External backup hard drive

[tonyvella]

I back up all my changed folders (usually 2 or 3) every evening to an external hard drive. Is it advisable to have the ext. HD plugged into the laptop all the time [usb], or should I plug it in just for the backup operation which never takes more than 2 or 3 minutes? Thanks in advance.

 

[GokAy]

I would keep it removed.

 

[Boozad]

Mine stays plugged in all the time, has been for over two years. Shouldn't matter either way as long as you don't do anything stupid.

 

[Layback Bear]

I remove my back up drives when not in use.
It keep backup safe from hardware problems, infection, power loss problems and just general mistakes made by the user.

It takes but a few seconds to unhook and re-hook when needed.

 

[Boozad]

I'm way too lazy for that.

 

[RolandJS]

I back up all my changed folders (usually 2 or 3) every evening to an external hard drive...which never takes more than 2 or 3 minutes?

Do you keep several versions of the same files? Or, does the current nightly backup replace the previous night's backup?

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I also advise keeping the drive disconnected except when updating a backup. If the drive is kept connected, a virus or other malware would be able to corrupt not only the data on the computer but also on the backup drive.

RolandJS brings up a good point about versioning. It's always a good idea to keep multiple versions of your files in case a recent copy of a backup should also become corrupted. FreeFileSync is a folder/file syncing program that, when set to Mirror mode, is excellent for backing up data (not system files, however) and has an optional versioning feature built in. However, even versioning cannot protect your data if the backup drive is kept connected to the computer all the time.

 

[tonyvella]

I back up all my changed folders (usually 2 or 3) every evening to an external hard drive...which never takes more than 2 or 3 minutes?

Do you keep several versions of the same files? Or, does the current nightly backup replace the previous night's backup?

I keep only one backup. Today's backup replaces only the folders changed since yesterday.

 

[tonyvella]

I'm the OP.
I have had mine plugged in all the time for a couple of years - since the day I bought it, actually. I have not had any problems but I attribute that more to good luck than knowledge ... MENSA has never contacted me with an application form for membership. I think, however, from now on I shall unplug it and plug it in only when backing up or backuping.
Thanks to all for info, advice and instruction.

 

[RolandJS]

MENSA never contacted me either! Regarding backups, I must be "lucky" or God-blessed, 'cause I only have at the most 1 version back. Maybe I need to look into FreeFileSync versioning much more closely. LadyF, do you remember the clicks I need to do?

 

[GokAy]

Only one I found is for deleted files. I wonder if any other versioning is available with FreeFileSync.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Only one I found is for deleted files. I wonder if any other versioning is available with FreeFileSync.

View attachment 360678

That is the Versioning I use.

Keep in mind how FFS (FreeFileSync) works when used to backup data using the Mirror Mode (not the same as RAID 1 but gives similar, safer results). It compares the source (the drive or folders you want to backup) with the destination (the drive or folders where you want to keep the backup) to find any differences. It then will copy and paste from the destination to the source and delete files on the destination to make the destination essentially a clone of the source.

Whenever a file changes on the source, FFS will copy it from the source and paste it onto the destination and delete the former version on the destination. The Versioning feature, instead of sending the deleted file to the Recycle bin or Computer Never Never Land, will send it to a Versioning folder or drive (depending on which you designate; FFS treats entire drives the same as folders), thus allowing you to keep all earlier versions of all files for as long as you may want. It also protects you from accidental deletions that one may not detect until several backup cycles later. By setting the file name to be assigned to the file sent to the Versioning folder or drive to be dated, all copies of the same file will be retained in the Versioning folder or drive, even though they started out with the same filename.

I have an entire HDD in my computer (4TB) dedicated as the Versioning Drive. When backing up my other HDDs, all deleted files get sent to the Versioning HDD. I also backup the Versioning HDD so I'm protected should it ever die or get corrupted (obviously, I don't use Versioning when I back up that HDD). When the Versioning HDD starts to fill up, I will delete the older files. I've been doing pretty much daily backups since last November and, at the rate the Versioning HDD has been filling up, it will be 8 or 9 years before I have to clean out the Versioning HDD.