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definitions:
a disk image is a single file or storage device containing the complete contents and structure representing a data storage medium or device, such as a hard drive. A disk image is usually created by creating a complete sector-by-sector copy of the source medium and thereby perfectly replicating the structure and contents of a storage device. An image may or may not omit unused file space from source media, or compress the disk they represent to reduce storage requirements. These may be called images or archive files, as they are not literally disk images but serve the same purpose.
disk encryption is used to protect confidentiality of the data stored on a computer disk. Compared to access restrictions commonly enforced by an Operating System such as Windows, this technique allows data be to be protected even when the OS is not active, for example, if data are read directly from the hardware. Encryption software encrypts data stored on a computer's mass storage and transparently decrypts the information when an authorized user requests it: no special action by the user (except supplying a password or passphrase at the beginning of a session) is required.
Hard drives fail at some point. They are after all an electro-mechanical device; a small electric motor turns a spindle, which turns the platter, which spins beneath a read/write head. The expected life of a hard drive is three years. We have all heard stories of failed hard drives and complete loss of data.
a disk image is a single file or storage device containing the complete contents and structure representing a data storage medium or device, such as a hard drive. A disk image is usually created by creating a complete sector-by-sector copy of the source medium and thereby perfectly replicating the structure and contents of a storage device. An image may or may not omit unused file space from source media, or compress the disk they represent to reduce storage requirements. These may be called images or archive files, as they are not literally disk images but serve the same purpose.
disk encryption is used to protect confidentiality of the data stored on a computer disk. Compared to access restrictions commonly enforced by an Operating System such as Windows, this technique allows data be to be protected even when the OS is not active, for example, if data are read directly from the hardware. Encryption software encrypts data stored on a computer's mass storage and transparently decrypts the information when an authorized user requests it: no special action by the user (except supplying a password or passphrase at the beginning of a session) is required.
Hard drives fail at some point. They are after all an electro-mechanical device; a small electric motor turns a spindle, which turns the platter, which spins beneath a read/write head. The expected life of a hard drive is three years. We have all heard stories of failed hard drives and complete loss of data.
Restoring a computer from a disk image and/or backup files.
Local file backup You should do this on a regular basis depending on how often your stored files are changed, added or deleted. Local backup is simply a copy of some files.
Most of your files are stored within the Documents or My Documents folder tree. Within this tree are folders for My Pictures, My Videos and others. Most people frequently drop files onto their Desktop for quick locating later. Some programs you install save created files within their own tree structure within Program Files/XYZ/save… for example. Your email and contacts or address book is important to save unless you use what’s called webmail (like AOL or Hotmail) where mail and contacts are always on the host that you visit using a web browser.
In summary, these are common items that should be backed up:
Documents, pictures, videos, music
Desktop
selected folders/files within Program Files
mail and contacts
others unique to your system
If for some reason you lost any of the above items, or they became corrupted, you would always have an extra copy.
Disk Image backup Restoring some valuable files you’ve created with a local backup seems easy. Restoring a hard drive, thus restoring your computer, is a larger task. That is best done with a disk image. Assume the worst -- your computer is lost or stolen or destroyed by fire or flood. Here are the elements of restoring a computer:
Restoring all of these things from a disk image takes about 30 minutes. Your programs do not have to be reinstalled the long way. Files that you created are in the exact tree they need to be in. The registry is intact.
1. retrieve your disk image from safe storage and transfer the image to the new computer
Restoring from scratch with CDs and internet downloads takes 10-12 hours. Each program must be singly installed into the new environment. You have to try to find the registration keys and passwords, from wherever you stored them. The system registry must be rebuilt.
1. get a new computer from any source
2. Windows (your Operating System)
3. all installed programs
4. all program updates/upgrades
5. all files you’ve created
Local file backup You should do this on a regular basis depending on how often your stored files are changed, added or deleted. Local backup is simply a copy of some files.
Most of your files are stored within the Documents or My Documents folder tree. Within this tree are folders for My Pictures, My Videos and others. Most people frequently drop files onto their Desktop for quick locating later. Some programs you install save created files within their own tree structure within Program Files/XYZ/save… for example. Your email and contacts or address book is important to save unless you use what’s called webmail (like AOL or Hotmail) where mail and contacts are always on the host that you visit using a web browser.
In summary, these are common items that should be backed up:
Documents, pictures, videos, music
Desktop
selected folders/files within Program Files
mail and contacts
others unique to your system
If for some reason you lost any of the above items, or they became corrupted, you would always have an extra copy.
Disk Image backup Restoring some valuable files you’ve created with a local backup seems easy. Restoring a hard drive, thus restoring your computer, is a larger task. That is best done with a disk image. Assume the worst -- your computer is lost or stolen or destroyed by fire or flood. Here are the elements of restoring a computer:
Restoring all of these things from a disk image takes about 30 minutes. Your programs do not have to be reinstalled the long way. Files that you created are in the exact tree they need to be in. The registry is intact.
1. retrieve your disk image from safe storage and transfer the image to the new computer
Restoring from scratch with CDs and internet downloads takes 10-12 hours. Each program must be singly installed into the new environment. You have to try to find the registration keys and passwords, from wherever you stored them. The system registry must be rebuilt.
1. get a new computer from any source
2. Windows (your Operating System)
3. all installed programs
4. all program updates/upgrades
5. all files you’ve created
What’s a disk image and why do I need one?
which version of Windows?
Windows 7 > Home Premium, Professional, others
Windows Vista > Home Premium, others
Windows XP > Home, Professional, others
a few or many
a few or many
hundreds of valuable documents and pictures?
Windows 7 > Home Premium, Professional, others
Windows Vista > Home Premium, others
Windows XP > Home, Professional, others
a few or many
a few or many
hundreds of valuable documents and pictures?
Secure Off-Site Data Storage and more
secure links with absolute control from any computer,
backed by ten years of experienced customer support and trust
secure links with absolute control from any computer,
backed by ten years of experienced customer support and trust
Secure data storage, file sharing & secure backup
You don't need a file server at work -- really.
You don't need a file server at work -- really.
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