Basic home PC backup questions

jamie_in_nj · 01-03-2009, 10:25 AM

I suppose there might be a tutorial around here somewhere that answers these basic questions. If so, I'd be glad to take a look.

My situation is that I want to back up the files on the four User folders on my home PC (mine and my three kids). It's mostly music, in their iTunes folder; e.g., the folder

C:\Documents and Settings\Alison\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\

has 24 folders under it, with bands and albums under the bands and then the .m4a files.

Is there an easy way for Windows Explorer to tell me the cumulative size of the files under say one of the "iTunes Music" folders, so I can estimate how big my backup media needs to be? Also, I can store the backup files on our second PC we have, which has a lot of free space on the hard drive.

I'll probably have a lot more questions, but that's the first one.

Thanks!!

jamie_in_nj · 01-03-2009, 11:54 AM

I figured out how to determine the size of the files under a folder, by right-clicking and selecting properties. It looks like in total, I have about 12 Gig of data to back up. Any suggestions on what type of backup media is best?

**BCCOMP** · 01-03-2009, 02:05 PM

Hi Jamie,
Do you have an external Harddrive to use for a backup?
Or an extra HD that you can connect to the PC as a slave harddrive?
Bill

jamie_in_nj · 01-03-2009, 08:11 PM

Hi Bill. No, all I have around are some flash drives/jump drives but older ones, that only hold 256MB if I recall. I realize I might have to invest in a purchase of something for backing up.
Jamie

**BCCOMP** · 01-03-2009, 08:31 PM

If you have 12 GB of data it will take several DVD's/CD's if you have a DVD/CD burner.
How big is the harddrive you have in the 98 machine you mentioned.
Are we able to use that harddrive?
Bill

jamie_in_nj · 01-03-2009, 08:51 PM

I'll check the size of the harddrive in the W98 machine, and let you know. I could use that I suppose. By using it, you mean I would need to remove it from the W98 machine to connect to the XP machine as a slave drive?

**BCCOMP** · 01-03-2009, 09:08 PM

Yes, This might be one of the easiest ways. If the drive is big enough the cost will nothing. I can walk you through the steps to connect it as a slave drive.

The other option is to use an external HD if you have one.

Let me know.
Bill

01-03-2009, 10:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
jamie_in_nj Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 102 OS: Windows XP SP2	Basic home PC backup questions I suppose there might be a tutorial around here somewhere that answers these basic questions. If so, I'd be glad to take a look. My situation is that I want to back up the files on the four User folders on my home PC (mine and my three kids). It's mostly music, in their iTunes folder; e.g., the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Alison\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music\ has 24 folders under it, with bands and albums under the bands and then the .m4a files. Is there an easy way for Windows Explorer to tell me the cumulative size of the files under say one of the "iTunes Music" folders, so I can estimate how big my backup media needs to be? Also, I can store the backup files on our second PC we have, which has a lot of free space on the hard drive. I'll probably have a lot more questions, but that's the first one. Thanks!!

01-03-2009, 11:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
jamie_in_nj Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 102 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Basic home PC backup questions I figured out how to determine the size of the files under a folder, by right-clicking and selecting properties. It looks like in total, I have about 12 Gig of data to back up. Any suggestions on what type of backup media is best?

01-03-2009, 02:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,043 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Basic home PC backup questions Hi Jamie, Do you have an external Harddrive to use for a backup? Or an extra HD that you can connect to the PC as a slave harddrive? Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

01-03-2009, 08:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
jamie_in_nj Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 102 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Basic home PC backup questions Hi Bill. No, all I have around are some flash drives/jump drives but older ones, that only hold 256MB if I recall. I realize I might have to invest in a purchase of something for backing up. Jamie

01-03-2009, 08:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,043 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Basic home PC backup questions If you have 12 GB of data it will take several DVD's/CD's if you have a DVD/CD burner. How big is the harddrive you have in the 98 machine you mentioned. Are we able to use that harddrive? Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan

01-03-2009, 08:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
jamie_in_nj Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 102 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Basic home PC backup questions I'll check the size of the harddrive in the W98 machine, and let you know. I could use that I suppose. By using it, you mean I would need to remove it from the W98 machine to connect to the XP machine as a slave drive?

01-03-2009, 09:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 7,043 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Basic home PC backup questions Yes, This might be one of the easiest ways. If the drive is big enough the cost will nothing. I can walk you through the steps to connect it as a slave drive. The other option is to use an external HD if you have one. Let me know. Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ PC Running Slow Speedfan