Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
<billurie@nospam.org> wrote in message
news:OyTxIXuEFHA.2876@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Ken Blake wrote:
>> In news:0F6ECBB7-2907-48CA-9E96-E3C1B6172767@microsoft.com,
>> BAR <BAR@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
>>
>>
>>>For the simple minded, yes XP can manage a single large volume disk.
>>>
>>>If one wants to manage and prepare for disaster recovery using only
>>>one hard drive, then partitioning is essential.
>>>
>>>Let me explain: once you have spent hours and hours configuring your
>>>PC with XP and the dozen or so applications and / or games: then it
>>>is most advantages to use an application such as Ghost to IMAGE the
>>>drive. The image file can be used to recreate the hard drive in case
>>>of a catastrophe.
>>>
>>>One cannot take an image file and 'restore' it to the same hard drive
>>>or partition on which it is located. Thus partitioning the Hard
>>>Drive is VERY BENEFICIAL andmost useful.
>>
>>
>>
>> If you are suggesting using an image file to a second partition for
>> backup, I would strongly urge you to reconsider that backup startegy. I
>> don't recommend backup to a second partition because it leaves you
>> susceptible to simultaneous loss of the original and backup to many of
>> the most common dangers: head crashes, severe power glitches, nearby
>> lightning strikes, virus attacks, even theft of the computer.
>>
>>
>> In my view, secure backup needs to be on removable media, and not kept in
>> the computer. For really secure backup (needed, for example, if the life
>> of your business depends on your data) you should have multiple
>> generations of backup, and at least one of those generations should be
>> stored off-site.
>>
>>
>>
>> My computer isn't used for business, but my personal backup scheme uses
>> two identical removable hard drives, which fit into a sleeve installed in
>> the computer. I alternate between the two, and use Drive Image to make a
>> complete copy of the primary drive.
>>
>>
> I echo what Ken says above. For those who have followed my trials
> and woes in past months, I can say that, with good help in this
> group (and a few barbs and arrows), I have a working procedure that
> involves Partition Magic 8 in conjunction with Drive Image 7.
>
> I have two hard drives. Both need only be in the computer, as
> a Master and a Slave, periodically when I make a drive image of my
> Master drive, on the Slave drive. Should anything go bad with the
> Master, I use Drive Image 7 to restore to the master, what it
> contained when the drive image was made.
>
> Partition Magic, in this simplified system, is almost superfluous, except
> that it is a handy tool for increasing and decreasing the sizes
> of partitions.
> --
> William B. Lurie
Bill,
It is wonderful to hear that at long last you are actually Drive Image 7
to make backup images which you can later restore if and when necessary.
This is a great leap forward from your previous grinding determination to
produce " Clones" of your master drive and the consequent booting
difficulties that you suffered.
You now only need one further small step to take you to Backup Nirvana. Get
yourself an external USB2 hard drive enclosure or a removable hard drive
sleeve for your e-machine. Backups images can then be made as often as you
like and, by using Incrementals, could be on a daily basis. It is common
sense to keep several days worth of backups. The only time that you would
then have to open the computer case would be to replace a failed internal
drive or other equipment.
Whole system backups may seem a bit over the top for the casual computer
user but the peace of mind and the ability to recover in under an hour from
most conceivable disasters is well worth the small extra expense. Not having
to decide what to backup is a bonus, one just backs up the whole system.
Good Luck.
Richard.
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