Thos Posted July 5, 2005 Report Share Posted July 5, 2005 I am attempting to back up my complete system onto an external hard drive using the Windows Back up utility.When the Wizard started I selected the choice of backing up "all information on the computer"I was warned that I also would need a floppy to restore the system in case of major failure.Then I was told that the files for the recovery diskette could not be created and the operation had been aborted.Has anyone any ideas why this is, and what I can do next?I have backed up all files and folders, but I really wanted to have a reserve drive with a mirror image on so I could restore completely in case of some catastrophe.Any help would be appreciated. My operating system is Windows XP Home SP2.Thos. :Nerd Confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Usually the system backup first writes all data to the destination file, and at the end asks for the floppy. This can be after several hours, depending on the size of the system.Questions:- did the backup complete writing the backup file to disk when asking for the floppy?- did it give any reason why the floppy files could not be written?- could it be that the floppy was write-protected? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Windows backup, like so many Windows add-ons, is a cut down and very basic version of another program. For independent backups to external devices you would be much better using a commercial backup program such as Acronis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted July 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Usually the system backup first writes all data to the destination file, and at the end asks for the floppy. This can be after several hours, depending on the size of the system.Questions:- did the backup complete writing the backup file to disk when asking for the floppy?- did it give any reason why the floppy files could not be written?- could it be that the floppy was write-protected?Thanks, pwillener.1. No.2. The reason given was "the files for the recovery diskette could not be created. Operation aborted"3. The floppy was not called for.Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted July 6, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Windows backup, like so many Windows add-ons, is a cut down and very basic version of another program. For independent backups to external devices you would be much better using a commercial backup program such as Acronis.Thanks, pops.I accept, you had warned me about the limitations of the Windows program. However, surely I am not being unreasonable to expect a Windows back up program to back up the system?Like most people, I suppose, I haven't got money to spend on things which I shouldn't need. My wife keeps a sharp eye on our pensions! (Where is the smiley with the violin when you need it?) Nevertheless, the commercial route is the one I may have to travel if I can't get this sorted.Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Windows backup will, indeed, back up the system but only to a place where Windows backup thinks it ought to go - and that is not to an external hard drive.If you can install a second or subsidiary internal hard drive Windows backup would happily back up to that (hopefully). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodchip Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Yes buy Acronis True Image MS Backup's rubbish it OK for just incremental Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r4may Posted July 6, 2005 Report Share Posted July 6, 2005 Or you could use Norton Ghost, I have found it very reliable and if I backup to CD's or DVD's they are bootable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted July 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 When earlier in this thread I relayed my troubles in trying to do a full back-up to an external hard drive using the Windows back-up utility, the general advice from distinguished members on this forum was to leave it alone and buy a commercial back-up program.Well, to bring you up-to-date, I saved up my pennies and bought Acronis True Image (£14.99 inclusive of VAT) from saversoftware.co.uk.I found the installation absolutely trouble free and the process of creating a complete copy of my computer's innards onto the external hard drive took around half an hour. I, being a compulsive worrier, would have liked a manual rather than an on-line help, but apart from that I have no complaints. I still have to test the "restore" of course, but I don't intend to try that until I have to.So thank you all for your sound advice and I shall add my voice if similar pleas for help are posted.Thos. :thumbup: :cheers2: :clapping: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 I have installed from Acronis backup several times in a real situation and it has always served me well. I reported here when I used it the other day.Regarding a written manual, you can print the maual provided with the software - it is designed to be printed out - that's one reason you can get it at a low price! However, as you've done the important bits, you don't really need to.An important thing though. Have you made the Acronis recovery disk yet? You really do need that to get you going again in case of disaster. Write the CD and keep it in a safe place. What I do is keep a copy inside the computer case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Pops I use Acronis and fortunately have never had to use the back up on my external drive.What I would like to know is if I have to use the back up is it a simple matter of booting of the recovery disk and following the instructions?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thos Posted July 30, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Pops.I was prompted to create a bootable diskette but it did say that I should omit this step if I have a boxed product which contains a bootable CD. The CD in the box is called "Acronis True Image 8.0 Bootable CD" so presumably I could boot from there if needs be?Thos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boris Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Yes - you get a message saying Acronis Loading and eventually the normal True Image screen appears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-pops- Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 What I would like to know is if I have to use the back up is it a simple matter of booting of the recovery disk and following the instructions?.Yep, exactly that. It will hold your hand through the whole thing.One thing though, it may take a few seconds to load and find all the drives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan2273 Posted July 30, 2005 Report Share Posted July 30, 2005 Thanks for that reply Pops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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