Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows Vista and 7 => Topic started by: Bobh on January 15, 2010, 02:57:16 PM

Title: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 15, 2010, 02:57:16 PM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: patio on January 15, 2010, 03:37:17 PM
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...
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Allan on January 15, 2010, 03:39:51 PM
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.
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 15, 2010, 03:58:50 PM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 15, 2010, 04:02:25 PM
Allen -
I don't know what "disk imaging" is.  Can you explain to some one who doesn't know much about computers.  Thanks   Bob
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Allan on January 15, 2010, 05:27:06 PM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 15, 2010, 06:05:02 PM
Allan -
Thanks for your reply.  I will work on this tomarrow.  Bob
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Broni on January 15, 2010, 06:07:23 PM
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/
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 16, 2010, 06:16:02 AM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 16, 2010, 06:27:34 AM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: patio on January 16, 2010, 08:51:37 AM
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.
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 16, 2010, 01:07:31 PM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: patio on January 16, 2010, 02:48:20 PM
Bob...
i understand your  frustration... Vista backup suxx...
Macrium will handle it...
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 17, 2010, 06:36:24 AM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: patio on January 17, 2010, 06:37:11 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 17, 2010, 07:29:16 PM
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 
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: patio on January 18, 2010, 06:46:00 AM
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...
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 18, 2010, 07:42:44 AM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: patio on January 18, 2010, 08:16:50 AM
Good idea Bob...you're an astute Student !
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 18, 2010, 01:01:49 PM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: patio on January 18, 2010, 01:40:49 PM
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...
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 18, 2010, 03:29:09 PM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 18, 2010, 05:59:15 PM
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
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: bahala2142 on January 18, 2010, 10:59:38 PM
maybe ure CD was the problem try another CD becoz some CD`s that was burn was have a problem....
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: ImnoGuru on January 19, 2010, 03:19:19 AM
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.
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: Bobh on January 19, 2010, 04:58:33 AM
Imnoguru -
I do not know the answer to your question.    Bob
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: BC_Programmer on January 19, 2010, 05:54:46 AM
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.
Title: Re: Need help with back up
Post by: ImnoGuru on January 19, 2010, 06:06:48 AM
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.