ChipGNC,

 

If you have an external CD drive or a 1 or 2 GB USB key, simply copy the really important files (tax records, legal documents, medical records, e-mail, address book, IE favorites, quickbooks files, pictures, music, etc...) to it.  Format the hard disk drive and install Windows from the upgrade CD that you received.  Reinstall your programs, and then copy the data back from the external media to where it belongs.  In most cases, there is not a real need to back up an entire drive.  Backing up (and maintaining current backups of) important data is what is really necessary. 

 

Steve

http://www.acronis.com/mag/vnu-ati7

 

In case anyone might be interested, Acronis is giving version 7 away for free. It's a legit offer; no strings..  Granted version 7 is an older one, but it serves the purpose quite well.

Congratulations on choosing Acronis True Image 7.0! Please take a few minutes to fill out the following registration form so that we can provide you with a product Serial Number.

 

 

Nice now where do you download the proggy?

 

 

Good morning; just got up and saw your reply....

 

All it requires is your name and e-mail address. I'll admit, I used a fake name...and I also used one of my old Yahoo e-mail addresses that I hardly use, just in case of spam issues. I don't like using my real name for things like that, and I doubt that I'm alone neither.:smileywink:

But anyways, enter your name and e-mail address, then within a minute you'll be sent  the download link to version 7 via the e-mail address you provided.

 

It's legit; I downloaded it days ago... no spams; no e-mails...no communications...nothing.  Neither has anyone else recieved any contact from them because I read another forum too and that is how I learned about this free version.

Apparently they are offering it for free hoping that you like it so much that you might be interested in purchasing their new version 10.

 

I doubt that I'll even use Acronis, but wanted to download it just in case. My computer files are so minimal that I easily transfer and store any important files to my extra computer; those USB flash drives are wonderful for that.

Thanks for all of the assistance and information.  You stated that you received but may not use acronis.  what are you using to secure your data?

Thanks Tommy!

I have two computers; my primary Dimension E-510 and an older Dimension 4700.  If I knew how to connect a router, I would buy one and connect the spare pc too. But I never had experience with a router yet, and the tutorials I saw were a bit complex... tcip... and different proctocals; a  bit  beyond my experience. So when I want to fire up the 4700, I unplud the Comcast moden, then manually connect the cable from the modem to the 4700. A pain in the , but it works, lol....

 

I do periodically send files to my dvd burner and burn files onto a disk. In fact, I just copied my entire "my music" files  and "my documents"  files onto dvd disks about five days ago; just in case.

Do you use those flash drives at all ?  Those things are great.

 

 

You're very welcome, mombodog !:smileyhappy: