Backup device?

[Martin MGA]

I really need to sort myself out with proper backups.

I was looking at ExBoot - http://www.onetouchbackup.co.uk/

The unit connects to the computer via the USB (universal serial bus) socket, and is bootable, allowing the machine to be restarted from the back-up device.

This is useful as it means you can check the back-up has been completed.

If the computer hard drive fails, replace it and restart the machine from the ExBoot drive. You can then restore all the old information, including the operating system and all the applications and files. Once the first full back-up has been completed, you only need to back up new or revised files. It is possible to replace individual files that have been accidentally deleted or directories.

Has anyone used ExBoot before?

What backup devices do you use? Any recommendations?

MGA

 

[Pilfo]

I am also looking at a one-touch back up device, but would now like to know how the ExBoot compares with the Maxtor range?

Pilfo

 

[Rob Holmes]

I use Norton Ghost on my local systems

Rob

 

[Pilfo]

Surely it's safer to have an external backup device, as if you have problems with your internal drive, wouldn't Norton Ghost fail?

Pilfo

 

[Rob Holmes]

I backup to an external hard drive

Not sure how much you know about N.G. but it boots from the cd even with no operating system so if necessary I could buy a new machine with no OS - run the Norton Ghost cd, plug the USB hard drive in and re-install everything from there - all settings, codes, absolutely everything

Rob

 

[Pilfo]

Hi Rob,

Excuse my ignorance, but why use Norton Ghost aswell as an external hard drive?

Pilfo

 

[SuffolkDesigns]

Norton ghost is a mirror of the operating system and all system files.

Basically, it allows you to backup in such a way that your operating system and all programs will run.

If you just copy c/windows to a second drive this would not be sufficient for a PC to boot up from.

So I guess Rob uses Norton Ghost to make a mirror image of his drive, and the USB drive to store the image on

 

[Rob Holmes]

I said that without moving my lips

Yup - totally right vs!

Rob

 

[Pilfo]

I have a 60GB hard drive...what would you recommend?

Pilfo

 

[Martin MGA]

Re: Norton Ghost

Is it possible to automate backups daily of new/modified files only?
Also, does it backup the entire drive(s)?

Cheers,
MGA

 

[Rob Holmes]

Re: Norton Ghost

Is it possible to automate backups daily of new/modified files only?
Also, does it backup the entire drive(s)?

Cheers,
MGA

Yep to both


Rob

 

[Martin MGA]

Re: Norton Ghost

Is it possible to automate backups daily of new/modified files only?
Also, does it backup the entire drive(s)?

Cheers,
MGA

Yep to both


Rob

Hmm, think I will have a wee look at that then.
Also, ExBoot just informed me their 400GB version is £289 excluding VAT.

 

[duenna]

I use 200gb hdd's in external Firewire caddies. Simple and effective. Each computer on our network has its own allocation of space which it backs up to.

Sorted.

 

[annethedonn]

Try backupmystuff.co.uk - tell Gordon I referred you. I use them and they are very reliable. Start from £10/m for 2GB

 

[Martin MGA]

Try backupmystuff.co.uk - tell Gordon I referred you. I use them and they are very reliable. Start from £10/m for 2GB

That seems like an expensive way to backup. I suppose it depends on what you need to backup, how often and how much.

I would be looking at backing up around 300GB's every week and 1-2GB's every day!

 

[annethedonn]

You back up on a daily basis as much as you like for whichever option you pay for. I back up everything on my laptop daily onto their servers and I can download at any time. Useful if you every have to rebuild your PC!

 

[CG Effect]

I use a Maxtor One Touch external backup hard drive. One press of a buton and it makes a copy of the folder you wanted backing up the next backups it only adds changes in that folder to the backup so it only takes 10 - 20 seconds for me to backup my daily work.
When I reinstall windows I can just copy and paste my entire work from the backup drive with a few clicks and im done.

 

[Pilfo]

It's taken a long time for the penny to drop!

So, I see now, if you're using a 'One Touch' external hard drive (such as Maxtor), then you don't need Norton Ghost.

Norton Ghost is only required with one of the standard type external hard drives e.g. ATA's etc.

Pilfo

 

[CG Effect]

The Maxtor One Touch comes with retrospect back up software once you tell the software what folder you want backing up, later backups only require a press of the button on the drive.