How Do I Backup My Files?

I thought maybe I could write a "batch" file
like in the DOS days
since there is not an option for XP Backup to
remember the folders I
want to routinely backup.
Don

Yes, you can do so. And as I previously responded
to a different post, there is also a "job" feature
in ntbackup.exe to do repeat backups of specific
files/folders/whatever on a schedule.
Batch wise, there are many different things you
can do with or without ntbackup.

Twayne



"Don" wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required
to select the
folders to BU. Is there a way that I can save
this list of folders
to be backed up and eliminate having to select
them each time I want
to backup?

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about
Windows Home Server,
just in case the user has a spare PC laying
around. The beta is
now open for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding
something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to
do it yet. Even if
the beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant
to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait
until I have a
little more experience with WHS myself. Coming
soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Ive followed this discussion with interest. I'm backing up to an external
drive and have set myself up as Administrator. However, when I try to
backup all information on the PC it comes up with the error message 'The
files for recovery diskette could not be created. The operation was
aborted.' Can anyone explain how and why, and the solution?
--
Bridgeman


"Twayne" wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the folders
to BU. Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be
backed up and eliminate having to select them each time I want to
backup?

Yes, you can. The quote below is from the Help file about that matter
and explains how to save and use "jobs". ntbackup's HELP is actually
pretty helpful, unlike a lot of Microsoft's Helpg. Well worth
perusing; ntbackup can do a lot of things many people aren't aware of.

Just to get you started:
When you open ntbackup.exe, click the Backup tab instead of the Wizard
tab. Note the new screen has a tab for Schedule Jobs. Click it and
note the calendar that opens. Select a date and then click Add Job in
the lower left corner of the screen. You will next be offered a chance
to return to the wizard or not, and choose files to backup, save the
job, and so on, to occur on that date or dates; you'll see how it works.
I haven't used it in a few years now so some of the nuances escape me
right now.
You'll be able to choose your options for the job that is to occur on
that date and following future dates.

TEST it out first, to get the feel of it, and how you want to access
things; you'll find your own procedures that work best for you and
probably better than mine for you. It works well and I used to use
these job capabilities a lot. Choose a file that's not important toyou,
or create one for testing, and try backing it up and then Restoring it
once or twice so you'll know what to expect in the future. Maybe let it
back up automatically, daily for a few days and see how it feels as a
test drive.

If you haven't already, be sure to read Help for info about creating
an ASR (Automated System Recovery) emergency recovery disk and how it's
tied to the backup sets you create. By creating the ASR disk, you are
prepared to recover your data even in the event of a complete drive
crash or to Restore your system to a new hard drive. Without the ASR
you would still have to manually install XP and Service Pack to get
ntbackup.exe back in order to finish Restoring which can be a real PITA.
Ntbackup.exe is a good backup utility as long as you don't want a lot
of bells and whistles or can't afford an imaging program. If/when you
do get around to it, Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image are probably
the two best applications for backing up a machine, IMO. I currently
use Norton Ghost and really like it, but I still find myself turning to
ntbackup in order to create things like System State backups (see Help
about what that is) * other quick little jobs like that.

HTH,

Twayne





------------------------
To schedule a backup

1.. Open Backup.
The Backup Utility Wizard starts by default, unless it is disabled.

2.. Click the Advanced Mode button in the Backup Utility Wizard.
3.. Click the Backup tab, and then, on the Job menu, click New.
4.. Select the files and folders you want to back up by clicking the
check box to the left of a file or folder under Click to select the
check box for any drive, folder or file that you want to back up.
5.. Select File or a tape device in Backup destination, and then save
the file and folder selections by clicking the Job menu, and then
clicking _Save Selections_.
6.. In Backup media or file name, type a path and file name for the
backup file, or select a tape.
7.. Select any backup options you want, such as the backup type and
the log file type, by clicking the Tools menu, and then clicking
Options. When you have finished selecting backup options, click OK.
8.. Click Start Backup and make any changes you want to the Backup Job
Information dialog box.
9.. If you want to set advanced backup options such as data
verification or hardware compression, click Advanced. When you have
finished selecting advanced backup options, click OK.
For more information about setting advanced backup options, see To set
advanced backup options.

10.. Click Schedule in the Backup Job Information dialog box.
11.. In the Set Account Information dialog box, enter the user name
and password that you want the scheduled backup to run under.
12.. In the Scheduled Job Options dialog box, in Job name, type a name
for the scheduled backup job, and then click Properties to set the date,
time, and frequency parameters for the scheduled backup. When you have
finished, click OK, and then click OK again.
13.. ...
....




"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is
now open for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a little
more experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored last year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it do full,
incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me the only thing it
does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new HD and/or do a mirror backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the folders to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed up and
eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug said
in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups performed
automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are willing to spend
the money for an extra computer as well as the software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server, just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a little more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored last year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it do full,
incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me the only thing it
does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new HD and/or do a mirror backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the folders to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed up and
eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug said
in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups performed
automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are willing to spend
the money for an extra computer as well as the software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server, just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a little more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using XP backup
and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it uses a different
backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored last
year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it do full,
incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me the only thing it
does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new HD and/or do a mirror
backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the folders
to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed up and
eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug said
in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups performed
automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are willing to spend
the money for an extra computer as well as the software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a little
more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using XP backup
and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it uses a different
backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored last
year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it do full,
incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me the only thing it
does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new HD and/or do a mirror
backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the folders
to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed up and
eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug said
in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups performed
automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are willing to spend
the money for an extra computer as well as the software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a little
more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7 will not
accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to believe.
But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety of
backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so except for the
absence of creating an image backup it would seem on paper to be equal to
others with the exception of not being able to create a clone or a mirror
backup that will include all of the apps and the OS. What am I missing here?
LB
--
LJB


"peter" wrote:

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using XP backup
and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it uses a different
backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored last
year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it do full,
incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me the only thing it
does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new HD and/or do a mirror
backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the folders
to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed up and
eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug said
in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups performed
automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are willing to spend
the money for an extra computer as well as the software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a little
more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7 will not
accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to believe.
But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety of
backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so except for the
absence of creating an image backup it would seem on paper to be equal to
others with the exception of not being able to create a clone or a mirror
backup that will include all of the apps and the OS. What am I missing here?
LB
--
LJB


"peter" wrote:

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using XP backup
and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it uses a different
backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored last
year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it do full,
incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me the only thing it
does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new HD and/or do a mirror
backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the folders
to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed up and
eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug said
in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups performed
automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are willing to spend
the money for an extra computer as well as the software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a little
more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

You seem to be equating backing up data with backing up the entire
system.

Full and incremental images are *far* superior to full and incremental
data backups!

Don't get me wrong; data backups have their place! But if you image the
entire hard drive, not only have you backed up all your data but you
have just made things immensely better for yourself in the event you
need to recover from some disaster (malware or a disastrous update or
corruption due to a power spike or some other reason). Restoring the
image is easy and once this is done, your system is just as it once
was -- before the disaster struck. If all you did was back up data, you
would need to reinstall the OS, the drivers, the service packs and
subsequent security patches, applications and customize your settings,
etc. This would take many hours of effort. Restoring an image can be
done ovenight without any input from you.

Out of cuiriosity, what backup method do you prefer and use?


LewB wrote:
I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7
will not accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to
believe. But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup
program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety
of backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so
except for the absence of creating an image backup it would seem on
paper to be equal to others with the exception of not being able to
create a clone or a mirror backup that will include all of the apps
and the OS. What am I missing here? LB

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using
XP backup and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it
uses a different backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium
inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored
last year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it
do full, incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me
the only thing it does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new
HD and/or do a mirror backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the
folders to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed
up and eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug
said in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups
performed automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are
willing to spend the money for an extra computer as well as the
software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a
little more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

You seem to be equating backing up data with backing up the entire
system.

Full and incremental images are *far* superior to full and incremental
data backups!

Don't get me wrong; data backups have their place! But if you image the
entire hard drive, not only have you backed up all your data but you
have just made things immensely better for yourself in the event you
need to recover from some disaster (malware or a disastrous update or
corruption due to a power spike or some other reason). Restoring the
image is easy and once this is done, your system is just as it once
was -- before the disaster struck. If all you did was back up data, you
would need to reinstall the OS, the drivers, the service packs and
subsequent security patches, applications and customize your settings,
etc. This would take many hours of effort. Restoring an image can be
done ovenight without any input from you.

Out of cuiriosity, what backup method do you prefer and use?


LewB wrote:
I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7
will not accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to
believe. But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup
program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety
of backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so
except for the absence of creating an image backup it would seem on
paper to be equal to others with the exception of not being able to
create a clone or a mirror backup that will include all of the apps
and the OS. What am I missing here? LB

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using
XP backup and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it
uses a different backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium
inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored
last year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it
do full, incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me
the only thing it does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new
HD and/or do a mirror backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the
folders to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed
up and eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug
said in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups
performed automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are
willing to spend the money for an extra computer as well as the
software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a
little more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

LewB wrote:
I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7 will not
accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to believe.
But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety of
backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so except for the
absence of creating an image backup it would seem on paper to be equal to
others with the exception of not being able to create a clone or a mirror
backup that will include all of the apps and the OS. What am I missing here?
LB

Hard to believe? XP bu is not compatible with W7? Try a Google search.

It seems like you want to use the XP bu so go for it. If it suites your
purpose then nobody will be able to convince you otherwise.

I prefer Acronis True Image Home to do my backups.

http://www.acronis.com/

Take a look at it and you decide what is best for you.

--
JD..

LewB wrote:
I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7 will not
accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to believe.
But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety of
backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so except for the
absence of creating an image backup it would seem on paper to be equal to
others with the exception of not being able to create a clone or a mirror
backup that will include all of the apps and the OS. What am I missing here?
LB

Hard to believe? XP bu is not compatible with W7? Try a Google search.

It seems like you want to use the XP bu so go for it. If it suites your
purpose then nobody will be able to convince you otherwise.

I prefer Acronis True Image Home to do my backups.

http://www.acronis.com/

Take a look at it and you decide what is best for you.

--
JD..

You have answered by concerns. An image system will save a lot of work in
the event of a disaster. If I understand the Acronis system you can make
incremental backups (which are images/mirrors)?? And in the event you needed
to restore only the data lost between the two incremental backups doing a
restore would not restore the entire system? Can you use Acronis to do a
transfer of all your data, apps, etc. to a new computer??
LJB
--
LJB


"Daave" wrote:

You seem to be equating backing up data with backing up the entire
system.

Full and incremental images are *far* superior to full and incremental
data backups!

Don't get me wrong; data backups have their place! But if you image the
entire hard drive, not only have you backed up all your data but you
have just made things immensely better for yourself in the event you
need to recover from some disaster (malware or a disastrous update or
corruption due to a power spike or some other reason). Restoring the
image is easy and once this is done, your system is just as it once
was -- before the disaster struck. If all you did was back up data, you
would need to reinstall the OS, the drivers, the service packs and
subsequent security patches, applications and customize your settings,
etc. This would take many hours of effort. Restoring an image can be
done ovenight without any input from you.

Out of cuiriosity, what backup method do you prefer and use?


LewB wrote:
I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7
will not accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to
believe. But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup
program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety
of backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so
except for the absence of creating an image backup it would seem on
paper to be equal to others with the exception of not being able to
create a clone or a mirror backup that will include all of the apps
and the OS. What am I missing here? LB

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using
XP backup and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it
uses a different backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium
inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored
last year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it
do full, incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me
the only thing it does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new
HD and/or do a mirror backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the
folders to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed
up and eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug
said in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups
performed automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are
willing to spend the money for an extra computer as well as the
software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a
little more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup


.

You have answered by concerns. An image system will save a lot of work in
the event of a disaster. If I understand the Acronis system you can make
incremental backups (which are images/mirrors)?? And in the event you needed
to restore only the data lost between the two incremental backups doing a
restore would not restore the entire system? Can you use Acronis to do a
transfer of all your data, apps, etc. to a new computer??
LJB
--
LJB


"Daave" wrote:

You seem to be equating backing up data with backing up the entire
system.

Full and incremental images are *far* superior to full and incremental
data backups!

Don't get me wrong; data backups have their place! But if you image the
entire hard drive, not only have you backed up all your data but you
have just made things immensely better for yourself in the event you
need to recover from some disaster (malware or a disastrous update or
corruption due to a power spike or some other reason). Restoring the
image is easy and once this is done, your system is just as it once
was -- before the disaster struck. If all you did was back up data, you
would need to reinstall the OS, the drivers, the service packs and
subsequent security patches, applications and customize your settings,
etc. This would take many hours of effort. Restoring an image can be
done ovenight without any input from you.

Out of cuiriosity, what backup method do you prefer and use?


LewB wrote:
I wasn't aware of this debacle....you are indicating that Window7
will not accept a backup made with the WinXP backup apps. Hard to
believe. But sticking to XP only why does Ken downgrade the backup
program that
comes with it? As mentioned it seems to provide the standard variety
of backup choices, full, incremental, differential, etc.......so
except for the absence of creating an image backup it would seem on
paper to be equal to others with the exception of not being able to
create a clone or a mirror backup that will include all of the apps
and the OS. What am I missing here? LB

Here is one reason.....you back up all of your personal work using
XP backup and then you upgrade to W7...........and lo and behold it
uses a different backup
program and all your work just sits on the backup medium
inaccessible.

peter

--
If you find a posting or message from me offensive,inappropriate
or disruptive,please ignore it.
If you dont know how to ignore a posting complain
to me and I will be only too happy to demonstrate :-)


"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...

Since I have been trying to sort out backup apps I have been reading
through the prior postings and came across this one you authored
last year.
Why do you not support the backup that comes with XP? Doesn't it
do full, incremental, and differential backups?? It seems to me
the only thing it does not do that Acronis does is clone to a new
HD and/or do a mirror backup
to an external disc. Can you expand on your statement?
LJB
--
LJB


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

On Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:29:01 -0800, Don
wrote:

XP Backup is great except for the time required to select the
folders to BU.
Is there a way that I can save this list of folders to be backed
up and eliminate having to select them each time I want to backup?


You replied to a *very* old message of mine.

Personally I think that the backup program which comes with XP is
about the poorest choice available, and I recommend against it. The
best backup program is Acronis TrueImage.

Windows Home Server's beta is over and it's now released. As Doug
said in his message quoted below, is a great way to get backups
performed automatically, and I recommend it highly if you are
willing to spend the money for an extra computer as well as the
software.


"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

Doug Knox - [MS-MVP] wrote:

Hi Ken,

You might also want to add a comment about Windows Home Server,
just
in case the user has a spare PC laying around. The beta is now
open
for the general public to apply.

http://connect.microsoft.com/windowshomeserver


Thanks, Doug. I was planning on adding something about WHS to my
standard backup message, but I'm reluctant to do it yet. Even if
the
beta is open to the public, I'm hesitant to recommend beta
software.


Replying to my own post, I'd also like to wait until I have a
little more
experience with WHS myself. Coming soon.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup




--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
Please Reply to the Newsgroup


.

"LewB" (sparethespam) wrote in message
...
You have answered by concerns. An image system will save a lot of work in
the event of a disaster. If I understand the Acronis system you can make
incremental backups (which are images/mirrors)?? And in the event you
needed
to restore only the data lost between the two incremental backups doing a
restore would not restore the entire system? Can you use Acronis to do a
transfer of all your data, apps, etc. to a new computer??
...


To a new disk drive? Yes, and I've done it. To a "new computer"?
Define your terms. The image you have restored, including the
entire contents of the registry, was created on a particular
hardware configuration. If it's a re-creation of the original
hardware configuration, OK. Otherwise, the devil is in the
details. I'd bet (not my money, but yours) that the applications
would probably endure the change, and that the data "almost"
certainly would. But particular applications that referenced
specific hardware/software environments (to take a simplistic
example, a TV applicaton that expected a TV tuner card to
actually be there), maybe not so much.