Game backp help needed

[peter_4059]

Not sure if this is the right part of the forum but here goes.... I'm looking for some advice on what is the best way to backup game files to avoid having to download them all again. Just had a hard drive fail and after three days of downloading things are almost back to normal. Is there a more elegant solution (Steam and Origin games).

 

[popatim]

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8794-YPHV-2033

For Origin, last time I checked they had no working backup solution like Steam, you need to make sure you "Keep Installation Files" in options.
Then there are two folders you need to backup
The DIP download folder is "C:\Program Files(x86)\Origin Games". (games that don't have an installer)
The non-DIP download folder is "C:\ProgramData\Origin\DownloadCache". (games that use an installer)

 

[manofchalk]

Really depends on how much your willing to spend.


You could get another drive identical to what you have, and put it in RAID1 with the one you have. That means if there is a drive failure, you still have all of your data.
Note: This isn't really a backup, you can still lose your data through human error, software means like a virus or in some event that takes out both drives (power surge, fire, etc). It only protects against drive failure.
However much your HDD costs.

Another option is too get an external HDD, copy over everything valuable on your PC to it and keep it somewhere safe. Even if the whole PC blows up, you still have everything important on your external drive. You will need to copy over everything manually, the capacity of the drive will be a limiting factor in how much you can backup and the frequency you backup your data will dictate how old whats on the drive will be. If your working on a paper and everything goes down, your back to the point you were whenever you last backed it up.
$100 or more depending on the capacity of external drive.

Backing up to the cloud is a similar option, though will have some more automation features. It can be expensive and will be even more time consuming to upload the data to the internet. On the plus side, your whole house can blow up and you still have the data.
Depends on what service you get.

The next option would be a NAS or a backup server. Its basically a PC with storage space connected to yours by your home network, and you can backup all your data to it through the network. Should be easy to setup automatic backups.
If your computer blows up, everything should be on the NAS and it will up-to-date by a day or two.
$300 for the PC (if you have an older PC, you can use that), then add storage (which can be a lot depending on how much capacity and redundancy you want). Assuming your home network is up to it.

You can also use the NAS as a general storage area for anyone on the network, removes the need for large amounts of local storage.

 

[peter_4059]

Sounds like copying the relevant files to an external HDD is the way to go then. Bought two 1TB WD Cav Blk drives intending to try RAID1 however couldn't work out how to set it up.

 

[manofchalk]

Using a bay like this, you should just be able to stick any desktop HDD you want into it and use it as an external drive.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182223