How do I create a system back-up in Windows XP Home?

[Guest]

Date: Sunday June 4, 2006
After a serious problem with the internal harddisk, I have spent 9 days to
search for the cause and re-install the driver programs that were no longer
functioning. I discovered there are damaged sectors on the disk. Which was
probably the reason of the damaged driver software. The operating system we
use is Windows XP Home. With older computers I have re-installed everything
after problems in the software. The operating systems were Windows 95, 98 and
Me. This has taken a lot of time. After a virus I had to get the notebook of
my sister running again and save all the valuable data, which has taken me 6
weeks. So you can understand I am searching for a different way that saves
time. I have seen there is a program in Windows XP called Back-up. I do not
need this program for backing up our own data files, because I do this with
Windows Explorer. But I would like to create a back-up of the system files,
program files, settings, virus definitions and spyware definitions. In such a
way that I can restore everything in one day after a system crash or a virus.
Can someone explain to me in English or Dutch what I need to do to realize
this? I have seen there are 4 choices in Windows Back-up.
1. The directory "My documents", Internet Explorer favorites, desktop
settings and cookies.
2. The same, but of all users.
3. All data on the PC. This includes using a floppy disk for system restore.
4. Choose which files and folders to back-up manually.
The directory "My documents" in our case is very large. Partly because we
have saved thousands of digital photo's in it. So I would like to keep this
out of the system back-up. My own idea is to use choise 4, creating a back-up
of all files except those in "My documents". But I have never used Windows
Back-up and I am not sure what to do. We have bought an external USB2.0
harddisk recently to store the back-up, with a capacity of 80GB, which should
be more than enough. I understand that I will have to install Windows XP
after a serious problem when the operating system can not start up. After
doing that, can I restore everything, using the system back-up on the
external harddisk and copying our own data files from CD-RW and DVD-RW?
We live in The Netherlands and my English is not so good, but I hope you
understand what I am trying to ask.

 

[Leythos]

Date: Sunday June 4, 2006
After a serious problem with the internal harddisk, I have spent 9 days to
search for the cause and re-install the driver programs that were no longer
functioning. I discovered there are damaged sectors on the disk. Which was
probably the reason of the damaged driver software. The operating system we
use is Windows XP Home. With older computers I have re-installed everything
after problems in the software. The operating systems were Windows 95, 98 and
Me. This has taken a lot of time. After a virus I had to get the notebook of
my sister running again and save all the valuable data, which has taken me 6
weeks. So you can understand I am searching for a different way that saves
time. I have seen there is a program in Windows XP called Back-up. I do not
need this program for backing up our own data files, because I do this with
Windows Explorer. But I would like to create a back-up of the system files,
program files, settings, virus definitions and spyware definitions. In such a
way that I can restore everything in one day after a system crash or a virus.
Can someone explain to me in English or Dutch what I need to do to realize
this? I have seen there are 4 choices in Windows Back-up.
1. The directory "My documents", Internet Explorer favorites, desktop
settings and cookies.
2. The same, but of all users.
3. All data on the PC. This includes using a floppy disk for system restore.
4. Choose which files and folders to back-up manually.
The directory "My documents" in our case is very large. Partly because we
have saved thousands of digital photo's in it. So I would like to keep this
out of the system back-up. My own idea is to use choise 4, creating a back-up
of all files except those in "My documents". But I have never used Windows
Back-up and I am not sure what to do. We have bought an external USB2.0
harddisk recently to store the back-up, with a capacity of 80GB, which should
be more than enough. I understand that I will have to install Windows XP
after a serious problem when the operating system can not start up. After
doing that, can I restore everything, using the system back-up on the
external harddisk and copying our own data files from CD-RW and DVD-RW?
We live in The Netherlands and my English is not so good, but I hope you
understand what I am trying to ask.

The easiest method to do a backup is to purchase a TAPE DRIVE for your
computer and the use the standard backup methods that have been used for
years (decades) to backup as needed. Many Tape Backup solutions include
software that does a complete restore and allows you to completely
recover to the point of last backup. Tape drives are expensive, tapes
can be expensive, but it's worked for decades.

If you don't go the tape method, try a removable USB External hard drive
and then use things like Windows NT Backup to make a System Backup, and
then use ROBOCOPY (part of a free download from MS) to make as-needed
backups that are much like a file copy - ROBOCOPY will only copy files
that are missing/changed, so after the first backup using it, it will
run much more quickly.

 

[Glen]

I have to disagree about tape drives being the easiest method for backups.
The easiest has to be a second hard drive (not partition) and use a program
like Norton Ghost or True Image to make a backup then make daily incremental
backups. I use a second internal drive as they are cheap, very easy to fit
and large. Without doubt the easiest way. Any problems at all and a
reinstall is a simple as putting a cd in the drive and restoring and if I
only need to recover a file that can be done in Windows.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have to disagree about tape drives being the easiest method for
backups. The easiest has to be a second hard drive (not partition)
and use a program like Norton Ghost or True Image to make a backup
then make daily incremental backups. I use a second internal drive as
they are cheap, very easy to fit and large. Without doubt the easiest
way. Any problems at all and a reinstall is a simple as putting a cd
in the drive and restoring and if I only need to recover a file that
can be done in Windows.

I don't recommend backup to a second non-removable hard drive because it
leaves you susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to
many of the most common dangers: severe power glitches, nearby lightning
strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer.

In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept in
the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the life of
your business depends on your data) you should have multiple generations of
backup, and at least one of those generations should be stored off-site.

My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme uses two
identical removable hard drives, I alternate between the two, and use
Acronis True Image to make a complete copy of the primary drive.

 

[Glen]

It depends how secure you want to make it. I have backed up to second
internal hard drive on two computers for a number of years without problem
and it is without doubt the easiest way. I find it incredibly hard to see
how power glitch or lightning would fry a hard drive at all. and theft, what
is there to stop a thief taking a removable drive stored on a shelf as they
are taking the computer. You would have to keep it in a separate house. That
all gets a bit much for most people. You have to get the risks into
perspective.

As for virus, a decent anti virus\anti spyware regime will stop all attacks
before it ever screws up the whole computer. I'm not talking about
theoretical risks but real world. My computer picks up infections almost on
a weekly basis but the malware only ever gets as far as being downloaded.
and is stopped. AV\AS doing its job. I have never experienced a total loss
of data from AV\AS nor have I seen it on any computer I have ever worked on,
even computers with poor AV\AS regimens, bad infections yes but total loss
no. And if you don't have a decent AV\AS regimen then you are never going to
back up properly. If you take the necessary precautions for AV\AS then
backing up to internal hard drive is fine.

As for external drives they are fine if that's what the op wants. My point
was hard drives are superior backup devices than tape drives. A lot of
people have second or third internal drives nowadays so they don't even have
to buy any more hardware. You can even get USB adapters to plug a hard drive
into externally as well as enclosures. Depends what the op wants to do.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

It depends how secure you want to make it.

Absolutely. We all have different needs. There's big difference in need
between a business that relies on its computer and a kid who uses his for
nothing but playing ganes.

I have backed up to second
internal hard drive on two computers for a number of years without
problem and it is without doubt the easiest way.

Easiest and best are two different things. Besides, using an external drive
is only marginally less easy than an internal one.

I find it incredibly
hard to see how power glitch or lightning would fry a hard drive at
all.

I personally know two people who have lost hard drives that way.

and theft, what is there to stop a thief taking a removable
drive stored on a shelf as they are taking the computer.

A burglar is normally interested in getting in and out of a house as quickly
as possible. He takes the easily visible things that he can quickly, access
and that he recognizes as being easy to sell. Although he *can* also take a
removable drive on a shelf, he may not even recognize what it is, or think
he can easily sell it. Put it in another room, and he is even less likely to
take it.

You would
have to keep it in a separate house.

You certainly don't have to, but it *is* a safer thing to do. As I said in
the message quoted below "For really secure backup (needed, for example, if
the life of your business depends on your data) you should have multiple
generations of backup, and at least one of those generations should be
stored off-site." Personally, I don't go that far.

That all gets a bit much for
most people. You have to get the risks into perspective.

Absolutely. As I said, not everyone's data is equally important to them. The
question each person should ask himself is "what can I do to improve my
backup security that is neither too expensive or too burdensome?" For
almost everyone who backs up to a a second internal drive, I think the
answer is "switch to an external hard drive."

As for virus, a decent anti virus\anti spyware regime will stop all
attacks before it ever screws up the whole computer. I'm not talking
about theoretical risks but real world

Anti-vius software can be very effective in catching and eliminating
viruses. However, it can never be perfect. No matter how frequent your AV
software gets updates, those updates are always in response to the virus
being out there in the field. By the time you get the protection against a
new virus, someone (probably many people) has already been infected. That
someone could be you--and that's not theoretical, that's real world.

My computer picks up
infections almost on a weekly basis but the malware only ever gets as
far as being downloaded. and is stopped. AV\AS doing its job. I have
never experienced a total loss of data from AV\AS nor have I seen it
on any computer I have ever worked on, even computers with poor AV\AS
regimens, bad infections yes but total loss no. And if you don't have
a decent AV\AS regimen then you are never going to back up properly.
If you take the necessary precautions for AV\AS then backing up to
internal hard drive is fine.

I couldn't disagree more, *especially* since you can convert that internal
drive to an external one for only $20 or so, and using it is virtually as
easy as using an internal drive. You and I may disagree on exctly how much
extra security it adds, but it clearly adds a substantial amount, and for so
little extra money and so little extra trouble, I see almost no reason to
not do it.

As for external drives they are fine if that's what the op wants. My
point was hard drives are superior backup devices than tape drives.

No argument from me there. We're in complete agreement on hard drives vs
tape drives.

A
lot of people have second or third internal drives nowadays so they
don't even have to buy any more hardware. You can even get USB
adapters to plug a hard drive into externally

Exactly. You can get them for $20 or so, and that's what I recommend.

 

[Glen]

Were in agreement about backing up to hard drives is the easiest way. I
don't disagree that using an external drive is more secure and less likely
to be corrupted. The point I am trying to make is most people wont bother
backing up to external drive and removing the drive to another room. A
second internal hard drive especially if you already have one is always
there, always ready to accept a backup. You don't have to do anything. My
incremental backup is done daily. The only thing I do is check from time to
time that it is up to date. Just to make sure. You know how temperamental
computers can be.

For most users a good AV\AS program will stop most malware. And yes they are
always in response to what's out there (forget heuristics for the moment)
but if you go to web sites that are more likely to get you infected then you
would take extra steps to protect yourself. For most even getting malware on
the computer isn't a great problem. All the infections I see are people who
don't take even the most basic precautions. The chances for my internal hard
drive backup to be trashed are so small that it will never happen in the
real world. I'd put money on it. The biggest threat is the hard drive
failing and as its a backup I still have the installed software. I should
also say I also have a third 30 GB drive that I copy my documents over to
plus some other files and I have one complete backup burned to DVD so I
personally am covered. Even if I didn't take the extra precautions I
wouldn't worry for the reasons I already listed. You have to get the risks
into perspective.
..--
Please repost if you find the fault

Glen P
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Were in agreement about backing up to hard drives is the easiest way.
I don't disagree that using an external drive is more secure and less
likely to be corrupted.

Then that's what should be done. Those should be convincing arguments.

The point I am trying to make is most people
wont bother backing up to external drive

I don't agree. The extra effort of plugging in a USB connector and power
cord is insignificant. The amount of extra work is is little that it can be
ignored. I've recommended this approach to many people who do it
religiously.

and removing the drive to
another room.

Removing the drive to another room is far from critical. It's an extra step
that provides slightly more security. I'm not arguing against doing it, but
I wouldn't want to see someone's choice of whether or not to use a removable
drive hang on this issue.

A second internal hard drive especially if you already
have one is always there, always ready to accept a backup. You don't
have to do anything.

I have to plug in two cables, taking me a total of perhaps 5 seconds. You
don't. An insignificant difference.

My incremental backup is done daily. The only
thing I do is check from time to time that it is up to date. Just to
make sure. You know how temperamental computers can be.

For most users a good AV\AS program will stop most malware.

Absolutely. I think I said the same thing myself. But most is not the same
as all.

My point, once again, is that using an external drive instead of an internal
one adds a significant measure of protection (again, we could argue about
how much, but it really doesn't matter--the main point is that it's more
protection) at a very small dollar cost and with hardly any extra effort.
It's the more prudent course, and there's almost no reason not to take it.

 

[Glen]

The fact is most people don't bother to back up at all. How many would use
an external hard drive even if it is only 5 seconds more it is still an
effort. At least with internal they don't have to do anything. Its done for
them. I even agree that an external hard drive is more secure but in the
real world an internal hard drive on a computer with the right level of
protection is not going to be trashed. I'm talking about the second hard
drive not a windows installation. I certainly don't worry about it. Worst
case, I get infections in windows which get deleted. They aren't even true
infections. Malware needs to be run to be a true infection and while tasks
get automated an infection would spread within the system drive not the
second drive and in reality it would be stopped before it ever got to the
second drive.

I wrote external hard drives were less likely to be corrupted and more
secure but I am saying the risks are to all intents and purposes
theoretical, real world yes, but so small as to be non existent. With the
right level of protection you wont get infected which trashes the second
drive. It just wont happen. Do you store your external hard drive off site
because that would protect you more than keeping it in the same house. I
doubt you do because while the risk is real it is so small as to be non
existent. The harder you make backing up the less people will do it. I had a
customer say to me about a month ago "backing up, what's backing up". Most
don't do it and this one guy never even heard it. Do you really think they
(the masses) will bother backing up to external drive. Believe me most wont,
but an already installed internal drive, setup to do incremental. They don't
event have to think about it, it is done.

 

[Anthony Buckland]

... I had a customer say to me about a month ago "backing up, what's
backing up". Most don't do it and this one guy never even heard it. Do you
really think they (the masses) will bother backing up to external drive.
Believe me most wont, but an already installed internal drive, setup to do
incremental. They don't event have to think about it, it is done.
...

Want to bet some of the same people will have a crash and look wounded,
if not angry, if their choice of consultant doesn't have an immediate
solution
to "How do I get my stuff back? I need it, now!"

If and when they cool down, ask them about their apartment contents
insurance, and whether they're keeping to the manufacturer's
recommended car maintenance schedule.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

The fact is most people don't bother to back up at all.

True, but irrelevant.

The question here is what is the best way to back up, not how many people do
it or whether they should. As far as I'm concerned, the answer is very clear
and simple: an external drive is clearly better than an internal drive. It
costs only slightly more, takes an insignificant amount of extra effort, and
provides an extra measure of security. You can quibble all you want about
how much extra security it provides, but it doesn't matter; if it provides
*any* extra security, it's worth using, because it costs very little, and
because for all practical purposes it's no harder to use.

This is the end of this conversation, as far as I'm concerned. I have no
more to say without repeating myself (which I'm already doing). You may
believe whatever you choose.

 

[Glen]

Its not irrelevent. The best way is the way the op (or anyone) will use, not
increasing security beyond whats likely needed. If the op will use an
external drive then thats best for them but the reality is most can't be
bothered backing up and an internal or external thats always connected they
dont have to think about it. Thats the whole point. An external drive that
gets left on the shelf is no use at all.