How can I make sure when I backup my PC it is successful?

Question

I got a virus on my computer. It wiped nearly everything away....videos, some pictures, most of My Programs & the shutdown panel was gone except for the shutdown button! My antivirus, Ccleaner, Advanced Systems Care, etc would not work! The Ccleaner file said "empty" as did a lot of things! I've been on this laptop for days trying to get things fixed & I being a novice have done a fairly good job just by googling & using my desktop for answers. I was able to install Super Anti-spyware & run it. Then I was able to run Malwarebytes & Microsoft Security Essentials! I found a site called "Unhide" which did unhide a lot. I found "Recuva" & ran it. the next day when I booted up, more things were back, but not everything. I was to send it into HP before all this happened! I let them know what was going on & they said they would run a systems recovery, but I had to back my computer up. I am new to doing this & Microsoft backup & restore did NOT do what it said it would. I was told this is a bad program! So, I called my son who lives in another state & he found a couple other backup programs. I tried one & at the very end, something went wrong. I called him back & we tried the other backup.....he walked me through it. It ran for hours & hours & when it was nearly all done, a box popped up & said it was aborted. Here is the message I got>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
".Backup aborted



Backup aborted

Reason:cannot add file “C:\users\Andrea\videos\2011-06-25\012.AVI”

To \\ANDREA-PC\users\Public\Documents\New Backup andi\1_C.zip.



Zip error: Seek Error

See Log File



“C:\users\Andrea\appData\Roaming\

Softland\Fbackup4\logs\NewBackupAndi_2011111017021.backup.log”

For details

Do you want to view the log file now?












I have found many of my videos & pictures & do NOT want to lose them. Can anyone help me? I think running everything I did over & over, the virus might be gone, but need to save just the important things before I send it in to HP.......videos, photos, documents & whatever else that is considered important! If the the virus or parts of it is still on my laptop, HP assured me they will get rid of it, but they don't do a backup!! Thanks for any help anyone can give me. I am a novice at these type of things & don't know all the advanced computer language, so, please reply in beginners terms! When I was able to use all my security programs, I did run them many times since getting this virus!

Answer 1

In your case, you should not include the System Image when you use the "Backup and Restore" utility of Windows 7 as HP will be restoring your computer to factory defaults. If you restore the computer using the discs you created, it will wipe out the installation that HP have done and you will back with your problem.



As HP will be restoring the computer to factory defaults, I recommend that you only backup your documents. Use this free program:

http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software.htm



Aside from the System Backup feature, it also has the File Backup feature which is what you need. The difference is that the first one backs up your OS and you have the option of including your files/documents. The second only backs up your files/documents so your OS is not affected when you do a restore.



In the File Backup feature, the defaults will be chosen for your convenience and should be adequate. You may also add other folders and drives if you want. The process includes verification of the back up to make sure that you will be able to restore them later.



What I can recommend that you do is immediately after getting your computer restored to factory defaults, create a system image of the clean OS by running Backup and Restore in Windows 7 or use the ToDo Backup to make a copy of the system image. Afterwards, create a separate set of backups for your data/fdocuments using the File Backup feature of Todo Backup.



EDIT: You said it took hours and hours and hours? I back up my complete system (System Image including data/documents) and it only takes less than 20 mins.

Answer 2

"...RED" may have some decent advice there (I no longer use Windows so I can't say), but I would only add that this is one of the hardest lessons any computer user learns: back up BEFORE there's trouble...and that is easiest to do early in the game.



Whatever BU utility you select, make your first session a 'full' data BU, to create a baseline; then set the utility to do 'incremental' backups after that.

That method then only adds new stuff, or changes to the old stuff, which cuts down on media consumption and time required to process.

Ideally, 2 copies of this data is created: one for storage near the machine, and one "off-site" in the event of fire, flood, theft, tornado etc.

This advice is for all operating systems because there are meltdowns with any OS.



Sidebar: If this experience has you frazzled beyond description, have a look at using Linux system for all Internet tasks and keep your Windows insulated against the Tsunami's of malware that plague that OS.

Dual-boot is what you'd want, and it's made life pleasant again instead of the paranoia and babysitting Windows requires.

Mint is one; older versions of Ubuntu are also good (not so much the newest).

All are free, fairly easy to install and learn (being point and click similar to Windows).

Check it out.

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installing

Answer 3

This seems exciting. First have you ever been able to perceive it? if so then bypass to Symantec's internet web site and do a search for for it there. it is going to allow you to recognize approaches to get rid of it. in case you have not observed it then i see 2 suggestions. a million is to get professional virus eliminating done or 2 format all drives with the application application out of your not undemanding disc producer(s). you're saying you probably did a format and it remains there. Did you do a distructive format or homestead windows fix? A distructive format will wipe the force of each thing and that's ideal done useing the above said application. on the grounds that maximum viruses choose homestead windows to operate the application should be operating good after your computer's BIOS and CMOS end. homestead windows Non-distructive fix merely replaces the damaged homestead windows report. Backup you documents, receive the application, stick with the teachings provided for the application and reinstall your OS. when you get your computer as a lot as date and your Antivirus application totally up as a lot as now test the disc including your subsidized up documents for an endemic. you could replica files which aren't any further contaminated back on your computer and then smash that disc. If the virus remains modern then it probable is residing both on your CMOS Flash or on your draw close Boot list of the not undemanding disk. both case there is not any fix that i recognize of without professional help. desire that facilitates