Backing up or imaging the HD

[Kryptonite]

Now that this computer has been "cleaned up" literally and figuratively, i'm thinking that i should back up the HD and maybe make a bootable CD. i know that there is a difference in backing up and imaging but i want to know if an image can be made without owning one of the imaging software programs? Someone told me that there is a way to do it remotely and store it there after you're finished. Does anyone know what that site is called and if it's safe?

Then if i do need to buy one of the programs which one is easiest to use? If i am not mistaking, one of the external hard drives that i purchased came with one but i could never figure it out. If i remember the name of it i'll post it later.

If i "back up" using DVD's about how many do i need for a 250 gig HD that is only is only 18% used?

Should i wait until the back up or image is made before installing a VOIP program?

[Dias de verano]

Then if i do need to buy one of the programs which one is easiest to use?

Easiest and best is Norton Ghost.

If i "back up" using DVD's about how many do i need for a 250 gig HD that is only is only 18% used?

Do the arithmetic. (250*0.18) / 4.7

Should i wait until the back up or image is made before installing a VOIP program?

Do it after.

[Kryptonite]

"Do the arithmetic. (250*0.18) / 4.7"

So "backing up" means copying the unused space also? If not the figures are different aren't they?

[patio]

When you image a drive it does not include unused space...

[Dias de verano]

"Do the arithmetic. (250*0.18) / 4.7"

So "backing up" means copying the unused space also? If not the figures are different aren't they?

No. It doesn't mean copying the unused space. Did you actually look at, or try, the arithmetic calculation I posted? I guess not, or maybe you didn't understand it, so I'll explain it here.

You wrote

If i "back up" using DVD's about how many do i need for a 250 gig HD that is only is only 18% used?

The HD is 250 GB in size. 18% is the same as 0.18. So the amount of data to back up is (250 * 0.18) GB, or if you find it easier to understand, "Two hundred and fifty gigabytes times zero point one eight".

The answer is 45 GB.

You wanted to know how many DVDs that would fit on, so we divide that by 4.7 (The number of GB on a single layer DVD). The answer is 9.57. That means 9 whole disks and a bit more than half of a tenth disk. So you'd need 10 disks.

I thought the arithmetic was pretty simple and obvious, I'm sorry if I made a mistake thinking that.

If backing up meant copying the unused space, the number of disks woulb be 250 / 4.7 which comes out to around 54 disks. And that 0.18 would not be in the calculation I posted.

[Kryptonite]

You said: "I thought the arithmetic was pretty simple and obvious, I'm sorry if I made a mistake thinking that."

Thank you for your taking the time and making the effort to clarify the numbers and methods needed to" do the math " or "arithmetic" as you called it in your last reply.

[Dias de verano]

The calculations required are the same as in these problems:

1. A 250 litre tank is 18% full. How many times will I need to put in a 4.7 litre bucket to empty it?

2. A 250 gram flour jar is 18% full. How many times will I need to put in a spoon holding 4.7 grams to empty it?

3. A container holds 250 squoggles of some substance when full. It is 18% full. How many 4.7 squoggle bottles will I need to use to hold its contents?

[drmsucks]

I have not used this but have read good things about it: http://www.miray.de/products/sat.hdclone.html#free. NOTE that I think it will only image to a larger disk; in your case, i guess larger than 250 GB.

Acronis: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/, is an excellent paid program. Amazon price $34.00.

Good idea to create an image - best of luck!