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General discussion

wifi backup questions

Mar 10, 2005 12:40PM PST

(I originally posted this on the storage forum, but have had no response. I don't know if it is proper to repost on this forum also, but figure someone will let me know if I've screwed up...)


First, let me say thanks for all the info on these boards. You have helped me many times in the past even though you were responsding to someone else. The fact that most seem to be willing to respond @ the technical/experience level of the original poster is greatly appreciated and much helpful.

I have two old laptops and a desktop (all XP home SP2) on a wireless network. Syslink router through LAN card to desktop, syslink PCMCIA (or whatever it is) wireless adaptors on the laptops. File and print sharing are enabled.

Based on the noise of one of the laptop hdd (plink, tic, kerCHUNK, clunk) I figure it's about to die. I have been remiss in backing up any of the computers, because it's never been "necessary". In maunually deleting a program on one of the laptops, I learned that "necessary" equaled "too late"...So I want to be able to start backing my systems properly.

Anyway, I was looking through a number of forums for info on using an external HDD to back up all of the computers on the network. What I've learned is that I just have more questions. Can anyone help me out with some information? I am using WEP encryption. The router has a firewall, so I do not currently have a software firewall--tried MS but never got it work w/the network...some computers could "see" the others, but not share files, or printer didn't work.

1. None of the computers have USB 2.0, but I think I can upgrade the desktop to 2.0. Will the external HDD still work with the old USB? I know it will be slower.
2. Can I just hook the external to a desktop USB port and upgrade all the computers that way? I think I can just share the drive and make it accessible to all the puters on the net, but I'm not sure.
3. I only have one HDD in the desk top, but I think I can add a second. Would that be a better deal than using an external?
4. Do I backup the OS AND program files? I've read both yes and no, but it doens't make sense to me to not back up everything. NOne of the hard drives are huge; the total of all would be less than 60 gigs.
5. On a related issue, I have read that the address of the router should always be changed from the default. How do I go about doing that? ANd will the laptops be able to find the router after the address is changed?
6. I assumed I could just "drag & drop" files from the computer to the back up. I keep reading that a number of programs are available--Free, even--to handle the back up process. Just what do I need to look for?

Thanks in advance for any help that appears

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