I'm going to make a major system change which just might possibly mess up my entire computer. Therefore, I want to make sure that if that does happen, my computer will be able to return to like it is now extremely fast. I read about setting up their computer to where should ANYTHING happen to their computer, they can just format it totally and have their computer just like it was, before the virus/major system change occurred, in just under 15 minutes. This is how I want to make sure my computer is set up. So, I was thinking that I just need to simply #1. back up my data #2. create a full image of my computer Regarding number one, which is "backing up my data", since I have an external hard drive of 1TB, can I just copy and paste my entire regular computer’s HDD of 88GB onto the external? Will that suffice? If so, then every time I need to update the backup that I already did, then I just simply copy and paste in the same manner that I listed above which is copy and paste, right? I believe that my computer will notify me about the files that have the same names and whether or not I want to write over those files. Since I will be updating those files, I will select “Yes to All”. Is everything that I have typed so far, correct? Regarding number two, which "creating a full image", is this exactly what I need to do? Is everything correct?
Don't copy and paste your entire hdd unless there's no OS/programs installed on that disk. It's extremely ineffective. Full system image is designed for this task. Copy your most important personal files to the external drive, and then create a system image using Acronis. I personally use Macrium Reflect. You can then recover your system using the image and boot disk. I have no experience with Acronis, but I think that guide is quite relevant.
Macrium is excellent and fast too but one thing I found with the free version was that if you make a full backup and then partition your HDD, MR (free) can't restore to a smaller drive, think MR Pro can and definitely Acronis but latest version seems a little buggy, trial it first. Another thing I like with Acronis is that backups and restores can be made from the Boot CD, no need for the program, others may be the same, don't know. Paragon is another good one, free or paid: http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-drive-imaging-program.htm
Well, shouldn't be a problem if one makes backups frequently, expect things can get bit harder if one wants to clone drives of different sizes. And MR also supports boot disks.
No, it's not a problem at all. I usually backup a new install first and then partition the HDD and made a problem restoring. No big deal once you know.
That seems like it worked. Thank you all! I first created a bootable media rescue on my external HDD and then second I backed up my entire computer. Then I set up my computer to do incremental backups everyday to capture any changes that I make to files on my computer such as making new word files and editing/updating older ones as well.
