Using Zip for backup/archive

"Caesar Romano" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I need to develope a backup/archive solution that can be run from a
command console (cmd.exe). I was thinking of using the Info-Zip zip
program http://www.info-zip.org/ as follows:

zip -r -q -S Backup.zip c:\*.*

where

-r = recurse into directories
-q = quiet operation
-S = include system and hidden files
c: = the WinXP system drive

The purpose of Backup.zip would be to keep an archive that can use to
restore the c: drive by booting from BartPE and unziping Backup.zip
back to c:

Does this have a chance of working for a restore? Is there something
out there better than Info-Zip for this?

Thanks for any comments.


Think very carefully about any backup system you decide to chose.

Backing up the files is one thing, but are you sure you can restore them to
a brand new blank hard disk? Many a user has discovered that there is
something that they have overlooked and that they have a comprehensive
backup that is actually useless. Also what happens if your backup file is
corrupted for any reason?

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message

"Caesar Romano" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I need to develope a backup/archive solution that can be run from a
command console (cmd.exe). I was thinking of using the Info-Zip zip
program http://www.info-zip.org/ as follows:

zip -r -q -S Backup.zip c:\*.*

where

-r = recurse into directories
-q = quiet operation
-S = include system and hidden files
c: = the WinXP system drive

The purpose of Backup.zip would be to keep an archive that can use to
restore the c: drive by booting from BartPE and unziping Backup.zip
back to c:

Does this have a chance of working for a restore? Is there something
out there better than Info-Zip for this?

Thanks for any comments.


Think very carefully about any backup system you decide to chose.

Backing up the files is one thing, but are you sure you can restore
them to a brand new blank hard disk? Many a user has discovered that
there is something that they have overlooked and that they have a
comprehensive backup that is actually useless. Also what happens if
your backup file is corrupted for any reason?


Zipping is great for all other drives, but unfortunately not for a
system drive.

Zip file programs cannot backup the operating system because they don't
use the VSS shadow copy service to back up the system files that are "in
use". Windows will not copy or allow to be manipulated, any file alreadh
in use by anothr application. Therefore the backup will be missing
files because windows keeps several files "in use" at all times. Of
course, those same files cannot be zipped either.
Most any actual backup program or imaging program will use the Shadow
Copy services in order to back up ALL of the system files (files that
are in use). So be sure whatever you use will use VSS for backups.

One way around that limitation is to use a boot CD or DVD so you don't
use anything on the hard drives on the computer and specifically not the
operating system on the computer; everything needed is on the boot CD..
Since nothing on the computer would be in use then, you could zip/unzip
them. Be sure to check to remember their locations so they can be
restored to the same place they came from. Zip programs aren't really
meant for OS backups.

HTH,

Twayne`

"M.I.5¾" wrote in message

"Caesar Romano" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I need to develope a backup/archive solution that can be run from a
command console (cmd.exe). I was thinking of using the Info-Zip zip
program http://www.info-zip.org/ as follows:

zip -r -q -S Backup.zip c:\*.*

where

-r = recurse into directories
-q = quiet operation
-S = include system and hidden files
c: = the WinXP system drive

The purpose of Backup.zip would be to keep an archive that can use to
restore the c: drive by booting from BartPE and unziping Backup.zip
back to c:

Does this have a chance of working for a restore? Is there something
out there better than Info-Zip for this?

Thanks for any comments.


Think very carefully about any backup system you decide to chose.

Backing up the files is one thing, but are you sure you can restore
them to a brand new blank hard disk? Many a user has discovered that
there is something that they have overlooked and that they have a
comprehensive backup that is actually useless. Also what happens if
your backup file is corrupted for any reason?


Zipping is great for all other drives, but unfortunately not for a
system drive.

Zip file programs cannot backup the operating system because they don't
use the VSS shadow copy service to back up the system files that are "in
use". Windows will not copy or allow to be manipulated, any file alreadh
in use by anothr application. Therefore the backup will be missing
files because windows keeps several files "in use" at all times. Of
course, those same files cannot be zipped either.
Most any actual backup program or imaging program will use the Shadow
Copy services in order to back up ALL of the system files (files that
are in use). So be sure whatever you use will use VSS for backups.

One way around that limitation is to use a boot CD or DVD so you don't
use anything on the hard drives on the computer and specifically not the
operating system on the computer; everything needed is on the boot CD..
Since nothing on the computer would be in use then, you could zip/unzip
them. Be sure to check to remember their locations so they can be
restored to the same place they came from. Zip programs aren't really
meant for OS backups.

HTH,

Twayne`