Automatic Backups - Comments Page 1

Hello, Is there a particular reason you didn't mention Windows XP's built-in backup program?

EDITOR'S NOTE: I've never heard anything good about it. I think it creates a "blob" for the backup and you can't go in and select an individual file to restore.

For "offline automatic backups", here are some free software options:

For backing up MS Office settings, use Office Resource Kit tools (http://www.microsoft.com/office/orkarchive/2003ddl.htm#ork for Office 2003).

I also use a batch file that is automatically executed by Windows XPs built in scheduler. The batch file uses Winzip's command line add on. I know Winzip isn't free, but I'm sure there are a number of free compression utilities out there if you don't already have it...

What's your opinion on "Ghost." While I've never used the automatic backup feature of Norton's (Symantec's?) "Ghost" I believe it DOES in fact exist.

Obviously I don't do regular backups. The backups I did manually saved my bacon on more than one occasion. Now might be a REAL GOOD TIME to start doing this on a regular, automated basis. Thanks. You da man!!

How about Genie Backup Manager? Excellent program with lots of features including backups to local, removeable, or CD/DVD drives. If that's not good enough you can also backup to an FTP site. The Pro version is very useable however there is also a slightly less expensive but competent Home version too. Take a look at http://www.genie-soft.com/products/gbmpro/default.html

True Image and Ghost are definitely the best for image backups. (FYI: Acronis is currently offering a free older edition, v.8, at their website.) But I personally consider imaging the entire drive to be an occasional task... more than monthly would be overkill for most people... 1-2 times per year is enough for those who don't install software very frequently.

For the daily backups (i.e. strictly data), there is an abundance of free, lightweight, simple-to-use options, most of which can be automated

Apple's Time Capsule works without any user attention (until the backup is needed) and deserves a mention in your automatic backup story.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks for mentioning that. What happens when the backup is needed? Does it prompt for something, or Just Do It?

The best "free" automated (or manual if you prefer) backup program I have found is called Karen's Replicator: http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

It is so easy to use. Pick your source location, backup location, sync it!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Ahhh, yes. I used to use that on my previous computer. I forget, does it have an option to run on a specific schedule?

Cobian Backup is the way to go...and it is free

My understanding is that very few backup programs are actually capable of backing up EVERY file on a Windows machine. Apparently some system files do not get copied by most programs, perhaps because they are in use by the os at the time of the backup.

What program would be able to do this so that I can create a second hard drive mirror. I don't want to install a RAID card because I don't trust them - they can fail, too.

EDITOR'S NOTE: You need a program that can create a disk image. I like Acronis for that.

If you didn't back-up your data and your hard drive did indeed crash, I'd recommend using Selkie Rescue Data Recovery. Since a lot of people get into this situation, it's nice to have another option of getting your data back. It is a bootable cd that will by-pass the Windows Operating system and start getting your data back within minutes. It's do-it-yourself software that I think everyone should check out. www.SelkieRescue.com