PC Data backup easy solution?

Factual Questions
1

So last year I bought myself a new Windows 7 laptop, which on the whole I’m happy with.

However the partition and backup feature which comes built in has really narked me off. My 380GB HD was partitioned about C:\ 60%, D:\ 40%, with D:\ being used for backups in case C:\ failed. First backup fits in D:\ like a glove.

However a few days later it automatically backs up again - but instead of overwriting the old backup, it simply creates a new one - and hey presto, D:\ fills up instantly, and Windows is screaming at me to find more space.

If I’d repartitioned pretty soon I knew that would be filled up and I’d be out of space entirely!

I assume this isn’t WAD? Out of desperation I switched off backup, unpartitioned my drive and deleted the backups, which I’m now realising was probably foolhardy in the event my laptop has a major fault which I can’t repair.

What are your recommendations for backing up essential system files?

2

While it’s convenient to back up on the same disc, this offers nothing in case anything happens to that disc or the computer. I recommend backing up a clone of the disc to a separate drive. Or even use an online service.

3

Backing up to the same disk is … pretty useless. Not entirely useless, but not particularly useful either.

If you want dead-easy, I’d recommend using Mozy (if you have a small amount of data) or Carbonite (for large amounts of data). They’re both cloud services, you turn it on, it just runs in your system tray and you never think about it ever again.

4

I agree with the suggestion to use Mozy or Carbonite. But if you have access to the installation discs, you don’t really need to back up essential system files. If the system crashes, you can reinstall the OS and applications. But what you do need to back up are your personal files; documents, photos, videos, music, etc. If you do want a complete and total backup of the system that can be used to restore it, you should, as suggested, do so to an external hard drive. And for that, I recommend Acronis True Image.

5

That is generally an option you set in your backup procedure. Typical choices are overwrite the previous backup, keep x copies and overwrite the oldest one, etc.

6

Thanks for this. Where is the line between small amount and large amount?

7

50 GB, IIRC. Mozy used to offer unlimited storage, but they don’t anymore-- the thing is that Mozy’s software is (IMO at least) better than Carbonite’s.

So if you can get away with 50 GB, I’d go with Mozy. Otherwise, if you need more storage, Carbonite is going to be a better deal.