OS backup on external HD

[DJAd]

I've been given a laptop and external HD, the guy wants me to do a backup of the laptop so if it goes tit's up he can easily recover the whole system from the external HD.

Can I do this from within windows? (XP) or do I need 3rd party software. If possible it needs to be piss easy to restore, so he can do himself if needs be.

Any pointers would be great.

[DJ OD]

Get Acronis True Image and backup the whole damn thing!

Easy peasy! Will even make bootable media which has ext hdd drivers to load it back from if it goes spoons up.


DJ OD

[BertRoot]

Acronis is definitely the way forward with this or Ghost if you want to try something else. windows has no functionality built in to carry out the task you want to do.

[DJ OD]

windows has no functionality built in to carry out the task you want to do.

They should build that in as an error message/BSOD!


DJ OD

[elephantsoup]

Acronis True Image is the way to go.. just did a mates laptop for him last week first time I had used Acronis .. dead easy.

[DJAd]

Cheers guys, just found the torrent.

[TheFincher]

Its all about the Acronis True Image mate............. just done mine with it and it works like an absolute treat!!

I can even boot from my USB stick too............ FLOP!

[DJAd]

I can even boot from my USB stick too............ FLOP!

Teasing bastard

[Freddy]

Just to be clear, if I install a fresh copy of XP and then use this Acronis software to make an image, I wouldn't have to reinstall XP ever? I could just copy the image over c:

Reason I ask is I work on my pc on average 16 hrs a day. I have to reinstall bloody windows every or 3 months or so. Reinstalling windows isn't the worst part, getting all my programs on is.

So if I fresh install windows and all progs and then capture the image is this doable? Or is it just for emergency use.

Many thanks.

[BertRoot]

So if I fresh install windows and all progs and then capture the image is this doable? Or is it just for emergency use.

Install Windows and all your progs, configure it how you like it and then do the image. Remember to have it on a partition that isn't your OS partition and then create the boot disc or boot usb stick and when you need to restore just boot off your media. Jobs a good un.

[Freddy]

This thread has made my day. I just came in my pants and smeared a little cock sick on your user name.

[BertRoot]

This thread has made my day. I just came in my pants and smeared a little cock sick on your user name.

I wondered why a shiver went down my spine. Don't eat aspargaus before the next time you do it though.

[DJAd]

Ok guys. I've installed and got mt .tib file (2.5gig) and i've made the bootable CD to re-install.

I was just wondering if I can make a bootable DVD with the .tib images on it? so I can boot from the DVD and my backup image is also on the DVD?

[Drogo]

Whenever I do s system backup (image) I tend to setup True Image to create a 5 or 6 gig secure zone (hidden partition) and once I have windows XP setup and installed to how I like it - printer driver - graphics and all base apps I like - and more important *** ACTIVATED *** I then create a image to the another partition and burn to DVD, and then I do the same but backup to the secure zone ..

This way should the HD fail I have the image on the DVD as backup, if I need to re-install the backup I simple need to press F11 and up pops the True Image boot loader and a few minutes later I have a nice clean XP install all ready to go and activated.

PS. I now see that Ghost 12 is out athough I have it - I haven't had time to play and test.
PPS. I also see that with Ghost 12 you can backup your system to a *vmk file (VM Ware)or (Virtual PC)

Let me know how you go with True Image.

[QfanatiQ]

Thanks, i have got a messed up laptop comign my way this comign weekend. I will add this in for her.

Cheers......Q

[DJAd]

I then create a image to the another partition and burn to DVD, and then I do the same but backup to the secure zone ..

I had to make a boot CD that has the software loader, this all worked ok but I had to put the .tib file on another HD.

Can this file be burnt onto a DVD with the loader, so everything can be burnt on 1 DVD?

My backed up windows install with settings etc. only uses 2.5gig. Be handy to have one bootable DVD with all the stuff needed.