PC Backup [for dummy(ies)]

K

kapovski

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
500
Reaction score
0
I've looked through the forum and can't see a clear answer.

I have a two PC's at home that I want to make regular backups of (preferably automated). I've never done this kind of thing before so am a bit in the dark. I reckon I need 50 to 100 gig's absolute max backup space -both's PC's only have 60gig hard drives and are both under 50% full.

1) Is there freeware / opensource software that is recommended that I can look at to do this?

2) If I buy an external hard drive and connect it permanently to both PC's (on a LAN I guess?) could the backup software write to this HDD? Is this the external HDD the best option for backups?

3) Can I use my telkom supplied ADSL router/modem (it has 4 LAN ports) as the hub through which to connect the external HDD and the 2 PC's?


Advice sincerely appreciated.

Backup Newbie!
 
kapovski said:
I've looked through the forum and can't see a clear answer.

I have a two PC's at home that I want to make regular backups of (preferably automated). I've never done this kind of thing before so am a bit in the dark. I reckon I need 50 to 100 gig's absolute max backup space -both's PC's only have 60gig hard drives and are both under 50% full.

1) Is there freeware / opensource software that is recommended that I can look at to do this?

2) If I buy an external hard drive and connect it permanently to both PC's (on a LAN I guess?) could the backup software write to this HDD? Is this the external HDD the best option for backups?

3) Can I use my telkom supplied ADSL router/modem (it has 4 LAN ports) as the hub through which to connect the external HDD and the 2 PC's?


Advice sincerely appreciated.

Backup Newbie!
Click to expand...

What Operating System are you running?

1) If XP, then backup software is included - start, programs, accessories, system tools, backup. If not there, go to add/remove programs in control panel and add. If you are running XP home, then follow these instructions to install it:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/backup_for_xp_home_edition.htm

2) External HDD is great for backup - cost vs performance, etc. But depends on what you want to protect against. if you keep your b/u on site, then bear in mind the place can burn down or the computer + backup can be stolen. Otherwise get more than one drive and keep one offsite.

3) Yes! The 2 PCs connect to the telkom router and the drive connects to a PC via USB (usually). you can backup both PC's to the HDD from the one PC it is connected to, or you can share the external hdd from one PC and backup both PCs to the shared HDD.

And you can schedule a backups to happen automatically using the MS backup utility... you can even shut down the PC after backups at night or start up automatically early in the morning for backups... thats a little more tech, so let me know if you are considering this.
 
Last edited:
1) Here is what I use.

With Windows XP you get Backup. Its under:

Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools

If its not on there you most liekly have Windows XP Home, you can install it from any Win XP Home CD by browsing the CD to:

Valueadd > MSFT

The install should be somewhere around there. You can shcedule time and location of backups and what files you want to have backed up.

2) Its one option

3) as long as the external harddrive has a network port (or what groundnut said)
 
Last edited:
Thanks. I do have XP. Off to Incredible Deception to price external HDD's this morning!

Are there any recommendations on make of External HDD? I usually spend a few extra rand if I know I'm getting quality.
 
Last edited:
Most HDD's are much the same, I would ask about warranty - some places give you the full manufacturer warranty of 5 years, some 3, some just 1. If Incredible don't come to the party with close to the full warranty, I would seriously go elsewhere. Seriously. Warranty is worth something.! Where abouts are you? Maybe some forumites can recommend a place that offers the full warranty...
 
nog 'n vraag ...

The Telkom ADSL router thingy has a USB port and (blue) cable that I don't use. Could I plug a non-ehternet enabled external drive into that and connect to it from a PC?
 
I know you said you were looking for free backup solutions but after having a few scares in my time I've realised backup is one of those areas one should not skimp on.

I use Acronis True Image (www.acronis.com) to backup to an external drive. It takes an entire image of the drive so in the event of hard drive failure you can be up and running within a few hours of getting a new drive. You can also mount the drive images to retrieve individual files from your backups.

Also look into online backup solutions for your very important files. Mozy (mozy.com) offers 2 GB free, $4.95 pm for unlimited space.

Here's a review of a few other online backup solutions including Mozy:

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/other/online-backup-solutions-a-review.ars?bub
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X