Backup Windows 98 version 2

[Island Boy]

Hi folks, could someone please walk me through a complete backup of my computer. I've been using it for 4 months and haven't done a proper backup. In trying to backup, the whole thing goes to my hard drive, which I would delete afterward. When I print the job report, it shows 5 errors and 5 warnings, each with a brief statement. I don't know why this is so, and how to put backup on CDs. Thanks for your help.

[kayofcircles]

Welcome to the forum, Island Boy. Need some more info. What software are you using to "backup"? The reason I ask is that when I first got my puter, I tried to backup by using the M$ backup included in 98. Did get the backup onto a CD, but wasn't a "bootable" CD. There is software for that purpose..backing up to CD. My husband did a backup last Sunday using Norton's Ghost..do you have a program like that?

Edit: It doesn't hurt to also get your work files onto CD on a regular basis..or floppies work fine for text files. Backing up the whole system is nice, but making sure that all your essential stuff is backed up separately means also that you can take those files to another puter in case your current one sticks its little feet up in the air someday.

[This message has been edited by kayofcircles (edited 04-09-2002).]

[Dazman]

Are you using a CD-RW? a tape drive etc.

There are loads of ways to back up, you can back-up just important files, or you can back up a complete partition or even hard-drive.

The best and most stable way to back up is to use a program like Nortons Ghost or Drive-image. These programs make exact clone of your drive, and restore it when needed. Ghost is easier to use, and of very good reputation.
Make sure you scan for viruses and errors before back up, as you dont want to restore a corrupted clone to a fresh Harddrive.

Good luck

[Island Boy]

Thanks much to Kayofcircles and Dazman for your help so far. I don't have Norton Ghost installed (I have Norton AntiVirus installed and the puter vendor gave me a brand new disc that has Norton AntiVirus, Norton personal firewall and Norton Ghost), but only the AntiVirus is installed, which is version 2002, whereas the one with the other programs is version 2001. The program I used for backup is found in Programs>accessories> system tools>Backup. Being the newbie that I am, I didn't know when to place the disc in the unit -- and the program doesn't prompt you to do so. Yes, my cd's are rw, but I never used any. And though I have this disc with the 3 progs, I even don't know how to install it! Also I read somewhere that it could cause a problem if you install a program that is already installed(?). Anyway, thanks and any further help would be much appreciated.

[kayofcircles]

Don't know about installing program over itself, but if you go to Start..Settings..Control Panel..Add/Remove Programs..on that first screen in Add/Remove, you should find a list of all the programs that are currently installed. If Ghost is on the list, you don't need to install it again. If it isn't on the list, if you put the CD in (and have AutoRun enabled), a screen should pop up asking what you want to do..and you should be able to select "install Ghost" or something similar to that. I wouldn't install the AV since you already have it. Symantec has good articles and support pages with the search starting on this page (http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/consumer.html) where you fill in the product you need help on.

A good tutorial to using Ghost to backup with is here at Radified (http://ghost.radified.com/ghost_1.htm).

I was about to post this very good Windows 98 tips and tricks (http://www.windows-help.net/windows98/all-tips.shtml), but just realized I have no idea which windows you have? I know I am assuming 98 because we looked for the backup utility in ME and it wasn't there. But you know what they say about assumptions. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

PS. When checking my links in this post to be sure they work, I noticed a small blue tutorial link at Symantec. Select tutorial (http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/tutorials.html). I LIKE tutorials..ones with text and pictures are my favorites.

[This message has been edited by kayofcircles (edited 04-10-2002).]

[Island Boy]

Good morning to you Kayofcircles and Dazman. I am very thankful to youall for all the good info you have provided. Yes Kayofcircles, you have figured correctly, I am running windows 98 version 2. I haven't checked out all you have sent yet, but I feel sure that it will help me to get the job done well. Many thanks again for all your efforts. Island Boy

[kayofcircles]

Realized later that you had put "Backup Windows 98" in your title..so wasn't completely off top of my head. And you're most welcome. Do remember to turn off AntiVirus when installing any new program. And I repeat something I said above..I strongly recommend saving your essential files onto a CD or floppy. Backups are nice, but being able to take your essentials to another puter if necessary is nicer still. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[ErnieK]

Hi Island boy
I use an old version of Ghost (5c) and to install it I have to drag it over to the root of the C drive. This may have changed with the newer versions of ghost, but if you cannot find an install option this is what you will have to do.
With (newer)ghost(s) you will need either a seperate partition or CD-R(W) drive. When you use it, it images your exactly your complete set-up. It can be a life saver in normal cicumstances and you have to reinstall. Just be certain to defrag (If drive is fragmented when image is made this fragmentation is coppied into image file) your drive and install all your software and drivers before you make image.
Also remember to check the image file after making it. If you need to re-install it it will only take about 10-15 minutes to have your system up and running again.

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Ernie

[Island Boy]

Hi Kayofcircles, how are you. Could you pls tell me how to imbed (is that the right word(?) a page in your message, the way you sent me those useful information pages re backup. I posted a msg re my problems with signing on; it has not been resolved yet, but in a Microsoft Help Troubleshooting site, I saw the exact same error msg that is messing up my sign-on and how to deal with it. But I felt that maybe someone more experienced should advise me before I try it. Pls help, Thanks. Island Boy

[kayofcircles]

I need to go check your other post because not real sure what you're talking about regarding that..and will in a minute. To answer what I understand you're asking..when you go to the post window, there is a little icon off to the left that looked like a globe or blue marble with glasses (eyeglasses) in front of it. If you click on that..you get (URL=http://][/URL)..except brackets on both ends rather than the parenthesis I am using now so that it doesn't try to "work." I have a bunch of links saved up in my Favorites folder, so I click on the one I want to post in my message here, the page loads, I right click up on address, choose Copy, then go Back to message, click just inside the first set of brackets on the right side, backspace until I get to the = sign (because otherwise you will have two sets of "http://" and link won't work), and either click on Paste or use ControlV on the keyboard, and then it looks like this " (URL=http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/002112.html][/URL)" so then, I use the mouse and click between the two sets of brackets and write something like "your thread here". And so what appears onscreen is your thread here (http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/002112.html) I am memory challenged..many of our other regulars just type in the code for this..and that sounds easier if one can remember the "code". http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[This message has been edited by kayofcircles (edited 04-12-2002).]

[borgdrone1of2]

hello
when useing norton ghost and copying to cd,s do they have to be made bootable. ive been to radified and read the pfd thats with ghost ive got all the dos comands down pat. but i could not be absolutly sure if they all had to be bootable or just one cd
ive got 2.75 gigs to copy.
if some one could give me a definate answer on this it would be most grately apperceated.
thank you
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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resistance is invigorateing lol

[Paleo Pete]

so I click on the one I want to post in my message here, the page loads, I right click up on address, choose Copy...

Kay:If you already know what page you want to use without having to see it you can also right click the link in Favorites, click Properties and copy the URL from there without having to wait for the page itself to load. I use that method a lot, it's not fun waiting for webpages to load all night at 26,400...

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[kayofcircles]

Thanks, Pete . I didn't even know I could do that. It's amazing to me sometimes how the "little" things you learn can save you SO much time. Sometimes I look back and wander how I got anything done when I was doing it the hard, slow way..lol. This is tacky of me, but it's kind of nice to know that someone else here is still slogging along at 26,400.

borgdrone1of2: I think they are bootable, but honestly, I will need to ask my husband and get back to you. I "think" he put in one of the floppies while booting up, then chose to Restore from the Ghost CD, but I am not sure. We have a friend who was trying to do the Ghost thing last night..and he ran up against the problem of it saying he was going to need 8 CDs, so he stopped there. Husband going to check today and make sure the guy has the compression stuff turned on..but thought I should mention it.