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[hotel21]

My household has a wireless network so as to allow three desktop PC's access to my broadband connection.  The wireless hub allows me to add in something like this so as to backup and mirror important files on all 3 machines.  After a couple of lost data scares recently, actively looking for a resolution.  Not actually bought one yet, just looking for suitable advice from clever peeps here.  Not really wanting to have a PC running 24/7.

Anyone any comments, good or bad, on such a device?  I am not really computer literate but can plod away, given time.  As far as I can tell, the storage device is up all the time the network is and is not dependant on whether any master PC is active?

thanks...  

[TheBoy]

I haven't looked at that product, but I guess its a standard NAS type device, albeit a consumer/cheap one.

NAS devices stay on all the time, much like a server...

[theolodian]

Probably a lot of variation in how easy they are to set up, but yeah those little NAS boxes do stay on all the time.  Then it is up to you to make sure that you back your data up.  The other question is the fan noise.  Some of them aren't so quiet, and if your router is behind your TV . . .

[hotel21]

Thought about the fan and noise aspect, and will probably hide it in a corner away from the main movement in the house.....  Accepting it is a 'consumer' type product rather than an industrial standard one, what about the whole concept of mirrored drives that are accessible to all 3 PC's?  Could happily set up Ghostxx or similar (or supplied software?) to ensure relevant backups are taken daily/weekly....

Please remember, I'm far from an I.T. professional when you answer....    

[theolodian]

Thought about the fan and noise aspect, and will probably hide it in a corner away from the main movement in the house.....  Accepting it is a 'consumer' type product rather than an industrial standard one, what about the whole concept of mirrored drives that are accessible to all 3 PC's?  Could happily set up Ghostxx or similar (or supplied software?) to ensure relevant backups are taken daily/weekly....

Please remember, I'm far from an I.T. professional when you answer....    

If there's freeware backup software for normal people that actually works I'd like to hear about it.  I haven't even looked b/c every time I hear about backup software it isn't working correctly.

The fact that drives are mirrored is invisible to the PC/user.  If the NAS has a hardware RAID controller, then should be easy to set up.  2 or 3 identical drives and you're away!

[TheBoy]

It is possible to redirect your My Documents to go to a different location in XP Pro (not sure about Home, I would need to check). That is one way of keeping data safe, or map a drive, and save everything there.  Won't provide total disaster recovery, but will keep data safe.

[Danny]

i have a 120gb external hard drive i use to back up stuff, bought it years ago by mistake but it does the job and doesnt require any "setting up"

sorry, that doesnt really answer your Q does it

[hotel21]

Yup, hear what you say as regards DVD backups and double copies....

Just recently had Daughter in tears for a day or two (literally...) when her dissertation and e-porfolio went t*ts up when my PC crashed...  hers had already gone to PC heaven and was using her backups to continue working on my machine......  Problem was, she neglected to backup her data when working on my PC thereafter.  Luckily, after a boot drive mount failure on my machine I was able to recover her data (and mine, thankfully...) and all was again good...

Looking to invoke some automated method of archiving essential data as well as initial install images of all three machines to reduce (potential) restore times....  Would such a device, with suitable drives, do the deed???

[TheBoy]

Yup, hear what you say as regards DVD backups and double copies....

Just recently had Daughter in tears for a day or two (literally...) when her dissertation and e-porfolio went t*ts up when my PC crashed...  hers had already gone to PC heaven and was using her backups to continue working on my machine......  Problem was, she neglected to backup her data when working on my PC thereafter.  Luckily, after a boot drive mount failure on my machine I was able to recover her data (and mine, thankfully...) and all was again good...

Looking to invoke some automated method of archiving essential data as well as initial install images of all three machines to reduce (potential) restore times....  Would such a device, with suitable drives, do the deed???

The base Ghost (or whatever) would need to happen over network, so would need DOS drivers for the NIC in each PC (easier said than done).

I have a similar setup to what you are thinking of here - I base Ghost image for each machine on the network, and all data stored on network.  Difference is I use a server instead of NAS box, but that doesn't really matter...

[theolodian]

i have a 120gb external hard drive i use to back up stuff, bought it years ago by mistake but it does the job and doesnt require any "setting up"

sorry, that doesnt really answer your Q does it

I backup my iTunes and photos that way, but suggest not counting on a single USB drive as only backup.

[hotel21]

TB - whats NIC?  Please remember to use non techy clever speak!!    

[TheBoy]

TB - whats NIC?  Please remember to use non techy clever speak!!    

Soz, Network Interface Card - Network Card to you and me

Ghost Corporate editions (don't bother with the naff non-corporate editions) work in DOS, so need DOS drivers to get them on the network. No wireless devices have DOS drivers. Most wired card have drivers, but not all.

[Nickbat]

This month's Computer Shopper comes with a free version Paragon Drive Backup 8.5 Personal Edition (just requires online registration). Also on Page 145, there is an article on backing up using ths program.

Shopper is a good mag with a sound reputation, so I would think that the software is Ok if they've agreed to put it out with this month's issue.

[hotel21]

NIC - Network card - ta....

In effect then, this storage gubbins, if hard wired to my network wireless server, will do duty as a central storage point for the data and images of the 3 PC's who normally use same....
And have the data mirrored within the device, should one of the drives go t*ts up...
And, given access to someone clever, they could restore such important data on the originating machines with minimal fuss and bother...
As long as one machine at least is hard wired to the device, rather than using a wireless connection??

Bottom line - is this something worth getting and setting up, or is it potentially more hassle than its worth??

[Markjay]

Yup, hear what you say as regards DVD backups and double copies....

In case anyone was wondering what Hotel21 is on about...

I briefly posted a reply, then decided I wanted to modify it so took it off, but was distracted by a phone call from a friend on the other side of the world who was insomniac and had problems with his anti virus..... I guess Hotel21 managed to read the post just before it was removed, so for the benefit of everyone else here it is again:


The main problem with all low-cost storage solution, e.g. NAS, external USB drives etc, is backup… you get 500gb or 1tb very cheap, pour tons of stuff into it, with no quick way of backing it up… a DVD currently takes only up to 8.5gb max, but you need to be disciplined and use it to back up. You could also get another dive and back everything to it, this is OK, but for technical reasons less than ideal – tape backup is best option but may not be practical for home users, so DVD backup (2 copies, please) is the way to go.