Windows 7

madone · 23rd February 2011, 17:36

Just bought a laptop with windows7. It asks to back up and recommends a portable HDD which I have and done. It also says you can burn to discs. If it crashes will it be better to burn to disc for recovery?

mh007 · 23rd February 2011, 18:20

I would if I were you as you will have no operating system backup discs until you do.
You will need possibly 3 or 4 blank DVD+R or DVD-R discs (do not use DVD+/-RW discs)
These will be your Recovery discs should Windows crash.
If you have an external hard drive, it will use this for routine Windows backups.

ianinfrance · 23rd February 2011, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by madone

Just bought a laptop with windows7. It asks to back up and recommends a portable HDD which I have and done. It also says you can burn to discs. If it crashes will it be better to burn to disc for recovery?

That's a good one.

The HDD is more practical because you can set it up to do an automatic backup of your system on a preset day and time so probably the better option.

Of course your HDD might break!
If you want belt and braces then do both.
I have 2 internal hard disks and an external for back ups.
But I do have my business stuff on the PC.

madone · 23rd February 2011, 18:32

Thanks guys. Will do a disc back up also.

DerekS · 23rd February 2011, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by mh007

I would if I were you as you will have no operating system backup discs until you do.

These will be your Recovery discs should Windows crash.
If you have an external hard drive, it will use this for routine Windows backups.

I recently had to revert to the manufacturers supplied discs (Vista), there was no 'recovery' option. It took 2 days to get my comp going again, with sp1/sp2 and all the other bits and pieces of the windows installed.

So my question is ...... is it possible to create operating system backups as implied by the previous reply ?
Also can I make a complete image of the system, including installed programs , that could be reinstalled after a disaster ?
I use an external hard disc for 'normal' backups, but that does not copy the system ,and any programs that are copied seem to be useless because they are not 'installed' in the new system.

radi8or · 24th February 2011, 08:25

Try these Derek, one is free the other will cost you £40 with option to backup on line.

Click

Click

HTH

DerekS · 24th February 2011, 08:45

Many thanks Rad8tor .. I'll try to get it done before the next disaster !

23rd February 2011, 17:36	#1
madone Posted a thing or two none Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Durham Posts: 1,209 Thanks: 140 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts	Windows 7 Just bought a laptop with windows7. It asks to back up and recommends a portable HDD which I have and done. It also says you can burn to discs. If it crashes will it be better to burn to disc for recovery?

24th February 2011, 08:25	#6
radi8or Gets stuck in Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Dagenham Posts: 760 Thanks: 11 Thanked 11 Times in 10 Posts	Try these Derek, one is free the other will cost you £40 with option to backup on line. Click Click HTH __________________ Regards. Bob Member # 45

23rd February 2011, 18:20	#2
mh007 This is my second home MG ZT260 SE, MG ZT190+, MG ZTT 160, R75 Conn SE 2.0, R75 Conn SE 2.5 X 3, R75 Club SE 1.8, P5B Coupe Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Keynsham, Bristol Posts: 4,211 Thanks: 65 Thanked 635 Times in 499 Posts	I would if I were you as you will have no operating system backup discs until you do. You will need possibly 3 or 4 blank DVD+R or DVD-R discs (do not use DVD+/-RW discs) These will be your Recovery discs should Windows crash. If you have an external hard drive, it will use this for routine Windows backups.

23rd February 2011, 18:32	#4
madone Posted a thing or two none Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Durham Posts: 1,209 Thanks: 140 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts	Thanks guys. Will do a disc back up also.

24th February 2011, 08:45	#7
DerekS Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Malpas Posts: 1,526 Thanks: 34 Thanked 118 Times in 89 Posts	Many thanks Rad8tor .. I'll try to get it done before the next disaster !