Saving multiple images

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

I would like to save more than one system image on an external drive
partition set aside for that purpose, but Windows backup will not let me
save an image without overwriting the existing image. With 232 GB, I
have plenty of disk space for more than one image, even with the 30%
limit, which I'd also like to disable. Can anybody help?

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

I would like to save more than one system image on an external drive
partition set aside for that purpose, but Windows backup will not let me
save an image without overwriting the existing image. With 232 GB, I
have plenty of disk space for more than one image, even with the 30%
limit, which I'd also like to disable. Can anybody help?

Partition the external drive into two partitions and back up separately
to them. Or buy a second drive.

Here's a free way to do it:
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/index.php
There are others.

Mind you, I have never used or researched Windows Backup, so I am not
sure whether partitioning will work. I would expect so, but you never
know.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

Partition the external drive into two partitions and back up
separately to them. Or buy a second drive.

Here's a free way to do it: http://gparted.sourceforge.net/index.php
There are others.

Mind you, I have never used or researched Windows Backup, so I am not
sure whether partitioning will work. I would expect so, but you
never know.

There are a number of ways to work around the Windows backup
limitations. I was hoping there was some way to remove them through
settings. The most annoying is that Windows backup will not use more
than 30% of a drive for backups or images. That makes multiple
partitions for multiple images very inefficient. I will just have to
play with copying/renaming to see which is the most satisfactory.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

There are a number of ways to work around the Windows backup
limitations. I was hoping there was some way to remove them through
settings. The most annoying is that Windows backup will not use more
than 30% of a drive for backups or images. That makes multiple
partitions for multiple images very inefficient. I will just have to
play with copying/renaming to see which is the most satisfactory.

Little bits of info like this are why I end up using Macrium for image
backups and other SW for cloning (I use Casper, but I don't manage to
like it). I use paid versions of both.

There are free backup programs available, including a free version of
Acronis for images and EASEUS Disk Copy for clones.

Somehow, I am sure you knew about these programs

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

Little bits of info like this are why I end up using Macrium for
image backups and other SW for cloning (I use Casper, but I don't
manage to like it). I use paid versions of both.

There are free backup programs available, including a free version of
Acronis for images and EASEUS Disk Copy for clones.

Somehow, I am sure you knew about these programs

Oh, yes. I have free versions of both Macrium and Acronis. I prefer to
use included software, whenever possible. Less chance of incompatibility.

I don't really have a need for multiple images. I'd just like the
option. If I really want a permanently stored image, like prior to a SP
installation, I can always save it to DVD

 

[SC Tom]

Oh, yes. I have free versions of both Macrium and Acronis. I prefer to
use included software, whenever possible. Less chance of incompatibility.

I don't really have a need for multiple images. I'd just like the
option. If I really want a permanently stored image, like prior to a SP
installation, I can always save it to DVD

--
Crash

"The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion."
~ Arnold H. Glasow ~

Actually, the more you have the better. I save images on two different
external drives. Never know when one of them may decide to go belly up
Using Acronis True Image Home (paid version), I can make 2 images of each of
my 3 hard drives (two different PC's) between two and three hours. Not a big
deal to me- when one PC is being imaged, I just use the other. If I started
the backups from both PC's at the same time, then swapped external drive and
did it again, it would maybe take less time, but hey, I'm retired, I have
nothing but time- no phone, no money, no worries ;-)

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Actually, the more you have the better. I save images on two different
external drives. Never know when one of them may decide to go belly up
Using Acronis True Image Home (paid version), I can make 2 images of each of
my 3 hard drives (two different PC's) between two and three hours. Not a big
deal to me- when one PC is being imaged, I just use the other. If I started
the backups from both PC's at the same time, then swapped external drive and
did it again, it would maybe take less time, but hey, I'm retired, I have
nothing but time- no phone, no money, no worries ;-)

I'm smart and dumb, m'self.

I usually make a clone on one drive and an image on another - that's the
smart part.

I do this probably every 3-4 weeks on average. Guess which part that
is...

I have another drive which is large enough to get images from more than
one computer - but not often enough, even by my lax standards.

Tell ya what - I'll start a BU on that one right now.

 

[Dave \Crash\ Dummy]

Actually, the more you have the better. I save images on two
different external drives. Never know when one of them may decide to
go belly up Using Acronis True Image Home (paid version), I can
make 2 images of each of my 3 hard drives (two different PC's)
between two and three hours. Not a big deal to me- when one PC is
being imaged, I just use the other. If I started the backups from
both PC's at the same time, then swapped external drive and did it
again, it would maybe take less time, but hey, I'm retired, I have
nothing but time- no phone, no money, no worries ;-)

I am chronically unemployed. I don't have enough money to be retired.

What you are talking about are multiple copies of the same image. I am
talking about multiple images over time. Either is possible using any
number of third party programs, or even the Windows program, with
removable media. I just wondered if there was a way to loosen up the
Windows limitations. Apparently not.

 

[SC Tom]

I am chronically unemployed. I don't have enough money to be retired.

What you are talking about are multiple copies of the same image. I am
talking about multiple images over time. Either is possible using any
number of third party programs, or even the Windows program, with
removable media. I just wondered if there was a way to loosen up the
Windows limitations. Apparently not.
--
Crash

"In politics, stupidity is not a handicap."
~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

I got so fed up with Windows' backup programs from way back in NT that I
usually got a 3rd party one. The native ones never seemed to do what I
wanted, or required so much prerequisite work it wasn't worth it. Even on
the servers at work, we used something other than native backup. I know it's
a pain having to purchase one, but at <$30, ATI Home 2011 was a good deal
and does all that I need about as easy as it gets.