advice on free backup software wanted

chughes

I notice that there are a number of websites that offer free downloads of backup software. I want to backup word documents, spreadsheets, etc, on a regular basis to either an external hard drive or a usb key.

Have any of you used any of these downloads and is there any you'd recommend.

Thanks in advance.

Kenny Logins

I'd recommend Dropbox, you get 2gigs of cloud storage free. https://www.dropbox.com/
It will just install as another folder on your PC, then drop your files into it and they will automatically be backed up safely online, they can also be accessible from any other PC or phone etc. if you log in. It also has a 30 day rollback function so you can revert to previous versions of your files easily, if you do accidentally mess one up. I'd be lost without it now TBH.

If you use this (my referral) link, we will both get an extra 250mb free.

http://db.tt/JZTsyS0

cookie1977

For backing and syncing locally (usb, external harddrives) I recommend syncback free from:
http://www.2brightsparks.com

I use syncbackSE which costs a little more but the free version is excellent.

For online backup I use sugarsync which comes with 5GB of free space online (I pay 40 euro a year for 30 gbs). I can access that data from anywhere including my mobile phone.

Download the free version of syncback from here: http://www.2brightsparks.com/downloads.html#freeware

meemeep

I use windows backup to an external drive once a week. so far so good. My laptop died recently and I had everything on external drive.

bonzodog2

meemeep wrote: »

I use windows backup to an external drive once a week. so far so good. My laptop died recently and I had everything on external drive.

That's great. How will you feel if you get burgled and both are taken?

chughes

Thanks for the replies so far. I hadn't really considered cloud backup but I will definitely look into this. I may end up using a combination of cloud and usb key/external drive.

ScumLord

Cloud is the way to go, it trumps local in so many ways.

Microsoft also offer a free online backup called windows live mesh

cookie1977

As long as you ISP data allowance is good and your connection isn't down too much But yes cloud is great for offsite access. A combination of both is what I would recommend as cloud storage is expensive.

ScumLord

cookie1977 wrote: »

As long as you ISP data allowance is good and your connection isn't down too much But yes cloud is great for offsite access. A combination of both is what I would recommend as cloud storage is expensive.

Most places I've seen do around 5gig for free. Which is enough for most.

bpb101

ubuntu one give 5 gb free , and is supported in ubuntu

cookie1977

There can be other restrictions with free accounts too such as slower upload/download speeds or limit's to file size uploads/downloads but if it's only some text files or pics then the free accounts on sugarsync/dropbox and flickr are great respectively

bpb101

meemeep wrote: »

I use windows backup to an external drive once a week. so far so good. My laptop died recently and I had everything on external drive.

if you want a secure way i would got with an exteral drive and a fire proof safe which is safer than a cloud.
1. your Internet goes down
2. i think in the future clouds will become a target for hackers...

meemeep

bonzodog2 wrote: »

That's great. How will you feel if you get burgled and both are taken?

No problem - I have a backup offsite also - not updated as regularly but enough for the stuff I really don't want to lose. The "cloud" may not be as fluffy as everyone seems to think - I'll just bide my time for now.

Old Perry

sorry to hi-jack thread but i just have a quick question i dont think needs another thread....when you back up files does it compress them (how much?), do i need the same space as the original location?...

cookie1977

Depends on the software but it's probably not going to compress by 50%. Syncback can back up compressed or uncompressed. I back up uncompressed as I still access the data and have plenty of storage space

chin_grin

If you have a persistent usb plugged in (always on). I'd recommend using Cobian Backup to automate copying certain files/folders to it.

http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm


You just set up a wizard to select the folders you want to backup and the time you want to run it and you're done.

Although +1 on the dropbox backup. You can synch folders using that too (any changes made locally will be saved to your dropbox cloud store).

Ambika10

chughes wrote: »

I notice that there are a number of websites that offer free downloads of backup software. I want to backup word documents, spreadsheets, etc, on a regular basis to either an external hard drive or a usb key.

Have any of you used any of these downloads and is there any you'd recommend.

Thanks in advance.

Buy using Vembu StoreGrid backup software you can achieve your requirements. You can configure the backup from every few hours and run daily and weekly.

Overheal

Pogoplug is a brilliant and undervalued product, can be got very cheaply in shops and allows you to remotely access a storage drive in your home via the web.

In general though I use Windows Skydrive. 25GB free storage that you can integrate as a network drive in windows explorer, plus Office 2010 integrates almost seamlessly with it. Files can be added to the drive with drag and drop. Access the files on any web browser, anywhere, and it looks like a windows folder, acts like a windows folder, and you can view your office files right there in most cases with or without office installed (still need office to edit and print)

JustAddWater

I use fbackup (http://www.fbackup.com) and I have to say it's excellent. It lets you backup to a .bak file and restore from it if you need but also backs up by copying the files. Works great with my NAS drive Its easily scheduled and its very easy to include/exclude files by extension or location and loads more than I actually need It's free so happy days!

Rjoleeny

So the free backup software. What 's your main purpose by using backup software. If it is only involves simple data backup restore. Why not use the built-in backup solutions in Windows. Some complained for it is buggy and often end up with errors.
But I think it's ok for some very simple backup jobs. Now I am using easeus todo backup. I find it on the Download.cnet with top download. So far, find no any inconvenience. You may check it out at its website: www.todo-backup.com