Backup Software?

[NorthernFocus]

Sorry if this topic has been addressed previously. I did a search and found several threads about backing up in general but nothing specific to software.

The purpose of the thread is to help me understand my current software or solicit recommendations for a different program.

As a bit of background, I currently have a 3TB external hard drive that stays connected to my desktop computer. The desktop has two drives, a 500MB SSD(C:\) and a 1TB conventional HD(J:\). All of my photos reside on the conventional HD. Currently they fill about 450GB or just under half of the drive space. I've been using the Seagate software that came with the external drive and have it set up to backup only the photo files weekly. I also store about 350GB of specific files directly to the external drive with no copies on the desktop. So in other words about 800GB of content without any duplication.

Now here's the problem. I keep running out of space on the external HD. When I look at what's on the drive, the weekly backup files range anywhere from a couple of GB up to the full size of the folder that holds my photos. My understanding was that the backup software should only make copies of files/folders that have been changed since the most recent backup date. But that's not what appears to be happening. I haven't been able to nail down why it sometimes copies the entire master folder and sometimes only a few files.

Does anyone else use the Seagate software successfully?

What other programs do folks use?

This is more of an annoyance than a critical issue for me. In addition to the connected backup drive I simply use windows once a month or so to copy to yet another external HD. I have two of them and alternate between them. The intent of using the backup software was that it would go way back in history so if I somehow accidentally deleted some files and didn't discover my mistake for a while, the backups would still be there.

[Mike Buckley]

I use the free version of SyncBack. It works like a charm and generates a handy report so you can see what has been backed up.

[george013]

Sorry if this topic has been addressed previously. I did a search and found several threads about backing up in general but nothing specific to software.

The purpose of the thread is to help me understand my current software or solicit recommendations for a different program.

As a bit of background, I currently have a 3TB external hard drive that stays connected to my desktop computer. The desktop has two drives, a 500MB SSD(C:\) and a 1TB conventional HD(J:\). All of my photos reside on the conventional HD. Currently they fill about 450GB or just under half of the drive space. I've been using the Seagate software that came with the external drive and have it set up to backup only the photo files weekly. I also store about 350GB of specific files directly to the external drive with no copies on the desktop. So in other words about 800GB of content without any duplication.

Now here's the problem. I keep running out of space on the external HD. When I look at what's on the drive, the weekly backup files range anywhere from a couple of GB up to the full size of the folder that holds my photos. My understanding was that the backup software should only make copies of files/folders that have been changed since the most recent backup date. But that's not what appears to be happening. I haven't been able to nail down why it sometimes copies the entire master folder and sometimes only a few files.

Does anyone else use the Seagate software successfully?

What other programs do folks use?

This is more of an annoyance than a critical issue for me. In addition to the connected backup drive I simply use windows once a month or so to copy to yet another external HD. I have two of them and alternate between them. The intent of using the backup software was that it would go way back in history so if I somehow accidentally deleted some files and didn't discover my mistake for a while, the backups would still be there.

I'm using syncbackfree from 2BrightSparks. A wonderful and fast program. You can backup or synchronise with different options. http://www.2brightsparks.com/welcome...FQ6WtAodsysAvQ
Synchronising is probably what you want.

Take care of your programs. My pc crashed, internal, not the disk. So I had to buy a new pc and reinstalling software I found out that I didn't have the keys anymore. What I'm doing now is backup the software, disk, on a hd and add a textfile with the key.
I don't use the Seagate software.
George

[Cantab]

I use the free version of SyncBack. It works like a charm and generates a handy report so you can see what has been backed up.

Mike, do you use the free version of SyncBack or one of the paid versions? This is an issue I keep thinking I need to do but everytime I've researched it in the past, I've ended up befuddled among the different options and issues - and have done nothing!

[Shadowman]

I'm using Western Digital drive and it comes with its own software, my computer has its own version also, but I chose to use the WD version. When you are backing up your data does it give you the option of overwriting the previous save? I know that unless you install new software the new backup should mirror the previous version. Also, hopefully you have enough room on the drive to do an archival backup with at least two or three backups, this way you can go back to the most recent.

[JohnRostron]

I use Acronis v11. This works very well, unlike the previous version! I Can tell it to do full or incremental backups, or do daily incrementals, and full weekly.

[Mike Buckley]

Bruce,

I use the free version but don't base your decision about that on my choice. The main difference I remember between the free and paid version is that the paid version will not write over the previous version of a file when the file is changed and backed up again.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the replies, folks. I think I'll give the synchback a try. I like being able to tell what it has done. Both the Seagate and Western Digital programs require a bit of blind faith by the user as they don't provide much feedback other than a status bar on how far along the backup is. I appreciate the quick responses and good information.

Ok, now we can start the great debate on the best method of backing up, how many copies one needs, etc....

[Mike Buckley]

I think I'll give the synchback a try. I like being able to tell what it has done.

Open the Task menu and select View Log.

[NorthernFocus]

Open the Task menu and select View Log.

OK, thanks. Will download it and give it a go this evening. That is MY evening. I guess it's already your evening

[Shadowman]

Thanks for the replies, folks. I think I'll give the synchback a try. I like being able to tell what it has done. Both the Seagate and Western Digital programs require a bit of blind faith by the user as they don't provide much feedback other than a status bar on how far along the backup is. I appreciate the quick responses and good information.

Ok, now we can start the great debate on the best method of backing up, how many copies one needs, etc....

A minimum of two and even that is taking a chance, one of my fears is that the drive used for the backup fails.

[DanK]

Dan,

My solution is that I back up to an external drive using a sync program, not a backup program. I use the file sync utility included with powerdesk, which is a Windows explorer substitute that does all sorts of things and that I have used for year. The advantage is that it deletes and replaces files as appropriate, rather than just accumulating them, so you need no more space on the external drive than on the internal drive you are copying from. it is very fast, because it will remember previous operations, so you can just call up the previous sync and do it over.

I use an online backup (Crashplan) in addition.

Dan

[NorthernFocus]

My solution is that I back up to an external drive using a sync program, not a backup program....

If it is truly a sync function then if you delete something from the primary drive I assume it would also remove it from the mirrored drive. Correct?

[mrinmoyvk]

I don't use segate software but use "Briefcase" instead. However that feature is only on Windows.
I have all my photos copied to a folder on laptop hard disk and a copy of that folder in a briefcase on external hard disk.
I periodically update the briefcase on external hard disk which takes into account only the changes done after last sync.
You also get an option to select what to sync as if if you deleted few files from laptop hard disk but don't want those to be deleted from briefcase then just select the option to not delete.

[Black Pearl]

TimeMachine to a RAID enabled multiple drive NAS.

[george013]

If it is truly a sync function then if you delete something from the primary drive I assume it would also remove it from the mirrored drive. Correct?

There are different settings you can use. But the basic is that it first creates two lists of files that are selected to be transferred in either direction, with the reason. Than it stops and gives you the ability to correct things. So if you deleted something in your source you can delete it in your target manual from this list. In my settings.
But you can also select backup settings.
George

[davidedric]

I think each one of these threads has mentioned backup, but I don't think one has mentioned recovery.

.If you are doing your own copies using system software fair enough, though I suggest that you at least write down exactly what you are going to do under various circumstances.

If you are using a commercial service or software I think you really should make sure it does what it says on the tin. I'm speaking with over 30 years of running simulated disaster recovery exercises,spiced by a couple of real disasters, and I can only remember one that went without a hitch.

Dave

[DanK]

If it is truly a sync function then if you delete something from the primary drive I assume it would also remove it from the mirrored drive. Correct?

Yes. Powerdesk's sync program offers a variety of options. I use "duplicate", which creates an exact copy, with deletions, additions, and modifications. That's why I use it. First, the backup is never larger than the original. Second, it is trivially easy to grab specific files if you need to, because they are organized exactly as they are on the primary drive.

I don't think it is safe only to have a local backup, which is why I use Crashplan as well. That uses backup software, not sync software, but I don't care: the cost is not affected by the volume of storage. Also, I think the chances are extremely high that I will never need to restore from it. I treat it like fire insurance: I assume my house is extremely unlikely to burn down, but I don't want to be uninsured if the unlikely event actually happens. My synced copy will always be my first source for restoring.

In fact, I have never lost a photo from my primary drive. However, I use a similar system for my work files--I sync among my computers, but one computer also does a secure online backup. On quite a number of occasions, I have made a mistake, such as overwriting a file accidentally, and I always go to the synced copy to restore what I need.

[Mike Buckley]

make sure it does what it says on the tin

If you have the propensity for accidentally deleting files as I do, you have the opportunity to test the recovery abilities of both the software and the hardware.

Having said that, I have never tested the recovery capability of the drive that I store offsite. I will make a point of doing that before the end of the year. Thanks for the reminder!

[CP140]

I use Cobian 9... seems to work well and you tell it how many "full" backups to keep before it starts deleting the older versions.