Think I'm about to get ripped off?

[PEV]

Thanks guys

I am now lookiing at getting something done!

Something else has been on my mind for a while which is that this PC 'HP Pavillion' Has several options under 'PC help and tools'

Such as HP Application recovery, Recovery CD-DVD creator, HP Recovery tools CD, HP system recovery and System restore'

I have fiddled with these but have done nothing due to the lack of confidence in what I would be doing and one or two warnings such as 'do you really want to start this aplication also would I need an installation disc which of course I can't find?'

So before I get started in using the external hard drive to copy/mirror my PC am I presuming rightly that there is/may be an option to use the tools I just described instead provided all the components are there (and I don't think they are all there?)

I'm sure you guys are already aware of these accessories in my programmes menu but thought I'd run it past you.

Ray

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Ray, one thing I will mention is the option you mention " Recovery CD-DVD creator" This should have been done when you first got the computer, but never to late to do so now. It is straightforward to do, you just need a blank DVD and to put it in the drive when prompted. All the other recovery tools mentioned do to some extent depend on that disk having been created.

It is the same as having the old manufacturers recovery disk that you used to get along with the computer, and returns the machine back to factory condition if used fully.

 

Because that disk hasn't yet been created, is why you can't find an installation disk, as the disk you create by that recovery disk creator is the modern equivalent.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

Also - before you create an image of the drive - do you wish to create more than 1 partition on the hard drive ?

[PEV]

Nev

I have some blank DVD's which were purchases to make copy of old video tapes using the Panasonic digital recorder we have for recording/playing TV programmes or tapes/CD etc.

The DVD is -R which I believe makes it OK for one of copying but not repeat use?

The DVD is 4.7GB and also says 120 min video speed 1x 16x.

I have several od these blank DVD are they what I could use or do I need a different type or quality?

Thanks

[PEV]

Hi again Ken (Itrust you will see my seperate reply to Nev)

As regards partitioning the drive I am not sure whether to partition it or not to be honest?

If you already explained previously sorry but can you explain if partitioning is desirable and why?

Whatever I do I will need help so will be in you good folk's hands so simplest is best for me.

I certainly dont have heavy use of my PC (only 27GB of 70 GB drive in use) but do have some files in my Docs that would be a problem replacing/reproducing so would partitioning be needed - like I say please advise.

Ray

[KenB]

can you explain if partitioning is desirable and why?

It is not necessary - but if you have a lot of photos say ......it is just tidier.

 

It is used more when installing an Operating System. The OS is put on one partition and the other could be used for backups.

If the OS subsequently goes corrupt then it is a simple job to re-install without touching the backups.

[Plastic Nev]

Regarding the DVD disks you have, yes one, or it may need two, of those will be ideal for the job, for an important disk like that you don't want it to be a re-writeable one, as it may inadvertantly get wiped by something else.

 

Nev.

[PEV]

Thanks

When I have some spare time will be asking for help in the recovery disc field and also with copying to the external hard drive.Are you and Ken up for it when the time comes?

Ray

[KenB]

I'm away for the next month Ray - so will pass this to Nev :)

[PEV]

anywhere nice or is it work related or both anyway enjoy. -Ray

[KenB]

anywhere nice

Off to a wedding then to France for a few weeks :)

[PEV]

Hi Nev

I am looking to create the rescue/back up disks mentioned in the recent discussions between you Ken B and me.

I also have bought an external HD as described in my posts which I presume will be used as another form of back up.

If you are willing to help me with this how/when can we go about this please?

Ray

[RandyL]

Hi PEV.

Since you have a HP Pavillion you might need more than two disks. HP tends to have a lot of bundled software. Although there are a number of disk types that will work I use DVD-R.

 

If yours is like mine go to Start>All Programs. You will see a folder named Recovery Manager. Inside you should see Recovery Disk Creation.

 

Click on that to start it then follow the easy prompts. It will examine the disks to make sure they are the right type. It's very easy to do.

[PEV]

Hi Randy

Thanks for your help will try this tomorrow

[PEV]

Hi Nev

I'm looking at getting some recovery discs formatted at the suggestion of Randyl. I shall be trying this out this evening.

However I also want to get my sysytem backed up on the external HD I have purchased and as Ken has 'passed this in your direction here I am!' So if we can get something started in near future would be great if you are willing.

Thanks

Ray

[PEV]

Guys, I just tried to start the recovery disc creation process.

I got as far as when the message says '7 blank disc required' do you want to continue'

First stupid question but suspect will not be the last I ask!

Does 7 blank disc mean seven blank discs required or is it just stage 7 in the process? Until I know I won't continue as I only have 6-R DVD's at the moment and dont want to run out of CD's. Can anyone advise please urgently?

Thanks

ray

[Plastic Nev]

Hi Ray, I am afraid this a yes, you may need 7 blank disks, however the system may be saying that as it may just be looking for CD disks, which can only store a maximum of 700MB. I hope it can recognise and use DVD disks as they hold a whopping 4.7GB. Ordinary DVD -R or +R are not too expensive though so I would obtain some more before going further, just in case it is meaning 7 DVD disks.

 

To be sure you have all you need, obtain some more DVD disks, plus a stock of ordinary CD disks just in case. If they aren't used now, they can be kept for future use for when you need to share photo's or music with friends or family. Besides which you will need a disk for the creation of a boot disk as part of the system image creation, that is necesary should the system image be needed to be used.

 

As far as the full system image is concerned, we will go down that road once we are sure the recovery disks are happily created. saves confusion if we stick to one thing at a time.

 

Nev.

[PEV]

Thanks Nev

The 6 DVD's I have are all 4.7GB and are -R type.

If I go ahead with formatting and hope the 6 DVD's are enough are there any pitfalls?

For instance if there is not enough space and formatting is incomplete will it be possible to start again once extra discs are obtained. I have seen a warning that this operation can only be done once.

Also the 'ordinary' disc you mention for the 'boot disc' what spec do I need to buy for this and how many?

Dont know if this is relevant but my entire Hard Drive capacity is only 69.3GB and only 27.5GB is currently in use.

If you can let me have these answers would be great and thanks for your help.

Ray

[RandyL]

Do not continue if you don't have enough disks.

 

Do you have a dvd burner or just a cd burner? Some older computers have a dvd drive that can only read, not write.

 

You need the right disks that you can write to. DVD or CD.

[PEV]

Hi Randy

It says on the box/tower it has a CD Writer 48x.

Does this mean that the DVD -R are no use and I will have to use loads of ordinary CD's?

Ray

[RandyL]

That's what it sounds like. I thought that may be the case when you said you needed 7 disks.

[Plastic Nev]

Indeed I agree with Randy, I hadn't thought to ask about the drive, forget trying DVD blanks of any sort unless you intend upgrading the drive to a DVD write drive, which may not be worth it for that machine, up to you of course.

 

The disks for the later to be done system image only need to be CD R so no problem there.

 

A pack of ten blank CD R disks are cheap enough and should only cost a couple of £. A pack of 25 disks I found for £4 from Amazon.

 

Nev.

[PEV]

guys I really am off the idea of doing a recovery Disc due to the apparent massive number of CD's and time needed.

I have found this on another forum (US based I believe)

Am I wrong or will I be able to mirror image using one of these software options?

Is this the answer and if yes can someone shadow me when I try to do it or even better do any of you have different methods to do this?

 

 

Courtesty of Elvandi Tech Support Guy Forum

"Mirror Image" of your whole PC, including Windows, all your programs, files, settings, etc. is actually very easy. Probably easier than trying to make sure you don't forget something when backing up.

You probably have a recovery partition on your PC that can be used instead of the DVD, if it is not damaged. But once you have a system image, and you are sure at least one copy is saved securely, you could delete the recovery partition and add the space to your system.

 

If you try one of these programs, you will find out pretty quickly what partitions are on your drive because it will ask you to choose which to back up. (You might want to make one full disk image that includes everything and save it to DVD to serve as your "factory restore" in case you want to go all the way back to where you are now. But how you back up is up to you. Just be sure to back up somehow.http://b.tsgstatic.com/smilies/biggrin.gif)

 

 

 

 

Here i the list of software some free but will the free versions do the full job?? (says Ray not Elvandi)

 

Paragon Backup & Recovery 2012 (Recovery boot CD or USB key)

Macrium Reflect (Free)

O&O Disk Image Express or (mirror)

Easeus Todo Backup

Acronis True Image For WD (reduced, free version for WD drives - cloning and imaging)

Acronis True Image For Seagate (DiscWizard) (reduced, free version for Seagate drives - cloning and imaging)

ODIN (open-source)

Redo Backup & Recovery (Boot CD)

Clonezilla Live (A bootable CD of Debian with Clonezilla.)

Drive Image XML

PING (Partimage is not Ghost) (Boot CD with option Clam Antivirus)

Partition Saving

Clonezilla

Passmark OSFClone (Bootable, cloning only)

ImageX and GImageX (Geekware. Small images due to "single instancing" and allows partial, selected restore of image parts. Used by Microsoft to apply disk image to drive during "installation" of Windows 7.)

 

Thanks

Ray

 

.

[RandyL]

due to the apparent massive number of CD's and time needed.

A couple of dollars, 30 minutes and just a few clicks.

 

I've never used mirror images before but you will need an external drive or maybe 70 or 80 disks to mirror a 40 Gb hard drive. The time will be considerably longer of course.

 

I do have a complete backup on an external drive but I've never had the need to use it. My personal opinion is it's always best to have the recovery or installation disks. If your backup image or external drive fails all you'll have left is a very expensive paper weight.

 

Some of what you are looking at is not what you want. I advise you to do first things first then move on to more complicated backup options.

 

Also backing up to the existing drive is not a good option. If the drive fails, all will fail sooner or later, your backup is worthless. You will need to reinstall to a new drive.

[PEV]

Thanks Randy

Of the list I showed on my last post I have looked at http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp would you say this could be the one to use and if so would I need to buy a version or is the free one adequate?

I presume I would use this software to miror my PC onto my external HD which is 120GB and my PC HD is 80GB according to the label on the tower.

I don't mind paying but as I hardly know what I'm doing I don't want to waste money on something that no use so hope you can advise?

Also looking ahead. When I get the right software to get the mirror onto the external HD will I just hook up a usb cable and follow supplied instructions or is it more difficult?

Ray