Acronis and Windows 7...

[Irene]

I have Acronis 9, which I installed on my new PC. Win7 promptly informed me that it was not compatible and directed me to Acronis website for updates, which subsequently updated me to Acronis 10.

Win7 still didn't like it, so after reading somewhere that -pops- thought that the new Win7 backup was worth a try, I uninstalled Acronis and did a Windows backup to an external hard drive. No problems at all - very straight forward.

My question is, has anyone yet had an opportunity to test the restore function?

[-pops-]

I've used System Restore - when I managed to find it!

It's different to what I've been used to on XP but, quite easy when you get the hang of it.

[Irene]

I've used System Restore - when I managed to find it!

It's different to what I've been used to on XP but, quite easy when you get the hang of it.

It certainly is confusing after using XP for so long.

I have found the simplest method of finding something is to touch the 'Start' button, and in the small search box (immediately above the button in the panel which opens) just type in say, backup, and it will offer a list of options. It works a treat! :D

[AlanHo]

You require Acronis 11 to work with Windows 7 - which I purchased.

I tried taking a backup with the Windows 7 built in porgram - but it took much longer than Acronis. I have not tried a restore from The Windows program but once had the (self inflicted) need to restore from Acronis - which was fine.

If you are going to rely on the Windows backup - you really need to carry out a trial restore to make sure it will do the job properly in case disaster strikes in the future.

A useful thing to do is to change the location of your documents, pictures, music and other data folders to a separate volume. There is a "move" facility in explorer - right click on the documents folder - properties - location etc. If you then need to restore the computer - you only need to restore the C: drive with your just OS and programs - your data will not be affected. I am not sure whether the Windows backup will allow you to restore just one selected volume (which is easy with Acronis).

Hence I use my old friend Acronis - I am comfortable with it.

Having said that - it is rather unlikely that Microsoft will have made a mess of their backup programme - if they had - the internet would be awash with complaints by now.

[Irene]

Alan, on my old PC I had programs on Drive:C and photos, data etc on Drive:D.

Can I do the same on Windows 7?

When I look in 'Computer' in the listing from the 'Start' button right-hand menu, it only shows C,D and F (F being the external HD).

[AlanHo]

If you have more than one drive - you can have the C: drive for the OS and programmes and the D: drive for data (documents, photos etc)

I have 3 internal hard drives on my Windows 7 computer

C: OS & Programs

D: Docs and Data

E: Internal Back Ups

I also have two external hard drives - one being for external backups duplicated from E: (I am a belt and braces sort of guy)

To relocate your Documents folder from C:

First create new folders on your D: drive called Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos etc

To relocate the Documents folder from your C: drive

On your C: Drive Right click on the Documents folder (Not the Documents in the Library section but the actual Documents folder below it.

Select Location tab

Click "Move"

Navigate in the left hand explorer pane to the Documents folder on the D: Drive and highlight it

Click on "Select Folder" at the bottom of this window - which will now close

In the properties window you will see the new location shown - if correct click on "Apply"

A window will open asking you whether you wish to move all the files from the old location to the new one - click "Yes"

A window will now open showing you that the files are being copied to the new location

When the copying window closes - in the properties window click "OK"

Now repeat the procedure for your Pictures folder - then Music, then vidoes etc.

Sorry if you knew this procedure and I have been unwittingly trying to teach grandma how to suck eggs.

[Irene]

Where will I find Drive:D? I can't see it. Maybe I just don't have one. :(

[Irene]

Where will I find Drive:D? I can't see it. Maybe I just don't have one. :(

I just realised that Drive:D is the DVD drive.

Will I have another Drive-letter tucked away somewhere which I could use?

[AlanHo]

In your previous post you said you had drives C,D and F - I therefore assumed you had a D: hard drive or partition. Perhaps D: in your case is a DVD drive...?

Have a look again and check what each of those drives is...

If D: is not a hard drive then you will need to either :-

a) create a second partition on your only hard drive named D:

or B) Better still - buy an extra hard drive and have it fitted.

Both require a bit of technical knowledge (and would provide an expert like Gandalph with the perfect reason to pop down and satisfy your needs)....

[AlanHo]

Our last two messages "crossed in the post"

You will not have another drive you can use tucked away out of sight. My last post stands - to separate your data from your programs you will need to create a second partition on your existing drive - or install a second hard disc.

If you have lots of valuable data stored on your computer - it's the way to go so that your back up strategy is made easy and reliable.

[Irene]

My last post stands - to separate your data from your programs you will need to create a second partition on your existing drive - or install a second hard disc.

If you have lots of valuable data stored on your computer - it's the way to go so that your back up strategy is made easy and reliable.

I don't think I need an additional HD - the present internal one is 500GB, as is the external one!

My computer is used mostly for pleasure activities.

Storage is for photos/movies etc., and a modest amount of Excel spreadsheet files.

All I really need is a flexible, reliable, backup solution for the system, installed programs and data files.

Perhaps I'll search for a detailed guide/overview of the Win7 backup. It would certainly be desirable to have a drill down facility to select a specific file. I never had to restore from Acronis - but it felt secure knowing that it was there if I needed it. ;)

[-pops-]

Have a look at 2nd Copy, Irene. It may be what you require for backing up files rather than the system.

I've used it for years and wouldn't be without it.

http://www.centered.com/

Not free but there is a free trial. It's quite low cost to buy.

[Irene]

Thanks -pops-, I have just downloaded the trial version.

[AlanHo]

Like pops I have used Second Copy for many years to back up my data files - in my case to an internal hard drive and to an external one for belt and braces protection.

THis is how mine is set up........

Second Copy stores the copies in standard uncompressed format and can be accessed using windows explorer like any other file. You can also set it to save the last "X" copies of files you have deleted from your C: drive folders.

Unlike some back up programs it only backs up the files that have been added or changed since the last back up - and can be set to delete from the back up any folder you have deleted from the C:drive. This means that the back up copy is always an exact copy of the selected folders on your C: drive.

I set up my system as follows - with the procedure re-worded to reflect the fact that you have all your stuff on the C: drive and your external drive is F:

First - on your F: drive create a folder called Second Copy (ie: F:\Second Copy)

In the Second copy folder create a folder called Back UP (ie: F:\Second Copy\Back Up)

Also create another folder called Archive (ie: F:\Second Copy\Archive)

Left click the Second Copy icon in your task bar notification area - the Second Copy window will open

Click on New Profile icon - a window will open

What Tab

Tick "Custom Setting" then "Next". Another window will open. Click on "Browse" and select C: then OK - C:\ will appear in the source folder window. Click "Next"

Which Files Tab

Tick "Only selected files and folders". Then click "Select". A window will open showing all the folders on your C: drive. Tick the ones you wish to back up - eg: Documents, Pictures, Music, Videos, Plus any other data folders you require. Click "OK" - the selected files will be listed in the information window - if correct click "Next"

Where Tab

Browse to F:\Second Copy\Back Up - highlight and OK

Click "Next"

When Tab

Frequency...Manual

Also Run At - Shutdown (tick box)

Click Next

How Tab

Exact copy

Keep last "2" versions of deleted files

Move deleted files to - Browse to F:\Second Copy\Archive

Click on Advanced Properties

Tick - Try to copy files that are in use

Tick - Copy direct to destination file

Tick - Always copy empty folders -

OK...Next

Finish Tab

Enter a name for your profile - say Normal Back Up

You can create further profiles if you wish - I have individual profiles for back ups to my internal and external hard drives. You can also set a profile to take a back up on a particular day or time etc. The permutations are countless.

With my method every time I shut down my computer Second Copy intervenes in the Windows Shut down process and executes a back up before the computer shuts down. You get a message when you shut down the computer that Windows is waiting for a programme and it gives you the option to force a shut down - don't force it - be patient and when Second Copy has done its stuff the computer will complete the shut down process.

Hint - if you use Outlook as your Email program - remember to select the Outlook personal.pst file and the archive.pst file (if you have one) to be backed up.

I have moved my Outlook pst files to a folder called Outlook Files on the D: drive to make this easy.

I stress that the above is my method and others may know a better system. It works well for me and I always have an up to date back up of my data without ever having to manually instigate a back up process.

Second copy is excellent for backing up data but is not suitable for taking a system back up from which you can restore your computer OS and programs. This is where Acronis should be used.

[-pops-]

Just noticed the price is more than I remember but, it's well worth it.

[Irene]

Thanks Alan, -pops-.

Alan, that looks like a sterling comprehensive routine. :D

Last night, I managed to set up a 'copy profile' of the entire C:Drive. B) The process is well under way as I type.

However, I think that by using your guide, I will prepare a better profile, once this has completed.

Looks like a new purchase of both Acronis and Second Copy is on the cards. ;)

[AlanHo]

Irene - I don't think there is much to be gained from using Second Copy to take a back up of all the folders and files on your C: drive. My understanding is that copying system and program files will not provide you with a back up you can restore your operating system from and will add considerably to the time it takes to process the back up. However - it is ideal for backing up all your data files.

I use Acronis to take a weekly back up of my C: drive - as an image. This will enable me to restore my system in the event of a system failure. I always take a full copy - not incremental - and keep the last three back ups - deleting the 4th (oldest one) each time to conserve disc space.

I have a folder on my back up drives names "Acronis" in which I save the back ups to differentiate them from the Second Copy ones.

I use Second Copy to back up all my documents, Pictures, Music and other data - including Office templates, Outlook pst files and other "settings" I wish to retain and reinstall for a system restore. As explained above - I have set Second Copy to take a back up every time I shut down my computer. I used have the profile set to take a back up on a particular day and time - but on occasions I forgot the schedule and failed to have the computer running at that time and the back up process became hit and miss. Doing it every time the computer is shut down is totally reliable and it adds, in my case, about 2 minutes to the computer shut down time. This is because my Outlook pst file is quite big and two profiles are run - one for the internal and the other for the external back up drives.

You are wise to give such attention to backing up your system - and you will not regret your choice of Acronis and Second Copy.

My wife and one of her friends attended night school computer classes a few years ago. The result was that she became quite proficient at Word, Excel, Paint, Access etc - but hadn't got a clue about using Windows Explorer and general computer routines - including the need for having a system back up. She is OK now after some tuition from yours truly. Some of the problems brought to this forum, especially by new members, are testament to the fact that people are not being schooled in basic computer techniques - including the importance of taking back ups. Sad but true - some long term members are still running without any back up routine despite the many warnings posted on the forum that hard disc failure is inevitable and they should protect themselves from such an emergency.

[Irene]

I discovered the error of my ways in respect of the full system backup - now deleted from F:Drive.

Next task will be to create a new profile, based upon your earlier recommendations. :D