computer backup methods

[IslandTractor]

While I appreciate that you don't have that much data to back up, I would still recommend the HP SimpleSave system. Plug it in, accept the user agreement and it automatically backs up all your documents and continues to do so every five minutes if necessary so long as it is attached to the computer. Couldn't be simpler if you are just trying to protect your documents and photographs. It is not a hard drive image type backup so you would still need to reinstall programs and operating system in the event of a HD crash but it is the data that is irreplaceable and it does a fine job with that. The system recognizes over 300 types of document/photo file/music file etc right out of the box so unless you work with some esoteric programs you really don't need to do anything but plug it in and accept the user agreement. Done.

Automatic frequent backup is really important. The trouble with occasional backups is that anything you changed from the last time you backed up (?months ago) is lost in case of failure. As recently used documents are frequently the most important that makes frequent automatic backup an important feature. It is great for things like photos or music files too which are often added to one hard drive then deleted from the original source leaving you unprotected until you do your ?infrequent manual backup.

The HP SimpleSave drives are available in a number of sizes. Amazon has a half gigabyte system (about the smallest) for $80 including shipping. Tough to beat as a cost effective solution for backup of documents, images etc.

 

[Western]

I bought a Seagate Free agent, I have used it 2 times and now during a self test it says I have to send it in for repairs?? It is an external drive, not sure if I screwed it up or what.

It installed easy enough, I am almost to the point of trying to re-format it, but think I may do more damage since it is pre-loaded with an install kit. Kinda sucks after spending the $80 or so $$. I downloade their "tools" program last night to run a disc scan....wont run...

 

[arrow]

When the wife was working, she needed a backup system for her job. At the time, the simplest and cheapest method was to use a crossover cable to network into another old computer. I still do that today except now I have a small router. A manual file backup only took about 10 minutes.

I do have an almost new unused computer . Was this connection with a usb cord? and what is the procedure to backup to a network computer?

Island, your suggestion is a good one and makes sense. Still have a tough time even spending that amount for what I want to have in case of a crash. There is a part of me that is saying "so what if it crashes" and another part of me that wants a little bit of back up.

Dmace. I'm saving all of my files and email accounts on Yahoo ( do not know how to do the email part) Totals about 20 gig. Is a flash drive more reliable than a dvd?

 

[Dmace]

]Is a flash drive more reliable than a dvd?

YES, you can't scratch a flash drive or accidentally erase it by putting it too close to a magnet. Plus flash drives transfer data much faster then a DVD drive.

 

[IslandTractor]

YES, you can't scratch a flash drive or accidentally erase it by putting it too close to a magnet. Plus flash drives transfer data much faster then a DVD drive.

I agree but flash drives are small and easy to misplace. It is also difficult to label them. I guess putting a large 16 or 32gbyte flash drive into a plastic ziplock bag with a printed label as well would overcome that issue.

Flash drive certainly makes more sense than a DVD or CDROM these days.

 

[Bird]

I looked at a bunch of USB Flash Drives today; never owned one but thought I might want to. So what brands would you recommend? I think a 4 gig would be plenty but may go ahead and buy 8 gig.

 

[Dmace]

So what brands would you recommend?

You will find that the majority of flash drives are made by either SanDisk or Kingston. I like to purchase the ones that are sold under those names for piece of mind even though most of the no-name units have the same memory in them. Also, if you are not looking for long-term storage but want to get more out of your available memory, then look into compression software to compress the files before putting them on a flash drive. I don't recommend zipping for long-term storage or backups though.

 

[Bird]

Thanks, Derek. I found that Walmart and Best Buy both have SanDisk at the same price. Office Max has Verbatim for more money. Office Depot had the SanDisk about the same price, but Ativa cheaper. And of course Best Buy had their own no name ones a little cheaper, about the same as the Ativa. I think I'll buy the SanDisk. The sales personnel in all the stores would only say they're all about the same and do the same thing.

 

[arrabil]

Bird, they all make different grades of flash drive. I would purchase a higher grade for use as a backup device. In the fine print of the manuals they list the MTBF much lower for the lowest cost ones.

That said, I haven't seen flash memory fail but once. But I do follow my own advice and give it to my clients as well.

 

[Bird]

they all make different grades of flash drive. I would purchase a higher grade for use as a backup device. In the fine print of the manuals they list the MTBF much lower for the lowest cost ones.

OK, just one small problem. Being a computer dummy, I wouldn't know how to determine which grade I was getting although I do find a number of different ones on the Internet that I did not see in any of the stores today. And I assume by MTBF you mean "mean time between failure" but I didn't see any manuals for any of them; just the basic instructions on the back of a card. But I had to run to Walmart for something else a few minutes ago, so I picked up a 4 GB SanDisk Cruzer USB 2.0 Flash Drive for $14.88 plus tax for a start.