Solved What is the best way to backup my system? in Windows Vista

[tomherry]

Each Windows Vista edition includes a ‘basic’ restore option. Located in: Start>> Control Panel>> Backup and Restore center. Vista allows users to automate the process quickly and easily. This feature includes such options as, how often you would like your system backed up. What day to run this process and what time of the day. Scheduling couldn’t be easier as the "Simple Backup Wizard" guides you through the scheduling process.

If you are using either Business, Ultimate or Enterprise editions, you have a feature called "Complete PC Backup and Restore" available to you. This is a very comprehensive, image-based backup tool used in the event of:

* System Disaster
* PC Malfunction
* File Loss
* Corruption of Data

The Complete PC Backup and Restore tool is capable of restoring the entire PC environment which includes all Windows and data files, installed programs and individual user settings. You can also take your system back to its original state and even restore the PC environment to a replacement PC if necessary.

If you are not able to boot your computer to the hard drive, you can access ‘Complete PC Backup and Restore’ using your installation CD

 

[.Joe]

Each Windows Vista edition includes a ‘basic’ restore option. Located in: Start>> Control Panel>> Backup and Restore center. Vista allows users to automate the process quickly and easily. This feature includes such options as, how often you would like your system backed up. What day to run this process and what time of the day. Scheduling couldn’t be easier as the "Simple Backup Wizard" guides you through the scheduling process.

If you are using either Business, Ultimate or Enterprise editions, you have a feature called "Complete PC Backup and Restore" available to you. This is a very comprehensive, image-based backup tool used in the event of:

* System Disaster
* PC Malfunction
* File Loss
* Corruption of Data

The Complete PC Backup and Restore tool is capable of restoring the entire PC environment which includes all Windows and data files, installed programs and individual user settings. You can also take your system back to its original state and even restore the PC environment to a replacement PC if necessary.

If you are not able to boot your computer to the hard drive, you can access ‘Complete PC Backup and Restore’ using your installation CD

Thanks for the post Tom :D

 

[h00tenanny]

If I don't have those versions of Vista, how can I use the Complete PC Backup and Restore tool? Or is it not possible? I want to make a backup of my hard drive and not have to reinstall applications. Or is there another tool?

 

[whs]

If I don't have those versions of Vista, how can I use the Complete PC Backup and Restore tool? Or is it not possible? I want to make a backup of my hard drive and not have to reinstall applications. Or is there another tool?

Use free Macrium - it is simple, efficient and reliable. Here are a couple of my tutorials in the Windows7 Forum (but it is the same for Vista).

Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Forums

Also have a look at "Related Thread" for a brief introduction.

 

[mitchell]

If I don't have those versions of Vista, how can I use the Complete PC Backup and Restore tool? Or is it not possible? I want to make a backup of my hard drive and not have to reinstall applications. Or is there another tool?

Use free Macrium - it is simple, efficient and reliable. Here are a couple of my tutorials in the Windows7 Forum (but it is the same for Vista).

Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Forums

Also have a look at "Related Thread" for a brief introduction.

+1 Since WHS introduced me to Macrium i have not had to do a clean install on any of my machines & have successfully restored to images on all of them on numerous occasions, Seven, Vista & also XP

 

[h00tenanny]

Thanks, I will check out this program. I got through about 8 minutes of the tutorial video and it looks solid. I've also discovered some other apps called DriveImage XML and Drive Snapshot. I don't know which one I like better yet, but thanks for the reply WHS and the positive review Mitchell.

:huh::D

 

[whs]

Thanks, I will check out this program. I got through about 8 minutes of the tutorial video and it looks solid. I've also discovered some other apps called DriveImage XML and Drive Snapshot. I don't know which one I like better yet, but thanks for the reply WHS and the positive review Mitchell.

:huh::D

Those other 2 programs are options. But Macrium is a lot easier to use and I know that it works because I have used it in Win7, Vista and XP and made a lot of successful recoveries for real and for demo when I teach the subject in my computer club.

PS: and don't forget to checkout this for a fast start: http://www.vistax64.com/software/261727-image-your-system-free-macrium.html

 

[h00tenanny]

I am going to download free version and try it.... gee, I feel like I'm missing out on all the other features in the commercial version..

 

[h00tenanny]

So, can I ask you a question, thats a bit off topic from the thread. I have been using XP for so long now and haven't really done much with Vista. Your profile says you use Home Premium... Do you prefer that to the Ultimate of Business editions?

 

[whs]

So, can I ask you a question, thats a bit off topic from the thread. I have been using XP for so long now and haven't really done much with Vista. Your profile says you use Home Premium... Do you prefer that to the Ultimate of Business editions?

I assume you are asking me. All my editions (4x Vista and 3x Windows7) are Home Premium. Some came with the PCs and some I bought seperately. I never saw a need to buy a higher edition. They provide no additional functions that I would use.

gee, I feel like I'm missing out on all the other features in the commercial version..

There is actually only one additional feature that I would like to have - that is automatic disk space management. All the other functions I can do without or can get for free from other programs (e.g. cloning). The one function that many people like (differential images) I never use even in Norton Ghost where I have it available. It is too easy to loose a whole chain of images if only one differential is damaged or corrupted.

 

[ilikefree]

+1 for Macrium Reflect I think the home versions of Vista have the Media Center and the Business versions don't