I've been using the free GFI backup software (http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm). It's a full-featured program that works well with Windows 7 64-bit (as well as XP 32-bit).
It backs up either uncompressed or in ZIP format, does either syncs or full backups. It runs as a service, and it does not depend on Task Scheduler. It runs very unobtrusively in the background when it does its sync thing. It backs up to all the expected resources, including FTP with auto-upload-resume.
It does not do drive imaging, though.
I like it because it has zero quirks. No quirkiness at all. It does exactly what you expect it to do.
SyncToy sounds great, but Microsoft only provides a description and a download of it. Microsoft does not support this software, although SyncToy needs Microsoft software to run.
Besides, backup software represents only part of the equation. Hardware (somewhere) stores the backed-up files. Further, different systems exist for backing up. RAID offers 5 or 6 configurations for backup.
The matter comes down to a package of software and hardware in the best configuration for backing up, storing, and retrieving files.
Photographers will also want a package that will survive beyond the next corporate bankruptcy.
I own True Image Home 2010 (on my notebook computer), but feel reluctant to entrust all my photos to it.
Anyhow, let me please ask you experienced FMers out there for your considered opinion as to which file backup package(s) will perform to suit the needs of photographers.
Without a doubt, SyncToy2. It is uncomplicated and does a straight copy of your images, it does not mess around with file compression/encryption.
It is infinitely configurable with easy to understand instructions.....
The other factors to consider are the storage units - I have 2 internal drives and 3 external. All my work gets copied to 1 internal drive and 1 external. In other words I have 3 copies....SyncToy also looks after all you documents, videos, music and any other stuff you have. The files created with SyncToy2 are readable on any other machine without SyncToy....
One thing about RAID configurations. Hard drives WILL fail. It is not a matter of if but when!!!! by implementing ANY configuration of RAID, you are reducing the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure). Again, in other words, doubling the risk of failure of a drive.
One thing about RAID configurations. Hard drives WILL fail. It is not a matter of if but when!!!! by implementing ANY configuration of RAID, you are reducing the MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure). Again, in other words, doubling the risk of failure of a drive.
It's been said before: RAID is not a backup solution, RAID is a high-availability solution.
Donald Gray: Thank you for your comments. I await comment from others, too, before I make up my mind. I want to commit to a permanent solution for image backup and protection.
Your use of 3 hard drives for backup seems simple enough.
BTW, Western Digital offers a backup solution involving two hard drives (up to 4 TB) in one housing, with RAID mirroring: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=589. I'll appreciate hearing your opinion of this option.
I suppose a user could disable the WD backup software to substitute the SyncToy2 software for it.
If I went a similar route, I'd likely upgrade the main hard drive on my desktop, from 750 GB to 2 TB, if possible, to match the 2 TB of the second internal hard drive. With the WD hardware setup (or a similar one) at a total of 4 TB external storage, I'd have plenty of storage and 3 copies of my image files.
Genie-Soft has been great for me. I have ran it for several years. Many scenarios. Compress or not, Incremental, Mirror, and more. Scheduling. Working great with my Vista x64. Support responds withing 24 hrs to email inquiry's.
Although, I do recommend SyncToy2, any method that doesn't mess with the files (compression/encryption) or saves them in a non proprietary format should be OK
Methods such as Acronis and the like are great but because they 'wrap' the filed up and save as one huge file with a proprietary format, they cannot be opened on a machine that does not have the proprietary software running on the machine. In other words, the files are not readily transportable in an emergency.
BTW: I do have Acronis but not being able to view files in a non acronis equiped machine put me off.
Suggestion: SynchToy has a very small footprint. Why not download it and try it on a single directory. If it doesn't suit your needs, either delete it or just ignore it and use something else.
I have been using Amazon's S3 (Simple Storage) with a Ruby script to sync the selected files/folders on my drive periodically (in addition to using Apple Time Machine). It is really important to have a backup that is off site in case of a robbery, fire, ...etc.
I set it to copy a whole directory and it will compare time stamps/sizes to see if a file has been modified and it can be set up to copy only new files. With the GUI version you just save the script that is created when you run it. The you simply schedule that script to run.
UPDATE: Downloaded SyncToy2.1 yesterday evening, and used it to backup my Picture folder on my notebook computer to an external hard drive via USB connection. Everything went smoothly, and no problems so far. I picked this backup software in part because Microsoft offers it. I also like its simplicity. We shall see what happens from here.
One of my New Year's resolutions was to organize my images and establish a slightly cleaner workflow, so I've been following this thread with great interest.
I recently purchased two 1TB external drives- one drive to copy images to with a backup copy loading to the second hard drive via Lightroom's import function. I really like being able to run through a folder's images in Lightroom's Loupe view and marking the culls as "Flagged" using the "X" key, then deleting all of the "flagged" images with a couple of clicks. At this point, what I'd been looking for was a way to sync the backup drive's image folders to the main drive's culled state. So far, I'd not been able to find a way to do that inside of Lightroom.
Donald's nod at SyncToy2 was exactly what I was looking for. I can set the second drive to "echo" the first drive and end up with an exact copy of my culled work. After taking a look at all the software mentioned here, I chose SyncToy2 simply because it appeared to be the easiest for me to use. Thanks to all that contributed, especially you, Donald!
Along with trying to teach myself how to become a better photographer and acquire some PP skills, I've found out over the past year and a half that if your workflow sucks, you're gonna have a hard time gaining traction. Thanks to all for the great discussion and pointers; noobs like me need all the help we can get!....Mitch
ammck55: Okay, my little update. SyncToy2 does not have automatic backup. A user has to program the OS Scheduler to do that task. Clear instructions exist for this backup, but I haven't tried it yet.
Meanwhile, I've manually run the SynToy2 backup, and this operation has gone smoothly. This manual backup of course only includes new or changed files, so it happens much quicker than the initial full backup.
I've also since read of another backup scheme for photographers. Offload files from memory cards to the external hard drive as the main drive, and use the true main hard drive as the backup drive. Then later copy the files from the true main hard drive to DVD disks. After this copy, delete the files on the true main drive. The true main hard drive never fills up with original images. And the photographer has 2 copies of each original image.
The computer tech who works on my computers has recommended the alternative of online backup. He says he backs up his computers nightly to an online site. When I pick up my computer tomorrow, he'll write the URL on my invoice.
I feel a stronger and stronger inclination toward using this alternative for keeping a 3rd copy of my original images.
Twice, years ago, owing to a virus infection, I had to re-format the main hard drive of my notebook computer, and lost everything because of no backup. Very painful experience. Part of the answer lies in an effective anti-malware software. Part lies in a file backup scheme.
I'd like to hear a report of your experience with SyncToy2 after you use it a while.
I have been using SynchToy for over a year now and I too feel it is the best file backup solution. I also use Acronis to image my system every once in a while.
I have only 1 internal HD and 2 external HD's. I do not keep my externals plugged into the computer to mitigate the risk of some kind of power surge that could negatively impact the drive. I rotate one of the drives off site, though, not as often as I should.
With SynchToy, I set up 2 different Echo backup sets, 1 set for my 1st external and the other set for my 2nd external. All I have to do is know which one to run based off of what drive I have plugged in.
So all in all, I have all of my important files on 3 separate drives. Neither are always connected to the same power source and one of them is almost always off site. The image of my OS resides on the on-site external drive.
I don' tuse RAID because that is actually the only thing that has ever caused data lose in my experiences.
I use synctoy for manual backups of my photos and i would also recommend it as an easy to use and effective bit of software.
For those more technically minded it is possible to run the popular unix/linux "rsync" program under windows. This has myriad options for incrementing, updating, echoing files into backups either locally or remotely. I run scheduled daily backups of my labs with rsync.
anotherview wrote:
The ultimate protection lies in an Uninterruptible Power Supply. A UPS also gives a desktop computer a brief period for an orderly shutdown.
Unfortunately, an UPS cannot protect you from the power source that is most likely to have problems and fry your components.. The computers PSU (power supply). Cheap PSU's and malfunctioning units can fry your components regardless if an UPS is being used or not and it happens quite frequently.
I believe that for anyone that keeps important files on their computer, a good, quality PSU is probably the most important compenent in your computer. It is also a good practice to replace it after about 4-5 years.
Steezus: Your scenario sounds plausible, yet you offer no reference beyond your own analysis. Of course, anything in an electronic or an electromechanical device may fail in time. Besides, keeping a computer going beyond a few years only invites disaster, or at least tempts fate. Other, moving parts like hard drives and switches may fail from mere repeated use. Solder joints weaken and fail. Internal heat and vibration will cumulatively break down parts and connections. Dust builds up inside the computer housing, presenting an opportunity for an electrical short. The cooling fan motor may fail, letting the CUP overheat. The list goes on.
For these reasons and more, I recommend replacing a computer no less often than 3 years, with 2 years a better option. Meanwhile, use a reliable backup scheme to protect your valuable data and information.
