Backing up my files

11 years ago

I am using Windows 7. I want to back up my My Documents folder and my My Pictures folder. Both have many sub-folders.

I tried doing it through Control Panel, Backup Your Computer -- I configured it to "backup files in libraries and personal folders". Anyhow, it was taking forever, kept asking me insert another CD, and was copying everything from C:\owner on. Don't really care to backup my desktop settings, downloads, contacts, etc... -- just My Documents and My Pictures.

Anyhow, so instead, I went to explorer and selected all the My Documents files and burned them to a CD. Fine, except it did not keep the directory structure.

What is the best way to do this? BTW, everything in My Documents did fit in a CD. All of my pictures do not so I was thinking of using a flashdrive for this.

In the future, I am thinking I should by an external hard drive and back up using the Windows backup function (c:\owner).

Appreciate any help. My last PC was a laptop that quit booting up one day so I really want to prepared if something happens.

Comments (12)

mikie_gw
11 years ago
Remote hard drive probably is one of the best methods with windows making scheduled backups.

You could go to C:\users\YOURNAME\my documents .. or pictures folder .. and send those to DVD(about 4.5gb) or if small to a cd CD. Perhaps your DVD drive does DVD-RW read/write reuseable dvd discs.. might be nice.

8 or 16gb usb thumb drives are nice for personal file backups, but not really large enough for a system image of the whole drive. But you have to remember to make timely backups !!

Personally I prefer a 2nd internal hard drive for backups for a desktop.. much faster backups plus they are cheap for big so you can stick other stuff on them too.

,... or something I have learned to rely on...
I dont know how big your picture folder is.. but dropbox will work for an online back up easily. 2gb free and its all automated.. just install the program and tell it which folders you want listed with dropbox. Files and changes get copied to an online server/computer almost instantly.

If your computer dies or is stolen .. just install dropbox on your new computer with same account login/password .. like magic those files will download and reappear in the proper folders.

Here is a link that might be useful: DropBox 2gb free, (refferal link = .5gb additional free space)
emma
11 years ago
I bought an external hard drive and just copied and pasted them to the HD. I bought an HP Simple Save.
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Hi, Mikie. Thanks. I guess I will look for a 1.5TB drive (unless I don't find any with very good reviews - I know I've seen some 1 TB drives that get great reviews for around $100). I know I have one open sata port (I did have my computer open last week to take my Tivo original hard drive and copy it to a new 1TB hard drive - with all the snafus this 1- 1/2 hr. project took 8 hours on Saturday - and on and off all Sunday to complete). There is definitely a bay for a second hard drive. I had 2 sata ports but just added an esata cable so I'm using one of those now. I definitely don't have such huge files (maybe 10-15GB at most for a long high-def movie), so I'll look into partitioning the drive (which is an intimidating idea now, but I'll work up to it). I'm not sure what you mean by break-away covers. But this computer comes with an empty slot in front where a firewire port can be. I think this is what you mean by does the faceplate have provisions for it. I've looked through Dell forums. I'm copying the link here: http://en.community.dell.com/forums/t/18748278.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&s=bsd&PageIndex=1 It's amazing that for over a year folks have been trying to add this front firewire port after the face - and most of them cannot get a straight answer from Dell. The variety of responses - including it can't be done, it can only be added to the rear, a suggestion of different needed parts - and then perhaps one answer that seems right - but they got the part number wrong and it took the woman 30 minutes to find the information out. Anyway, I've read through it several times bc. it all seems to unclear. I wish I could have read that several people did the same thing and it worked. But people had different solutions. I think I'll call Dell parts and ask about this one: Part #J4975 ($32.99): * IEEE 1394 PCI Card (all internal cables included) for Dell Inspiron 530 Desktop * One end has FireWire port that will be accessible on front of computer (i.e., via the existing slot) * The other end is the PCI Card (which connects to the motherboard) and also has three additional FireWire ports accessible on back of computer. * Internal cables (included with purchase) connect the two ends. * All four FireWire ports have 6-pin heads. But even that part number is wrong - it's supposed to be Y4975. It sounds like the right thing to me. Then I can just plug in my Lego parts. Dell support is just so uninformed. Back to the hard drive, do I need to get cables as well as the drive? I'm sure I need 1 or 2 cables to connect the drive to my computer - and I'm asking in case that answer is more clear. Thanks. Lynn. PS - I'm not mechanical - but I'm determined to learn.
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stir_fryi SE Mich
Original Author
11 years ago
So milkie -- if I used the Send To: Drive E command, will it keep the directory structure of My Documents or just dump the individual files on the CD? I don't want to waste a CD to find out!
mikie_gw
11 years ago
It should send the folder and its exact contents if you send it from the user\name]\my documents ... and not the library ... look in it at that location to see what is there... then send it somewhere else.. perhaps make dir name C:\test send it there first to verify before you do the burn.

I certainly know what you mean about wasting a disc.. a stack of them sure disappears or goes away somewhere awful fast. But how often will you back them up and use more disc's ? A remote rewritable read/write something would be better in the long run .. usb drive or?
jane__ny
11 years ago
I used an external drive and it did not keep my directory. It backs up everything without the folders. I also tried dropbox and it did the same thing. I had to reorganize (didn't) everything again. Very time consuming.

I hope stir-fri doesn't think I'm hijacking this thread, but I ran into the same problem.

Jane
mikie_gw
11 years ago
Some versions of windows, maybe its personal settings at set up.. i forget but.... sometimes what appears to the folders contained in Documents are not always actual folders containing files but are magical fake folders called 'Junctions' .
They work and act like a folder to us humans, but in actuality they are only special access links to the folder that contains the files which are elsewhere in a real folder.

I backed up my documents in vista or maybe xp a long time ago and learned that lesson.... did it right before a reinstall and lost all my pictures because I had forgotten ... Pictures folder in the documents was a junction(imaginary folder)... along with I think the music & videos too.

To properly know what is in Documents,, look in your c;\users path. Access will be denied to the junctions there which will have the shortcut arrow on the folders.
stir_fryi SE Mich
Original Author
11 years ago
What is your opinion about buying an external drive on Craigslist? Doesn't seem like there is much to them to malfunction....

jane_ny -- that is exactly what I don't want to happen. I spent a lot of time creating a logical directory structure and want it reflected in the backup.

I agree that in Windows 7 it is difficult to tell what is a library and what is an actual folder.
emma
11 years ago
When I back up my personal stuff on my external hard drive they stay the way I organized them. My music and pictures are in sub folders and they always stay that way. Maybe I am not understanding the problem.
kudzu9
11 years ago
If I valued my files enough to back them up, I wouldn't trust them to a hard drive I bought on Craigslist. External hard drives are relatively cheap. Take a look at the prices and reviews on Amazon and go with something reliable.
vnw232
11 years ago
I gave up on backing up to CDs because they are easily damaged and are prone to read/write errors. I back up to an external. Set it and forget it.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
11 years ago
Have you considered just doing an image backup? I think it is the best way to have everything exactly as it is and can be used to easily restore your entire windows system, OS, files, drivers, software, everything. Plus there are very good free programs.

I agree with an external hard drive, I would not buy one used or refurbished, they have dropped in price so much.

Do some searching online for good deals, right now approaching black Friday the deals will be abundant.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
11 years ago
In fact right now on one sale a day they have a whole selection of external hard drives in their flash sale section.
You might have to log in to see the flash sale. I buy from there often.

Here is a link that might be useful: One sale a day

Backing up my files

Comments (12)

mikie_gw

emma

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