The importance of backups
Jan 26, 2011, 10:18 am
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: ORD
Posts: 14,243
The importance of backups
I got it into my head to install XP on a SSD that I'd gotten for my dad so I could play with it before giving it to him. Doing so corrupted my existing Windows install and bootloader.
Fortunately I'd just done a full hard drive backup in my attempts to clone the hard drive and had been making regular online backups. No data loss!
As an added bonus, I have appropriated the SSD. It's about 10GB less storage but SO MUCH FASTER. It's like my four year old Thinkpad is new!
Remember to back up!
Fortunately I'd just done a full hard drive backup in my attempts to clone the hard drive and had been making regular online backups. No data loss!
As an added bonus, I have appropriated the SSD. It's about 10GB less storage but SO MUCH FASTER. It's like my four year old Thinkpad is new!
Remember to back up!
Jan 26, 2011, 11:15 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
I learned my lesson years ago.
However, I've found that most online companies 'pack up' after a few years. To that end, I keep backups on a 2nd HDD in my PC and a separate external HDD. Yeah, they could all go in a fire, but that's about the only situation where I'd lose it all.
However, I've found that most online companies 'pack up' after a few years. To that end, I keep backups on a 2nd HDD in my PC and a separate external HDD. Yeah, they could all go in a fire, but that's about the only situation where I'd lose it all.
Jan 26, 2011, 11:56 am
#3
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I have always said people who use computers fall mostly into two categories
1) those who needed a backup and did not have one and now do
2) those who do not have backups but will one day need one
1) those who needed a backup and did not have one and now do
2) those who do not have backups but will one day need one
Jan 26, 2011, 1:02 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Denver
Programs: Ex-HHonors Diamond (now nothing), former AA EXP
Posts: 425
There are two kinds of data, backed up and lost.
Jan 26, 2011, 1:27 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2006
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1MM *G (recovered GS), SPG Nothing, Hilton Nothing, AA Nothing
Posts: 896
3) Those who had a backup and it didn't work and now keep multiple backups on different media in different locations.
My current approach is RAID 1 on main system + Nightly backup to two separate disks (NAS + USB) + critical/current files on Drop Box.
Drop Box has the additional advantage that I have access to files from my desktop and laptop at all times, plus they are stored in the cloud if everything breaks.
Jan 26, 2011, 2:13 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
I would add:
3) Those who had a backup and it didn't work and now keep multiple backups on different media in different locations.
My current approach is RAID 1 on main system + Nightly backup to two separate disks (NAS + USB) + critical/current files on Drop Box.
3) Those who had a backup and it didn't work and now keep multiple backups on different media in different locations.
My current approach is RAID 1 on main system + Nightly backup to two separate disks (NAS + USB) + critical/current files on Drop Box.
Probably overkill but literally everything I have is on those drives, old photos, music, videos, etc. One of the PC drives failed a few weeks back which re-enforces my experience that drives seem to start dropping at 24 month mark.
Jan 27, 2011, 8:00 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: UA 1MM Gold, Delta Gold, HH ◊, SPG Gold
Posts: 297
Got me thinking about our remote office. Currently just backed up to server in same office. Installed DeltaCopy (GUI app based on Rysnc) that syncs to remote NAS server. Nice thing it only copies blocks that have changed, so WAN traffic is kept to a minimum for large (>100MB) files.
^
^
Jan 27, 2011, 2:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Plat
Posts: 576
I'm similar, I run RAID 1 on my home pc, which in turn is backed up to a NAS also RAID1.
Probably overkill but literally everything I have is on those drives, old photos, music, videos, etc. One of the PC drives failed a few weeks back which re-enforces my experience that drives seem to start dropping at 24 month mark.
Probably overkill but literally everything I have is on those drives, old photos, music, videos, etc. One of the PC drives failed a few weeks back which re-enforces my experience that drives seem to start dropping at 24 month mark.
Jan 27, 2011, 2:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: on the Llano Estacado
Posts: 2,652
My routine: I have two 150 GB drives in a RAID 0. I do an image backup nightly to an internal 2 TB drive, takes about 1/2 hour. I set the software to keep 10 copies, it rolls off the oldest. Weekly backup to an NAS. The wife's computer follows the same routine, except that she backs up an 80 GB single drive to a 500 GB internal nightly, then the weekly backup to the same NAS.
I have restored my machine twice from image backups. ^
I have restored my machine twice from image backups. ^
Jan 27, 2011, 3:00 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: AA, Hertz Gold, United, Delta Skymiles,
Posts: 24
new to PC backup
Does anyone know of any wireless back up systems for PC. I'm used to mac, and the time machine, but now have a new pc notebook that I'd like to (conveniently) backup. Thanks in advance!
Jan 27, 2011, 3:46 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
On a separate note does anyone ever test a restore? I haven't but I guess I could be deluding myself with my backup without doing that right? Something to ponder..
Jan 27, 2011, 3:57 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
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