periodic backup

  • Thread starter Thread starter ajith
  • Start date Start date
A

ajith

hello:

is there a MS built-in utility in windows XP for periodically backing up my
new files. I have already backed up all the files on my computer using
software from memeo. memeo free trial expires in 30 days.
 
ajith said:
hello:

is there a MS built-in utility in windows XP for periodically backing up
my
new files. I have already backed up all the files on my computer using
software from memeo. memeo free trial expires in 30 days.
Click to expand...

Yes there is and you want to be sure it works for you, and that you
understand what it does and doesn't do before you start to rely on it.

It works very well for some and is hopelessly frustrating and unreliable for
other.

Many people choose to spend the $50 or so to protect their data and get a
decent 3rd party utility, such as Acronis TrueImage.

HTH
-pk
 
ajith said:
hello:

is there a MS built-in utility in windows XP for periodically backing
up my
new files. I have already backed up all the files on my computer using
software from memeo. memeo free trial expires in 30 days.
Click to expand...

Yes, there is. XP's native backup program is ntbackup.exe. It's
installed by default on Pro versions and has to be manually installed on
the Home version. It's on the CD; it's just not installed. It can also
be downloaded right from the Microsoft web site if that's easier for
you.

The backups memeo made will not be able to be read by any other backup
software unless the program specifically states differently which is
very unlikely. So, if you let it expire or remove it, any backups it
made become useless to you.

ntbackup.exe is fully functional and useful backup utility though it has
a few drawbacks such as not being able to save directly to an external
drive or DVD/CDs etc.. You have to save the backup to a hard drive and
then move it to CD/DVD/wherever else you might wish for it to reside.
It's a separate operation to schedule backups too. Howver, if you only
need periodic or occasional backups it's fine. I use it to save System
States and otherwise use Ghost for my full and incremental backups.

Many people opt for Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image. BootItNG is a
little too tekkie for most neophytes but it's a decent one too. There
are a couple free ones available but I've never used them and thus have
nothing to recommend.

You are wise to learn about backups; you won't be sorry and the first
time you are forced to use it, you will be more than glad to have it,
regardless of which one you choose. The only caveat is to be sure to
RTFM redargless of which one you choose.

HTH,

Twayne
 
Back
Top