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Resolved Question

Windows 7 backup question

Oct 2, 2014 8:44AM PDT

I am a new member and am a 68 year-old computer dinosaur. Some might say I am computer illiterate, but I think I am pretty sharp compared to some of my mates of the same vintage era!
I am using Windows 7 backup to a Seagate 2T external hard drive.
The settings on the backup are the pre-programmed Windows 7 settings.
How do I check that Windows7 is backing up my documents, photos, videos etc?
According to my last backup:
Data Files Backup - 32.5 GB
System Image - 80.0 GB
Other Files - 82.50GB
Free Space = 1.63TB
Total Size = 1.82TB

But I can't find what Windows 7 is actually backing up. Can I safely assume it is backing up my documents/photos/videos etc?
Cheers

Discussion is locked

labrador29 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Backup of The Backup
Oct 2, 2014 9:27AM PDT

There are a number of ways to perform a backup. This is how I do it on Windows 7.

Remember though, all backups can fail, especially external hard drives, so it's always good to make two backups of everything. Also, if you've got a major brand-name computer, they usually have Recovery Discs or a Recovery Partition that can bring the computer back to factory condition should the hard drive fail, or the drive get corrupted..

First, I use DVD's for simply making copies of all my Documents, Photos and Videos, etc.. Rewritable DVD's can be used over and over (erase when ready and then make a new copy) and I make a copy, each month, of all the items mentioned to such a disc.For example, I make a complete copy of "My Documents", and "My Videos", etc. In my case, that takes about four or five DVD+R discs. These discs can be viewed normally on your computer to verify whether all the necessary files are present. This type of copy/backup can be made using your onboard burning software and doesn't take very long to do. Therefore, you can make backups fairly quickly whenever you like and you can check the quality of the backed up files easily.

Next, instead of using the traditional "Windows Backup", I use the Windows 7 "Control Panel-Backup and Restore" section to "Create a System Image" and "Create a System Repair" disc. I usually only create a System Image every six months or so,.....or when I install a new program which I believe needs to be backed up. Basically, you only need to make the "System Repair" disc once but the System Image disc can be remade whenever you feel it necessary to make a complete image of the hard drive which can be used to restore everything on the computer, including ALL files, the operating system, drivers, Documents, videos, etc. and this will take it back to the same condition when the image was made. The system image can be copied to an external hard drive OR to DVD's depending on your preference.

Hope this helps.

Grifg

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Thanks Grif. Your reply is very helpful.
Oct 2, 2014 1:50PM PDT

I would prefer to leave my backup on the external hard drive as I disconnect after backup and remove it from the building for security reasons.
I really want to know if there is any way of checking the backup on the hard drive, to see if my documents, photos and videos have been backed up. It is all gooblygook to me,
Cheers
Hawk

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No Way To Check The Backup Unless....
Oct 3, 2014 4:42AM PDT

...you also make separate copies of the various documents, photos, and videos using a different format using simple copy techniques. Make the standard backup as you choose, but the files can be viewed normally. Just make a separate copy of your important files. Yes, you can make the separate copy of such to the same removable hard drive but remember, removable external drives frequently fail.. The drive simply dies, or can't be read, and then your backup is no longer worth a darn. When we are asked about our opinions about external drives, I always tell the customer to get TWO, not just one..... and make the backup twice. That way, you have a backup of the backup.

I have many examples of why this is necessary, but just one is the story of a friend who was writing is doctoral thesis and he placed the backup documents and supporting research on his external hard drive, in addition to the main computer hard drive. One day, the main computer was damaged in a fire, making the main hard drive unrecoverable. He thought he was good but unfortunately, when the backup, external drive was plugged into a secondary computer, then data had been corrupted somehow.. A professional recovery company was called in to get the data back but only a few of the files were recovered, leaving the main documents lost.. Not a good situation to say the least.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Thanks again Grif
Oct 3, 2014 7:21AM PDT

Eeeeeek! Makes one wonder now why I would bother to use an external hard drive as a backup. I only purchased it on my computer support person's requirement when he swapped everything from my old XP computer to a new more powerful computer.
I think I will take your advice in your original replay. i.e. Rewritable DVD's.
Final question if you don't mind Grif. I would like to backup my address book in Outlook 2013 to DVD-RW too.
Is that a simple process?

Your assistance is very much appreciated.
Cheers

Kevin.

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Simple Yes, But Be Careful With the DVD-RW Disc
Oct 3, 2014 1:47PM PDT

When backing up/copying files to a DVD-RW disc, be sure to perform a "standard" burn to the disc and DON'T use the packet-writing/formatted disc method which allows you to copy and paste files directly to the disc.. Unfortunately, those formatted discs frequently fail or can't be read correctly on different computers.. If you perform a standard "data disc" burn using your disc burning software, the disc will be finalized and should be reliable for backing up files. When you're ready to write to the disc again at a later time, simply "erase" the disc and perform the data disc burn again.

As to backing up your address book in Outlook, I perform the process by "Exporting" the data to a .csv file. The .csv file is easily backed up, is small, and can then be imported easily should you ever need to recover your Outlook setup. I'm not on a computer with Outlook 2013, but with Outlook 2010, I open Outlook, then click on the "File" tab in the upper left, then choose "Options" from the tabs on the left side of the screen. Once the "Outlook Options" window loads, select the "Advanced" button on the left. Once there, select the "Export" button in the "Export" section. At the next window highlight the "Export to a file" and then "Comma Separated Value (Windows). Follow the prompts, being sure to highlight the "Contacts" folder and to name and export the file to your "My Documents" folder.. Once there, it can easily be copied/backed up at the same time as you backup the "My Documents" folder.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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If you are ever in New Zealand
Oct 3, 2014 3:05PM PDT

Brilliant. Thanks Grif. I owe you a beer or two.
If you are ever in New Zealand, particularly the South Island, I live close to the Marlborough Sounds. Bloody Brilliant. Just call in to the Blenheim Police Station and ask them to contact me. They know me as Hawk. It would be my pleasure to show you around the province and end the day with a few beers.
Thanks Grif

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(NT) Sounds Great and Glad We Could Help !
Oct 4, 2014 1:35AM PDT
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Answer
No one can answer why Microsoft's Backup is that bad.
Oct 2, 2014 9:15AM PDT

Now that you tried it, go get almost anything else.
Bob

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Answer
Here's what I use to check if the backup is good.
Oct 3, 2014 4:47AM PDT

Syncback and Goldsync allow me to not only tell the app to backup but to verify the backup against the folders I elected to backup.

I've also use Roadkil's Unstoppable Copier to do such a backup. All have free versions.
Bob