Best Way To Backup PC

[Geek-9pm]

Your choice. Carbonite has a proven track record.
http://www.carbonite.co.uk/

[bluecountry]

Again, I am looking for one which is:

-User friendly and VERY easy to use
-Backs up AUTOMATICALLY...so if my PC crashes at 2:55 PM on the 3rd, I can restore it as it was at 2:55 PM

Which works best for the novice user, like me?

[bluecountry]

WHat about this?
Is this any good?

http://redobackup.org/

[Sumeet Gohel]

The Windows internal tool of Backup is very much effective so....try it ......

[Geek-9pm]

Again, I am looking for one which is:
-User friendly and VERY easy to use
-Backs up AUTOMATICALLY...so if my PC crashes at 2:55 PM on the 3rd, I can restore it as it was at 2:55 PM
Which works best for the novice user, like me?

That requires RAID.
Local backup means you have at least two hard drives.
So RAID could be a solution.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/132877/how_to_set_up_raid_on_your_pc.html

[truenorth]

bluecountry, Having followed your post (and contributed) and your misfortunes with the computer/Staples experience. It occurs to me with all due respect you have either a hard time accepting suggestions or making decisions. Very early in this post very competent  CH members have given you very good advise on this post. You keep inserting your own suggestions of alternatives in spite of other recommendations. Do you really want our input when you ask your question or just confirmation of something you yourself suggest. I think without being disparaging that you lack experience and knowledge of computers (no issue with that -we have ALL been there) but you need to move on and actually do something. Given the potential for your vulnerability with what i believe is the same computer that you just got back from Staples time (excessive) spent on this topic may turn out to be to your greatest disadvantage for your intended objective.truenorth

[patio]

Hard drive imaging apps::

Acronis True Image....Paid

Macrium Reflect....Free.

These have as truenorth mentioned already been suggested...

[bluecountry]

bluecountry, Having followed your post (and contributed) and your misfortunes with the computer/Staples experience. It occurs to me with all due respect you have either a hard time accepting suggestions or making decisions. Very early in this post very competent  CH members have given you very good advise on this post. You keep inserting your own suggestions of alternatives in spite of other recommendations. Do you really want our input when you ask your question or just confirmation of something you yourself suggest. I think without being disparaging that you lack experience and knowledge of computers (no issue with that -we have ALL been there) but you need to move on and actually do something. Given the potential for your vulnerability with what i believe is the same computer that you just got back from Staples time (excessive) spent on this topic may turn out to be to your greatest disadvantage for your intended objective.truenorth

Absolutely, I am a novice with PCs and just do not know what to do.

I just want it where my PC is backed up with everything, files/pics/settings...that when the PC breaks I can easily restore it to the way it was.

I want something affordable, user friendly, and will do it automatically.

TN...which do you think will do it for me? 
Would redobackup work?

[Geek-9pm]

Hard drive imaging apps::
Acronis True Image....Paid
Macrium Reflect....Free.
These have as truenorth mentioned already been suggested...

That represents the general consensus.
Either your pay for something...
Or you get it for free...
Easy is a sate of mind.

[truenorth]

Your belief in what a "back up" function is intended for is misplaced. "I just want it where my PC is backed up with everything, files/pics/settings...that when the PC breaks I can easily restore it to the way it was." A back up program (function) is primarily intended to ensure that important data is NOT irretrievably lost if for whatever reason the computer ceases to function. There are MANY reasons that can cause a computer to fail and your statement (quoted) will NOT be achievable. Such as a hardrive mechanical failure. Your backed up data will NOT get your computer functioning again until a replacement hdd is installed. This is but one example--there are many. You need to reassess the reasons you have for doing the back ups and an alter your expectations of what they will do for you accordingly.truenorth

[Geek-9pm]

truenorth, nice summary of a long thread.

Does history repeat itself?
The OP is heading in the direction of absolute redundant compute ring. Which is very expensive.
Here is a brief history of a company built on the idea.
http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/TANDEM-COMPUTERS-INC-Company-History.html

As a nearly anonymous division within Compaq and now HP, Tandem's culture is now just history.

[bluecountry]

Geek 9 PM...so what do you suggest?

TB-this is my expectation, reasoning, and desire.
Next time my PC crashes, and I have to start from scratch, instead of having to lose a few weeks worth of documents, instead of losing my iTunes libarary and having to redo it, instead of having to re-install all old software, and try to remember my old desktop programs/icons/and settings....I would like to be able to simply click a restore button (or download) and have the PC back to the way it was.

As of right now I have an EHD, but I sometimes forget to backup documents, and I get burned.
Further, it is a pain to have to re-install everything.

I would sleep better if I knew my PC was always going to be backed up in it's current state, and if it broke down, I could restore the files, docs, and settings in a flash.

Is this unreasonable?

I thought it was possible to get something which could automatically, and incrementially, remotely, back up my data and my settings.
This way if the PC breaks, as said, I can restore, but as well, I will in the meantime while it is in repair, have access to my data.

Can Marcium do it?

[Geek-9pm]

Can Marcium do it?

Macrium is very good and free. has a learning curve but not too steep.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.aspx

Disk Imaging             
Disk Cloning             
Access images in Windows Explorer             
Schedule backups             
Linux Rescue CD             
Windows PE 3 Rescue Media (RAID support)             
Windows XP / Vista / 7 compatiblity             
File and Folder backup               
Email notification of backup status               
Differential and Incremental backups               
Technical support by email and forum access               
Commercial and Business use               
Disk Space Management               
Backup scripting               
Recovery from Windows boot menu               
Password protection and encryption               
Support for GPT and dynamic disks                 
Restore to dissimilar hardware                 
Windows Server 2003/2008/2011 compatibility                   
Windows Server cross-hardware restore                   
Integrated Windows event loggi

The free version does not have all the features.
I am no reason to buy the extra features, buy you might.
 Before I go to bed I start a new backup of my stuff onto an external drive and do an image, not a clone. The rescue CD will restore the image.

[bluecountry]

Rescue CD?

So Geek, is it unrealistic that I can get a free or cheap back-up source which automatically, incrementially, backs up all my files, allowing me to if the PC crashes quickly restore everything as was AND access files remotely on another PC?

[Geek-9pm]

Rescue CD?

So Geek, is it unrealistic that I can get a free or cheap back-up source which automatically, incrementially, backs up all my files, allowing me to if the PC crashes quickly restore everything as was AND access files remotely on another PC?

Basically, Yes.
The Rescue CD is the Linux CD your create using their Wizard. In case of a crash that renders the HDD uncountable, you boot from the Linux Rescue CD. The PC must have an attached storage device to recover the image. Unless the image you had placed on another partition  thate still has integrity. Actually, that works too. Often HDD a crash  does impact just the boot partition.

 But you have to do some configuration tasks. As mentioned, the free version does not have all features.  They have to have some way to make money from the project. The full scripting is not in the free version. So the free version asks you to point and click, and then walk away for an hour.

The free version does NOT given you free server space to store your backups. You have to provide a remote server.
Cloud backup is not going to be very effective until giga bit Internet comes to the user's  front door. Or back door.

This context is about a free, upgradeable software product for full backup.  If you wish to buy new hardwire, that is another topic. Seagate Seagate FreeAgent was in many other threads. The hardware comes with a full software solution.
Search CH for Seagate FreeAgent