Backing up partition automatically

[core2kid]

I had 3 seperate drives which I all combined into a 1TB drive. I have left a 2x250B SATA, 1x160GB SATA, 1x80GB IDE, 1x100GB IDE.

I want to be able to back up my primary Windows XP partition with a regularly scheduled backup. Basically like a clone drive.

1. Is this necessary? I hear these drives are very reliable and they will not just fail but show signs of failing first
2. If it's necessary, how should I do it? I have a 250GB partition that I want to "clone" automatically onto a 250GB Drive (232 or something GB Free)

 

[VinDSL]

I had 3 seperate drives which I all combined into a 1TB drive. I have left a 2x250B SATA, 1x160GB SATA, 1x80GB IDE, 1x100GB IDE.

HuH?

 

[RebateMonger]

It'd be best to describe how the drives are joined and how you've partitioned it all. In general, simple duplication of a single disk that's part of a three-disk array can be problematic.

Also, mechanical disk drives do fail, sometimes without warning. With a three-disk array, the odds of failure of a single disk are probably in the region of 10% to 20% per year.