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Post by buzzy on Mar 17, 2009 22:23:48 GMT
Hi guys, I think it would be prudent if I back up my Hard Drive (I already do files manually to a USB Drive). I would appreciate any advice on a suitable program, especially if it will backup o/s also. (Windows XP Home) I don't mind if I have to pay for it.
Many Thanks.
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giraff36
Full Member
Venice Beach LA
Posts: 104
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Post by giraff36 on Mar 17, 2009 23:19:26 GMT
i bought acronis true image to an external hard drive . norton ghost, might be some free onrs about
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Post by mikkh on Mar 18, 2009 0:17:00 GMT
I wouldn't bother to be honest, not on a well used Windows system anyway. You need to be backing up a virtually clean install really and leaving out things that get updated regularly like Virus checkers, Java, Flash, Browsers etc, because you spend just as much time updating them as you would doing a clean install of the latest version.
... and doing a clean install is free and not that difficult
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Post by buzzy on Mar 18, 2009 10:24:16 GMT
Thanks Mikkh.
Well I have all my data files etc: backed up to an external Hard drive and also an OEM Windows XP CD so I reckon I will stick with them in the event of my HDD failing at some stage.
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Post by mikkh on Mar 18, 2009 11:04:47 GMT
Keep your eye on PC magazine 'freebies' they often give away versions of Acronis True Image and similar backup programs - especially when they're trying to convince you to buy the latest version. But there's nothing wrong with the older free version and it must be slightly annoying for people who actually paid for the version they're now giving away
Even more galling when they only offer a tiny discount for existing users who may want to upgrade to the latest version
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Post by jojo on Mar 18, 2009 11:28:52 GMT
I wonder what the opinion is on one of these 64Gb usb memory sticks as a back up alternative? I've even seen some at 128Gb. They seem to offer a more surdy alternative to backups and can be stored more easily. Any drawbacks? novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NOV-MS264G |
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Post by computing50yrs on Mar 18, 2009 13:45:27 GMT
I was talking to my pet PC component supplier yesterday and he told me that there are lot of failures with USB memory sticks, and that one guy is making a fortune on recovering data from faulty sticks where they are used as backup. Mass produced in China the quality control seems to be slipping
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Post by mikkh on Mar 19, 2009 0:18:20 GMT
I've had a few die on me when (stupidly) trusting someone else's wiring on front USB ports - they expire very quickly like that As for the bigger size ones (8 GB+) I can't justify the cost of them myself, especially when you can get 2 1/2 inch external drives that are far cheaper, less easy to break and almost as easy to carry round with you. I carry 'essential' files around on a little 4 GB one that's like a tiny hard drive www.cibox.tm.fr/web/english/products/storage/proton-c.htm#proton-cIt's easier to find in my pocket and seems a lot faster than traditional pen/thumb drives |
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Post by movieman36 on Mar 21, 2009 9:22:00 GMT
With regards to reliability, that is also an issue with HD's. I have quite a big collection of external HD's from the 250 GB Maxtor One Touches I bought years ago when they first came out (with a new new technology price tag) through to the couple of western digital 1 TB external I bought before Christmas for under £100 each. Those mentioned are still working fine but a few others I have had have have died and some have died early in their lives. Yes the company replaced the drives under grantee but the data was gone.
My point? If it is really important to you, back it up twice. Either to separate HD's. DVD's even consider some on-line back up solution. Many companies charge a healthy amount as an on-line backup facility but you could look at buying a cheap website package with a reasonable amount of space on and then instead of using it as a web site just upload your files to a folder via ftp. This sort of 'off site' storage covers you in case a disaster strikes that is not computer related.
MM
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Post by elvisuk on Mar 21, 2009 14:31:47 GMT
H! i have got 3 USB pens one 512mb had for 4 years now i think it cost £10 it's a verbatim i put passwords and letters and stuff that's small then i Winrar them not had a problem with them  ) I have a 4 GB Novetech which i put programs on and not had any problems with. I also have a 8 GB one from Novetech which i use for anything which is more then 4.7 GB ) I wuld love a 64 GB or a 128 GB but it is the cost and i will white a few year before i by them. |
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Post by ken on Mar 22, 2009 5:51:31 GMT
I've got 2 x 2½ inch pocket hard drives. One 80 gig and a 120 gig. They are not very expensive to buy now. I have pen drives pack up through the USB plug going. With a hard drive, you can always change the cable. If I used a pen drive, I think I would keep it perminantly attached to a small extension cable. Its the plugging in and out thats the weak link in the chain. I suppose a lot depends on how often you use it.
KC
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