Backup Software

BIG AL · #11 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 19:45

Be careful with Acronis True Image 11. It has some sort of conflict with Microsoft Vista according to some reviews that I read on Amazon when I was looking for a backup programme. I ended up buying "Backup and Protect" I am not able to report on it as I don't really understand backup programmes but it seems to be doing what It claims to do

**cannockwolf** · #12 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG AL

I don't really understand backup programmes but it seems to be doing what It claims to do

hahaha quality! i suppose you dont know if it works until you need it, and you hope you never need it! LOL

**Dennyboy** · #13 (**permalink**) 20-08-2008, 20:57

Sorry Dave, hangs head in shame offering you a duff solution.

**f18** · #14 (**permalink**) 21-08-2008, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eos1nrs

I do everything long hand

Must be a funny remark in there somewhere but I'l refrain

I do as well. Don't bother with actual 'back up' software but simply copy every thing to two external hard drives. You have to remember to do it but once it gets into your routine it's almost 'auto'

I keep one internal hard drive for O/S and programmes + another internal drive for current/recent files (music, images & docs). Every time I have a 'finished' item I copy it to external drive no1 (to a 'mirror' folder & file structure) and every now and then I bring external drive no2 into line with no1 (fortnightly -ish)

I've always had a problem with the concept of back up software as (a) you are (usually/always?) 'converting' your files into a format unreadable by the software that created it and (b) you are then relying on the ability of the back up software to unravel your files should the need arise. Probably me being un-scientific about it but it just seems like something that can go wrong ..... storage is cheap

Dave B.

**cannockwolf** · #15 (**permalink**) 21-08-2008, 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by f18

I've always had a problem with the concept of back up software as (a) you are (usually/always?) 'converting' your files into a format unreadable by the software that created it and (b) you are then relying on the ability of the back up software to unravel your files should the need arise. Probably me being un-scientific about it but it just seems like something that can go wrong ..... storage is cheap

Dave B.

i see you point, but this backup software doesn't change the file format, it keeps the files structure intact, but does add another file next to it, i presume for id'ing somehow, the simple thing is I would only remember to do it just before i was finishing and i don't leave the computer on all the time so it wouldn't get done as often as i would like

**f18** · #16 (**permalink**) 21-08-2008, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannockwolf

this backup software doesn't change the file format, it keeps the files structure intact

Ah, things must have moved on a bit then. Going back a few years b/u software crammed your files into big lumps of data and indexed it. You couldn't access a file from it's creation software (e.g. you couldn't open an excel spreadshet, residing in the b/u area, using MS Excel). You needed to restore the b/u files completely. The advantage was that the size of the total b/u was always a lot less than the original so you saved a lot of space as well as backing up.

**cannockwolf** · #17 (**permalink**) 21-08-2008, 12:51

i take it that was for tape backup ye?

BIG AL · #18 (**permalink**) 21-08-2008, 13:20

cannokwolf, you are correct in what you say. I just cross my fingers and hope that I will never need it, and having read through the rest of the answers I see now why I am so confused about backup programmes

**Dennyboy** · #19 (**permalink**) 21-08-2008, 14:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannockwolf

the simple thing is I would only remember to do it just before i was finishing and i don't leave the computer on all the time so it wouldn't get done as often as i would like

It does have a scheduler which does it automatically or when computer left idle by the look of it. Just a thought, but i dont know any more than this about this program.

**Mello** · #20 (**permalink**) 23-08-2008, 09:42

Have turned my automatic backup off it's a pain in the A**E!!!

It takes way too long to talk to the server then send all my stuff wirelessly...i put the pics on the laptop then Raw straight to a disc/work on the pics then just copy and paste over to the NAS when done so i don't have to much information to send in one go.

If you find a quicker way LET ME KNOW MATE!!!...