Backing Up Your Files - Comments Page 2

For years, I have used and loved Unison File Synchronizer to maintain an exact copy of all my files on my wife's laptop (and her files on mine). It saves time because it only copies files which have changed (and only the part of the file which changed, so Outlook.pst doesn't take too long). Unison supports Windows, Linux, Unix, and Mac, and can even synchronize between them. Best of all, Unison is free. The down sides: it's not extremely easy to use, and it requires some extra steps to make secure. Well worth the effort, however. http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/ (I use other forms of backup as well, but Unison is my daily backup.)

For Windows, I have recently started using "Simply Safe Backup 2005" from http://www.simplysafebackup.com/ and it works well. It has a ton of features -AND- it is free to backup up to 70 or so thousand files. Registration is only 20 bucks or so. Check out the details on the site, but it is a worth while investment for windows users, espeically when backing up to CD/DVD burners. It also has a synchronization feature. Check it out, I think it is worth your time. One other thing, I use to use "Backup MyPc" from StompSoft, and although it worked well, it wasn't free (60 bucks or so) and they didn't seem to keep up with the latest cd burners that I had. It always seemed to bomb out on comparing files when I wrote to DVD's.

Another great free alternative is SyncBack http://www.2brightsparks.com/. Using an imaging program to back up all your files, even the ones that haven't changed,is a waste of time and disk real estate for most people. Take occasional full backups and store them off-site, and use a product like SyncBack daily. The free version of SyncBack is very flexible, but I'll put in a plug for buying the SE version, since it can back up open Outlook PST files and the like, one of the few programs that can backup open files reliably.

My condolences to Sandy on her loss. I suggest hooking up the USB drive to a Linksys NSLU2 file server (less than $100 and little larger than a pack of cards) and putting it where the kids can't get.

there is no mention of RestoreIt, Goback or First Defense as backup tools....Are these no good or what?

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are dozens of software solutions for backup. I haven't tried any of those, so I can't comment on them.

I'm using Allway Sync which is a free file and folder synchronization software for Windows. Allway Sync uses innovative synchronization algorithms to synchronize your data between desktop PCs, laptops, USB drives and more. Allway Sync combines bulletproof reliability with an extremely easy-to-use interface.
http://allwaysync.com/

EDITOR'S NOTE: Did you copy that from a press release, or is that the way you always write? :-)

I just started useing NORTON GHOST 10.0 which I purchased for $62. But then there was a $20 and a $42 dollar rebate which makes it affordable.

I used it to back up my C drive to an external hard drive. Seems to work fine. I can set it to make complete backups or just the changes to the original backup. I can then keep as many backups as I like and use them like restore points. I seem to be able to go into the external drive and access anything I wish and use it just as if I were on the C drive.

I have a second internal hard drive installed in my computer. Can I use it in the same way as an external drive to back data before reformating my c drive ?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, but first be certain that it;s a separate PHYSICAL drive, and not a second partition of a single drive.

I made a back-up disk of stuff from my old harddrive. The information was turned into several DAT files on the disk. I'm having problems actually opening the files. Any ideas on how to do this?

EDITOR'S NOTE: What program did you use to make the backup? You'll probably have to use the same program to recover files from the DATs.

please help me i cannot get back all my lost files, it cost alot of money, how can i get it back free of charge

EDITOR'S NOTE: You want fries and a Coke with that?

Interesting to read the backup details above as i am about to reformat and reload XP due to a malware/virus. I have backed up the data and drives to CD but was more interested in backing all up using an auto-Pilot. But of cause doing this would copy the "problem" and as i have not been able to locate it ( system crashes when the area is hit and no log recorded)i would be recreating the very reason i wish to avoid.
Auto-Pilot is the way to go but is there a way to use them without copying the problems across ?

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you do frequent backups, you can pick the one from just before the problem point.