Daft Question

[quandam]

Is it possible to copy the whole of my 'C' Drive to an attached USB hard drive (500 Gb) in case of a PC crash that will be available for future use? If so, how do I achieve it?

[Rik]

Yes and no, Q. Because it's the OS partition, it's not enough just to copy the files, you need some low level data too. Most of us use a program like Acronis True Image to make a bit-by-bit copy of the partition which the Acronis software can re-install in a crisis (you create a Linux boot CD which has the app on it...).

[quandam]

Blimey Rik!

My brain is beginning to hurt already. My teeth are now beginning to itch Vibes are telling me it is a no no for me ?

[Rik]

It's simple to use software, Q, the only sweaty palm moments come if you ever have to use it in earnest, but it's not failed me yet.

[Gary]

My PC has its own version built in but it is easy to do Q 

[David]

I'm with you on this one Q 

[merlin]

Q as RIK says its a walk in the park, just click on "backup my computer " and it walks you through it very easy, i,ve used it for a long time now and its never failed.

it also does "incremental backups" wow sounds hard ,no it just means it adds whatever you,ve added to your computer since the last backup,
to your backup. so that when you need to restore, you get everything back,as it was.

it will also restore a non-bootable computer in most cases

go on get it , you know you want to

and although there is an extensive help section, if that baffelates you theres  many folk on this forum who would be only too glad to help

btw theres no such thing as a daft question, but if there ever is ,its the one that isn,t asked, only a fool keeps the question to hiself !!!

[drummer]

I'm with Rik on this.  With a program like Acronis TI, it's a complete doddle to create an actual clone of your OS but it has the added benefit of including all the details about how that OS is booted.

Backing up the contents of the C: drive alone won't include things like the Master Boot Record, Partition Tables and lots of other stuff you don't really want to bother with, so there's no guarantee it would even boot successfully.

A decent disk imaging program, on the other hand, will handle all that tricky stuff with ease and get your system up-and-running in less than ten minutes, using a backup image you've already created with the same program.

SourceForge would be a good place to check if there's a freeware disk imaging program available.

[quandam]

Many thanks for the advice all It is appreciated Will see if I can get a freeware version

[David]

There is a free trial option Q....just to see if you like it

[quandam]

Ta!

[David]

 

[quandam]

Had a look at Acronis TI, it looks really good and very useful. How does the free test version operate, anyone know? What are the limitations, can you do one back up of your system?

[Rik]

I thought it was limited in some way, Q, perhaps not allowing incremental backup or restore, but I'm not sure. Does the site not say?

[Rik]

The site suggests it's a 15-day time limit:

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/download/trueimage/

[quandam]

Rik

What a minefield re prices Through the Acronis web site it is £39.95. Other prices vary alarmingly, went to Amazon, available with free delivery for £23.97! Needless to say didn't bother with the free 15 day trial or vouchers etc. and bought the whole nine yards straight away

Thanks for your help

[Rik]

NP, Q. Many of us here rely on TI, so you're 'among friends' if you have any issues. One tip which I can't emphasise enough (OK, two). First, make sure you name the drive on which you backup, as the letters are likely to be different than when booting from Windows. Second, do check the backups are readable by booting with the Acronis CD. The Windows check is usually OK, the Acronis one is cast-iron.

[quandam]

Good advice. Thanks

[quandam]

Sebby

Apologies for originally posting in the wrong category

[Rik]

NP, Q. Sometimes we move stuff, sometimes we don't. The important thing is to get you your answers.