Vista Complete PC Backup and Restore

[nazareneisrael]

May laptop has two internal hard drives, C:\ and D:\. When I go to use Vista Complete PC Backup and Restore, it selects D:\ (data) as well as C:\. How can I get it just to select C:\? Thanks.

 

[badge]

Assuming C is the OS and applications disk, system backups can not be saved to this system 'boot' drive, so C is not available as a backup 'save' drive. System backups require a 'data' disk either internal or external (USB) drive or 'burn to disk' DVD to serve as a save location.

EDIT: If you have or can purchase an external usb hard drive, it will serve as a drive for storing system backups when using the Vista Back up and restore. Note, your laptop does not have 2 internal hard drives. One hard drive divided into two partitions.

 

[nazareneisrael]

Hi Badge.

Thank you for responding so quickly. I have two physical 320GB Seagate internal 2.5" hard drives, C:\ (OS and Applications), and D:\ Data. I also have an old 200 GB external USB hard drive (Maxtor) that I want to back just C:\ up to. However, when I go to use Vista's Complete PC Backup and Restore feature, it goes to select both C:\ and D:\.

The files and data on C:\ would fit, but there is not enough room for both C:\ and D:\ at the same time. I just did a reformat and reload (which takes about two full days, with everything I have) and thought it would be nice to do a disk image of a fresh install of everything on C:\.

I can buy a bigger external USB hard drive to disk image to, but I just thought I would try to get it to work on this 200GB USB drive first. Ideas?

Thanks.

 

[badge]

Can you supply a link to your laptop specifications. An online Product page.

 

[badge]

Here is a good guide and explanaton of how to use Vista Complete Backup and restore. I use it regularily. I have no problem backing up my OS/Apps drive to and internal drive.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2007.09.backup.aspx

 

[nazareneisrael]

It's just a Dell E1720. It came with one internal HDD, but it had a spare bay. I had to scrounge the parts to put the second HDD in, because Dell actually would not sell them to me.

My issue is that between C and D, there is more than 200GB of data. If I can just get it to image C:\ to the external HDD, (and not D:\), it will fit. Can I do that? Thanks.

 

[badge]

It's just a Dell E1720. It came with one internal HDD, but it had a spare bay. I had to scrounge the parts to put the second HDD in, because Dell actually would not sell them to me.

My issue is that between C and D, there is more than 200GB of data. If I can just get it to image C:\ to the external HDD, (and not D:\), it will fit. Can I do that? Thanks.

If I can just get it to image C:\ to the external HDD, (and not D:\), it will fit. Can I do that? Thanks.

I use Vista 64 Ultimate. The backup and Restore center with Ultimate is different than my Vista Home premium Back up and restore center. Sure, I back up my C drive (OS/APPs) and exclude the D drive (storage) all the time. I back up C to D (without including D my storage driive). I included a shot of my Vista Ultimate 64 backup and restore opening options.

 

[nazareneisrael]

Sorry if I did not include enough information. I have Vista Business 32 on this box.

The Backup and Restore Center looks the same. The only thing is that "Where To Save Files" comes up as "External USB (I" (which is what I want). But then, when I proceed, it includes both C and D (and I want only C).

 

[Zoron]

I think you may have to select "Back up files" rather than "Back up computer" to achieve what you want.

 

[nazareneisrael]

That won't get it. That only gets the files.

Perhaps I just need to spring for a larger hard drive?

 

[nazareneisrael]

Thanks