Patricia,
If Alan gets a new computer, would it be Vista instead of XP? I am
wondering ifg XP backup would work with Vista to do a restore?
Just a thought.
Lennie
At 05:10 PM 4/22/2009, you wrote:
Lennie,
Thanks for your post here. I have seen that funtion within windows
to make backups but haven't done anything with it.
Your details gives me hope...
Allen might get a new computer and this would be very helpful to do
so he doesn't loose all his data. We do have a external hard drive
that could be used to back up his computer.
Patricia
----- Original Message ----- From: "Lennie Rinaldi" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 4:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Backing Up Files
Don,
Do you happen to know what is the difference between an image copy
and window system backup? I usually run the window system backup
twice a month and I also use it to backup my documents at least
weekly. I have two external hard drive that I make my backups so if
one fails, the other one would be available. It is like having a
backup for a backup.
I have done some restore from the window system backup mainly for
my personal files, but I never have to
use it to restore my computer. In fact, if I have to I wouldn't
know how to bring my computer back to the point of the most recent backup.
I also have Karen's replicator which use for my Word and Excel
files. I usually do a backup whenever I do a lot of changes to my files.
Anyway, I am curious what you or anyone else on the list thinks of
using window system backup. I listened to David's tutorial on image
copy and I have been toying around with the idea to purchase the
software and do an image copy of my computer.
Thanks for any comments,
Lennie
At 04:05 PM 4/22/2009, you wrote:
To be completely safe, you should backup your personal data files
on a regular basis AND also have a baseline full image of your
entire hard disk. The frequency of backing up your personal files
depends on how often the data changes and its importance.
I use Karen's Replicator to backup my personal files each
night. It is free and is located on the Programs page. Each
night I copy my JAWS scripts directories to my Documents folder,
copy a folder of downloads and archives, my Documents folder, and
my mail directories to another computer in our house. Of course,
you could also backup to an external hard drive or an on-line
storage service. On-line storage services are a great idea for
dependable storage that is off site in case off a fire or a
natural disaster. It might be a good idea to keep of your
valuable data for safety, even if you make a local copy. This
storage is normally encrypted automatically. Many services are
free for a limited amount of storage and a monthly fee for more or
unlimited storage.
Making a complete image copy of the entire hard disk can make
recovering from a hard disk disaster much easier. You should make
an image of a baseline system. This ideally would be at a time
when your computer has all of your desired programs installed and
the system is stable. With a program like Image for Windows,
recovery can take less than an hour. That includes all programs
and settings back exactly as they were at the time the baseline
was taken! Then you can restore any new personal data from your
nightly data backups performed with Karen's Replicator. You
should only need to make a full image backup when their have been
significant changes made to the system. I anticipate doing this
about twice a year. If you like to experiment with new software,
it would be a great idea to make a baseline before installing the
new experimental software. Then you don't have to worry too much
about destroying your configuration, since it easily can be rolled
back in less than an hour. Some software like from
GiveAwayOfTheDay or in my case my daughter's installation of Spore
can not just simply be installed again. An image restore
eliminates these issues. It also is the best way to get rid of
nasty Spyware and Viruses that fight from being removed.
Personally, I have been putting this off for years! There is no
longer any good reasons not to backup anymore with external drives
being so cheap. It is fairly easy to find a 1 Terabyte external
hard disk for less than $100. Normally, creating the image is
easy. Traditionally, the recovery process can be troublesome for
a blind person. The recovery from the backup image files, like an
external hard disk, to your internal hard drive requires booting
from another source, like DOS from a CD. Most of the time there
is no speech available for this process. Dave has a very good
tutorial for using Image for Windows for making there image and
performing the recovery process on the website.
I purchased Image for Windows this week. It includes a copy of
Image for DOS and Image for Linux. The recent Image for Linux
includes a utility to create a Recovery CD that has SpeakUp built
into its Linux kernel. The CD is used to boot from in case of
disaster. With a boot parameter to enable the speech at startup
the recovery process can be accomplished through an easy to use
program which is very similar to the Windows program where the
image was created. It is possible to customize the Recovery CD to
make the speech automatic on boot. I am currently playing with
this and merging Image for Linux with Vinux. Vinux is an amazing
distribution of Linux. Specifically Vinux is a customized
distribution of Ubuntu that is preconfigured for the blind and
visually impaired. I view this as a major breakthrough! Many PC
experts have stated vigorously that the newest Ubuntu is the first
distribution of Linux where it is a viable replacement for Windows!
An ISO file of a complete Vinux Live CD can be downloaded at the
address below. If you burn this to a disk, you can boot and run
this Version of Linux with speech and magnification automatically
enabled without installing any software on your hard drive and
test it out. It also includes a utility to install a copy to a
hard disk, USB drive, or make a customized CD/DVD.
http://vinux.org.uk/
Remember that backing up will save a tremendous amount of headaches later!
Don Marang
----- Original Message ----- From: "Job Hunter" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] Backing Up Files
Try Image for Windows at www.terabyteunlimited.com.
Very good program and works well with Jaws.
John
----- Original Message ----- From: "Rogelio Terrazas"
<[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:08 AM
Subject: [Blind-Computing] Backing Up Files
How can I back up all my files in my C drive? In case I ever
have to reinstall my computer. Thanks, any help would be greatly appreciated.
[email protected]
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Visit the JAWS Users List home page at:
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Address for the list archives:
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Use the following address in order to contact the management team
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If you wish to join the JAWS Users List send a blank email to the
following address:
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Visit the JAWS Users List home page at:
http://www.jaws-users.com
Visit the Blind Computing home page at:
http://www.blind-computing.com
Address for the list archives:
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To post to this group, send email to
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For help from Mailman with your account Put the word help in the subject
or body of a blank message to:
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Use the following address in order to contact the management team
[email protected]
If you wish to join the JAWS Users List send a blank email to the
following address:
[email protected]
Visit the JAWS Users List home page at:
http://www.jaws-users.com
Visit the Blind Computing home page at:
http://www.blind-computing.com
Address for the list archives:
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To post to this group, send email to
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For help from Mailman with your account Put the word help in the subject
or body of a blank message to:
[email protected]
Use the following address in order to contact the management team
[email protected]
If you wish to join the JAWS Users List send a blank email to the
following address:
[email protected]
Visit the JAWS Users List home page at:
http://www.jaws-users.com
Visit the Blind Computing home page at:
http://www.blind-computing.com
Address for the list archives:
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To post to this group, send email to
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For help from Mailman with your account Put the word help in the subject
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