FREE Stuff to Back up Your Data
I have spent the last day or so trying to repair a failing laptop hard drive for a client of mine, enough to recover data from it. This is expensive, slow and painful process for everyone. I thought this would be a good opportunity to talk about some FREE back up options.
The very first thing about Backing up is to do it, do it now. Now because the next time you turn on your computer it might not boot up. Ever had that feeling of shear panic knowing it is your fault you don’t have a copy of your most important data.
There are a lot of ways to back up your data.
You can just use removable media such as CD’ or DVD’s or thumb dives. You can get FREE software or buy software to create an image of your hard drive, as it exists now (including system files and settings) and store you data on an external hard drive.
FREEBIES INCLUDE:
FREE Drive imaging software:
Drive imagining software allows you to back up your data, operating system, settings and data files. Make an exact replica of your hard drive as is exists today. A real time saver when your drive fails. Catch is you need to use it regularly! Here are some free ways to do it.
GoodSync: GoodSync automatically Backs Up (1-Way) or Synchronizes (2-Way) your emails, photos, financial documents, MP3s and all other important files between desktops, laptops, servers, and external drives.
DriveImage XMLL: Easy to use and reliable program for imaging and backing up logical drive and partitions, view and extract files, restore to the same of different drive, copy from drive to drive, auto back up.
HDClone3.2: Free Edition: The free version is fully functional and allows for cloning of one disk to another.
My choice, and what I use, is Acronis True Image
Acronis True Image: is not free but they do have a fully functional FREE trial.
Using this software I have been able to make a recovery CD, clone the failing drive to an external drive and recover an back up data, photos and music files. This software is worth the price many times over. Cost is $49.99/per license.
FREE on-line data storage services
Lots of services are cropping up and finding the right one for you will require a little research. Services such as Yahoo (briefcase) and AOL (My storage) are some of the solutions becoming available and Google is working on a new solution as we speak. Though you can access files from any computer you will be dealing with fees and upload times. Storage and File sharing between users are advantages of the Yahoo, AOL, and many of the ones services listed below.
Right now I am not recommending any of these services just letting you know they exist. If you want to try them let me know what you like and don’t like about them. I recommend you do a search and read the existing reviews on these services from trusted sources like PC Magazine.
FREE on-line data storage services
Streamload: 25 GB of FREE Storage Space. Streamload, gives you a private and secure place to upload, store, access, and share your personal videos, photos, movies, music, and files.
I Drive – 2GB of FREE Storage Space. $4.95 a month unlimited storage space.
FlipDrive: FREE on-line storage, file and photo sharing. Read the Privacy Policy
My Net Storage – 5GB of FREE storage $4.99/month or $3.99 if paid for a year.
Go Daddy – 50 MB of Storage Space - $6.99/year
Mozy – 2GB of Storage Space for Home users Free. $4.95 a month unlimited space.
Mozy seems to get the best reviews but look closely at this. They do require you to download and install software that runs in the background. Mozy doesn't offer a 'Backup this file' option when an item is right-clicked inside Windows Explorer. It also does not except FTP file transfer.
Carbonite On Line Back up – 15-day FREE trial and $49.95 a year for unlimited back up after the trial is finished.
Do your homework before using any of these services and make sure that you have another back up of your data. Servers go down, companies go out of business and your data is your data period and it is your responsibility to keep it safe.
