basically ive finally got my computer just as i want it . all the right programs on it etc etc . now how do i make a back up of the whole computer ? is this possible ? its cos ive finally got the right music players , audio programs and conversion progs etc as for my luck with computers , they usually last 6 months then break etc and i lose loads of stuff including important programs . then i cant remember what i had or where i got it . like certain progs that ive paid for and then ive forgot i had it then i cant download it agian , if you see what i mean . do i basically need to copy each section to disk or a spare hard drive ? can i copy the entire desktops bits to another hard drive ? if i can i will just buy an external one , they seem cheap enough now days ? really would like to know how to do this cos i do love my computer at the mo
use this free program to backup your hard drive. Just backup each partition seperately, it will take up less space. If you do a clone it will use up all the space on an external drive. I've use this program already to restore my computer c: drive and it worked like a champ. For a free program it works very fast in backing up and restoring. http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp
right im a bit of a novice when it comes to computers , what is disk image to dvd ? and as for that program to back it all up , how do i use it . where does it copy it all to ? to another hard drive or do i put it on disk ? on the free version it says it doesnt do files and folders and thats what i really need ? or does it just copy the whole computer ? the problem ive had before its my computer go a virus where i couldnt even get the thing to boot up the desktop so i hard to chuck away the hard drive and start again cos the virus had got it there . so what i want to do is either put a clone o my PC on to another HD or to disks ? im not bothered if its 15 disks etc or i have to buy a cheap hard drive . the computer at the moment is about 130 GB full but id only copy 80ish , so i could buy a cheap external HD ? would this work ?
an image is a complete copy of your partition. Everything in that partition is copied (windows/folders/drivers/registry/mp3's/pictures). For instance on "my computer" you have "C: drive" that is a partition, if you have D: drive, that's another partition. An image is a copy of a "partition", if the partition you copy is bootable, when you restore it, it will also be bootable. Macrium will make an exact copy of your c: partition, that way if your hard drive crashes you can restore it that backup onto a new hard drive. No need to reinstall windows/drivers etc. You can save your backup on another partition/hard drive or even onto a blank dvd if it's small enough. this forum below has more info on backing up and restoring hard drives. It deals with true image software but the answers you find there apply to almost all image backup software. http://www.wilderssecurity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=65
Nothing is foolproof, but I believe this method is pretty darn close: Download the Belarc Advisor to give you a complete printable list of everything installed on your PC. Free. http://www.download.com/Belarc-Advisor/3000-2094_4-10007277.html?tag=mncol&cdlPid=10867615 Print a paper hardcopy and remember where you keep it. Convert a copy to a .pdf file and save to your harddrive using PDF ReDirect. There are other .pdf converters but this has an encryption option I use if needed. Free. http://www.download.com/PDF-ReDirect/3000-10743_4-10255233.html?tag=mncol&cdlPid=10873927 Transfer all personal files (pictures, music, videos, office docs, etc.) to clearly labeled folders on your new external harddrive. This will leave your PC with only your operating system and downloaded programs. Clean your PC with CCleaner and Auslogic DiskDefrag (both free) to tidy things up after a complete Anti-virus and anti-malware scan with whatever security programs you use. http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10315544.html?tag=mncol&cdlPid=10898240 http://www.download.com/Auslogics-Disk-Defrag/3000-2094_4-10567503.html?tag=mncol&cdlPid=10901568 Use Acronis True image (or Norton Ghost) to copy an image of your entire PC harddrive (all partitions) to the external HD. I use Acronis. Using Acronis, the backup image file (.tib) should be 4.5 gigs or less in size because Acronis will compress the image. Remember, you only have the OS and program files left on your PC drive. Burn a copy of the "backup image" to a DVD using Nero or Imgburn (free). Now you have a double backup. If you need to update your backup with Acronis you can use the incremental or differential backup option. I just make a complete new backup (labeled by date) to a different partition on the external HD while saving the original until you feel it's safe to delete. The worst case scenario in case of disaster would be to reformat and reinstall Windows and Acronis. Reload your backup either from your external HD or backup DVD. I know this method may sound extreme but this is as safe as it gets and really not all that difficult. http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/?ClickID=c4lfqzqpplses4fivvawv7kifaxqpzvaekl http://shop.symantecstore.com/store...DetailsPage/ThemeID.106300/productID.90124600 Not free. Copy your music, pictures, videos, and other personal documents to CD or DVD data discs also.
