Best backup hardware for single PC?

[bupkus]

I was asked by a small business (2 computers) to implement a backup for files inside the "My Documents" folder of just one computer. Pretty simple, yes, but I don't know if I should suggest a 2.5" external hard drive or a USB flash.

I have a 2.5" enclosure with an old 10GB IDE laptop drive in it and I like it. I really don't know which is faster between the two or more reliable for that matter. I could order a 2.5" 320GB WD 5400rpm for only $50 and come to think of it, with that I could probably do a complete image backup, too; something I can't do with a USB flash.

I don't suppose the document backups would surpass 8 GB even over time.

BTW, I'm just thinking of using the backup sw available in the respective Windows desktop OS.

Which would be best, the external hard drive with USB 2.0 or USB flash drive with 8 or 16GB of space?

Edit: BTW, one location is using Windows 7 while the other location is using Windows 2000 Pro.

 

[Blain]

I would pick a USB drive over an external mechanical drive.
Drop both a USB and external drive on the floor from 3' and see which one survives.

 

[RebateMonger]

I highly recommend system image backups. It's way too common for folks to partially back up a computer, only to find that they've been saving important documents elsewhere. I've seen a lawyer lose six months of billing records because somebody moved their Outlook PST to the c : root directory, but kept backing up only "My Documents".

Also, consider online backup (such as Carbonite) as a secondary (and fully automatic) backup. People are NOT good about making backups or taking copies offsite. Online backups will be there if their whole office burns down, and only cost $55 or $60 a year.

Windows 2000 can't back up open files. It'd be a really good idea to upgrade that PC.
http://www.backupassist.com/BackupAssist/advancedOpenFilesBrief.html

 

[bupkus]

Also, consider online backup

Sadly, his office network is land locked for safety.

 

[RebateMonger]

Sadly, his office network is land locked for safety.

Well, I'd encourage them to keep multiple devices and rotate them to an offsite location. If they have two locations, they can swap the backup media between sites.

Also, be sure to test the backups periodically to be sure that they are actually working as desired and that you can actually recover the data. The built-in system image backup of Win7 seems to be adequate, if a bit space-inefficient.

But you need to test the results. A broken backup disk isn't a big deal if you keep multiple backup disks and test them periodically. It's a BIG deal if you only have one backup disk and don't know it's broken until it's too late. Or somebody steals the backup disk along with the computer (I've seen it happen).

 

[bupkus]

The built-in system image backup of Win7 seems to be adequate, if a bit space-inefficient

Would you recommend upgrading to Acronis disk imaging instead?

This would be in addition to a folder select backup.