Question Backing up your PC ?

[Hasselblad]

I have always, from the early days before Windows, backed up on a regular basis.

First tape drives, then Windows Backup both in DOS and Windows.

The usual advice in business was, three regular backups x 2, one copy at work one at a safe location

1. Backup daily
2. Backup weekly
3. Backup monthly

However I was wondering how/when/what you all backup now and, more importantly, to what ?

Thanks

 

[USAFRet]

I have always from the early days before windows, backed up on a regular basis.

First tape drives, then windows backup both in DOS and windows.

The usual advice in business was, three regular backups x 2, one copy at work one at a safe location

1. Backup daily
2. Backup weekly
3. Backup Monthly

However I was wondering how/when/what you all backup now and more importantly to what

Thanks

I use Macrium Reflect.
(yes, it costs actual money)

Full image, followed by a rolling series of nightly Incremental. Each physical drive individually.
This goes to a folder tree on my NAS. With backups of all the other systems in the house.

Weekly, that space gets copied to another section of my NAS.

Quarterly (this weekend), that whole thing gets copied to a couple of HDD. These will go in a locked drawer in my office at work.

What is your backup situation at home?

What is your backup situation at home? And if you don't do that, why not? Every single day, I read multiple threads here of "How do I get my stuff back?" or "That drive had 5 years of photos of my kids!!" Be it a dead drive, dropped phone, virus, accidental deletion, formatting the wrong...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[Hasselblad]

I use Macrium Reflect.
(yes, it costs actual money)

Full image, followed by a rolling series of nightly Incremental. Each physical drive individually.
This goes to a folder tree on my NAS. With backups of all the other systems in the house.

Weekly, that space gets copied to another section of my NAS.

Quarterly (this weekend), that whole thing gets copied to a couple of HDD. These will go in a locked drawer in my office at work.

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/what-is-your-backup-situation-at-home.2997205/[/UR

Thanks, Ill download the free trial now

 

[JeffreyP55]

I have always from the early days before windows, backed up on a regular basis.

First tape drives, then windows backup both in DOS and windows.

The usual advice in business was, three regular backups x 2, one copy at work one at a safe location

1. Backup daily
2. Backup weekly
3. Backup Monthly

However I was wondering how/when/what you all backup now and more importantly to what

Thanks

I have been using Acronis fo many years. Also pay to play.. I do use Macrium free for older builds.

Cybersecurity & Data Protection Solutions - Acronis

Acronis provides award-winning backup software & data protection solutions for consumers, businesses & MSPs. Protect your sensitive information!

www.acronis.com

 

[Hasselblad]

What do people backup and how often ?

 

[JeffreyP55]

What do people backup and how often ?

I have very little critical data. Once of week for me. Your mileage may vary.
However I backup the backups. One internal NVMe M.2 drive, one external USB NVMe M.2 drive. USB4 the M.2 drives (Two PC's) are pretty spunky @ 1096 MB/s read 1080 MB/s write.

https://imgur.com/a/IHN56Wl

View: https://imgur.com/a/IHN56Wl

 

[garioch7]

@Hasselblad ,

I create full system images every Friday of both of my computers, and also backup the data on my smartphone. Those backups are stored offline on WD external drives, connected only long enough to create the full system images. Important personal files, not programs, are backed up when they are modified to my Proton Drive on a continuous basis between weekly system images, and it also has a copy of my weekly phone backup.

I also have USB recovery boot drives for both of my Easeus Todo Backup Home product (lifetime licenses with free updates), and Macrium Reflect, Version 8. I have did not upgrade to Version X because it went subscription-only.

Ransomware and other malware cannot infect programs and data on disconnected drives. I am unable to do offsite backups, so I store the drives in a fireproof safe in the basement.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

 

[CountMike]

https://www.hasleo.com/ is fine and free backup software,in some aspects even better than others.
I set it up to do daily incremental backups of whole OS SSD and SSD dedicated to hold work in progress. Once you make initial full disk backup it records only changes made since last incremental backup and it takes just few minutes.

 

[Misgar]

First tape drives, then Windows Backup both in DOS and Windows.

I'm still using tape. I must be on the 5th tape format by now, starting with C90 cassettes and ending up on LTO (Linear Tape Open).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_Tape-Open

I like LTO as insurance against Ransomware. Click the write-protect tab and data is relatively safe from viruses and of course they're off-line most of the time. Takes a while to restore, but so what?

I also save to four RAID-Z2 TrueNAS Core servers and individual CMR hard disks in desktop PCs. I abandoned eleven USB3 3.5" desktop drives in 2020 because they run too hot and use SMR drives. I've also stopped using 25GB Blu-ray.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

TBH, I'd say the answers are different for practically ever user. In my use case, which is purely a gaming machine and a little bit of surfing on it. I have hardly anything on my PC worth backing up or needs backing up, other than it's current state. I've a full back up of my OS and games on one internal drive, and one external drive (2 backups in total). I only back up if I feel I've made substantial changes, so that could be weeks or months.

Good question though. I'd be interested to hear more from other users 👍

 

[Bob.B]

TBH, I'd say the answers are different for practically ever user. In my use case, which is purely a gaming machine and a little bit of surfing on it. I have hardly anything on my PC worth backing up or needs backing up, other than it's current state. I've a full back up of my OS and games on one internal drive, and one external drive (2 backups in total). I only back up if I feel I've made substantial changes, so that could be weeks or months.

Good question though. I'd be interested to hear more from other users 👍

Yep there is no one size fits all.

Real time/hourly/daily/weekly/monthly/yearly.......never.
It's what ever floats your boat.

 

[garioch7]

Real time/hourly/daily/weekly/monthly/yearly.......never.
It's what ever floats your boat.

In my opinion, "Never" is a game of Russian roulette, unless the contents of the drive are of no value whatsoever. Hardware fails eventually, period. Malware infections, and new variants, are a constant threat, as is the principle liability: the interface between the keyboard and the chair. Some people are very knowledgeable and exercise prudent discretion when examining emails and links, but others, no so knowledgeable, just have to click . . .

Software piracy and torrents are two major attack vectors for malware.

From my perspective, if you don't have a sound backup strategy, then you don't care about your computer and its contents. In my role as a Malware Removal Specialist, I have seen too many lose years of irreplaceable data for the lack of a cogent backup strategy. Even a suite of the most reputable anti-virus and anti-malware programs cannot protect all computers, all of the time.

This post is just an expression of my personal opinion, based on my experience. I have no wish to denigrate anyone, but I do find the suggestion that no backup strategy is a viable option for people at all concerned about the content on their computers.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Bob.B]

In my opinion, "Never" is a game of Russian roulette, unless the contents of the drive are of no value whatsoever. Hardware fails eventually, period. Malware infections, and new variants, are a constant threat, as is the principle liability: the interface between the keyboard and the chair. Some people are very knowledgeable and exercise prudent discretion when examining emails and links, but others, no so knowledgeable, just have to click . . .

Software piracy and torrents are two major attack vectors for malware.

From my perspective, if you don't have a sound backup strategy, then you don't care about your computer and its contents. In my role as a Malware Removal Specialist, I have seen too many lose years of irreplaceable data for the lack of a cogent backup strategy. Even a suite of the most reputable anti-virus and anti-malware programs cannot protect all computers, all of the time.

This post is just an expression of my personal opinion, based on my experience. I have no wish to denigrate anyone, but I do find the suggestion that no backup strategy is a viable option for people at all concerned about the content on their computers.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

Users who chose "never" keep the data recovery houses busy.

 

[garioch7]

Users who chose "never" keep the data recovery houses busy.

I am glad to hear that we are on the "same page." 👍

Unfortunately, many ransomware variants cannot be decrypted, so the data recovery houses are unable to assist, not to mention that they are far more expensive than investing in a good external hard drive and reputable imaging software.

Moreover, in many cases of sudden HD or SSD failures, particularly those related to electrical surges, result in serious file corruption, so the original files can never be recovered intact. 😢

Have a great day, @Bob.B .

Regards,
Phil

 

[Misgar]

Moreover, in many cases of sudden HD or SSD failures, particularly those related to electrical surges, result in serious file corruption, so the original files can never be recovered intact.

If an electrical surge hits your computer whilst it's backing up to an external USB drive, does that mean both copies of your files could be zapped?

Of course ransomware could corrupt your backup files when the external drive is connected. Best to disconnect it after backing up. An air gap is more difficult to cross.

I keep multiple copies on different machines, plus LTO tapes with the write-protect tab clicked over.

 

[garioch7]

@Misgar ,

I presume that the computer and any connected peripherals could be damaged by a serious electrical surge. I have mitigated that possibility by always using an APC 1500 UPS unit.

I do have multiple backup copies as well, on different external hard drives, no two of which are ever connected at the same time as each other.

The other unforeseen advantage of my APC 1500 UPS was that one morning it detected an over-voltage situation coming into the house. It started making a racket and stabilizing the voltage to the computer. I confirmed the over-voltage situation with my multi-meter. I was getting 137 V, instead of 118 - 124 V. I investigated. The culprit, a line transformer on the outside post has failed. To continue working, I turned on my Kohler 12 kW generator, and switched to it. The transformer was removed that evening by the power company. Once the power company had repaired the problem, I switched back to utility power.

I also have two smaller APC UPS units protecting my home entertainment system. They too raised a ruckus that morning, so I unplugged everything there.

UPS units are a great investment!

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Misgar]

one morning it detected an over-voltage situation coming into the house.

My 1500VA APC exhibited the same function last week when the mains exceeded 245V.

At a relative's house a few years ago, the Belkin UPS was switching in a 20V reduction when the mains input exceeded 253V (the supposed limit). I asked the electricty supply company for help and they sent a data logger plug which ran for 24 hours.

They claimed the voltage did not exceed 253V for more than 5% of the 24 hour period and hence was still within spec. Despite this, they went out into the field nearby and dropped the tap on the 11kV transformer. The mains is still high but rarely exceeds 250V.

The new 1kVA APC UPS I bought to replace the Belkin still ticks in and out on over voltage at this house.

A year ago I saw a bright flash from an overhead power line and the wire dropped to the ground a few yards from my car. The electricity supplier replaced the downed line between two poles, fitted a new 630A fuse at the transformer and it blew again, taking out the other overhead line.

They checked a nearby wood discovered a tree had come down in high winds and shorted out the overhead lines. It was all fixed an hour later. This is what comes of living "out in the sticks". Luckily, the APC UPS protected the various computer systems when the power lines shorted out.

turned on my Kohler 12 kW generator, and switched to it.

An excellent idea. I've been considering a 13kVA or 20kVA 230V 50Hz generator for the house, to cover occasional 2 to 3 day power cuts that can occur when the country is hit by a major storm. Keep the freezers going and the gas central heating bolier pump, plus enough juice left over to charge the block storage heaters in winter.

 

[garioch7]

@Misgar ,

You will never regret getting a good standby generator. Here in Nova Scotia, we frequently get hit with hurricanes. In Port Hood, when I lived there, I was without power for 4 days when the 2019 Hurricane Dorian hit us. I had a 16 kW Generac standby generator in those days, purchased in 2008, with two propane tanks, sufficient for eight days, 24x7 operation, when full. Some of my neighbours were without power for two weeks. Winter storms also caused frequent, prolonged outages of more than 24 hours.

I moved to Port Hastings in 2020. I purchased the 12 kW Kohler generator with three tanks, good for almost two weeks, 24x7, if full. The 2022 Hurricane Fiona came ashore directly on top of Port Hastings, but surprisingly, we were without utility power for only 36 hours here. My sister in Charlottetown, PEI, was without power for over two weeks, and that is the capital city of PEI. She lost everything in her fridge and freezer. Fiona caused far more damage away from its storm center.

Once you have lived with the convenience of a standby generator, you can't live without one! My Kohler kicks in automatically after three (3) seconds of a loss of utility power, and spins up to operating speed within another three seconds, and you hear the transfer switch operate and switch the entire house over to the generator. I have woken up to find out that the Kohler is supplying the power because of an overnight outage. I noticed nothing.

Once the utility power is restored, the Kohler waits for a minute or two to ensure that the utility power is stable, and then transfers the electrical load from the generator to the utility power, but the Kohler keeps running for a few minutes to cool down, and then automatically shuts off.

I had the Generac for 12.5 years, but the Kohler, which is competitively priced, is a far superior generator, easier to service, and very reliable. I would never purchase a Generac again. I had expensive issues with it, including replacing the entire control unit due to water infiltration.

Just my experience, but I no longer stress, as I once did, about Hurricane season. I know that the Kohler, which I have nicknamed "Trixie", will kick in and all will be good. My heat is electric, and I am on a well, so a loss of electricity soon becomes more than just a nuisance, if prolonged. The storms are only getting worse.

Have a great day.

Regards,
Phil

 

[Misgar]

@garloch7

Thanks for the detailed response. I too was looking at automatic propane generators but would probably need a bigger (or second) tank. The gas powers half the heating, electricity the other half. I just hope we can still buy fossil fuels in 10 years time. Perhaps (a more fragile?) multi fuel system would be better.

Power cuts rarely last more than 2 to 3 days here, although some unlucky souls are without mains for up to a week. In towns and big cities with underground cables, power normally returns in a few hours. In more remote areas, thousands of 11kV overhead lines come down in the storms.

One place where I worked had a 500MW diesel generator for the whole building and started up in a few seconds. During the brief outage, a massive UPS system with rooms full of huge 6V batteries kept essential equipment running.

 

[JayGau]

I use the Windows built-in backup tools. Full system drive image and files backup once a week, file history backup every hour. Everything is sent to an external USB drive. No need to pay for third-party software.

And I do a system image with Clonezilla once in a while on another external drive that is connected only during the imaging process. So if I'm unlucky enough that something happens to both my external and system drives at the same time, I have a way to get back my system from a not so far point in time.