So what's the difference

[redsdad]

I use a flash drive for storing files Tom. Much quicker, much easier to use.  mines 256mb. I seem to have put loads of stuff on it and I've used 9%. Put an Icon on your desktop to access it and you can drag files to it.
redsdad

[Colchester Kev]

There ya go Tom ...should have just asked ya Dad in the first place.

[Rod Paradise]

The flashdrives are about £20 for 2M now if you shop around.

Tom I've a 1M that I've stopped using since I upgraded to 2M, you're welcome to it if you want.

[RED-DOG]

I have a programme on my computer called "NTI Backup now 3" (I've never used it) apparently you insert some kind of storage medium and it backs up everything, use it again the following month and it just adds the new stuff.

I would surmise that you need a fair bit of storage space for it to work properly though.


PS- Hello dad!! 

[Rod Paradise]

I have a programme on my computer called "NTI Backup now 3" (I've never used it) apparently you insert some kind of storage medium and it backs up everything, use it again the following month and it just adds the new stuff.

I would surmise that you need a fair bit of storage space for it to work properly though.


PS- Hello dad!! 

I think the additional Hard Drive someone's already mentioned is your best bet then some of the cheaper ones are here: http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/793/xx/0-88/101/9/criteresn.html

The programme you're using will backup to the drive (connects using USB2/Firewire). Also if you want to take work away with you it's reasonably portable (if you an get use of another computer wherever you're going).

[AceofWands]

I have a programme on my computer called "NTI Backup now 3" (I've never used it) apparently you insert some kind of storage medium and it backs up everything, use it again the following month and it just adds the new stuff.

I would surmise that you need a fair bit of storage space for it to work properly though.


PS- Hello dad!! 

For complete system backups using apps like NTI/Ghost/Acronis you are better off using an external hard drive.  You can then use it to back up more than one computer.  You can buy really massive drives relatively cheaply now.

[TightPaulFolds]

Be careful about USB storage sticks, they vary in reliability and speed.
Much much handier than burning DVDs though.

[happybhoy]

Dunno if you've got one, but you can use an ipod as an external hard drive as well

[TightPaulFolds]

I use a flash drive for storing files Tom. Much quicker, much easier to use.  mines 256mb. I seem to have put loads of stuff on it and I've used 9%. Put an Icon on your desktop to access it and you can drag files to it.
redsdad

my friend was wondering roughly how many pictures of anna kournikova you could get on a 256mb stick?

[taximan007]

I use a flash drive for storing files Tom. Much quicker, much easier to use.  mines 256mb. I seem to have put loads of stuff on it and I've used 9%. Put an Icon on your desktop to access it and you can drag files to it.
redsdad

my friend was wondering roughly how many pictures of anna kournikova you could get on a 256mb stick?

 

[RichEO]

I have a programme on my computer called "NTI Backup now 3" (I've never used it) apparently you insert some kind of storage medium and it backs up everything, use it again the following month and it just adds the new stuff.

I would surmise that you need a fair bit of storage space for it to work properly though.

If you want to carry data around with you then a USB stick is fantastic. If you want to backup data and leave it on the shelf then DVD everytime. You do not need to buy 100.... you can just buy 1 or 10 or 25 (best value).

You can get a 2 GB stick for about £10 from ebuyer, 25 DVDs for about £5. +P&P.

I have no experience with NTI backup now 3, but if it can split the backups accross several DVDs then it will be useful. Are you just trying to make a backup of everything on your PC? In the case of a catastrophic failure you usually need to reinstall windows and the backup program before you can restore the backups, so make sure you have a copy of the program or the backups may be of no use.

The way I would suggest to backup is to just copy all your important docs and pics onto a DVD (or 2). There is no need to actually backup windows and all your programs as you can reinstall these if there is a failure (it will take more time, but it is an unlikely event after all). If you want to have a backup that occurs automatically you will pretty much need to get a hard drive, and I would advise an external one for backups as in case of fire you can grab that rather than the whole PC or if there is a theft it may get left behind (here's hoping), or of course you could store it somewhere safe like a safe.

But, sticking everything on a DVD is the easiest and cheapest option.

[RED-DOG]

I have a programme on my computer called "NTI Backup now 3" (I've never used it) apparently you insert some kind of storage medium and it backs up everything, use it again the following month and it just adds the new stuff.

I would surmise that you need a fair bit of storage space for it to work properly though.

If you want to carry data around with you then a USB stick is fantastic. If you want to backup data and leave it on the shelf then DVD everytime. You do not need to buy 100.... you can just buy 1 or 10 or 25 (best value).

You can get a 2 GB stick for about £10 from ebuyer, 25 DVDs for about £5. +P&P.

I have no experience with NTI backup now 3, but if it can split the backups accross several DVDs then it will be useful. Are you just trying to make a backup of everything on your PC? In the case of a catastrophic failure you usually need to reinstall windows and the backup program before you can restore the backups, so make sure you have a copy of the program or the backups may be of no use.

The way I would suggest to backup is to just copy all your important docs and pics onto a DVD (or 2). There is no need to actually backup windows and all your programs as you can reinstall these if there is a failure (it will take more time, but it is an unlikely event after all). If you want to have a backup that occurs automatically you will pretty much need to get a hard drive, and I would advise an external one for backups as in case of fire you can grab that rather than the whole PC or if there is a theft it may get left behind (here's hoping), or of course you could store it somewhere safe like a safe.

But, sticking everything on a DVD is the easiest and cheapest option.

"The way I would suggest to backup is to just copy all your important docs and pics onto a DVD (or 2)."

On balance, I think this will be the best/easiest option for me.

Thanks to everyone, you're all so knowledgeable.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice

[Irishdenis]

Hi Red,

I have put some blank disks in my car for you. Remind me when I see you. When you do your back up you need to make sure you have saved things in the right library etc. Lots of folks keep things in outlook etc but these will not save automatically. Address books contacts etc.
Long term you need an external hard drive. You can then mirror your own drive and should you have a failure it will be much easier. I will see what we have here and let you know.

[RED-DOG]

Hi Red,

I have put some blank disks in my car for you. Remind me when I see you. When you do your back up you need to make sure you have saved things in the right library etc. Lots of folks keep things in outlook etc but these will not save automatically. Address books contacts etc.
Long term you need an external hard drive. You can then mirror your own drive and should you have a failure it will be much easier. I will see what we have here and let you know.

Wow, free stuff!!! always the best solution. Thanks Denis, you're making a nice lad.