WinXP Pro and the backup utility

MoFunk

Diamond Member
Dec 6, 2000
4,058
0
0
Hello all, I have a question about the backup utility in Windows XP. I would like to use it to backup certain directoried of mine every night. I know how to set it up and schedule it, but what I would like to know is what is the best way to do it. I can choose normal, copy, incremental, differential, and daily. Then I have the choice of append and replace. So if I was to do a nightly backup of say the my documents folder, which is the best way to do this? Thanks for the help.
 

JetBlack69

Diamond Member
Sep 16, 2001
4,580
1
0
I would say incremental because that only backups the files that have changed since your last backup. I guess it all depends on how often your files change. I've never done this however, I backup using ghost.
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
76
www.ShawCAD.com
Originally posted by: MoFunk
Hello all, I have a question about the backup utility in Windows XP. I would like to use it to backup certain directoried of mine every night. I know how to set it up and schedule it, but what I would like to know is what is the best way to do it. I can choose normal, copy, incremental, differential, and daily. Then I have the choice of append and replace. So if I was to do a nightly backup of say the my documents folder, which is the best way to do this? Thanks for the help.

Dunno how XP's backup util works but I use Second Copy 2000

Sorry I'm not much help:p

CkG
 

MoFunk

Diamond Member
Dec 6, 2000
4,058
0
0
Thank you, I also use ghost for me OS and programs, but I have all my important data on a raid0 array (which is why I need to backup everynight). I have a lot or Word and Excel files that change daily, as well as pictures I download from my camera almost nightly.
 

lowtech1

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2000
4,644
1
0

NT backup work just fine if you don't need to backup active files, and same go for my all time favorite xcopy.
 

MoFunk

Diamond Member
Dec 6, 2000
4,058
0
0
Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
Originally posted by: MoFunk
Hello all, I have a question about the backup utility in Windows XP. I would like to use it to backup certain directoried of mine every night. I know how to set it up and schedule it, but what I would like to know is what is the best way to do it. I can choose normal, copy, incremental, differential, and daily. Then I have the choice of append and replace. So if I was to do a nightly backup of say the my documents folder, which is the best way to do this? Thanks for the help.

Dunno how XP's backup util works but I use Second Copy 2000

Sorry I'm not much help:p

CkG

I am going to download the 30 day trial and give it a whirl. Thanks.
 

Polo

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
4,185
0
0
Just do a complete backup Sunday, then a differential backup the other days.
differential backup = backup all the files that are different from the last complete backup. If a crash occurs, you just need to restore the complete + the last differential backup.

Incremental backup = backup all the files that are changed since the last incremental backup. If a crash occurs, you'll have to restore the last complete backup + all the incremental backups since the last complete backup...

Make your choice. ;)
 

MoFunk

Diamond Member
Dec 6, 2000
4,058
0
0
OK, let me try to put a handle on this so I make sure that I understand. On Sunday I should have a seperate backup job that does a complete backup and that will replace the previous backup file, then have a seperate daily incremental backup. Is this correct? Should the daily backup append to the file or replace. I am assuming it should append, but am probably wrong. Thanks.
 

soni

Diamond Member
May 29, 2000
4,222
0
0
Append if you do incremental since you want the complete backup + all incremental to restore

Replace if you do differential since you just need the complete backup + the latest differential
 

Smoke

Distributed Computing Elite Member
Jan 3, 2001
12,650
207
106
This is my routine:

I make use of the computers on my LAN for backup purposes. Since there are a total of nine computers - seven of which only do SETI I have no concerns about bothering other people. ;)

I make sure all of my important stuff is kept in folders in MY DOCUMENTS.

As often as I think it is important to do so I do a simple copy/paste of MY DOCUMENTS to one of the other LAN computers overwriting whatever may have been there.

I actually do this to no less than three of the LAN computers which I believe insures me against all perils except the total loss of my home and all contents. Now that would really be a lick. :(

I do a GHOST IMAGE of my HARD DRIVE to a secondary Hard Drive once a week.

I also do a GHOST IMAGE "Partition to Partition" on any computer I'm OCing. This has saved me lots of time when the OS crashes beyond repair. You don't have your computer OC-ed to its MAX if you haven't corrupted the OS at least once. ;) :D