Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : Computer Learning -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: rrufff who wrote (34801)	6/16/2003 9:34:13 PM
From: maceng2	Respond to of 110626

can you tell me what the ghost or image software adds Yes, I think I can answer that question. Plain "Backing up" data means you have a copy of maybe some important information. A document or a spreadsheet for example. That is useful, but in itself may not prevent you from suffering grief with your computer. The applications have to work and this means correct registry key settings and all things microsoft windows. Boot files and correct definitions of the filing methods and systems. An image file of a hard drive is exact a copy of ALL the files on the drive and their relationship to each other. Kind of like a photograph. That is why I can now load any copy version of Windows XP I like that I have captured. If you gave me 10 new PC's with the same hardware as I have, I could have the exact same copy of windows, with all my personal settings, files, EVERYTHING working the same on every PC without having to do any set up whatsoever. That is why MIS professionals use this type of software all the time. It also means no matter how screwed up my software becomes, I can wipe it and replace it with my last complete image, or any previous version I have captured. It is a great comfort that gives me peace of mind in dealing with any future problems. OK, hardware can screw up, and I can replace that too. The dumpsters provide -g- OK, at a push, I could buy new components too. The type of software is industrial strength though. It's the software version of a bulldozer I guess. vannattabros.com It sweeps all before it, and nothing gets in it's way. This includes your data if you inadvertently left it in the wrong place. If you feed an image copy of a HD into the drive of a computer other then the one intended, with different hardware and so forth, expect to hear crunching noises when you start it up. (my guess) sofsol.co.nz

To: rrufff who wrote (34801)	6/16/2003 10:01:17 PM
From: maceng2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 110626

If I copy my entire drive to the external drive, can I later restore that to the original drive? Using a normal "copy" command or drag and drop? No, that will certainly not work. Whole loads of stuff will get missed out. Microsoft is programmed so you cannot damage your operating system by inadvertently copying system files and settings. In the beginning of DOS I think that was possible, but then software vendors became concerned with illegal copying, and people inadvertebtly copying system files and messing up their computers. OK, I'm wandering WAY out of my depth here, but I believe my view is accurate.

To: rrufff who wrote (34801)	6/18/2003 1:04:39 PM
From: Esteban	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 110626

rrufff, Partitioning is a good thing if you have a program like Partition Magic. It lets you rearrange partitions as your needs change, without losing data. It is hard to anticipate exactly how you will use partitions and anticipate the size requirements correctly for efficient use. Without a program like this, I'd just make the drive one large partition. If you do decide to partition, it is helpful to leave some space unallocated to any partition, because this makes rearranging things later easier. I recently bought a 120 gb drive second drive, which is way larger than I currently need. So I created 2 partitions, one for backup, including image files, one for data, and left almost half the drive unallocated. I'll add the unallocated space to an existing partition or make a new one, when I have the need to. I wouldn't create any partitions that you don't have a specific need for. It's just complicates things. Esteban