Suggestion for my backup plan?

That's OK as long as you don't make incrementals because those can get you into trouble. Make at least differentials but best are full images.

pcwin said:

Why don't just use Macrium to backup the whole computer (all disk/data/whole system)?...

Did you not read what I wrote in my last two posts (the information you requested, btw)?

"While imaging is the most efficient and effective way to backup one's system files, it is grossly inefficient for backing up data. First, it takes too long because you have to image all of your data every time you update your backup and second, it requires a lot of space to store the images."

Folder/file syncing is much faster and requires less storage space than imaging for backing up data. It only takes me about ten minutes to image and verify my boot drive. Using a folder/file syncing program, I can update the backup of a 2TB drive with about 1.4TB of data on it in as little as two or three minutes if I haven't added or changed much data since the previous backup. Even 25-30GB of added or changed data requires only 20-30 minutes. Imaging 1.4TB would take over three hours every time, no matter how much or how little data was changed.

pcwin said:

Lady Fitzgerald said:

pcwin said:

Why don't just use Macrium to backup the whole computer (all disk/data/whole system)?...

Did you not read what I wrote in my last two posts (the information you requested, btw)?

"While imaging is the most efficient and effective way to backup one's system files, it is grossly inefficient for backing up data. First, it takes too long because you have to image all of your data every time you update your backup and second, it requires a lot of space to store the images."

Folder/file syncing is much faster and requires less storage space than imaging for backing up data. It only takes me about ten minutes to image and verify my boot drive. Using a folder/file syncing program, I can update the backup of a 2TB drive with about 1.4TB of data on it in as little as two or three minutes if I haven't added or changed much data since the previous backup. Even 25-30GB of added or changed data requires only 20-30 minutes. Imaging 1.4TB would take over three hours every time, no matter how much or how little data was changed.

I did read your last two posts. I was looking for an automated solution so if I only use Macrium to do everything I will not need to bother with backup software everyday as it I can set auto schedule once and forget about it. I am new to Macrium so I was thinking if Macrium has some sort of sync or copy files function. FreeFileSync does not seem to have scheduled/automated function.

Actually FreeFileSync does have an automated function but it's more for more advanced users. I use it to automatically backup My Favorites to my main data drive (which then gets backed up daily to two externally stored drives) but I did have a bit of fun figuring out how to set it up.

If you want your data to be safe, forget about automating your backups. The only way to have a fully automated solution is if your backup drive is connected permanently to the computer which will be very little better than using an internal drive to store your backups on. You once proposed connecting the backup drive to the computer manually just before the backup can start, then disconnect it afterwards. If you do that, you might as well run the backup software manually; otherwise, you will be a slave to the schedule you set up with no flexibility whatsoever. I usually update my backups around the same time every day but I can still run them at anytime of day and often run them earlier in the day or later in the evening if that should be more convenient for me.

As I already said, you only need to backup your system files no more that once a week to once a month (I do once a week mostly so I will be in the habit of doing it on a regular basis) and just before making major changes to the system. Since all I use imaging for is backing up just my system files, it takes only a total of ten minutes to make the image and verify it. If I were to use imaging to backup my data as well, the total process would take over three hours. By using folder/file syncing, I can update a backup drive in only five to ten minutes on most days.

Both Macrium Reflect and FreeFileSync are pretty much set it and forget it programs. In Macrium Reflect, you can use an XML file to reduce the number of keystrokes needed to start an image. You may need to manually verify a completed image with the free version but even that isn't a big deal. With FreeFileSync, you have to set up and save a configuration the first time you use it but, after that, you can reuse that same configuration over and over again, essentially making it a two button backup. Click on the configuration needed, then click on Synchronize and go have a cold one or something. The chances are FFS will be finished before you finish whatever you decide to do while waiting.

The way you keep proposing to do your backups will take longer, make you a slave to a schedule, and will result in inferior protection for your data.

The only automation that works for image-backing and/or FileSync operations: enduser, at the time when nothing important is going with the computer[s], reaches for the DVD or USB boot, reaches for and connects the external devices, boots, clicks on the proper clicks and lets the backup/restore program automatically do its thing; do this systematically, on a timely, routine, basis -- enduser's Robby the Robot, the backup/restore program's LetsDoThis :)

So, If they don't backup, they might as well lose their data. I have no merci with morons like that. If they don't know, that's one thing. But if they were told and still don't do it, don't call me.

Oh, I may now understand what is meant by automation! Years ago, I worked for a small company, that put in place and invoked, a nightly backup from all data folders from all desktops [and connected laptops] onto a master backup/restore server partition. Is this what you are meaning? That server backup program worked great, only once there was a 2-3 day BATchfile hiccup. One that hiccup was fixed, backups were actually taking place, and such were indeed restorable [folder or file].

whs said:

So, If they don't backup, they might as well lose their data. I have no merci with morons like that. If they don't know, that's one thing. But if they were told and still don't do it, don't call me.

I agree. Using a computer is much like driving a car. You can put all the automated safety devices in as you want, but overall safety still boils down to the skill of the driver. If the driver doesn't know how to drive or doesn't follow a few basic rules, such as paying attention, no automated safety device is going to help.

Your comment is a milder version of the ones I see over on another forum from a guy who repairs MACs for a living. Every so often, he posts to rant about the customers he gets in with failed drives and no backup in place. His opinion of those people is somewhat less than kind.

I put some blame on PC, OS, and software manufacturers (pretty much all of them) who do not provide users with decent instructions, if they provide them at all. One of the first instructions should be to make backups and suggest how to make them (both the instructions and imaging program that Win 7 provides are...ah...let's just say they get twice the wear from a toilet seat).

There are automated backup systems that require little or no user intervention that are sufficiently isolated from the computers they backup to be safe but those are usually offsite solutions, usually third party, and are extremely expensive to implement and use, putting them in the realm of big businesses whose need for such systems can justify their expense.

For average users, connecting and disconnecting one or two external drives and using a couple of simple to use programs, once properly set up, takes very little time or skill to do so not doing so is simply inexcusable. The excuse of not having enough time or the ability to remember to do so simply doesn't hold water with me. I have ADHD. Remembering to do things, as well as procrastination, are huge issues for me. If I can maintain an extensive (albeit not complicated) backup scheme like mine, anyone can maintain a manual backup scheme if they just put their mind to it. You have a computer; have it remind you to do your backups. Set up daily and weekly backup schedules and stick to them until they become habits. It's doable, folks, you just have to decide to do it.

The only automated backup I can recommend is one of the PAID cloud backup services (I prefer Carbonite) but only as an offsite backup or a supplement to an offsite backup, not as the sole backup. However, even though depending solely on a good cloud backup service is unwise, it is still better than nothing. At this point, I feel the OP would be best off subscribing to one of the paid cloud backup services (NOT a free one!), then do whatever he wants for local backups since he has made it clear he doesn't want to take the advice of people far more experienced that he when it comes to backups, including the one actual data expert I referenced who deals with storage devices and systems for a living.