Best Way to Back-Up Computer?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by GingerApple, Jul 6, 2011.

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  1. #1
    Hi

    I'm looking for the best (and cheapest!) way to back up my computer.

    Should I do it all online and pay for some sort of cloud service, or should I get some back up software and back up straight to an external HDD?

    Does anyone know any cheap and good back up software and cheap cloud back up service?

    Thanks!
     
    GingerApple, Jul 6, 2011 IP
  2. g36

    g36 Peon

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    #2
    Just straight to external HDD. No additional software required.
     
    g36, Jul 6, 2011 IP
  3. NsaneNoob

    NsaneNoob Peon

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    #3
    External Harddrive. But even with that you can't really trust as you can never know when that dies so I always keep my stuff on both an external and another pc.
     
    NsaneNoob, Jul 6, 2011 IP
  4. GingerApple

    GingerApple Peon

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    #4
    NsaneNoob, do you use any software for it or just go manual like g36?
     
    GingerApple, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  5. Achiever

    Achiever Well-Known Member

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    #5
    i think that you may use External Drive because it is better.in case of security..........
     
    Achiever, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  6. smart_ladoo

    smart_ladoo Active Member

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    #6
    I am using portable hard disk due to loss of my data.
     
    smart_ladoo, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  7. hups

    hups Peon

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    #7
    I use an external hard drive
     
    hups, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  8. justaskismall

    justaskismall Peon

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    #8
    so far i just use system restore if anything happen with my computer
     
    justaskismall, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  9. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #9
    TrueCrypt (free)
    Macrium Reflect (free)
    SecondCopy ($29)

    There are already plenty of threads about this.
    This is my standard reply (I'm on Windows 7 64) ...
    ----------
    I use DVDs, internal and external HDDs.
    *All in TrueCrypt containers, just in case any of them get pinched.

    Daily: backup my data drive to a second internal drive using SecondCopy.
    Weekly(ish): backup to 2 x external drives. One kept in a safe at home, one at my parents house.
    Monthly: backup to DVDs, date with a Sharpie. Stored in my box full of stuff to grab if the house goes up in flames.

    I also image my system/applications drive every few months using Macrium Reflect (free edition). And regularly roll back to a fresh(er) system.
    I will never ever use online backups.
     
    Kerosene, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  10. nihangshah

    nihangshah Prominent Member

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    #10
    nihangshah, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  11. GingerApple

    GingerApple Peon

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    #11
    Thank you so much for that, I'll look into it all!
     
    GingerApple, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  12. tazseo

    tazseo Guest

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    #12
    Take back up on external HDD is the best way to Back-up the computer.
     
    tazseo, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  13. tourindia

    tourindia Peon

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    #13
    External hard disk is best for backup.
     
    tourindia, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  14. love**

    love** Peon

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    #14
    Best way to back up is make
    recovery disc or you can copy
    your whole data in external hard
    disk.
     
    love**, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  15. photodrew

    photodrew Guest

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    #15
    Because I travel a lot I find the external hard drive impractical, so I use web/cloud solutions.

    Dropbox (free) syncs my most important files in real-time when I save them or at least syncs up when I go online.
    Then I use Mozy (annual fee ~$100) which every night takes a copy and makes a backup.

    Whatever you do, be sure to implement a couple of options - better safe than sorry.
     
    photodrew, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  16. Kerosene

    Kerosene Alpha & Omega™ Staff

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    #16
    What are you backing up? How much data do you have? My entire data partition is only 30GB.
    Surely a couple of large USB thumb drives could backup your data faster and more securely than a third party "cloud" host?
     
    Kerosene, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  17. photodrew

    photodrew Guest

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    #17
    Yes but a thumb drive can be lost or stolen.
     
    photodrew, Jul 7, 2011 IP
  18. Pulpseed

    Pulpseed Peon

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    #18
    The least expensive option might be a usb 500gb drive. They're usually priced 50. and up and are fairly easy to use for most platforms.
     
    Pulpseed, Jul 8, 2011 IP
  19. swingersclub.com 4 sale

    swingersclub.com 4 sale Greenhorn

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    #19
    An extern harddisk drive and make an exactly copy (mirror) of your local disk (C) will help a lot.
     
    swingersclub.com 4 sale, Jul 8, 2011 IP
  20. rob861

    rob861 Peon

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    #20
    Make sure you do it regularly!
     
    rob861, Jul 9, 2011 IP
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