Hey, I just got a MYbook and I need some advice on a nice backup program to use (preferably free) because well I had a giant computer problem and now I am super paranoid and never want any of it to happen again
any advice on a good program? (I want one that does EVERYTHING not like windows, I want my program files, because they may have some data, and I like having a list of all the programs I had)
Thanks in advanced
edit:
Running Windows 7
Want full backups of hard drive, and possibly smaller ones to disc
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Are you looking for full disk backups, simple data backups, or a combination of both?
For full disk image backup, I'd recommend Macrium Reflect FREE Edition
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entire hard drive! and perhaps maybe an option for backing a few things to discs (extra security)
"Video games are bad for you? That's what they said about Rock'n'Roll." -Shigeru Miyamoto
Toucan, IIRC, doesn't do full-disk backups but it does a good job of "simple" backups...
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
If you're running Linux, my favorite is Back In Time which does hard-linked differential backups like Time Machine.
If you're on Windows, I think the best thing you'll get to (at least in Open Source, I've heard Syncback SE is pretty good) is probably rsync and a GUI.
Looking into my bookmarks when I was really paranoid, I find Cobian Backup, CrashPlan,
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I'm running windows 7 (although I'm sure programs not made for it may still work)
"Video games are bad for you? That's what they said about Rock'n'Roll." -Shigeru Miyamoto
Then try the last three (they're all for win).
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The Win7 built-in backup program makes a VHD of your drive(s) which you can mount virtually anywhere (pun intended). You should use that one at a minimum at a certain time frame (monthly?) and do incremental backups with another program of the more important files like you're asking about. Schedule all jobs with Windows Scheduled Tasks.
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Check out this page at the TheFreeCountry.com, it has all manner of backup/drive image software.
I've used SelfImage and DriveImage XL (free edition) and both seem to work pretty well for entire drive imaging. DI XL is a little more friendly and stable though.
As for simple backup, either SyncBack (free edition) or Toucan, but Toucan wins if you're looking for portability. Don't forget that even if you don't use applications from flash drives, using portable applications on regular hard drives for everyday use is still a valuable practice should you have a major system failure. Trying to reinstall all the applications you use after a major system failure is a serious pain in the rear. With portable apps, you can just copy them (assuming you had a backup) straight back to your hard drive and you can be up and running in just a few minutes.