Advice on back-up please (1 Viewer)

[snailtrailer]

I am getting vibes from my PC that the hard disk is failing. Surprise surprise I have no back-up. I have read so much in the past couple of days that my head is in a spin and also searched on the subject. How would you approach this? I am not concerned about backing up documents but I have several downloads of embroidery patterns and some classes from Craftsy.com which I suppose are classed as videos. I don't want to lose those.

Is it feasible to save individual items to memory sticks or will I need a complete system back-up?

If there is a virus would that also get backed up and thus I would be no better off.

Jim mentions GoodSync - would that synchronise Windows 10 : Chromebook : ipad and an HTC android smart phone?

Questions, questions questions - please give me the benefit of your experience (from someone yet to master their smartphone )

 

[johnp10]

Get an external hard drive, back the whole thing up to that.
When / if you replace the HD in the PC you can simply restore from the backup HD.

 

[GJH]

Yes, don't bother synchronising anything. Get a USB hard drive and copy all the important data files to it.

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[clanjones]

As with all things PCs there are numerous ways to do this. You might want to use the 'cloud' to store your videos and Photos initially - that should work for Android and Window devices if you use Google or dropbox or Windows cloud. Apple devices - cloud I guess but I know nothing about Mac O/S.

Windows will have in built backing up capabilities the only thing you need is a either a USB hard drive or a large USB Pen drive depending on how much data you have.

I use Puresynch personal (free) connected to a eSATA drive (faster than USB 2 but don't let that cloud the issue) and have it set up to create an initial sych of the data a I want to keep and then it will add any new specific files in the directories I want to be synchronised. It has a lot of options.

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[snailtrailer]

@johnp10 Thank you John. Is it necessary to spend £63 on a hard drive - the one Jim highlighted from Amazon. Again, how do you choose. I am of the view buy cheap/buy twice.

 

[snailtrailer]

@clanjones as the PC's hard disk is so dodgy would it be wise to create the back-up first and add other programmes like Puresynch later.

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[Langtoftlad]

As usual - dont overthink or complicate this.
Depending on the size of the data or video files, buy a cheap USB hard drive of an appropriate size ( maybe £25-£30) and simply copy & paste

 

[snailtrailer]

Thank you @Langtoftlad. You're absolutely right. (My brain hurts) Thanks for the advice.

 

[GJH]

@johnp10 Thank you John. Is it necessary to spend £63 on a hard drive - the one Jim highlighted from Amazon. Again, how do you choose. I am of the view buy cheap/buy twice.

Currys have about a dozen 1TB drives from recognised companies (e.g. Seagate, Maxtor, Toshiba) for between £40 and £55. You may find the same items cheaper on-line but shops are convenient if you want one in a hurry.

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[snailtrailer]

Thank you @GJH I wish I knew more about this up-to-date technology but I am glad there are Funsters - like yourself - willing to help out.

 

[DBK]

If there is a virus would that also get backed up and thus I would be no better off.

Unfortunately, yes this can happen. A permanently connected and switched on additional hard drive, though convenient, can be vulnerable to the latest craze for "ransom ware" which will make your files unreadable.
If your precious files are relatively few and small then a cheap USB memory stick will keep a copy but you could also copy them to a CD or DVD either instead or as an extra backup.
I have a separate hard drive connected to a USB socket on the PC but I only turn it on to copy across specific files I don't want to lose, then I turn it off so it should be safe if something nasty gets into the computer. It isn't a failsafe strategy but everything helps.

 

[TheBig1]

If you are generally happy with the computer buy a replacement hard drive and have somebody clone the old disc onto the new one. then install the new drive to replace the failing one. that way the computer will be set up exactly as you remember

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[johnp10]

@johnp10 Thank you John. Is it necessary to spend £63 on a hard drive - the one Jim highlighted from Amazon. Again, how do you choose. I am of the view buy cheap/buy twice.

Here's your answer:

As usual - dont overthink or complicate this.
Depending on the size of the data or video files, buy a cheap USB hard drive of an appropriate size ( maybe £25-£30) and simply copy & paste

Here's your source:

Currys have about a dozen 1TB drives from recognised companies (e.g. Seagate, Maxtor, Toshiba) for between £40 and £55. You may find the same items cheaper on-line but shops are convenient if you want one in a hurry.

 

[johnp10]

If you are generally happy with the computer buy a replacement hard drive and have somebody clone the old disc onto the new one. then install the new drive to replace the failing one. that way the computer will be set up exactly as you remember

Just as easy, if not easier.

 

[clanjones]

If the disk is that dodgy then yes best to get the files off ASAP using cut and paste or if you are running windows 10 then you could the built in facilities as per the enclosed articles.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/how-back-up-windows-10-3635397/

Have you run any disk checking tools such as 'diskcheckup' which comes with windows 10 to confirm the issue with the disk or is it that obvious?

First though, as numerous other folk have said, you will need an external USB storage device to copy the files too!

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[snailtrailer]