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General discussion

How do you prepare for a major hard drive failure?

Sep 21, 2005 9:11AM PDT

How do you prepare for a major hard drive failure? I back up my data on:

External hard drive (what type?)
Jump drive (what type?)
Tape drive (what type?)
USB Flash drive (what type?)
CD-R or DVD-R
Additional hard drive on my system (is it safe?)
Online storage facility (which one?)
Other (tell us more)
I don't need no stinkin' backups (why?)

Discussion is locked

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I image the drive
Sep 21, 2005 2:10PM PDT

with Norton Ghost 9.0 to cdrs, which take forever, but I think it's well worth the wait. I like knowing I will have a backup available in case anything goes wrong and I am glad to know I will be able to recover if something does go wrong

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(NT) (NT) I use DataDepositBox
Sep 22, 2005 8:22PM PDT
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My fileserver
Sep 22, 2005 8:38PM PDT

Runs a RAID 5 300 gig array that has all my documents video, music and photos, along with any serial #'s to programs, programs I wrote, and hard to find updates for outdated software.

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Not that high-tech
Sep 26, 2005 11:00PM PDT

My solution is not that high-tech, but also involves a second hard drive on another computer on my SOHO network.

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HD Failure:Back-up.
Sep 22, 2005 8:46PM PDT

External HD, USB 2, MAXTOR

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External HD
Sep 22, 2005 9:05PM PDT

I bought an Adaptec HD enclosure and used an 80G HD from an old computer. In case you don't know what an enclosure is, it's a HD box with all requisite wiring and all you need is to add a HD. Lots cheaper.

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External
Sep 22, 2005 9:09PM PDT

I use the XP Home backup program and back up to a Maxtor external hard drive. I do backup each partition separatly. Have only had to use it once for a partition problem but it worked and I did not have to backup the whole computer.
Fridgeman

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External and CD
Sep 22, 2005 10:33PM PDT

I'm paranoid having suffered a loss years ago. As a designer who deals with a large volume of images, not to mention my personal images, I back up to 2 external drives on 2 computers and CDs as well. It's probably overkill, but I sleep at night....

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FileSync
Sep 22, 2005 9:26PM PDT

I use FileSync to keep "My documents" and other folders in sync on another 2 computers, periodically syncing the data, almost every 2-3 days and it takes less than a few minutes (depending ofcourse on the quantum of data) but it gives me the safety that if everything is lost, I can easily start working on another computer with the data that is almost up-to-date.

To save on the installation, I have used Symantec Ghost to image the hard disk and put it on DVD

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I use Doppelganger
Sep 22, 2005 9:32PM PDT

On my desktop I have Doppelganger automatically backup up file changes every hour onto a secondary hard drive. On my laptop I have doppelganger back up onto a PCMCIA Compact Flash memory Card. At the end of the year I archive all of my working files onto DVD.

Bob

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USB Hard drive
Sep 22, 2005 10:09PM PDT

I used terrible tape until I tried a USB hard drive. What took a couple of HOURS with tape now just takes 20 minutes!! (for an ASR backup)
I am partial to Maxtor and Seagate. I have 5 or 6 times the Western Digital drives go bad compard to the others!
But hey,,,, that's just ME!!

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A backup is useless without restore capability
Sep 22, 2005 10:14PM PDT

Many people perform daily backups, only to find out (when their hard disk crashes or is corrupted by a virus) that their backup files are useless.

Therefore, it is extremely important to be sure that your backup program is also a restore program (many are not, despite claiming to be), that you back up everything (if you don't you are sure to need the one file that you omitted), and that you have at least one copy of each of your backup files!

Unless over 90% of your drive is used (in which case you really need a larger drive), drive imaging programs are far too slow and inefficient (compared to file backup programs). Similarly, if you have any amount of files, backing up to CD-ROM or DVD takes too long to be practical. And, the longer a backup takes, the less likely you are to do one daily (which is essential)!

I have three computers networked. Each of them are partitioned as follows: C=Operating System and Program Files, D=Data Files; E=Downloaded program files and Windoze Patch files; F=Backups.

I use Beyond Compare to synchronize the data files between computers over the network. Thus critical data is duplicated on at least two separate computers. This is my first level of protection.

Then, using the backup program supplied with Windoze, I backup each computer to its "F:" partition daily. And incremental backup (of changed files) is done daily. Once a week, a "full system backup" (of everything except the F: partition) is done. This is the second level of protection.

Then, to protect against possible loss of the backup files, a copy of the nightly backups is made to a removable hard drive, which is stored in a fireproof safe.

This not only allows me to restore my computer (to its status as of the previous evening) in case of crash, virus, or regretable program installation, it allows me to go back 3-4 weeks (in case I don't discover a problem for some time)!

My backup procedures are scripted, and take about 5 minutes each night, and less than 30 minutes for the weekly full system backup --- far less time than ghosting or writing CD-R's.

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Backup for XP
Oct 3, 2005 10:36PM PDT

Greetings CDGoldin,
Your backup approach looks solid and I would like to replicate this model in my XP Systems. Do you suggest a software?
Also, since my systems are already up and running, what is the best way to partition the current drives to the C=Operating System and Program Files, D=Data Files; E=Downloaded program files; F=Backups.
How do you ensure that you are migrating all the files into the correct partitions/directories?

Thanks!

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Re: Backup for XP
Oct 14, 2005 3:02AM PDT

Sorry for the delay in response. I don't regularly check these forums, and I received no email notification of your question.

I believe the backup program provided with XP is sufficient to do the job. There are a number of alternatives out there with a few better features, but frankly none of them are worth the extra expenditure

For repartitioning, I suggest you use Partition Magic to create the new partitions, and then use a batch file to move files to the new partitions. You can also use Windows Explorer to "cut and paste" files, but the batch file allows you to check and double check what you are doing before you do it. If you have "beyond compare" (which is a very useful program for various tasks), you can also move your files around with it.

I "ensure that I am migrating all the files into the correct partitions/directories" by being careful. When I install a program, it (usually) defaults to the "C:\Program Files" folder. I let it do so. When I download windows or program files, I specify the download location as a folder on the E: drive. For example, if I were to download WINZIP, I would specify the downloaded file is to be saved in "E:\Winzip" (where I would also save previous versions, for backup, and related programs such as the command line processor). When I create, download, or save (what I consider to be) "data files", I specify a folder on the D: drive.

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RE:Online Storage
Sep 22, 2005 10:24PM PDT

I use streamload.com which is really good

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Online storage
Oct 2, 2005 1:04PM PDT

I use yahoo.com to store everything. This way if computer goes I have everything on the WWW. I can use any computer to get my info. What do you all think about this solution?

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External USB
Sep 22, 2005 10:24PM PDT

I have a 160GB external USB drive which I use to save the "Transfer Files and Settings" operation. If I have to I can recover my exact system to a new Hard drive.

Unfortunately, although my Motherboard supports USB boot, XP will not allow me to put a boot sector on a USB drive. My original idea was to do an emergency boot from this drive.

Someone told me tat if I use Ghost I can get a USB XP Boot. anyone know if this is true ?

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RAID 5
Sep 22, 2005 10:33PM PDT

I have my disk drives in RAID 5 configuration.
This protect my drives from one drive fatal defect.

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RAID, NAS and Tape
Sep 22, 2005 10:44PM PDT

I have hardware RAID 5 on my system, which backs up to a NAS Unit, which in turn backs up to tape. Toi date, I've never lost data. Knock on wood.

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backup on external drive
Sep 22, 2005 11:23PM PDT

I have a 40GB Maxtor external drive that I bought last year. I use it to store anything I can't afford to lose. For software I have the disks.
Susan S.

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NAS, RAID and prayer
Sep 22, 2005 11:27PM PDT

I have a small (3 PC + 1 laptop) network at home. Data is initially stored on the local Windows PC being used. All PCs then have automated overnight backup to a LINUX file server with RAID - two mirrored disks. I would therefore need at least three disks on at least two machines to crash to lose all but the most recent data. Similarly this gives a measure of protection if a virus should sneak past the firewall or anti-virus software if only because it is unlikely to affect both Windows and Linux.

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RAID 5
Sep 22, 2005 11:27PM PDT

I use a four-drive RAID 5 array. If any one drive fails, the entire array can be rebuilt with no data loss in about an hour.

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BACKUP USING EXTERNAL DRIVE
Sep 23, 2005 12:00AM PDT

I use a Western Digital 120MB external drive to back up data from a PC with an 80MB hard drive. Works well, although as in the case of many backup routines, I haven't gone through the "Restore" process. I'm hoping I never have to restore the hard drive. I probably should have "tested" a small backup and restore to make sure everything works.

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RAID 1 and other computers
Sep 23, 2005 12:11AM PDT

I use a RAID one (primary and mirror drives) and further back up to another networked machine with critical Quick Book data after I finish with the QB session.

This ARCO RAID 1 solution can be applied to ANY machine with a ~ $ 275.00 plug-in device and an extra hard drive. Sweet and slick ? easy to install.

Some things like my digital photographs are saved to 3 different machines and or CD / DVD.

Warm regards,

Gary

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Backup
Sep 23, 2005 12:13AM PDT

Thenk you for your online newsletters and surveys.

We run two servers. A SCSI Unix for our financial data and four mirrored stripped hard drive running Windows 2000 for our marketing and image files.

The Unix machine (which has been very stable, these files were started in the mid 1980's) gets a tape backup (Mon. Wed. Fri.), (Tues. Thur. Sat.), (Sunday), (Monthly) and (yearly). the tapes are kept in small, very fireproof container in a different room from the Unix server.

The Windows machine, automatically backups weekly using "Retrospect" onto two external USB drives. This includes all marketing documents, price lists, notes, and programs on the Windows server plus a complete backup of our Unix server, since that contains all of our inventory, client files, order tracking and accounting. USB backup set one and two are rotated weekly. The most recent set is kept in a safe in another building.

For added safety the building has surge supression at the service entrance and the wiring is double grounded. Every wire that connects to a computer goes through surge supression or higher end battery backup equipment from Power Management Solutions.

Regarding your newsletter. Try eliminating some material. It's gotten so long I don't have time to look at most of it.

Thank you for listening.

john@walcottstudio.com

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USB FireLite hard drive
Sep 23, 2005 12:23AM PDT

It works great, is very small and fast, holds 40 GB.

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Maxtor USB using Retrospect
Sep 23, 2005 12:32AM PDT

Maxtor USB using Retrospect

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External Hard drive
Sep 23, 2005 12:36AM PDT

I have one IBM 3" external USB-2 hard drive to use when I am on the road with my notebook. No data on the notebook so I work directly off the USB-2 drive.

One 5" external desktop which is partitioned. I use one area for a complete backup, the others for assorted folders I may want to access (Photos, etc).

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Back-ups
Sep 23, 2005 1:11AM PDT

I used to make BU's on an extra dedicated HD, but got recently a HP SureStore DLT80.
Now my BU is this on Tape.
Have a nice day! Joseph.

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External Hard Drive
Sep 23, 2005 1:27AM PDT

I purchased a 200GB hard drive and 3.5" USB2 and firewire caddy for backing up and storage of data.

I make a full backup of my documents from my laptop every week.