Need a good backup program.

[Tufek100]

Hi, Can anybody recommend a good backup program. For general home use. Thanks

[M1CH431]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03july14.mspx
That link, shows how to use the back up program built into Xp, also it has links to other programs at the bottom.

[GX1_Man]

Acronis True Image. About $30 and highly recommended. 

[M1CH431]

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage

[GX1_Man]

For the best price:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832200003

Sometimes they have it for less than $30 delivered.

[Tufek100]

Thanks all, i will check it out. Acronis looks good.

[patio]

Acronis gets my vote as well...

[Calum]

And mine.
It really is worth the cash, there is no substitute for having a complete image of your HDD in case something goes wrong.

[TrapperX]

This is a free online backup site that I use for the little things
You get 2 gig free and if you want more you can pay.
But 2 gig has been great for me, and it has the option to update
hourly, daily, weekly or monthly!

Mozy.com

From their site

* Is simple to set up
* Performs backups automatically in the background
* Encrypts all files on your PC before transfer
* Performs incremental backups
* Backs up only blocks that have changed
* Backs up open/locked files

[WillyW]

It depends.

If you want to avoid proprietary form of compression and if
you want it to be free,  then these are worth looking into:

SyncBack
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/SyncBack.html
http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware

and

Cobian Backup v6.1.1.264
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,23148-order,1-page,1/description.html

[soybean]

For backup of files, as opposed to a full hard drive image, the Microsoft Backup utility in Windows is an option.  I use it to create backups to a external hard drive.

[TrapperX]

I still haven't found anything better than Mozy.com for free.
I use about 1 gig of the 2 gig and I can retrieved files from any computer anywhere with internet and even down to 1 small word file of 28k out of 1 gig.
I have had to do it 
I find that amazing to do for free!
Don't knock it until you try it 

It depends.
If you want to avoid proprietary form of compression.

Why would it matter if the compression is proprietary?
I am concerned about the security and safety of my data.

You really need 3 sources of backups if you really really want to have data backed up.
Family pictures are burned and re-burned every 5 years as I don't trust the quality of the disk we buy as consumers, and I have copies at each of our family's house.
It may seem overboard but I have saw people lose some of their most precious memories because they didn't have good backups.   


This is the type of protection I want if I am backing up data, personal or business.
# 128-bit SSL support (to secure your data during transport)
# 448-bit Blowfish encryption (to secure your data on our server)
# Continuous or scheduled backup options


Sorry if I am jumping all over I just work up and couldn't sleep so I jumped on for a few minutes 
Good night 

[WillyW]

I still haven't found anything better than Mozy.com for free.

That appears to be online storage.
Not good for folks on dial-up.   It would take forever.

It depends.
If you want to avoid proprietary form of compression.

Why would it matter if the compression is proprietary?

To different people, there could be different reasons.   That's why I said, "If you...."


To me,  I don't want to have to rely on one source for the software to unarchive my stuff.   
Also, quick convenience.   Changing machines,  changing locations,  ... whatever...   if the archiving software is something common,  then it is that much easier to get at your files.

I am concerned about the security and safety of my data.

Fair enough.
But I would cover that physically...  keep control of the media...  rather than rely on encryption.


I suppose it boils down to individual preferences.   What works well for one, might not be ideal for another.

[TrapperX]

So true WillyW about preference
I mainly use the online backup for documents that I might need at any given time and when I don't have a hard copy cd/usb. I use it to back up all my favorites/ bookmarks and Outlook I have a usb disk with all my small apps that I use backed up in case I lose it or it gets corrupted.
You are right about backing up a system on line but I know people that do, they pay the $60 a year and once you do the initial backup  it only backs up the different information.

A lot of people don't have a second system or extra HD or the knowledge to do so.
Thats why if it a relatively small back up say your Outlook mail and contacts it is great to have a online solution, and there are others out there, this is just the one I ran across that is user friendly which is most important to most people:)

Yes it would be VERY tough with dial up  but not impossible for a small backup.
It would just seem like an eternity to us that have broadband.

[EZ Help]

Norton Save & Restore is the way to go.


http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=br&pvid=nsr20