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    Need Advise on 'Easy' Home/Office storage backup.....

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Rowe, Jan 31, 2007.

  1. Rowe

    Rowe Notebook Enthusiast

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    It's a hassle keeping "My Docs" in sync on home and office desktops via flashdrives I carry in my briefcase. So, I'm getting a laptop.

    What's the easier solution to keep a backup copy at both places (in case my laptop 'crashes & burns', is damaged or stolen)? My Docs are less than 5000 pages of text only. What do I use - 2 desktops, 2 flashdrives, 2 DVDs, 2 external HDDs, etc. Help me find the most practical solution!!
     
    Rowe, Jan 31, 2007
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  2. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    The EASIEST to backup your stuffs is the flash drives. Just plug it in.

    Dvd is out, because it is requires leaving it in the drive.

    Hard drives, well thats depends on what size of the HD, 2.5" or 3.5". 3.5" cost less then 2.5" but you will have to plug to a power output. 2.5" powered by USB but it cost more then 3.5". If you are going to travel with it, I say get the 2.5". If not, 3.5".

    Both of 2.5" & 3.5" acts like the same as flash drives, but bigger storage.

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Jan 31, 2007
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  3. Rowe

    Rowe Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good Info! Flash drives will serve the purpose. I have another query. Will a flashdrive (or any backup device) detect only 'new files or changed files' contained in a folder, and leave the rest as is, or at least not ask you about each file. Eg. a folder with 100 files at start of day; you edit 12 and add 10 new, and want to back up on flash drive at end of office day.
     
    Rowe, Jan 31, 2007
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  4. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    Oh...you must meant the automatic backing up...Some hard drives do have that feature. But from my knowledge, flash drives dont. Sorry, I cant help you on this feature because I just copy the work folders from my computer and onto the external HD. Thats it. Personally, I like the manual way, rather then automatic.

    Someone hopefully have this drive and help you out.

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Jan 31, 2007
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  5. Rowe

    Rowe Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok..let's see! manual versus auto? Maybe separate small ext HDDs for home and office is the answer. If you're doing manual backup of multiple files on ext HDD, does it 'just do it' with no "do you want to replace" questions asked about individual files?
     
    Rowe, Jan 31, 2007
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  6. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    Well, if I am backing up my files to my external HD, I just click "Yes to all" to replace existing files on the external HD. Thats it.

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Jan 31, 2007
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  7. Rowe

    Rowe Notebook Enthusiast

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    That's the answer! Does "Yes to all" work for flashdrives and HDDs? If so, I can get by with a couple of 2GB flashdrives.
     
    Rowe, Jan 31, 2007
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  8. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    Yes, it will work.

    Good luck!

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Jan 31, 2007
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  9. mr_bots

    mr_bots Notebook Evangelist

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    Other than a jump drive, if you have an iPod you travel with, you can just enable disk usage on it, or an SDcard. I keep a backup of my "Class" folder (notes, homework, term papers) in My Documents, on my SDcard, my jump drive, and my iPod. I use SyncToy to sync them all. I believe Microsoft makes it, it's free, easy to use, and works great (who would have thought one could say this about a free Microsoft product).
     
    mr_bots, Jan 31, 2007
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  10. sanpabloguy

    sanpabloguy Notebook Deity

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    Check out www.u3.com. Or http://portableapps.com - don't need to buy it pre-installed on a flash drive. They have a portable backup utility on their Apps page.

    One of the apps is a synch app which you can either use as backup or use to synch between NB and DT.
     
    sanpabloguy, Jan 31, 2007
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  11. charlotte

    charlotte Notebook Evangelist

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    I use this:
    http://www.amazon.com/8GB-USB-Micro-Vault-Autosync/dp/B000E86FRA/sr=8-1/qid=1170291163/

    It has software that comes on it and installs when you ask it to. It will then update just the new files. Pretty slick. I don't know how it works on more than one computer. I just use it as my main backup for my one notebook.

    Edit: One of the reviews says this:
     
    charlotte, Jan 31, 2007
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  12. Rowe

    Rowe Notebook Enthusiast

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    Great help - Thanks to all! The human brain is such a willing slave to habit. I used 3 flash drives daily for the past 2 years, always to transfer 'individual' files; not once did I use "yes to all". Hey, sharing knowledge is key to growth!

    Great tips re 'smartdrive' software and 'autosync' drives - I'm checking them out!
     
    Rowe, Feb 1, 2007
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  13. Rowe

    Rowe Notebook Enthusiast

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    At this point, I'v had a 'shift in thinking' (thanks to your help), i.e. I don't really need to keep 3 computers 'in sync' with respect to 'my work documents'. The laptop can be 'the' main work platform along with 2 flashdrives as backup for my work. If laptop not available (lost, in for repairs), I can use the desktops or any other available computer.

    Your input 'opened up' the options. My Palm smartphone has an SD slot, sync and Bluetooth. I'll also check out the Synctoy application. I picked up a Kaser 4GB drive (was $130, on sale at $39). I'll check out the U3 software on it!

    Any more creative tips are most welcome!
     
    Rowe, Feb 2, 2007
    #13