Why Backup? 9 Good Reasons (and YOUR backup questions answered) - Comments Page 1

agree backups are needed, I back my computers up daily auto and do check

I got the message "Windows detected a hard disk problem" and the next day my laptop hard drive stopped working.

Fortunately, I use Windows 10 where all the documents are stored in OneDrive, so no need for backups. I brought it to a repair shop and had the hard drive replaced and Win 10 reinstalled. I'm back in business now.

I second the motion on Acronis. Since UEFI has come into existence Acronis has been terrible. But there is a wonderful freeware program that is far easier to use than Macrium (I've tried both). It's AOMEI. Not only do you get Acronis Backupper, but you can also download the following freeware - a wonderful partition manager and AOMEI PE builder. Like Macrium, AOMEI allows backups, scheduling, and cloning, and unlike Macrium it doesn't pester you for your password whenever you decide to start or change your schedule.

Several weeks ago my computer had an instant "meltdown." Without warning, I could no longer start Windows, even in safe mode. I had a computer repair expert come to my house (I use a desktop computer) and he could not get Windows started, either.

He had to take my PC (and my external backup drive) to his shop, where he still could not find the problem. The only option was to reinstall everything from an image backup on my external hard drive. It worked and my computer returned to normal.

I cannot emphasize how important it is to create complete (image) backups. If I had only had my files backed up, it would have been a disaster. My external hard drive saved me a lot of grief!

Here's an interesting question. If I get hit with ransomware and my files end up being encrypted, and my files are backed up automatically to OneDrive in the cloud, do those encrypted files then end up in OneDrive also, thereby rendering them useless?

Hi Bob: I've been using Macrium Reflect for a few years now. My problem started when I purchased a new HP Computer. The BIOS does not start by looking for a loaded DVD, it goes directly to load the C drive. I don't trust myself to try and change the BIOS, is there a good way for a novice to do that. With my last HP PC I was able to restore from the image backup, which I do weekly, a number of times. I still do image backup weekly but I don't know how to get the BIOS to read the restore disk 1st.
Thank You for all your information since 1995, that,s when I got on the tourbus.

I agree that regular backups are important. I use EaseUS Todo Backup Free. I find it easy to use and it also has the utility to create a WinPE emergency disk. I have never had to use the backup so I don't know if it really works.

I purchased an i Drive about 9 months ago, but was not backing up regularly. On 12/23/16, my computer died. (I had upgraded to windows 10 back in June and started having computer problems in late September when it would install automatic updates.)
I purchased a new computer and started installing my programs. I checked my i Drive and found the last back up was 12/17. Everything came back with the exception of my Quick Books data. I had that backed up on a thumb drive.
Thanks Bob for the info on the i Drive. I don't know what I would have done without it.

I am looking for a good & free image backup software for Linux/Ubuntu. I have been using ReDo for many years, but the last update was in 2012. There have been some unofficial user updates on sourceforge which have worked well, but that support has seem to ended last February. I hear AOMEI and Clonezilla are good alternatives, but neither seem to be as easy as ReDo. I will need to experiment I guess. Standing by hoping to learn more.

I have used EaseUS todo paid version with good and not so good results. My good result was somewhat lucky. Just prior to attending a trade show I saw a 1gB hard drive at Staples at an incredible cost. On a whim I bought one thinking that if I lost my hard drive at next week's trade show it would be disastrous.

Sure enough I picked up something either at the airport or hotel and I couldn't boot my laptop. Lucky for me I had a system backup and in 30 minutes I was back in business.

My not so good result was in trying to go back to Win 7 after Win 10 on my desktop. Apparently I had changed a partition size and couldn't restore the system. Luckily I had a EaseUS clone of my hard drive so nothing was lost but a lot of time.

Bob, Super-glad to get this info/recommendations. I have I Drive & Macrium Reflect.Not sure if I am using either correctly. Anyway, will you be testing AOMEI and EASEUS TODO BACKUP in the near future to give us a definative answer regarding these two programs? Hope this is OK: i forward post like this to all I know whom I think need to know of you and your good work for us ZeroGeekFolk. I want them exposed to good, solid reliable information. Keep up the great work!

@Eugene
The newer HP has UEFI Secure Boot enabled, which is why your boot up goes to the hard drive. On some machines, you can override this by choosing the DVD drive after hitting the "Boot Menu" key. The info for it should be flashed temporarily upon startup. Probably F9, F10, F11, or F12.
The Macrium disc is UEFI friendly.
If that doesn't seem to work, you'll have to go into the BIOS (UEFI) and disable Secure Boot. Also enable Legacy boot and change the order to put the DVD first.
F1, F2, Del, or Esc will get you in. Then look for the Boot tab, which may be by itself, or under Security. Save changes.
If you just fiddle with that stuff, you won't hurt anything.

If you scoot over to giveawayoftheday.com they are giving away the pro version of AOMEI Backupper today (17Jan, 2017)

I use Macrium Reflect as well, and do an image backup on the first day of the month and then incrementals throughout the month. I am curious about a second backup for safekeeping, maybe use the cloud for that.

I have used Carbonite backup for years. I also use an external hard drive and thumb drives, I do lots of family history and certainly can't remember it all and there is no need to have it all in print at this time. I have hundreds of pictures. I do research for other people and do projects for some groups I am in. One time I lost some things and had no idea what happened or what I had done, but all I had to do was contact Carbonite and I got it all back. I would not think about not be backed up one way or the other, but it must be away from the house in case something happens here.

I've used the paid version of Macrium Reflect for several years. (I did not upgrade to the current version as I saw no real benefit.) The image and data backups go to an external drive.

I also use Degoo to backup data to the cloud. It includes its own utility to automate the process. It will encrypt all your files using military grade encryption and store multiple copies of each file. The free version gives you 100GB of storage space, plus the ability to gain 3GB more space each time a referral signs up for an account using your own link. Your referral also gets the bonus 3GB at signup. More info and a 3GB bonus at: https://degoo.com/g/hzRl7Fm

Degoo also supports Android.

A paid Degoo account gets you 2000GB.

In addition to those, I also encrypt certain files and upload them to GoogleDrive.

A version of Acronis 2013 or newer will make a boot disk that is recognized by a UEFI bios computer.
If you have Acronis 2013 or newer you don't need to upgrade. Also if you have either a Seagate or Western Digital hard drive inside or outside the computer you can use the free Acronis(2014) programs available from Seagate(Disk Wizard) or Western Digital. They will install and let you make backups in windows. They will let you make the recovery media in case you need to restore.
If you need to get into the bios on a UEFI PC, hold the shift key just before you shut down. The next boot will recognize the bios setup key or the boot menu key.
I can't recommend Ease Products since they come with PUPs. Aoemi is an excellent replacement for partitioning. I will try its backup features.

My desktop PC is a refurbished HP elite 9000 and came with an Operating System Restore Partition. The tech guy at DiscountComputerDepot explained that, in the event of a meltdown, this would be all I need to restore my PC to normal. Can I rely on that?

EDITOR'S NOTE: That depends on your definition of "normal." Sound like It will restore everything to the condition your computer was when you first got it. All of your files will be gone, and you'll be missing all the Windows updates that can out since that time.

This is not for everyone but, twice a month, I being of more paranoid ilk...

1. Attach Inatek Docking station (Amazon - $39) with inserted 500GB Hard Drive from CDW ($45)
2. Open Macrium Reflect (Free) and click Macrium "Clone" option.

I Of course, perform daily user file backups (See many previous excellent articles on how to accomplish this from Bob's archives).

For catastrophic loss of hard drive data, follow steps below:

1. Swap bi-weekly cloned Hard Drive into PC.
2. Recover any additional required user files not on cloned drive from daily backup location.

(Full Disclosure) For redundancy, I actually use two hard drives and switch for bi-weekly cloning, only because I have seen backup medium also fail!

FYI, my hobby for the last 20 years has been data recovery for friends and family, but unfortunately my efforts are not always successful. So whatever option you decide from the many great suggestions on this post, please consider using one of them.

I have happily used ShadowProtect from StorageCraft for a number of years ($100 with one year of support, but a free trial is available). I have a 1 TB external HD, and do a full image backup once a week, with daily incremental backups. You can make a bootable disk or thumb drive containing the recovery software. I keep the most recent 3 weeks of backups, and the scheduling software automatically deletes older backups to make room for the new one. You can recover individual files, directories, or completely restore the disk. It has saved me on more than one occasion from a hard drive failure.