Best Way To Back Up Data

So im buying Vista Ultimate and a 320GB hard drive and i was wondering whats the best way to back up my data. i was thinking of using my first HD (120gb) and having two partitions then using one for the OS and then the other to back up my programs and applications while i make a another partition on the 320GB HD to back up my documents and media such as music and videos. would this be good? also how big should i make the OS partition, i was thinking of having like 50GB each i know know you dont get to use the full 120GB the usable space might be a bit bigger, is 50GB for the OS too much?

 

The main data that usually needs to be backed up are:
- "My Documents" (where there are docs, pics, music, etc..)
- your "Downloads"-ish folder (where you saved you installation files for programs, drivers, etc.)

You can use freeware synchronization programs like Microsoft SyncToy or Karen's Replikator:
- create a folder pair (one from your source location, the other to the second location)
..... Example: (1) My Documents on Primary HDD, and (2) a new My Documents on a Secondary HDD

Then your data will copy itself from one location to the other without RAID... and it even synchronizes the files
(just in case if you updated something on the source My Documents, the program will only copy over new or updated files over to the secondary location)

Very easy and good way to create data redundancy... even for external flash drives or external HDDs.

 

right thanx + rep ill give it a go.
if im doing a backup of my programs into the 120GB hard drive would it be a good idea to make it so that the downloads folder is backup there as well?

 

you cannot really backup your programs (the ones in the Program Files)... they are not standalone programs... they will not run correctly if you try to run them without correctly installing them (which is required fro Windows to associate those programs with configurations, registry inputs, file types, etc..)

So you should mainly back up stand-alone or independent files (like documents, pics, music/video files.... that are dependent on their locations or programs used).

Installation executables (.EXE's) or their compress forms (zip, rar, 7z, etc...) are the files that you want to back up since they will be able to unpack and properly install the program/driver again if needed.

 

right okay thanx would give rep again for making so clear that even I could understand it but i gave ya rep already

is there away to back up the .exes into a single folder?

 

I usually make a Downloads folder on my C: Drive, then inside of that I categorize the types of programs, like:
- Audio & Video Stuff
- Drivers
- Graphics & Web Stuff
- Games Stuff
- OS & Misc
.... etc....

Then in each of those folders, I make sure to have the EXE's, ZIP's, RAR's, etc.... of installation programs or tools that I am currently using.

Then when I want to look for them, I know where to look.

You just have to start doing a bit of organization, thats all.

Then backing up is a cinch.

 

okay i hope a clean install will help remove unwanted / uneeded files. is the .exe the only thing required? unless i got the program from a .rar or .zip file?

 

When I say the EXE.... I do not mean the EXE of the program after you installed it.

I am talking about the Installation file(s) before.... which is independent of any other programs.... and can be copied/backed-up to a external storage and can be used to even install in another PC.

DO NOT make the mistake of backing up the EXEs of the already installed programs in the Program Files folder.

Honestly, the easiest way is to have the CDs/DVDs of the programs that you like to use.... which have all the installation files on them for you.

Misconceptions (that I have experienced):
Some people still do not grasp this concept and end up screwing themselves over when:

1) they back up the Program Files folder (or the stuff within) and wonder why those programs do not work when they are copied back after a clean install

2) they actually install all programs and files into one directory/location to supposedly make it easy to back up... same result as above (but much messier)

3) they think this is back in the DOS or Windows 3.1 days when programs were standalone and does not require Windows configs, registry entries, or file associations.

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These are all true occurrences and not myths... some people today that I have come across, still believe this crap.... usually due to a moron tech that told them "thats how to do it"... BS.

 

yeah i knew what you meant. what if i downloaded the App could i just save it to a disk?

 

Yes... save it to a location where you would know where to find it... for backup and such..... like in a Downloads folder that I suggested.

 

okay thanx will do that