment of receipt.

I did a BU w/Macrium. Is there a way to know if it will work if I ever have to use it? Some sort of verify function? Also, what if I can't boot at all. How can Macrium help in that case?

Hello again.



I've never used Macrium, I just do clean installs when needed but I'm sure someone that has experience with it will be along to answer your questions, just keep checking back periodically. I'm sure it has a verify function.

Click on Other Task, Verify Image and Backup Files.

If you followed the video tutorial, then you its all you need to know. It works great.

If for some reason you get a virus or whatever, and you made a backup image of the main OS, (C partition). Then you boot into the Rescue CD and replace the C partition with the backup you create.

As long as the backup image was created without a virus or anything, then you will be fine.

Bare Foot Kid said:

Hello again.



I've never used Macrium, I just do clean installs when needed but I'm sure someone that has experience with it will be along to answer your questions, just keep checking back periodically. I'm sure it has a verify function.

Click to expand...

If you do a clean install and use the program to make an system image backup, then whenever you need to do a "clean install" you can can use the rescue CD and do a clean install with the system image you created. it saves you from trouble of installing sp1, and sp2, not to mention the process of restoring to a system image can take less than 20 minutes.

Thanks mate for the encouragement, it's always on my 'to do' list but it's something I never get around to, maybe one of these days.

Bare Foot Kid said:

Hello again.



I've never used Macrium, I just do clean installs when needed but I'm sure someone that has experience with it will be along to answer your questions, just keep checking back periodically. I'm sure it has a verify function.

Click to expand...

If I did a clean install, I would have to reinstall –
CCleaner
Winpatrol explorer
AVG
Office 2000
Adobe reader
Cell phone interface
Pinnacle studio
HP solution center for printer
Google Earth
Firefox
Powerdesk 7
Cyberlink DVD suite
Comparator pro
Rummy cube
Solsuite
Enditall
Over 4000 data files - pix, music, etc

Paragon backup and recovery
Belarc advisor
Audacity
Photoelf
Amazon mp3 downloader
At least 15 other programs
So I will NEVER do a clean install unless I am forced under gunpoint!

well yea if the next time you HAVE TO, install Vista all your updates, install all the programs, you will have to do this anyhow, but after you finish, make a system image using macrium and if you need to re-install the process will take less than 25 minutes to get a completely perfect running computer again, minus the headache.

im looking into making a slipstream copy of vista with sp1 and sp2 and my drivers just to have a backup to my system image, lol. the tutorial doesnt seem to complicated but i dont have that ISO program.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/230249-sliptream-vista-sp2.html