Recommend backup software

Ramrod · 03-10-2011, 12:18

Hi all. I'm looking to install a clean HDD into a PC purely for backup purposes. The information on the existing C drive is going to be vitally important to me and cannot be lost. I want to back it up onto the new HDD in real time, and have the ability to run the system from that drive if the C drive goes down.
So far I have found this software:http://www.techsoftpl.com/backup/index.php
which looks like it will do the job. Anyone else have any other recommendations?.....or comments?

**Rob** · 03-10-2011, 13:14

Is this into a 2nd PC, or the same PC. If the same PC then realistically a proper RAID solution, mirrored rather than striped will provide protection against a HDD failure (but not the controller).

Ramrod · 03-10-2011, 16:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

Is this into a 2nd PC, or the same PC. If the same PC then realistically a proper RAID solution, mirrored rather than striped will provide protection against a HDD failure (but not the controller).

Into the same PC(s). The problem is that they have been up and running for about two years already so it's not like I'm doing a new build and can set up the RAID from the beginning.

**Kymmy** · 03-10-2011, 16:47

Get two drives, set up the raid and then ghost/image the working drive across to the mirror

idi banashapan · 03-10-2011, 18:14

as said, the solution for you is mirrored RAID, with parity if you really need it and have the money!

Ramrod · 03-10-2011, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

Get two drives, set up the raid and then ghost/image the working drive across to the mirror

I don't have the time or the inclination to do that on two work PCs. I just want a software solution

**Kymmy** · 03-10-2011, 19:18

You're not going to get a software solution that will back up a working drive to a state that it's swappable as a boot drive.

May I suggest a NAS with some form of sync/backup software that will keep the data safe..

If you want the OS backed up then that would need to be done on a non-booted drive which basically would be a ghosted image hence I suggested a method of mirroring the existing drives as once it's done it'll always be current and will boot OK if you ever have to remove one of the drives due to failure.

royaltiger · 03-10-2011, 19:53

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

LSainsbury · 04-10-2011, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

The information on the existing C drive is going to be vitally important to me and cannot be lost.

So why not just use your current backup software?

.....what do you mean you're not backing it up already???

qasdfdsaq · 04-10-2011, 07:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

You're not going to get a software solution that will back up a working drive to a state that it's swappable as a boot drive.

Well depending on the OS you could always set up software RAID.

Ramrod · 04-10-2011, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSainsbury

So why not just use your current backup software?

.....what do you mean you're not backing it up already???

The critical info on it is backed up onto usb but I'm going to enable the diary software on the system and I'd be happier if thats backed up on the fly.......don't want to lose my work diaries.

Quote:

Well depending on the OS you could always set up software RAID.

Thats what I'm looking to do. Looking for sofware recommendations.
It's running XP btw.....

**Kymmy** · 04-10-2011, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by qasdfdsaq

Well depending on the OS you could always set up software RAID.

I'd classify that as an OS solution and not software as asked by the OP

I always forget about that option mainly as it slows down the system and would never recommend it over a hardware solution.. It is though an option in this case and just requires another drive the same size or larger

(as long as he's running an OS that allows that but any windows above NT4 will do it I think)

heero_yuy · 05-10-2011, 10:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Hi all. I'm looking to install a clean HDD into a PC purely for backup purposes. The information on the existing C drive is going to be vitally important to me and cannot be lost. I want to back it up onto the new HDD in real time, and have the ability to run the system from that drive if the C drive goes down.
So far I have found this software:http://www.techsoftpl.com/backup/index.php
which looks like it will do the job. Anyone else have any other recommendations?.....or comments?

It's important to note that if you take an image of the existing OS on XP (I'm not sure how this affects later OS's) although that image may start to boot (no garantees if the boot files are misplaced) XP is likely to come to a screaming halt just before the welcome screen.

This is because once the virtual machine has started the HDD(s) are ID'd by a different system than the normal PC's BIOS C,D etc. (Though by default they are the same physical device) The XP boot tries to look for the original HDD ID on which it was installed to continue the boot, after all it IS a clone, this is of course is now not there as you're running from what was the D drive, hence the stop. This may apply to all sw that simply clones the HDD.

I discovered this when attempting cloning an XP installation to a larger HDD. I tried some cloning sw (HD clone 4) which seemed to put all the files in the correct places, including system and hidden, but the drive was not properly bootable.

The fix was a bit involved.

Wicked_and_Crazy · 05-03-2012, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

You're not going to get a software solution that will back up a working drive to a state that it's swappable as a boot drive.

Shadowprotect?

Osem · 06-03-2012, 09:06

Would this work?

http://www.clickfree.com/products_c6.php

If not, please just dismiss as the ramblings of a Luddite....