How to keep a backup of an ext hd on another

[xtra12]

So, lately, I've been paranoid of having a HD crash. I save all of my important files on an ext 2 TB HD called "Main". I bought a second 2 TB Hard drive the same size and called it "Main Backup".

I will only be accessing and changing the hd called "Main" and only want the other one as a backup in case the first crashes. What's the best program to do this? I use to use Synctoy, but there is probably a more efficient way to do it and schedule it. The 2nd drive will just mirror changes, deletes, additions, etc... and there's no need for compression as they are both the same size.

Do you have any free software or something in Windows 7 that you would recommend?

Thanks!

 

[Britton30]

I think many of us like and use Macrium. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html#post648001

 

[indianacarnie]

Britton30 beat me to it.

 

[whs]

Although I am a big Macrium fan, I do not think that Macrium would be very efficient for what the OP tries to do. I would investigate to Raid the 2 drives - works best when they are identical.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817198057

 

[Golden]

Actually, SyncToy using the echo option is probably the most efficient option.

Robocopy might also be an option.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Although I am a big Macrium fan, I do not think that Macrium would be very efficient for what the OP tries to do. I would investigate to Raid the 2 drives - works best when they are identical.

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RAID is NOT a backup! RAID 1 (mirroring), which I suspect is what you were referring to, mirrors whatever happens to one drive onto another. This includes user errors (such as accidental deletion), file corruption (such as from malware), malware invasions, etc. It is much safer to use a separate drive and use something like Macrium Reflect to image or clone the original drive or use a syncing program for the backup. The backup drive should ber connected to the computer only when making the backup.

 

[whs]

I understand but some of the problems you describe will happen with any approach. The OPs idea is

The 2nd drive will just mirror changes, deletes, additions, etc

and he has already used sync which he thought is not sufficiently efficient. I suggest that imaging is even less 'efficient' and is not really a 'mirror'.

 

[jumanji]

Hi xtra12,

You have had a hand on SyncToy. After trying various data syncing programs including SyncToy, I had finally settled on SyncBack Free 2BrightSparks | SyncBackFree, SyncBackSE, and SyncBackPro which has been doing its duty for the last many years. ( I have only one backup drive which sits on my Desktop unmoved ever and switched on only when I do a SyncBack backup. Imaging is not a solution for data backup.)

Try it. Make a small partition on your source drive, copy different types of data you normally have and then sync them to the destination drive. Try the various configuration options available that best suits you and explore to get a grip on it before finalising the options.

Once you are through with this trial backup, you can set it for the real sync operation confident that everything would be fine.

 

[xtra12]

You guys are amazing! Thanks so much for the advice. I am going to try the different software and toy around with them.
Thanks again to all the responses!

 

[Britton30]

Glad we can help, let us know how it goes for you.