[SOLVED] What is my best backup options?

[VERSION_1583]

Hi,

I was wondering what backup options people use to backup their files for their Home PC, and what my best option should be.

I would like to back up everything in my PC at least once, then selectively backup folders. I tried using OneDrive, but the backup speed was very slow and some folders were unable to be backup due to having too much folders in them (?). Is there any other cloud services or options you would recommend?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I also have an 2.5" HDD Adaptor to access my old hard drive. I would prefer to backup my data to cloud but if necessary I don't mind backing up onto another Drive. But what kind of secondary storage should I get (cheap/mid-range)?

 

[RealBeast]

A local backup drive is nice, but adding cloud storage with a reliable vendor is a very solid choice.
I personally have a large storage array online, a backup array offline, and use cloud for very important stuff. Very important stuff needs to be somewhere else, fires/floods/tornados/local disasters should be considered for irreplaceable data.

 

[VERSION_1583]

Thank you for your reply. Do you have any recommendation of online back up services?

 

[hotaru.hino]

You should follow the 3-2-1 rule:

• 3 copies of the data
• 2 physically separate storage devices (i.e., don't have the copies on the same device or media)
• 1 stored offsite

In my case I do:

• 1 copy in a NAS, 1 copy in a offline external drive, 1 copy in the cloud
• The above satisfied the two physically separate storage devices
• The copy in the cloud satisfies one being offsite

For the cloud storage provider, I use iDrive, because it offers client side encryption. That is, the data I actually send to the servers is encrypted, so they don't know what I'm storing. There are services that also do this like Backblaze, but I went with iDrive on what various sites recommended.

I used to do Google Drive since they had a cheap 100GB plan since that's all I really needed for the cloud. But Google being Google, I zipped up my stuff in a password locked archive file before sending it off.

 

[VERSION_1583]

That sounds like a very good plan. I'll also check out iDrive and Blackblaze then

 

[A2D3RS0N]

1. IDrive Personal. The best cloud storage service overall. ...
2. Backblaze. The best value in cloud storage services. ...
3. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office. The best cloud storage service for power users. ...
4. CrashPlan for Small Business. Specifications. ...
5. SpiderOak One. ...
6. Carbonite Safe.

The above was copied from TOMS guide. I have to site information...
The cheapest long term backup is buying a drive and copy everything you can way faster and unplug it from your PC or cloning a drive can take days and if it fails using command prompt to fix the drive takes less than 10min but can be a pain if your bad at following directions and spelling. I note this make sure you have the drive converted to a removable drive if you make the choice of buying a HDD for backup and unplug, or purchase a external drive for backups.

 

[yokochanie]

Hi,

I was wondering what backup options people use to backup their files for their Home PC, and what my best option should be.


I use two external hard drives. One week i back up to one, the next week the other. I use Acronis 2019 which does the back ups for me when i tell it to. After five different versions of the back up it will start all over. I simply click one button and off it goes. No worries, no effort.
At the same time i have a two year plan with BackBlaze. They are the best value imho. So as i work it constantly backs up for me. They are expensive if you need to restore from them or else free if you use the web, but that can take a very long time. Luckily I have never had a problem since my first computer (1997) where i lost everything. But having now said that I am sure tomorrow...

 

[VERSION_1583]

Thank you for the cloud service recommendations. After hearing from everyone's replies, I now plan on using both a external HDD to backup entire PC, as well as cloud storage to backup most important files only.

 

[VERSION_1583]

Yeah. Seems like everyone is recommending BackBlaze and I don't argue. The price does seem to be a very good deal.

 

[yokochanie]

They sometimes offer a two year plan which is a lot cheap then two one year payments. Also you can try them for 15 days to see what they are like.

 

[VERSION_1583]

They sometimes offer a two year plan which is a lot cheap then two one year payments. Also you can try them for 15 days to see what they are like.

Thank you, I'll sign up for the 15 days and cancel renewal at end to see if they give a offer