Vera
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World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Apr 26, 2019 13:28:10 GMT -5
I often wonder if it is OK to use my laptop at the same time while using backup. So far I have not done that but I am often tempted because backup takes a long time.
Thanks 😁
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Post by jholland1964 on Apr 26, 2019 14:38:53 GMT -5
How often are you backing up?
How much are you backing up...Everything?
Are you backing up ON the computer itself or to another external drive?
I wouldn't recommend using it while backup is taking place. But others may have other opinions.
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Vera
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Posts: 153
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Post by Vera on Apr 26, 2019 15:00:39 GMT -5
I only use backup once or twice a month and I really don’t mind waiting but I just bought a new Seagate external 1 Tb hard drive and plan on doing it more often. So far I never used the laptop while backing up, I figured it would be better not to. I shall keep it that way. I used to backup both my husbands and my laptop to the same external hard drive but shall now use a different one for each.
Thanks, Judy
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Post by budgall on Apr 26, 2019 16:30:51 GMT -5
What backup software are you using? What type of backup are you doing? How big is the laptop hard drive? How much data is on the hard drive?
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Vera
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Posts: 153
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Post by Vera on Apr 26, 2019 19:57:19 GMT -5
What backup software are you using? What type of backup are you doing? How big is the laptop hard drive? How much data is on the hard drive? Windows10 backup, file history, 671 GB for HP laptop, 147 GB used space, 524 GB free space hope that answers your question. Thanks, Vera |
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Post by budgall on Apr 27, 2019 0:26:34 GMT -5
What backup software are you using? What type of backup are you doing? How big is the laptop hard drive? How much data is on the hard drive? Windows10 backup, file history, 671 GB for HP laptop, 147 GB used space, 524 GB free space hope that answers your question. Thanks, Vera I believe Windows Backup file history only backs up files and folders and is not a true system backup. If your hard drive fails and needs replacement your Windows Backup file history will not restore the Windows 10 operating system back on to your computer. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong here. I use and highly recommend Ashampoo Backup Pro 12. |
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Post by Everton on Apr 27, 2019 0:54:19 GMT -5
I would endorse budgall’s recommendation. I have used the ashampoo backup for many years, since before ashampoo took it over .. it used to be called Ocster.
I back up overnight so don’t need to use my machines then but with this backup you can work on your machine. It will automatically pause the backup. Also you can shut down and reboot and it will take up where it left off and continue the backup.
I would recommend a full system backup on a regular basis for the reasons budgall gave. This can be done within the windows 10 built in back up procedure if you prefer that way.
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Vera
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Post by Vera on Apr 27, 2019 8:56:46 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, I may try that program. Mostly I am interested in keeping my pictures, documents, downloads, music and bookmarks. I only use various webmail, so that should be available at anytime. If I buy a new computer I go to my trusted store. I don’t feel competent enough to set it up myself. No new laptop for me in the foreseeable future as long as I can keep this one updated.
Thanks again,
Vera
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Apr 27, 2019 9:44:13 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, I may try that program. Mostly I am interested in keeping my pictures, documents, downloads, music and bookmarks. I only use various webmail, so that should be available at anytime. If I buy a new computer I go to my trusted store. I don’t feel competent enough to set it up myself. No new laptop for me in the foreseeable future as long as I can keep this one updated. Thanks again, Vera What you are interested in keeping (bolded above) will not be available if your OS crashes. That is why you should consider either a full system backup or copying data to an external drive. |
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Vera
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Posts: 153
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World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Apr 27, 2019 10:31:24 GMT -5
Thanks everyone, I may try that program. Mostly I am interested in keeping my pictures, documents, downloads, music and bookmarks. I only use various webmail, so that should be available at anytime. If I buy a new computer I go to my trusted store. I don’t feel competent enough to set it up myself. No new laptop for me in the foreseeable future as long as I can keep this one updated. Thanks again, Vera What you are interested in keeping (bolded above) will not be available if your OS crashes. That is why you should consider either a full system backup or copying data to an eternal drive. I don’t understand that...If I have those files on my external hard-drive why would they not be available on a new computer once I connect the external drive? |
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Post by jholland1964 on Apr 27, 2019 10:37:44 GMT -5
Vera, those WILL be available to a new computer or your current computer if the hard drive crashes, IF and only IF, those items are backed up OFF the computer, like on an external drive. Those very likely would not be available if the present computer crashes. I believe this is what Phil was getting at. You want to keep something, you do not store it or at least the only copy of it ON the computer.
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Vera
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Posts: 153
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Post by Vera on Apr 27, 2019 11:11:50 GMT -5
Yes, that’s what I thought. I have all of those on an external drive.
Thanks all for your responses.
Era 😁
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Vera
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Posts: 153
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Post by Vera on Apr 27, 2019 11:30:14 GMT -5
One more question just popped into my mind... If my external drive is connected by USB to the laptop will the contents that is on it also be destroyed? Hmmmm
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Post by jholland1964 on Apr 27, 2019 12:08:43 GMT -5
One more question just popped into my mind... If my external drive is connected by USB to the laptop will the contents that is on it also be destroyed? Hmmmm Very doubtful and very rare for sure. Here is good information from Ask Leo on this very thing:
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Vera
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Posts: 153
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Post by Vera on Apr 27, 2019 12:38:29 GMT -5
Interesting read. I won’t worry any longer then. 😁
Thanks, Judy
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Vera
Member
Posts: 153
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: verae
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Post by Vera on Apr 27, 2019 12:42:38 GMT -5
I just had a closer look at that website. Very impressive. I shall read more of it. Thanks
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Post by Everton on Apr 27, 2019 17:47:46 GMT -5
I back up to two USB external drives on a rotating schedule
I would never ever leave one permanently plugged in to my computer. I back up in case of hard drive failure, fire , flood , burglary, power surge, malware etc so it seems sensible to remove the external and keep separate. Lightning strikes may be rare but they do happen so why take the risk.
If the External is used for automatic backups then it may be advisable to keep it plugged in. It’s a personal choice really and a google search will give definite opinions either way !
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Post by jholland1964 on Apr 27, 2019 18:03:41 GMT -5
I would never ever leave one permanently plugged in to my computer... fire , flood , burglary, power surge, malware etc so it seems sensible to remove the external and keep separate. Lightning strikes may be rare but they do happen so why take the risk. I agree 100%. No way would I ever leave it plugged in 24/7 for the very reasons noted. I don't think I would leave one plugged in if I had auto backups scheduled either. Doing over night would be the way to go and set a reminder of some sort to plug in the external on those back up nights. |
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