Backup - Works with programs, too?

davidvkimball · Jan 18, 2013

I have an entire copy of my C drive on an external hard drive.

If I do a PC Reset, could I copy over all of my files to restore my programs?

I am having this problem: http://www.eightforums.com/bsod-cra...windows-8-constantly-crashing-recently-2.html

And I was wondering that, if I copied over the contents of my C drive to my reset computer, would that work/be a good idea?

fafhrd · Jan 18, 2013

Windows 8 Restore is the only method that will not affect the majority of your programs or data. Refresh will not affect data or apps obtained via the Windows store, or programs that came with Windows, but other downloaded or otherwise installed programs (and data stored with them) will need to be reinstalled. Reset wipes all data, apps and Windows files and installs Windows anew. Windows 8 upgrade likewise removes much of your prior system.
The best idea IMO is to set up your new install as you like it, and then prepare an Image of your system (in a wim file) which you can then reapply to your machine if Windows goes wrong in a way that restore will not correct it.

davidvkimball · Jan 18, 2013

Alright, thank you.

azasadny · Jan 19, 2013

I would not trust the "restore" or "refresh" as both failed me last weekend. I hope your experience with them is better than mine!

jimbo45 · Jan 19, 2013

Hi there
a bit late in the day - but once you get your computer working again take an image backup of the "C" and system partition using 3rd party backup / recovery software such as Macrium, Paragon, Acronis etc.

Then you can always restore if your Windows system gets corrupt -- these recovery programs can boot from a USB / ext HDD etc so you can wipe the partition and restore.

It's always a good idea to keep the OS / pgms on a separate partition and your data on other partitions or drives so in the event of a disk (partition) restore you don't lose your data.

I can tolerate the loss of the OS -- but DATA -- I'd hate to imagine myself ripping over 2,000 CD's again -even if I still had a lot of them plus re-creating a load of DVD movies and recovering e-books / music downloaded from various sources., and things like important work documents / presentations, scanned tax returns etc etc.

Backup is always a good idea -- Backup the OS regularly - while do your data at times to suit yourself.

Cheers
jimbo

KentC · Jan 20, 2013

Have you considered using "Windows Easy Transfer"? I would like to comment and add you shouldn't have a problem doing such. I recommend if you can find a working version of Norton Ghost 15. That would be very ideal for your situation. Or even just an simple 80 dollar external hdd, and making sure it's NTFS file system for the partition should be fine.

As for applications, you would need to copy the "Appdata" and "config" files to save your work. Usually something like .XML or similar config files and just do a reinstall with those imported should work no issue. Some files won't work unless they are installed with proper key or files in program files, so that's your choices there.

Mark Phelps · Jan 20, 2013

KentC said:
...As for applications, you would need to copy the "Appdata" and "config" files to save your work. Usually something like .XML or similar config files and just do a reinstall with those imported should work no issue. Some files won't work unless they are installed with proper key or files in program files, so that's your choices there.

IF you're suggesting doing this to backup applications, you're wasting their time! There's a lot of stuff hidden away in the registry (which is a collection of files) that is NOT going to be included when they do this.

There is literally no simple way to backup programs other than to do partition image backups.

davidvkimball · Jan 20, 2013

Basically how I did it was I have a 1TB backup drive that gives me an exact copy of my C drive (except for my Program Files). My HD in my computer is 750GB, so the hard drive more than accommodates for my system (and allows me some extra space for more movies...heh heh).

I use a client called Memeo Instant Backup which came free along with my Seagate GoFlex hard drive. It's worked well for me, I've used it many times. jimbo45, I did backup my OS regularly and that's why almost everything is stored!

For this case, I basically found a friend's Windows 8 DVD, used my key, and did a clean install of Windows 8 (two things: 1. I had originally purchased the digital download from MSFT's website and didn't have a disc, and 2. I made sure not to use reset or refresh, which have both failed me as well, azasadny). Then I used my backup drive to manually copy and paste the files back on to my system. Immediately I grabbed a USB drive, used Windows 7 DVD/USB tool and cloned the DVD (so essentially, I have a disc of Windows 8).

Now I'm in a bit of a rut, now that my files are restored (or most of them, anyway). Although all of my programs are almost back and re-installed, I'm afraid to start backing up with Memeo again. It takes a long time to back up, and I'm afraid if I delete my first back up, and begin backing up afresh, what if my system crashes mid-backup? Then I've potentially lost a considerable amount of data.

What do you all suggest I do?

Also, KentC, what are the advantages to using Windows Easy Transfer in lieu of Memeo Instant Backup? Would you have an idea?

slurp812 · Jan 20, 2013

jimbo45 said:
Hi there
a bit late in the day - but once you get your computer working again take an image backup of the "C" and system partition using 3rd party backup / recovery software such as Macrium, Paragon, Acronis etc.

Then you can always restore if your Windows system gets corrupt -- these recovery programs can boot from a USB / ext HDD etc so you can wipe the partition and restore.

It's always a good idea to keep the OS / pgms on a separate partition and your data on other partitions or drives so in the event of a disk (partition) restore you don't lose your data.

I can tolerate the loss of the OS -- but DATA -- I'd hate to imagine myself ripping over 2,000 CD's again -even if I still had a lot of them plus re-creating a load of DVD movies and recovering e-books / music downloaded from various sources., and things like important work documents / presentations, scanned tax returns etc etc.

Backup is always a good idea -- Backup the OS regularly - while do your data at times to suit yourself.

Cheers
jimbo

Yes, this is the best way to put everything back as it was. It does take time. I image every once in a while, just in case...

Backup - Works with programs, too?

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