Backing up Computer | FerrariChat

Backing up Computer

Discussion in 'Technology' started by 285ferrari, Dec 19, 2009.

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  1. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ Sponsor

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    I have a PC, Windows 7 - I have an external hard drive 500gb - I am trying to back up everything on the computer to the ex hd and it runs out of space when attempting the backup.. I opened the ex hd and it only has about 100gb of stuff on it. There is no way I have 300+gb of stuff on the computer. Am I doing something wrong?

    If I click on the ex hd it says there is 377gb free of 465gb... No freakin way I have over 377gb of stuff on here....

    At the very least, I want to back up all my pics(10gb), iTunes(85gb), Quickbooks(1gb)...

    My last computer had no issues backing all this stuff up. I have no more stuff on here than my old computer and the 500gb ex hd worked fine.... Do I need to just get a 1 or 2TB ex hd?
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2009
    285ferrari, Dec 19, 2009
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  2. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ Sponsor Owner

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    Are you using Windows 7 backup, or a third party software? If the program is attempting too create a full image, then 'net change' backups over a series of days/weeks/whatever, then perhaps the software is alerting you there's not enough room for that backup strategy to work.

    Is compression 'on' ? Is the drive formatted NTFS or FAT? I presume Win7 is default to NTFS... but if your external drive is older, perhaps its still FAT.
     
    Ricambi America, Dec 19, 2009
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  3. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ Sponsor

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    It is the Windows 7 backup--other than that, I have no clue what you said...lol
     
    285ferrari, Dec 19, 2009
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  4. teak360

    teak360 F1 World Champ

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    The difficulty in doing proper backups with Windows is utterly disgraceful. Good luck in your quest!
     
    teak360, Dec 19, 2009
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  5. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ Sponsor

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    Alot of reviews say the Windows 7 backup is finally correct and works well, just not sure if I am doing something wrong....
     
    285ferrari, Dec 19, 2009
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  6. drjohngober

    drjohngober Formula 3

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    Once again, come to the dark side... Apple.
     
    drjohngober, Dec 19, 2009
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  7. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    Are you trying to back-up your entire computer? If so, Windows isn't your best choice for that, try some imaging software instead.

    Otherwise, Windows works very well for backing up data. Try selecting the option as shown unless you're saving into other locations as well. Then you'll have to select "Let me choose..."

    Don't forget to dump your Temporary Internet Files first.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wade, Dec 19, 2009
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  8. powerpig

    powerpig F1 World Champ

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    Download the Macrium Reflect free edition. It will do the job.
     
    powerpig, Dec 20, 2009
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  9. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ Sponsor Owner

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    I wasn't going to suggest that, because I know how things would quickly spiral down the Fchat drain of controversy!

    (But, I too simply love the Time Machine aspect of Mac).

    When I ran PC's I used all sorts of backup programs like Norton, and none of them left a warm fuzzy feeling. I have heard that Windows 7 is vastly improved in the areas of backup and recovery. If that's the case, then I applaud Microsoft.

    Whatever you use, be 100% sure to test your backups regularly. Try to grab some random Word document (or Quickbooks backup for that matter) and restore from your external drive to a 'neutral' location.

    ROBBIE - I strongly recommend for redundancy, that you also invest in Quickbooks On-Line backup. Multiple copies of your QBW file, made each night, is never a bad idea.
     
    Ricambi America, Dec 20, 2009
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  10. Neonzapper

    Neonzapper F1 Rookie

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    ...if you don't know what you're doing.
     
    Neonzapper, Dec 20, 2009
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