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Desktops: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using:
- 8/24/07 12:27 PM
Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using:
by Lee Koo (ADMIN) - 8/24/07 12:27 PM
I back up data on my hard drive using:
- External hard drive (Please explain.)
- USB flash/thumb drive (Please explain.)
- CD and DVD writers/rewriters (Please explain.)
- Tape drive (Please explain.)
- RAID configuration (Please explain.)
- Online storage (Please explain.)
- I don't do any backups. (Why not?)
- Other (What is it?)
External HDD
by dss382 - 8/24/07 1:52 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have used Symantec, Roxio and Microsoft's backup software. I do a full backup about once a month and an incremental about once a week.
Multiple Backups
by HiDefBob - 8/24/07 4:59 PM In reply to: External HDD by dss382I am paranoid about backing up my computer ...
1. I weekly backup on a Maxtor One Touch External Drive
2. I nightly backup any updated files (Excel, Word, etc) on a Peerless External Drive
3. I backup photos and other files on DVD's occasionally
4. I backup important files on a DVD occasionally and store it in my safety deposit box
I backup data on my hard drive using:
by jpprice47 - 8/24/07 7:35 PM In reply to: Multiple Backups by HiDefBob1. I use EMC Retrospect to back my entire hard drive once per week.
2. I make a mirror image of my hard drive once every six months.
3. I backup to a Maxtor external hard drive partitioned into two volumes, one for backups, one for mirror. 
I could have not said this better myself.
by lassean1 - 8/24/07 9:40 PM In reply to: Multiple Backups by HiDefBobGHost is cool. Version,12.0 is nice they all work like dogs. They are all good. Also usually use the EXTERNAL HDs for backups accept it can be a pain when you switch out PC's a lot or work on your rig a lot. Anyhow,I believe externals can be a pain. I usually use an internal drive a 500 GIGS.Best way to do a restore is to save an image on a Different Hard drive not on your C hard drive. The best way to restore the pc back the original state is to keep a good boot disk with all the proper utilities on it to point to your backup on your external or extra INTERNAL HD. Not to point but I mean the path of the backup file itself then tell the software to do a restore. It is that easy. Most people just don't take the time when they get a software with a million capabilities they get discouraged and do not utilize the software nearly to it's fullest potential.
the man with the questions wants back-up for ENTIRE SYSTEM??
by benbois - 8/24/07 7:15 PM In reply to: External HDD by dss382You say you back-up everything? how often??
recently checked and Im using almost 60gb of my Seagate 500gb internal HD.
stands to reason I would have to have room for 60gb every single time I backed up everything! a lot of CD/DVDs too.
I dont think you fellas are really backing up EVERYTHING???
personally back up all my docs once a month or so- on dvd
BUY a reboot copy if one didnt come with your PC- like with my Sony Vaio
Combination of RAID-1 and External Imaging
by Paracelsus - 8/24/07 5:05 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
After having two PCs die from "brain cancer" (corrupt sectors) in the past seven years, and barely being able to retrieve the data and files I wanted most to keep...
I finally "got religion" and went all out for a system with RAID-1, two years ago. Only had to use it once after a botched software update that put the system into a boot loop.
The peace of mind that comes from knowing I'm just a click away from restoring everything just the way it was, is invaluable!!!
For my three external drives, I use imaging for back-ups to another external.
RAID 1 is the best option for protecting your system disk
by rhudson19187 - 9/3/07 7:06 AM In reply to: Combination of RAID-1 and External Imaging by ParacelsusWith RAID 1, I have two identical drives configured as one volume. Each drive is a mirror image of the other. If one drive fails, you are able to continue with just the one drive. You replace the failed drive and the RAID system will rebuild the new drive. You will continue to use your computer during this operation in the background. Within a short time the new drive will mirror the older drive. I use a UPS or Uninterruptable Power Supply to protect my system from power fluctuations (e.g., brown outs, power surges), noise on the power line, and power outages. The battery in the UPS provides these capabilities including the ability to continue running during a power outage. I have my system configured to shutdown safely if the power is out more than 5 minutes. I can leave my system running at all times without any concern about power issues. The RAID 1 configuration can be improved by adding additional drives depending on how much you want to spend and how paranoid you might be regarding the loss of your system drive. The odds of two drives failing is very low. With the UPS protection any additional effort to protect your system drive would improve your odds, but I am not sure it would improve them enough to justify the expense and effort.
Other
by howiem - 8/24/07 5:14 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have three HDDs installed and a backup PC.
I use XXClone to back up my OS from IDE0 to IDE1, and Karenware's Replicator to back up my data on IDE1 or IDE2. I also have an ATEN data transfer capability to back up data across computers.
backup using ex hardrive
by andrewcjduong - 8/24/07 5:19 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
i back up my data using external hard drive. usually i backup the documents, favorites, music, stuff like that, only back up every time im about to reinstall windows.
Get it right or cry for hours...
by Orphan Rescuer - 8/24/07 5:21 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Lee, I took your column to heart when it ran last fall. I realized that if my system went down, I could not possibly get it back to operational condition without days of work. I have had my main desktop computer for four years and there are tons of programs and data accumulated during that time. Reconstructing the operating system is one (laborious!!!) thing, reloading all the programs from CDs or from off the net (where a lot of them came from) would be absolutely daunting.
I looked into USB external drives but ended up with an internal drive solution because it copied faster and is easier than hooking up the drive every time. I installed a similar sized drive as my main program drive (60GB) into my system. I already had two drives installed, so I needed to add a PCI ATA drive card and cable (about $39 at Fry's). The software that I use for backup is HD Clone from Miray Software, about $45. I did a lot of research and this package does a system level drive clone operation that makes use of its own operating system. http://www.miray.de/order/sat.hdclone.se.html The company was very helpful when I was first getting things working. They responded to my requests for help and provided updates that permitted everything to work. With HD Clone, I can quickly do a mirror copy of my main drive in about 45 minutes. That drive then sits in the system but does not get used (yes, it is still plugged in and powered up - and if I was really paranoid I would leave the cover off the computer case and unplug the drive cable and power cable every time). I have tested the drive by swapping out the "original" and restarting the computer. It comes up without problems!!! So if I ever have a crash (make that WHEN I eventually have a crash) I will be one of the smuggest guys in town because I will be back up and running in minutes, instead of days. I spent about $90 on the drive controller and HD Clone software, I had an extra drive kicking around. That is a very low cost insurance policy for instant restart in the event of a failure.
Since it is easy to execute a complete clone operation (stick the CD in the drive and restart the system, takes about 60 seconds to load, click through the setup screens and go) I start it when I leave my house at least once a week.
Backing up the BEST way
by notacompgeek - 9/1/07 8:25 AM In reply to: Get it right or cry for hours... by Orphan RescuerYou may have just provided the help I need. Tell me if Im on the right track. I want to have an "exact copy" of my hard drive so if (when) it crashes I can re-load EVERYTHING (files, documents, pics, WindowsXP, programs, bookmarks, etc). I have been given so many different answers and I'm "not a computer person", so frustrated! I just bought Acronis True Image (unopened still) and an external hard drive. Still not sure if that is the BEST option for what I want. You seem to be on to something!I have a Dell Dimension4600 (uses IDE hard drive not SATA) and can't figure out if I have room for another internal hard drive (I looked inside but really don't know what I'm looking for) and if that will be more trouble than an external hard drive. I want the EASIEST and hopefully least expensive way to accomplish what I want - would your idea work??!! Any other suggestions out there? Please answer in "English", not "computerese" (grin). Oh yeah, what is a "drive controller?" THANKS!!!
The best backups
by vsawler - 8/24/07 5:23 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use Windows Home Server!
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx
I've been a beta tester since Feb 07 and it really works!
define backup
by davidmaxwaterman - 8/24/07 5:31 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I use RAID1 to protect against hard drive failure, but that usually isn't considered to be a backup solition since it doesn't protect against mistaken file deletion.
Backup is usually defined to mean a method to allow recovery of files previously deleted. RAID1 *can* be used for this in some situations - by using a set of disks as if they were tapes in a backup - but it isn't commonly done.
I have Retrospect to do backups to an external hard drive (which I can take off site if necessary). It keeps previous versions of files I've changed, for a while at least.
CD Writers/Rewriters
by sunwatcher - 8/24/07 5:50 PM In reply to: Poll: I back up data on my hard drive using: by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Still relying on a CD writer that I've had for years, which has worked very well and is dependable. I mostly just back up photos and a few other important files. I plan on eventually upgrading to an external hard drive.
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