It's best to save the files you want to back up to your hard drive and then move them onto the DVD or CD. You don't need to back up the software programs because you have the disks and you can just reinstall them.

I have backed up to the hard drive. just as I had mentioned in the first post. All of that works , now, but if I get a virus or something on the computer and need to do a complete reinstall, then what ? All of my data I have saved to the hdd , documents - photos -mmusic - and other are lost because I don't have it all on a removable disk. I know I can reinstall the programs from disks. Are you saying to go to the windows back -up utility AFTER creating a complete back up and then send only my files to the cd or dvd writer? Because like I said the files are too large when I send directly to , or copy onto the dvd "d" drive. Any additional information I am not understanding here? I want to move data , from one drive to another , and my system does not work like I think it should. I do appreciate everyones advice.

Dugedoodle.

dugedoodle,

Using the Windows Backup Utility may let you end up with a backup file that is far to big to copy it on any removeable medium (that's very much depending on your choices, but in most cases, the files chosen by a say "not so experienced user" are too many...). Try the following instead:

1. As said before, there is no need to include your operating system (i.e. Windows) or programs in the backup. You can easily reinstall these from your CDs. All you need to backup are your personal files (i.e. those created by yourself), anything you downloaded and want ot keep, and your e-mails/address book (again this depends on the e-mail program you are using).
2. The default storage area for your personal files is "My Documents". Most programs save files there automatically or propose to do so. Some programs save files in the Program Files/Program x area, so make sure that you know that.
3. Make sure that any program or driver you downloaded from the Internet is present in "My Documents" as well (things like Adobe Reader). Alternatively, put them all together in a newly created folder called " Downlowded Programs and drivers".
4. If you use a computer resident e-mail program like Outlook Express, back up your WAB (Windows Address Book) , e-mail account settings and e-mail folders to a folder on your hard drive. If need be, I can give you detailed instructions on how to do that. 
5. To the same folder, back up your Internet Explorer Favorites and (if you wish so) cookies.
6. Open your CD or DVD writing program.
7. Chose Data disc. The program will ask you to select the files you want to copy.
8. Select everything in My Documents plus the folder you have created for backing up your e-mail/Internet data plus the one with "Downlowded Programs and drivers" plus any of the folders where programs may have saved files outside of My Documents.
9. Write your CD/DVD. It may need more than one CD, but it should go on a DVD.

Once you have reinstalled Windows and programs using the CDs that came with your computer, you can restore the files from your DVD to the "My Documents" folder, restore your e-mails and address book, Internet settings and so on. And you can reinstall downlowded programs and drivers from the DVD.

Good luck,

Lemmi

 

Thanks Lemmi, I will try all of that , there are lots of steps , not the least of which is organizing all of my files and docs . Also learning where are my e mail storages and program storages. (I have outlook ex 6 installed now). We'll let you know the outcome in the future.


dugedoodle.

dugedoodle,

It is not as difficult as it may look, despite all these steps. Organizing your files is up to you, but here is how to back up your address book, Outlook Express 6 mails and Internet settings:

WAB:

1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click "Addresses". Your Address Book opens.
3. Go to File - Export - Address Book (WAB).
4. Select the folder you have created previously for your backup.
5. After successful export, close your Address Book.

Outlook Express files:

1. Open Outlook Express.
2. Click "File - Folders - Compact all Folders"
3. Click "Tools - Accounts".
4. Select your E-mail account.
5. Click export.
6. Export to the folder you have created previously for your backup. The file ends with .iaf.
7. Close Outlook Express.
8. Open Windows Explorer.
9. Search for all folders ending with .dbx. These are your mail folders. If nothing appears, make sure that searching in hidden and system files is enabled.
10. Copy the .dbx files to the folder you have created previously for backup.

Internet Eplorer files:

1. Open IE.
2. Click "File - Import and Export".
3. The wizzard opens. Chose "Export Favorites"
4. Select the folder you have created previously for your backup.
5. When you have successfully exported the favorites, repeat this for the cookies.

Importing all of these goes just the other way round. Just copy this folder to your hard disk after you reinstalled everything. Importing directly from CD or DVD usually generates error messages like "the file is being used by another application".

Good luck!

Lemmi