Can you backup a computer to a dvd/small hard drive?

Good evening everyone,

Had a quick question...is it possible to back up a computer to a dvd or other smaller storage space. I ask because I work on family members and friends computers when they have issues and would love to have a way to quickly back up their computer/hard drive before I work on it just in case something happens to it. I was hoping there was a software that would create something like an image file or something that I could use to restore the computer to its former state in case it wouldnt start up (ex. while removing virus I delete a system file, now windows wont start up, I would be able to restore from system image, etc).

I was hoping that it would be something that use a dvd or a small portable hd. Any ideas? Those who work on computers (personal, self hire computer repair guys, etc) what do you guys do in this scenario. Thanks

Greg

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Comments

Alif_Sadida_Ekin

Windows comes with System Restore.

Priston

Not sure if they still sell it or if the new versions support it, but the Norton Ghost that runs off of DOS is awesome.

rsutton

You have NT Backup or Windows Backup and yes you can back up a system to an external hard drive.

gcarroll357

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I know about System Restore but I have come across times where a virus/malware has already disabled system restore or my friend hasnt used/turned it on.

Thanks for the Ghost suggestion I have used it for work but will try it for this.

I mentioned hd but was really trying to find something that would shrink an image down to DVD....something that wouldnt take forever to create and since its only a temp backup i could easily throw away or rewrite.....

Again, thanks for the suggestions.

Priston

If you want a backup that will revert everything back to the way it was before and also give you insurance for cases like you mentioned about windows not starting up you have to do a full backup. So fitting your backup on a single DVD won't work. It could on multiple DVDs but over time it would be cheaper and faster just to buy a USB hard drive to hold your images.

When I deal with viruses, I use Avira's Linux rescue CD. I don't even bother trying to deal with windows once I know there's a virus on the computer.

Avira AntiVir Rescue System - Download

Psoasman

gcarroll357 wrote: »

Good evening everyone,

Had a quick question...is it possible to back up a computer to a dvd or other smaller storage space. I ask because I work on family members and friends computers when they have issues and would love to have a way to quickly back up their computer/hard drive before I work on it just in case something happens to it. I was hoping there was a software that would create something like an image file or something that I could use to restore the computer to its former state in case it wouldnt start up (ex. while removing virus I delete a system file, now windows wont start up, I would be able to restore from system image, etc).

I was hoping that it would be something that use a dvd or a small portable hd. Any ideas? Those who work on computers (personal, self hire computer repair guys, etc) what do you guys do in this scenario. Thanks

Greg

Good for you taking the time to backup people's stuff. I have some external HDs that I use to backup data while working on their computers. If they don't care about most of their stuff and just want the pictures and videos, then a flash drive or DVD will fairly well.

KrisA

5 Ways To Clone & Copy Your Hard Drive

Is a bookmark I have that I never got around to investigating. There are the 5 listed, as well as user comments with more free options listed there as well.

I personally just downloaded Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download and am giving it a go with the new laptop.

Devilsbane

If you do a lot of work like that, it might be in your best interest to purchase a large HDD and something like Norton Ghost to do a backup for you.

IndyLoveless

I like DriveImage XML personally. Very easy to use, only does Full backups though.

billyr

If its Windows 7 they are using, just use the in built backup software, it has the ability to take a system image and is suprisingly reliable.