Backup Software

[PCBrandon]

Hi all,

I just lost all of my databases because I forgot to back them up prior to reformatting my laptop earlier today. The ironic part about it was I had been looking for a backup solution earlier between the format and when I realized I had lost the databases.

Does anyone know of a good backup program? Preferably free, but if it's good I don't have a problem paying for it. I'd like to be able to backup to a network drive or an external drive in both complete and incremental backups.

Thanks!
Brandon

[Kov-Ice]

Acronis

[TwoRails]

another type of backup software is Syncback. They have a free version if you scroll down a little.

[sgtspector]

Try this little freebie. It isn't feature heavy but it will do the job of backing up your databases files and the price is right. I have used other programs from this site and they do what she says they will do.

[XenaWP]

Well, of course WinXP has a backup utility built in.

I've been using a program called Backup4All, think it was about $20 through BitsDuJour, I like having multiple backup sets, differential/incremental backups, backup to disk, DVD, etc. And the format is simple .zip, so if I ever lose the program or key, I can still restore without it.

[XenaWP]

Backup4All, on sale today at BitsDuJour:

http://www.bitsdujour.com/

[PCBrandon]

Didn't realize this was stickied.

I ended up downloading a trial version of Acronis True Image and setting up all of my backup schedules before the trial expired. My trial expired over a month ago and it's still backing up the data because I haven't opened up the program since the first time I made the backup schedules. I assume once I open it it'll realize it's not on a trial anymore and stop the backups, but I don't think I'm going to test that theory.

Of course, I'll have to buy it should it ever come to the point where I would have to restore one of those backups.

[DougL]

With the cheap price of HD i just installed an extra drive and using a simple batch file from my desktop i backup at least once a week if not more frequent as and when i need to. And just in case my PC bursts into flames i use the same batch albeit changed slightly to backup to my eternal USB drive. I know any backup can fail but if i'm that unlucky then theres not a lot i can do about it!!!

Doug

[trulad]

I have 3 thumb drives and back up to them. I have a total of about 5 gb that way.
trulad

[perkster]

you can get a free i-drive account with 2gb online storage and set up automatic backups to it

[latiger12]

Originally Posted by trulad I have 3 thumb drives and back up to them. I have a total of about 5 gb that way. trulad

You can do this for free with out software. I would buy a flash drive. Most database come with some type of back built in. What database are you using?

[muddawg19]

Being a more advanced user, I simply copy the files that I wish to backup and then paste them into an external device such as a CD-Rs, USB Flash Drives, or even an External Hard Drive.

I actually just got through helping my church book keeper back up all of the church's financial statements. I bought her a External Hard Drive and set up and configured a backup application called Memeo Auto Backup. She is technically challenged and gets overwhelmed with computer tasks that require multiple steps. Memeo will backup all of the files, then when you update or add something new, it will automatically back that up, too. And it won't run while you're working which will use up system resources. Instead, it will backup when the system is idle.

Another service I recommend for backing up extremely critical data is an online service called Carbonite. The nice thing about your files being backed up online is that you are protected against fire, theft, hard drive failures, etc.

These programs are used for backing up only your files, such as movies, word documents, song files, etc. If you would like to back up your entire hard drive with applications and everything, then you will need a program such as Acronis or Norton Ghost which will "image" your hard drive.

[shadowpr]

The greatest program I have used to do file backups is rsync. They have versions for windows, linux, and os x.

It takes a while to configure, but once you have that done, it's amazing.

I still use acronis to make image backups of the entire drive, but rsync for files backups.

[RayH]

Drive Image XML A freeware imaging program. But it requires that you have a full Windows XP disk to make the recovery boot disk. But this is a simple freeware that works. I've been using it for several years.

[PCtechsupport]

just format your windows without installation cd/usb/floppy by pressing fn+f10.

i think the hotkey is different for ur laptop