Please read this - before you have problems

[-pops-]

There are a number of threads at the moment complaining that Windows will not start/shuts down immediately/otherwise fails during the startup process.

This is, of course, a serious problem and remedies such as System Restore do not work as they require a Windows environment in order to function.

It is apparent that those complaining do not have a full system backup (or, indeed, any backup) which in most instances would make these problems very minor indeed.

I urge everyone who hasn't done so to make a backup of their computer without delay.

The view that "it can't/won't happen to me" is being constantly disproved on this forum and all other computer forums I have visited.

So, don't just think about it

DO IT

A Neoplanet guide to backing up is here http://forums.neoplanet.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=7054

If you use Windows XP, you can use Windows XP Backup Utility found here - Using Windows XP Backup Utility

[D4\/!d]

in most instances it would make these problems very minor indeed.

Very good advice pops. I've started making backups just lately and I've already needed to use the restore three times. It's a lovely feeling when you restore a trusted backup. It simply clears away the problem you had :D :P :D

[-pops-]

I am always amazed by the number of people who, for whatever reason/excuse fail to make backups.

Unless you have suicidal tendencies, there is never any excuse not to need and have a backup - even if it is your data only.

[Scarecrow Man]

I never backup.... :o But I am going to start as soon as I am able to get a copy of True Image

Then again, I've recovered my system from VERY serious problems only due to my knowledge of computers and windows (with the help of Linux once or twice :P )

That being said....

Backing up (should) take less than 30 minutes and may save you from years of work.

[-pops-]

Obviously you've never had a catastrophic failure of your hard drive then - a failure where the drive actually disintegrates.

I have know this happen twice. Both times there was a very loud noise from the drive and, after return to the manufacturer they reported that the spindle had sheared, or come adrift from its bearings, resulting in the platters being thrown at the casing (at very high rotational speed) and shattering. In circumstances like this, whatever your knowledge of computers (or Linux) there is no chance of data recovery.

Admittedly, these disasters happened a long time ago but the same drive technology is used even now and there is still a chance that it could happen again.

I strongly suggest you get your True Image operating ASAP :)

[Scarecrow Man]

Your right pops... My 20GB hard drive has been kicking for about 6 or 7 years now. I also have a 200GB slave. I do manage to make copies of important data I need, but in the case of a drive failure... I'd be forced to start over.

[andsome]

Surely a special program is not needed by someone like me. I have no work or anything like this to save. All my photo's are on CD twice, as well as on both hard drives. All my downloaded programs are saved to a folder and then put onto a CD. My favourites are all on a floppy as is a folder called things to save in Outlook Express. What else would I need a special back up program for?

[Scarecrow Man]

Do you want to reinstall windows and set up all your personalized settings again? Loose all your e-mails.... user accounts.... saved passwords.... etc...

[andsome]

Do you want to reinstall windows and set up all your personalized settings again? Loose all your e-mails.... user accounts.... saved passwords.... etc...

Passwords are all on floppy. I delete e-mails after a few days.

[Scarecrow Man]

so you already do backups... just manually. A program like True Image would keep this information intact and restore it for you with the touch of a button.

[andsome]

I take your point, but this is just something else to clutter the computer with, and something else to learn. As stated I only save photo's, installed downloaded programs etc etc. If I have a load of clutter that has built up over a period of time, and possible corruptions etc, surely all this will also be saved by these programs, and then reinstalled. On the odd occasions that I have had to reinstall Windows, it is nice to start off with a fresh install, with everything nice and clean and uncluttered. OK it takes a few hours to put all my favourite programs back on, but everything is then 100% to start with. Maybe I am wrong, who knows. I can understand these special programs for people who save a lot of data etc, perhaps to do with work, but surely not for the likes of me?????????

[joysness]

I was just thinking about this yesterday and was pricing True Image at newegg. I just don't have the $35 to spend right now. I'll have to start saving my pocket change and get it as soon as I can.

I do know the importance of backing up your system, I just haven't had the ability to do it yet ( no excuse I know, but :blush: )

[-pops-]

Don't forget that Windows has its own inbuilt backup facility - even XP Home but, in that it has to be loaded from the disk.

[joysness]

Thanks pops, I'd forgotten about that.

I have looked at it a few times but it seems so complicated.

And I'm not sure it backs up your OS, I think it's just for data. Not sure on that though.

I'll just take some time and see if I can figure it out. I've got lots of cd's I can copy to so it can't hurt to try :flowers:

[Scarecrow Man]

Using the Windows XP Backup Utility

[Scarecrow Man]

I take your point, but this is just something else to clutter the computer with, and something else to learn.  As stated I only save photo's, installed downloaded programs etc etc.  If I have a load of clutter that has built up over a period of time, and possible corruptions etc, surely all this will also be saved by these programs, and then reinstalled.  On the odd occasions that I have had to reinstall Windows, it is nice to start off with a fresh install, with everything nice and clean and uncluttered.  OK it takes a few hours to put all my favourite programs back on, but everything is then 100% to start with.  Maybe I am wrong, who knows.  I can understand these special programs for people who save a lot of data etc, perhaps to do with work, but surely not for the likes of me?????????

I see what your saying andsome. I would recommend that anyone and everyone backs-up thier data, but as you said you only save photos, downloaded programs, etc. and you are familiar with installing Windows XP. From what you said, you do back-up just not with an imagining program. You manually specify the files you need, and all is well. For some people, the loss of a computer could mean years of work lost not to mention thousands even millions of dollars.

Imagine what would happen if Microsoft had lost the code for Windows due to not backing it up..... We would probably see a lot more Linux and Mac's today and Microsoft would likely be out of business.

[expertec]

Perhaps the world would be a better place :ninja:

But that's still no excuse for not backing up. I must do so myself, as one is overdue now! :o

[scuzzman]

It's a very shoddy backup medium - but I just bought and installed a CD burner into my PC for the sole purpose of backing up ripped CDs and slack packs I made, and a few documents - everything else is re-installable. Even a backup such as this though, would save me days worth of re-downloading and recompiling - and this is apart from the documents I would lose (different PDFs, even full e-books) that I could never retrieve.

[deuces wild]

Thanks for the reminder pops. I have a partition on my hard drive I use to store a backup copy of my files as well as a remote 80GB backup drive to store the same backup files (normally powered off).

The main and backup files, however, had shown as having a virus that I could not kick....so I spent the afternoon (got my *real* work done by noon today :P ) doing a safe mode virus scan (system restore turned off) and getting rid of the nasty stuff on the main drive and then rebooting. I also ran spybot, adaware and A squared and got rid of the nasty stuff they detected. I then deleted all my backup files on both drives, did a NovaBackup on the main drive and copied it to both the partition and the remote drive.

Everything is now up to date and safe. :)

Like I said, this was something I had meant to do for a while but I guess I needed the kick in the butt (and the opportunity) to get it done.