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Mac Users.
I have an external Firewire drive and I use the free software "Carbon Copy Cloner" to copy an image of the entire Hard Drive contents once a month.
I use Chronosync to copy my Music, Pictures, Sites and Documents folders three times a week. It also copies my email daily. (The copying is scheduled to run between 2am and 6am). Some people prefer to use "SuperDuper" software instead.
For Apple Mail users, the files to copy are:
home/Library/Mail (the folder) and
home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (a single file)
Safari users might also like to copy:
home/Library/Safari (the folder)0 -
I am investing in an external HDD to back up all my data safely (I am bored with burning DVDs). I keep reading about 'disc images' using software such as Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost and would appreciate some guidance please as to this topic.
1) What exactly is a disc image? Is this an exact copy of my total PC's contents?
2) Is this the same as an ISO file? and what does that mean?
3) Do I need special software to create it? I have Nero Express 6 which offers an option to 'Burn Image to Disc'.
4) If I have a total system failure and need to restore from my disc image, am I right in thinking that I need to re-install Windows first, so there is no need to image the operating system anyway?
5) In which case which don't I simply copy and paste the My Documents folder from my internal drive to the new external one?
6) If restoring from a disc image, do I need to use the same software to restore the image as was used to create it?
7) What advantages do Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image offer? Simply an automated or scheduled backup? Or an incremental backup too?
Any advice offered will be appreciated. Thanks...0 -
A computer "disc image" is simply a copy of the entire internal hard disc/s, nothing to do with optical discs so there's no burning involved. Things like Acronis simply make an exact copy of the entire computer (although compressed usually in its own format). If you have a total system failure you can recover using simply Acronis, no need for an installed operating system otherwise that would defeat the point. This is done simply by booting from a copy of an Acronis rescue medium. That could be CD, flash drive, floppy or whatever. In answer to what they offer, the answer is yes to everything you suggested."She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
Moss0 -
One thing I've found with Windows Backup, even the licensed one from the dudes and dudettes at Seagate, is that it likes to default to floppy disks if there isn't a tape drive (or similar) attached.
I keep some of my downloaded files on a USB pen drive, but a lot of them are on my main system. I also back up my MP3 music files to DVD-RW. I'm going to reorganise my downloads and move them to DVD-RW as well at some point (I hope sooner rather than later).
I'm going to get a 250GB drive, put it in an external caddy, and use that for backups on the desktop and laptop. A program like Second Copy, which uses ZIP files to make the backup archives, is a good idea: at least you won't need nothing more complex than a ZIP file extractor to get your stuff back if you need to, unlike some of the dedicated backup tools which need to be reinstalled should you need that backup...0 -
http://www.mojopac.com/
I found this cool freecapp that you install on your external HDD and I found it really good for backing my stuff and even giving me mobility as I can plug the HDD to any host PC
It's not exactly designed for back up purposes and some people might not like it, but it can be used for this purpose, plus you have the advantage of having the files displayed in a familiar Windows environment.0 -
if youre looking into offsite backups, then give dreamhost a look.. you get 500gb of diskspace (5TB bandwidth monthly) to start with and 2gb diskspace extra per week/40gb bandwidth.
more than enough bandwidth/diskspace than you will know what to do with. you can host websites from it as well as using the space for offsite backups.
their package is $120 a year (ie £60...less if you pay for several years in one go) and theres a discount code doing the rounds that will get your first year for around £7, then 60quid a year afterwards.
been with them for 2 1/2 years now, and really happy with the service. use it for all my offsite backup stuff as well as (currently) hosting 14 websites on it...
HTH0 -
Has anybody used BT's Digital Vault backup software? It is included with their broadband package I think. I was considering getting an external hard drive but I'm not sure which is the best option.0
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I just installed a SCSI tape drive to my main Desktop, I have a bag full of tape but no idea what to do with them. I know Win backup will utilise the drive but was wondering if there was any decent third party software. Or is Win backup the industry standard backup utill for tape drives?To travel at the speed of light, one must first become light.....0
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Has anybody used BT's Digital Vault backup software? It is included with their broadband package I think. I was considering getting an external hard drive but I'm not sure which is the best option.
There are two options. One that is included with Total broadband and one wich offers more storage.0 -
THanks.
Spotmau PowerSuite Professional 2008 is all-in-one suite , it offers you a complete solution to solve all your computer problems in an easy way.
Forum rules: No advertising."She is quite the oddball. Did you notice how she didn't even get excited when she saw this original ZX-81?"
Moss0
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