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#1
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My PC back Up Routine
I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8.
In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#2
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My PC back Up Routine
Thank you!
"JP" wrote in message ... I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#3
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My PC back Up Routine
Just few differences here, but very similar. I backup the XP partition on a
weekly basis in image format. 4 or 5 weeks total keeping it rotated. Oldest is written over. Email is backed up every day or two, and IE favorites in export bookmark file weekly. All on a separate hard drive of course. Financial related software and data is on a different OS that has no internet access. -- Jonny "JP" wrote in message ... I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#4
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My PC back Up Routine
Thanks JP for writing about an important topic. I'm somewhat paranoid myself ,being in IT for a while, now in my own business, and my considerations for backup includes: - I use off site backup thru the internet as I had a friend who lost 2 years of work, developing a commercial program, and having the PC stolen from his house in a burglary. I read of people with years of data destroyed after hurricane Katrina. - Business requirments may dictate immediate switch-over with no luxury of buying a backup HD, reinstalling OS, software etc,. and even assuming everythings goes right, at least half a day of downtime. What I did was set up a home network whe - I've got Computer A, used as a data server, computer B, and Laptop used for entering data, with data saved to "A". - Computer A has Full Norton Ghost 9.0 backup done weekly, and incremental daily to a USB drive. In additon, a copy is made of "My Documents", and also Daily internet backup to a service marketed thru Quickbooks. Computer B has Norton running weekly and daily, to another USB drive though no critical data is stored there. - Identical software installed on A, B, and Laptop, and in some cases such as Quickbooks, bought an additonal license. This way, in a computer crash, work can be shifted to any other. And if PC A, the server crashes, data can be recreated on PC B immediately, and work can proceed without missing a beat. - At one time, we sync data between "PC A" and "PC B", but the wife being a bit of a klutz, has trouble distingushing between the GOOD file, and a duplicate, so we keep everything on the data server (PC A) directly, and and the system make images (Norton), internet copies, plus a third copy done by Xcopy. We had an unfortunate situation where a HD did crash two years ago, and the one and only copy was kept on the internet backup. Between going to the store to buy a new PC (decided the other was a bit dated) , reinstall all the software, restore data from the online service took about 2 to 3 days, far too long for business requirements. I ordered the PC in the early PM, and they told me to pick it up the following day lunchtime. One day gone already?? And that new PC was replaced the following week because of a bad motherboard, after I installed all the software. With the setup right now, if "PC B" crashed, all I need to do is turn on the laptop and get to work. If the laptop crashed, I'll use "PC B" to enter data. "PC A" can also be placed into service immediately. Only if "PC A" crashed do I need to restore data. In fact, I sinced fixed the PC that crashed, my daughter uses it to play video games, and I networked the PC, its also set up with MOST software installed, and can swing into service immediately if any of the others crashed. Yes, "Daddy" is set up as a user on the "Game PC", as backup, ready to roll if needed. Any comments or suggestions?? Am I paranoid or not?? "JP" wrote: I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#5
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My PC back Up Routine
Pretty impressive your set up there.
I would not classify this as being paranoid at all. It is just playing it safe. Always helpful to have a recovery and rebuilding solution handy. Regards and thanks for the input. Cheers. :-) Mobius ---------- "FrankChin" wrote in message ... Thanks JP for writing about an important topic. I'm somewhat paranoid myself ,being in IT for a while, now in my own business, and my considerations for backup includes: - I use off site backup thru the internet as I had a friend who lost 2 years of work, developing a commercial program, and having the PC stolen from his house in a burglary. I read of people with years of data destroyed after hurricane Katrina. - Business requirments may dictate immediate switch-over with no luxury of buying a backup HD, reinstalling OS, software etc,. and even assuming everythings goes right, at least half a day of downtime. What I did was set up a home network whe - I've got Computer A, used as a data server, computer B, and Laptop used for entering data, with data saved to "A". - Computer A has Full Norton Ghost 9.0 backup done weekly, and incremental daily to a USB drive. In additon, a copy is made of "My Documents", and also Daily internet backup to a service marketed thru Quickbooks. Computer B has Norton running weekly and daily, to another USB drive though no critical data is stored there. - Identical software installed on A, B, and Laptop, and in some cases such as Quickbooks, bought an additonal license. This way, in a computer crash, work can be shifted to any other. And if PC A, the server crashes, data can be recreated on PC B immediately, and work can proceed without missing a beat. - At one time, we sync data between "PC A" and "PC B", but the wife being a bit of a klutz, has trouble distingushing between the GOOD file, and a duplicate, so we keep everything on the data server (PC A) directly, and and the system make images (Norton), internet copies, plus a third copy done by Xcopy. We had an unfortunate situation where a HD did crash two years ago, and the one and only copy was kept on the internet backup. Between going to the store to buy a new PC (decided the other was a bit dated) , reinstall all the software, restore data from the online service took about 2 to 3 days, far too long for business requirements. I ordered the PC in the early PM, and they told me to pick it up the following day lunchtime. One day gone already?? And that new PC was replaced the following week because of a bad motherboard, after I installed all the software. With the setup right now, if "PC B" crashed, all I need to do is turn on the laptop and get to work. If the laptop crashed, I'll use "PC B" to enter data. "PC A" can also be placed into service immediately. Only if "PC A" crashed do I need to restore data. In fact, I sinced fixed the PC that crashed, my daughter uses it to play video games, and I networked the PC, its also set up with MOST software installed, and can swing into service immediately if any of the others crashed. Yes, "Daddy" is set up as a user on the "Game PC", as backup, ready to roll if needed. Any comments or suggestions?? Am I paranoid or not?? "JP" wrote: I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#6
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My PC back Up Routine
I use Norton Ghost 10.0 which despite many people's opinion of Symantec
products, I have found to be excellent. I back up the entire HDD's of both my desktop and laptop to an external Network Storage Device, which is an external 300GB HDD with an Ethernet interface rather than the more usual USB. This makes it network-aware and any machine on the system can see it. Ivor |
#7
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My PC back Up Routine
What happens if your pc gets stolen, or there's a fire, or your PSU fries
all your hard drives? It sounds like all your eggs are in one basket i.e. stored on your computer. It's a great backup scheme but you also need a backup stored somewhere other than on or near your computer. -- Kerry MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User www.VistaHelp.ca JP wrote: I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#8
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My PC back Up Routine
I use a similar back up regimen, using DriveImage 7.0 to my USB 200GB
external hard drive about once a week. I have GoBack as my first line of defense with DI 7.0 as my emergency repair. I back up my Quicken banking info on my other USB drive on a daily basis. -- Darrell R. Schmidt B-58 Hustler History: (see below) http://members.cox.net/dschmidt1/ "JP" wrote in message ... I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#9
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My PC back Up Routine
Excellent point. I did mention in that post (towards the end) that all back
ups as well as contents of application working folders that need to be saved are backed up and updated to an external drive once a week! :-) Regards and thanks for the post. Mobius -------- "Kerry Brown" *a*m wrote in message ... What happens if your pc gets stolen, or there's a fire, or your PSU fries all your hard drives? It sounds like all your eggs are in one basket i.e. stored on your computer. It's a great backup scheme but you also need a backup stored somewhere other than on or near your computer. -- Kerry MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User www.VistaHelp.ca JP wrote: I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
#10
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My PC back Up Routine
I did miss that.
-- Kerry MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User www.VistaHelp.ca "JP" wrote in message ... Excellent point. I did mention in that post (towards the end) that all back ups as well as contents of application working folders that need to be saved are backed up and updated to an external drive once a week! :-) Regards and thanks for the post. Mobius -------- "Kerry Brown" *a*m wrote in message ... What happens if your pc gets stolen, or there's a fire, or your PSU fries all your hard drives? It sounds like all your eggs are in one basket i.e. stored on your computer. It's a great backup scheme but you also need a backup stored somewhere other than on or near your computer. -- Kerry MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User www.VistaHelp.ca JP wrote: I back up my PC in full every day, using Acronis TrueImage 8. In addition I also have a file back up utility (SmartSync Pro) that backs up the My Documents folder, as well as those related to Firefox, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express and Outlook. For FF, I have the file back up set to save only these three files: bookmarks.htm, signons.txt and cookies.txt. I always save all installed extension XPI files and theme JAR too automatically. For Internet Explorer, the only ones saved are the favorites and cookie folders. In case of a crash (which mercifully hasn't happened yet) I can always restore my machine to the last Acronis full disk-image (never more than 24 hours old). And all files backed up with the SmartSync Pro utility (never older than an hour-of-use at most) only need be copied back to their original folders. The back ups are done in uncompressed form so each backed-up file is individually accessible. I also do an Acronis back up everytime I install software for the first time for a try-out. Then I can restore the original image and carry on as if the try-out never happened, in case I decide not to continue. In case I do then I simply carry on without the restore. The full-drive back up takes less than 2 minutes and is done from within Windows. The restore process takes about 6 minutes - including two reboots. The SmartSync Pro process, once having been set, takes just a few seconds and I run it at the end of every computer-use session. As a matter of course, I do a complete reinstall of Windows (XP Pro, by the way) every 8 - 10 months or so. I have used just those three files mentioned above coupled with the saved extension XPI files (whose versions I regularly update) to a complete fresh Firefox reinstall back the way it was earlier in less than 12 minutes. The corresponding files for the other applications can similarly be easily handled. These back-up practices have come in useful and I am posting them here in the hope they will help someone formulate their own back up routine. I do acknowledge that this computer (as well as others that I use) have multiple hard drives that make the back up process infinitely easier and more dependable. That also will work even if my system hard drive totally fails, because all drive and file back ups are on another drive. I always keep a spare system drive on hand for this eventuality that, again mercifully, hasn't happened as yet. Besides, I have set the working folders for other applications that I use - Adobe Premiere Pro, Sony DVD Architect... - on hard drives other than the system drive. The parts of these folders that need back up as well as the drive image and file back up mentioned earlier are themselves backed up, and updated, to an external (USB 2.0) hard drive about once a week. The Acronis and SmartSync Pro utilities cost me less than a hundred bucks combined IIRC and I reckon I have already recovered the cost in their very utility value that generates a certain peace of mind. A somewhat pretty warm Sunday here in So Cal and I felt like sharing these thoughts in these forums. Regards and thanks for reading this somewhat long missive. Mobius -------- |
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