backup program

[advan]

Hello!

I was wondering if you can help with my concerning about backing up data files. I use XP, but I wondering if there's a program/freeware I can use for this way of backing up:

I turn on my PC, work and save as normal on my hard drive, then when I shut down, I turn on my portable hard drive (the back up drive). I click on this backup program and it compares my pc's data drive (all my data files are in one drive) and the files on the back up drive, then updates or backs up only the files active that day.

What I do now is, every end of the month, don't laugh, I copy the ENTIRE drive onto the portable hard drive (as in copy-paste). Which takes ages. I'm sure there's a much easier and quicker way to do this and I'm aiming to backup daily before shutdown.

Is there such a program?

Thanks!

[Broni]

Acronis True Image: http://www.acronis.com/ - not free, but the best

Free alternatives:
- Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp (highly recommended)
- DriveImage XML: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
- SelfImage: http://www.excelcia.org/modules.php?...article&sid=21
- Paragon Drive Backup: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/

[Steve R Jones]

There are a few dozen threads on this very subject that you might want to take a peek at

[HAN]

The apps already listed for you are Imaging programs. They backup data and everything else, including Windows. It really is the best thing to do in case of catastrophic problems (drive failure, theft, fire, whatever.) But if all you need is just data backup, then there are other programs that work well like free SyncBack or Karen's Replicator.

Ever the heretic, I use a combo of different Imaging and data only backup apps. My favs are (all paid programs)...
Imaging
ShadowProtect Desktop http://www.storagecraft.com/shadow_protect_desktop.php
Image for Windows/Image for DOS http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/index.htm

Data Sync
GoodSync http://www.goodsync.com/

[advan]

Thanks, Steve. I'm not familiar with these programs (hehe, you can tell as my method was copy paste) and so I wasn't sure if this function I was asking for is out there.

Broni, re Acronium: "Incremental and Differential Backups
Save disk space and time by performing differential and incremental backups" -- is this the answer to my need as posted above, updating only active files used that day?

I was looking at Macrium, but I'm a little confused. Do I understand it right, disk image is like a history/version snapshot? So if there's, say, a steady 100 files in the back up drive, it can have two or more disk images based on how many changes there have been?

Also, on Macrium, it says "Create a disk image whilst running Windows using Microsoft Volume Shadow copy Service (VSS). Version info: Windows XP, and Vista. 32 and native 64 Bit." -- will this be a problem if a Mac wants to use the backup files? (I don't know if there's a connection wrt formatting etc but it seems to mention Microsoft a lot).

Thanks a lot!

[advan]

Han, sorry if this is a question that doesn't even need to see the light of day but why would I backup Windows? And by "everything else incl. Windows", you mean even the programs? Meaning if my PC crashes I can just, copy paste the C drive back up onto a clean slate PC and it's immediately good to go, my existing installed programs are already set, no re-installing needed? Can you feel the excitement in my voice?

[Broni]

Meaning if my PC crashes I can just, copy paste the C drive back up onto a clean slate PC and it's immediately good to go, my existing installed programs are already set, no re-installing needed?

Exactly. Any disaster happens, and 30 minutes later, you're good to go.

I don't use all those programs. I use Acronis, so I can explain one thing for you.
Type of backups:

* Full: All files that match your selection are included into the backup.
* Incremental: Only those files will be included which have been changed since the last backup.
* Differential: Only those files will be included which have been changed since the last FULL backup.

[advan]

Broni, I never considered that... I was under the impression that the system (windows) drive has a direct connection with the hardware, meaning if you make a back up and copy the entire system drive to a new PC it won't work if the old and new PCs have different hardware (motherboard, cards etc).

Another question on incremental backup- will it be able to detect very small changes in documents, too small that the file size remains the same? For example, a word document where you edit one word resulting to zero effect on the file size.

[Midknyte]

I was under the impression that the system (windows) drive has a direct connection with the hardware, meaning if you make a back up and copy the entire system drive to a new PC it won't work if the old and new PCs have different hardware (motherboard, cards etc).

Yes the HAL will be different. You will have to at least do a repair install.
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;824125

Another question on incremental backup- will it be able to detect very small changes in documents, too small that the file size remains the same? For example, a word document where you edit one word resulting to zero effect on the file size.

When you change a file, no matter how small the change, that will set the archive bit. This will tell the backup program to backup the file.

[Broni]

new PC it won't work if the old and new PCs have different hardware (motherboard, cards etc).

You're correct. We're talking here about a disaster within existing hard drive. Either software disaster (Windows), or hard drive failure.
In case of of other disasters, your most important data will be safe anyway.

will it be able to detect very small changes in documents, too small that the file size remains the same? For example, a word document where you edit one word resulting to zero effect on the file size.

Yes, because a file has all kind of stamps: size, date, etc., so if any stamp changes, it's a new file.

[Broni]

Hey Midknyte...I didn't see your post

[advan]

Thanks Midknyte and Broni.

Btw, if after the last backup i have files ABCD in the backup drive, when I backup next with only ABC is in my data drive (I deleted file D)-- the backup program will delete D in the back up drive, right? Sorry for the many questions, I just want to make sure; I don't want to muddle my backup files with already deleted ones that's why the copy paste method was my straightforward solution, lol.

Guys, thanks so much. You've helped me so many times!

[Midknyte]

Btw, if after the last backup i have files ABCD in the backup drive, when I backup next with only ABC is in my data drive (I deleted file D)-- the backup program will delete D in the back up drive, right?

When you say "last" backup, i'm guessing it's a full backup. If the next backup is also a full, then it won't include D. The backup program won't delete any files. The backup program makes a backup image file. E.G. Acronis makes .tib backup image files.

I think you're talking about SYNCING, not backups. Syncing would make the files in one folder identical to another.

[advan]

Oohhhh... ok, if daily syncing also means I have backup copies of my files, then syncing seems more appropriate. Is there a program for that?

[Midknyte]

http://sourceforge.net/projects/freefilesync/
http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en
http://allwaysync.com/
http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html