How do you guys backup your hard drives?

[Dexx]

Hey All,

So I had a minor heart attack when my laptop blue screened on me today (Vista 64...ya I prob deserve it)

But it got me thinking...I'd be traumatized if I ever lost either my desktop or laptop computer (theft, virus, hardware failure etc)

due to all the files on them...

Sure I backup files BETWEEN my two computers...but really...the buck ends there!

So I've decided to look into online services etc. that I can backup both my PC and Laptop files too should I ever suffer a horrible incident such as above!

Anyone have recommendations for services they use?

Preferably something simple that I just download software to my computers and it backs up all my documents, powerpoints, etc. for me

Cheers!

PS - I'm considering Carbonite.com [http://www.carbonite.com/] (not aff link) anyone used it?

[SEOArbiter]

I haven't used Carbonite.

However, I can recommend SugarSync and IBackup. The only problem with sugarsync is that it doesn't run as a service in the background. You have to make sure it's running in the background and in the tray.

For offline backup, I'd recommend buying an extrernal usb drive, set it up next to yoru computer, and it will appear as a drive in your system. They're very fast and work great, and you can get 500GB or so for fairly cheap.

Just make sure to setup a backup to just sync your entire drive to the external drive.

So, if disaster strikes, you can first copy from your external drive, which is very fast. If something local happen, you have the off site backup.

[Lawrh]

If you are looking to just backup documents and work files, then try Dropbox.

https://www.getdropbox.com/

The free service gives 2 gigs of space, paid 100 gigs.
Dropbox works as a file synchronization service as well. You have a folder on
your computer and the files are auto uploaded and synced to whatever other machines have the Dropbox client installed. So your workstation and your laptop will always have the same work files. This also means redundant
backups, which is good. Also excellent for collaboration and sharing of files.

Lawrence

[Dexx]

Ooo dropbox sounds perfect!! I'll check it out! Thanks!

[DougBarger]

Hi Dexx, I am using Carbonite currently to back up 2 computers and I really like it.

It takes awhile before it backs up everything on the very first backup, but then after the first one, does the backups much more quickly.

It has a little circle that appears on each of your file's icons so you'll be able to see
what's already backed up as you go.

So far, so good. No complaints. Enjoy the peace of mind.

[Dexx]

Hey Doug thnx for the feedback, how does Carbonite handle duplicate files on two computers? (i.e. my product and client files on both my PC / Laptop) does it realize they are the same file?

Will it be filled with duplicate files then? Dropbox does seem appealing in the fact that I could just have both computers access the same shared folder that is also backed up online...

What made you choose Carbonite vs a service like Dropbox?

[Isaac Bennett]

yeah dude, dropbox is really really cool. ANd for a small fee they offer you unlimited backup, even for files that you have deleted!!! So say another guy collaborating with you deleted a file that you wanted, it can be retrieve on-the-fly!

But of course, for peace of mind, offline backup is a must. i use time machine with a wireless Time Capsule hard drive so my data is incrementally backed up at set intervals without me having to do anything. Add to that a chronological back up of files and you have a great way to do projects while being able to go back and retrieve a version of your work that is currently written over. Try it!

[Traffic-Bug]

If you are having high speed internet connection that can always be occupied by bandwidth usage and traffic then all by means go for online storage and backup and sync etc. In my case my internet is already occupied with other downloads and browser usage so I would just prefer that backups happen locally into external hard drives, possibly multiple, like in RAID systems.

[BillyBee]

I LOVE Carbonite. Works great and it's super cheap. Something like $50 for a year.

I never worry about backing stuff up now. And I DID have to use it once when my computer crashed a year or two ago. When I got my computer, it did take a fairly long time to download ALL my files, but they all came through. Took something like 3 days for every last file to come back to me, but they all came back.

[Jag82]

Originally Posted by Dexx

Hey All,

So I had a minor heart attack when my laptop blue screened on me today (Vista 64...ya I prob deserve it)

But it got me thinking...I'd be traumatized if I ever lost either my desktop or laptop computer (theft, virus, hardware failure etc)

due to all the files on them...

Sure I backup files BETWEEN my two computers...but really...the buck ends there!

So I've decided to look into online services etc. that I can backup both my PC and Laptop files too should I ever suffer a horrible incident such as above!

Anyone have recommendations for services they use?

Preferably something simple that I just download software to my computers and it backs up all my documents, powerpoints, etc. for me

Cheers!

PS - I'm considering Carbonite.com []Online Backup Service: Outlook Backup, Data Backup (not aff link) anyone used it?

Dexx,

I suffered two hard disk failures before,
so I know how you feel.


If you are already backing up with your own external
hard disk drive, don't stop.

Ensure your hard disk space is big enough to
contain everything.

I get the 1 terabyte hard disk drive from Seagate, which
is more than enough for me.

Schedule it to run automatically everyday so it's hands off
for you.


There's a tool that does this nicely for you on full autopilot:
Karen's Replicator

I prefer this over online services because
the process is much faster. And I feel safe
having my data in my hard disk nearby.


If you backup everyday...or every few days...
in the event of a breakdown, your losses will be
minimal. At least it will not shatter your business.

NOW...even in the event you really lose some data,
there is such a thing as data recovery. There
are data recovery software and services out there.

So...there's always a way. But the last thing you
want to do in such events is to panic. Remember,
there's always a solution.

Hope this helps.

Warmly,
Jag

[rosterling]

I use Carbonite. It drove me crazy waiting for the initial back up to be completed though. It took about 16 days, but that's the way they do it. If you do decide to buy it, make sure you do a search for "carbonite offer code" and get a discount coupon first. You can find 20% off coupon codes online.

[Jag82]

Originally Posted by ernesth

It's probably an idiotic thing to do, but I don't back up my hard drives.

If there's a specific website or file I need to back up, I email it to myself. Otherwise, I don't back up at all. My web files are always hosted on a server somewhere... so those aren't an issue.

Of course, I've never had a HD fail on me... so once it does I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune.

Once you do...you will probably cry. And curse like hell.

Nowadays with free tools that will automate your backup,
you really have no reason not to do it.

What's the value of your information on your hard disk?
Can you imagine how much time you will have waste to
just to recover lost info? What is your opportunity cost?

What's the impact on your business?

You will do well not to procrastinate and backup - right now.

Best,
Jag

[Dexx]

Thanks Jag!

I really like Dropbox (the video on the main page was great and just what I need) unfortunately Carbonite doesnt allow for downloading files from the web server (should I need a file while on the go) and Dropbox does.

I will be doing the Dropbox route and backing up info also on an external HD:

SEAGATE 1TB FreeAgent? Desk External Hard Drive, USB 2.0, Bilingual at Memory Express Computers


Thanks everyone!

[Eric Graudins]

The disadvantage of a file by file backup is that you'll have to reinatall all your operating system and all programs if your hard drive fails.

I use a Seagate 320 gig pocket USB drive, and Acronis True Image software.

This creates a disk image, which can easily be used to to a complete restore of a failed hard disk - programs, operating system, everything - on to a new hard drive.
(What's cool about True Image is that you can also access the individual files withing the image backup)

@ Dexx:
A friend of mine didn't think an external backup was needed for her 3 computers, because they were all backed up on each other.

She changed her mind when all 3 of her computers were stolen, and she lost years of work, photos, and financial records.
Heartbreaking.

cheers,
Eric G.

[pcpupil]

I have and use a Seagate external hard drive.
Bought it at an electronics discount store.59 or 79 dollars or something.
I wouldnt put to much trust in any online source nowadays.
If they dont crash or burn,some disgruntled employee can steal and sell your files.
Especially if there getting fired or laid off in this economy.
It has been done before.
Matt

[Dexx]

Oh for sure Eric!

Though with that in mind...an external HD could also get stolen at the same time!

Which is why I want it to be backed up online as well (which I think Dropbox will do great for)

Never heard of this true image software...does it come with all Seagates external HD?

[Jag82]

Originally Posted by Eric Graudins

She changed her mind when all 3 of her computers were stolen, and she lost years of work, photos, and financial records.
Heartbreaking.

Heartbreaking indeed. Devastated!

Sadly, sometimes it takes such an event to make
someone realize just how important backing up is.

[Eric Graudins]

Originally Posted by Dexx

Oh for sure Eric!

Though with that in mind...an external HD could also get stolen at the same time!

Which is why I want it to be backed up online as well (which I think Dropbox will do great for)

Never heard of this true image software...does it come with all Seagates external HD?

The idea is that your external drive is stored at a different location to your computers. that way, even if your house/office gets totally burned down, you have a copy of your data available elsewhere.
(the best system is to have 2 external drives, and rotate them.)

True Image is a seperate program that you purchase. It's far superior to the basic software that comes with Windows, or supplied by a disk manufacturer.

with an image based backup you can be up and running again within a couple of hours after a hard drive failure. With a file based backup, it could take a day or two to totally restore your computer - that is - if you can find all the program disks, and the passwords that go with them.

cheers,
Eric G.

[SirLucius]

I use SugarSync and an external Western Digital hard drive.

[intromaster]

I dont backup everything, just my most important files (photos, documents, websites, etc) so all I need is a couple of DVDs. I backup to a DVD and store them in a safe place. Easy and inexpensive.

[achivement84]

Hey,

I use only an external hard drive to backup my data , but i if you looking for online backup service then you may review NetCDP Online Backup 2.0.20 , as many recomend it.You can find it in this link NetCDP Online Backup - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

B.Regards

[bluelambda]

I use DropBox which is great for backup as well as for syncing files between my PC and Mac.

Since I do most of the work on my Mac, I use time machine together with an external USB harddrive.

For my websites, I have a cron job daily that does an SQL dump and zips up my wordpress installs and uploads it automatically to my Amazon S3 account.

Kinda paranoid but I used to work in networking. When things go wrong they go VERY wrong.

[SageSound]

Well, if you're enjoying reading through all of these posts and wondering how freaking complicated and confusing it can be, and how long it will take, here's a really simple 3-step process:

Step #1 - Get a Mac

Step #2 - Get an external USB drive

Step #3 - Enable Time machine.

That's it!

BTW, people are always getting this BACKWARDS...

The problem is NOT "backing up". Even if you DO back-up regularly, the problem is RESTORING stuff.

I ran out of hard disk space on my iMac and decided to replace the drive. I shut everything down, replaced the drive with a brand new unformatted 1TB drive, booted from the OS X Installation CD, told it to restore my drive from Time Machine, and 4 hours later I had 800GB more free space than I had before I started! Everything else was EXACTLY THE SAME! (Well, not completely true -- it shed about 20GB of useless files in the process.)

I've been working with PCs since DOS 2.11. In all that time, I've NEVER seen a system that's as simple and fool-proof as how Time Machine works on the Mac. Yet, I have seen dozens of people with months of daily backups made with every conceivable backup utility be totally unable to restore a single one of them.

-David

PS: if it takes 16 hrs to backup to an online service, how long will it take to RESTORE your drive? And ... how do you connect to the online service from a brand new unformatted drive?

[mill123]

ive got 2 external drives as backups. they run a script nightly every night! can't be too carefull!

[Kim Standerline]

I just signed up for Dropbox as well, sounds super cool

Thanks for the tip

Kim

[DougBarger]

Originally Posted by Dexx

Hey Doug thnx for the feedback, how does Carbonite handle duplicate files on two computers? (i.e. my product and client files on both my PC / Laptop) does it realize they are the same file?

Will it be filled with duplicate files then? Dropbox does seem appealing in the fact that I could just have both computers access the same shared folder that is also backed up online...

What made you choose Carbonite vs a service like Dropbox?

Hi Dexx,

To answer the question, I didn't choose Carbonite vs Dropbox because I've used both, just for different purposes.

With the Dropbox, I've been using it to exchange files with others specific to only us.

For a hypothetical example, a Dexx and Doug file would be one where we share and store files between each other so that both can access all of them in that space.

With the Carbonite, I've been using it for backing up hard drives.

Just helps me to organize the use of them that way.

[SageSound]

Please ... can somebody using all of these services tell me ...

How long does it take you (or do you THINK it will take) to restore a fried hard drive?

[edesimusic]

acronis image maker is the best for taking backup

[Catalin Ionescu]

Thanks to you guys I've now taken action and ordered a 1TB Seagate external hard drive for less than $100. This is something I've meant to do for months now, but kept procrastinating...

So thanks again for bringing it back to my attention and pushing me to do it :-)

[edhan]

I am using external 1 TB USB Drive to backup all my computers with Acronis TrueImage Backup.

I create backup for the entire O/S and files for the first time and thereafter, I just backup the newer files as my system files grow. If I install new software, then I will do entire O/S backup again.

For files, I do daily, weekly and monthly backup.

Better be safe than sorry.

[Ghalt]

I use Carbonite.

If you use it, be aware that it can slow your system down. However, it is configurable...I now have it set so that it isn't doing the backups 'real-time' all the time...only overnight.

I haven't had to restore from it yet, but I don't doubt that it's simple.

I don't have to think about it, or remember or schedule some backup...it is all done in the background automatically.

It's only like $50 per year or so...it was a no-brainer for me.

[RobertAxelsen]

I personally use Google Documents for documents I am afraid of loosing. You can create/edit/store all sorts of documents from word to excel and powerpoint.

http://docs.google.com/

It is also great in the sense that you can access it from anywhere with an internet access.

[distinctly_digital]

I use Mesh - https://www.mesh.com/welcome/default.aspx

You get 2GB's free which is more than enough for all my business documents at the moment. I've never had any problems with it