Computer

[I'm Gone 60]

I bought a 40GB external harddrive to do a backup of my C drive. I ran the Windows Backup and selected to copy all files and folder with no compression. The C drive properties shows 5.19 GB as being used, but the Backup file is only 3.75GB. So what gives? Why over a GB difference in the amount of data?

[flipside 0]

It most likely didn't back up the page file or any of the temp files you have on your HD.

[I'm Gone 60]

It most likely didn't back up the page file or any of the temp files you have on your HD.

Temp files I understand. Page file you lost me. So bottom line, you think I am covered if I get a virus or harddrive goes bad to restore things?

[Fuzzness 2]

You're probly ok

[yogib37 3]

I bought a 40GB external harddrive to do a backup of my C drive. I ran the Windows Backup and selected to copy all files and folder with no compression. The C drive properties shows 5.19 GB as being used, but the Backup file is only 3.75GB. So what gives? Why over a GB difference in the amount of data?

try a restore. It lists the files so you can check which files you had backed up.

You should be fine. also maybe did not actuly backup the windows directory.

yogi

[cmartyn 0]

Windows backup wont back up anything it cant get a lock on. THat would include your paging file which can be quite large. Its normally the same size as the physical memory or RAM you have installed in your PC. If you have 512MB of RAM then the paging file is most likely at least as large (1/2 gig). Other files, like your registry are normally not backed up either. You can not do a system restore from those types of backups. They are basically made to backup your data files in case of disaster. If your computer was stolen or its hard drive crashed you would need to repair or replace your computer and then reinstall all of your applications. Then you would just restore the data files you backed up such as spreadsheets, word processing documents, quicken or money data files etc. Some applications like Microsoft project and Microsoft outlook require specific backup strategies beyond a simple file backup operation.

[aussiewench 9]

When I want to do a backup of my entire system, I 'Ghost' it, which gives a complete 100% copy of everything and also saves having to reload all the programs etc that I have if and after I have a system crash or virus.

[Toledospod 0]

When I want to do a backup of my entire system, I 'Ghost' it, which gives a complete 100% copy of everything and also saves having to reload all the programs etc that I have if and after I have a system crash or virus.

That's what I would do as well if I wanted to backup my hard drive. Use something like Norton Ghost.

[I'm Gone 60]

OK thanks. I guess I will pick up the Norton program.