How do you back up to your external hard drive

enilm · 1st of May 2009 (Fri)

I currently have all my docs and pictures backed up onto my external hard drive. So far I only back it up once week or so. But what's the best way on backing up? Currently I just drag the newest pictures and files onto the external drive. But sometimes I can forget to drag some of them because I have a bunch of different folders. I'm pretty organized with my folders but I know here and there I could miss a file. Once in a while I would delete everything on the external drive and just drag everything again to make sure I got everything. I don't really want to pay for a program to automatically back up all my files.

Titus213 · 1st of May 2009 (Fri)

I use SyncBack by 2BrightSparks. It's free and lets me tailor the backup data and schedule.

ChasP505 · 1st of May 2009 (Fri)

Use Search to find the recent thread which discusses this topic in depth.

SyncToy Ver. 2 from Microsoft Powertoys. Free!

MaxxuM · 1st of May 2009 (Fri)

For home I use Apple's Time Machine

and for PC SyncBack.

Moppie · 1st of May 2009 (Fri)

I use Karens Replicator, which does a simple file copy.

I've recently set up MSBack up on someone elses computer and am impressed by how easy it was.

BluewookieJim · 2nd of May 2009 (Sat)

Another +1 for Syncback.

I've got automatic scheduled backups to my ftp/file server. I also specific synchronization tasks setup to my update my external drives.

dipps · 2nd of May 2009 (Sat)

synctoy 2.0 from microsoft (free) using the "echo left to right" option.

syncback is another good option, with a bit more features than synctoy.

enilm · 2nd of May 2009 (Sat)

I'll give synback a try this weekend and see how that works out. Thanks everyone.

In2Photos · 2nd of May 2009 (Sat)

I use Acronis to back up onto an internal drive and then manually copy the files to an external. Currently looking for a syncing software to mirror the two drives so I don't have to do it manually.

Kronie · 2nd of May 2009 (Sat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by In2Photos

I use Acronis to back up onto an internal drive and then manually copy the files to an external. Currently looking for a syncing software to mirror the two drives so I don't have to do it manually.

Second Copy.

Is what I used when I used windows. On my Mac its now time machine and Carbon Copy.

Titus213 · 2nd of May 2009 (Sat)

Quote:

Originally Posted by In2Photos

I use Acronis to back up onto an internal drive and then manually copy the files to an external. Currently looking for a syncing software to mirror the two drives so I don't have to do it manually.

I believe SyncBack (even the free version) will do this for you. Interesting that you use Acronis, which I also have. Have I missed something here? Can Acronis do backups without compressing and creating its own file? One of the features in a backup that I wanted was the ability to mount the backup and use the data without going thru a restore process.

I do use Acronis to image my system drive.

enilm · 3rd of May 2009 (Sun)

Thanks everyone. I just downloaded the latest version of syncback and seems to do the job perfect. I tested it manually a couple of times and it works just like it should. Very easy to use. Also love that it has schedule back ups. I just scheduled it for twice a week on Wed and Sun, so lets see how that works. No more having to worry about manually going through my folders to see what I have to back up.

tim · 3rd of May 2009 (Sun)

Robocopy - it's command line but powerful. You can get GUIs for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus213

I use SyncBack by 2BrightSparks. It's free and lets me tailor the backup data and schedule.

Given you should be storing your external backup drives scheduling shouldn't be an issue... plug it in, do a backup, then take it back offsite.

Titus213 · 3rd of May 2009 (Sun)

Yup, I schedule the BU to my internal BU drives. I don't generally leave the externals running unless I'm doing a backup.

scottoliver · 3rd of May 2009 (Sun)

I use the backup utility that was included with Vista Ultimate.

1st of May 2009 (Fri)	#1
enilm Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 188	How do you back up to your external hard drive I currently have all my docs and pictures backed up onto my external hard drive. So far I only back it up once week or so. But what's the best way on backing up? Currently I just drag the newest pictures and files onto the external drive. But sometimes I can forget to drag some of them because I have a bunch of different folders. I'm pretty organized with my folders but I know here and there I could miss a file. Once in a while I would delete everything on the external drive and just drag everything again to make sure I got everything. I don't really want to pay for a program to automatically back up all my files. __________________ Canon 40D w/ kit lens 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6. No Flash, No lights, No other lenses. Just starting out.

1st of May 2009 (Fri)	#2
Titus213 Cream of the Crop Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Camas, WA USA Posts: 18,710 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive I use SyncBack by 2BrightSparks. It's free and lets me tailor the backup data and schedule. __________________ Dave Perspiring photographer. Visit NorwoodPhotos.com

1st of May 2009 (Fri)	#3
ChasP505 "brain damaged old guy" Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 5,566 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive Use Search to find the recent thread which discusses this topic in depth. SyncToy Ver. 2 from Microsoft Powertoys. Free! __________________ Chas P "It doesn't matter how you get there if you don't know where you're going!" Last edited by ChasP505 : 1st of May 2009 (Fri) at 22:31.

1st of May 2009 (Fri)	#4
MaxxuM Goldmember Join Date: May 2007 Location: Rio Grande Valley Posts: 3,306 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive For home I use Apple's Time Machine and for PC SyncBack. __________________ Canon 7D & 60D With Grip's Canon: EF-S 17-55 F2.8 IS, EF 70-200L F4 IS, EF 85mm F1.8 HOYA PRO1 MC UV Review \| Lens Glossary of Terms Feedback

1st of May 2009 (Fri)	#5
Moppie He's a Mod, He's a Mod. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Akarana, Aotearoa. (Kiwiland) Posts: 14,265 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive I use Karens Replicator, which does a simple file copy. I've recently set up MSBack up on someone elses computer and am impressed by how easy it was. __________________ flickr Have you Calibrated your Monkey lately?

2nd of May 2009 (Sat)	#6
BluewookieJim Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Southern CT Posts: 1,092 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive Another +1 for Syncback. I've got automatic scheduled backups to my ftp/file server. I also specific synchronization tasks setup to my update my external drives. __________________ My Gear and Stuff :: My Zenfolio Gallery :: My Flickr ::

2nd of May 2009 (Sat)	#7
dipps Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: wisconsin Posts: 512 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive synctoy 2.0 from microsoft (free) using the "echo left to right" option. syncback is another good option, with a bit more features than synctoy. __________________ 5DIII, 7D, 10-22, 15-85, 24-105 f/4L, 135 f/2L, 85 f/1.8, 100 f/2.8L macro, 70-200 f/2.8L II, 430EX II, POWERSHOT S95.... i'm your huckleberry. "There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin."

2nd of May 2009 (Sat)	#9
In2Photos Moderator, Archive Keeper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Near Charlotte, NC. Posts: 19,808 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive I use Acronis to back up onto an internal drive and then manually copy the files to an external. Currently looking for a syncing software to mirror the two drives so I don't have to do it manually. __________________ Mike, The Keeper of the Archive Current Gear and Feedback \| My Pbase Gallery \| mdsportsphoto.com

3rd of May 2009 (Sun)	#12
enilm Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 188	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive Thanks everyone. I just downloaded the latest version of syncback and seems to do the job perfect. I tested it manually a couple of times and it works just like it should. Very easy to use. Also love that it has schedule back ups. I just scheduled it for twice a week on Wed and Sun, so lets see how that works. No more having to worry about manually going through my folders to see what I have to back up. __________________ Canon 40D w/ kit lens 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6. No Flash, No lights, No other lenses. Just starting out.

3rd of May 2009 (Sun)	#15
scottoliver Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 73	Re: How do you back up to your external hard drive I use the backup utility that was included with Vista Ultimate. __________________ Canon XSi/450D \| EF 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens \| Sigma 30mm f/1.4 \| Flickr

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