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Seagate Freeagent-does it come with backup software?

W

Wolfpup

Member
From what I've read, the Freeagent Pro (which adds eSATA and optionally Firewire) comes with some solid, easy to use backup software.

But I'm not sure about the regular Freeagent. From what I've read on Newegg, it seems to lack the software. The combination of adding Firewire, plus backup software, might steer me towards the Pro model.

And what about the Go model? I read another thread on here saying 2.5" drives are more reliable in terms of being damaged by shock. I dislike having to plug in TWO usb ports for power (what if a PC I use it with doesn't give enough power? What if I use it on a system without enough ports, etc.)

I was originally going to get Antec's MX-1 enclosure, but I've been leaning towards a 250GB Freeagent, since it's just $20 more (and it would be a new drive, versus a 160GB drive that's been in use for years). Plus I'd like simple backup software.
 
Another question...do these backup programs store stuff as individual files? As an example you've got a backup of "My Documents"-can you browse to the external drive, and actually see that backup and manually copy files over? Or does it just create one gigantic file that's only accessible through special software?

I've tried Microsoft's backup program that comes with XP, but didn't find it practical because it looked like such a pain to restore anything, and would require a fully functional Windows system to do a restore.
 
If anyone's interested, I've been able to find out from this:
http://techgage.com/article/se..._freeagent_pro_750gb/1

review that apperently only the Pro model includes backup software. It seems to be a version of Memeo, http://www.memeo.com/ worth $30 by itself (though who knows if this version can be updated).

It appears to be very full featured and easy to use, though I can't figure out if it stores stuff on the external drive in a format that you can recover stuff from WITHOUT having to use the backup software.

At any rate, the Pro 320GB model costs $70 more than the 250GB "regular" model, but for that adds the additional storage space, backup software theoretically worth $30, and a Firewire port.

Geez, I start out looking for $30 enclosures and now am thinking about a $150 drive 😀 I do need to get serious about backups though.
 
Thanks! Strangely, it dosen't even come with the software that lets you set it's sleep interval.

I tried out the demo for the Memeo software that comes with the Pro model, and actually liked how it worked...except that it consistently wasted 2-5% of my CPU power. I guess I'm going to use Syncback. It was recommended by the Maximum PC guys, and seems pretty simple and straight forward. Kind of weird that it's out of Singapore, but I guess it's legitimate.
 
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