Backing up non-personal files

[Fallen]

I've recently joined Dropbox ( http://db.tt/OLb86aYx ). It's the first time I've backed up my files and I was wondering (been as this is the first time I've done this)....

Exactly what am I allowed to back-up?

I know my personal files etc, but what about programs on my computer (microsoft office etc)?

Can you even back these up? :Shrug: Does it fringe copyright? Do I really need to back it up at all?

If my computer fails, I don't really want to lose things like office...

[alleycat]

It's better to backup program files to an external drive. They are relatively cheap these days. You can also back them up to CDs, but it's not a great way to do it.

Are you using Windows? There is a backup procedure for doing a full image backup. Or use a specialized program like Acronis (which I have).

[Fallen]

Yep, I'm using windows. I keep thinking about an external hard drive.... Might be worth investing.... I went with this one purely as an emergency (I don't have anything backed up yet).

Can I ask why you prefer externals over your typical freespace offers?

[JimmyB27]

Do you not have the original installation discs?
Backing up programs is rather different to backing up files - you can't simply copy and paste the directory and call it done (unless you have a Mac).

[kuwisdelu]

It's good to have a full backup of your current installation so you can restore straight to it and get back to work with everything in the right place should anything go wrong, but I can't think of a good reason to back up individual apps unless you've lost the original install DVDs and it isn't available for download.

[Medievalist]

Yep, I'm using windows. I keep thinking about an external hard drive.... Might be worth investing.... I went with this one purely as an emergency (I don't have anything backed up yet).

Can I ask why you prefer externals over your typical freespace offers?

Because you can't simply drag application files/directories over to back them up. There are invisible connections that will be broken.

Look for an an external drive and a backup program, or use a special subscription based service that's designed specifically for backup.

[Medievalist]

Do you not have the original installation discs?
Backing up programs is rather different to backing up files - you can't simply copy and paste the directory and call it done (unless you have a Mac).

Even then, unless you know what you're doing, you're asking for some problems, especially under Lion.

[Fallen]

@Jimmy: no, hun. The laptop I have came with pre-installed equipment as part of a government policy here in the UK. Office professional came installed too.

@kuw: same as Jimmy's reply, hun. The only disc that came with the computer was to set-up the dongle: everything else already installed.

@Med -- thank you! So glad you told me that before I went and tried it! I think it's looking more and more like an external harddrive and route via that. So glad I asked first!!!

[kuwisdelu]

@Jimmy: no, hun. The laptop I have came with pre-installed equipment as part of a government policy here in the UK. Office professional came installed too.

@kuw: same as Jimmy's reply, hun. The only disc that came with the computer was to set-up the dongle: everything else already installed.

Wait. The UK government buys everyone MS Office?

It'd be cheaper if they just required LibreOffice preinstalled.

[Fallen]

Lol, labour did. Conservatives are in now. Wouldn't surprise me if we get a knock on off David Cameron saying 'Erm, you know we gave you that laptop a few years ago, well been as we're hard up....'.

It was a plan to get every kid between the age of 9 and 13 (I think) on the net with a personal computer. So, being on the pauper's list, we got a laptop with all the mod-cons and a year's free internet access. Hadn't got a frecking clue what to do with it (very technically challenged (last computer I owned I had to write 'run' programme to get it started)), but the kids did.

Hence the dumb questions on my part.... I only really come here (aw) and my email account.

[alleycat]

Can I ask why you prefer externals over your typical freespace offers?

For exactly the reason Medievalist stated.

If you do get an external drive, you probably want to do what is called a "full image backup"--this is basically a mirror copy of everything on your hard drive. It's easier to do using a program such as Acronis. I'm not sure about doing it in Windows Seven but, as I recall, it's a bit of a pain in the ass to do it using the built-in MS procedure, but it can be done.

An external is also good for doing incremental backups. I use Mozy to do an automatic weekly backup of my working files, and then, at least once a month, run a fairly complete backup to my external drive. Moving seldom-used files to an external drive can also help to keep your main hard drive cleaned up (pictures, videos, and audio files are very large and take up a lot of disc space). I have Dropbox as well but I haven't used it that much.

[Fallen]

Ohhhhh. Got it! External it sounds like it is then. Thank you, AC. ;)

[alleycat]

If you do buy an external drive, you probably want to look for one of the "brand names" with good reviews. Considering the price of a moderate-sized external drive, this is one place when you don't want or need to skimp.

[TheThrillerist]

Fallen, one of my friends kids has one of these an he screwed it up. They just phoned the company (home access I think) and they reformatted the hard drive for £30. The 30 quid even included courier pick up and delivery. The laptop came back as new in terms of the programs.
You just need to make sure you back up tour content; pics, music and all those nuggets of brilliance that are your office files with all of your hard work!

[Medievalist]

If you do buy an external drive, you probably want to look for one of the "brand names" with good reviews. Considering the price of a moderate-sized external drive, this is one place when you don't want or need to skimp.

Look for one that includes backup software. It's pretty common.

[Webman33569]

It's better to backup program files to an external drive. They are relatively cheap these days. You can also back them up to CDs, but it's not a great way to do it.

Are you using Windows? There is a backup procedure for doing a full image backup. Or use a specialized program like Acronis (which I have).

I am a Technical Specailest for a software comapny in Cleveland so i have some experiance with backups. I would always recomend you backup all your personal files to an external hard drive and if you dont mind paying for a hosted service or using Dropbox i would use thouse as an offsite backup just in case. You can pick up a 500 GB external hard drive for under $75 bucks and that would be plenty to backup a typical computer.

[kuwisdelu]

Look for one that includes backup software. It's pretty common.

It's a decent option, but IMO it's always better to get the software from someone else. I'm not sure how good the backup software that's included with Windows is, but I'm sure there are other dedicated backup software available for Windows. I've heard too many stories about horrendously outdated bundled software that never gets updated that if there are other options, I'd probably go with backup software from a company dedicated to their software.

[cbenoi1]

Just found this: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=15155

SyncToy 2.1 is a free application that synchronizes files and folders between locations. Typical uses include sharing files, such as photos, with other computers and creating backup copies of files and folders.

-cb