What do you use for backups?

[SofaTater]

Getting a new computer this week and I'm evaluating options for backup devices. I also need something to move files from the old computer to the new one.

The old computer runs Windows 98 does not have a CDR drive -- just a 100 Mb Zip drive. The new computer will have a CDRW drive and runs Windows XP Home.

My options for doing backups on the new computer are:

1) Use the existing CDRW drive on the new system (no way to move data from the old computer to the new one).
2) Add a Zip 750Mb drive (and use Zip disks to move data between the two computers). Zip drive would cost $130 after rebate, and $40 for a three-pack of 750 Mb disks.
3) Add an external USB 2.0 hard drive. $150 for a 40 Gb drive, and $180 for a 60 Gb drive.

Which option is best for running backups? And any suggestions on ways to move data that I haven't considered?

[rocuf]

Sofa,
How about just networking the 2 computers and moving the files that way. It would be the cheapest and easiest. To network 2 computers without a hub/switch you need a cross overcable for direct connection between 2 network cards. You could keep the network together after you transfer the files that way you can use the old computer as a backup drive.
Just my 2 cents

[dave]

are you going to use the old computer after you get all the files to the new one? if not, why don't you just put the old hard drive in the computer (you will need to change the switches to make it a slave) and copy the files over. you could then reformat the drive and use that for backups.

if you are still going to use the computer, this plan should still work, at least for copying the files. after done copying, take the drive out, set it back to master and put it back in the old computer.

i highly recommend having a second hard drive for backups. the usb 2.0 HD option would work as well, but it's a little spendy. you can get big IDE hard drives for next to nothing.

if you go with the hard drive solution, i can highly recommend Iomega's Automatic Backup Software (http://www.iomega.com/na/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1470509&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=432687&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=63191&bmUID=1046709420570). You just configure it and forget about it. It is highly customizable, and it works with removable media drives, too. you just need to remember to change the media.

[Janak Parekh]

And any suggestions on ways to move data that I haven't considered?
If you're comfortable opening computers up and manipulating the hardware, slave the old IDE disk on your new PC and just do an xcopy or Explorer drag-and-drop. Insanely fast. That's what I usually do. You just have to be careful... :)

As for backup, long-term, you might also want to consider a DVD+-RW drive...

--janak

[ux4484]

I gave up backing up whole computers (except servers) a while back. It's so much more important to back up your data that usually for most folks a CDR/CD-RW backup is just fine. The biggest hassle is getting folks to store their data in a consistant place. MS tries to help this issue with "My Documents" and "My Pictures"...etc.....but most non-MS apps force users to save their data in their own (different) sub-directories. Once you train users (or yourself) to save in a consistant directory (or sub of that directory) data backup becomes a snap. Heck with a CD-RW, MS-scheduler and a batch file (remember those!) you can easily update data backup nightly using little resources (as long as you remember to put your backup CD in every night).
For bigger backup jobs, I recommend a dual purpose device like a DVD+R/RW device which gets you 4.3 gig of backup which is more than enough for most people (that's what I use at home).

Considering how cheap hard drives are now, it's often quite the cheapest/easyist solution to just throw another HD in your box and use it for backups, no solution is any faster than that.

[Janak Parekh]

The biggest hassle is getting folks to store their data in a consistant place.
Indeed, this is exactly what I do. In fact, I redirect my My Documents folder into a "Janak" folder on my PC where everything is stored. Makes it easy to switch. For home environments, I generally prefer this than backing up the whole system -- if the HD dies, it's time for a Windows refresh anyway. ;)

Considering how cheap hard drives are now, it's often quite the cheapest/easyist solution to just throw another HD in your box and use it for backups, no solution is any faster than that.
... except it's not as easy or sturdy if you want to bring your backups elsewhere.

--janak

[ux4484]

... except it's not as easy or sturdy if you want to bring your backups elsewhere.
--janak

I should have prefaced for a "regular" home user.

none of us are regular....

[SofaTater]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I had overlooked the direct cable connection route, which might be the best way to transfer data from one to the other for now...

Yes, the old computer will be used -- it will go to my mother-in-law to replace her horrible old eMachines desktop.

I like the idea of having an external USB HD because I can use it move data between different computers when that need arises. I could also use it archive digital photos and whatnot where they would be easily available without having to shuffle through CDs or Zip disks...

[rocuf]

Sofa,
You might want to takeback that emachines and turn it into your own home file server/print server. There are some really simple linux builds that could do it quite easiily for you. Or just whipe the HD and do a fresh install of 95/98 on the emachines and set up networking. XP (expect with new computer) has a great little home network setup wizard that creates a disk to use on the other computers in the network. 8)

[SofaTater]

Sofa,
You might want to takeback that emachines and turn it into your own home file server/print server. There are some really simple linux builds that could do it quite easiily for you. Or just whipe the HD and do a fresh install of 95/98 on the emachines and set up networking. XP (expect with new computer) has a great little home network setup wizard that creates a disk to use on the other computers in the network. 8)

Actually, the eMachines rig is already spoken for, too... :P

It will be given to some friends of ours as their son's first computer -- so he's not abusing Daddy's nice Dell anymore!