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Whenever your computer does a back up to a (backup) drive, does it only back up files or does it back up everything including programs?

Files only

Can you make it back up programs?

Like if you would download a program from the net and don't have a hard disc copy of it.

Save the downloads by burning on a cd using data format or I have used ghost in the past. I dont know what it's like since Norton bought it.

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Answer is there are several types of backups you can make. A standard backup will back up files, but since you can back up all files technically it is backing up the program or application, but you cannot distinctly just recover a particular application. Also there are problems with doing a file backup so that if you wish to do a full recovery including the registry - it doesn't really back up the registry and allow recovery properly. In order to use these you first have to reinstall Windows and then load the backup if wishing to do disaster recovery of a full system. This is not required just for individual files.

2nd option is an image backup (such as Nortons Ghost, or Acronis True Image) that will take an exact image or duplicate (clone) of your current system. With True Image you can also back up individual files. This is usually the best and quickest way to securely backup and recover you system after a disaster or failure.

Finally there is a way to backup actual applications though most people aren't aware of it. There is software by Eisenworld called Aloha Bob's Pc Relocator. Relocator allows you to back up files, settings, configurations, preferences, along with entire applications and then restore all or just a few to either a new machine or for recovery purposes. I've used Aloha Bob a number of times with great success when migrating from an old computer to a new one. Problem is for some reason Microsoft bought Eisenworld out and supposedly was going to incorporate Pc Relocation into Vista although apparently it is not currently available. I don't know if they for some reason just killed the app by buying it out or really are going to start improving and using it. Perhaps a Vista SP2 release will have it.

PS: The other backup / restore options you have are Windows System Restore and a product like Goback. Both of these make a software backup configuration of the way your computer looked at a particular point in time so that you have the ability to 'roll back' to an earlier time. I believe both of these are primarily limited by basically being a registry backup though they may include some key files as well.

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Dunno !

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Whats a backup?

It's a position on your car.  Usually backup and new troll are side by each If'n yez lookin at it from in front

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Northeast United States runner up for the "Singing Hall of Shame".

I put it in leap and we took off. Then drag and we really took off..But when I put it in roar it came to an immediate halt and the transmission blew up and melted into the asphalt.  LMAO

I think i have a virus or something that the virus protector can't find or isolate.  If i make a duplicate of the hard drive it will still be there.

Do the majority of the virus' attack individual programs or mainly the Operating System files.

On the laptop which is on the internet all the time I do a complete system restore on a regular basis. On the daw I have everything disabled except what is needed.

Sidewinder go to this page: http://pressf1.pcworld.co.nz/showthread.php?t=59106

and look under the second post 'Johnboy' for antivirus links. Choose Bitdefender, F-Secure, and TrendMicro. All 3 online scans will find viruses and clean them for free. You might also try Pest Patrol, AdAware, and SpySweeper, or Spybot Search and Destroy for removing spyware/adware. Adaware and Spybot are free - Google them.

Also AVG Antivirus is also another free one to try.

If you can't find any of the above links or they are old just Google the name and look for the free scans.

Why do you think you have a virus? You probably have a bunch of crap running in background. You might do a scan for Enditall2 - download for free and use it to kill all extra running processes. If you're computer has only recently started acting odd and you are using XP then you can attempt to choose a Windows Restore point  for a date before you began noticing the problem.

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Windows is famous (Infamous) for allowing a virus to take over the operating system..

Sometimes the only answer is to re-install..  :(

Not true. Use Norton Ghost and it will duplicate your drive.

Yep, and if you are running XP or Vista, then you will be nailed with an unauthorized install when it validates.

Never back up installed applications, just the application installation files and all data and settings files associated with those applications. Back up your IE settings and favorites and email, but never ghost your whole Windows drive unless you have proper license to do so or it will eventually be disabled or corrupted by MS.

The best back up is an external drive and decent anti virus like AVG or Kaspersky where you store all installation files and also data files and settings.....keep it firewalled and invisible-make it a one way street where only backups can load....connect it only when physically disconnected from web and only after full, deep virus-spyware scan....use free third party anti-virus scan(like trendmicro) to double check your paid version....Stay away from Norton and ZoneAlarm totally.

With XP or Vista make sure to configure it to restore and get in the habit of making restore points whenever you install or delete an application.

I have not had a virus in years only because I wear a full body condom.

This time I agree.

try installing avast and let it do its thing, if you have something lurkingit will find it
its free and one of the best anti virus progs I have ever used

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you might like to read the review of the editor of download.com...

http://www.download.com/3000-2239_4-10780115.html

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"Be who you are and say what you feel... Because those that matter... Don't mind...And those that mind... Don't matter."

What about Windows Live OneCare?

Just switch to Mac and use Time Machine, which will back up everything on the disc and if you ever crash, you can go back to any time stamped backup you want to restore to.

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