[Ham-Computers] RE: Backing up System Drive

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Ralph,

There are a couple of ways to "restore" the computer back to it's state when last backed-up - but, you need to have the right backup progams to do so.  Two types come to mind - drive imaging, and, file-by-file backup/restore.

Drive imaging is very popular, but may require you to down your computer for a while during the backup process.  A drive imaging program basically performs a file-by-file backup (or a sector-by-sector backup) including the boot record and restores the drive to a similar state when needed.  However, the backup may need to be done outside of Windows, so the computer will essentially be "down" during the backup.

Symantec's GHOST is an example of a drive imaging program - I only have experience with the "Corporate" edition which is DOS based.  It allows you to backup the drive to either an "image" file on another drive, or, you can "clone" the drive to another drive.  Cloning is faster and gives you the option to boot from the cloned drive if the original drive fails.  But, the drive needs to be dedicated to the backup process as it is overwritten during each backup.  Backing up to a image file allows you to create multiple backups, in case you need to go back in time for some reason.  You can also use the backup drive for other purposes as the image file(s) itself is just another file.

File backup/restore programs basically do a file-by-file backup of everything and then restore the "difference" between the backed-up state of the system and the "current" state.  These require you to re-install Windows first before the restore process, but the Windows re-installation step may be included as part of the entire restore process.  For example, the app "Retrospect Backup" creates a "restore" disc set that allows you to re-install Windows along with Retrospect itself and then launches the file restore after Windows is installed.  The main advantage with this type of backup is that the backup is not hardware dependent - since Windows is re-installed from scratch, the restore should work if there is a platform change (new motherboard with different chipset).  The backup and restore process is also done using a familiar Windows GUI.  However, some of these backup programs are a bit complicated - for example, the "full" version of Retrospect can be intimidating to navigate.  But, there are simpler programs available, though I don't have much experience with them.

>From a simplicity standpoint, using a drive imaging program (such as GHOST) is the way to go.  Yes, you're down for a few hours duing the backup, but you're assured the drive is restored to the same state (basically) it was in when the backup was created.  However, the down side to this is that if the hardware changes (motherboard), then the restore may not work - the data will still be there, but it won't boot due to a difference in the Windows HAL.

So, Ralph, hope this answers your question (if not complicating things).  Please post again if you have any questions!

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O



-----Original Message-----
From: ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:ham-computers-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ralph Daniels
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 7:25 AM
To: Ham-Computers at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Backing up System Drive

Hi All,

Firstly, let me thank the administrators who provide this Group and all its contributors, especially Aaron, NN6O.

Specifically, my PC's are all set up with drive C: containing only the XP OS and application programs and drive E: (a non-system drive) for Folders/Files only. When drive C: goes defective it can be replaced in several minutes but the re-loading of the OS and applications can take several hours. 

My question is if drive C: could be totally backed up on drive E: thus allowing a quick restore for a failed drive C. There is ample storage available on E: but does the fact of it being a non-sytem disk prevent this?

I am sure this has been answered a million times before so thanks for your patience!

Ralph Daniels, N1SK
Clearwater, FL

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