Lookup for a simple backup solution for a family member.

[Jeff7181]

My Grandpa has decided to back up his computers finally and I recommended against an online backup solution because I think image based backups would be best so he doesn't have to try to figure out what to back up and what to restore. Plus his Internet connection barely provides 1 Mbit downstream and even less upstream so that wouldn't work so well if he needed to restore like 50-100 GB of data.

So I'm trying to find him a 2.5 inch external drive that's USB powered so he doesn't have to mess with a power cable. Selecting the hardware isn't a problem... I'm just not sure which brands/models have the best software. I'd like it to be as close to a one click backup as possible. He's not inept, but the simpler it is, the better. Ideally it would be able to back up multiple computers without having an issue with overwriting the other computers backup. Otherwise, having one for each computer wouldn't be out of the question if it works well enough otherwise.

Any suggestions?

 

[RebateMonger]

If the computers are all on a network (i.e. all connected to the Internet), and if they are Windows XP, 2000, Vista, or W7 boxes, then Windows Home Server would be the easiest way to make automated image backups of up to ten computers. Backups occur automatically each day, you can restore single files or entire systems, and can restore from many dates in the past. Backups are very space-efficient, since they only keep a single copy of files that are located on multiple computers (like the OS).

Setup and operation of a WHS is designed for home users and is nearly maintenance-free. If problems develop, it'll give warnings on every PC in the network.

 

[Jeff7181]

I considered it, especially with HP's new one with an Atom processor and a 640 GB drive.

I decided against recommending it as he doesn't have room for another computer, living in a condo in FL. There's also more that can go wrong with a WHS vs. an external hard drive. I also don't think he'd be into it because of the extra electricity and heat. In addition, if I recommend something like that I think he'd expect my help setting it up... and don't live close enough that I could do that for him.

Hey... 1 question about WHS though... does it give remote access to XP Home PC's or just XP Pro (and other versions that can already host RDP sessions)?

 

[elconejito]

I not sure that there is "more" that can go wrong with a server vs a hard drive.

If your grandpa wants to be able to backup several computers to a network device, the easiest solution is WHS. If size is that big of a concern, you could build it yourself in a SFF case and just pickup WHS software separately. Power consumption I would guess would be less than a lightbulb (< 60w)

An alternative would be a NAS device, which is just a really dumb server. It might need a little more work to setup, but would definitely be smaller and use less power.

And then finally you could get an external 2.5" for each computer. Depending on how much space they need to backup you can get them for probably $50-100 each. I don't know that there is a "best" brand out there for externals. Seagate is definitely out, and I've heard rumblings about WD externals. You could buy HDD and enclosures separately (that's what I would do).

 

[rlim111]

For 2.5 inch external drive. I always prefer Western Digital elements or WD my passport. I'm use both of them and they work great so far.
For automatic backup software, I think there's no 2.5 inch external drive provides it. How about WD my book mirror edition, it is a little thick so harder to taken handy but has nice backup features.

 

[Old Hippie]

Hey... 1 question about WHS though... does it give remote access to XP Home PC's or just XP Pro (and other versions that can already host RDP sessions)?

It supports....

Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows XP Home Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (SP2)
Ceter Windows XP Media Edition 2005 SP2
Windows XP Media Center 2004 SP2
Tablet Edition of Windows XP SP2

 

[Old Hippie]

I not sure that there is "more" that can go wrong with a server vs a hard drive.

A server puts another OS in the equation.

If that's not "more" I dunno what is.


OP, for me the same rules that apply to 3.5" externals apply to 2.5" externals....Roll-Ur'-Own external and buy a copy of Acronis.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Hey... 1 question about WHS though... does it give remote access to XP Home PC's or just XP Pro (and other versions that can already host RDP sessions)?

WHS uses conventional Microsoft Remote Desktop technology for the remote PC access, so that'll only work with OSes that will work as an RDP server: XP Pro, XP MCE, Vista Business, Vista Ultimate, W7 Professional, W7 Ultimate.

Those HP WHS servers are TINY and can be put anywhere. Once in place, it's unlikely you'll ever need to access it. Everything is done remotely. There's no way to even attach a monitor.

WHS setup is really simple. You plug in the power, plug in the network, put a disk in one of your PCs, and follow the instructions.

Adding client PCs is a one-time process and takes about five minutes per PC. It takes a couple of mouse-clicks. All PCs get fully backed up every day (as long as they are turned on or in sleep mode). If backups are failing, you'll get a warning on every PC, so it's hard to miss.

There's a Youtube video on how to set it up. Unfortunately, watching the video is ten times more painful than the actual installation process. But if you jump to 5:00 minutes, you can see the actual setup process. The server they show is the "big" one, with four drive trays. The LX 195 is smaller.

Youtube: How to set up an HP Windows Home Server.

There's lots of ways to do backups. I've used them all. If you choose to backup to a local hard drive or a NAS, be sure the backup software you choose gets correctly configured. It's all-too-common to find out, too, late, that you aren't backing up everything you wanted to back up. With some backup software, it's not obvious. So double-check.

And no matter what form of backup you choose, be sure to check the backups periodically (restore some files) to be sure everything is working properly.

 

[Isura]

Are the PCs in the same location? External HD + Acronis or other image backup program seems the easiest..

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Isura
Are the PCs in the same location? External HD + Acronis or other image backup program seems the easiest..

One's a desktop that stays in the same spot, of course. The other is a laptop in another room but doesn't really get moved a whole lot.

I've never used Acronis... is it easy enough to use that he could plug in an external drive, open the app and basically click once to start a full image backup?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I've never used Acronis... is it easy enough to use that he could plug in an external drive, open the app and basically click once to start a full image backup?

Aim for automating the backups. Acronis can certainly do that. The reality is that if folks have to plug in a drive and run a backup program manually, they seldom/never do it. Even if you can't leave the drive connected all the time, have the backups try to run anyway. Hopefully he'll pay attention to the warning messages when the automated backups fail.