GoFlex, GoFlex Desk, GoFlex Pro, GoFlex Slim, & GoFlex Turbo

[jayklay]

First post here - Thanks in advance!
I am thinking about buying a goflex turbo for 2 main purposes. I wanted to see if it is possible to use this way and a quick idea about how to do it.

1. I want to set it up to do a full backup of my laptop and then an incremental
Backup whenever I plug it in (only updating files that have changed not backing up the entire drive each time)

2. I'd like to be able to access thisupdated backup on the go flex turbo from another laptop . I am looking to buy an ultraportable with a meager 256gb SSD drive and don't need to have it synchronized with the other laptop if I can just use the go flex as the file storage, etc.

So backup & sync with one laptop and access those files when using it on another laptop without syncing to that 2nd laptop.

Not sure it matters but I will have USB3 on both laptops.

Thanks again!!

Jay

[jayklay]

Bump.

Hmmm, no one knows e answer? At least I don't feel so stupid now. . .

Any admins/mods/employees out there that knows this.

I think it should be a pretty easy answer.

Just need to find out if I can access a backup from one computer and use the go flex turbo like the main document storage for another computer.

Also, if I use it on the other computer, will the files sync back on the original computer that I am using the go flex as a back up if I change them on the go flex?

Thanks

Jay

[AskTheLeaf]

After the initial backup the software continues to back up in increments, it's how it's designed to work.

You can also access the backup from system A on system B, unless you encrypt it. In that case you'd have to have the software installed here as well.

If you wish to back up files from system B to the same backup as system A's, you'd want to manually set the destination as that folder. 

[jayklay]

Thanks asktheleaf.

So if I encrypt on system A, I can just install the software on system B to use those files?

Is there a password that sets up the handshake to allow access?

Secondly, if I then access a file on the go flex from system B and change it (I.e. Updating a word document or adding a word document) will those changes then sync with System A when I plug the go flex back in at a later date?

Or is this just one way backup vs. syncing?

Thanks again!

[AskTheLeaf]

Ok, I did some more research on how Memeo acts when it's installed on multiple computers.

It's actually designed to work only with one system.

I would recommend that you install the Seagate Manager, because that software will perform the tasks you would like it to.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=fa-go-desk-xtreme-sw&vgnextoid=a8d3b5b59b7d5...

[Where Is My AR]

You should never use an external drive as a sole container of files.  If these files are important make sure they are backed up to your laptop after you have edited them on you ultra portable.  If you do not care if you lose the files then leaving them on the external is acceptable.

External drives should only be used as temporary/temporal backup solutions.  They are notorious for failing and the failure is usually catastrophic for any files unless you are willing to pay hundreds for a data recovery service.  Always make sure that any files contained on the external drive are backed up to an internal hard drive at the least and to CD/DVD/BlueRay media for a more permanent solution for static files.  Copying to a drive raid array on a computer is really suggested since this allows for the failure of one of those drives and no data loss, as long as the computer and all components are not fried some time.

[jayklay]

Great tip about not using the portable drive as the main container of files. Not my intention at all. Just want to have my encrypted files available on the drive to use for short business trips. This way, I'd everything can be synchronized between the portable drive and system A then this would do what I want.

Is tha Segate Manager program a free download or paid? Looks like the link above might be going to a different download.

Thanks again for the help!!

Jay

[AskTheLeaf]

Jay, the above link is the right one, the file name for the download of the Seagate Manager is FreeAgentCN.ZIP .