We all know how critically important it is for all of us to keep all the data on our PC hard drive backed up on a regular (daily) basis. Some people use Symantec Ghost http://www.symantec.com/sabu/ghost/ghost_personal/ or Symantec Drive Image 7 http://www.powerquest.com/driveimage/ to perform this task. I currently use Drive Image 7.

The problem with these programs is that it can become a time consuming chore because you have to load/swap CD/DVD disks as the backup takes place, especially when backing up your entire HD (up to 80 GB).

Because I have a pretty fast internet connection (DSL), I'm seriously considering using an online offsite data backup service to upload (backup) my entire hard drive data to. This can also be scheduled to occur automatically (in the background) or at night while you're asleep.

Does anyone here use or recommend an oline data backup service which allows you to 'automatically' send files via the internet to their supposedly secure data centers. Are these services really 'safe' and secure? What are the risks?

Here is one company (Tech24) that Symantec Corp appears to recommend: http://www.tech24.com/help/tools/backup/individual.asp#

Thanks for feedback, input, and recommendations. - Scott

Hi Scott,
I myself also use Drive-image ONLY for the boot-drive (C . I only do/did this once immediately after the system contains all programs/patches I need, including OS of course.
The amount of bytes is not extremely big and always fits on 1 DVD. (<4.5Gig)
This image is very useful while bringing your system back to your 'factory setup'.

I always store the data (docs, midis, pictures etc.) on a NOT bootdrive because when there is a need to reformat C: , the user data stays intact.

You also can store an image file on drive D: or E: as an extra.

I would NEVER NEVER make backups through the internet because it will take ages to send- or restore data and who will guarantee your data is not 'public' ?

Incremental backups are not big and can simple be stored on CD's or DVD's.

Creating an extra set of backup DVD's and storing them elsewhere (relatives or friends) is OK.... just to be sure you have backups in all cases.

Roel

Hi Scott,

If you want to backup your data on a daily basis, why not get a tape backup device and schedule the service to perform the task every night ?
Claude

You could always get a second hard disc and back up to that!

The 2nd hard disk idea is a very good approach IMO. HD is now very cheap and offers the fastest backup possible. It is very safe because it is very unlikely you crash both your hard disk at the same time.

I believe most savy computer users do it this way. In fact, some high end servers that stores critical data do it this way. They have mirror disk drives for backups within the same machine.

My strategy was always separating my data from the "others" (programs, etc). So, everynight, I had a backup program that saves only the data. As for the "others", everytime I install a new program and got it to work satisfactorily, I will make a mirror image of the hard disk. This way it saves storage space and very efficient.

I think backing up via internet is not a good strategy - too slow.

Thanks to all for your advice. It definitely sounds like a secondary (in my case, a 3rd) hard drive is the best & safest solution for HD backup. My problem though, is whether my computer (Dell Dimension 8200) will be able to support (enough free IRQs?) adding a 3rd HD. - Scott

You can just buy a new bigger hard drive and store both the contents of your hard disk in that new drive. Then use one of your older drive as the backup.

If you split the data from the "others" then you can store a lot of things on a much smaller drive because imaging software and backups software usually does good job at compacting files.

Scott,
A 3rd Harddisk only needs an IDE-port OR a free SCSI-connection..... IRQ's are not needed.

Please realize an operational HDD can be destroyed by system-failures or virusses....just like all other data-storage devices connected to your computer. An infected 'backup' is NO backup !!

I still prefer backups on a (closed session) DVD, because virusses cannot affect them. If your pc gets on fire ...a 3rd drive does not help much

Roel

Well, if your dvd's also destroyed in fire-bad luck. I think you can also transmit the virus on your dvd - so nothing can be immune from that problem.

The best is to also store it in another pc. At my home I have two pc's and I also backup my HD to another pc HD and vice versa over the network line - fast and easy. It does it everynight without me really have to do anything. This is just in case my PC got struck with a lightning which is highly improbable. I also backup to CD for very critical files every month or so.

Lukitoh,
We all understand what's critical here : The originals and backups should be stored in different places.
Your method of creating backups (from one to another PC and vv) in my view is a 'dangerous' one. Imagine what happens when an unknown (deadly)virus srikes one of the machines and is able to reach the other one through the network...... you could lose weeks of data in a few seconds !!

The best method :
Create a daily backup...e.g. incremental to tape/CD. On top of that a double weekly data-backup to CD/DVD and remove it from the systems (!). Store both discs on different locations...... Now you are able to 'roll back' to working situations....many weeks back... when needed.
It will cost a little money because you need 2 CD/DVD's every week, but it's nothing compared to the time it would cost to refind/redo the lost files.

Rewritables are NOT as reliable as normal discs.

Roel

The only system failure that would trash both hard disc simultaneously would be a serious power supply failure which personally I have never experienced.

Viruses are also a possible problem but there havent been any "I'm going to overwrite all your hard disc" viruses for a while. Also due to the structure of modern - i.e. big - discs, it taks a lot of **** over the structures on the disc to take to you a situation where data is totally lost.

If possible format your discs using different systems - e.g. one disc FAT32, another NTFS. Destructive viruses tend to work on one system and not another.


Also such viruses attack one disc at once. If you machine locks up unexpectantly with the discs hard on, and you suspect a virus, hit the red button!

Clearly CD'Rs in the cupboard are pretty safe. However, I've known these discs to fail. I agree that CD R/W are less reliable. I have no experience with DVD+-R[/W].

Generally I consider some of the comments about possible failure scenarios here to be near paranoia. Nevertheless I must admit that a dose of paranoia over data integrity might have saved me serious pain in the past!

How about using an external HD via USB or firewire and only having it connected for backup?

I'm in industrial IT-business and have seen major system crashes, fires, lightning-strikes, corrupted data because of hardware faillures... etc.

[This message has been edited by Roel (edited 01-29-2004).]

I agree that CD daily backup or whatever interval one chooses is the best way to do backups because it removes the possibility of virus getting access to them. If one experienced an attack then the worst is just losing one day worth of files. Roel, thanks for that advice- I will start doing it immediately.

Can the virus penetrate a compressed file/zip files ?

I do my backups on the 2nd HD for at least 2-3 days backtrack (maybe should be a week but some files are very large like my pst file for outlook). And they are in zip files.

It should not be a problem if you run Windows XP Scott. The only problem you may face is: "should I get the 120 Gigabyte 5,200 RPM one or the 200 Gigabyte 7,200 RPM one?".


Best regards,
Mike