Bad blocks - backing up all but OSX

[Syd]

Hi

My computer recently started to behave strange, I could no longer run the program update or repair permissions without the computer crashing. I did a full system check with TechTools and it found a bad block. TechTools suggested that I should do a backup and format the HD.
I have now received a external FW-harddrive (80gb LaCie Porsche) and therefor have need of a good backup software.
Thus, a few questions about SuperDuper!:

Can I make a backup of everything except OSX?
If I can: what are the chances of my apps working when restored?
Anything to special worry about when dealing with damaged HDs?


Sincerely
Syd

[dnanian]

Hi, Syd.

You can make a backup of everything but OSX, but I strongly recommend against it. Why, you might ask? Because -- if you want to have your applications work -- it's not always easy to differentiate between OS files and Application files. It's much easier to restore from a full backup, especially one you can boot from, than it is from a partial backup.

Of course, you're in a difficult position now, because your drive is already damaged. We're not really designed to be used "reactively", backing up after a failure -- rather, we need to be used proactively, before a failure.

I don't know where your bad block is, but, here's what I'd do.

First, do a full "Backup - user files". That'll get your personal files off the drive.

Then, do an archive-and-install of your OS. That'll put a fresh, new copy of the OS down, while leaving your applications and data in place.

Once that's done, update to the most recent release with Software Update, and see if everything's working OK. If so, remove the "Previous Systems" folder at the top of the drive, empty your trash, and then do a "Backup - all files" with "Smart Update" selected as the during copy action (in Options).

That'll add the OS files to the backup, along with any changes you've made to your User Files.

That should work to get you going again. Let me know.

[Syd]

Hello again

Unfortunally I cannot archive and install due to the bad block which causes the consistency check to fail.

Fortunaly, I have now made a backup of all my personal files and I have the discs to all my applications, so I'm about to format the drive and then re-install everything.

So I have a couple of hours of installing apps to look forward to.

Thanks for the help anyway! :)

[dnanian]

Ugh. Well, you could try excluding the bad files using the steps in the User's Guide with a custom copy script, but I think it's probably best to just bite the bullet.

Make certain you zero the data and free space when erasing. Otherwise, it won't test the surface, and you'll end up in the same situation...

[Syd]

Zeroed all data, all apps reinstalled.
The recovery of my personal files and most settings was very easy and hassle-free. Thanks for the help and a for the very easy-to-use program as well. :)

[dnanian]

Great -- glad to hear you're up and running again, Syd!