Backup/Restore Strategies

[MikeyChris]

I have been playing with computers since 1989, so I am not a novice. Yet for some reason I am confused about the overall BACKUP-RESTORE process. I understand the concepts, but the details seem to leave me wondering what to do in the event of a hard disk crash.
For example, I use Windows 7 Pro, and have used it's backup program to make a system image on an external USB drive. I used FBackup to make a FULL BACKUP of my entire hard drive, and then use FBackup to do a nightly scheduled backup of all data files.
In the event of a hard disk failure, how would I restore from my external USB drive?
The computer came with a set of restore DVD's as well as a restore partition on the hard drive (which would be useless in the event of a hard disk failure), but I can't get the computer to boot from the recovery DVD's (yes, I have set the DVD as the primary boot device in the BIOS), so I am at a loss. Any help/explanation is welcome.

Thanx.

[Adrian (Softland)]

Hi,
In case of a computer crash, you need to:

1. Install Windows and all programs

2. Restore the data files backup using FBackup.

[MikeyChris]

So FBackup will only restore data files?
My problem is that the computer did not come with a Windows DVD, it has a restore partition on the hard drive. I made restore DVD's, so I can restore the computer to the original state. I was then hoping that I could install FBackup, and then restore all apps and data from the external drive using FBackup. I guess the problem with that is the catalogs for FBackup would be lost when the hard disk failed, right? If so how could I even restore the data?

Thanx.

[Adrian (Softland)]

Hi,
FBackup should be used for data files backup only. You cannot restore the OS using FBackup.

The backup catalog (.fkc file) is stored in two locations: in the local catalog folder and also in destination. In case of a computer crash, you can open the catalog from destination.

[MikeyChris]

FBackup should be used for data files backup only. You cannot restore the OS using FBackup.
So even if I restore from the recovery DVDs (and thus have the basic O/S installed on the new hard drive), I can't use FB to restore updates, new INI files, etc. that are in the \system root\? IOW, I can't use FB to restore all the installed programs that were installed after the time of the original recovery DVDs were made?
Does Back4All do this? I am looking for a complete backup solution that restores my computer as quickly as possible after a hard disk failure.

Thanx.

[Adrian (Softland)]

Hi,
Backup4all does not back up installed software or OS. Use it for data file backups only.