Sometimes we need to back up files of PCs away from our WHS. Microsoft makes a great utility just for this purpose. This utility walk through is for XP but there are similar versions of this utility for Vista and Windows 7.
LINKS
If you are running XP Home you will need your installation disk and to follow the instructions at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q302894
More information on XP Backup Made Easy:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03july14.mspx
A similar version of backup can be found in Vista Business, Ultimate and Enterprise Editions. For more information about Vista backups go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/features/backup.aspx#complete
Windows 7 Backup and Restore:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/backup-and-restore.aspx
BACKUP UTILITY
Click on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup
Click on Next
Click on Back up files and settings and then Next
Click on Let me choose what to back up and then Next
We want to make our own choice because the tool will try and backup all drives it sees. I always just choose my C: drive and the System State. Click on Next.
Select the drive you want the file to save to or Browse to another drive. You must also choose a name for your file. Click on Next.
You can click on Finish or click on Advanced to verify the data.
After clicking you can choose different type of backups. I will just click on Next.
I select Verify data after backup. This selection basically doubles the time to backup but will let you know if something does not copy correctly. Click on Next and Finish.
Click on Replace the existing backups. This will only replace backups with the same name. Click on Next.
All Done
It makes ONE file. I save to different locations each time I backup. One day is my USB drive and one day is my network folder. I always have two days of backups.
How Long?
45 minutes for my 32GB over the work network. Not too bad. The verification took about the same. You should decide if verification is worth it.
You can also set a schedule and/or do incremental backups.
Schedule
Different Types of Backups
It takes a while the first time but once you get used to it the utility is easy. Just before I walk out the door each night I start it. It just takes 30 seconds.
It is a quick and simple tool you should be aware of. It is a great option for backing up systems that have no other option. In addition, the simple file output is easy to keep track of in case of emergency.
Next week I will walk through a folder restore and some other tips next week.
See you next Tuesday,
Tim
Can I use this to Backup up my WHS OS ?
it only took 1 1/2 minutes, can't be right.
Backup Status
Operation: Backup
Active backup destination: File
Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/12/2009 at 10:57 AM"
Volume shadow copy creation: Attempt 1.
Backup (via shadow copy) of "C: SYS"
Backup set #1 on media #1
Backup description: "Set created 22/12/2009 at 10:57 AM"
Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/12/2009 at 10:57 AM"
Backup Type: Daily
Backup started on 22/12/2009 at 10:59 AM.
Backup completed on 22/12/2009 at 11:00 AM.
Directories: 6777
Files: 724
Bytes: 670,180,007
Time: 1 minute and 32 seconds
Backup (via shadow copy) of "System State"
Backup set #2 on media #1
Backup description: "Set created 22/12/2009 at 10:57 AM"
Media name: "Backup.bkf created 22/12/2009 at 10:57 AM"
Backup Type: Copy
Backup started on 22/12/2009 at 11:00 AM.
Backup completed on 22/12/2009 at 11:02 AM.
Directories: 187
Files: 2957
Bytes: 655,493,266
Time: 1 minute and 15 seconds
———————-
Verify Status
Operation: Verify After Backup
Active backup destination: File
Active backup destination: E:Using XP backup of 490Backup.bkf
Verify of "C:"
Backup set #1 on media #1
Backup description: "Set created 22/12/2009 at 10:57 AM"
Verify started on 22/12/2009 at 11:02 AM.
Verify completed on 22/12/2009 at 11:02 AM.
Directories: 6777
Files: 724
Different: 0
Bytes: 670,180,007
Time: 14 seconds
Verify of "System State"
Backup set #2 on media #1
Backup description: "Set created 22/12/2009 at 10:57 AM"
Verify started on 22/12/2009 at 11:02 AM.
Verify completed on 22/12/2009 at 11:02 AM.
Directories: 187
Files: 2957
Different: 0
Bytes: 655,493,266
Time: 9 seconds
———————-
You just backed up the System State and NOT the data.
So what was the final time of the full backup?
I have not tried it but I doubt it would work.
This type of backup requires the OS to be installed first so it does not seem like a viable option anyway.
After a server recovery, the Add-Ins and the Usernames are the big hassle so maybe someday we will see some sort of option for backing up those files.
I hope to see Microsoft enable the Backup Configuration Wizard from Windows Small Business Server 2003 but who knows if they every plan on supporting any C: backups in WHS.
Tim