Backing up everything

I want to reformat soon, so I scanned the computer to ensure no viruses will get onto the new install. I don't have any backup programs or even the windows backup app as that comes on the CD (this is a pre-built that only comes with a diagnostic/ reinstall disc, not a windows cd). Would copying "C:\" into my backup hard drive "K:\," like with right click copy paste be a good way to backup everything? Is this missing anything? The internal hard drive is 120GB, the data on it about 45GB, and the backup drive has a 250GB capacity and is connected by USB 2.0.

 

I wouldn't recommend it Dave. If the copy procedure stumbles (and it will), it will not copy any files from that point forward. You'll never know what it missed.

You must use a 3rd party copy program to get all of the XP files. I recommend a free program called XXCLONE.

That little jewel will create a bootable image of your present drive, not that you plan to boot it. The point is, it won't stumble on any locked files that XP may have and will get everything you have on your drive.

There is an alternative. Create a full drive image with something like Acronis True Image and you'll later be able to pluck any file from it that was on your drive when that image was made. That's a cool and safe method.

The downside to XXCOPY, it wipes all other data from the target drive before doing its thing.

The downside to Acronis True Image, none that I know of. In fact, you can get a copy of it for free. Such a deal.

http://www.acronis.com/mag/vnu-ati7

And if you need further help getting the serial number for it, read the following thread:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?p=892225

HTH

BTW, if I may ask, why do you want to Reformat your drive? It's rarely necessary and usually more trouble than it's worth. If you have a problem with the way it's operating, perhaps if you post up your issues to the forum here, you may be able to fix it easily.

 

Backing up with XP

Using XXCLONE, or Acronis - can either be configured to say, back up only 'My Documents' to an external USB drive automatically at startup or shutdown?

 

No, but you can make a batch file for that. Include the shutdown command in it. Place it on the root of your drive and right click it and send a shortcut to the Desktop. Drag that shortcut to your Quicklaunch bar if you want it to be real handy. Then use it exclusively to shut down the system.

It would look something like this:

Code:

rd /s/q  "H:\my documents "
xcopy /s/e/r/h/y  "C:\documents and settings\owner\my documents"  "H:\my documents\ "
%windir%\System32\shutdown.exe -s -t 00

Copy/paste that code into a Notepad session and save it as bkmydoc.bat.

Substitute your own id for "Owner" if necessary and change the H: to your usb drive letter.