Back up query -can anyone help?

neilj203

I have just got an Asus K54H laptop, which is great.
I keep getting a message popping up, telling me to back up windows 7 to dvd or ISO files.

Can anyone tell me what I should do. And what are ISO files?

rmg1

An ISO is a disk image file (it's basically an electronic photo of the contents of your hard-drive).

If you search the help files, it will tell you how to make the recovery discs for your particular machine which is probably what it's asking you to do.

bubblesbonbon

Is this of any help?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1cK36XUNi8

m5rcc

neilj203 wrote: »

I have just got an Asus K54H laptop, which is great.
I keep getting a message popping up, telling me to back up windows 7 to dvd or ISO files.

Can anyone tell me what I should do. And what are ISO files?

Ignore it and remove the prompt

neilj203

Thanks.
Why do you say ignore it?

m5rcc

neilj203 wrote: »

Thanks.
Why do you say ignore it?

It's an Asus message. Not a mandatory order. Common sense should prevail for one to backup often anyhow. I would get a large capacity pen drive or an external hard drive and back up that way, rather than using DVDs.

espresso

m5rcc wrote: »

Ignore it and remove the prompt

Please ignore this bad advice from our resident non techie clown!

You are being prompted to backup your computer so that you can restore it back to factory settings if necessary e.g. if the hard disk fails.

You should really do before using the machine, which is why you are being reminded by the on-screen prompt.

The frequency that you back up your own personal files basically depends on how valuable they are to you e.g. the files that you would miss, if the machine would not boot up one day.

flashg67

I second what espresso says - it sounds like it's asking you to back up the Windows operating system, which is normal. Unless your PC came with a Windows DVD, if the worst happens, you won't be able to reload Windows again, or it will be more difficult as you'll need to buy/borrow a disc then find the drivers again. Backup usually takes 3 or 4 blank DVDs.

Backing up your documents, music, pictures etc as you go along is a different thing altogether.

macman

And don't back them up to a flash drive/USB stick. They're fine for the transfer of files, but hopelessly unreliable for archiving critical material. Use DVD's, or preferably an external USB hard drive.

neilj203

Thanks for the advice. I used the dvd route and it took six discs as predicted by ASUS.

Lifeforms

please please times a million put those DVD's in a suitable case, and keep them away from hamsters who might hack up on them, whilst chewing the media.

The sheer number of people who come on here and ask about restoring their computer back to factory configurations, and realise oops they should've done this before is just silly. You are warned about it enough times, this is important stuff for the continued well being of your computer.

I would even go as far as suggesting you do another copy, or copy the DVD's to iso files and store those else where as well.

They are your operating system files and without them expect to have a lot of hassle, and a reasonable bill if you have to pay to replace them!