Backing up to a seprate HD, how?

[chuckiechan]

Fry's here in Sacramento has an IBM 20G 5200 RPM hdd for sale @ $99.00. I am thinking about buying it to use as a device for a 100% system back up for my 18G IBM deskstar.

What exactly are the mechanics for doing this? I was thinking I should go in series with my CD Rom 'D:' (on the same cable)...? I guess I can back up data ok this way, but what do I do if I need to actually boot from it in the case of a C:meltdown...? This back up can't actually be bootable all the time can it? Or do I make it bootable in the CMOS after the fact? And if I do that will it be recognized 'E :' for a backup destination.

Thanks in advance...

Relevent Spec's:
Win 98
Tyan s371 w/Via 144
128 Mg PC 133
Celeron 466, not o/c
Sony 32x CD Rom
IBM 18g DMA 66, 7200 Deskstar

[This message has been edited by chuckiechan (edited 07-30-2000).]

[Snuffy!]

Yeah, you will be able to boot off it fine. I have two hard drives, and when I want to boot off the other one, I just go into BIOS, and change the boot device from HD0, to HD1, then it boots off the second one with no problems.

[Roy]

I saw the same ad. That's an OK deal if you want a hot-running IBM drive. And 5400 is going away.

Consider putting your $ into a 7200 rpm type ~ they're noticeably faster. There's a WD 27.3G at Pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) for $149. I like mine, and it runs cool. A much better deal, unless you like giving the F store your hard earned green. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

Or check the 20.5G page ~ a WD 5400 rpm for $80 plus "UPS Ground $6-$15" from Texas.


[This message has been edited by Roy (edited 07-30-2000).]

[chuckiechan]

I use a IBM Deskstar 7200, DMA66, 2Mg buffer 18G as my primary. I was looking for a dependible secondary. I really don't have a problem with Fry's. $99 + $8 bucks tax isn't too bad for a local supplier you can return it to with basically no questions asked. I would expect shipping from Texas to be $8 or better...

I feel lucky to have a Fry's close by...

Thanks for the insight tho...

BTW: Is HD0 & HD1 in your bios the same as boot sequence (a,c,scusi) in mine? BIOS = Award.

Do I format the new drive as bootable 'E:' then if I need to boot from it change the boot sequence to a,E,scusi in the BIOS ?

[This message has been edited by chuckiechan (edited 07-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by chuckiechan (edited 07-30-2000).]

[Snuffy!]

Well, in my Bios for my m/b (Abit BF6 with SoftMenu 3), I go to Advanced Bios Features, and i will go down to "Second Boot Device", and ad Change it from HD0 to HD1.

[Roraycr]

Get a mobile IDE dock for about $20. Then not only can you backup to it, but you can remove it for disaster storage and insert others for different uses. The install is very easy.

[Snuffy!]

Uh, ok, a mobile IDE dock hey? Never heard of them being called that. I think thats just the fancied up name for a h/d caddy.

[Richard_Cranium72]

Thanks to Nathan, in "99 he pointed to this=>> The free way is the better way, in my opinion. This method involves the use of the common copy and paste routine of Windows.

First, you must install the new drive. Temporarily install it as a slave to the old drive.

Set up the new drive as drive D:, or whatever your slave drive should be. Partition and format the new drive just like normal.
In Windows Explorer, choose View/Options. Select Show All Files. Deselect "Hide MS-DOS file extensions for the file types that are registered". Click OK.
Go to the root directory of the C: drive and select all files and sub-directories. You can do this by doing Edit/Select All.
On many systems, one will run into problems if the Windows swap file is selected. For this reason, you may want to deselect the Windows directory for now. We will address this later. If you have set it up to have the swap file in another partition, you don't need to worry about it.
Select the D: drive, or the letter of your new drive. Click the Paste icon in the toolbar. You can also choose Edit/Paste or type CTRL-V. The file transfer will take place, and may take awhile depending on the size of the drive transferred.
If you have not copied the WINDOWS directory over yet, we will do so now. Switch to the WINDOWS directory. Select all files except for Win386.swp , you swap file. then proceed to paste the other files to the new drive.
Install the Windows system files to the new drive by going to the MS-DOS prompt and typing SYS D: at the C> prompt.
Exit Windows and turn off the computer.
Swap the cable connectors going to the drives. Change the jumper settings to make the new drive master. Reboot. The system should work normally, with your new drive fulfilling the same role as the old drive. If not, your old drive is still completely intact and can be used to get the system back in operation. http://pcmech.pair.com/hdindex.htm DrVette

[Roy]

I haven't set it up yet, but W98 has a Backup routine in Programs >Accessories >Systems Tools.

It has been posted here that a HDD can be the backup device. And I understand the routine can be automated to run while I sleep. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[Roraycr]

This is just one of the companies selling the mobile docks. I have 2 of these and they are easy to install and work as advertised: http://www.inclose.com/Products/Storage_Peripherals/PMD/pmd.shtml

[chuckiechan]

RC-72... I like that system for replacing a drive, it should save a ton of work and I definitely will save that info to my "sysopt saved" file!! But I want to use my back-up program that is in Win 98, just as if my extra HDD were a ton of floppies...

And I really want to uses this slower drive as a back up only, never as primary except to reserrect my system from my clumsiness.

1: About the hook-up: I thought it would be best to go in line with my CD Rom, since it is a relatively slow drive. I've heard that putting a slow drive like this 5400 rpm HDD in line with my 7200 rpm HDD may slow things down. Is in line with my CD Rom a good or bad idea?

2: Do I format it as bootable? I thought that I could only have one bootable drive "in line" . Or will it boot from C, and if no C then look for D-(my CDRom), then look for and find E- (my back-up drive...?

Thanks in advance...

[Ruahrc]

Hello-

Here is a solution that I didn't see in the posts above (or didn't read them carefully enough http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif)

Here's how I work my system backkup:

I have a WDC 6.4GB as my main, and a WDC 3.2GB as my backup.

What I do is hooking the 6.4 as primary master and the 3.2 as primary slave. Then, after configuring the BIOS, I boot using the WDC disk that formats/partitions drives. (Most companies will probably have a similiar disk that accomplishes the same thing)

In the utility, I partition/format the 3.2 and tell the software to copy the partition (all the data) from disk 1 (the 6.4). It copies all the data over. (Keep in mind you can't go over 3.2GB without sacrificing a 100% backup. Your setup looks like you'll get lots of usage, because you've got a 20GB and an 18GB)

Now I have two identical drives. (data-wise) I shut the computer down and disconnect the 3.2GB drive completely. (power and all) Then, after correcting the BIOS to see only one HDD, (because there is only one) my system is backed up! The 3.2 sits in my case, totally disconnected so it won't wear out/get corrupted (unless an EMP hits it or anything). If my system ever crashes, I either:
a: Plug the 3.2 in and unplug the 6.4, configure the BIOS and go from there.
b: Plug both in (like above) and copy the contents of the 3.2 back to the 6.4.

This process restores your hard drive to a state in which it was functioning. Instant restore in <10 minutes! I've used this system for a while now and it has worked every time, and saves a WHOLE LOT of time vs. the hours needed to re-install windows, etc. I'm pretty sure it's very reliable since the backup drive isn't connected to the computer at all, and so it can't get messed up.

The only thing is if you do restore, you lose any changes you made to your system since your last backup. I usually re-backup mine every month or so, unless a major system change takes place (i.e. new hardware, major software upgrade, etc.) at which point I back it up before I change things, and let it go on a couple week "testing period" before I re-backup to the drive.

Like I said, I've actually had to revert to my backups a few times and every time, despite the initial grumbling, I am very happy with how slick it works.

You might want to try it out

Just my views on this topic

Ruahrc

edit: I have an LS-120 drive which can put 120MB on a floppy-sized disk. I use this to do weekly backups of all my important documents, because the monthly Hard drive backup isn't frequent enough for my important files. Just letting you know on the one weak spot I encounter in my setup. If you have a similar high-capacity device (or lots of floppies) then I recommend this, although it's pretty common practice.

[This message has been edited by Ruahrc (edited 07-31-2000).]

[Roraycr]

All of these sound like good solutions. My main reason for going with a dock was to be conveniently able to store the drive in a safe location away from the computer so, in case of fire, or here in TX.. tornado, I wouldn't lose everything if my computer got destroyed. Just retrieve it, stick it in a new computer, and, with a few system updates from the CAB files, off I go.

[This message has been edited by Roraycr (edited 08-01-2000).]

[Entragian ][]

Backup? Who needs a stinkin' backup!!! The day I use a back up is the day ............
Oh ****. What the hell is this? What the... Hey Bob, Is your HD supposed to be making that wheezing noise? "Bzzt Chhtllz Ch CH Chhhhhzzzz" POOF

Like I was saying. Everyone should have a backup. Just in case.
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

Entragian ][