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Backing up Computer

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

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  1. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #1 285ferrari, Dec 19, 2009
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2009
    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?
     
  2. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    #2 Ricambi America, Dec 19, 2009
    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.
     
  3. 285ferrari

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 285ferrari, Dec 19, 2009
    It is the Windows 7 backup--other than that, I have no clue what you said...lol
     
  4. teak360

    teak360 F1 World Champ

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

    285ferrari Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 285ferrari, Dec 19, 2009
    Alot of reviews say the Windows 7 backup is finally correct and works well, just not sure if I am doing something wrong....
     
  6. drjohngober

    drjohngober Formula 3

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

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #7 Wade, Dec 19, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    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
     
  8. powerpig

    powerpig F1 World Champ

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

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
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    #9 Ricambi America, Dec 20, 2009
    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.
     
  10. Neonzapper

    Neonzapper F1 Rookie

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

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