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General discussion

How to backup a one partition drive

Apr 17, 2011 12:51AM PDT

Hello
I'm hoping somone can help me. I have a Compaq Presario S5200NX. I would like to create a rescue disk and backup , but I only have a one partion drive. I did not recieve a Windows CD. I'm not comfortable repartioning the drive. Is there software programs that would help do this. Thank You.

Discussion is locked

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Question, how will you reinstall Windows if you have to
Apr 17, 2011 5:44AM PDT

If you don't have the Windows CD how will you reinstall Windows if it comes to that?

Most new OEM computers now come with instructions on how to create "Rescue Disks" as soon as the new machine is turned on, and the guidance steps you through the procedure. All you need is a CD/DVD R/RW drive and some DVDs.

It is up to you to do that and if your computer is new then you need to check the manual that came with it, or look in the Start menu.

But those rescue disks do not back up your personal files, nor do they save your own programs and applications. For personal files a simple copy/paste to an external hard drive is easiest, but a more enduring way is to use the CD/DVD R/RW drive to burn the files to. CD/DVDs last longer than external hard drives.

You can use software to back up whole systems, like Acronis True Image, but that is not free. Or there is the more basic but very effective Clonezilla, but better suited to experienced users I am told.

Does that help?

Mark

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That computer came complete with the ...
Apr 17, 2011 8:12AM PDT

Compaq Recovery CD-DVD Creator program for creating your recovery media.

It also came with a recovery partition that is hidden but should show up in Disk Management.

to run the recovery cd-dvd creator program:
1 Close any open programs. To close programs, click X in the upper-right corner
of each window.
2 Click Start on the taskbar.
3 Choose All Programs.
4 Choose PC Help & Tools.
5 Click Compaq Recovery CD-DVD Creator. The creator window appears.
6 Follow the onscreen instructions. Label each disc as you make it.
Store the System Recovery discs in a safe place.

If you have lost your user manual which tells you how to use the computer this link will provide you with a User Manual for your computer:
Compaq Presario S5200NX user manual

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reliable partition software
Apr 17, 2011 3:48PM PDT
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"resize partition without data loss" = BACKUP COPY.
Apr 17, 2011 4:16PM PDT

After fielding and witnessing too many losses I can't say this stuff is that reliable. The person that has no backup or even a disaster plan takes the biggest risk.
Bob

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Why would you repartition a drive?
Apr 17, 2011 11:24PM PDT

If you were considering adding a partition to the drive, then putting your "backup" on that partition, stop. If your main OS and the backup is on one drive, what happens when that drive crashes?

Do what I do. Clone the drive and keep the clone stored away.