laptop help needed

[Justin]

I have an external harddrive that I back up my laptop files onto, and I have no clue how to get the files back onto my laptop. The laptop died the toher day, and I had to restore everything back to the beginning, but now I dont know how to put the old stuff back on. Let me know if you have any experience with this....I need help!

-Justin

[boarderman23]

Did windows recognize it when you plugged it into your laptop?

If so, just send the files to a folder, such as my documents.

[losercore]

How were you backing up? Were just coping the files over like copy-paste or did you use software to do a backuo and now have a file called .bak or something on your external?

No big deal just gotta know how you did it.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by losercore

How were you backing up? Were just coping the files over like copy-paste or did you use software to do a backuo and now have a file called .bak or something on your external?

No big deal just gotta know how you did it.

I used software. I no longer have the instructions so I can't even look up how to do it. It's a portable harddrive that you buy at Staples, and I just used the program that it came with.

[losercore]

Well that can be an issue. What type of file did it create as a backup? Is it a .bak. If so you are in luck. If not you will need to install the software that cam with it and it should have a restore option. A lot of hardrives come with Nero as a back up program and it's not good at all because you have to have the same software and dothing just right.

Let me know what type of file it is and if you want you can PM me your email and I will be happy to help.

I deal with this stuff everyday in my fulltime job.

[CAZ]

Originally Posted by losercore

Well that can be an issue. What type of file did it create as a backup? Is it a .bak. If so you are in luck. If not you will need to install the software that cam with it and it should have a restore option. A lot of hardrives come with Nero as a back up program and it's not good at all because you have to have the same software and dothing just right.

Let me know what type of file it is and if you want you can PM me your email and I will be happy to help.

I deal with this stuff everyday in my fulltime job.

I am curious...what do you think s the BEST and most efficient way of backing up to an external drive?
What software ( if any ) do you recommend?( that doesnt create a proprietary data file).
Right now i just cut and paste, id like to find something that will auto backup... optimally just data that has changed.

[losercore]

Just backing up to an external I feel that a simple copy and paste using the same directory structure works best.

If you want it automated and to only backup files that have been changed since the last backup and have features like this; there are plenty of software choices out there. You can even just use Windows XP/2000 as they have a program called NTbackup built into the OS. It's not the best with features but it's free. it can do archives and check files for dates they were edited vs's backedup and all that.

For most homw/small business (less than 5 employees) can get by just fine with the copy and paste method. I feel it works with the least effort and less chance of mistakes by any software.

Symantic (Norton) just purchased a well known program called AutoBackup Exec. It will run a single user about $1,000 and is a pain in the ass to install and set up if you are not used to this stuff.

That's the problem with most BK software. They have too many features and this just makes it harder.

Hope this helps.

[CAZ]

This may seem like a simplistic question:
Is there a correct method of cut and paste, or a more efficient method than not?
I.E can i just copy the current folder and just paste it to the back up so that it overwrites everything and adds what is new?

Say i dont/cant keep track of all the changes in different folders...I.E pictures and music...do i have to search through and find what is new.

I dont want to rewrite 25 gig of music and 5 gig of pictures everytime i backup just because i dont know ex\actley what has changed.

Know what i mean?

[GoodKarmaKid]

Quick, Easy, & Free Backup software, works really well.

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

A couple other must have pieces of software in my opinion:

http://www.techsmith.com/snagit.asp

http://www.evernote.com/en/

and of course roboform, link in my sig, I think I make like a buck for every trial (maybe less), don't really care about the money, but hey it's free. I've been using roboform for 3 years, and literally use it every single day.

Jason

[losercore]

Originally Posted by CAZ

This may seem like a simplistic question:
Is there a correct method of cut and paste, or a more efficient method than not?
I.E can i just copy the current folder and just paste it to the back up so that it overwrites everything and adds what is new?

Say i dont/cant keep track of all the changes in different folders...I.E pictures and music...do i have to search through and find what is new.

I dont want to rewrite 25 gig of music and 5 gig of pictures everytime i backup just because i dont know ex\actley what has changed.

Know what i mean?

Hey Caz,
GoodKarma has some good options there. The problem with large data like music is that yes if you use the cut and paste method you will overwite all exsisitng data and I know the feeling of overwritting 20+ gigs sucks.

That's why software exsists. Check out what GoodKarma posted as they seem good. Also you can look into NTBackup. Just click "run" from your start menu and type in ntbackup and press enter. (Win 2000 and XP Pro only) Won't work with Home edition.

NTbackup does not worl well over a network but works great with external/second hard drives.