Backing up several computers

ibshaw · 11 Apr 2012

I havn't asked a question for a while (I'm usually answering them) so here goes....

I have several computers in the house and thought.... its about time I backed these up (I know you should do this regularly) but being a bit unfamiliar with what the end result is on the backup, I'm asking if you can backup several computer to one big external drive and not copy stuff over from one backup to another - i.e. would you end up with folders that you could distinguish from each computer ?

Might sound a simple question, its just I'm not that familiar with the file format and structure of a backup.

Any replies would be much appreciated, thanks.

fireberd · 11 Apr 2012

I use Acronis True Image and backup several PC's to one large backup drive (a 1.5TB drive). I use Acronis True Image backup software. It will create a separate backup image (file) for each PC's backup. You can name the backups whatever you want that will identify them to you.

You could use a USB connected hard drive and connected to each PC for backup, a networked drive, etc.

ibshaw · 11 Apr 2012

Thanks for these replies - I will try them out...

kado897 · 11 Apr 2012

Similarly with Macrium Free. You could have a separate folder for each computer to identify which is which.

mjf · 11 Apr 2012

You also need to understand what you mean by "Backup". There is imaging and file/folder backup. The approach would depend on which backup you want to do.