0 bytes in a folder (huh)

sallyanne · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2018 5:06 am **(#1)**

Earlier this year I bought a new computer and immediately (I thought) did an Windows image backup of the computer onto my portable hard drive. Took a couple hours to complete so I was confident it was done. Thought I would have a look at how much space it took up as I also want to use the drive for back ups. Anyhow I have found out now that the Image Folder has 0 bytes.
The drive holds almost a terabyte of stuff, so I doubt it was too small.

I do leave the drive plugged in as I have back ups scheduled. Could the image have been erased? Maybe it wasn't done properly at first?

Wallace · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2018 9:48 am **(#2)**

sallyanne wrote:

Earlier this year I bought a new computer and immediately (I thought) did an Windows image backup of the computer onto my portable hard drive. Took a couple hours to complete so I was confident it was done. Thought I would have a look at how much space it took up as I also want to use the drive for back ups. Anyhow I have found out now that the Image Folder has 0 bytes.
The drive holds almost a terabyte of stuff, so I doubt it was too small.

I do leave the drive plugged in as I have back ups scheduled. Could the image have been erased? Maybe it wasn't done properly at first?

I'm curious what software you used to make the backups.

I've used Windows imaging software in the past,
and have experienced issues with missing, corrupt, incorrect and incomplete images/data backups.
Which is very unreliable for backing up my files.

I use Macrium Reflect for all my backup needs,
and haven't had any issues with this software.
In the 5 or more years I've been using it.

sallyanne · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2018 10:45 am **(#3)**

Just used Windows/the computer's program.
If I have a backup of files now do I need an image as well?

Will look at getting another program.

Edit:-
It was a System image and I would have done it before I did much on the computer. Whether it uses a windows program or a HP one I do not know.
Even if I hadn't done anything or transferred stuff over from my old computer it should have saved my System, eg programs?

Wallace · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2018 11:02 am **(#4)**

sallyanne wrote:

Just used Windows/the computer's program.
If I have a backup of files now do I need an image as well?

Will look at getting another program.

Having a System Image,
will let you restore your entire system,
at the point were the backup was made.

It's usually best,
to create a System Image.
When you know your system is in a good configuration.

Whereas backing up individual files,
only restores those files and not the OS.

If you're not concerned with the OS taking a nosedive.
Then a system image may not be for you.
However,
you will need a functioning OS.
To be able to recover the files saved to a backup.

Either way,
having a backup for your files/OS and or both.
Is something we all should get accustom to doing.

There are 2 programs,
that I would feel comfortable recommending.

1.) Acronis True Image
2.) Macrium Reflect

I personally us the paid version of Macrium Reflect.

sallyanne · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2018 11:25 am **(#5)**

Thanks

racer-x · **Joined:** Apr 15, 2017 **Posts:** 1837

Try un-plugging the HDD and then plug it in again. Win10 gets pretty squirrely sometimes.

I once made a system image for my Son's Win10 Laptop and put the restore image on a second partition I created. Win10 couldn't see it, even though it was there. I then made the image onto an external drive. Started Win10, plugged in the drive, then copied the image onto the second partition.

Wallace · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2018 11:45 am **(#7)**

sallyanne wrote:

Thanks