Automatic backup software

[[LYL]Homer]

What is everyone using these days? I have a client with some crappy old backup software that came with an external drive that won't run on his new Win7 box.

I found this article from 2006 and it seems that SyncBack is now just has 30-day trial/buy versions.

http://lifehacker.com/software/geek...omatically-back-up-your-hard-drive-147855.php

The software needs to be automated and free would be great.

 

[Dan_D]

Well you have a lot of choices. I'm only really familiar with enterprise backup solutions. TSM, Arcserve, Backup Exec, Syncsort, Netbackup, and some older legacy backup solutions which wouldn't apply here. Why doesn't he just use the built in utility in Windows 7?

 

[Shockey]

Just use the backup feature that windows 7 has. I use it on my parents desktop to an external hard drive. You can set how often you want it to backup the computer. I have it set to weekly every Sunday at 2am

Give you the choice of letting windows choose. (mostly your personal files and system image i think) or you can select individual folders.

 

[Wipeout]

The Windows 7 utility is pretty awesome. I use SyncBack Pro to copy specific files to an external HD, but Windows 7's backup utility is great for creating a system image and the like.

This is a more recent Lifehacker article that might be of use: http://lifehacker.com/5405775/youre-backing-up-your-data-the-wrong-way

 

[odditory]

+1 about SyncbackPro for keeping files duplicated between servers. If its just a standalone Windows 7 PC then use internal backup.

If you need to backup multiple Windows servers then use BackupExec 12.5 -- get the trial version x64 or 32-bit from symantec.com, and get an NFR (not for resale) key.

 

[[LYL]Homer]

I'll try the Win7 backup. I haven't relied on Windows backup software for years. Several years ago it seemed like it was good for backing up, but not so much for restoring.

 

[InvisiBill]

I've become a fan of IdleBackup. It will copy any of the desired files which have changed whenever you're not using your PC, meaning your backups are less likely to be outdated.

 

[nsx241]

Acronis user for years. Still the best imo.

 

[Shockey]

I'll try the Win7 backup. I haven't relied on Windows backup software for years. Several years ago it seemed like it was good for backing up, but not so much for restoring.

Why not test it out this time around and see

 

[myrison]

Acronis user for years. Still the best imo.

I agree, I really like Acronis' options for image-based backup. I run a nightly incremental backup to my image and keep the incrementals for 2 weeks before rolling into a consolidated image. This gives lots of options for rollback without needing to store 14 copies of my entire system partition image.

Additionally, Acronis can be set up to e-mail you upon successful completion or upon any errors, so you don't run the risk of not knowing that your backup is failing, which is a nice security blanket to have.

 

[nodle]

I have used Memeo before, seems to work ok.