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Vista Complete PC Backup and Restore

Forum Windows Vista : Vista General Discussion - Vista Complete PC Backup and Restore

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nazareneisrael   10-26-2009 at 04:46:11 PM

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.

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badge   10-26-2009 at 05:38:42 PM
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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.


Message edited by badge on 10-26-2009 at 05:47:07 PM
------------------------------ "To better understand why you need a personal computer, let's take a look at the pathetic mess you call your life."
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nazareneisrael   10-26-2009 at 06:57:42 PM
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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.

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badge   10-26-2009 at 07:01:54 PM
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Can you supply a link to your laptop specifications. An online Product page.

------------------------------ "To better understand why you need a personal computer, let's take a look at the pathetic mess you call your life."
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badge   10-26-2009 at 07:06:20 PM
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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 [...] ackup.aspx

------------------------------ "To better understand why you need a personal computer, let's take a look at the pathetic mess you call your life."
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nazareneisrael   10-26-2009 at 07:20:02 PM
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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.

Message quoted 1 times
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badge   10-26-2009 at 07:42:36 PM
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nazareneisrael wrote :

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.



Quote :

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.


http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/1658/restoreeeee.jpg


Message edited by badge on 10-26-2009 at 07:51:47 PM
------------------------------ "To better understand why you need a personal computer, let's take a look at the pathetic mess you call your life."
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nazareneisrael   10-26-2009 at 08:12:12 PM
- 0 +

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).

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Zoron   10-26-2009 at 08:38:33 PM
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I think you may have to select "Back up files" rather than "Back up computer" to achieve what you want.

------------------------------ Desktop: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit; Intel Q6600 CPU; E-VGA 780i SLI motherboard; E-VGA E-GeForce 8800GT; OCZ Vista 4GB dual-channel kit; Ultra X2 750W power supply; 2 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB in RAID 0. Laptop: Acer Aspire 8730-6314;
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nazareneisrael   10-26-2009 at 09:30:19 PM
- 0 +

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

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

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