Set Me Straight on Backup.

[Mulholland]

Hello all you wonderful computer geeks. Perhaps one of you can answer a few of these questions that I have.

I've finally decided to do a proper backup of my computer and am presently doing so on windows XP 32 OS. I am using the windows backup utility and copying my documents and settings as .bkf to another formatted blank hard drive in my system. Some info that I've had trouble gleaning from searching is whether or not this will back up my hardware drivers such as my display adapter drivers, n-force drivers, SATA drivers from my MOBO support CD and a few CPU drivers that I have downloaded. Is this data stored in documents and settings, or will I have to reinstall all these drivers that I have installed and updated over the years?

I wont make this too long otherwise I might not get an answer, but how the hell do I use these .bkf files if my hard drive fails. Do I have to reinstall windows from the cd? And if so will I be able to do it on the new hard drive that presently holds my .bkf files? In other words, do I have to make a partition on the disk when I install the OS as to preserve the .bck files. Keep in mind the new disk is already formatted as one block .

Anyways. A million thanks to anyone who can answer any of these questions or point me in the right direction.

 

[Genocidicbunny]

If you want a backup of the whole system, I suggest doing a disk image when you have a fresh install. Otherwise, dont both with backing up drivers. Focus on the files important to you, and if your drivers cannot be found on the internet anymore, the install files for them as well.

In the end, if your system goes down, it will be a lot easier to reinstall drivers from scratch. They will be more stable, and generally, you'll get a more updated version.

I dont know how windows backup works since I dont use it. Ive got a much simpler system of backing up whats important to me. I have a bat with all the locations I want, and when I want to do a backup, I just run it. The files are copied to our NAS which is enough of a backup for most stuff I've got. The most important files go on a 16gb truecrypt partition which is stored on a flash drive.

 

[Mulholland]

If you want a backup of the whole system, I suggest doing a disk image when you have a fresh install. Otherwise, dont both with backing up drivers. Focus on the files important to you, and if your drivers cannot be found on the internet anymore, the install files for them as well.

In the end, if your system goes down, it will be a lot easier to reinstall drivers from scratch. They will be more stable, and generally, you'll get a more updated version.

I dont know how windows backup works since I dont use it. Ive got a much simpler system of backing up whats important to me. I have a bat with all the locations I want, and when I want to do a backup, I just run it. The files are copied to our NAS which is enough of a backup for most stuff I've got. The most important files go on a 16gb truecrypt partition which is stored on a flash drive.

Thanks. I did want to keep the drivers, stability isn't really a problem, my system is actually running better now than it has in a while (recent driver updates for all components). I'm not really sure about a disk image, I don't want to pirate and can't really justify shelling out several hundred bucks for something I don't really need.. but it's looking like that might be the most feasible option for what I want to do.

In your case if, your hard drive dies, do you then reinstall windows on a new drive and replace you missing files and settings with you bat?

 

[Genocidicbunny]

Assuming the file structure remains the same, I just import all the settings files right back to their locations. Again, my method is extremely simple, and for the most part it only works one way.

Otherwise, I just restore settings by hand. This used to be simple, because for the most part, all I had was my browser, mirc, photoshop, after effects and premiere pro. But now ive got a pair of IDE's, notepad++, and other programs. In fact, im thinking of finding a better solution.

As for disk imaging, I think the best proggy out there is Acronis True Image which is 50$/license. Its got a trial available so you can try to see if it works for you.

 

[Mulholland]

Assuming the file structure remains the same, I just import all the settings files right back to their locations. Again, my method is extremely simple, and for the most part it only works one way.

Otherwise, I just restore settings by hand. This used to be simple, because for the most part, all I had was my browser, mirc, photoshop, after effects and premiere pro. But now ive got a pair of IDE's, notepad++, and other programs. In fact, im thinking of finding a better solution.

As for disk imaging, I think the best proggy out there is Acronis True Image which is 50$/license. Its got a trial available so you can try to see if it works for you.

Thanks! Acronis at 50$ actually sounds like a very fair price. I'll look into it.