Backup Software (heres what I want to do)

[Justintoxicated]

Hi I just boguht an external 500 GB Hard drive and I want to do weekly or nightly backups to it.

I want some software that will only update new / modified or deleted files after the initial backup.

Also, I heard it was best to only have the backup drive on while doing a backup? Kind of goes against the old philosophy that power up and down HD's makes them wear out faster?

I want the program to backup on a set schedule:

But anyways, my idea is to plug the drive into a digital timer (with battery) so it will power on a few minutes before the software automaticly starts the scheduled updates, and shut down sometime after. Basicaly want to automate the whole thing but not sure on the best software to use.

Thanks,
Justin.

[tdg]

I've never tried a timer, but it should work just fine. For software to backup Windows machines I've always been fond of ViceVersa Pro, it schedules full and incremental backups and has a lot of features to ensure reliable copies of data. I think it was $40 when I bought the latest version a while back.

[Justintoxicated]

Ok I got ViseVersa but I don't understand the schedule software. I set it to run every friday in the wee morning, but I'm not understanding what it is scheduled to do!!!!! Where do I select the settings for the scheduler? Seems like it only has the option to run, but run what? I would like to sync the Backup with the datadrive.

I have build v2011.

[bbz_Ghost]

Sounds like a job for True Image and incremental images, which store only the changes. You make one "base" image after you get the machine set up just the way you want - that is your base you can always fall back to instead of spending hours doing all that again.

Then, you start making nightly images which will only store the differences between the full backup and the current state of the drive. Works well for a week, then when you're satisfied it works, once a week you can wipe out the incremental backups and make a new "current" image, then do the nightly incrementals off that.

I do such a thing, once a week I do a complete "current" image (I have my original base image stored safely on a DVD+R for future use or testing) which is the system in it's current state. Then nightly the software just makes an incremental image and it takes almost not time at all just to record the differences between the current and the actual state the partition is in the moment it starts the incremental image.

Works for me, so who knows. The problem with backups is like most else: there are hundreds of solutions, possible answers, etc. There's no one best way for everyone, it's just something you have to work on till you're satisfied with the backup strategy you have to create for yourself.

Good luck...

[Justintoxicated]

Sounds like a job for True Image and incremental images, which store only the changes. You make one "base" image after you get the machine set up just the way you want - that is your base you can always fall back to instead of spending hours doing all that again.

Then, you start making nightly images which will only store the differences between the full backup and the current state of the drive. Works well for a week, then when you're satisfied it works, once a week you can wipe out the incremental backups and make a new "current" image, then do the nightly incrementals off that.

I do such a thing, once a week I do a complete "current" image (I have my original base image stored safely on a DVD+R for future use or testing) which is the system in it's current state. Then nightly the software just makes an incremental image and it takes almost not time at all just to record the differences between the current and the actual state the partition is in the moment it starts the incremental image.

Works for me, so who knows. The problem with backups is like most else: there are hundreds of solutions, possible answers, etc. There's no one best way for everyone, it's just something you have to work on till you're satisfied with the backup strategy you have to create for yourself.

Good luck...

Sounds good only I was not planning to backup my Raptor OS/App Drive... but your making me wish I had gone for the TB of storage...Then again I still believe it is good to install a fresh copy of windows every so often, and I do a fairly decent job of keeping my data segregated.

I'll look into that software though can't hurt to demo a few different softwares untill I find the right one.

Right now with ViseVersa I'm getting an error that the program cannot read System Volume Information directory on both source and target. I can see the directory but it is a hidden system directory. Aparently the tool can read it as well....Just not access it? Not a big deal but I do have to close popups to get the sync to continue, which is annoying.

That and I have the scheduler set to every friday in the wee hours of the morning, but I'm not sure what it is set to do? It is definately scheduled to do something though!

[Top Nurse]

This works great for me: http://www.folderclone.com

[Puterguru]

Cobian Backup is awesome and it's free. Should do exactly what you are looking for.

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/Cobian_Backup/cobbackup.html