Good backup software?

Cubsfan · 08-01-2005, 03:05 PM

Ok, I just bought an external harddrive to use for backing up. Here's what I have:

30G primary hard drive
120G Secondary/data hard drive.

What I'd really like to do is essentially have a program that will copy all of the files and directories onto my external harddrive

(i.e. basically cp -r c:\* e:\c\ and cp -r d:\* e:\d\).

However, I'd really like it to only copy the files that it needs to, so I don't thrash my hard drives all the time. Any ideas?

I do realize that if one of my hard drives breaks, this won't give me a complete backup to restore from. But, I don't really mine reinstalling Windows and all of my programs, it's mostly my data that I care about.

mechmike0034 · 08-01-2005, 03:37 PM

Karen's Replicator: http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

Free, too...

doolittle · 08-01-2005, 03:52 PM

I try out alot of different backup / restore programs before i install them on my customers computers. Most all Free backup software works well if all you need it to do is backup personal files, like my docs . If you need your software to backup windows or other programs that are running on your machine, some work better than others. Genie Soft makes the best backup software ive ever used, it has alot of options and automatic features. this software isent free but im sure you could find an evaluation copy or other versions if you look around the net.

verve247 · 08-01-2005, 05:28 PM

You can use scheduled taskmanager in the XP control panel to transfer new files.

Paymaster · 08-01-2005, 05:59 PM

xcopy. It's already on your windows machine, and you can direct it to only copy files that have changed or are new. (xcopy /D)

eSDee · 08-01-2005, 11:08 PM

Retrospect is not free but works very well. Incremental backups will copy only the files that have changed after the initial full backup.

DarkFury · 08-02-2005, 01:59 AM

Norton Ghost 9.0...

Will do scheduled incremental and full backups... and is just an all around "must have" utility program.

'nuff said.

Jeffbx · 08-02-2005, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eSDeeLoco

Retrospect is not free but works very well. Incremental backups will copy only the files that have changed after the initial full backup.

Dantz Retrospect is a VERY nice program. It's not cheap ($90) but it will do everything you expect a backup program to do -

scheduled backups
incremental, differential or full backups
set multiple restore points
compress files
etc.

This is what comes bundled with the Maxtor One Touch external drive - great combo, IMHO.

cocojambo · 08-03-2005, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechmike0034

Karen's Replicator: http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

Free, too...

this one looks good

smthayer · 08-03-2005, 05:11 PM

Syncback
http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html

Free version works nice, I use it with no problems at all

click the link below to see the features
http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncbac...-features.html

Dave_7 · 08-03-2005, 10:21 PM

Nero's Back It Up is a pretty slick backup tool. Good because it'll do incremental backups to CD-R/DVD-R... but it'd do the same to a directory on a HD.

I like it.

Dave.

08-01-2005, 03:05 PM	#1
Cubsfan Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,743	Good backup software? Ok, I just bought an external harddrive to use for backing up. Here's what I have: 30G primary hard drive 120G Secondary/data hard drive. What I'd really like to do is essentially have a program that will copy all of the files and directories onto my external harddrive (i.e. basically cp -r c:\* e:\c\ and cp -r d:\* e:\d\). However, I'd really like it to only copy the files that it needs to, so I don't thrash my hard drives all the time. Any ideas? I do realize that if one of my hard drives breaks, this won't give me a complete backup to restore from. But, I don't really mine reinstalling Windows and all of my programs, it's mostly my data that I care about.

08-01-2005, 03:37 PM	#2
mechmike0034 aka the keg killer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Ala-effin'-bama! Posts: 2,738	Karen's Replicator: http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp Free, too... __________________ "The price of progress is trouble." (C. F. "Boss" Kettering) "50% of the American public has below-average intelligence. 70% of the American public now has regular access to the Internet. Do the math." (unknown)

08-01-2005, 03:52 PM	#3
doolittle Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 910	I try out alot of different backup / restore programs before i install them on my customers computers. Most all Free backup software works well if all you need it to do is backup personal files, like my docs . If you need your software to backup windows or other programs that are running on your machine, some work better than others. Genie Soft makes the best backup software ive ever used, it has alot of options and automatic features. this software isent free but im sure you could find an evaluation copy or other versions if you look around the net. Last edited by doolittle : 08-01-2005 at 03:57 PM.

08-01-2005, 05:28 PM	#4
verve247 Commander Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,486	You can use scheduled taskmanager in the XP control panel to transfer new files. __________________ Vegetarian - Old indian word meaning poor hunter.

08-01-2005, 05:59 PM	#5
Paymaster Commander Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Middle Earth Posts: 1,367	xcopy. It's already on your windows machine, and you can direct it to only copy files that have changed or are new. (xcopy /D) __________________ "eh, take your opinion and shove it... somewhere else other than this thread" ~ welfareloser

08-01-2005, 11:08 PM	#6
eSDee Old Skooler Numba 1 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Diego Posts: 10,063	Retrospect is not free but works very well. Incremental backups will copy only the files that have changed after the initial full backup. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 days ~ Willie Nelson 3 days I dread to see arrive 3 days I hate to be alive 3 days filled with tears and sorrow yesterday today and tomorrow

08-02-2005, 01:59 AM	#7
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	Norton Ghost 9.0... Will do scheduled incremental and full backups... and is just an all around "must have" utility program. 'nuff said. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

08-03-2005, 05:11 PM	#10
smthayer Ensign Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 24	Syncback http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html Free version works nice, I use it with no problems at all click the link below to see the features http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncbac...-features.html __________________ Best of Humor - Your Adult Funland http://www.bestofhumor.com

08-03-2005, 10:21 PM	#11
Dave_7 Captain Join Date: May 2000 Location: L.A..... Costa Mesa... Whatever, Man! Posts: 1,824	Nero's Back It Up is a pretty slick backup tool. Good because it'll do incremental backups to CD-R/DVD-R... but it'd do the same to a directory on a HD. I like it. Dave.

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