Best way to Back Up files

[nsuperman86]

I have a lot of important information on my ThinkPad, and was wondering what is the best method to back up all my important files like documents, and images?

[Greg Gebhardt]

I have a lot of important information on my ThinkPad, and was wondering what is the best method to back up all my important files like documents, and images?

Best to keep all of this organised in your document folder. I back mine up on both DVD and a external hard disk. There are so many opinions on backing up, but two different medias does not hurt. To be real safe you need to back up often and make multiple copies, removing one copy from your laptop's location in case of fire.

It depends also on how much you have to back up. I got gigs of digital images and documents.

[lothar.krause]

I have used Connected.com for years. You get to do an offsite backup anytime of up to 2GB for $14.95 a month. For more info check here: http://onlinebackup.connected.com/

[monty cantsin]

I have a lot of important information on my ThinkPad, and was wondering what is the best method to back up all my important files like documents, and images?

I'm still using a 7 year-old version of FileBack PC (V 3.1). Despite its age, this software is simply GREAT, and the recent version (V 4.0) has even more features. Worth a look:

http://www.maxoutput.com/FileBack/

http://www.maxoutput.com/FileBack/docs/overview.html

For instance, together with IBM Access Connections the Network or Enterprise Editions (unfortunately not the Home Edition) of FileBack PC 4.0 can be configured to automatically backup documents from your notebook computer to a destination on your desktop at home whenever you connect both via (wireless) LAN.

You could also define to run backup jobs to a network destination when your notebook is switching from battery to AC power (or entering suspend, or...). So when you plug your ThinkPad in (or turn it off, or...) at work/home, your data could be saved (or synchronized) in the background, without you having to interfere.

And so on and so forth, these were just a very few examples... If you're looking for a solution that backups your documents and images, it might also be interesting for you to hear that FileBack PC can keep and archive older versions of your data files (up to 999, to be precise), or monitor them and make backups immediately after they have changed.

Bottom line: This software is very comfortable to use, although -- because of the abundance of options -- not quite easy to set up for novices.

[stgreek]

I have a lot of important information on my ThinkPad, and was wondering what is the best method to back up all my important files like documents, and images?

Best to keep all of this organised in your document folder. I back mine up on both DVD and a external hard disk. There are so many opinions on backing up, but two different medias does not hurt. To be real safe you need to back up often and make multiple copies, removing one copy from your laptop's location in case of fire.

It depends also on how much you have to back up. I got gigs of digital images and documents.

I second that. I usually do an often (weekly or so) backup to my external 2.5" drive and then a monthly backup to DVDs. I also make sure to keep them separately, so that physical damage to one (fire etc) will not affect the other. If you don't have much data online services are a very good choice but nowadays everyone has gigs and gigs which will cost an awful lot to back up online.

[JohnV]

Here is another nice backup option. Iomega just came out with another storage drive with a removable cartridge called "REV" that holds 35gb of data uncompressed and comes with automatic backup software. I have seen it sell for around $280 in the USB2.0 version.

John

[nsuperman86]

Thanks for all the replies so far, but do you guys use certain programs when backing up to DVDs, or do you just use a program like Nero and do a data burn?

That actually reminds me, does Nero even burn on DVD media? Or do I have to get some other program?

[monty cantsin]

Thanks for all the replies so far, but do you guys use certain programs when backing up to DVDs

I'm catching myself more and more using just plain and simple packet writing software on rewritable media. On my backup file server I regularly let the aforementioned FileBack PC automatically copy its own backup folders to a DVD+RW or, preferably, DVD-RAM.

That actually reminds me, does Nero even burn on DVD media?

Sure it does.

[Greg Gebhardt]

Thanks for all the replies so far, but do you guys use certain programs when backing up to DVDs, or do you just use a program like Nero and do a data burn?

That actually reminds me, does Nero even burn on DVD media? Or do I have to get some other program?

There are lots of backup programs out there. Even some that back up all day long while you are working.

I like to keep it simple and keep everything in "My Documents" folder. I need but only copy the whole folder which contains all of my files. There are so many different methods which many people, here, will point out.

I am very fond of these external hard drives. They are cheap and fast when using USB or FireWire. They have the top brands on eBay at a fraction of the cost at your local CompUsa. I still recomend DVDs but don't skimp and buy the cheapest media. Buy the best you can find for longest storage purposes.

[MadeInJapan]

Haven't burned to DVD yet, but with my T30 with multiburner and 40Gigs, I use a 2nd HDD adapter and Ghost the whole drive once a week. This is economical and only takes 15 to 20 minutes. Also, if my HDD is to crash, I can just pull it out and put the Ghosted drive right back in its place and I'm not going to notice any change (well, except for new files and adjustments since the last ghosting).

[Goobie]

I use Versionbackup with an external harddrive, it's free for personal use and is awesome.

[awolfe63]

I agree with several of the comments. Keep all of your created content in My Documents or in a similar set of folders.

(I keep 3 - My Documents for most stuff + 1 for media (music/video/games) and + 1 for web downloads (drivers, shareware, purchased online SW))

I periodically copy them to DVD and an external HD. More often for the My Documents folder. I also mirror it to a server.

Backup software always seems to be obsolete by the time I realize I need an old file...

[nsuperman86]

I am kind of new at this whole thing and was wondering it you could define some terms, like Ghosting, and the process of Mirroring your files?

[MadeInJapan]

Symantec....the same company that makes Norton Antivirus makes a product called "Ghost." There are several versions, but I use version 7 which fits on a floppy disc. You use a floppy disc via cable to the parallel port of the Thinkpad (find these on eBay for under $20) and a second Hard Drive adapter and put a hard drive in the Ultrabay, boot up with the floppy dirve and basically make a clone of the hard drive in the thinkpad to the one in the ultra bay. If something happens to the HD in the thinkpad, pull it out and put the "ghosted" drive in its place and it all boots up and works without any issue.

[awolfe63]

I am kind of new at this whole thing and was wondering it you could define some terms, like Ghosting, and the process of Mirroring your files?

To mirror files to a server, you put the files in a folder or volume on the server, access it from the Thinkkpad and mark it "Make Available Offline" by right clicking on the folder and picking it from the menu. Then synchronize the same way.

Of course, you need to have a server. I think it needs to be running W2K server edition or Windows Server 2003.

[scampbell]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good one?

Thanks!

Stephen