Best way to backup HD - Second HD or DVDs?

[John123]

Hi,

I need a way to backup my 120GB HD (filled to approximately 50%). I want to
backup the complete image of the HD, so that if it crashes I will be able to
restore everything to the exact state it was in at the time the last backup
was made.

Now I'd like to get you input on which method is the preferred way of
handling this:

1. Buy a second 120GB HD, and just copy the drive image from drive 1 to
drive 2. To me, it sounds like this solution will still have the risk of a
drive crashing during the backup operation which will leave both drives in a
bad state.

2. Use DVD-RW discs, and backup the HD image on those. This will probably be
a lot slower than option 1. But maybe there is some kind of incremental
backup program, so that you only need to make a complete backup once. Then
when it's time for backup again, you only need to store the changes since
the time of the complete backup?

Finally, are the HD image backup programs intelligent enough to not backup
the parts of the HD that don't contain any data? Today my HD is only filled
to 50%, so I'd like to avoid backing up the unused parts of the drive.

 

[Rod Speed]

I need a way to backup my 120GB HD (filled to approximately 50%).
I want to backup the complete image of the HD, so that if it crashes
I will be able to restore everything to the exact state it was in at the
time the last backup was made.

Using image backups for that has some downsides over real backup.

Now I'd like to get you input on which method
is the preferred way of handling this:

1. Buy a second 120GB HD, and just copy the drive image
from drive 1 to drive 2. To me, it sounds like this solution
will still have the risk of a drive crashing during the backup
operation which will leave both drives in a bad state.

And its possible for the power supply to
kill both drives at once when failing too.

It also doesnt protect you against the PC
being stolen, or the house burning down etc.

2. Use DVD-RW discs, and backup the HD image on
those. This will probably be a lot slower than option 1.
Yes.

But maybe there is some kind of incremental backup program,
so that you only need to make a complete backup once.

Yes, any of the real backup programs can do that,
and some of the image backup programs can too.

Then when it's time for backup again, you only need to
store the changes since the time of the complete backup?

Yep, and that can be done automatically say overnight too.

And you arent likely to lose both the original hard drive
and the backup on DVDs if you keep at least one copy
of the DVDs out of the house, say at work etc.

Finally, are the HD image backup programs intelligent enough
to not backup the parts of the HD that don't contain any data?

Yes, and they can optionally compress the image too.

Today my HD is only filled to 50%, so I'd like to
avoid backing up the unused parts of the drive.

Sure, all the decent image programs only backup data, not free space.

 

[John123]

Using image backups for that has some downsides over real backup.



And its possible for the power supply to
kill both drives at once when failing too.

It also doesnt protect you against the PC
being stolen, or the house burning down etc.


Yes, any of the real backup programs can do that,
and some of the image backup programs can too.


Yep, and that can be done automatically say overnight too.

And you arent likely to lose both the original hard drive
and the backup on DVDs if you keep at least one copy
of the DVDs out of the house, say at work etc.


Yes, and they can optionally compress the image too.


Sure, all the decent image programs only backup data, not free space.

Thanks for your advise Rod. I'll go for the DVD option. It might take a
little longer to do the backups, but since I won't be doing backups that
often and since it seems to be a safer than using a second HD I think it's
the right way to go.

 

[Stan]

If the machine\disc is of paramount importance, perhaps the use of a
Mirror Raid should be considered and this operated in a machine backed
up with UPS. Then when one drive goes down the other can carry on
whilst the faulty drive is replaced and the UPS would permit a safe
close down if the normal Power Supply fails.

With reliance was placed solely on simple copying, there seems to be
too many scenarios where the disc could fail and there would not be an
identical copy in existence.

It might be wise to consider exactly what is so important. If it is
the data produced, which is often irreplaceable, it should be stored
on a physically separate hard disc to the OS. As a backup, a third
hard disc\removable hard disc and\or copied to removable media ad
infinitum.

The OS and Programs can all be reinstalled and only present a time
hurdle to cross before being up and running.

The alternatives to this require considerable preparation prior to the
disaster occurring, but information on any shortcuts will be most
welcome.

Best regards,

Stan

 

[Knack]

Hi,

I need a way to backup my 120GB HD (filled to approximately 50%). I want to
backup the complete image of the HD, so that if it crashes I will be able to
restore everything to the exact state it was in at the time the last backup
was made.

Now I'd like to get you input on which method is the preferred way of
handling this:

1. Buy a second 120GB HD, and just copy the drive image from drive 1 to
drive 2. To me, it sounds like this solution will still have the risk of a
drive crashing during the backup operation which will leave both drives in a
bad state.

2. Use DVD-RW discs, and backup the HD image on those. This will probably be
a lot slower than option 1. But maybe there is some kind of incremental
backup program, so that you only need to make a complete backup once. Then
when it's time for backup again, you only need to store the changes since
the time of the complete backup?

Finally, are the HD image backup programs intelligent enough to not backup
the parts of the HD that don't contain any data? Today my HD is only filled
to 50%, so I'd like to avoid backing up the unused parts of the drive.

If you're really serious about disaster recovery, then here's a practical
and low cost solution, that will back up your system very thoroughly and
rapidly. Much faster than backups to any removable media, and with far fewer
errors. Who needs the nuisance of time wasting CD/DVD burning errors?

1) If your computer doesn't support USB2, then get a USB2 PCI card for $11
with free shipping
http://us-depot.com/as5pousbpcic.html

2) Buy not one, but *two* additional 120 GB (with 8MB buffer) 3.5" 7200 RPM
IDE *internal* HDDs for only $100 each with free shipping
http://us-depot.com/frshsest12ul.html

3) Buy *two* USB2 external HDD enclosures for 3.5" IDE HDD for $66 each with
free shipping http://us-depot.com/kiusb20sial3.html

4) Buy only one USB2 cable for $7 http://us-depot.com/usb20tobcable.html

Put each of the internal HDDs in its own enclosure. Notice how these rugged
aluminum enclosures include their own external power supply adapters, have
cooling fins on four sides, and have vented endcaps.

Use one external HDD arrangement as a disk-to-disk clone backup using Ghost
2003; perhaps once a month. It will duplicate your working HDD, including
the OS, programs installations and data.

And use the other external HDD arrangement for data file backup only; on a
frequent basis; perhaps daily. Use a file backup program in conjunction with
this HDD so that you archive only those data files that have been modified
since the last backup. You will later be able to restore from whatever file
date you choose.

If your computer's HDD should ever fail, then you can replace it with the
cloned HDD and then update its files with the selected files restored from
the other HDD that gets frequent backups of its modified files.

Be sure to disconnect the external HDDs when not in use and place them in a
cabinet drawer located far away from your computer, so that they will not
become stolen with your computer or damaged by whatever natural disaster
damages your computer.

Alternate for #3 is a great value for $69 each because it also includes USB2
cloning software and USB2 cable (no need for #4). Although enclosure has no
cooling fins, it does have an internal fan. Has external power adapter too.
http://www.apricorn.com/product_details.php?ID=332

 

[Knack]

Hi,

I need a way to backup my 120GB HD (filled to approximately 50%). I want to
backup the complete image of the HD, so that if it crashes I will be able to
restore everything to the exact state it was in at the time the last backup
was made.

Now I'd like to get you input on which method is the preferred way of
handling this:

1. Buy a second 120GB HD, and just copy the drive image from drive 1 to
drive 2. To me, it sounds like this solution will still have the risk of a
drive crashing during the backup operation which will leave both drives in a
bad state.

2. Use DVD-RW discs, and backup the HD image on those. This will probably be
a lot slower than option 1. But maybe there is some kind of incremental
backup program, so that you only need to make a complete backup once. Then
when it's time for backup again, you only need to store the changes since
the time of the complete backup?

Finally, are the HD image backup programs intelligent enough to not backup
the parts of the HD that don't contain any data? Today my HD is only filled
to 50%, so I'd like to avoid backing up the unused parts of the drive.

Imaging involves data compression, but you don't get data compression for
nothing; it costs you time. So a disk-to-disk cloning backup is faster than
a disk-to-image backup operation, even if the imaging is done between HDDs.
Imaging from HDD to CD or DVD is far slower than between HDDs, and is prone
to additional errors. Remember too that recovery via a cloned HDD entails
only replacing of the working HDD, whereas recovery via imaging requires a
restore operation with software, so add still more possible errors to
recovery via imaging. Thus cloning to a HDD (of identicle size) is faster
and more dependable than imaging to either HDD, CD or DVD.

RAID by itself is useful only for HDD failure; it's useless for restoring
files that have been corrupted. So with RAID you would still need a separate
file backup subsystem. It has the advantage over cloning in that there is no
periodic administrative maintenance task to do; it's automatic. It used to
be that system performance of RAID was significantly slower than nonRAID,
but I'm uncertain whether or not that's still true today. For recovery with
RAID a little bit of know-how is required; you must have a fault tolerant
boot diskette. Cloning is more disaster proof than RAID because a cloned HDD
can be kept a safe distance from a stolen or damaged computer.

 

[Peter]

I do not know how "mission critical" is your PC, but on average I
would advise to do the following:
1. You probably have another PC and network at your place. Buy cheap
120GB internal IDE drive for that second PC. Create a network share
for that disk on second PC. If you do not have second PC or network,
just install that drive in your primary PC.
2. Use disk imaging tool (like Ghost). It allows to transfer images
compressed to any other network (or local) drive. Run your backup from
a custom made floppy or CD. It will transfer the whole image
UNATTENDED, with a good speed. You can do that after you finish your
daily work. Speed could be up to 600-700MB/min (50% of 120GB = 60GB /
600MB/min = 1hr40min). Not sure if you will be willing to spend
60GB/4.5GB = 14 DVDRW * 25min (2.4x) = 5hr50min sitting there and
swapping DVDRW's.

A single USB external HD is good too, but possibly a more expensive
solution.

Peter
[All opinions expressed above are my private opinions]