Image / backup question

[Celticsfan]

I currently have cloned my system on an external HD. Would it be a bad idea to then backup my C drive to that same external HD? Please let me know.

thx

 

[Computer Head]

Does the cloning software save the image as a file or as a mirror copy? If it saves it as a file, I don't see a problem with backing up your C drive to it, but if the image software makes a mirror copy, you could run into some issues.

 

[Celticsfan]

I used acronis true image 11. How do I tell if the image is saved as a file or mirror copy?

thx

 

[Computer Head]

Simple, look on the external hard drive and see if it looks just like the contents of your hard drive or if you have an image file that is roughly the size of the occupied space on your hard drive.

 

[Celticsfan]

It has the contents of my internal C drive. I assume it would not be a good idea to backup anything else to it then?

thx

 

[Computer Head]

Correct, it would appear that it is doing a "disk-to-disk" image, instead of a "disk-to-file" image. So I wouldn't touch the contents of that drive for the image's integrity.

 

[Celticsfan]

Twas what I thought. thx much CH.