Can I 'image' a section of C:?

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:

So, basically, you're using it as storage that is _accessible_ from
assorted places, but I think most of the time you're only _changing_ it
from your home machine. But it _does_ sound as if you're relying on the
Dropbox copy always being as up-to-date as possible, i. e. you just save
to your local area, and rely on the software client to copy it to the
remote server within a minute or two (or whatever) - you don't manually
instigate an upload. _Could_ you operate that way (i. e. triggering
uploads manually)?

I could, but far prefer leaving Dropbox to automate it. And while 90%
of my additions are made on the PC, the other 10% on iPad and iPhone
is important.

FWIW, here's the email giving me the bad news:

"Hi Terry,

We noticed that you're running the Dropbox desktop application
(client) on Windows XP. We're writing to let you know that as of
August 29th, 2016, Dropbox will no longer support this version of
Windows. You can find which devices connected to your account are
running Windows XP by visiting your account page.[1]

Don't worry — your files and photos aren't going anywhere! But you'll
need to update your computer to Windows Vista or later to access them
through the Dropbox desktop application. You can find instructions on
how to update your operating system on Microsoft’s website. [2]

If you don't want to update your operating system, your files will
still be available through the Dropbox website[3] . However, on August
29th, you'll be signed out of your Dropbox account on your computer
and the Dropbox desktop application will no longer be accessible.

We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. For more
information, please see our Help Center. [4]

Sincerely,
- The Dropbox Team"

"Bill in Co" wrote:


I think John may have covered this, but here's another viewpoint:

"Cloning" means making an exact copy of your hard drive to another drive
that can replace your original drive, should it fail. So if your main
drive fails, you can "simply" swap it out with the cloned drive. That's
great if your main drive suddenly died.

Making an image "simply" makes a backup "image" (file) of your partition to
another drive that can be restored to the original disk or another disk.
It offers the "advantage" of a) not requiring replacing your main disk drive
with the cloned drive (assuming your main drive didn't die), and b) allowing
multiple generational images to be stored on another drive, BUT it does
require the imaging software running to do this (either on the main drive or
a boot CD version of the imaging software).


Thanks Bill. I'm hoping that Win 10 will come with built-in,
no-brainer tools that will obviate the need for all this? IOW, after
some simple configuring, leave me reassured that I can quickly and
reliably recover from any OS failure.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

In message , Micky
writes:
[Default] On Sun, 22 May 2016 17:58:58 +0100, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:


Indeed: better to get all the _data_ off C:, and amend all the softwares
- which it can be argued _should_ be on C: - to not save their _data_ on
C:, but only their settings and the like.

Why the settings on C:? Aren't they data?

Disputable, but a case could be made; however, I'm just being practical
- most software makes it difficult, if not impossible for most users, to
keep its settings other than on c: - and in the registry.

Then you'd have a small C:
which could be imaged fairly simply, and would contain your OS,
completely patched (updated) and tweaked how you like it, along with all
your softwares, similarly tweaked how you like them - which could be
restored in the event of any problem (hardware failure, malware, or just
you breaking it), back to how it was when you saved it, without
requiring everything to be set up, updated, and patched. Your _data_
would just be, in its simplest form, copied (though after a few times I
think you'd switch to SyncToy or similar to speed up that process).


--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

But remember, in a permissive society, it is also permissible to stay at home
and have a nice cup of tea instead. Andrew Collins, RT 2015/2/14-20

Terry Pinnell wrote:
"Bill in Co" wrote:


I think John may have covered this, but here's another viewpoint:

"Cloning" means making an exact copy of your hard drive to another drive
that can replace your original drive, should it fail. So if your main
drive fails, you can "simply" swap it out with the cloned drive. That's
great if your main drive suddenly died.

Making an image "simply" makes a backup "image" (file) of your partition to
another drive that can be restored to the original disk or another disk.
It offers the "advantage" of a) not requiring replacing your main disk drive
with the cloned drive (assuming your main drive didn't die), and b) allowing
multiple generational images to be stored on another drive, BUT it does
require the imaging software running to do this (either on the main drive or
a boot CD version of the imaging software).


Thanks Bill. I'm hoping that Win 10 will come with built-in,
no-brainer tools that will obviate the need for all this? IOW, after
some simple configuring, leave me reassured that I can quickly and
reliably recover from any OS failure.


http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...0-a.html?ltr=R

And this article, details how to install a specific version
of Win10 in a partition used for recovery. This would be handy
in my case, as I think the setup here currently holds release
9928 as the WIM file. I've never bothered to update it. The
OS installation doesn't typically replace it either. So
if you want a specific or more modern recovery version,
you can "DIY".

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html

There is also a procedure, for building your own DVD, when Microsoft
doesn't offer a download of the DVD. The necessary material in
this case, is scrounging an install.wim or install.esd out of
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT folder. I make Windows Insider DVDs from the contents
of one Win10 Insider install, to upgrade a second OS on the
same disk drive (that's so I don't end up downloading the
same stuff twice).

http://deploymentresearch.com/Resear...y-tools-needed

For that one, the stub downloaded for the ADK tools, you
don't need to download gigabytes of stuff. There is a tools
folder that's only around 60-70MB, and it has a copy of
oscdimg.exe inside it.

Paul

Paul wrote:

Terry Pinnell wrote:
"Bill in Co" wrote:


I think John may have covered this, but here's another viewpoint:

"Cloning" means making an exact copy of your hard drive to another drive
that can replace your original drive, should it fail. So if your main
drive fails, you can "simply" swap it out with the cloned drive. That's
great if your main drive suddenly died.

Making an image "simply" makes a backup "image" (file) of your partition to
another drive that can be restored to the original disk or another disk.
It offers the "advantage" of a) not requiring replacing your main disk drive
with the cloned drive (assuming your main drive didn't die), and b) allowing
multiple generational images to be stored on another drive, BUT it does
require the imaging software running to do this (either on the main drive or
a boot CD version of the imaging software).


Thanks Bill. I'm hoping that Win 10 will come with built-in,
no-brainer tools that will obviate the need for all this? IOW, after
some simple configuring, leave me reassured that I can quickly and
reliably recover from any OS failure.


http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...0-a.html?ltr=R

And this article, details how to install a specific version
of Win10 in a partition used for recovery. This would be handy
in my case, as I think the setup here currently holds release
9928 as the WIM file. I've never bothered to update it. The
OS installation doesn't typically replace it either. So
if you want a specific or more modern recovery version,
you can "DIY".

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html

There is also a procedure, for building your own DVD, when Microsoft
doesn't offer a download of the DVD. The necessary material in
this case, is scrounging an install.wim or install.esd out of
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT folder. I make Windows Insider DVDs from the contents
of one Win10 Insider install, to upgrade a second OS on the
same disk drive (that's so I don't end up downloading the
same stuff twice).

http://deploymentresearch.com/Resear...y-tools-needed

For that one, the stub downloaded for the ADK tools, you
don't need to download gigabytes of stuff. There is a tools
folder that's only around 60-70MB, and it has a copy of
oscdimg.exe inside it.

Paul

Thanks Paul, the first two are duly bookmarked. Is that something I
can expect my local supplier to do when he builds my PC and installs
Win 10?

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

Terry Pinnell wrote:
Paul wrote:

Terry Pinnell wrote:
"Bill in Co" wrote:


I think John may have covered this, but here's another viewpoint:

"Cloning" means making an exact copy of your hard drive to another drive
that can replace your original drive, should it fail. So if your main
drive fails, you can "simply" swap it out with the cloned drive. That's
great if your main drive suddenly died.

Making an image "simply" makes a backup "image" (file) of your partition to
another drive that can be restored to the original disk or another disk.
It offers the "advantage" of a) not requiring replacing your main disk drive
with the cloned drive (assuming your main drive didn't die), and b) allowing
multiple generational images to be stored on another drive, BUT it does
require the imaging software running to do this (either on the main drive or
a boot CD version of the imaging software).

Thanks Bill. I'm hoping that Win 10 will come with built-in,
no-brainer tools that will obviate the need for all this? IOW, after
some simple configuring, leave me reassured that I can quickly and
reliably recover from any OS failure.

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...0-a.html?ltr=R

And this article, details how to install a specific version
of Win10 in a partition used for recovery. This would be handy
in my case, as I think the setup here currently holds release
9928 as the WIM file. I've never bothered to update it. The
OS installation doesn't typically replace it either. So
if you want a specific or more modern recovery version,
you can "DIY".

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html

There is also a procedure, for building your own DVD, when Microsoft
doesn't offer a download of the DVD. The necessary material in
this case, is scrounging an install.wim or install.esd out of
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT folder. I make Windows Insider DVDs from the contents
of one Win10 Insider install, to upgrade a second OS on the
same disk drive (that's so I don't end up downloading the
same stuff twice).

http://deploymentresearch.com/Resear...y-tools-needed

For that one, the stub downloaded for the ADK tools, you
don't need to download gigabytes of stuff. There is a tools
folder that's only around 60-70MB, and it has a copy of
oscdimg.exe inside it.

Paul

Thanks Paul, the first two are duly bookmarked. Is that something I
can expect my local supplier to do when he builds my PC and installs
Win 10?


That depends on how you arrive at the OS.

Boxed copies of Win10 (not the free upgrade method)
costs $149 and $249 Canadian. If you were to specify
that method for your build, the builder should
deposit the DVD into the accessories box for it.

If the installer person uses some other more
convoluted "freebie" method, there might be nothing in
the box :-) A good installer-person, should be
placing a recovery image on the machine. And if
you do a Reset, it will Reset to that image
(reload C: ).

But personally, I'd want an installer
DVD, because that's the kind of person I am.
A disc in hand, means never having to worry
about a dead C: drive. "A Disc and a COA, please."

Where COA stands for Certificate Of Authenticity
and has the 25-character license key, in 3 point
font. It should be placed somewhere, where there
is no chance of "abrasion" damaging the 3 point
font text string. Some laptops have placed
the COA in the battery bay, so normal wear and
tear won't completely destroy the key. Microsoft
is obviously aware their material choices for
the COA sticker, encourages this degradation
process. They could easily have made the
label out of Gorilla Glass :-) Instead, they
selected recycled toilet paper for the
COA. Which doesn't wear nearly as well.

(I'm annoyed about this COA thing, because
people have posted partial photos of their
COA, asking for "your best guess" as to the
letters and numbers. Note that not all
characters are used in a license key, so
some letter possibilities can be eliminated
entirely. But using better materials for
the COA in the first place, could have stopped
this issue entirely. Nobody should have to
guess. )

Paul

[Default] On Mon, 23 May 2016 07:40:48 +0100, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

In message , Micky
writes:
[Default] On Sun, 22 May 2016 17:58:58 +0100, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:


Indeed: better to get all the _data_ off C:, and amend all the softwares
- which it can be argued _should_ be on C: - to not save their _data_ on
C:, but only their settings and the like.

Why the settings on C:? Aren't they data?

Disputable, but a case could be made; however, I'm just being practical
- most software makes it difficult, if not impossible for most users, to
keep its settings other than on c: - and in the registry.

Makes sense. I spend almost all my time with Forte Agent or Eudora,
that put the ini file with the rest of the data. Originally written
before the modern era. ;-) So I won't insist on it with other
programs.

Paul wrote:

Terry Pinnell wrote:
Paul wrote:

Terry Pinnell wrote:
"Bill in Co" wrote:


I think John may have covered this, but here's another viewpoint:

"Cloning" means making an exact copy of your hard drive to another drive
that can replace your original drive, should it fail. So if your main
drive fails, you can "simply" swap it out with the cloned drive. That's
great if your main drive suddenly died.

Making an image "simply" makes a backup "image" (file) of your partition to
another drive that can be restored to the original disk or another disk.
It offers the "advantage" of a) not requiring replacing your main disk drive
with the cloned drive (assuming your main drive didn't die), and b) allowing
multiple generational images to be stored on another drive, BUT it does
require the imaging software running to do this (either on the main drive or
a boot CD version of the imaging software).

Thanks Bill. I'm hoping that Win 10 will come with built-in,
no-brainer tools that will obviate the need for all this? IOW, after
some simple configuring, leave me reassured that I can quickly and
reliably recover from any OS failure.

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...0-a.html?ltr=R

And this article, details how to install a specific version
of Win10 in a partition used for recovery. This would be handy
in my case, as I think the setup here currently holds release
9928 as the WIM file. I've never bothered to update it. The
OS installation doesn't typically replace it either. So
if you want a specific or more modern recovery version,
you can "DIY".

http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4...dows-10-a.html

There is also a procedure, for building your own DVD, when Microsoft
doesn't offer a download of the DVD. The necessary material in
this case, is scrounging an install.wim or install.esd out of
C:\$WINDOWS.~BT folder. I make Windows Insider DVDs from the contents
of one Win10 Insider install, to upgrade a second OS on the
same disk drive (that's so I don't end up downloading the
same stuff twice).

http://deploymentresearch.com/Resear...y-tools-needed

For that one, the stub downloaded for the ADK tools, you
don't need to download gigabytes of stuff. There is a tools
folder that's only around 60-70MB, and it has a copy of
oscdimg.exe inside it.

Paul

Thanks Paul, the first two are duly bookmarked. Is that something I
can expect my local supplier to do when he builds my PC and installs
Win 10?


That depends on how you arrive at the OS.

Boxed copies of Win10 (not the free upgrade method)
costs $149 and $249 Canadian. If you were to specify
that method for your build, the builder should
deposit the DVD into the accessories box for it.

If the installer person uses some other more
convoluted "freebie" method, there might be nothing in
the box :-) A good installer-person, should be
placing a recovery image on the machine. And if
you do a Reset, it will Reset to that image
(reload C: ).

But personally, I'd want an installer
DVD, because that's the kind of person I am.
A disc in hand, means never having to worry
about a dead C: drive. "A Disc and a COA, please."

Where COA stands for Certificate Of Authenticity
and has the 25-character license key, in 3 point
font. It should be placed somewhere, where there
is no chance of "abrasion" damaging the 3 point
font text string. Some laptops have placed
the COA in the battery bay, so normal wear and
tear won't completely destroy the key. Microsoft
is obviously aware their material choices for
the COA sticker, encourages this degradation
process. They could easily have made the
label out of Gorilla Glass :-) Instead, they
selected recycled toilet paper for the
COA. Which doesn't wear nearly as well.

(I'm annoyed about this COA thing, because
people have posted partial photos of their
COA, asking for "your best guess" as to the
letters and numbers. Note that not all
characters are used in a license key, so
some letter possibilities can be eliminated
entirely. But using better materials for
the COA in the first place, could have stopped
this issue entirely. Nobody should have to
guess. )

Paul

Thanks, I'll watch out for that.

--
Terry, East Grinstead, UK

In message , Micky
writes:
[Default] On Mon, 23 May 2016 07:40:48 +0100, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:

Disputable, but a case could be made; however, I'm just being practical
- most software makes it difficult, if not impossible for most users, to
keep its settings other than on c: - and in the registry.

Makes sense. I spend almost all my time with Forte Agent or Eudora,
that put the ini file with the rest of the data. Originally written
before the modern era. ;-) So I won't insist on it with other
programs.

Ah, .ini files - how I wish software still used those!
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

.... some language may be offensive to younger viewers. Like "please" and
"thank you". (Intro to /Off Their Rockers/, quoted in RT 25-31 May 2013 by
Sarah Millican.)

"J. P. Gilliver (John)" wrote:
In message , Micky
writes:
[Default] On Mon, 23 May 2016 07:40:48 +0100, in
microsoft.public.windowsxp.general "J. P. Gilliver (John)"
wrote:
^]
Disputable, but a case could be made; however, I'm just being practical
- most software makes it difficult, if not impossible for most users, to
keep its settings other than on c: - and in the registry.

Makes sense. I spend almost all my time with Forte Agent or Eudora,
that put the ini file with the rest of the data. Originally written
before the modern era. ;-) So I won't insist on it with other
programs.

Ah, .ini files - how I wish software still used those!

Ditto. Or any text files that are easy to access.
--
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