Free Backup Solutions - Comments Page 1

Bob, there are a couple of things about each of these programs that are not addressed either in your article or on the sites for the programs that I think are rather important for local backups (which I think is key since most of us don't have umpteen gigabytes of FTP space to upload to);

1) When burning to CD/DVD, does the software "span" between disks? That is, if there's more data to be backed up than will fit on the media, does it automatically prompt you for another one to continue the backup?

2) Does the software have a "compare" option, where the backup is compared to the original data? A corrupted backup is as bad as no backup at all.

I'd be interested in knowing whether these features are included in either or both of the programs.

Hi, I would like to access my home PC from work. Are there free or lower cost alternatives to GoToMyPC?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, see http://askbobrankin.com/remote_access_to_your_computer.html

Another consideration is whether or not the backup will also include the operating system. Backing up files is certainly important, but so is having access to the OS. Acronis True Image and Norton Ghost seem to be popular paid products. Any recommendations for free imaging software?

A number of comments on the FileFort support forum relate problems on restoring files when they have been lost. Seems to me this is a fairly serious flaw.

Hi, Bob. A long-time fan here!
Re backup: my hard drive is partitioned into 'C' drive for OS and Program Files and 'D' drive for data files.
All I ever do for backup is transfer My Documents and my whole 'D' drive to my external hard drive. After doing that the first time, now I just transfer new files and folders.It's very simple and I do this about once a month.
I read about the need for this program or that in order to perform a backup. I really don't see the need for one unless, I suppose, a person has to back up often and therefore needs to automate the process.
Do you see anything wrong with my approach?

Hey Bob !!
I don't know if you are aware of this online storage facility but, you get 50 Gigs of FREE space to upload or back up your data. There are three plans of which , one is free and two are "paid for".

OK, instead of taking allot of space explaining what and where , I'll let you see and decide for yourself.

http://www.adrive.com/plans .

Flashorn.

Hi! :-)

For individual folder backup, I have used at past SyncBack Freeware ( http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/freeware-hub.html ) and MS SyncToy ( http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto/downloads/synctoybeta.aspx , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SyncToy ).

For online backup, one can use MS Live SkyDrive ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skydrive ), or a Web desktop ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_desktop ). I have used at past EyeOS and G.ho.st ( http://g.ho.st/?language=en ), that is giving (for free accounts) 5GB + 1GB for every invitation.

OK! Just some alternatives! :-)
Greets!!!

Western Digital, HD prominent manufacturer, offers a great tool to Fully backup your drive. Having two (preferably twin drives) hard disks, you can make the second one as a second boot drive by using thier "DataLifeguard" free utility. It works with any kind of drives of theirs....or you can simply copy specific files from one to another drives.
"DataLifeguard" do other things, like initializing and partitioning with a simple GUI.

Another utility from WD is "Diag504fCD" burn this tool to a cd or copy it to a floppy where you can use it to inspect your HD and even do reinitializing "previously know as low level formatting.
The above tools works with PATA and SATA drives as well as with virtually all external drives.

These softwares you are recommending only backup data if I understand correctly.

I frequently want to make a copy of each partition of my entire hard drive as a bootable image. Can you recommend a lower cost bootable image software such as ACRONIS True Image Home ver 10 which records images of each partition including the OS?

I have been using Mozy for more than one year and have scheduled a backup daily at 8 a.m.
This has worked perfectly for me and I particularly like the indication of how long ago last backup was completed.
Using only 60% of my entitlement I am surprised at how much I am able to back up and the sense of security is priceless.
Tony Balch