Back up strategy?

[Stan]

Hello everyone, new member here.

I’ve been fortunate enough to get a “refurbished” IBM T42, unfortunately it has no hidden re- installation partition, just an IBM OS/ software load.

Should the operating system fail, I have a full copy of Windows XP that is still sealed, so no problem there. The prospect of having to re-install Windows plus all the IBM drivers and software doesn’t appeal to me if there is a way to do a back up with the equipment I have to hand instead.

I have a USB floppy drive on the way and that would allow me to use either (or both) IBM’s R&R software or Windows ASR tool.

I may need to replace the hard drive in the Thinkpad at some point too.

What do members think would be the best strategy for backing up my machine under the circumstances?

Thank you.

[mgo]

Hello everyone, new member here.

I’ve been fortunate enough to get a “refurbished” IBM T42, unfortunately it has no hidden re- installation partition, just an IBM OS/ software load.

Should the operating system fail, I have a full copy of Windows XP that is still sealed, so no problem there. The prospect of having to re-install Windows plus all the IBM drivers and software doesn’t appeal to me if there is a way to do a back up with the equipment I have to hand instead.

I have a USB floppy drive on the way and that would allow me to use either (or both) IBM’s R&R software or Windows ASR tool.

I may need to replace the hard drive in the Thinkpad at some point too.

What do members think would be the best strategy for backing up my machine under the circumstances?

Thank you.

Can't say enough for Acronis as an imaging program. Fast and reliable. Also, I keep my Documents on a separate partition, so should I need to restore things the operating system and documents can be done separately. (Images are smaller that way)

If you just want to use one partition (C:\) that will still work. I image over to an external USB hard drive and it works great.

Only takes 20 minutes or less to backup or to restore. Create a separate boot CD out of Acronis in case your drive becomes inaccessable due to failure, or to migrate over to another drive.

Even if you use just the one partition. a separate backup program for your documents like RoboCopy or Syncback is -the- way to go.

[Stan]

Thanks for the input mgo, I’ve seen the Acronis software held in high regard in several posts.

My problem is that I’m physically disabled and receive a subsistence income from the state (for which I am very grateful), therefore I don’t have the cash resources to take advantage of some of the additional software and hardware that may make backing up my Thinkpad less of a chore.

The purchase of the T42 represents the outlay of a months income for me, so I have to budget very carefully for further purchases.

I have to make do and mend. I can network the ThinkPad to my ageing desktop, it has some spare capacity, if that helps. But extra commercial software would be a problem for me.

[ulrich.von.lich]

The ThinkVantage R&R also allows you to create full HDD images and it's free for ThinkPad owners. The image files can be stored on different sorts of media (Ultrabay/USB HDDs, CD/DVDs etc)

If you want to clone your current HDD to a new one, I would also recommend Acronis True Image 11. It's free for 30 days and you'll probably only need 30 minutes to complete the task.

I hope it helps!

[mgo]

Thanks for the input mgo, I’ve seen the Acronis software held in high regard in several posts.

My problem is that I’m physically disabled and receive a subsistence income from the state (for which I am very grateful), therefore I don’t have the cash resources to take advantage of some of the additional software and hardware that may make backing up my Thinkpad less of a chore.

The purchase of the T42 represents the outlay of a months income for me, so I have to budget very carefully for further purchases.

I have to make do and mend. I can network the ThinkPad to my ageing desktop, it has some spare capacity, if that helps. But extra commercial software would be a problem for me.

In addition to Urlich's suggestions, you could use RoboCopy for document backup to your other machine. RoboCopy comes free in Windows Vista. It can also be used on XP, and I would be happy to send you the tiny file for that if you like, no charge, as it was free to me from another forum member here. It involves creating simple batch files to use, and I could include a couple of examples.

No virus...I'm a known member here.

Or, you could download the excellent freeware version of Syncback which is easy to use and super-reliable and fast.

[Stan]

@ Ulrich.von.lich and mgo,

Thank you for your very sound advice, I downloaded Acronis True Image and created a back up on a hidden partition that can be restored at boot using the F11 key.

This is exactly what I needed and will save a great deal of trouble if disaster strikes.

Acronis True Image is remarkable software, when I have some spare cash I intend to buy the full version, I'm that impressed with what I've seen in the trial version.

I am very grateful for your help.

[carbon_unit]

If you are looking for a free cloning program you could try Clone-Maxx. It doesn't seem to work with SATA drives but that isn't a problem for you. I haven't used this program yet so I cannot comment on how well it works. I just discovered it a few days ago.
I usually use Acronis True Image and I know it works well.

[Stan]

Hello carbon_unit,

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check out Clone-Maxx. Acronis True Image seems very capable, I doubt I've even scratched the surface of its capabilities yet.

May I ask if you are the same carbon_unit I have spoken to on the Xandros and PCLinuxOS forums? Perhaps just a coincidence, but I have to ask.

[Nick Y]

Does the hidden partition show up on a T42? It shows on the T43 but not on the T41, and it is there as it had to be used last year. I'm not sure how you tell whether it is there or not. I think that pressing the blue Access IBM button at the start brings up the option to do a complete system reinstall, but I may well be wrong here; others will clarify or give a better answer.

I think that the important point, though, is that all it does is a complete system reinstall; all personal files being lost for good.

My strategy is as follows:

On the T43 I use Acronis to do a complete backup of the C drive at the beginning of every month; sometimes more frequently. The back up goes directly to an external drive, so is safe in case of a complete h/d crash. (I had to use this months only a few days ago due to an error on my part!) As each Acronis file is about 15GB, I then delete the file from the previous month. Acronis saves everything and individual files can be extracted very easily!

I also use the free application Syncback to do a back up of several selected personal data folders* to separate 'backup' folder each morning on the C drive. I then copy the 'back up' folder to a partition on the external drive every week or so.

* Data backed up includes Outlook pst file; 'my docs'; bookmark files; etc.

[carbon_unit]

Hello carbon_unit,

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check out Clone-Maxx. Acronis True Image seems very capable, I doubt I've even scratched the surface of its capabilities yet.

May I ask if you are the same carbon_unit I have spoken to on the Xandros and PCLinuxOS forums? Perhaps just a coincidence, but I have to ask.

If you already have Acronis then forget about clone-maxx.
Yep, The same carbon_unit, Unless someone is impersonating me.

[ThaDon]

I am personally using, Acronis True Image. Works a dream and infact was a life saver last week when the laptop tripped up.

Recommend it for its simplicity, speed and doing what it says!

[Stan]

Hello carbon_unit,

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check out Clone-Maxx. Acronis True Image seems very capable, I doubt I've even scratched the surface of its capabilities yet.

May I ask if you are the same carbon_unit I have spoken to on the Xandros and PCLinuxOS forums? Perhaps just a coincidence, but I have to ask.

If you already have Acronis then forget about clone-maxx.
Yep, The same carbon_unit, Unless someone is impersonating me.

It just goes to prove how small the World really is!

Nice to read you again.

[carbon_unit]

It just goes to prove how small the World really is!

Nice to read you again.

I have seen a few other Xandrosians pass through here in the past. It is good to see you again.