Backup Methods

meld51 · 08-07-2004, 19:31

OK...Over the years I've tried many different methods of backing up my data...floppies (years ago!)...CDs (slow, limited in size, loses date stamp when you reload)...other computers (expensive, slow over the wireless net)....USB HDD (slow, went fizz last night)

SO, what do you think is the best way of backing up my important data on 3 wirelessly networked PCs (and an IPAQ!)?

TheBlueRaja · 08-07-2004, 19:43

SCSI Hard disks on one of them.

Shaun · 08-07-2004, 19:54

I store all my data on one PC and every few hours a program I've got makes a copy of all the user data on the other machine. Simple, and the program's archive format is .ZIP so its really easy to get at the files should you make changes to a file that and want the old version back. Saved my bacon a few times.

The programs called backup genie and I think its freeware.

**Paul** · 08-07-2004, 20:31

I have a 35/70 Compaq DLT drive hooked up to one of my machines which backs up all my networked machines (currently 4).

Ramrod · 08-07-2004, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by dellwear

I store all my data on one PC and every few hours a program I've got makes a copy of all the user data on the other machine. Simple, and the program's archive format is .ZIP so its really easy to get at the files should you make changes to a file that and want the old version back. Saved my bacon a few times.

The programs called backup genie and I think its freeware.

It looks good but I can only find this and it's not free.....If I buy another piece of software off the web my wife is going to kill me.....she just did our receipts for our end of year accounts today and was a little annoyed at what I had spent on software this year

SOSAGES · 08-07-2004, 21:00

none of the options u currently have tried -

id go for an online backup solution - either make your own eg get a mate with an ftp or set one up at work? or pay for one..

depends on how much u value your data i personally took out a 10 gig online backup solution and it scans my pc at a set time every day and just uploads the changes (if any) of the files i made so if i add an entery into a 100meg DB it will only upload the change not the whole 100meg - obviously to begin with you will need to upload a lot so it knows what u have - its all encrypted and only can get at it if u lose ur pw they cant tell u as they dont know

its backed up there end onto 2 more servers.

i also use it at work very usefull when someone says "oh bugger i just deleted that file"

oh there was a write up about them in the months pc pro -

dilli-theclaw · 08-07-2004, 21:02

I bought a dvd writer yesterday - I hope to use that for my backing up from now on.

Xaccers · 08-07-2004, 21:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by meld51

OK...Over the years I've tried many different methods of backing up my data...floppies (years ago!)...CDs (slow, limited in size, loses date stamp when you reload)...other computers (expensive, slow over the wireless net)....USB HDD (slow, went fizz last night)

SO, what do you think is the best way of backing up my important data on 3 wirelessly networked PCs (and an IPAQ!)?

Three computers, A, B, C and I (for ipaq)

I->A->B->C->A

That way if the ipaq goes down, you've got a backup of it on A.
If A goes down you've got a backup on B
B on C, C on A etc
It's free as you've got the equipment already.
Write a batch job to copy the data and schedule it for something like 4am so if it takes a while it won't interfere with using your computer

Shaun · 08-07-2004, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

It looks good but I can only find this and it's not free.....If I buy another piece of software off the web my wife is going to kill me.....she just did our receipts for our end of year accounts today and was a little annoyed at what I had spent on software this year

The version attached is the one I use, its not the latest but its card-ware (or so the license agreement says), feel a bit guilty now, I didn't know so I'll have to go and buy a post card tomorrow

Edit - I can't attach it becuse I've already adde it to a post in the past so heres the link: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...43&postcount=8

HTH

08-07-2004, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

I bought a dvd writer yesterday - I hope to use that for my backing up from now on.

I just got mine last week, I have played around with Ghost & Nerobackup, but only on CDR's for now, I need to get some blank DVD-R's

- I've only got the one supplied with the burner, so far

Nerobackup looks good and is, obviously, Windows based, Ghost is dos based, so to restore files from CD/DVD you need a boot disk that can load the appropriate driver for your drive, Ghost seems to be more designed for hard disk - hard disk backups.

I'd be interested to know how you get on dilli

dilli-theclaw · 08-07-2004, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

I'd be interested to know how you get on dilli

I'll let you know when I've started backing up data files

At the moment I've just been messing about with dvd-shrink

Which is a VERY good program.

08-07-2004, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

I'll let you know when I've started backing up data files

At the moment I've just been messing about with dvd-shrink

Which is a VERY good program.

thanks for that

- a semi recent power supply failure, that trashed my mobo & hard disk, brought home to me what you lose when a HD just fails - for example, I backed up the downloaded files, but not the emails with the licence numbers
when I bought off the internet.

- luckily I did print the relevant pages, for 'most' of them.

So if anyone can bring a suggestion on how to backup just the 'important' stuff, rather than what you can just download again, don't hold back

Ramrod · 08-07-2004, 22:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dellwear

The version attached is the one I use, its not the latest but its card-ware (or so the license agreement says), feel a bit guilty now, I didn't know so I'll have to go and buy a post card tomorrow

Edit - I can't attach it becuse I've already adde it to a post in the past so heres the link: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...43&postcount=8

HTH

thanks for that but how does one go about opening a .rar file?

dilli-theclaw · 08-07-2004, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

thanks for that but how does one go about opening a .rar file?

I use winace for that.

http://www.winace.com/

altis · 08-07-2004, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

So if anyone can bring a suggestion on how to backup just the 'important' stuff, rather than what you can just download again, don't hold back

Create several partitions on your hard drive(s). Nominate one to store all your work - and nothing else.

Change the location of your 'My Documents' folder to it. Right click on 'My Documents' and select properties and then move it where you like.

Unfortunately, this doesn't move the location of your address book and email. To do this you need to edit the registry. I can't remember the key off the top of my head but, if you know where your data is held currently, then it's easy to search for it.

Now back up the whole partition every time. I use DVD-RAM which works fine (if a little slow). Also, if Windows gets in a pickle and you have to reformat your drive, simple leave your work alone and it will still be there afterwards