Can anyone recommend a simple backup system?

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

I have bought two in the last month. All I want is what "Click-Free" used to do . . . backup and restore. It seems as though these drives attempt to do anything and everything, and I'm not in need of that.

One of them backs up continuously and there is no way to turn that off other than to disconnect the drive.

I was in bad shape all last week because of a "Rogue" malware/ransomware attack. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say nothing was working right, and I was being verbally threatened with total data loss whenever I opened certain websites (which kept changing). Of course I pulled the plug quickly each time I heard it, and fortunately in time.

I had a tech come in who did a good job using anti-Rogue software and Malwarebytes.

Now I want a clean backup and I can't seem to get it. I am using Kaspersky for regular virus protection, and am scheduling my own Malwarebytes download for next week. The one he put on my computer only lasts 10 days. I really can't afford it, but obviously I need it.

Can anyone recommend a quick and easy backup system (I don't want to use the "cloud").

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

Ah the troubles of PC this is why I have only had Mac's for 20+ years

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

VaBelle35 · ‎03-10-2010

I didn't realize Click Free went out of business.

I love mine and only used it to move stuff from one laptop to another.

I'll be interested to hear recommendations as well.

===================================
QVC Shopper - 1993

# IAMTEAMWEN

terra · ‎03-14-2010

I don't know if this will help you, but we bought a portable backup system from Dell (all of our computers are Dell), and it works great. We have used it to transfer data from one computer to another several times, and we have never had a problem. Also use it once a week for backing up all of our computers. I think the cost was around $70, but can't remember for sure. You might want to check with the maker of your computer to see if they have portable backup systems, or you can even check with dell to see if it would work on your system. Hope this helps you.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@terrawrote:
I don't know if this will help you, but we bought a portable backup system from Dell (all of our computers are Dell), and it works great. We have used it to transfer data from one computer to another several times, and we have never had a problem. Also use it once a week for backing up all of our computers. I think the cost was around $70, but can't remember for sure. You might want to check with the maker of your computer to see if they have portable backup systems, or you can even check with dell to see if it would work on your system. Hope this helps you.

@terra

I have all Dells also, buy directly from them so I can decide on the components. I use a desktop now (back to basics) and an account with them that is finance charge free as long as one pays within a certain time frame. I have never paid one cent of finance charges!

I should have thought to call them for a backup system. Thanks for reminding me . . . I will call them today!

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

jaxs mom · ‎04-18-2012

It's much better to have it continuously and automatically back up, as it will provide you with the most up to date backup of your hard drive.

Don't Change Your Authenticity for Approval

glb613 · ‎03-09-2010

Many external hard drives comes with a backup program you can install on your computer. Be advised, when you use a backup program, no matter which one, you need the program to restore the backup. So, if you change computers and the operating system isn't compatible with the backup program, you won't be able to transfer or restore your data. There were several posts years ago from people who used Click Free, bought a new computer and couldn't use it to restore their data due to incompatibility.

When you use a backup program, you have to restore everything or nothing. This is true with all backup programs or utilities. I have many backups made through Time Machine on my Macs. There is no way to restore a single document or photo using the backup. It's why I also use the drag and drop method with my external drives and iCloud. If I need a particular document, I can find it.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@glb613wrote:
Many external hard drives comes with a backup program you can install on your computer. Be advised, when you use a backup program, no matter which one, you need the program to restore the backup. So, if you change computers and the operating system isn't compatible with the backup program, you won't be able to transfer or restore your data. There were several posts years ago from people who used Click Free, bought a new computer and couldn't use it to restore their data due to incompatibility.

When you use a backup program, you have to restore everything or nothing. This is true with all backup programs or utilities. I have many backups made through Time Machine on my Macs. There is no way to restore a single document or photo using the backup. It's why I also use the drag and drop method with my external drives and iCloud. If I need a particular document, I can find it.

@glb613

But this is exactly what I want!! I WANT a backup and restore program to back up everything and restore everything. I don't want to pick and choose.

The Seagate I bought was impossible for me to set up exactly because of that. All kinds of options. It was confusing and I obviously did it all wrong. It is now stuck on "continuously" for backing up and will not change to just a one time full backup at my discretion. If I plug it in, it just starts backing up. It backed up numerous times to fill the 1 TB capacity of the CD in one week (I have nowhere near 1 TB of data) and I can't get it to delete back to the beginning so I can reset it up. I have given up on it.

I was once very knowledgeable (I ran a computer department for a CPA firm with two servers and 36 workstations). However, that was over 14 years ago and the technology has changed so much I no longer recognize it.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

@jaxs momwrote:
It's much better to have it continuously and automatically back up, as it will provide you with the most up to date backup of your hard drive.

@jaxs mom

Unfortunately, once it's full, it no longer does anything. So I have multiple copies of a week's worth of data, which I don't want. [See my response to glb613]. I am unable to delete any of it, so it's useless to me for future weekly or monthly backups.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986