Comments on: How To Make A Full PC Backup And Restore After Hard Drive Failure

By: Dan (el_passo)

Dan (el_passo) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:28:02 +0000

No problem!

By: Barry Wells

Barry Wells — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:19:01 +0000

Hi Dan, I just followed the link from the masterclass forum to this post.

This is an excellent post mate and so very helpfull. As soon as i get my PC back i will be following your guide step by step and will not have to suffer the agro of the last 2 weeks again.

Thanks Dan, you’re a top man.

Respect and Regards, Barry

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:53:07 +0000

Cool, glad to be of service

By: Stuart Turnbull

Stuart Turnbull — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:53:03 +0000

Dan

I’ve been meaning to do a full system backup since my teenage son suffered a hard drive failure a few weeks back but had no idea where to start.

I followed your advice, picked up an external hard drive (500gb £53.79 at Argos with a free 2gb flash pen!) downloaded Acronis True Image and followed your screen shots and 20 minutes later I was done.

Thanks for giving me peace of mind, Dan

Stuart

http://www.printsmakeprofits.com Price slashed to celebrate its first birthday!

By: barney

barney — Mon, 18 May 2009 05:26:23 +0000

Dan,
In reference to the partitioning software, you can pull down a Live CD ISO of GParted, burn it to CD, then boot it as you specified in the article. It’s open source, works as well as, or better than, any other partition software I’ve used over the years – 1st experience was FDisk, 1985 or so. As long as you’re not rabidly anti-Linux, it has an easy-to-use GUI. One of the nicer things about it, compared to a few others, is that it allows resizing partitions w/o having to worry [too much] about losing files.

There are also some open source Live CD disk-imaging ISOs, but not having used them, cannot speak to their efficacy.

Thought I’d mention it … I’ve seen times when free was all I could afford .

By: Ted Ellis

Ted Ellis — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:10:48 +0000

I am using Maxtor as my backup system which periodically reminds me to backup.
See more at http://www.maxtor.com/en/hard-drive-backup/external-drives/maxtor-onetouch-4-plus.html
Regarding eliminating viruses,spyware and malaware before backup this is also an ongoing process using Fix-it Utilities with Vista Home.
see more at http://www.avanquest.com/USA/pc-utilities/anti-virus-anti-spyware/complete-packages/Fix-It_Utilities_Professional.html
I am well satisfied and feel confident with these both to safeguard my precious files.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:53:55 +0000

Well…..the face is me, and the rest of the body is only me when I’ve had a few drinks

I’ve received your mail, and will get back to you ASAP.

By: Rajesh

Rajesh — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:55:30 +0000

Dan – Great post with clear explanations supported by screenshots. Fabulous! I liked it, You really did hard work as usual in compiling this lengthy post without missing any important step.

BTW – Just curious to know if the person in gravatar is real you? LOL – Which degree did you accept in such great pose

Seeing your expertise and honesty in sharing information, I am also contacting you via your contact form as I want to work with you on certain projects (provided you accept me as an affiliate). Writing it here to make 100% sure that you don’t miss my message.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:29:13 +0000

Hi Vin,
That’s a very good question, from the descriptions they both sound exactly the same. At a GUESS I’d say they both do the same thing but in a different way….maybe….

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 15 May 2009 09:27:47 +0000

Hi Robin,
As you say, there’s no point doing a full backup as when it comes to restoring you’d just restore the viruses as well.

I’d make a full backup, do a clean reinstall of windows, then just restore any important files.