I wish to have an exact copy of the hard drive

[LookinAround]

As I thought.
So the boot Rescue files on the DVD disk and the .tib files on a USB external HDD, I should be able to get the clone on to the next HDD if there is need to replace HDD in use now. Correct?

Yes. But I'd add a few notes:

• Normal single layer DVDs hold about 4.7GB. So, as already pointed out, it would require several (i.e. 14 DVDs in your case) to burn your 64GB backup .tib file to single layer DVDs
• So is easiest to leave the .tib file on an external HDD
• However, it's also worth noting, (if you're going to use Acronis), that you can just as easily tell Acronis to automatically split .tib files for you so you at least always have the option to burn to DVD if you want and not have to split/merge by yourself
  ==> Look under Backup Options->Archive Splitting
• fyi... I've always used the Archive Splitting option.. tho i only once decided to burn to DVD. And sure was handy to already have those .tib files split for me already when i decided to burn DVDs

I'd also recommend you do a "dry run" sometime to make sure you know how to do all the steps for a full backup/recovery.
=> If need be, you can even repartition your drive to create a 5-6GB partition you can image/backup and then fully restore it using the bootable Rescue CD

 

[Leeky]

You could also use dual layer DVDs, and get approx 8.5GB per disc if required. I've done this in the past to create an exact image of a new installation on a computer I use for testing. A fresh installation will obviously use considerably less storage space. On some of my computers, I find having to re-install the OS, then configure it to the state I'm happy with, not to mention mess around with software/updates etc far more annoying than losing a few files. My Imac is another story though, where I have hourly/daily/weekly/monthly backups of the entire hard drive continiously, because losing data isnt an option, regardless of how small.

It all boils down to what you consider to be essential, and how much you are prepared to lose. For example, if you rarely change (add/edit etc) files, could you live with losing say a months data? If you can't, then daily backups to an external drive would be better.

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

Also incremental backups (and whats that other backup option that I forgot, its similar to incremental) can save any changes with only a proportional increase in file size, assuming you already allocated room for the original.