Backing up several computers

ibshaw

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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.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Desktop Slimline
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Athlon
Memory
3GB
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 20" LCD
Hard Drives
500GB
Internet Speed
Slow
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.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
Thanks for these replies - I will try them out...
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Desktop Slimline
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Athlon
Memory
3GB
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 20" LCD
Hard Drives
500GB
Internet Speed
Slow
Similarly with Macrium Free. You could have a separate folder for each computer to identify which is which.
 

My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Hewlett-Packard/G62-107SA Notebook
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Service Pack 1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 330 @ 2.13GHz
Motherboard
Hewlett-Packard 1425
Memory
8 GB DDR3
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) HD Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek High Definition Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Builtin
Screen Resolution
1366 x 768 x 32 bits (4294967296 colors) @ 60 Hz
Hard Drives
250 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
2TB Seagate GoFlex USB 2 Drive
1TB Iomega Prestige USB 2 Drive
1.5TB Iomega Prestige USB 2 Drive (Samsung)
2TB WD MyBook Live NAS.
Mouse
Logitech Anywhere MX
Internet Speed
152 Mbs download 10 Mbs upload
Antivirus
Norton 360
Browser
Chrome
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.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Own build
OS
Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
CPU
Intel i7 2600k
Motherboard
ASUS P8Z68 Deluxe
Memory
G.Skill Ripjaws (DDR3-1600) 2x4GB
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GeForce GTS 450; Intel HD Graphics 3000(GT2+)
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell Ultrasharp IPS panel U2311H, Samsung SyncMaster P2350
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
Samsung 850 Pro SSD 256GB, Samsung SSD 840 120GB, Seagates 1TB Barracuda ST31000528AS x2
PSU
Seasonic M12II 520W
Case
Lian Li Lancool PC-K60
Cooling
Case: 1x120mm, 3x140mm CPU: Hyper 212+
Keyboard
Logitech MK520 (wireless)
Mouse
Logitech MK520
Internet Speed
6-7 Mbps
Antivirus
Norton Security Premium, Malwarebytes on 2 (MSE on 3rd PC)
Browser
FireFox
Other Info
Audio: Logitech Z523 2.1
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