new computer

[dan2229]

I just bought a new HP a1600n last month. I did the set up and ran all the registrations on line. The next week I installed all my favorite programs and got rid of the ones I didn't want.

I saw a backup disk in the one of the sleeves but didn't notice at the time that it was only for my monitor. I stupidly assumed that it was my software emergency recovery disks like all my other computers came with. After running my computer for a couple of weeks, I got a message in an HP screen that I needed to make backup disks for my computer.

I got out all my materials that shipped with my computer and discovered that indeed, the backup was only for my monitor, and that my computer did not, in fact come, with a software backup disk.

Gee, that was dumb on my part not to look carefully at everything, but this is like my fifth or sixth new computer on the last ten years, and I assumed that the new one would come with the same info and software as the others.

Here is my question. Why didn't the computer prompt me to make a backup disk sometime during the first few hours of operation instead of waiting for three weeks? It would have been nice to have made backups in a more pristine condition.

Is this the way desktops come now?

When I make may backup, will it just be a mirror of my current hard drive or will there be an emergency boot disk included in the build?

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[wolluf]

If documentation with machine doesn't tell you, look on HP site or contact HP to find out.

 

[wahnula]

In my opinion, placing backup data on another partition of the resident drive is not secure. When (not if) the drive fails, there will be no backups...nada.

Get a couple 100GB laptop drives & cases (around $100 each, or less by now, speed/cache not an issue)and SyncbackSE or another backup program that copies FILES, not a proprietary .bkf or similar nonsense, and use it regularly. Rotate drives weekly (daily if you're anal) and keep one in your car or in your bag.

Now you have the option to be proactive and back up anything you don't already have a CD for. Of course, you can also partition one of those new drives to hold an image of the install for future use, safe & sound.

Tony

 

[dan2229]

wahnula,

I already have a backup hard drive and use it at least everyday for files that I make changes to. My laptop that I had before this new computer was doing weird things, and I couldn't trust it.

Last night I got some DVD's and made the Recovery backups using the HP utility. My main question is - why the computer didn't prompt me to make the backups on the first day of its operation?

This is really all my fault that I didn't pay attention to the troubleshooting documentation. It is usally something most people don't read when they get their new computer out of the box. Of course, most of us "meatheads" wait until there is a problem!

I look at it this way. I dodged a bullet this time but will always look at the documentation from now on.

Thanks,

Daniel