Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: Bobh on January 15, 2010, 02:57:16 PM
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Hi -
I am running Vista Home Basic 32 bit. I am trying to run a back up. I insert a disc and the program formats the disc and starts the back up. After a while it asks for another disc. I put in another disc but the program never formats the disc as it did the firest one and it tells me there is no disc inserted. I was told that the second disc had to be formated before being inserted. I started over and when it came time for the second disc, I inserted one that I formated before starting the program. Again the program said no disc was inserted. I hope this is plain enough for somebody to tell me what I am doing wrong. Thanks Bob
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I'm not trying to discourage you from backing up...far from it.
But i found the Windows built in backup utilities flakey and a bit clunky.
One option you have would be to pre-format a bunch of CD's using your CD/DVD burning app..
Try that and see if things change.
If not Post back and i can suggest some alternative approaches for you...
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I'm not going to wait for you to post back :). Your best backup solution is disk imaging. There are any number of good choices, both paid and free. If I were you (or ANYONE), I'd look into it.
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Patio -
When I formated the disc I right clicked on the RW (E:) and a panel came up that had
"format" in the list. I clicked on that. Can you explain more about "using your CD/DVD burning app" I have never burned a DVD. Thanks Bob
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Allen -
I don't know what "disk imaging" is. Can you explain to some one who doesn't know much about computers. Thanks Bob
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The software essentially takes a "snapshot" of your hd. You can restore the entire drive, partition, or any files or folders at any time in the future. I image my system partition twice a week and save it to a separate hd, keep the 3 newest images. Acronis True Image is, in my opinion, the best of breed. It is not free. There are a number of excellent free options as well.
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS304US305&q=disk+imaging
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Allan -
Thanks for your reply. I will work on this tomarrow. Bob
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Acronis True Image: http://www.acronis.com/ - not free, but the best
Free alternatives:
- Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp (highly recommended)
- DriveImage XML: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
- SelfImage: http://www.excelcia.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=21
- Paragon Drive Backup: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/
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Broni -
Thanks for your reply. I downloaded your free recommendation. I chose the free one because I do not have anything really really important to save. I only use my computer to e-mail, do jig saw puzzles, get weather, etc. Loosing everything and starting over is something I have done a couple of times in my learning process. I will try this way of backing up my files. Bob
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Patio -
OK I figured out that when I put a DVD in the tray and downloaded I was burning a DVD. I did pre-formatted a couple of DVDs and tried to use them but when it came time to use the second DVD I kept getting a message that said there was no disc inserted. I would still like to make my own back up but if I can't I am going to use the recommendation that Broni gave me. If you want to make other suggestions I will try them. Thanks for your time. Bob
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I would go ahead and use the Macrium Reflect...it works well as i personally tested it myself and it's far easier than the Vista backup.
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Patio -
I very carefully formatted 2 discs. I know they were formatted because afterwards they had 4.37GB free. However, the back up program continued to say there was no disc inserted. I give up. I will just use Macrium Reflect as you and others suggest. It just bothers me that something does not work like it is supposed to. I thank you and others who helped me with this problem. Could not get along with you. Bob
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Bob...
i understand your frustration... Vista backup suxx...
Macrium will handle it...
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Patio -
Boy I have got to be more careful what I write. What I meant to say was, " I could not get along WITHOUT you." Bob
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;D
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Hi -
I followed the suggestions and downloaded Macrium Reflect. I have copied the instructions but they have some instructions that don't exactly match what comes up on my monitor. I get the idea and I think I can figure it out. But a couple of questions to get me started. I am running Vista Home Basic 32 bit. My hd has 2 partitions: C & D. Do I want to back up both of these? I guess I want the back up put on DVDs or is there someplace to put it? If I use DVDs should they be formated before inserting them (I'm assuming I will need several) or can I use non-formatted ones? Please bear with me, I'm on a learning curve. Thanks Bob
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Concentrate on backing up C: for now...D: may be a hidden recovery partition for restoring the machine back to Day One status...if that's the case there is a different method for creating the Recovery CD's...
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Patio -
OK I will try C when I get through running my security. I want to make sure all the bad stuff is gone before I try a back up. Thanks Bob
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Good idea Bob...you're an astute Student !
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Patio -
I did it!!! I ran my security and called up Macrium Reflect and followed the instructions (guessing at a couple) and it ran a back up of "C". It took 3 discs. They need not be formatted before as the program will do it when you insert a new disc. I am not going to try to back up "D" as it is the registry and several people have told me to leave that alone. If anything happens to "D" I have a disc to use to start over. Thanks for your help and time. Bob
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Excellent ! !
Post more info on your machine and let's get those Recovery CD's built...
You don't neccessarily need them now that you have a succesful image created...but it's good to have for peace of mind anyways...
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Patio -
I hope this is what you want, if it is not or if you want more let me know and I will try to find it.
Windows Vista Home Basic
Intel Celeron D CPU 3.33 GHz
1.50 GB RAM
Intel 82945G Express Chipset Family
I don't know what this is but I copied it from a "Welcome" page. I know there is a page that has more information but I could not find it. Bob
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Patio -
My computer is an E Machine (built by Gateway). While I was looking at programs to find more information about my computer I found a page " eMachines Recovery Center" I wish I could give you a screen shot but I tried that and found out that I did not know how. This page had 4 items listed:
Recovery - Factory system recovery
Programs - Application recovery - Add/Remove Programs
Hardware - Device driver recovery - eMachines User Guide
Applications and Drivers external media - Create Application and Drivers recovery disc
It sounds like I can go to these programs to recover somethings. I have not tried any
of these nor do I know where I can get any explanation. Do you know where I can get help with E Machine computer? Bob
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maybe ure CD was the problem try another CD becoz some CD`s that was burn was have a problem....
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Pardon me Bobh, for butting in. I saw in the thread that Broni suggested some free backup software and went there.
Broni, I wanted to find out what the paid edition means when they say, password protection, please.
Does that mean it will save the passwords or you can create a password for your files?
Thank you Broni and Bobh.
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Imnoguru -
I do not know the answer to your question. Bob
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Pardon me Bobh, for butting in. I saw in the thread that Broni suggested some free backup software and went there.
Broni, I wanted to find out what the paid edition means when they say, password protection, please.
Does that mean it will save the passwords or you can create a password for your files?
Thank you Broni and Bobh.
Imnoguru: think about the name. password, <protection> if it was saving the passwords, would it be called that? I can see how one might see it as "protecting" your passwords from getting lost, but in common parlance "password protection" means that a password is issued onto something so that only somebody knowing that password can access whatever is protected.
In this case, the image file.
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Thanks Bobh for the reply, I see that BC_Programmer has the answer I was looking for. Thank you BC_Programmer.
I thought I was on the right track... but as they say the only silly question is the one you don't ask.
Bobh, I was looking through post for answers to questions, that I had been thinking of myself since obtaining my laptops.
Thank you all.