I am running Windows XP. I have a 40gb on my laptop, with 4.28 gb of free space. I have a ton of files and no centralized backup. What is the most efficent, space and cost wise, way to backup my hard drive?
2006-09-01 10:14:22 · 8 answers · asked by mbtafan 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
With 36GB of data, you have too much to consider using CDs. I'd say get an external hard drive which connects via USB 2.0 to your laptop. (If you only have USB 1.0, it'll take a lot longer, but it's still the only reasonable way.)
These things aren't very expensive, only a little more than an external dvd drive. Last weekend I saw several of them on sale at office supply places like Staples, OfficeMax, and Office Depot.
After the backup is done, be sure you disconnect the external drive and store it some place away from the laptop. Makes sure that some catastrophe, like fire, won't destroy both laptop and backup.
You probably need to move some of that stuff off your hard drive anyway. With just 10% free space, your laptop must be running pretty slowly. Shoot for 25% free. Could you move some of the least used stuff to CDs? Just a thought.
2006-09-01 10:30:57 · answer #1 · answered by OR1234 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are wanting to back up a sufficient amount of files, try buying an external hard drive. It will cost a bit more but you can save a lot more files. Just hook it up to your computer, click the files you want to store and drag them on to the external hard drive, once you have all the files you want to save stored on the drive, unplug it and store it on a shelf in your office....very easy. The problem with a flash drive is that most of them are so small that they can easily get lost, but if you don't lose things and you aren't needing to store that much, then try out the flash drive. However click the link below and you can browse through the external hard drives and see if there is one that will work for you.
2006-09-01 10:24:29 · answer #2 · answered by DanielleJane 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been using Stomp's Backup MyPC for quite some time now, and I like it. It allows me to backup to CDs or DVDs, and it can do full backups (including Windows and registry), incremental, individual files, etc.
From a full backup, you can also completely restore your system, once it is booted to Windows (such as from your restore CD) and your Backup MyPC software is loaded. This will restore your entire system, including Windows, applications, registry, user accounts, etc.
These comments are for version 5.0; I do not know anything about the newer versions. I also do not know anything about their newer product PC Backup.
2006-09-01 15:24:56 · answer #3 · answered by WDS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends upon what you want to backup.
I have multiple computers and sometimes with critical files I e-mail it to my other computer so I have those files duplicated. I also have a USB hard drive, they are very inexpensive, so back up to that hard drive and move it from home to work. You might also make sure you have a recovery CD for your critical files.
2006-09-01 10:26:44 · answer #4 · answered by oldlaptops 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DVD (if you have dvd burner)
CD (if you have cd burner)
and
Laptop Auto Backup (only certain laptops have that)
2006-09-01 10:16:10 · answer #5 · answered by some2else1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Set your hard drive in REVERSE and have them backup off your HD.....
2006-09-01 12:23:50 · answer #6 · answered by rixtoy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
with a flash disc or on another computer!!!!!!!
2006-09-01 10:19:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy a flash drive,,, and use it,,,, else, write a DVD,,, or else,, i donno any other stuff sorry
2006-09-01 10:17:43 · answer #8 · answered by kriss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋