Vista - 2nd backup, not 1st (again)

I purchased a new laptop with Vista Home Premium, moved my files from my old
XP Pro to it, installed the programs I use, then did a backup to DVD (more
than one - not a quick process). Now when I tried to do another backup, it
said this is the first time so it will back up everything (again???). Why
won't it just figure out what changed since the first time I did a backup, a
few weeks ago. I copy WP and other files to another laptop frequently, so
every few weeks for a more complete backup should be OK. Is this a Vista
bug or pilot error? TIA, Paul

"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:43A5DA46-4CD6-463F-A462-B90834B2F6CA@microsoft.com...
>I purchased a new laptop with Vista Home Premium, moved my files from my
>old
> XP Pro to it, installed the programs I use, then did a backup to DVD (more
> than one - not a quick process). Now when I tried to do another backup,
> it
> said this is the first time so it will back up everything (again???). Why
> won't it just figure out what changed since the first time I did a backup,
> a
> few weeks ago. I copy WP and other files to another laptop frequently,
> so
> every few weeks for a more complete backup should be OK. Is this a Vista
> bug or pilot error? TIA, Paul

If you've changed the backup settings, as far as I know it will start from
scratch. Otherwise it will do incremental backups.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove nospam. to reply by e-mail*

Thx Paul Smith. I'm not aware that I changed settings, unless the schedule
counts - I may have. I just want to say "backup now", not some time in the
future when I'm sleeping and my computer is turned off. Can Vista do that
and know that I just need an incremental backup? I'll start over, if I can
count on the next time working correctly.

==================================
"Paul Smith" <Paul@nospam.windowsresource.net> wrote in message
news:73132D0B-7DC9-45A3-B0EE-FC3C91C030A4@microsoft.com...

If you've changed the backup settings, as far as I know it will start from
scratch. Otherwise it will do incremental backups.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove nospam. to reply by e-mail*

==================================
"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:43A5DA46-4CD6-463F-A462-B90834B2F6CA@microsoft.com...
>I purchased a new laptop with Vista Home Premium, moved my files from my
>old
> XP Pro to it, installed the programs I use, then did a backup to DVD (more
> than one - not a quick process). Now when I tried to do another backup,
> it
> said this is the first time so it will back up everything (again???). Why
> won't it just figure out what changed since the first time I did a backup,
> a
> few weeks ago. I copy WP and other files to another laptop frequently,
> so
> every few weeks for a more complete backup should be OK. Is this a Vista
> bug or pilot error? TIA, Paul

"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:43A5DA46-4CD6-463F-A462-B90834B2F6CA@microsoft.com...
>I purchased a new laptop with Vista Home Premium, moved my files from my
>old
> XP Pro to it, installed the programs I use, then did a backup to DVD (more
> than one - not a quick process). Now when I tried to do another backup,
> it
> said this is the first time so it will back up everything (again???). Why
> won't it just figure out what changed since the first time I did a backup,
> a
> few weeks ago. I copy WP and other files to another laptop frequently,
> so
> every few weeks for a more complete backup should be OK. Is this a Vista
> bug or pilot error? TIA, Paul
>


Just taking a SWAG at this... but I would be surprised if one could do
incremental backups to DVD. I would think backing up to DVD is an "all or
nothing" process. Even with DVD-/+RW disks. Again, just a SWAG, as I don't
use the built-in backup tools.

Lang

You don't mention what backup tool(s) you are using so I'm assuming you're
using the Vista Backup and Retore Center. I looks like you can either
backup the "whole" computer or backup slected files/directories. If you
want a more robust backup capability (i.e., incremental) then I would
suggest looking else where. There are lots of freeware/shareware stuff out
there as well as commercial backup software that isn't that expensive. Of
course "expense" is in the eye of the buyer :-)

"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:43A5DA46-4CD6-463F-A462-B90834B2F6CA@microsoft.com...
>I purchased a new laptop with Vista Home Premium, moved my files from my
>old
> XP Pro to it, installed the programs I use, then did a backup to DVD (more
> than one - not a quick process). Now when I tried to do another backup,
> it
> said this is the first time so it will back up everything (again???). Why
> won't it just figure out what changed since the first time I did a backup,
> a
> few weeks ago. I copy WP and other files to another laptop frequently,
> so
> every few weeks for a more complete backup should be OK. Is this a Vista
> bug or pilot error? TIA, Paul
>

Thanks Kirk. Paul Smith thinks Vista can do incremental backups to DVD,
which I assume means the new DVD would be applied after the original one was
applied. I'd be interested in a tool that was smart enuf to only back up
user files, not programs. If I have a disaster, I would load a new OS, then
install my programs, then put my files back. So do you think backing up
(just a simple copy) of "My Documents" on my C: and D: drives, plus my OE
folders and Contacts would be sufficient? I know I must be missing
something vital. TIA, Paul

"Kirk" <kirk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:3713F67E-A1E4-463B-ABB7-E0E8A574A4EB@microsoft.com...
You don't mention what backup tool(s) you are using so I'm assuming you're
using the Vista Backup and Retore Center. I looks like you can either
backup the "whole" computer or backup slected files/directories. If you
want a more robust backup capability (i.e., incremental) then I would
suggest looking else where. There are lots of freeware/shareware stuff out
there as well as commercial backup software that isn't that expensive. Of
course "expense" is in the eye of the buyer :-)

"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:43A5DA46-4CD6-463F-A462-B90834B2F6CA@microsoft.com...
I purchased a new laptop with Vista Home Premium, moved my files from my old
XP Pro to it, installed the programs I use, then did a backup to DVD (more
than one - not a quick process). Now when I tried to do another backup, it
said this is the first time so it will back up everything (again???). Why
won't it just figure out what changed since the first time I did a backup, a
few weeks ago. I copy WP and other files to another laptop frequently, so
every few weeks for a more complete backup should be OK. Is this a Vista
bug or pilot error? TIA, Paul

With respects to Paul Smith, I don't believe that Vista backup will do
incrementals. I ran a backup of my root drive and then tried to figure out
how to run an incremental using Vista backup and couldn't. Not to say it
won't, but I couldn't figure out how to make it do that.

I'm not sure that just making a copy of the Documents tree will do exactly
what you want. Besides that gets to be a pain after awhile.

I think maybe you're looking for something like Live OneCare. I'm not sure
how well it works with Vista (I've seen some posts that indicate people have
had problems with it, but maybe there is an update available). I have it
installed on my wife's computer, but she's running XPSP2. I've got it setup
so that it does a scheduled backup once a week and it does only backup her
user files. I've also got it to dump to a DVD+RW so I don't have to do
anything.

Kirk

"Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
news:B1B5C45D-593A-4369-8FB0-5F3970A823D9@microsoft.com...
>
> Thanks Kirk. Paul Smith thinks Vista can do incremental backups to DVD,
> which I assume means the new DVD would be applied after the original one
> was
> applied. I'd be interested in a tool that was smart enuf to only back up
> user files, not programs. If I have a disaster, I would load a new OS,
> then
> install my programs, then put my files back. So do you think backing up
> (just a simple copy) of "My Documents" on my C: and D: drives, plus my OE
> folders and Contacts would be sufficient? I know I must be missing
> something vital. TIA, Paul
>
> "Kirk" <kirk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:3713F67E-A1E4-463B-ABB7-E0E8A574A4EB@microsoft.com...
> You don't mention what backup tool(s) you are using so I'm assuming you're
> using the Vista Backup and Retore Center. I looks like you can either
> backup the "whole" computer or backup slected files/directories. If you
> want a more robust backup capability (i.e., incremental) then I would
> suggest looking else where. There are lots of freeware/shareware stuff
> out
> there as well as commercial backup software that isn't that expensive. Of
> course "expense" is in the eye of the buyer :-)
>
> "Paul H" <NoSpamphobergNoSpam@att.net> wrote in message
> news:43A5DA46-4CD6-463F-A462-B90834B2F6CA@microsoft.com...
> I purchased a new laptop with Vista Home Premium, moved my files from my
> old
> XP Pro to it, installed the programs I use, then did a backup to DVD (more
> than one - not a quick process). Now when I tried to do another backup,
> it
> said this is the first time so it will back up everything (again???). Why
> won't it just figure out what changed since the first time I did a backup,
> a
> few weeks ago. I copy WP and other files to another laptop frequently,
> so
> every few weeks for a more complete backup should be OK. Is this a Vista
> bug or pilot error? TIA, Paul
>