windows backup utility

[wolverine_brasil]

Hi,

How to compress the backup image when I'm using Windows XP Backup Utility?

"compress the backup data" option is disable. Searching the help I found out this:

"Choosing If possible, compress the backup data to save space compresses the data you are backing up so you can save more data on a tape. Usually, only tape drives have the ability to compress data. If this option is disabled, you do not have a tape drive on your computer or your tape drive cannot compress data. "

I didn't understand anything! What's a tape drive?

[Verbose.]

A tape drive is a zip disk. You could compress it using WinRAR instead of backup utility. In fact, WinRAR may do a better job, I don't know.

[The Gauge]

A tape drive is a dedicated backup device that uses tape cassettes as an economical way of storing large amounts of data. But yeah, the compression setting it refers to is the hardware compression built into the tape drive. The only way you'll be able to compress the file is to do so once the backup is finished by running the image through an external compressor like WinRAR. You can expect it to take a long time, though.

Or, you could use a program like Stomp Backup MyPC... it compresses, verifies, spans across multiple CD/DVD/RW. Finest backup program I've come across to date.

[MagicMan]

  Verbose. said:

A tape drive is a zip disk. You could compress it using WinRAR instead of backup utility. In fact, WinRAR may do a better job, I don't know.

Generally when backup software refers to tape - it means something like DDS (zip disk is basically what it says. A DISK :p )

If all you are doing is backing up data rather than OS files, and depending on the size and amount of it, it may be easier to just archive it to DVD or CD (or even another hard disk)

[wolverine_brasil]

OK .. So I guess that WinXP Backup utility will not be as useful to me as I throught.

Can you indicate a backup software that: compress the image, accepts incremental backup and it's possible to schedule tasks? Stomp Backup MyPC?

I'd rather a free software ...

Thx

[erp]

I recommend that you start using a disk imaging program for backup. You need a CD or DVD burner or a network/external drive. Try Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image. A disk image copies not only your data, but windows itself. It is the only legal and viable way AFAIK to backup the Windows operating system with your settings and preferences at the same time.

Neither are free though, either are worth the money to buy. Members here will argue about which is better, True Image or Ghost, but I think I can safely say that a disk imaging program is a "must have".

Edited July 16, 2004 by erp

[wolverine_brasil]

Well .. Tnx

I already use DriveImage for do that ... But I wanted some software that allows incremental backup

Here's what I'm going to do: use DriveImage for Windows and configs and use WinXP Backup Utility for my docs.

[erp]

  wolverine_brasil said:

Well .. Tnx

I already use DriveImage for do that ... But I wanted some software that allows incremental backup

Here's what I'm going to do: use DriveImage for Windows and configs and use WinXP Backup Utility for my docs.

True Image 7.0 has incremental back up to rewritable media, and allows scheduled backup from inside windows(you don't have to reboot) It is better than Ghost or DriveImage IMO. I use True Image to backup my windows 2.5gig partition onto 2 CD-Rs to restore wondows and I also use it to back up my 76 gig partitiion of data/downloads/mp3s to a USB harddrive.

[Banzai]

How well will winRAR work with backup files from NTBackup ?

[erp]

I wish someone would write a good guide about this and put it in the essential guides forum.

[Bearded Kirklander]

I prefer to use GHOST because that way I don't have to reformat and install Windows to access the backups. I have Ghost on a boot floppy and the images on my 2nd drive. Works great.