How would you use cd-rw for system backups

[jim.t]

Got a new system(p3-866/winME/128mb) and I have to start backing it up regularly. I would like to know what might be the best and easiest way to achieve this using a cd-writer for backups? I'm not sure how I should do it (use retail backup apps?) or what method I should use(straight "data" burn, or format then packet-writing direct cd stuff). I would prefer to keep it as simple as I can get. Would you recommend just backing up the data only and let the programs and windows system stuff alone? Thanks for your opinions and thoughts.




[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 02-06-2001).]

[daverme]

I'm a big fan of Drive Image from Power Quest. It's biggest asset is that you can "clone" a hard drive and get an exact, bootable, duplicate of your system drive. I've done this many times and it works like a champ. The latest version (4.0) will also let you back up to a CD-RW. I have not personally tried this feature but I don't hesitate to recommend it based on my prior experience with the product. It runs under DOS so you can replicate your system drive from a backup if it gets corrupted.

I strongly recommend keeping your data and program files seperate. All to often, when you want to upgrade your mobo, you end up reformatting your hard drive. It's painful enough to have to reinstall all your software but especially ugly if your data and prog's all all mixed together.

One more thought: My wife has an HP CD-RW and regularly backs up here data to CD. The software comes with the drive.

[jim.t]

thanks for the ideas. I've been backing up my systems using Zip drives for the last 3+ years, but now with the cd-rw I wanted to utilize the added storage features. My cd-rw was shipped from Dell, and from what help files I've browsed over, there doesn't seem to be any special software other than just windows backup. I need to do this soon, though.

[This message has been edited by jim.t (edited 02-07-2001).]

[daverme]

When you say your CD-RW was shipped from Dell, do you mean you ordered the whole system from Dell and the CD-RW was part of it ... did you just get the CD-RW from Dell? In either case, what brand is the CD-RW?

[jim.t]

the cd-rw is a Goldstarr(LG 8080b)and was part of my Dell ordered system.

[MASTOURA]

Hi,

from my limited experience, here's what I know:

1) People like to backup their "system disk" where the OS is located, so if something goes wrong they can go back to it. They usually back it up just after installation of the OS and the latest necessary drivers. Some even make a back up when all their software is installed. However, you are using WinME, and I guess the automatic "RESTORE" function will help you go back to the latest working configuration. No matter what, I also reccomend Drive Image, cause all friends I have and use it, never had big problems, while me I usually end up formatting and reformatting... I don't know EXACTLY how Drive Image works, but my friends tell me it is pretty easy...

2) The second backup you want to consider is ofcourse your data. Now I don't know about what data we are talking, and how big these data are. Just as example, for my brothers pc, I use backup from windows, or a netwroked drive, but he only needs to backup some documents, excel files and very seldomly some powerpoint files. These don't take much space... As far as I am concerned, I need to back-up "big" stuff. Mp3, Mpegs, wav files of my music, etc... These take a lot of space, and sometime you just don't want them on your HDD. What I do is to burn them on CD-RW. I used to burn them on CDR, but after a while a realized it was useless. I had to throw a CDR every month to the bin, cause new songs I wanted or new video I edited couldn't fit (or replace) on the old CDR... So for such things I reccomend using your burner.

3) Now you can also consider the possibility to back up information like pictures a compressed drive, but don't do that unless you really run out of space...


Well, this is what I know, and I DO backup often. The important thing is to destinguish between two types of backups: (1) The data that you just want to "store" in a safe place for just in case situations, and (2) the data that you constantly update, change, refer to, etc... While in (1) a CDR is fine, I believe that in (2) you should go with either a CDRW or a partition on your drive, or continue using your zip drive...

Hope I've helped, be sure to get info on DriveImage, since everybody says it works great for system backups!!!

MASTOURA

[jim.t]

Thanks everyone. You suggestions are something to ponder. I've beeen looking at Drive Image, and I'll probably get it. Powerquest is really proud of their software, aren't they??

One of the reasons I wanted to get this backed up(beside the obvious) is I'm gonna use Partition Magic and try to partition my 40gb HHD. The machine was delivered with alot of preloaded software, and I'm not sure I have CD's for it all, so I need to get all of those apps backed-up also. If anyone know of some shortcuts or some pitfalls to avoid, please bring it to my attention. Thanks, Jim.