Windows 7 Backup and Restore Utility

"Ophelia" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
>
> "Dave-UK" <> wrote in message
> news...
>>
>> "Seth" <> wrote in message
>> news:hm4que$fik$...
>>>
>>>>
>>> MS was severely lacking in imaging technology for a long time. SYSPREP
>>> to prepare a machine for imaging has been around since Windows98 and
>>> it's only just recently with Vista that they finally included one in
>>> their deployment tools.
>>>
>>> Here's the full list of command line options.
>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx
>>>
>>> Also, for those who need a little help with CLI, there is a GUI frontend
>>> written by a 3rd party called GImageX.
>>>
>>> ImageX is installed automatically as part of the WAIK.
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for the heads-up about GImageX, I'm currently messing about
>> with WinBuilder and trying to build a Win7 rescue disk.
>> I already have Autoit and I'm well impressed with their software.
>
> Does this mean you don't think the 'system image' and 'system repair'
> discs are adequate?


Well adequate and could be better are different. The rebuild disks that
come with most systems are more than adequate, but I deploy a lot of
machines so very often make custom images so when I setup a new machine or
have to re-image a machine most of my post-task work is already done for me.

On 2/21/10 7:19 AM, ~~Alan~~ wrote:
> I am starting to get with the program and looking into performing a
> regular backup of my system. There are many choices out there and after
> listening to a techie radio talk show, I am starting to believe in what
> is called the 3-2-1 system: 3 copies of a file, 2 copies locally, and 1
> copy saved offsite.
>
> For the offsite, I've chosen Carbonite - end of discussion here.
>
> Locally is where my questions lie. The 2 copies are my real working copy
> and a local backup.
> Yes there are many backup products out there that I know can stir quite
> a debate on this topic of what to use. But I'm interested for the moment
> in the Backup and Restore utility that comes with Windows 7.
>
> Out of the box, so to speak, the default choice is to let windows decide
> what to backup. It seems that it will backup the folders that make up
> the user's basic library of documents, photos, music, and videos. In
> addition, the first time the backup is run, it will also create a full
> system backup.
>
> So here are my questions:
> If I make any changes to the operating system, such as installing a new
> application or updating the OS, will these changes be reflected in the
> backup so that in the event of a complete failure, I can perform a
> single restore?
>
> Does the backup also include the basic library of other user's libraries
> on the system?
>
> Do the files that make up the users' (plural) profiles, desktop,
> favorites, etc., get backed up and do they get backed up when changes
> occur?
>
> How well does it manage the space on the disk I use as my backup
> destination? What does it do?
>
> What other questions should I be asking that I do not know of yet?
>
> Thanks,
> ~alan

A lot of good ideas and information. What I am really looking for in a
generic sense is just so simple.
1) I do not want to have to shut down my system to perform a backup.
2) I want my first backup to be a full, system backup capable of being
able to restore my system in case of an emergency.
3) I want subsequant backups to be either incremental and/or
differential backups based on the whole system that can be used in
combination with the original full backup to restore my system in case
of an emergency
4) I want to be able to restore folders and files either to their
original locations or to another location.
5 I want to be able to start all over again with a full based on either
my backup media being full or at the start of a period.
6. The whole thing should be automatic. Of course, I'll be obligated to
keep an eye on everything.

Basically, I believe this is how a data center maintains its backups.
It's simple. No real bells and whistles.

Thanks,
~alan

"Ophelia" <> wrote in message news:...
>
>
> "Dave-UK" <> wrote in message
> news...
>>
>> "Seth" <> wrote in message
>> news:hm4que$fik$...
>>>
>>>>
>>> MS was severely lacking in imaging technology for a long time. SYSPREP
>>> to prepare a machine for imaging has been around since Windows98 and it's
>>> only just recently with Vista that they finally included one in their
>>> deployment tools.
>>>
>>> Here's the full list of command line options.
>>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l...8WS.10%29.aspx
>>>
>>> Also, for those who need a little help with CLI, there is a GUI frontend
>>> written by a 3rd party called GImageX.
>>>
>>> ImageX is installed automatically as part of the WAIK.
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for the heads-up about GImageX, I'm currently messing about
>> with WinBuilder and trying to build a Win7 rescue disk.
>> I already have Autoit and I'm well impressed with their software.
>
> Does this mean you don't think the 'system image' and 'system repair' discs
> are adequate?
>

No, they're fine for what they are but I like messing about and as I'm retired and have
plenty of spare time I like to play with computers and software.
The system repair disk is a bit boring so I like to see if I can add a few tweaks.
For instance I would like to add a password editor and registry editor to the repair
disk, and other stuff like that. :-)

"Seth" <> wrote in message
news:hm5nvp$28t$...
> Well adequate and could be better are different. The rebuild disks that
> come with most systems are more than adequate, but I deploy a lot of
> machines so very often make custom images so when I setup a new machine or
> have to re-image a machine most of my post-task work is already done for
> me.

Understood! Thanks

--
--
https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

"Dave-UK" <> wrote in message
news:...
>> Does this mean you don't think the 'system image' and 'system repair'
>> discs are adequate?
>>
>
> No, they're fine for what they are but I like messing about and as I'm
> retired and have
> plenty of spare time I like to play with computers and software.
> The system repair disk is a bit boring so I like to see if I can add a few
> tweaks.
> For instance I would like to add a password editor and registry editor to
> the repair
> disk, and other stuff like that. :-)

Okie dokie Thanks

Hmmmm about that password editor......

--
--
https://www.shop.helpforheroes.org.uk/

On Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:35:56 -0500, ~~Alan~~
<> wrote:

>A lot of good ideas and information. What I am really looking for in a
>generic sense is just so simple.
>1) I do not want to have to shut down my system to perform a backup.
>2) I want my first backup to be a full, system backup capable of being
>able to restore my system in case of an emergency.
>3) I want subsequant backups to be either incremental and/or
>differential backups based on the whole system that can be used in
>combination with the original full backup to restore my system in case
>of an emergency
>4) I want to be able to restore folders and files either to their
>original locations or to another location.
>5 I want to be able to start all over again with a full based on either
>my backup media being full or at the start of a period.
>6. The whole thing should be automatic. Of course, I'll be obligated to
>keep an eye on everything.
>
>Basically, I believe this is how a data center maintains its backups.
>It's simple. No real bells and whistles.

You've described "Acronis TrueImage Home 2010" perfectly. I'm sure
there are multiple backup solutions that do a very similar job, but
I've been using Acronis for about 4 years and highly recommend it. It
does everything you asked for.