Microsoft Backup question(s)

[cwr64]

I have some questions about using Microsoft Backup on my Win7 Home Premium desktop to backup files to my external harddrive.  The onscreen "help" for the product is not much help.  Any of you versed in using this backup tool and willing to discuss it with me?  

[Mister_Do]

Hi cwr64,

Try using the info in this HP Support document on Backing up your files in Windows 7.

Let us know how it goes.

[cwr64]

Hi,

I already have MS Backup set up to my 150GB external harddrive, and it does run every week.  Unfortunately, the external harddrive is now full.  I do not backup the "System Image".  I do backup stuff from my "username".  On my previous PC (running XP Pro) that I backed up to that same harddrive, I never got it beyond using more than 60% capacity, using the basic backup software that came with the Iomega external harddrive.  I expected that my new HP desktop (running Win7), would do just fine backing up to that same harddrive.  I formatted the external harddrive under Win7 to empty it before starting MS Backup for the 1st time, BTW.   Anyway, it seems that I don't understand the MS Backup info, or it is not running just right, and I don't know how to fix it.  

When I display backups using the MS Manage Backups application, it shows only 1 backup file, spanning the dates from 12/24 2009 thru 2/28 2010.  That 1 file contains about 15 dates of backup from which I can restore files.  When I watch Backup run, I can see it backing up files (certain movie and picture files, for example), that live in subfolders that have not changed since I loaded my new PC back in November/December.  So why is he always backing up those same subfolders that have not changed - that is probably what has caused my external harddrive to become full.  And I see no way to delete old backups.  What's going on here with MS Backup, and how can I get it under control?  The way it runs now, it would soon fill up a 1TB external harddrive even if I didn't ever again change a file on my PC.  Should I be talking to Microsoft instead of asking you folks on the HP forum?  Should I abandon MS Backup and buy some commercial backup product?  Help.  

[Mister_Do]

Hi cwr64,

Those are good questions and I appreciate the detailed explanation. I must admit I'm not an expert on MS Backup. There are some Microsoft Experts in this HP forum, but they may not have come across your post yet. I did some other quick "googling" for you on this and found these FAQs on MS Backup from Microsoft:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Back-up-and-restore-frequently-asked-questions

Also, if you don't find your answer there, Microsoft has a community site at: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx

Someone there may be able to help more than I can. If I come across something else, I'll pass it along to you.

[cwr64]

OK

I posted my Win7 MS Backup problem/questions to a Microsoft forum and got a couple of replies, but no help to my actual question/problem.  I just don't know who to ask that can answer what is probably a simple question to a tech that really understands MS Backup.  Can any of you direct me to a support location where someone might have the answer?

Here's the link to my MS posting... 

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/44b09430-9043-4f51-a76a-ce2696...