Resolved Backup vs Cloning - which is better and why?

Thx Arie. Now I think I get it.

 

Tony, I have an external clone, so if I were to do what you've suggested what form would the data be in? What effect would it have on the clone? Would the data be compressed, and would it overwrite just the files it replaces?
Lastly, how would I write this to backup changes to C:, M:, P: and S: partitions?

 

At the risk of being redundant, one of the advantages of using a desktop, hopefully one with a full sized box is, you can do internal backup by adding a second HDD.

Again, XXClone has a free version and it is amazing.

 

SD, would you pls explain this?

 

Redundancy overlooked.
What the difference between XXClone and TI as far as the end result goes?

 

Visit the XX site and read. You won't be sorry. And, you can always TRY IT for FREE. They also have a little trial version of the Pro version....without which, the Pro version, my recent Adopey flash player HELL would not have been put right, if, in an atypical fix, but in under two minutes.
After, that is, for struggling for several hours.

I would recommend, after reading, you try the free version. Learn its features. Test it. Copme to "ownI it. There are no shortcuts in this stuff---while we something thing the infinite hotfixes MS offers for its software are instant.....ponder what it takes to write those patches.

Nothing like empirical experience, right? That earns us the ability to make good differential choices and grow coping skills.

 

Jilly, pls clarify...

 

Sorry I am trying to work and also take phone calls. I left typos and did not edit. Mea culpa. But not MAXIMA.

What I meant was, we must work to see things clearly and in perspective. You seem, forgive me, to want simple answers to complex issues, and seem to want to rely on recommendations without following up, doing your own research augmented by first hand experience.

I raised the issue of the patches MS offers, many critical, to fill the infinite holes in their software....because it struck me we come to take those for granted and download them in a nano. Truth is, unearthing the holes in the software and writing the fixes/patches/hotfixes takes much time, work and earned expertise.

The natural World, and technolgy is a part of that despite it appears otherwise, is perfectly engineered with learning curves in all endeavors, arenas. This is factory-loaded, evolved over milenia, and, I think, perfect and amazing. I think the Natural World has earned a 4.0 in Engineering.

Getting and celebrating that is the issue. Including in yr current endeavor to make informed, differential decision re backing up your drive.

Also strikes me not for the first time, that not one thing I have gotten good at and getting good at is never ending....owes much to anything I learned in the Ivy League or in my formal education preceding that.

I think we learn from OURSELVES. If we are lucky, fellow humans who are generous FOSTER that journey, and we also have the privilege of being generous in that way.

i hope this clarifies.

 

You're correct Jilly.
I'm unwilling to invest the time into something like backing up, so I'm relying on those w/ more experience. I'm not out to reinvent the wheel, and the experience of others saves tons of time. Learning various programs is just what I'm out to avoid. I want to find out what works (hopefully w/out buying another program) and use it. Unfortunately (for me), this is a new realm and I have a learning curve to deal w/, and a limited amount of time to do it in.

 

Very upfront post. And yet, this issue is not just indigenous to yr current challenge. It is classic.

Also, I got XXclone for the reasons I did. I believe I have delineated those reasons many times on this site. It is the right choice for Jilly.

Arie, the Administrator, I have learned, cause he posted, chooses another method.... doesn't make one better than the others. It is individual specific.

The time you are taking to post and solicit & read responses, I submit, is not going to grow you without following up and getting and testing this and that and getting clear on what is right for you, cHAS....AND WHY.

For the time you have already invested in this on this site, you could have gotten say the free version of XX and experienced it first hand.

If you don't like it, or if it doesn't serve your individual needs you UNINSTALL IT.

Again, there are no shortcuts in life; there is no such thing as borrowed wisdom or savvy.

And finally, Google, if not actually God, is one of our Best Friends and an absolute miracle. Other search engines as well.

Exploit the technology to the MAX and DANCE!

 

Addenda, then I am outta here:

Strikes me that apart from things very esoteric and requiring urgent addressing and the highest level of expertise in this technology, i.e., malware diagnostics and removal requiring real experts, the goal ought be to inform but also EMPOWER.

In many things, there are no absolutes. The premise that something is always right or wrong or right for everyone is Fascistic, the shameful stuff of marketing and advertising... and never honors individuals as individuals, and never fosters a crescendo of learning and growing autonomy.

 

Backing up your system and data can be a very complex issue. It all depends on what you expect a backup to be. Some of the variables are as follows:

1. Whether you want only personal data backed up or want a full drive or partition backup. Example: Backing up your personal data will protect it but if your system fails to boot, you will have to reload the system files by some other means before you can access your backup.

2. Whether you have multiple drives or partitions to back up or only a system drive or partition. Example: If you only want to back up your system drive, you can clone it to a second physical drive or partition that you are willing to totally dedicate for that purpose. If however you need to backup another drive, in addition to the system drive, you will not be able to clone it to the same target and will need a multi partitioned target drive in order to have a dedicated partition for each source drive you intend to clone. However, if you use drive imaging instead of cloning, you can store all the various drive image files on the same partition by simply giving them different names or else storing them in different folders.

3. How accessible you want it to be. Example: If your system fails to boot, will the backup be easily accessible? Example: Does it provide a boot media to access the backup program when the system fails to boot so that you can restore the bootability? All disk imaging software provides this ability without having to make any physical changes to your system configuration.

4. How automatic you want it to be. Example: Do you want a user friendly interface that allows you to easily set up backup tasks or do you want to create your own command files to accomplish that?

5. How current you want it to be. Example: Do you want to be able to go back to yesterday (or any day for the past 6 months) and retrieve a file as it existed on that day or will you accept a much longer time span, such as a last month version of the file and not need any versions that it had in the meantime?

6. How much disk space you are willing to give it. Example: A simple backup of your personal data will not take up nearly as much space as a full drive or partition backup. Cloning your drive will take a lot more space than imaging it since imaging software can employ compression techniques to reduce the backup size.

7. Where you intend to store it. Example: You could store a simple backup of your personal files on the same drive that your system is located if you have no other media to use. It's best to use separate media for backups. If you have no secondary IDE drive to dedicate, an external USB drive is a good selection. That can also be used on a laptop, which solves the laptop single drive problem. A USB drive can easily serve to store the backup images for several different system so it's a preferred choice for many.

8. How much system resource impact you will accept. Example: If running the backup causes your system to be sluggish, can you tolerate that or would you rather it do its work without dragging the system down?

Those are some of the variable that you should consider before deciding on a backup regimen. Even after opting for one that fits your situation at the present time, be sure to review your needs periodically since it's a dynamic situation.

My dad always said, "A Crescent wrench and pliers are fine tools but don't use them if you have a box-end wrench that will fit." That applies to computer backup tools as well.

He also said, "Get the best tools you can afford, they won't be any too good." Amen

 

I admire your patience, Surferdude.

My dad was famous for both inventing/making his own tools, using ancient ones & using existing items in unconventional ways. Forget only being able to manifest his genius in total chaos. Another example of we are each unique!

Meanwhile, not even your voluminous and detailed post can succeed in making Chas's decision FOR him, given all the available options.

Nor can anyone make that decision for him. And that, boys & girls... is a Good Thing!

 

I believe this is a new system. If so, I am sure his HDDs are SATA controlled.

And, if it is a full sized desktop, he should have an empty slot in his HDD bay and spare SATA controller plugs on his board.

Why people go for teeny desktops....even in the Optiplexes, i.e., the 3 small configurations, and not the big one....I do not get. How often do you carry the thing about, after all?

 

Jilly, to the extent that Chas Berlin may represent a sizable audience, the effort is well worth it. This issue is always important since a good backup is a basic need.

Not all who could have secondary drives (either PATA or SATA) actually have them or even knew they needed one.

You are correct, to each unto their own need, based on their own situation. Any offering I make is given as mere fodder for the brain's milling process.

 

Good points all. And no question, this is a very important issue for all of us! I have Virgo rising. I am inherently patient. But not always.

I liked "the brain's milling proccess" a lot!

Let us see how this unfolds and what the denouement might be.

 

Your point is well taken as it applies to most people. My niece comes to mind though, she is confined to a wheelchair and carries her laptop down to the pond behind the house to enjoy the internet via a wireless modem, whilst sitting neath the shade tree there. It's the old phrase "To each his own" again I suppose.

 

I was referring to only desktops. I carry my Alienware Sentia lappy about all the time. But both my Optilexes are happily ensconced in my apartment.

I do believe Chas's system is a desktop, no?

I could be wrong and it's a foundational issue here.

 

OMG, it's a custom rig! And yes, a desktop. Not sure if Chas was the builder or not. But I think maybe!

Someone skilled enough to do this, someone pro active enough, someone patient enough does not wanna spend the time chasing follow up data in determining which cloning option to choose??

What does not compute here, if only to me????

Home Built PC
Mainboard Giga-Byte GA-K8NF-9
Processor AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.01Ghz
Memory 3 GB
Video Card Winfast PX6200 TD
Hard Drive #1 Seagate 7200 750GB
Operating System XP Pro
32/64 Bit OS 32-bit