If you do a full backup it backs up everything - if you do an incremental backup it only backs up files written to (or created) since the last backup.

How to backup files remotely when operating system can't load?

My Sony VAIO, after being dropped, is unable to load the operating system. If you have tips on fixing this, please do share.

However, my real question is, how do I backup that VAIO remotely? Or copy specific, important files? I have a 2nd computer and one of those USB-to-USB cords (however, the software that was included with it requires installation on both computers). Thanks.

Download Knoppix 9since you obviously have a working computer ) and burn it to a cd. After that turn your laptop on and pop in your drive quuickly, and press enter when prompted. This is a bootabe IOS and you should be able to access your files through this. (i dropped my laptop down the stairs and used knoppix to grab my files off of it). Good luck !

PS even though the knoppix download takes really long time, its totally worth it.

Unable to Do System Backup in XP. It says that if I am backing up to a FAT32 File then Max is 4GB?

I have a 60GB USB Portable Harddrive that I am attempting to do a system backup to through the Windows XP Accessories-System Tools feature. After about 50 minutes it says that either there is not enough disk space, or if I am backing up to FAT32 then max is 4GB. I see that the Portable drive is FAT32. What do I need to do a system backup?

I recommend you to use Acronis True Image Home. I think it is the best backup software on the market for now. True Image can backup your entire PC or separated files and settings. True Image works fast both while backing up data and while restoring it. Visit an Acronis site for more info: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/pr ... trueimage/

Do I leave caps off of the batteries for my backup solar system ?

The water from the batteries spills over so should I keep the caps on the batteries ? Thanks
Ok so I might of over filled them and I do have a charge controller that is working properly and they aren't being over charge . I am using the the solar array but not everyday . I know that when I charge a car battery I always remove the top caps by what the instructions say . I do believe I over filled them .

It certainly sounds like you got a problem there. For water to be spilling out of the batteries they must be over charging. You say it's a back up system . If you aren't using them all the time, you shouldn't need to have them on charge all the time. If you have them on charge all the time then you should have a regulator in the circuit to shut down the charging system once the batteries are fully charged. Warning...In case you aren't aware , but the gas coming off a battery while charging is Hydrogen , so don't cause a spark if you don't want the whole lot to go bang if you are in an enclosed area.

Most batteries these days have some form of indicator to tell you what the water level should be. That can be a strip of plastic across the bottom of the filler hole or a tube of plastic that goes down into the cell with two fairly wide slots opposite each other. Fill to to the plastic strip or to the bottom of the tube. The slots up the side allow charging gases out without a boil over. Certainly does sound like you may have overfilled them.
If there isn't any level indicator, then so long as the water is above the plates will be fine.
Hope you haven't had that happen too many times. Every boil over you loose acid.
Here's a tip if you don't already know. If you have an acid spill dissolve teaspoon of baking soda per cup of water and pour it on the spill. Baking soda will neutralize the acid. Be sure not to get any in to the battery.

I need a Free "system restore and backup" program with the same features as Norton Ghost or Acronis True Image. Is there any chance to find one?
thanks.

Usually they come with your computer. You can system restore from the control panel

What is the correct way to restore a Windows XP system from a full backup?

I have a full backup prepared with the Windows XP utility. I got a new hard-drive, and after installing XP, tried doing a "Restore" using the utility. This naive approach did not work because it creates a sort of hybrid between the new and the old systems. with files from the recently installed system not fully removed. Is there a way to reformat the C: Drive and restore from backup all in one shot, so that the end-result will be a pristine copy of my originally backed up system?
Thanks!
The two answers so far really miss the point of the question!

If you insert the windows cd, there will be option for for formating/clean install and recovery from back up called known good configuaration.

but I recommend it slightly differently. To be safest, create partition in hard drive. then back up your previous installation there. Install fresh in other drive.

Looking for computer backup system for small office with 5 computers, no server.?

We need to run a daily backup, preferably after hours, for individual user files. Have been using Nero BackItUp, copying files to CD; data size at about 2 GB. We had been looking at automated tape systems, but want the best solution for our circumstances. We would be backing up document files and emails.

True, you could get a server and store all user files there, but then you would still need to backup the server, so that doesn't really answer the question. Backups are a bit easier if you have a server because you only need to worry about backing up one machine instead of the 5 machines you are dealing with now.

Personally, I am not a fan of tape backups. They are slow and not really very reliable. To be reliable at all, tape media must be stored in somewhat controlled conditions. Extreme hot and cold temperatures will cause the tapes to deteriorate rather rapidly. Even under the best circumstances, tapes should be replaced annually.

Today, there are many hard drive backup options. External hard drives can be connected directly to your network, or to a particular computer via USB or FireWire. Backup times, and more importantly restore times, are very fast and the media is much more reliable. You will still need some type of software to copy the data from each workstation to the backup device. The least expensive option is to use NTBackup to run a scheduled backup of each machine to the external drive.

If you are serious about backing up, then you will also want to make absolutely sure you have an offsite copy of your data. While you can rely on rotating a copy offsite manually, this isn't the best option. If you are backing up to hard drives and you want to use the manual option, you will need to get a device that allows swapping drives on a regular basis. There are many to choose from, but we usually use a single bay enclosure from Highly Reliable Systems at www.high-rely.com.

I strongly recommend that you invest in some type of remote backup. You will still need an external hard drive to hold the local copies of the data from each workstation, but the remote backup software will also copy the data to a remote server. In the event that your equipment is stolen, you have a fire, flood or other disaster, your data is still secure at an offsite location.

Typically, a complete backup of the selected folders is done one time. After the initial backup, only the changes are backed up and transmitted. Data can be restored as of any of the incremental backups. All of this is scheduled during off hours so that your work day is not interrupted.

Good software will encrypt your data using a passphrase of your choosing. If you lose your passphrase, it will not be possible to retrieve your data. It is also not possible for anyone else to intercept your data.

Also make sure that you have a good idea of how much data you will be storing offsite and what that offsite storage will cost. There are many services that are competitively priced, so you should be able to make sure that your data is protected without spending a great deal of money.

I just bought an external hard drive and wanted to back that data as well as data from my primary disk somewhere and wanted to know how can I do that? Thanks

How to backup windowsXP full system, loaded appl. &/or data to restore system in case failure or malfunction?

Reloading and updating every piece of software separetly is time consuiming and boaring!
Please suggest if XP has a workable solution or there is a relaible open source utility-a best creation!

Backup all the C drive. First choose Normal Backup, then can choose Incremental or Differential backup