How safe is XP backup
Thread Starter
I now drive an accord....
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Etters, PA
How safe is XP backup
After some recent computer issues I have decided that I want to start using a backup utility to an external HD. I know I should have been doing this long ago but I didn't.
My question is if I use the XP backup utility how safe is the file it creates?. Would I be better to manually copy the files I want to the external HD? Im just scared of losing my pictures
My question is if I use the XP backup utility how safe is the file it creates?. Would I be better to manually copy the files I want to the external HD? Im just scared of losing my pictures
Big Block go VROOOM!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 1
From: Chicago Burbs
If you're talking about ntbackup.exe that comes with XP Pro, it's a solid backup program. The problem with it is that it's very much oriented toward IT-type folks compared to the alternatives that are available today for personal use. If you're comfortable dealing with things like full backups vs. differentials vs. incrementals and don't mind keeping track of backup sets and media sets, then have at it with ntbackup. Otherwise, you'll probably want to go with something else like Stogie's suggestion.
nnInn
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 37,670
Likes: 1,084
My wife has one and I have one. Love 'um. I messed with xp backup I while back. But this is just so damn easy to use.
http://www.clickfree.com/
http://www.clickfree.com/
Thread Starter
I now drive an accord....
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,800
Likes: 2
From: Etters, PA
yeah im talking about ntbackup.exe and actually it is on my xp home disk. I have used it tonight and the thing I didn't trust is that I can't "see" the files. I just see a backup file and I wasn't feeling great about trusting that my files are in it.
I might try one of the other programs listed here
Thanks
I might try one of the other programs listed here
Thanks
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52,768
Likes: 2,000
From: Phoenix, AZ
Well, that is really the way most backup programs work.
If you want to test out a backup program, create a new folder, copy of bunch of stuff you have elsewhere to the folder, create a backup of just the folder using a tool of your choice, delete the folder, and then do a restore of the backup using your software.
What you are describing is more of a shadow copy.
If you want to test out a backup program, create a new folder, copy of bunch of stuff you have elsewhere to the folder, create a backup of just the folder using a tool of your choice, delete the folder, and then do a restore of the backup using your software.
What you are describing is more of a shadow copy.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2007
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Not surprisingly, I created a script to do the backups on my server. It keeps a rolling 7 day backup of the whole server. That's 7 backup files.
If interested, this is what I used:
Then my scheduled job is cscript "c:\nero files\back.vbs"
If you can't tell, I used to use Nero Backup. It wasn't so great.
If interested, this is what I used:
Code:
option explicit
dim fl,f,fso,cmd,shell,curDate,ret
dim backupDays,backupLocation,BKSDefinition
backupDays=7
backupLocation="F:\"
BKSDefinition="C:\Nero Files\Daily.bks" ' Create BKS in NTBackup (Save Backup)
set shell=createobject("wscript.shell")
set fso=createobject("scripting.filesystemobject")
' Get the backup drive
set fl=fso.getfolder(backupLocation)
' Delete files older than x days
for each f in fl.files
if f.datecreated<dateadd("d",-backupdays,date) then f.delete
next
' Get backup log folder
set fl=fso.getfolder("C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Windows NT\NTBackup\catalogs51")
' Delete files older than x days
for each f in fl.files
if f.datecreated<dateadd("d",-backupdays,date) then f.delete
next
' Create the date string MMDDYY
curdate=right("0" & month(date),2) & right("0" & day(date),2) & right(year(date),2)
' Backup the system
cmd="%systemroot%\system32\ntbackup.exe backup "
cmd=cmd & """@" & BKSDefinition & """ "
cmd=cmd & "/n ""Backup for " & date & """ "
cmd=cmd & "/d ""Backup Set " & date & """ "
cmd=cmd & "/v:no /r:no /rs:no /hc:off /m normal "
cmd=cmd & "/j ""Daily File Backup"" /l:s "
cmd=cmd & "/f """ & backupLocation & "Backup" & curdate & ".bkf"""
' execute the backup
'wscript.echo cmd
ret=shell.run(cmd,8,true)
If you can't tell, I used to use Nero Backup. It wasn't so great.
Last edited by Anachostic; Sep 18, 2009 at 09:51 PM.
Go Giants
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 70,003
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From: PA
You should be doing this periodically regardless of the backup program as a test.
nnInn
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 37,670
Likes: 1,084
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,619
Likes: 15
From: Lehigh Valley, PA
Like Stogie/Billiam said, the ntbackup utility is more of an IT tool than a normal user type program. As you saw all of your files will be stored in a single backup file, if you want to restore one you have to go into the restore manager and select the files and a destination. This is nice for work, but not what I'd want for home use.
I use "folder match", you specify a folder on your drive to back up to another drive, then anytime you want you just run the sync option, that will copy any files that are new or changed since your last sync. The nice thing is it makes copies of the folders and files as opposed to the single backup file.
I guess to answer your question, yes it is safe and reliable, you can schedule it to run when you want.
I use "folder match", you specify a folder on your drive to back up to another drive, then anytime you want you just run the sync option, that will copy any files that are new or changed since your last sync. The nice thing is it makes copies of the folders and files as opposed to the single backup file.
I guess to answer your question, yes it is safe and reliable, you can schedule it to run when you want.
Last edited by Rock2534; Sep 19, 2009 at 10:48 PM.
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