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AR15.COM
1/24/2010 8:24:08 AM EDT
I have a laptop and a desktop, both running Windows 7 Home.

I want to be able to backup the data files (not OS) on the laptop to the desktop's 2nd HDD, which will then get uploaded to Mozy.

Do you know of a good preferably free backup program?

I have seen so far good write-ups for Cobian Backup and SyncBack.  There is another one called Crashplan that looks interesting.  Any experiences?
1/25/2010 7:25:52 AM EDT
[#1]
Have you tried Windows 7 Backup and Restore?

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-backup-acronis,2510.html
1/25/2010 7:43:55 AM EDT
[#2]
Not free, but I just set my Dad up with Genie Timeline.
1/25/2010 7:44:06 AM EDT
[#3]
Acronis is what I use...
1/25/2010 8:49:38 AM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
Have you tried Windows 7 Backup and Restore?


This

Unless you have a need for a special feature Windows 7 Backup up will work for you and you already have it.
1/25/2010 9:13:04 AM EDT
[#5]
Syncback works too. It's a pretty basic file copy program, but it will let you do things like syncing and all that. I've used it for years.
1/25/2010 9:25:48 AM EDT
[#6]
Regarding Genie Timeline:

You set the software up, and it basically takes "snapshots" of your hard drive throughout the day.  And it keeps doing that until your backup device runs out of space.  When the device fills, it begins to delete older backups to make space for your newer stuff.  Some people may not like that feature, but if you plan it right (re: buy a big enough backup device) that won't happen for 6 months at the minimum.  I find it to be a damn useful backup solution.

Now, if there is anything you CAN'T live without and never want to delete, back it up separately twice (removable storage, then maybe DVD-Rs).
1/25/2010 10:41:26 AM EDT
[#7]
Quoted:
Regarding Genie Timeline:

You set the software up, and it basically takes "snapshots" of your hard drive throughout the day.  And it keeps doing that until your backup device runs out of space.  When the device fills, it begins to delete older backups to make space for your newer stuff.  Some people may not like that feature, but if you plan it right (re: buy a big enough backup device) that won't happen for 6 months at the minimum.  I find it to be a damn useful backup solution.

Now, if there is anything you CAN'T live without and never want to delete, back it up separately twice (removable storage, then maybe DVD-Rs).


AND store a copy in a separate location. All the backups in the world will not save your critical data if they are all at the same place and it burns down, is flooded, tornado, etc...
1/25/2010 11:18:30 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
AND store a copy in a separate location. All the backups in the world will not save your critical data if they are all at the same place and it burns down, is flooded, tornado, etc...


That's always a point I forget.  Offsite backup is very important for mission critical info.  Thanks!
1/25/2010 5:37:29 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Have you tried Windows 7 Backup and Restore?


This

Unless you have a need for a special feature Windows 7 Backup up will work for you and you already have it.


The problem is, Windows 7 Backup does NOT let you backup to a network drive, if you are using Home Premium.
1/25/2010 5:40:44 PM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Have you tried Windows 7 Backup and Restore?


This

Unless you have a need for a special feature Windows 7 Backup up will work for you and you already have it.


The problem is, Windows 7 Backup does NOT let you backup to a network drive, if you are using Home Premium.


Yea this is true.