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Thread: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

  1. #1
    Mike Fishcake
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    Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    Looking at buying an external HDD for backing up purposes. Thing is, I've got prices for some of them - but which have the best backup software? Or is there a good cheap (or even freeware) third party piece of software for backing up?

    Basically, I can't be bothered dragging and dropping my files to and from the external HDD - I just want to plug it in and get it to back up the drives and folders I've pre-selected with a couple of clicks. Price doesn't particularly bother me, I don't mind paying £15-£20 over a cheaper drive if the backup software is worth it. USB2 or Firewire is fine.

    Oh, and I absolutely will definitely, positively not buy Maxtor drives, so that rules them out.

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    JagerBomber Mossy's Avatar
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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

    Has retrospect automatic backup

    I had the world edition NAS and the software was easy to use.
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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    If you're using Windows download SyncToy (if you have Vista x64 then there's a SyncToy 2.0 beta) from the MS website.

    It needs to be set up to tell it what to do and what directories to synchronise how but once done it'll do the sync with a couple of clicks and it's totally free.

    SyncToy v1.4

    SyncToy v2.0 Beta
    Last edited by med2003; 28-02-2008 at 02:12 PM. Reason: Added links

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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    XP wise I used a program called Smart Sync Pro, really good, very reliable and cheap. Can do lots of different back ups.

    Doesn't work with VISTA as far as I know.

    Hope it helps
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  5. #5
    Mike Fishcake
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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    Cheers for the advice so far! Currently using XP 32bit, with no plans to change yet, so that shouldn't be a problem. Ebuyer have a western digital elements drive for £60 inc delivery, I may consider that...

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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    Quote Originally Posted by Paulm@scan View Post
    Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

    Has retrospect automatic backup

    I had the world edition NAS and the software was easy to use.
    What sort of failure rate are you seeing on these because I've read quite a few comments that these drives have issues (read failures) and there's only a one year warranty on them?

    I bought this one for a customer:

    Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

    5 year warranty and very easy back up software that seems to work a treat.

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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    I have a seagate 400gb that comes with great software, i have it for sale with the drive, it has auto backup or push button backup, let me know

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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    Acronis True Image does folders as well as drives.. Just a thought. The other suggestions are good too
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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    Quote Originally Posted by med2003 View Post
    If you're using Windows download SyncToy (if you have Vista x64 then there's a SyncToy 2.0 beta) from the MS website.

    It needs to be set up to tell it what to do and what directories to synchronise how but once done it'll do the sync with a couple of clicks and it's totally free.

    SyncToy v1.4

    SyncToy v2.0 Beta
    This works fine....just set up a schedule to run it every so often and you won't even have to think about it. Plus its free
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  10. #10
    Mike Fishcake
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    Re: Looking for 500GB external hard drive, but what about automatic backup software?

    I could I've sworn I posted a followup. Anyway, got the freeagent drive, the seagate software is a bit fiddly, but SyncToy is indeed excellent. Dead easy to use, no fiddling around. A brilliantly simple (and small) piece of software. For free. From Microsoft.

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