Backup software

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JK949

Senior member
Jul 6, 2003
377
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I'm looking for system backup software to backup to an external hard drive.
What I would like to have is something that backs up only the changes and
will do it in real time as opposed to a scheduled or full backup. Is there something
that will do the initial first backup and then backup only changes to the backup file and do it
as the changes take place, running in the back ground ?

What about Norton Ghost ? How good is it and will it do what I need.
 
BlueWeasel

BlueWeasel

Lifer
Jun 2, 2000
15,944
475
126
What exactly will you be backing up?

If your interested in backing up entire partitions or the OS, then Acronis TrueImage, Ghost, DriveImage, etc. would be best.

If you just want to select specific folders to be backed up, then Synctoy and Syncback are good choices.
 
J

JK949

Senior member
Jul 6, 2003
377
0
0
Backing up an entire computer, everything. I have True Image but it dose not
back up in real time, only on demand and scheduled times. Does anything out
there back up in real time in the back ground ? The reason for this need is
the people who will be using it are not the backup types. They need something
that is completely maintenance free that they don't even have to think about.

One of their computers, a Compaq desktop, got accidentally restored and all the pictures ect...
were gone and now the need for a backup system is obvious to them. The problem is
none of them have the time or patience to mess with it and the computers are not
running 24/7. I need software that is people proof. They have purchased 3 external
drives and all I need is the right software for them.
 
N

nordloewelabs

Senior member
Mar 18, 2005
542
0
0
Originally posted by: JK949
One of their computers, a Compaq desktop, got accidentally restored and all the pictures ect...
Click to expand...
if they are able to look for the Restore Disc, insert it in the computer, reboot the machine, then answer to prompts, i'm sure they can handle a few clicks to backup a system... :)

I need software that is people proof.
Click to expand...
people-proof? that is pretty diffcult....

i use SystemRescueCD to backup my Windows partition (guide here). it's open source and free. and to backup my personal files (My Documents), i use SyncBack, which is also free and can be setup to backup files in real time.

real-time backups put a toll on the system. it's better just to run the app once a day or at specific times.
 
J

JK949

Senior member
Jul 6, 2003
377
0
0
They didn't use the restore disc. The computer was rebooting in a loop and
Compaq tools popped up and asking to repair the drive and my cousin said
yes and that was the end of that. I'll take a look at SyncBack.
Thanks for the reply.
 
SoulAssassin

SoulAssassin

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2001
6,135
2
0
Be mindful of whether it will automatically delete files on the backup if they are deleted on the user volume.
 
IHateMyJob2004

IHateMyJob2004

Lifer
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
67
91
Someone told me that Ghost has a habit of messing up the boot sector and then it was recommended that I use Backup Exec.

This is someone at work that does administrative stuff.

I'm currently trying to plan a networked backup setup at home so I am in the same market starting to do some research. I would think that Ghost should be good enough though and i might go that route. Seeing how my major concern is data files, I might simply backup certain folders using windows backup. I do prefer an image though in case of catastrophic failure.
 
T

Tarrant64

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2004
3,203
0
76
Here is a quick list from CPU magazine that had a list of reviews of backup software. If you would like the full-article I can get that to you:

Acronis True Image 11 Home
Genie-Soft Genie Backup Manager Home Edition 8.0
Yosemite FileKeeper Professional
IDrive
Elephant Drive Home Edition
Mozy Online Backup
NovaBACKUP 10

Also, this one seems to fit your needs pretty well:
NTI Shadow 3
 
T

Tbirdkid

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2002
3,758
4
81
a built in tool called ntbackup. Just type it in the run line, backup what you want and put it on a usb drive, dvd, whatever. Then, when you reformat, rebuild, set the computer back up, just type in ntbackup again, and find the backup file you created, and restore that. Done.
 
IHateMyJob2004

IHateMyJob2004

Lifer
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
67
91
Originally posted by: Tarrant64
Yep. It has a conclusion at the end and has pro/cons for each.
Click to expand...

Follow up:
Is the list you posted in the order taht the magazine ranked them?



Also, I almost decided to use Windows backup but decided against it because if a hard drive crashes, that means new PC w/ Vista. Problem is that to recover files, I would need to have XP installed (the OS that I have now). I am leaning towards Ghost at this time.
 
T

Tarrant64

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2004
3,203
0
76
Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
Originally posted by: Tarrant64
Yep. It has a conclusion at the end and has pro/cons for each.
Click to expand...

Follow up:
Is the list you posted in the order taht the magazine ranked them?



Also, I almost decided to use Windows backup but decided against it because if a hard drive crashes, that means new PC w/ Vista. Problem is that to recover files, I would need to have XP installed (the OS that I have now). I am leaning towards Ghost at this time.
Click to expand...

Well the list I gave isn't in order of what was best (I don't think so anyways). It was just the order they were reviewed. I'll post what the conclusion is.
 
T

Tarrant64

Diamond Member
Sep 20, 2004
3,203
0
76
Local Backups
No matter what, you need local backups. It doesn?t matter if you save files to optical media, thumb drives, or extra hard drives?just save them and save them often, using the automated features found in the following packages.

Online Backup
It isn?t enough to store files locally anymore. Online storage services provide an additional safety net for a far lower price than was the case in the past, and most are incredibly easy to use. It?s too bad none of the standalone clients have merged affordable unlimited online storage into their features, but until that happens, we?re sure you?ll be happy with one of the following options.

The Backup Plan
As with many utilities, backup software works best when several types are combined to provide better coverage. At bare minimum, we recommend a traditional backup utility such as Acronis True Image or Genie Backup Manager coupled with secure online storage such as Mozy. If you really want to play it safe, also use a package such as FileKeeper that saves important data as you work, meaning you?ll never have to redo the work you did between scheduled backups. This will let you use the locally installed clients and local backups to do a bare-metal restore if disaster recovery is necessary, letting you use a less expensive online service for basic redundancy. A backup plan is nice, but a backup plan for your backup plan is even better.

CPU - Mag February 2008 ? Vol.8 Issue 2

 
IHateMyJob2004

IHateMyJob2004

Lifer
Sep 29, 2004
18,656
67
91
I think I';m going to do network backup then take the drive to a relatives house and dump the images there occasionally. At the same time, I will dump their files on my external.
 
Rottie

Rottie

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2002
4,795
2
81
Originally posted by: Tarrant64
Here is a quick list from CPU magazine that had a list of reviews of backup software. If you would like the full-article I can get that to you:

Acronis True Image 11 Home
Genie-Soft Genie Backup Manager Home Edition 8.0
Yosemite FileKeeper Professional
IDrive
Elephant Drive Home Edition
Mozy Online Backup
NovaBACKUP 10

Also, this one seems to fit your needs pretty well:
NTI Shadow 3
Click to expand...

Genie-Soft is good I had one called Genie Soft Outlook Express backup it has very easy interfaces.
True Image is the best only with DVD never tried with external HD
 
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