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    Questions about backing up to an external HD

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by davidt1, Jan 24, 2010.

  1. davidt1

    davidt1 Notebook Evangelist

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    I need to know if I am on the right track with this idea I have. I want to buy an HD enclosure and a SATA drive (that's what is in my laptop) to:

    1. Back up the laptop HD to do a restore in case of a virus infection or OS failure.

    2. Clone the laptop HD to replace the HD in case of a HD failure.

    3. To use as an external drive.

    I will be carrying this external hard drive with me as a 3-in-1 external drive. I appreciate all comments and suggestions. Thanks.

    Also, is there any encryption software that lets me lock the drive with a password? Thanks.
     
    davidt1, Jan 24, 2010
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  2. Amnesiac

    Amnesiac 404

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    Well, if you are trying to clone the drive, you will need imaging software, and the program I would recommend is Acronis True Image, and maybe Norton Ghost 2003, anything after that version apparently sucks.
     
    Amnesiac, Jan 24, 2010
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  3. davidt1

    davidt1 Notebook Evangelist

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    I have an old version of the Acronis software, designed for Windows 98, I think. Amazingly, it still works with Vista. Saves me from buying something new. Any suggestion for an security software to lock the external drive?
     
    davidt1, Jan 24, 2010
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  4. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    Windows 7 has very nice automated backup and imaging capabilities built in, so you won't need extra software. Vista also has it, but it's not quite as powerful.

    TrueCrypt is a good, free drive encryption tool.
     
    MidnightSun, Jan 24, 2010
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