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General discussion

back up clue less

Apr 6, 2007 10:03AM PDT

how should i back up my xp machine? i have about a 80gb hard drive with two 40gb partitions. recomend software. why would i need to back up OS?
pics are most impor|ant. im planing on an external HDD. should i leave the HDD pulgged in after back up? im worried if i do that that it could just get infected Just like the rest of my P.C.?i would use DVDs but i dont have a DVD burner and this seems cheaper in the long run because there is no blank media required.your help is appreciated.

Discussion is locked

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what i would do
Apr 7, 2007 8:06AM PDT

I think your best bet is to get an external HDD (same size or bigger than the drive you will be backing up) and then image your HDD with something like Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost. I myself use Acronis True Image. As long as you make a backup at least once a month you should keep on top of your data. I myself don?t keep my back up drive plugged in, but this is only so I don?t format the drive by accident (because ive done that before) and so it doesn?t get unnecessary usage and over heating.

There was a recent poll on CNET about this:
http://forums.cnet.com/5208-7810_102-0.html?forumID=77&threadID=241717

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Why back up the OS.....how long do you think it would take
Apr 8, 2007 12:40AM PDT

you to find all the CDs, the CD keys and serial numbers, reinstall the OS and all the APPs, download all the updates, set all preferences, restore your bookmarks or favorite websites, register the SW, etc., etc., ?

A second internal HDD might be a better option than an external unless you really need an external for portability.

BTW...yourself a dual-layer DVD burner...too valuable and too inexpensive ($30-$40) not to have one. Media is inexpensive and if properly used, safer/better than backup to an external HDD. Read the forum posts to see the numerous pleas for help on external USB HDDs.

VAPCMD