Computer backup drive
 

Hey guys,
I wanted to get some opinions about what backup drive to get for my computers. I know it is only a matter of time before something major goes wrong, so I want to back up stuff before that happens. I'm thinking that the hardware is going to be pretty much similar, so I want to decide based on what is the best the backup software.
I have both a PC and a Mac so hopefully there is one that is compatible with both.
Anyone have opinions about this? I will be doing general computer files, bookmarks, pictures, etc.
Thanks
...Steve

RE: Computer backup drive
 

Here is a start for software:

http://www.fbackup.com/


I would suggest an external HDD that connects to your computer via USB cable. You should be able to find a Terra Byte drive (1000GB) for about 100 bucks. That is a whole lot of space ;)

RE: Computer backup drive
 

If you have not already bought an external drive, make sure it comes with it's own power supply. I bought a 'low cost' drive that was powered from the usb plug. It turned out to be completely unreliable and one of my computers would never power it.

Good luck!

Roger

RE: Computer backup drive
 

I use a 1.5 TB external drive that I bought at Costco. It has USB 2.0, 1394, and it's own power source.

The backup software I use is CloneZilla, a Linux distro on a boot-able CD that will exactly clone or restore the entire drive(s). It is quite effective, I have files that date back more than 10 years so I don't want to loose them. Mac is a bad word around here so I don't know if it will work for you, but I think CloneZilla works on "intel based Mac OS"

I have cloned and/or restored drives with various formats without problems, including NTFS, FAT,FAT32, EXT2, EXT3.

RE: Computer backup drive
 

Thank you all for replying. I did get a Seagate Free Agent Go Flex. It is 1 TB and it does have it's own power supply. I think it was about $90.00 including tax at Best Buy. I might try Gooseman's suggestion and try the FBackup.
One thing I wanted to do is backup the wife's laptop. (PC) before we send it in for factory service. What I want to do is make a disk image. (I think that is what it's called) in case there is a catastrophic meltdown. After that I'll do regular backups.
As for the Mac, I just have pictures, websites, Etc to keep up on, nothing to major.
...Steve

RE: Computer backup drive
 

1TB+ external hard drives are great for backup. Although I recently had one that was starting to fail (got my files off just in time) luckily it was still on rebate and Seagate replaced it. Bigger hard drives are getting cheaper and cheaper, so there's no reason not to buy one to backup all your files.

RE: Computer backup drive
 

You have to try dropjack software and sync it with your PC or MAC.