Hard drive failure

[r2d2]

What would you guys do?

Or couldnt it happen? Do you have a RAID 1 setup, or some other backup system?

Think I should have some kind of backup, and was thinking about getting a RAID controller card (old mobo had RAID, doh).

Could also backup to another computer on our network at home though, anyone know how you can do an auto backup?

[Chris]

I'm looking into getting a maxtor one touch external hard drive. You press a button on it and it backs up your entire system.

[incka]

You have to remember that Chris has got money to spare but R2D2 probably doesn't.

[Mike]

Originally posted by incka
You have to remember that Chris has got money to spare but R2D2 probably doesn't.

:eek:

I don't think that's a fair comment.

[incka]

Why not... Have you seen how much savvy shopping makes (inc. links from online literature)...

[Mike]

Maybe so, but really you don't have a clue on r2d2's financial situation.

[MarkB]

I think it's plain rude to continuely go on about someone's finances (good or otherwise).

[DaveM]

^Agreed . . .

I think an edit or an apology is in order

[r2d2]

Originally posted by Chris
I'm looking into getting a maxtor one touch external hard drive. You press a button on it and it backs up your entire system.

Thats relying on you remembering to press the button though, if you're buying a new harddrive anyway why not just get a RAID 1 (http://www.arstechnica.com/paedia/r/raid-2.html) setup, where both harddrives are used to mirror each other - even if one fails, you have lost absolutely nothing as the other one is completely up to date.

Re incka's comments, dont worry Im not the sort thats easily offended :) I do have a fairly decent job for my age (~$30k/yr) anyway... just looking for the best option..

Have found this nifty prog (http://www.handybackup.com/) which can do an automatic backup, even to a remote FTP server, which I imagine we all have :) Could backup to your web server:)

[incka]

Sorry if I offended anyone...

[MarkB]

r2, isn't there some cron-like thingy you can do in Windows (windows services?) to automate a backup?

Sorry if my technical talk goes over your head LOL

[r2d2]

Yeah, you can write a script which will backup files. It uses xcopy, and microsofts explanation is here (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/proddocs/xcopy.asp). You can put the script file on the desktop and click it when you want to backup.

Only problem with that is, if you want to put the script into Task Scheduler to get it to run everyday, you have to be using an account on the computer which has a password :( So thats a no go, at least for me.