What's the easiest / best way to backup data?

[charliebrown]

I need a simple idiot-proof way to backup our main computer. CDR's don't hold much data and its a pain to remember to run the backup every day / week... I'm thinking a 2nd hard drive (on a RAID card) set up to mirror the main HD is the best way to go.

What's the best way to backup stuff?

 

[Cerb]

RAID 1: can be done in software or hardware just fine. Software RAID 1 in Win2k or XP is only slightly slower than hardware RAID 1, but controllers are cheap.
RAID 5: must do in hardware...slow as death in software.
DVD: DVD burners aren't too expensive. 4.38GB per disc.
HDD: 200GB or so HD, external USB encosure, back up as needed.

 

[beatle]

I highly recommend a 2nd hard drive and synchronization software (if not running RAID 1). I do this with my backup server and copy important information to it every week. If you can do it in another computer it's even better, as a virus is less likely to ruin data in both places. RAID 1 only protects against hardware failure.

 

[charliebrown]

Originally posted by: beatle
I highly recommend a 2nd hard drive and synchronization software (if not running RAID 1). I do this with my backup server and copy important information to it every week. If you can do it in another computer it's even better, as a virus is less likely to ruin data in both places. RAID 1 only protects against hardware failure.

beatle - what sync software do you use?

 

[beatle]

I use ViceVersa. There are several other tools (including file synchronization programs) at WebAttack.

 

[cockeyed]

A 2nd HDD can have a scheduled backup written to it on a schedule of your choosing, using ntbackup and Task Scheduler.

Here is how I do it for a small data backup weekly on my system. I plugged in a 128mb Flash drive into a rear USB port and leave it there. I use a backup program called "Easy PC Backup" and set a weekly schedule for my data files to backup to the USB Flash drive. If the system fails, the Flash drive still has all of my important data.