BleepingComputer.com: Any good recommendations on backup software?

Anyone following me within the last few days should know about my struggles in getting rid of this malware known as Backdoor Tidserv Request. Well, hopefully with the assistance of the people here in these forums (which I think is becoming my third home rather quickly), I think it's gone for good.

Anyway, the one thing that I kept thinking about (or dreading) is that the person helping me would tell me to push . . . . the button. You know, the one marked "Format your hard drive". The red button. The nuclear button. Yep, that one. Yet before I could do even that, I would have to push another button. The one marked "Backup your data." Except for one thing. I have no clue how to backup my data. Other than of course using whatever CD/DVD burning programs I have on my PC and a pile of CDs/DVDs, that's pretty much all I have.

So, anyone out there can recommend some good software to use to backup my data? I have Roxio CD/DVD Creator (probably not the full version, just whatever came with my Dell when I bought it) and I think I still have Nero somewhere in my software CDS (probably not a full version either, just whatever came bundled with my CD/DVD burner when I upgraded the original burner from my first PC). Didn't Windows XP come out with a backup program?

I use Acronis I've tried a couple of the "free" backup programs and did not like them. Acronis is fairly easy to use and I've been able to restore individual files with it.

The backup program should be installed automatically with XP Pro, but not with XP Home.

How to use the Backup utility to backup files and folders in Windows XP Home Edition:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422

You need your Windows CD.

"Note If Windows XP Home Edition was preinstalled on your computer and you do not have the
original Windows XP CD, contact the computer manufacturer or visit the manufacturer's Web site
for more information."

That said, even though you have to pay for it, the aforementioned Acronis True Image has a very good
reputation and is popular with many members here.

Much easier to restore a complete image, as opposed to reinstalling everything you have
on backup CDs, DVDs etc.

You have to be certain that your computer is malware free, or it could be a pointless exercise.

I use Acronis myself and I love it, however, if there is money at stake, there are very good free alternatives out there:

- Macrium Reflect: http://www.macrium.com/ReflectFree.asp (highly recommended)
- DriveImage XML: http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm (tutorial: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/backup-your-computer-with-driveimage-xml/)
- SelfImage: http://www.excelcia.org/modules.php?name=N...icle&sid=21
- Paragon Drive Backup: http://www.paragon-software.com/home/db-express/

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll check them out when I have the chance.

Broni, on May 30 2010, 02:25 PM, said:

Macrium Reflect Free doesn't support File and Folder backup, only the paid version.
http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp

Thanks

Another satisfied vote for Acronis.

I use Cobian Backup v8 Black Moon for file backup.

For imaging, I have both Acronis, and Macrium Reflect Free.
In my opinion, for ease of use between the 2, Macrium wins out.

Had alot of success with http://backazon.com. Online backup software, US based phone and email which is killer. And everythings runs on auto-pilot and goes to amazon s3 servers for security. Love the versioning capability too, if i change a doc and save it, i can go back to an older backup and pull out the original

good luck
eric

Copying and pasting the contents of the my documents folder to a USB jump drive is another simple alternative to backup your data files. No additional software required.
That is what I do

I have 805GB of info stored, at the moment.
That's a lot of flash drives.

Unless I wanted to use the Kingston 256GB drives, but $840 a piece is a little steep, for me.
Even the 128's are outrageous.
Guess I'm stuck with my external drives, for the time being.

The Windows XP built in backup does the job but doesnt compress the files so you might want to try something like Bitser
which is easy to use and lets you create a simple compressed backup using checkboxes and windows explorer

I use Acronis myself but I think Easeus Todo is a nice freebie also
http://www.easeus.com/disk-copy/

I have used several backup programs for years, and I recommend Handy Backup, it's easy and reliable backup software, and works great...

http://www.handybackup.net