[commander]

Hi

I am using Jungle Disk (jungledisk.com) online backup which is linked to Amazon's S3 service. It is a really great and very affordable service which works automatically, I can really recommend it.

My question is regarding what to back up, I have selected "C:\Documents And Settings" as a folder, and sub folders to back up, but looking at the contents I can't really see anything there which would be vital in a disaster situation. Say the hard drive failed and had to be replaced, then I would need the operating system disk and disks for my applications, all of which I have, I would also need my data which is backed up online.

Would I actually need the contents of "C:\Documents And Settings" ? I know you can't give a definitive answer without seeing exactly what is there, but in general terms is it likely to contain anything I would need to recreate the failed drive?

Thanks for your views.

Peter

[1002richards]

Hi,
If you ignore the ads, there's useful info on what to backup & why here:

http://www.argentuma.com/backup/system-backup.html

Richard

[flatpyramid]

Since you mentioned that you do have your OS CD and software CDs, you also said that all your data are backed up online. I believe there is nothing to backup unless you still want the setting of your computer such as sounds, wallpapers and etc... then by all means, backup c:\Documents and settings

[perfume]

Mr.1002Richards,
That's a thought-provoking article which you've posted! When one "clone's" his hard disk content to an external HDD, the entire contents of C drive and other drives are stored there in their entirety (THAT'S THE WHOLE IDEA OF A BACKUP). In the case of a crash or a Hard Disk death,one simply "RESTORE'S" the IMAGE to a new internal HDD! Now ,the article says,there is no need to backup "executable"files and "program"files, which seems a bit odd to me! The whole concept of taking a Backup and Restore is to save your C drive so that neither the "system folders"or the "program"files or even the "executable" files are not lost,and are replaced in an"as is"state. I've suffered two crashes and thanks to Mr.Elvandil's advise(Macrium Reflect-free version) ,could restore not only my system to it's original state,but all the softwares could be correctly re-installed (store the keys!).The vital thing here is to take a backup of both your "OS'" and "pc" drivers on to seperate DVD-RW's! The other proviso is, if you are a Linux user,better to make absolutely sure that the external hard disk mounts on"it,because SEAGATE EXTN.HDDs as i know, don't support Linux(hope they have fixed it).

[perfume]

I have no experience with online backup and my opinions will be different vis-a-vis,Extn.HDD backup and online backup.Just trying to clear the air,so to say!

[perfume]

Iam sorry if you have read five similar posts from me!Connectivity problems at this end!My apologies!Since commander has his software CDs,executable files"may"not be needed for backup!

[1002richards]

perfume,
I think the article is talking about some general ideas. I think acronis or similar for the lot, then maybe online for docs, photos.

Richard