FreeAgent Products

[fa613]

newbie here, is there any reason why the backup utility in XP doesn't suffice for backing up everything in the c: drive?

[MrButkus]

The XP backup is for backing up the entire drive.  There is not much flexability into choosing different directories.  Plus it's a compressed drive.  Can't go into the file and retreive just a few files.  Vista seems the same way... But I did a total backup with Vista.  You're suppose to be able to boot from the Vista DVD and it'll find any USB drives and restore (the entire HD) to the disk.

[JanJanssen]

Of course, "everything" can include the Program Files and stuff.

XP Backup won't do that.  It will only back up data, and in the limited-access way that MrButkus said.

You'd need a disaster recovery software to backup EVERYthing.  DiscWizard isn't bad for that.

[NR]

Sir:
Your posts are very helpful, thanks.  I am new at backing up my data, at least when it comes to the different ways that can be done.  I just purchased a FreeAgent 500gb.  My reason for wanting organized backups is for work done in Photoshop (.psd, .jpg and other graphic formats), Word files, Video and audio production. In the past this was done at an office and now I am on my own.

Hopefully you are willing to answer a few questions, and although they are regarding my set up others may find your answers useful. (I have gone through some forums, faqs and help).

First, am I correct in saying if I want a backup of the complete drive and operating system (as it stands right now) I would need software other than Memeo Auto backup supplied with the FreeAgent hardware?

Second, If that's the case, would the program you mentioned in this thread be able to "boot" the computer if it comlpetely crashed? That is, treating the backup as a 'useable copy' of the system?

Third, and thanks for staying with me on this , would you suggest other free or commercial utilities that are not too complex yet will allow a system backup, recovery, as well as my various programs, docs, utilities, music etc., in separate files that I may copy to disc or small drive?

Thank you for your feedback and that of others on this board.
NR

-XP home
 -average Compaq Presario

[MrButkus]

There are a few program (paid) that will backup your entire HD to an external such as the Segate. That would include all you files. Ghost or Acronis True Image, and many more. Both will Boot your PC to a linux program and find a USB backup device to restore the HD.
But again, I will be able to tell you of horror stories of backup devices not working, bad sectors on the backup item, etc, etc.
Since you won't do this every day (backup the entire HD).. a separate backup of data can be done with these programs. It's simply copying files to a backup device uncompressed. You can get individual files at any time. The total HD backup is one big file.
Most problems with computers are viruses or spyware messing up the system.
System restore, and keeping one every few month can do wonders.
Hard drives have a very good record. PC hardware too.
Every 3-5 years you swap the HD using the above program to clone the HD.
Keep the old one as a safety.
Mission critical services... is a RAID PC with the OS on dual mirror HDs and a RAID (3 or more HDs) with your data. One dies, two still have the data. Simply swap the old one out, new one in and the OS rebuilds the RAID.
Safety: As I taught in my classes included physical security.
Where is the PC with the data and where is the backup. Same place ?
Fire, lighting strikes, voltage surge (outside transformer exploding), theft and the many other problems. If you data is $$$, off line storage. That or keep backups in another area. A broken pipe and your PC is floating or your backup device got soaked.
Backup software is different from HD recovery software. The supplied software with the Segate unit is limited, for some reason. If you cannot get the software to work by copying all the data you want, use another program. There are free and paid programs. I use a free one.
Make sure the software is backing up up the date you think it is.
It just copies the files, so the USB device can be opened and the files viewed and check the dates. I use different software for most of my backups as the supplied software would not backup my E-mail.
Just try to loose your old E-mail and stay in business.

Message Edited by MrButkus on 09-07-2008 03:22 PM

[jefflowe]

Seagate is the most unfriendly company I ever dealt with. Once you paid your money they no longer care! This 500 GB FreeAgent Go looks good but there is defect in its softwares! I all of sudden cannot find many of my file folders in the FreeAgent Drive on my PC!!!! Like many of us did, we moved folders to the FreeAgent drive, to free up our PC internal drive. Now we cannot find our files!!!! [Do Not Discuss Legal Matters: You can review our policies by Clicking Here.]

[AlanM]

jefflowe,

I'm sorry to hear about this problem.  

First let me remind you that you always need a backup.  If you copied data to another storage media and then deleted it from the original location, you do not have a backup.  You always need, at minimum, two copies of your data on two separate storage media.

Have you checked in the History folders on the Go drive?  how much time have you spent navigating throug the Go drive using Windows Explorer?