computer backup

[ziggy]

what do you back your compter up to?<br />write now i am backing up my info on a cd-rw and a flash drive stick. <br />i see magster, i think haveing the computer blues. so wondered what everyone did to protect there info. i would be in a real bad way if i lost my computer info. if anyones got a better way to back up info, let us all in on what ya do.....

 

[rwise]

Re: computer backup

them flash drive things sure are handy! I carry 2 of them, one for my personal files (512 meg) and one for work related stuff (1 Gig).

 

[tommays]

Re: computer backup

Big files that i want to save go on a DVD all the small stuff like bookmarks and mail go on the flashdrive.<br /><br />a simple homemade backup.bat file will make the whole thing a one touch deal.<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[JB]

Re: computer backup

Non-boating Tech.

 

[ndemge]

Re: computer backup

My most important files, like the database from yearly tax returns, I keep that on 2 computer's hard drives at my house, and then a cd backup that I take to work. Same with pictures.<br /><br />I have 2 gigs of pictures of the kids and family from the last 5 years, I keep those on my Hard drive at home, My hard drive at work, and a cd backup back and forth to keep both computers updated.<br /><br />Picture folder is now big enough that I'll start backing up to DVD so I don't have to use multiple discs and figure out what was previous burned.<br /><br /><br />...as far as music, I have 60 gigs backed up, after that, if the hard drive fails, I loose the rest. Hopefully I'll get some extra cash to be able to mirror the music on another machine.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: computer backup

I use Norton Ghost for doing the backups. Prior to that I just dumped folders to CD. Bought myself an Maxtor 250gb HD for $110 w$80 mail-in rebate, tossed it into an external drive via USB2 container.<br /><br />CDs and DVD are not archival; eventually they go away all on their own. I’ve never had a prob with it. Museums have had to deal with how to effectively archive all kinds of digital stuff. Prob with those memory sticks is that they can fail, sometime recoverable by reformatting, i.e. you lose all of the data that was on the memory stick. Wouldn’t use one for permanent storage or the only copy of anything important.<br /><br />Current recommendation is to reformat your hd and reload s/w annually. I don’t, probably do it every 2 or 3 years. Having an external hd is really handy for when that time comes. My 250gb hd cost me $30 and another $20 for the external USB case, how much is a 1gb memory stick?!?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: computer backup

I'm with 18R. Get a second hard drive, either internal or external, and just copy and paste the folders you want to save. It happens very quickly and the chances of two hard drive failures at the same time are pretty remote.<br /><br />I have a litte 256k Sandisk memory stick. Half the time I insert it I get a "drive needs to be formatted message" and there goes whatever info I had on it.

 

[ndemge]

Re: computer backup

Don't forget the importance for off-site storage.<br /><br />I keep the stuff I REALLY don't want to loose at 2 different locations, if my house burns down, I have another copy somewhere else. <br /><br />At work, all of my inventory files are backed up to a server on the other end of town, so if my building burns down, I still have my data.<br /><br />And remember.... a Fire Safe is only good for paper, it gets hot in there, but not hot enough for paper to combust, but pleanty hot for a CD or DVD to warp.

 

[harkawy]

Re: computer backup

I have an external USB harddrive and use Norton Ghost to backup my computer. The first backup is the drive to image. This permits the replacement of the harddrive should it crash. Then, on a weekly basis, I partition to image to two different folders on the external...Even and Odd for the even or odd month. I name the image files based upon the drive and date ie. C0206 or D0206 for the partitions or for the entire drive C-D0206.<br /><br />What I like about Ghost is that it can be run from the DOS prompt and does not require Windows to either backup or restore.

 

[harkawy]

Re: computer backup

Originally posted by NoelMG:<br /> And remember.... a Fire Safe is only good for paper, it gets hot in there, but not hot enough for paper to combust, but pleanty hot for a CD or DVD to warp.

That is what media safes are for. They keep the temperature below 150 degrees for whatever time they are rated for. Above 150 degrees, the media will loose data. Many media safes are installed inside of fire safes. Fires safes are rated for 350 degrees for a specified time.<br /><br />As a retired locksmith I thought you should know.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: computer backup

Backup? What's backup? Is that like putting your computer in reverse?

 

[ndemge]

Re: computer backup

harkawy, thanks for the info.

 

[Solittle]

Re: computer backup

The problem with sticks, Cd's, DVDs and BVDs is that you are only backing up files. If your hard drive fails you have to rebuild your system on the new drive.<br /><br />I use a two hard drive system. My first line of protection is the built-in features of Windows XP. If I have a complete drive failure I am able to restore everything from my backup drive on to my new primary drive without rebuilding anything. I use a product called True Image from Acronis. Look here http://www.acronis.com/ . It is somewhat like Norton's Ghost but was a lot easier to use when I set my system up a couple of years ago.

 

[gatorred]

Re: computer backup

I use a nexstar usb hard drive holder (external drive via USB2 container)you can put a ide harddrive of 200 gig or larger in it I put movie's on mine,cd-r,rw for system stuff like window's xp,me.98se and dos stuff to dvd-r,rw work for <br />movie's to program's to older system's had tape backup 800 meg or zip 100 meg zip drive the size of these just system back up's <br /><br />i hope this helps try parts tigerdirect.com