Platinum

So I have a 500gb external HDD I just bought. I'm trying to run a full system backup, however it won't let me backup the entire system (C:\ and D:\) - is there any free software that allows me to do a full system backup that anybody would recommend?

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PohTayToez

I've never used it myself, but I understand that GParted is a very good free alternative that allows you to copy/change/create partitions and should allow you to copy your C and D drive to your external.

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Desktop / Laptop
AMD Athlon 3200+ @ 2.50Ghz / AMD Athlon X2 TK-53 @ 1.70Ghz
MSI GeForce 7800GT / GeForce Go 6150
2 x 512MB DDR / 2 x 1GB DDR2
250GB SATA II / 80GB 5400RPM SATA
2 x DVD Burner / 8X DVD±R/RW

Platinum

Ok, I'll give it a try and I'll let you know of the outcome. Thanks man.

__________________
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

(______(________________((()
SIG-ARETTE

brian

did you try windows backup? it is in the accessory section

Platinum

That's what I was referring to when I said it won't let me backup the entire system. Tried it and it only backs up part of my system.

As far as the gparted stuff goes, there's no way to have a backup while the system is running is there? I noticed that I need to burn it as an ISO and have the computer boot off it. This isn't my laptop, it's somebody I work with, I think it may be too complicated for him to understand how to use. Is there anyway to backup while Windows is started? (obviously not everything woul dbe able to be backed up as some files are in use since Windows is opened) Maybe something that backs up when Windows is shutting down or starting up? Something easier than that, he's not techno savvy.

__________________
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

(______(________________((()
SIG-ARETTE

PohTayToez

Yes, you have to boot from the CD to use it... the only other free program I know of is GNU Parted, which can boot from the OS, but I think it only runs on Linux.

__________________
Desktop / Laptop
AMD Athlon 3200+ @ 2.50Ghz / AMD Athlon X2 TK-53 @ 1.70Ghz
MSI GeForce 7800GT / GeForce Go 6150
2 x 512MB DDR / 2 x 1GB DDR2
250GB SATA II / 80GB 5400RPM SATA
2 x DVD Burner / 8X DVD±R/RW

Platinum

Hmm.... alright. I'll let you guys know what I end up doing. Thanks for the help PTT

Update: Turns out he wasn't an administrator (silly me) and could only backup his own personal files, not system files. So the built-in backup (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup) worked fine once I switched him to a local administrator. Thanks for the help guys.

__________________
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.

(______(________________((()
SIG-ARETTE