Backing up the hard drive

[awa355]

When I save my files, photos, music etc, to an external HD, is there a way to set a dateline so I'm not re saving my older stuff? With my projects, I am continuely adding to my earlier files.

I wondered if I could set a time frame, eg 2 months, and only save anything entered within that period. Appreciate any advice.

[Akzle]

When I save my files, photos, music etc, to an external HD, is there a way to set a dateline so I'm not re saving my older stuff? With my projects, I am continuely adding to my earlier files.

I wondered if I could set a time frame, eg 2 months, and only save anything entered within that period. Appreciate any advice.

depends what you're using to back up, but yes, most things should have an option to "add and replace" "replace older" etc

are you backing up your entire drive, or just certain program files?

[SMOKEU]

It would help to know what OS you're using.

[awa355]

Just certain files/folders. such as photos, documents, music downloads. I have a folder with downloaded utube vids that I accassionaly add to. Mostly it is additional photos and text documents. I'm building up a history of four families so the external HD can become quite messy with multiple folders carrying the same names, from different save dates.

I have saved the entire hd a couple of times.

I run windows 7 home edition.

Had thought one solution would be to erase all existing saves on the external hard drive, then save the whole lot afresh.

[Gremlin]

Your two basic options are to run full backups of the drive, and have multiple copies at different dates (which also gives you some versions, as such).

Second option is to sync folders to your backup drive, ie, match the folders, with no history of files.

Software is available either way.

[JimO]

the hard drive failed on my 18 month old G5 Imac, i lost everything, i mean everything on there, Apple fixed it for free and i have since added a 2T external hard drive that backs up automatically on time machine

[bogan]

Some of the seagate drives come with software to sync data, syncing means it compares the data on both drives and updates as necessary to ensure they are the same (only copies new stuff, or modified stuff). I use http://www.goodsync.com/ as it does well with across the network syncs, but it would work well for external drive syncing too. It first performs a file check to figure out what is different, and highlights things that have been changed on both sides, then you confirm and it copies and replaces.

One thing I was hoping to get sorted soon, is an auto backup, with a time delayed folder as well, through esata or something. So if my main drives shits itself all my data is still there, and an additional store but with a week or two delay in case of file corruption. Then hide the little bugger just in case somebody nicks my computer. Anyone know of completely automatic software to do that?

[awa355]

My external HD is a Adata CH94. Even with all that's on it now only comes to 39gb. I still have 260gb of storage left, but cant see the sense in duplicating so much stuff. Went into properties but cant find any mention of syncing stored with incoming data capability.

[speeding_ant]

Depending on how much data it is, seriously consider something like DropBox. There's built in versioning, and it's safer than having all of your data is one wooden fire prone box (house).

[pete376403]

Windows 7 has backup & restore built in. Not the flashest thing around, but it's free and you've already got it.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/186997/win7_backup.html

[Mental Trousers]

Use a VCS (version control software) like Mercurial. It's not actually backup software but it can serve that purpose.

The good thing about using a VCS like this is if you take your backup drive somewhere and alter the files on there you can pull the changes to your original files.

[Akzle]

sounds like the old microsoft "briefcase" might meet your needs.
don't know if 7 still has it.
also, you should get 7 ultimate or pro, it has handy things that you'll learn to use.
also, you should get linux,
also, mac's time machines are poo (seriously... how can you f*ck up a mac???)
if you're just drag n dropping files: the copy dialog (the "10 minutes, 30 seconds, 4 hours, 3 days 21 minutes, 8 seconds, 12hours remaining..." one) should give you the options i mentioned above "replace newer" etc.
also, if multiple people/PCs are backing up to it: either create partitions on it for each person/PC, or make the root directory: (F: )/AWA, /AWA wifey, /AWA porn... (ie make a root folder for each person to make a mess in)

[awa355]

Windows 7 has backup & restore built in. Not the flashest thing around, but it's free and you've already got it.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/186997/win7_backup.html


Just used windows 7 back up onto my external drive. Of coure the particular files I want to keep a copy of are the very files that windows chose to skip for what ever reason.

They are on the backup drive however, from earlier 'send to' efforts.

[Kermit250]

sounds like the old microsoft "briefcase" might meet your needs.
don't know if 7 still has it.
also, you should get 7 ultimate or pro, it has handy things that you'll learn to use.
also, you should get linux,
also, mac's time machines are poo (seriously... how can you f*ck up a mac???)
if you're just drag n dropping files: the copy dialog (the "10 minutes, 30 seconds, 4 hours, 3 days 21 minutes, 8 seconds, 12hours remaining..." one) should give you the options i mentioned above "replace newer" etc.
also, if multiple people/PCs are backing up to it: either create partitions on it for each person/PC, or make the root directory: (F: )/AWA, /AWA wifey, /AWA porn... (ie make a root folder for each person to make a mess in)

Slightly off subject, but how the hell is Time Machine "poo"? For the case of this person, Time Machine or something similar to it would be perfect.

Completely unattended, versioned, easy to use and will manage itself.

Perhaps I'm missing something.

Sorry to the OP

[p.dath]

I would think just simple "Windows 7 Backup" would do the job. Dedicate the whole drive to the backup process. It will manage the space automatically for you.

[eldog]

OK, has there been any further updates to this?

Wondering about versioning and types of backup and frequency etc

Lots of data 1.2 TB is a full backup

Simple full VS Grandfather, Father, Son (GFS) VS Tower of Hanoi (TOH)

Finding GFS takes up a lot of space, maybe I am backing up too much too often

Using a 4TB backup - its full already

Maybe I need more backup space - I have been quite selective on what I backup
I have done a backup drive CD in case of full melt down

[5150]

Backing up the hard drive

I thought you were after some driving lessons....:facepalm:

[Akzle]

rsync on cron.

How likely is corruption?
How much time can you afford to lose?
How quickly would you notice a virus?


Weekly/daily rsync to local dir.
Monthly midnight tarball it and compress it to offsite.

This, i guess, is gfs.

http://www.taobackup.com/

[Akzle]

also (and i dont run windows so this is easy) backup files, not the os.

Technically like, i can unpack a backup anywhere with nix and drive it like it was mine.

[caspernz]

Take no chances...

http://www.able2drive.co.nz/DrivingLessonsForBeginners.html

Or for them IT challenges, just buy some external HD from Dick Smith at their closing down sale...or just save less stuff on a backup?

[Tazz]

I use a program called Corbin backup. You can schedule it to run automatically how ever often you like. Only catch is to remember to plug in or turn on removable drives for the set time :facepalm:

For photos I either (usually) upload straight to dropbox for work and to google drive or images for personal (which is automatic from my phone whenever I have wireless and it is charging, and takes a few mins manually from camera because it's old)

[Oakie]

Take no chances...

Or for them IT challenges, just buy some external HD from Dick Smith at their closing down sale...or just save less stuff on a backup?

That's all I've done. Got a 1TB external and just drop a copy of all my data files and photos onto it every few months. It lives in the garage in case the house burns down. I have some USB flash drives hidden in the garage too but we won't discuss what's on them.

[caspernz]

That's all I've done. Got a 1TB external and just drop a copy of all my data files and photos onto it every few months. It lives in the garage in case the house burns down. I have some USB flash drives hidden in the garage too but we won't discuss what's on them.

Good to see I'm not the only one with a somewhat outdated approach to new fangled stuff. Files I can't replace easily, such as photos from overseas trips or important records, those I'll back up or copy. Even started using the Cloud a while back...

Any dodgy stuff I just file under "Instruction Manuals" which renders it safe, whife knows everything already :laugh::laugh:

[Akzle]

Files I can't replace easily, such as photos from overseas trips or

print them!! Seriously, its about 16c a go nowdays (compare to 2$ for a 35mm pic!)

i suppose the digital file is now your "negative" but always kept those in the fridge/vault in the garage...

[caspernz]

print them!! Seriously, its about 16c a go nowdays (compare to 2$ for a 35mm pic!)

i suppose the digital file is now your "negative" but always kept those in the fridge/vault in the garage...

My approach to date has been to drop my brother, sister and folks a copy of stuff like that. We reciprocate in that sense, so it works for us.

The only printing of photos is that of key snaps onto poster sized foam blocks or such for display on our walls.

[Gremlin]

Macrium has a free version with a basic feature set of the paid one. You can have multiple backups etc. Having multiple means you can go further back, in case you get corruption etc at some point (and catch it soon enough). Obviously the more backups you keep, the more space you need. Backup software will compress the files, except the likes of images, video, music won't compress as they're already a compressed format. Doing a sync between devices is another cheaper way, but usually less efficient (depending on how it works, block, sector etc). Also very carefully copies your corrupt files, unless it has some detection.

Ultimately think worst case. House disappears? If that's your worst case then you need off site storage, either cloud, drive taken somewhere else, another server, whatever.

Even on-site don't put all your faith in one drive. New ones can be faulty, old ones fail. Multiple copies are your friend. Kinda learnt this the hard way with some media. I had 6TB of capacity across two network drives, both mirrored formats (so total capacity of 6TB x2, once raided each was 3TB). One failed... except I only found this out when the second drive failed... it didn't bother letting me know there was an issue when the first drive failed :facepalm: Goodbye to 2TB of data, fortunately media (music etc) which I discovered I had another older copy elsewhere, so big inconvenience but not family photos, documents etc.

Now I have built a monster file server with 6x 4TB drives with around 15TB of capacity, but it's still one machine. I'll use the remaining old network drive to keep a copy of the most important stuff... but I might have to consider another server elsewhere... sigh... It's an ongoing battle, and you can always throw more money at it ;)

[eldog]

Thank you all.
Acronus backup 11.7

I have now 2 copies of everything but so many backups the drives are full.

Obviously I need to review how much/many backups I have.

While Acronus seems the biz it does lack in some repects regarding feedback on what/if items are backed up etc. I have setup as many notifications as I could (which is quite nice)

I see there is a wide variety of methods people use to backup, while the main issue for me is number and frequency.

cheers

[Big Dog]

If how long it takes to restore is not too much an issue go to monthly full and nightly differentials. Save a mountain of space.

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