Re: disk backup. Efficiency?

James Silverton wrote:

LL wrote on Sun, 25 Feb 2007 15:27:40 +0100:

This includes files folders and everything else.

You raise an interesting question there. IMHO, there are two
reasons for backups: to restore accidentally or mistakenly
deleted files and to deal with a complete and unexpected hard
disc failure. I wonder what would be the minimum and most
efficient hard and software for these? I am not able to back up
to a network and favor an external USB hard disc for my backup
media.


As do I.


It would be interesting to know how best to set up a
semi-automatic or even completely automatic schedule.


My view is that the whole point of using an external drive for backup,
rather than an internal one, is that the external can be disconnected from
the computer and stored separately, where it is not vulnerable to
simultaneous loss with the original to many of the most common dangers--
user error, nearby lightning strike, severe power glitch, virus attack, even
theft of the computer. Any procedure which works on an automated schedule
would require that the drive stay connected, and I think that's inimical to
secure backup procedures.

So I wouldn't do it. I use two external USB drives for backup, alternating
use between them. I connect one of them when I start a backup, and
disconnect it when the backup is completed.


Opinions
on software would be welcome and speed is also important to me.


My choice of software is Acronis True Image, and I backup by creating an
image of the entire drive.

Speed is of almost no concern to me. I start a backup when I go to bed. As
long as it's done by the morning, I don't care how long it took.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: OT-True Image Backup
    ... Make sure the USB drives file system is NTFS and not FAT32.. ... Jaymon is correct in that the disk image you create and save to the D: ... partition of your USB external HDD will have no effect on the other ... Step-by-Step Instructions for Using the Acronis True Image Program to Backup ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: OT-True Image Backup
    ... Make sure the USB drives file system is NTFS and not FAT32.. ... Jaymon is correct in that the disk image you create and save to the D: ... partition of your USB external HDD will have no effect on the other ... Since the disk images you will be creating (at least the initial backup ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Backup complete PC with Acronis Home
    ... Barracuda loaded into a CoolGear 3 1/2" enclosure) with Acronis True Image ... And a 1 TB external backup with e-SATA. ... or both of the hard drives OS and all my data? ... True Image 11 Home system requirements: ...
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  • Re: Back up data to USB?
    ... A flash drive is fine as a secondary means for storing backups of particular files, but I don't think it's suitable for storing drive images unless the amount of data is very small, nor would I rely on a USB flash drive as the only media for the backup of data. ... It also can do file backups and disk cloning. ... can take to back up the entire contents of one's day-to-day working HDD, ... With both hard drives connected, ...
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  • Re: Two "expert" issues I must solve before upgading
    ... The NT Backup utility will backup to file. ... supports external drives, like connected to a USB or firewire port. ... > the restore because they are tied to physical disk locations (games ... Hard drives go bad ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers)