PC is being a bitch

[emuler]

A complete backup is a true copy of your entire hard disk. Ideally, you should do this when you format your hard disk and install everything from scratch (known as a clean install), so you know that everything is in a known good working state.

If your system goes belly up, you simply replace everything on your hard disk with what is in the backup and you essentially get back to where you were at the moment you took the backup. Naturally, everything you have added to your hard disk after you took the backup will be lost.

Not a good idea to take a backup after time limited programs have been installed (like anti virus packages with annual subscriptions) as you'll have a bunch of expired programs when you restore from the backup.

A short explanation of partitions. Say you have a large room and shit hits the fan. You have to hose down the entire room. But if you had two rooms, and the mess happened in one of the rooms, then you only need to clean that room - everything in the other room is intact. [edit] Eww! Gross.

When a system gets infected or otherwise messed up, in 99.99% of the cases it is the C drive that gets it (the one that holds Windows). If C drive is all you have, everything is gone, but if you have partitions on your hard drive, e.g. C, D, ... etc. (not counting the CD/DVD drive which has a letter too, usually the last), then you only need to format the C partition and reinstall everything that was on it; all the data in the other partition(s) stays as it was.

Now this makes backups a lot easier. Unless you are very unlucky and the entire hard disk need to be replaced, you can get away with backing up just the C partition. After a clean install, the data on your hard disk will usually fit on a single DVD (not on Vista though, as that is a pig). So take a backup and label it with the date and everything, and keep it somewhere safe. This is your master - clean system backup.

[Debaser]

Right... OK, I think

A complete backup is a true copy of your entire hard disk. Ideally, you should do this when you format your hard disk and install everything from scratch (known as a clean install), so you know that everything is in a known good working state.

So basically I should back up the whole disk rather than just the partition my OS and programs are on?
I thought the idea with the partition was so I would be able to do a backup without worrying about my media files that are already backed up.

Also, are you saying that it is pointless doing a backup seeing as my install isn’t fresh?
I really don’t want to reinstall my OS now its running sweet just so I can back it up.

Not a good idea to take a backup after time limited programs have been installed (like anti virus packages with annual subscriptions) as you'll have a bunch of expired programs when you restore from the backup.

So with that in mind what type of backup should I be doing?
It doesnt sound much like I will be doing any kind of backup

I have a feeling this isn’t going to be as simple as I thought.

I still don’t understand the image thing, see question (3).

I assume I cant just copy and paste my OS and programs from the partition onto a nice neat external HDD, then some how stick it all back on my pc if something goes wrong again.

Thanks for your patients emuler!

[emuler]

Image is just another name for an exact copy. Don't let it throw you. Think 'mirror image'.

Personally I wouldn't backup anything but a clean system, but if you are happy to be able to get back to the state you are in right now, by all means take a backup of it. I like Acronis True Image, but there are others too.

I assume I cant just copy and paste my OS and programs from the partition onto a nice neat external HDD, then some how stick it all back on my pc if something goes wrong again.

That is exactly what taking a backup means, only there are thousands of files and hundreds of folders, some of which don't like being copied (access denied errors), so it is recommended that you use a software package that is specially designed to do it for you.

Later I shall introduce you to incremental backups.

[Debaser]

Personally I wouldn't backup anything but a clean system

That’s it then, so no point in doing any kind of back up until the next disaster then.

To be honest I was doubtful about people telling me I should backup my OS, I simply new it wouldn’t be straightforward, and in my case pointless as my install isn’t fresh.

Bugger!
They just don’t tell you these things do they!!

Later I shall introduce you to incremental backups.

LOL Gulp.
Probably no point as im not even going to be backing up my OS and progs like I thought I would be doing.

[emuler]

We'll continue this later. Right now you should be hanging out with horny teenagers tipsy on spiked eggnog. Don't forget to tell us all about it.

[ghost]

Thanks emuler for explaning. There isn't much to add.

@DB:
You really should make several partitions on your hdd.

One for just Windows ( C: ), one for installed programs, one for saved files (movies, music etc.)...

So, if your system crashes and you have to reinstall the bitch, your files still will be there.

[Debaser]

You really should make several partitions on your hdd.

I really don’t believe this.
Twice my PC has had problems and needed a complete reinstall.
The second time I had a complete reinstall it was suggested that I have a separate partition to put my OS & programs in.
That was suggested by more than a few people!

So this is how it stands -

Partition for OS & progs - 29.2GB

Partition for media - 300GB

Slave hard drive for more media - 250GB

So now im being told I need yet another partition.
Excuse me for being just little pissed off after thinking I was finally in the position to be able to back up my OS & programs.

Please lets just forget the idea because obviously whatever I do is not going to be enough.

Thanks for trying guys!

[emuler]

Partition for OS & progs - 29.2GB

Partition for media - 300GB

This is fine. No need to create more partitions (except for convenience, and if you want to try out another OS, e.g. Vista or Linux).

We didn't believe you had partitions on your HDD.

OK. Now get Acronis and backup your C drive (to DVD, external HDD or even on your D drive (300GB)). Now at least you'll be able to get back to where you are today. I know it is not ideal (I prefer a clean backup), but hey, it is better than nothing, right? You can look for software at STF. Avoid downloading software from links you found by searching ed2k or KAD - that's what got me into trouble.

[emuler]

Also, get into the habit of saving your files (documents, downloads, etc.) to appropriate folders on the big (non system) partition. You don't want anything on your C drive that can't be replaced. Windows, drivers, software you can download and reinstall - it is the personal stuff you'll regret losing.

If you don't wimp out on me, I'm going to get you to format and reinstall everything on your C drive. Once you get the hang of it, it is not so scary any more. I've done it literally hundreds of times over the years.

[plonkah]

DB - btw heard a song by the pixies today called debaser - who came first ??

Simple : C:drive = partition C = OS = back this up after clean install.
Any other partition you just back up to DVD, disk, USB drive whateva

Consider this - if you have anything dodgy on your PC, you can erase whetver you like but the ISP will confirm you downloaded it. So either risk it or dont go there.

Happy Xmas from ghosts of past, present and future !!!