Acronis and Backups

[-pops-]

Two of my machines I backup one a week - usually on a Friday afternoon. The other machine (my main one) I sometimes backup daily as I have some important work on it which I really don't want to lose.

I always do full backups now as opposed to incremental ones as I have found out that if a defragmentation has been done between the last backup and the new one then an incremental backup takes about as much time as a full one.

Before backing up always do a disk cleanup with something like Ccleaner and an antispyware program - not much point in backing up things you would rather not have.

[andsome]

For me personally there is no need to back up regularly, as I don't do any work as such on my computer, it is purely for pleasure. At the wost, I only have to install updates to security etc, after using my last back up.

[Irene]

Many thanks once again. I think I'll do the once a week routine.

When I was working, I was the contact for the software & hardware support, but I must say that this forum is better than any Support Contract I was ever involved with! So many people with so much knowledge. :D

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

I usually run CCleaner and defragmenter before taking a backup. I don't want to backup tons of garbage, and I don't want to take an image of fragmented files.

[CurlyWhirly]

I usually run CCleaner and defragmenter before taking a backup. I don't want to backup tons of garbage, and I don't want to take an image of fragmented files.

I don't use Acronis for making backups but I do run CCleaner and a defragmenter (Diskeeper in my case) before creating an image.

Very good advice!

[Irene]

I usually run CCleaner and defragmenter before taking a backup. I don't want to backup tons of garbage, and I don't want to take an image of fragmented files.

Sounds like good advice to me too. I was looking at another thread earlier about CCleaner because I use an alternative, which I can't recall the name of at the moment (I'm not at home). Would you say that CCleaner is the best? :)

I just remembered the program I've used is TweekNow. Any opinions on that one?

[Thos]

I usually run CCleaner and defragmenter before taking a backup. I don't want to backup tons of garbage, and I don't want to take an image of fragmented files.

Sounds like good advice to me too. I was looking at another thread earlier about CCleaner because I use an alternative, which I can't recall the name of at the moment (I'm not at home). Would you say that CCleaner is the best? :)

I think most on here use CCleaner.

If you do download it be sure to uncheck the "install Yahoo as my home page option". Unless, of course you want the Yahoo home page!

Thos. :)

[Irene]

For the record... I've just done my second Acronis Backup. Whilst the first took the best part of 2 hours, this one took just about 35 minutes. As a result , I am sure, of all the Forum tips, advice and cleanup procedures which I have done over the past week or so!

I'm sure pops will be very proud of me!! :D

[-pops-]

Very proud :D

Always remember to do your backups regularly. An out of date backup is worse than useless.

[Chris]

For the record... I've just done my second Acronis Backup. Whilst the first took the best part of 2 hours, this one took just about 35 minutes. As a result , I am sure, of all the Forum tips, advice and cleanup procedures which I have done over the past week or so!

I'm sure pops will be very proud of me!! :D

Unless you had GBs of crud then that would explan 35 mins this time!

But are you sure you chose a Full Backup and not incremental etc?

[Irene]

Unless you had GBs of crud then that would explan 35 mins this time!

But are you sure you chose a Full Backup and not incremental etc?

Well Chris, we may soon find out, because my son bought me a new computer for christmas (Sony Vaio RX407).

I considered restoring from my Acronis backup, but decided to start with the proverbial clean slate. So, I spent most of yesterday installing the numerous programs which I use. The next hurdle for me is to select from the backup (which is on an EHD) all of the 'My Documents' files and folders. Am I correct in assuming that this is possible? If not, then I'll have to copy to a CD/DVD and intoduce them to the new pc from there. I have lots of spreadsheets, documents, photographs and video clips!! Only the smallest amount is self-employment records, the rest is leisure and pleasure related!! I have a good life! ;)

I notice that the Vaio has a partitioned disc (C & D). The blurb suggests installing programs onto 'C' and files, documents etc onto 'D'. Although I have heard about it, I am completely unfamiliar with partitioning, so it will be a new adventure for me! B)

[-pops-]

For transferring your personal documents and settings, the best thing to use is the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard incorporated into WXP itself.

Check in the Help & Support section of either your new or your old machine to get the details of how to do it.

Do you have a Windows disk with your new machine? If not (I think Sony do supply something like a complete disk) then it is important to make a recovery disk as soon as you can. You will have been supplied with instructions on how to do this with your new computer if it is necessary to do it.

When you have got things going the way you want them, make your backup to your EHD.

[Irene]

For transferring your personal documents and settings, the best thing to use is the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard incorporated into WXP itself.

Do you have a Windows disk with your new machine? If not (I think Sony do supply something like a complete disk) then it is important to make a recovery disk as soon as you can. You will have been supplied with instructions on how to do this with your new computer if it is necessary to do it.

When you have got things going the way you want them, make your backup to your EHD.

Thanks for responding pops.

I have used the Files & Settings Transfer Wizard previously, so I think I'll be fine there. As for the new machine, there are a set of three CD's (Product Recovery CD-ROM Vol 1,2,3), which I believe would be the one's to which you refer. There is also a fourth one entitled, 'Click to DVD'. I think it's some sort of gaget, which I'll get to grips with at some later stage when the important stuff is done!

There is still some software to install, e.g. Nero for the LightScribe, Sony Handycam Picture package and Panasonic Lumix for my digital camera. When that is done and I've done the Files Wizard, I'll be ready to do the all important backup. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes. :D

[-pops-]

Click to DVD is a comprehensive DVD processing suite. If you can get on with it, it's supposed to be very good.

[Irene]

Click to DVD is a comprehensive DVD processing suite. If you can get on with it, it's supposed to be very good.

Another challenge!! I'll look forward to it.

People used to ask me what I would do when I retired. Even I didn't think I would spend so much time at my computer after so many years of using them in a working environment! :D

[Irene]

OK pops. I've done the Acronis backup on the new system (It only took about 15minutes for drive C & D). Is there anything else I should do? Will the Rescue Disc which I created with the other pc work with this one? :)

I think the original backup, which took about 1.5hours, was because I had a number of experimental movies (being new to the movie scene). I have since removed all which I do not consider to be of use.

[-pops-]

The rescue disk will work on the new machine but you could make a new one to be on the safe side.

The rescue disk contains all the drivers and things necessary for Acronis to start up and find the essentials for it to do its work in re-installing the image.