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Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

December 7th, 2015, 6:55

I almost lost 4TB worth of data after my 4TB HDD was damaged by overvoltage. I managed to get it fixed and recovered my data. I want to be careful this time and I decided to get another 4TB HDD and use it as a backup. Can anyone suggest a software/method so that my computer will backup the files I have? I constantly add/change files in my HDD so my goal is to have both 4TB HDD have the same files at all times and is done automatically. Than you.

Re: Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

December 7th, 2015, 11:58

Hi

You can use file synchronization software like Unison to sync files between your computer hdd and external storage.

Re: Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

December 8th, 2015, 6:58

The most transparent and straight forward solution (not the most economically efficient though) would be to enable RAID 1 if your motherboard supports it.
Everything is saved identically in 2 drives, if one fails you have the other as if nothing happened. Idealy, there are also no system delays for backing up.

Re: Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

December 8th, 2015, 8:17

Raid 1 doesn't protect you from user error or virus.
If you get ransomware like cryptolocker even with Raid 1 you are in for pain.
Best backup plan is to make 2 different copies (plus original data) in different media types and have one of the copies off-site, to protect you against robery, fire, etc...

Re: Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

January 5th, 2016, 10:29

+1 for Aomei Backupper. For protection against crypto-viruses, I suggest using the Aomei Backupper PE to clone your drive periodically. That way, its contents are not vulnerable to encryption/damage by whatever is running on your system. You might want to also get a WD MyBook and set up WD SmartWare to make continuous backups of your data, then periodically use Aomei PE to clone that drive rather than your system/data drive. For even better protection, get two drives to hold the backups and keep one off-site, alternating between them when you make the next backup.

Re: Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

February 2nd, 2016, 14:55

Macrium Reflect can also be used for backups. Didn't see the last post date :)
Anyway, I suggest making two separate OS partition and data partition backups onto the two ext HDs.

Re: Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

February 2nd, 2016, 15:41

the OP's last visit was...

Re: Backup my 4TB, need suggestions.

February 2nd, 2016, 15:45

jermy wrote:the OP's last visit was...
true, however, I came across this thread and wanted to learn more from the postings of others. :)
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