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General discussion

Forum Moderator: Need storage advice, PLEASE

Apr 23, 2006 10:02AM PDT

I have been pouring over this forum for hours now. I see lots of people that have external harddrives being told they (the drives) are not to be trusted. I have seen that flash drives are also not to be trusted. I have seen websites recommended to reconstruct melt-downs.

But what I have NOT seen is what you do recommend!

I'm sure it is there somewhere - but I get lost in all the links and all the threads that were asking what to do, now that something is not working. As I said, I've been here for hours.

So, let me be specific:
What software do you recommend for backup?
What hardware do you suggest for backup storage?
What other steps (burning CD's or DVD's?) do you recommend?

Thank you for your considerate advice...

Discussion is locked

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Not the Moderator...but it really depends on what you
Apr 23, 2006 12:00PM PDT

want to backup or protect.

Just your data ?
The entire system the OS, the APPs and data ?
And it goes as far as having a copy of your backup offsite....just in case of the earthquake, tornado, fire, etc.,

It isn't backup but my starting point to prevent loss damage or corruption is a good UPS.

VAPCMD

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I want to back up everything!
Apr 23, 2006 5:25PM PDT

I had a scare this weekend that woke me up. I got by without any major damage or data being lost - but I really need to get on the back-up bandwagon now.

This weekend I almost had to restore my system in such a way that it would have wiped out all the app's I have purchased since I purchased this computer in July. Many of those I downloaded, so I don't have the CD or anything for them. And the copies of the emails I received telling me the Registration numbers for those (many!) downloaded programs would have been lost also in losing my data.

So - before I am confronted with a horrid situation again, I really need to make a complete backup that includes applications.

This extensive backup may not need to be done daily? That's my guess. And then I know I need to start doing a daily back up for all the documents, pic's, etc that happen constantly.

I've been a verrrry bad girl. I have not made a back-up of anything since the early 90's (3 computers ago). At that time, I had an Iomega Zip Drive that took all day and 20 zip disks to do a complete system back-up. I only had a 6 GB drive at the time - which was considered HUGE at the time I bought it! LOL!!!

I tossed that zip drive years ago - and haven't done a back-up (except on work computers - which do not run on windows) since then.

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Now that you've seen the light ...
Apr 24, 2006 1:20PM PDT

Tell us a bit more about your system

Desktop or laptop ?

Is it a custom install ...the OS, drivers, apps all installed individually or do you have restores disk from the mfg ?

How many hard drives ?

How many partitions on each drive ?

What large are the partiiton sizes and how much free space is there on each partition ?

What OS are you running ?

Got room for a second HDD ..internal ? Feel comfortable about installing it yourself ?

VAPCMD

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The light and my system
Apr 25, 2006 9:14AM PDT

Type: Desktop
OS: Windows XP (I mean really, do you think I have Linux asking these basic questions? lol)
Install Disks: Demanded OS disks from Dell on Sunday. Have disks for Office Pro, Adobe, Paint Shop ... I don't have disks for some of my fav programs - downloaded off internet and didn't keep receipt for some of them.
1 HD
1 partition (was 2 until Norton decided I didn't need the other one ... which brought me to the crisis of suddenly knowing I needed back-ups!)
150 GB Drive/90 Free
I have installed harddrives before. It was a huge a trauma (via Windows 3.11) that I've never recovered from! Wink. I have decided to do an external Seagate 100 GB.

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Here';s what I do...I've made it work for me and
Apr 26, 2006 1:12PM PDT

and those I help since 2001. I sleep well

First all my systems (and those I support) have two hard disk drives.

First hard drive has two partitions ....
- 1 ...the OS and the Apps
- 2 ...all data, downloadsm updates, etc.,

Second hard drive also has two partitions....
- 1 small partition for a swap file
- 2 large partition for image files of both C: and D:

In the event C: becomes corrupt and cannot be quickly fixed...I just get out my Ghost floppy disk and restore C: from one of the images stored on the 2nd hard drive. If the first drive dies mechanically ...I get a new drive, install it and restore the inages again from the second hard drive. If the original HDD is still under warranty ...I send it back I refuse to spend hours and hours locating CDs, product keys, reloading software, reloading drivers and updates, setting preferences, reregistering stuff, etc,. etc.,

Taking it one step further...I copy images of drive C: and drive D: to an external HDD that I can keep safe in my desk at work. I also protect the system with a good UPS that prevent the unanticipated outages, data loss and potential corruption.

VAPCMD

Re EXTERNALS....I have several externals, they're all built from separate enclosures and hard drives of choice, and they've worked well for me. That said .. you can see from the messages here...the failure rates or problems accessing them seems higher than normal to me. If you need portability...externals is probably the simplest and most practical. As a primary target for backup...not a good first choice.

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Ms. Becky..
Apr 24, 2006 4:05AM PDT

I use Acronis True Image for backup..
I use WD 250gb or 300gb with at least 8mb cache as external drive.

As an CNET moderator I cannot recommend anything. As a personal user, I can.

and life goes on...

Jack

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Don't need MODERATOR, but advice still needed!
Apr 24, 2006 7:10AM PDT

During my search yesterday I saw threads that were closed and re-routed to another thread already dealing with restore problems, and MANY of them had been using the program you mention.

I recall at least 8 people that had crashes and could not recover data using a 2nd harddrive that was using the program you are recommending.

I saw these people being directed to websites where people take your crashed harddrive (physically) and do a "recovery mission" on it. This is exactly what I want to avoid.

I saw a moderator (*cough*... his name is Bob ...*cough* *cough* ... did I cover my mouth enough when I coughed that out?? lol) cautioning these people time after time saying that 2nd harddrives could not be relied on.

But I NEVER saw what they should have been doing instead of that 2nd harddrive. I gave up looking and started this thread.

So far no replies that are giving me that info. But, Jack, I appreciate you trying!!

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I think you are doing well.
Apr 24, 2006 7:26AM PDT

Even considering backup is often the first step to being safe.

No one seems to accept "this is the solution" so I'll share my method. It's a bit much but I write software for a living now and if I lost it all...

I have 2 primary work machines. When I hit the road I transfer a copy of the works onto the laptop. This way I have a copy in 2 places. Next I have a small secure 'server' that I use OpenSSH to synchronize the works. Now I'm up to 3 copies, not all in the same place.

Next I have a set of DVDRWs that I rotate. This gives me 3 more copies.

I don't bother with backing up the OS or the applications since I can replace or reinstall those. But I do have my install kit and a copy of the install kit (backup plan) which is never shared with anyone.

Last I have the USB 2.0 hard disks. While quick, I don't trust them.

Bob

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Thank U for reply - need a little more help
Apr 24, 2006 10:36AM PDT

I don't make a living from my machine - but, my entire life is on it. If I lost my data, I'd not know how to contact anyone. (Except my parents. Since I lived there 18 years, I do remember that address & phone number!) I'd lose 300++ documents that I need for various reasons. Music, pictures, etc. ... I'd lose a major source of entertainment.

That said - I don't think I need as much protection as you, but I do need to do something! (and thank you for giving me credit for ''admitting you have a problem is the first step!''. *grin*)

So, for me, do you think DVD copies of the data plus a USB harddrive (Seagate from what I've read is not as prone to burning up as Western?). And if the solution for me is the extra USB HD, what program would you recommend?

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Hooray.
Apr 24, 2006 11:54AM PDT

I agree and that would be super backup compared to the next 10 people I'll meet.

-> The DVDRW media is about 1 buck and you could have a few extras to rotate around. The external hard disk would be super as you have your backup to your backup.

Go for that.

Bob

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software?
Apr 24, 2006 4:10PM PDT

Is there any specific software you think would be GREAT?

Ordering the external hard drive right now!

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Depends...
Apr 24, 2006 9:25PM PDT

Since we are only talking our files, I could use Explorer to drag and drop My Documents to the external USB 2.0 drive. As to the DVDRW media, the drive would have software but I use CDBURNERXP today.

Bob

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thank you!
Apr 25, 2006 4:26AM PDT

"Since we are only talking our files, I could use Explorer to drag and drop My Documents "

you "could use"? I wanna know what you DO use! *grin*

Seriously, I'm Grasshopper to your Blind Master right now!

Thank you again Wink

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I use a batch file.
Apr 25, 2006 5:07AM PDT

It copies My Documents and a few other locations. This automates what I did at first with Explorer.

My batch file is useless for anyone else but me.

Bob

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(NT) (NT) Thank you Bob for all your great wisdom...
Apr 25, 2006 7:15AM PDT
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I'm going to try SyncBack
Apr 25, 2006 9:21AM PDT

From the reviews it sounds good - and the price is right. I'll use that for the Seagate I ordered and then the other program you mentioned for the DVD's.

I'm all set now --- with fingers & toes crossed in hopes that I never need any of it.

I am feeling more confident about the integrity of my system (baring HD failure) since I have exorcised the evil Norton tentacles from my system!

Thank you SO much for your patience and help!