Two Backup Questions

[Alwill]

Am in the process of completing a checklist prior to undertaking my first full backup and have two queries on which I would like advice, please.
1. As regards software programs downloaded from the Net, am I right in assuming that all that is needed to be backed up is the setup.exe file unless the folder also has separate add ons such as plugins.
2. Is it deemed advisable to backup the whole Windows directory if possible. Mine is 640 megs in size but burning to a CD/RW in compressed format, would pose no problem.

[MishY]

Alan,

Welcome to the new site http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/smile.gif

With programs downloaded off the internet they invariably come in two forms ...

*.zip files and *.exe

The *.exe files are self-extracting zip files. Made simple for people who don't know what winzip is presumably http://www.cybertechhelp.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I personally backup both the *.zip and *.exe files of the downloads which I intend to keep. Programs/Games usually come in just one whole file so that being the case just backup that one individual file.

If you have any doubts over anything in particular please let us know and we'll be happy to help.

Plugins - yes and no. Some plugins you can download as a file so in which case you can back that up. But usually like for instance Macromedia Flash you download that and it invisibly installs.

However if you are backing up your whole Windows directory then you will back that up too.

As far as the Windows directory backup goes - the golden rule of computing is to backup everything you possibly can. So yes I would be a firm advocate for you backing up the whole directory.

If the Windows folder ever got too big to fit on a cd you can get programs like Nortons Ghost which will allow you to span CD's.

MiShY

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Cyber Tech Help (http://www.cybertechhelp.com)
You Break 'em - We Fix 'em

[lufbra]

Mishy, what can Norton's Ghost do???
Dave.

[MishY]

lufbra,

It can span CD's or drives so if you say wanna backup 700MB and it won't fit on a cd you can span two cds.

MiShY

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Cyber Tech Help (http://www.cybertechhelp.com)
You Break 'em - We Fix 'em

[Alwill]

MiSHY,

Many thanks for the info. I have always kept the program .exe files but have normally deleted the zips after extracting; will take your tip to keep both in future. Re spanning CDs, the backup program I have will do this.

Alan

[Alwill]

Damhna,

Thank you for the "quick aside".
I will keep in mind what you and MiSHY have said re Ghost

Alan

[Alwill]

Sorry for resurrecting this matter but where a setup.exe file is contained in a zip file, it has been my practice to keep only the .exe and delete the zip and other files it contained after successfully installing the program. I am now wondering whether I should be keeping the zip file.

[smurfy]

Alwill, It is far better practice to keep the .zip file and get rid of everything else.

Just saving the "setup" file means all the other files setup may need are no longer there. Plus you won't have any "readme" instructions etc.


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Smurfy
Suggest A Fix (http://www.suggestafix.com) & CyberTech Help (http://www.cybertechhelp.com) moderator.
smurfynz@netscape.net

[Alwill]

Thanks Smurfy. Better late than never eh.

[lynchmob]

It is important to remember when backing up your Windows folder to NOT include 386.swp-this is the swap file. When in windows folder highlight 386.swap then invert so it will select all files except that one.
lynch

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seldom right but never in doubt.

[Alwill]

Noted, thanks