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.