There are some nice automated backup programs available that just perform a
file copy to wherever you want to save the backups. If the archive bit on
the original is reset the new version is copied over. You can instruct as to
how many versions to keep before the old version roll off into the ether.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience



"Blue Max" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the observations, Richard. We also relied on 3rd party
solutions, but made the mistake of thinking that the Vista Backup product
was capable of meeting our current needs. Like you, I guess we are back
to a 3rd party solution, but with a sour taste in our mouth for Microsoft.

Interestingly, we simply used the DOS or Windows 'copy' feature to archive
files for many years. It worked very well and we would probably still use
it on certain occasions except for a continuing problem. The Microsoft
'Copy' routine 'Aborts' when it cannot copy a file rather than giving you
a 'Skip' or 'Skip All' option so that it could complete the copy
operation.

For all the great technology that comes out of Microsoft, we are sometimes
mystified by the bumbling incompetence found in the simplest details.

Thanks,
Richard

********************
"Richard Urban" wrote in message
...
Microsoft backup programs (in MY opinion) have never been robust. Same
for their system restore. I know that there are some (Microsoft
employees??) that do not want to hear this but "it is what it is".

I have been using 3rd party backup and imaging programs since the days of
DOS and have little problems with them. I have never had much faith, or
success, using any supplied backup program that was included with an
operating system.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Blue Max" wrote in message
...
Hello Richard,

Before you prejudge, we actually did end up having three separate
backups and some of the programs were burned to DVDs. In this case, we
will probably be able to recover most the lost files. However, our
original complaints still stand:

FIRST, it is INSANE to provide a backup program (Windows Vista Backup)
that unexpectedly provides an incomplete backup and then fails to
display a bold warning dialog clearly stating this limitation before
performing the backup.

SECOND, users should not be required to perform 3 or 4 backups for a
single point in time in order to be assured they can recover from a
major malfunction. Such a requirement is time-consuming and expensive
for both individuals and businesses. It is a very sad reflection on the
state of integrity of the art, though we follow this procedure out of
necessity.

THIRD, given the unreliable state of the art, as acknowledged above,
isn't it a little unconscionable that Microsoft would undermine the
integrity of the process by crippling the capability of their backup
program? Why even provide one at all?

Thank you for commenting,

Richard

***********
"Richard Urban" wrote in message
...
So, you don't have off site backups that you created earlier? I can't
believe that you keep purchased software in only one place. If I pay
for a downloaded program I have it burned to at least 2 CD/DVD's, an
external drive, maybe a different drive on the computer etc.

You have learned that there is more than one type of backup - the
difficult way.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Blue Max" wrote in message
...
Thank you, semoi. I had never noticed any such disclaimer. Such a
design is simply insane! Why in the world would you purposely cripple
someone's indispensible backup feature and then hide such an important
disclosure in fine print? In this case, we have lost invaluable
drivers and programs (all legal productive software) that are no
longer available on the internet.

Incredible!! How in the world can a company be so incompetent as to
alienate loyal users in this fashion? I agree with your
characterization of Microsoft 100%. We continually end up with
nothing but frustration using Microsoft utilities. A fine example is
Remote Assistance, advertised as a simple, trouble-free way for users
to help each other (certainly a worthy endeavor), yet not once have we
ever been able to configure a reliable connection; regardless of the
computer, location, version, configuration, or technical ability of
the installer.

I hope some day we can have the privilege of immortalizing some
clear-thinking individual who eventually brings reliability,
flexibility, and sanity back into the software world.

Thanks,
Richard

*************
"semoi" wrote in message
...
My copy of Vista Home Premium clearly states in the tiny fine blue
print that executables are not backed up.
Your version may be different.
I see the Vista backup program as utterly useless bloatware, like
much of Vista (as well as other Microsoft and Apple OSes).
If you want a complete back-up of your hard drive you will need
additional software. Alas such back-up software is not entirely
reliable. Even if you scan/verify your back-up it may fail when you
actually need to use it as too many of us have found after disaster
struck. It can be worth creating these back-ups, because if they
actually work when you need them you are fortunate, but you need a
back up for your back up:
The safest back-up schemes involve copying data files to whatever
medium you prefer and saving your program installation discs and
activation keys.






__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature database 3953 (20090321) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com




__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3953 (20090321) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

Thanks for all your suggestions.

Richard


***************
"Richard Urban" wrote in message
...
There are some nice automated backup programs available that just perform
a file copy to wherever you want to save the backups. If the archive bit
on the original is reset the new version is copied over. You can instruct
as to how many versions to keep before the old version roll off into the
ether.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience



"Blue Max" wrote in message
...
Thank you for the observations, Richard. We also relied on 3rd party
solutions, but made the mistake of thinking that the Vista Backup product
was capable of meeting our current needs. Like you, I guess we are back
to a 3rd party solution, but with a sour taste in our mouth for
Microsoft.

Interestingly, we simply used the DOS or Windows 'copy' feature to
archive files for many years. It worked very well and we would probably
still use it on certain occasions except for a continuing problem. The
Microsoft 'Copy' routine 'Aborts' when it cannot copy a file rather than
giving you a 'Skip' or 'Skip All' option so that it could complete the
copy operation.

For all the great technology that comes out of Microsoft, we are
sometimes mystified by the bumbling incompetence found in the simplest
details.

Thanks,
Richard

********************
"Richard Urban" wrote in message
...
Microsoft backup programs (in MY opinion) have never been robust. Same
for their system restore. I know that there are some (Microsoft
employees??) that do not want to hear this but "it is what it is".

I have been using 3rd party backup and imaging programs since the days
of DOS and have little problems with them. I have never had much faith,
or success, using any supplied backup program that was included with an
operating system.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Blue Max" wrote in message
...
Hello Richard,

Before you prejudge, we actually did end up having three separate
backups and some of the programs were burned to DVDs. In this case, we
will probably be able to recover most the lost files. However, our
original complaints still stand:

FIRST, it is INSANE to provide a backup program (Windows Vista Backup)
that unexpectedly provides an incomplete backup and then fails to
display a bold warning dialog clearly stating this limitation before
performing the backup.

SECOND, users should not be required to perform 3 or 4 backups for a
single point in time in order to be assured they can recover from a
major malfunction. Such a requirement is time-consuming and expensive
for both individuals and businesses. It is a very sad reflection on
the state of integrity of the art, though we follow this procedure out
of necessity.

THIRD, given the unreliable state of the art, as acknowledged above,
isn't it a little unconscionable that Microsoft would undermine the
integrity of the process by crippling the capability of their backup
program? Why even provide one at all?

Thank you for commenting,

Richard

***********
"Richard Urban" wrote in message
...
So, you don't have off site backups that you created earlier? I can't
believe that you keep purchased software in only one place. If I pay
for a downloaded program I have it burned to at least 2 CD/DVD's, an
external drive, maybe a different drive on the computer etc.

You have learned that there is more than one type of backup - the
difficult way.

--

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"Blue Max" wrote in message
...
Thank you, semoi. I had never noticed any such disclaimer. Such a
design is simply insane! Why in the world would you purposely
cripple someone's indispensible backup feature and then hide such an
important disclosure in fine print? In this case, we have lost
invaluable drivers and programs (all legal productive software) that
are no longer available on the internet.

Incredible!! How in the world can a company be so incompetent as to
alienate loyal users in this fashion? I agree with your
characterization of Microsoft 100%. We continually end up with
nothing but frustration using Microsoft utilities. A fine example is
Remote Assistance, advertised as a simple, trouble-free way for users
to help each other (certainly a worthy endeavor), yet not once have
we ever been able to configure a reliable connection; regardless of
the computer, location, version, configuration, or technical ability
of the installer.

I hope some day we can have the privilege of immortalizing some
clear-thinking individual who eventually brings reliability,
flexibility, and sanity back into the software world.

Thanks,
Richard

*************
"semoi" wrote in message
...
My copy of Vista Home Premium clearly states in the tiny fine blue
print that executables are not backed up.
Your version may be different.
I see the Vista backup program as utterly useless bloatware, like
much of Vista (as well as other Microsoft and Apple OSes).
If you want a complete back-up of your hard drive you will need
additional software. Alas such back-up software is not entirely
reliable. Even if you scan/verify your back-up it may fail when you
actually need to use it as too many of us have found after disaster
struck. It can be worth creating these back-ups, because if they
actually work when you need them you are fortunate, but you need a
back up for your back up:
The safest back-up schemes involve copying data files to whatever
medium you prefer and saving your program installation discs and
activation keys.






__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature database 3953 (20090321) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com




__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature database 3953 (20090321) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com