What is the best back up to our PC [Archive]

Piqueperfumes

19th May 2010, 19:41

We have recently launched our website and its worrying me that we are operating with just one PC. So, if it goes wrong then we are in the mire. Looking for a back up machine that (hopefully) won't get used a great deal and basically needs word and internet and email access. Looking at notepads, laptops, another desktop but frankly confused as to what to go for. Don't want to pay a mint for it.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Phil

TechFox

19th May 2010, 19:51

I would recommend a Netbook from Laptops Direct at http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/

paultnl

19th May 2010, 20:15

First automatic backup your data with something like Mozy http://mozy.com/ then have a cheap netbook to fall back on http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/laptop/range/x10black.html

£199 for the hardware

RedEvo

19th May 2010, 21:18

Buy a MacBook, you know you want to :)

d

NPeer

19th May 2010, 21:29

iMac and time capsule could be done for 1000

If carlsberg did backup machines...........

Scootek

19th May 2010, 21:31

I would recommend iDrive. It seems to be pretty good for online backup.

RedEvo

19th May 2010, 21:33

iMac and time capsule could be done for 1000

If carlsberg did backup machines...........

I nearly bought a time capsule then read some shocking reviews on Apple's own website so didn't bother.

d

sanjiv

19th May 2010, 21:46

I use Bullguard for all my security needs. It has a backup program built in with free 5gb online storage. Its really good. They also do a standalone backup program. Not used it but I would imagine it is as good if not better. Would be worth trying that with an external HDD and also get yourself a netbook.

NPeer

19th May 2010, 21:48

i was umming and ahhing about it but eventually stumped for a 2tb version.

they are awesome once you have set them up (which i think is the bit that most people struggle with!)

using it as a router, backup device and server at the minute so our 3 laptops are all backed up in one place every day (or hour if you would need that function), plus access to files anywhere we want

dunerider

19th May 2010, 22:23

If your website is online then you are ok if your pc fails just go to an internet cafe. Then buy a new machine. Also consider using IMAP for email this keeps email on your hosts server and can be acessed from anywhere. These solutions will mean you don't need a 2nd machine sitting in the corner gathering dust

Naughty Vend

20th May 2010, 05:50

Paper and a Pencil :redface:

Piqueperfumes

20th May 2010, 07:46

Thanks everyone for your help

leemason

20th May 2010, 18:02

As has been said by most other people here. The really important thing is good backups of your data. You can buy a PC from £99.00 but your data is almost certainly worth more to you than that.

Online backup is a good idea as it means that you are not keeping your backup data with your PC so avoiding and disasters where both are lost.

You can always keep your data separated from your actual PC by having a small NAS device to keep your data on. Many of these support RAID1 (mirroring) so your data will even survive a disk failure.

It's all belt and braces but worth considering and none of it is expensive these days.

exectones

21st May 2010, 15:28

We have recently launched our website and its worrying me that we are operating with just one PC. So, if it goes wrong then we are in the mire. Looking for a back up machine that (hopefully) won't get used a great deal and basically needs word and internet and email access. Looking at notepads, laptops, another desktop but frankly confused as to what to go for. Don't want to pay a mint for it.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Phil

Am not getting it. Do you host your own website locally on this one pc? or do you access internet to your site with it?

If you host your own website on this machine then use sitevault found here site-vault.com/
Then if you really need space, register for a free windows Live account and then go to skydrive.com and get 25GB storage space. if you ever exhaust this , register another windows live account and go to skydrive and get another 25GB storage space. :D

sanjiv

21st May 2010, 15:45

Am not getting it. Do you host your own website locally on this one pc? or do you access internet to your site with it?

If you host your own website on this machine then use sitevault found here site-vault.com/
Then if you really need space, register for a free windows Live account and then go to skydrive.com and get 25GB storage space. if you ever exhaust this , register another windows live account and go to skydrive and get another 25GB storage space. :D
No I think the OP means because they are doing business online, they couldn't do it without a PC.

ZMakarov

24th May 2010, 12:57

Hi,
I dont know if you'll be able to do this but have you ever heard of RAID storage.
It will automatically create backup of your data on a separate disk.
I think the configuration is RAID-2...not sure.

leemason

24th May 2010, 13:05

Hi,
I dont know if you'll be able to do this but have you ever heard of RAID storage.
It will automatically create backup of your data on a separate disk.
I think the configuration is RAID-2...not sure.

I think you probably mean RAID-1 (disk mirroring) or RAID5 (which uses 3 disks or more and CRC checking to allow for 1 disk failure within the RAID set without compromising data integrity).