backing up

FirstTimer4Me

hiya

my computers has had a lot of problems it's been to pc world 3 times to be sorted each time i've had to reinstall everything back on it i hope it's sorted now

is there an easy way for me to back up because i don't want to keep reinstalling everything back on, i've never done a back up before because i don't fully understand what to do.

what i want is something that can copy everything on my computer like a photograph then if i have to reinstall i can go on the website that has my info and just press an icon to reintall, i'd rather not use a disc if i don't have to

hope that makes sense

-TangleFoot-

Whilst it is theoretically possible to back up the contents of an entire disk to a server on the 'net, it is not practical to do so; the sheer quantity of data would take hours or even days to transfer.

You can however place a backup on a spare HDD or NAS using tools like these. You could even use DVDs if the backup is small enough.

To get an idea of what's involved, have a look at this.

OneADay

Paragon Drive Backup - google it.

FirstTimer4Me

thanks for your help it's all very confusing to me but i'll do what the experts here tell me to do providing it's step by step instructions

each time i went to pc worl the tech guys kept telling me conflicting information which is one reason why i've never backed up each member of staff kept confusing me none seemed to ever agree what the other member told me.

OneADay

If you really want to be safe, get yourself an external hard drive big enough to hold all your data.

You can either copy important data to that drive manually - keeping periodically refreshed if you make changes to the data on your pc.

If something goes wrong, you could re-install your pc providing you have sufficient licenses for your OS.

Otherwise you could you use Microsoft backup whcih comes with windows xp pro and vista to do a complete backup of your system. Or use something like a paid for product like paragon drive copy. Both methods will create an image file on your external hard drive which you can restore if your pc goes wrong.

-TangleFoot-

If you have an old version of the Windows XP installation CD, this might come in handy too.

FirstTimer4Me

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

If you have an old version of the Windows XP installation CD, this might come in handy too.

hiya

i don't have any xp instaltion as pc world installed xp back onto my system

FirstTimer4Me

OneADay wrote: »

If you really want to be safe, get yourself an external hard drive big enough to hold all your data

do you have any suggestions please?

You can either copy important data to that drive manually - keeping periodically refreshed if you make changes to the data on your pc

If something goes wrong, you could re-install your pc providing you have sufficient licenses for your OS

ok, one question please what licences do i need and how do i know if i've got them? this is what i have now: acer desktop with xp i'm not sure if i have any microsoft products as i use open office

Otherwise you could you use Microsoft backup whcih comes with windows xp pro and vista to do a complete backup of your system. Or use something like a paid for product like paragon drive copy. Both methods will create an image file on your external hard drive which you can restore if your pc goes wrong.

i'll do whatever is suggested by the experts here, bearing in mind my knowledge could someone suggest something easiest for me.

-TangleFoot-

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

what licences do i need and how do i know if i've got them? this is what i have now: acer desktop with xp i'm not sure if i have any microsoft products as i use open office

You'll find the license key printed on a sticker attached to the computer; it should look something like this.

FirstTimer4Me

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

You'll find the license key printed on a sticker attached to the computer; it should look something like this.

i really am greatful for the way you explain things for me

i do have those stickers on the side of the desktop tower unit.

totalsolutions

>i do have those stickers on the side of the tower.

Can't see from here, take a look for me..