Windows Backup

[Buz Fuller]

This may be a lame question, but is safe to continue working with
applications while doing a complete system backup? When I make a backup, I
walk away from computer and let it do its' thing. I feel this is best way.
Perhaps I answered my own question?

 

[Tim]

In general it is best to backup a "quiet" system (i.e. no one is using it
and all applications are closed). Some backup applications skip over files
that are open. That's why my backups run at night.

Tim

"Buz Fuller" <buzfuller@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:u%23NTh%23%23vHHA.4544@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> This may be a lame question, but is safe to continue working with
> applications while doing a complete system backup? When I make a backup, I
> walk away from computer and let it do its' thing. I feel this is best way.
> Perhaps I answered my own question?

 

[Michael Solomon]

"Buz Fuller" <buzfuller@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:u#NTh##vHHA.4544@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> This may be a lame question, but is safe to continue working with
> applications while doing a complete system backup? When I make a backup, I
> walk away from computer and let it do its' thing. I feel this is best way.
> Perhaps I answered my own question?
While there are some backup applications that have the option to backup
files that are open or otherwise in use, it is always best to leave the
system idle while a backup is in progress.

Assume for a moment that the data in a critical application in which you
happen to be working has been backed up and you change it? You have now,
rendered the backup, at least for that application, essentially useless or
at least somewhat outdated.

Second, whenever you are working in an application, system files are active
doing a lot of scratch work and work in the background to support
application functions. If the system crashes while you are backing up, that
backup, the one you were running while continuing to work, may be lost as
well.

--
Michael Solomon
Backup is a PC user's best friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/