Windows 7's "Backup and Restore" feature takes FOREVER!

[shyronnie]

So I tried backing up my laptop on a 500 GB external hard drive using Windows 7's "Backup and Restore" feature. Thing is, it's FREAKING SLOW! I only have less than 100 GB of used space on my laptop's hard drive to backup, but I believe it took about 2 HOURS to finish backing up! What's an alternative, possibly free, solution to this one? I might just do the old-fashioned "copy/paste" way of backing up my files; I actually prefer that because I know what I'm putting on my external hard drive, especially since I don't mind reinstalling programs or changing settings if something happens to my laptop.

[tehboris]

What did you configure the backup program to backup?

[shyronnie]

Originally Posted by tehboris

What did you configure the backup program to backup?

I think it's the recommended settings on the program. And it created a disc image of the C: drive.

Originally Posted by tokenuser

BasIc math lesson.

USB 2.0 has a theoretical maximum speed of 480Mb/s = 60MB/s.
100GB is 102400MB.
Transferring 102400MB at 60MB/s takes 1706s or 28minutes.

Now that is a theoretical best, so it will take at least that amount of time.

Add in verification of the backup, and compression, indexing, yada yada yada ... And it adds up fast, but I suspect that your 2hours was a slight exaggeration.

No, I think it was 2 hours. Or at least it felt like 2 hours. Hmm, maybe it was 1.5.

Something like this could be an option:

http://www.frys.com/product/6149939?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[shyronnie]

Originally Posted by davisan

Something like this could be an option:

http://www.frys.com/product/6149939?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Can I use that on my laptop? Also, I think a good old-fashioned copy-and-paste is my best option to back up my files. I don't think it's really that important to make images of my hard drive.

[tokenuser]

Provided you keep your media safe to reinstall software, its not that important to fully image a drive.

I set up a directory called data and keep everything as a subdirectory off it.

When it comes to a backup, I have a batch command to copy it off my machine. No fancy apps involved at all.

[tokenuser]

BasIc math lesson.

USB 2.0 has a theoretical maximum speed of 480Mb/s = 60MB/s.
100GB is 102400MB.
Transferring 102400MB at 60MB/s takes 1706s or 28minutes.

Now that is a theoretical best, so it will take at least that amount of time.

Add in verification of the backup, and compression, indexing, yada yada yada ... And it adds up fast, but I suspect that your 2hours was a slight exaggeration.