backing up windows?

[choke5150]

Hello all
I have a simple question just not sure how to word it. Im currently running dual booting ubuntu and windows. I rarely use windows and would like to delete it and just run ubuntu. Is it possible to backup my windows 7 to cds? In case i need to reinstall windows. Does this sound like a stupid idea? Why would I not want to do this? Im assuming by only running ubuntu my computer will run better.
And if i may add. My laptop is an Asus that has a partitioned hard drive. Any advice on how to just have the entire hard drive all one?
I dont have many resources on basic computer manipulation any advice is appreciated.
Thanks to all in advance

 

[kadimi]

From Ubuntu open you windows partitions and backup any data to a folder in your home directory.

Then delete windows partition and resize your /home partition: https://www.google.com/search?q=linux+increase+partition+size

If you need windows, can install virtual box on Ubuntu and create a Win XP virtual machine...

 

[SUroot]

You can take images with various utilities such as ghost or acronis. Its never going to fit on a cd. Removable media is the best bet but just what do you want to keep/

 

[mplevy]

Why not just do a "P2V", or Physical to Virtual? Find a pairing of imaging program and VM software (obviously the VM software has to be compatible with your Linux distro), take an image of the Windows 7 config and use it in a VM instead.

 

[cursor system]

capital NO. Any software installed can not be back up. You can only backup the file or data produced with that software

 

[linuxrich]

IMHO, you probably want to have a look at Clonezilla. CDs won't be suitable backup media though. You want an external HDD.

 

[argedion]

IMHO ditch windows and just keep your data files. If you have an install cd for windows its fairly simple to reinstall I have been windowless for a couple of months now and have no desire to go back. I kept windows on there for a few years not ever using it or rarely using it so finally i ditched it and couldn't be happier

I would also recommend getting rid of NTFS if your straight Linux no need for an inferior file system.

 

[lunatic59]

Just to add my $.02, I'd echo the rest and make a copy of the Windows partition as a backup. PartEd Magic is a handy little set of utilities. Burn a live CD just to have on hand. You will need media large enough to make a copy of the partition.

Im assuming by only running ubuntu my computer will run better.

The only thing this will do is free up storage. Your computer won't run any differently.

 

[Mayhem]

Did your computer come pre-loaded with Win7? In such cases, there's /usually/ a way to make a backup install disc using an application that's already installed. What it's called depends on your system.

 

[argedion]

The only thing this will do is free up storage. Your computer won't run any differently.

Lunatic is correct here the only thing that will change the way the computer acts is more memory or a bigger CPU. Short of that you can only hope for more disk space by clearing out windows.