I'm looking for some suggestions on backing-up my computer... I back-up every month...mostly pictures, documents, web work, etc... and I'm looking for something that can be portable (removable hard disk) with software that is smart enough to compare files and back-up only the changes I made since the last back-up session... Any ideas or recommendations?

Thanks,
Jack

Do use a PC or a Mac? If you're using Windows XP Pro: have a look at Microsoft Backup (comes with Windows). You can do automatic incremental backups to any location that allows for (large) files to be created.
We also tried the software that comes with the Maxtor external drive series - but that one's so slow it's not usable.

Apart from that: are you sure once a month is enough?

I use robocopy. Comes free with Windows or you can get it here

Any external HDD will be good as long as it's got enough capacity.
2 considerations are do you want small and portable, ie uses USB to power it, or do you want a bigger heavier drive that has its own power supply.

Freecom used to do cheap and pretty reliable external HDD's.

many external USB drives will have some software (like the Maxtor one-touch) that will backup what you want. Also consider CD/DVD.

How much data and do you need to archive versions or simply have one snapshot?

I use this WD NAS. It's 320GB, which is a lot, but there are bigger drives. It can connect by USB as an external drive or you can connect to it over a Network (Network Area Storage). It has a web interface, smart backup and synchronizing software.

I've just recently taken care of this myself.

I had this recommended to me by a friend who has tried numerous different backup software. Its free and really simple to use:

http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptreplicator.asp

Storage is so cheap now you can afford to go large:

digitec.ch
Western Digital MyBook 500gb USB 2.0
209 chf
Can't go wrong.......

He tells me you should disconnect your internet connection while you do it too.

written by such a cutie, Alex

Dawiz...I use a PC...once per month for my use seems to be fine at the moment, but I will consider different intervals....I always forget about MS Back-up so I will have a look...thanks!

PlantHead...I will have a look at robocopy...thanks for that...Also I would prefer a USB connection...

Lob...CD/DVD is what I am currently doing...but I find it to be a real pain, especially on certain back-ups like photos, which I change frequently, and never really keep good track of all the changes I make and when....Any suggestions on good USB drives? I'm looking for something with decent capacity...say 20-40 Gig

Gooner...thanks...that looks interesting...

jack

I opted for a WD Mybook for the backup target - which also has USB sensing build in (turn off the PC and the disk is also turned off).

For the software, I tried various types of freeware but chose to go with Nortons Save and Restore. It does an incremental backup on files but it also takes an image of you entire disk if you want. This can then be used in the envent of a catastrophic disk failure and just restore the entire disk image (including all the license codes, etc). I initially had an issue with it struggling to see the USB disks withing the recovery environmen butI logged a call, sent them a copy of my system information file and they sent me an ISO image for my system.

Having three small children (who have an annoying habit of just turning off rather than shutting it down), I have had to run entire restores a couple of times in the last 12 months and this system has worked really well.

If you are looking for a low maintenance solution, but one that costs a bit of money (subscription service), try SIAG's personal solution. THey are a Swiss company, actually based inside a mountain in Gstaad. They do very high end solutions for banks, but also have a personal edition that works well. you can find it at: www.siag.com

fduvall

I can vouch for the solution, as I used to be the BD for Attix5 who developed the software, great automated backup, v flexible.
Can't comment on SIAG though, apparently they are majority owned by Swisscom .....

I know Attix5...met Anton S. at Sechseleuten last year. Small world.

fduvall