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Is backup necessary before formating?

post #1 of 8
7/21/05 at 11:32pm
Thread Starter 
I am about to reformat my hd on my new 9300. however, it seems that backing up the files will take a long time if i do it onto my desktop via firewire. and i have no blank dvd-rs handy. so my question is, would it be too risky to just wing it and reformat sans backing it up? i dont see what i would want to restore it to the original settings for. i also have an os disc as well as drivers and utilities. think i am ok to skip backing up due to me being lazy and impatient?
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post #2 of 8
7/22/05 at 12:08am
Sounds like you are good to go.

You only need to backup your personal docs. Like pictures, music, etc. There is no need to Ghost or otherwise image the original Dell bloat, IMO.

But it would be a good idea to image your fresh XP install (after you've installed the drivers, updated Windows, installed some basic apps, etc.) Then, make another image after you have everything installed and configured to your liking.

Although I use Ghost, Acronis True Image is also very good. Just my 2ยข.
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post #3 of 8
7/22/05 at 1:50pm
just to let you know, a fresh install is very fragmented... you should defrag after installin' the OS and after each app you install.. the best defrag is Diskeeper Pro ... Diskeeper is the one that comes with Windows but it's a "lite" version, very light hehe...

you can download the Pro version for a free 30 day trial and use that when you do your install... you'll be amazed at how fragmented your drive is after a "clean install"... if you run the Pro version after you've defragged with the Windows version, you'll really be amazed at how little the lite one does... hope all goes well for ya'
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post #4 of 8
7/22/05 at 2:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by julianBC
I am about to reformat my hd on my new 9300. however, it seems that backing up the files will take a long time if i do it onto my desktop via firewire. and i have no blank dvd-rs handy. so my question is, would it be too risky to just wing it and reformat sans backing it up? i dont see what i would want to restore it to the original settings for. i also have an os disc as well as drivers and utilities. think i am ok to skip backing up due to me being lazy and impatient?
Backing up the entire HDD via Ghost is simple to do...look for the step by step detailed explanation in the pdf linked below.

BTW: Ghost's file by file backing up routine leaves whatever destination partition completely fragment free. If you were to create the automatic bootable backup DVD from a very fragmented new install then turn around and restore the primary HDD from this bootable DVD, it would leave the primary HDD automatically defragmented!
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post #5 of 8
7/22/05 at 9:40pm
speakin' of Ghost reminded me of a question i have... i have syswks pro 2005 but it's such a huge load, so a friend told me about PC-cillin and i've been very happy with it, especially considerin' it only cost $15 after rebate... is there anyway i can install Ghost w/o installin' syswks?

thanks in advance for any input, although i'm certain it's gonna be no...
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post #6 of 8
7/22/05 at 9:59pm
Can you make a Ghost boot CD with that version of Ghost? You should be able too....

If so, then install sysworks, burn the CD, then uninstall it.

I use my Ghost 2003 boot CD to image my drive. Nothing Norton is installed on my system.

Better use Total Uninstall (or similar) to be sure that you get all the Norton junk off, though....
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post #7 of 8
7/22/05 at 10:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by odious_m
Can you make a Ghost boot CD with that version of Ghost? You should be able too....

If so, then install sysworks, burn the CD, then uninstall it.

I use my Ghost 2003 boot CD to image my drive. Nothing Norton is installed on my system.

Better use Total Uninstall (or similar) to be sure that you get all the Norton junk off, though....
i've been missin' ghost... my friend you are a good man, thanks a lot
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post #8 of 8
7/22/05 at 10:15pm
^Sure thing, bra. Hope it works out well for yaz.
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