Backup strategy

Discussion in 'Acronis True Image Product Line' started by Kiwi52, Dec 5, 2005.

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  1. Kiwi52

    Kiwi52 Registered Member

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    Just thought I'd throw this in for discussion...

    Once a month, do a complete disk image and if it checks out OK, delete previous backups from backup drive.

    Once a week, do an incremental, scheduled backup.

    Prior to making any significant change to PC, do a manual incremental.

    Post making any significant change to PC, and assuming all is working as it should, do a manual incremental.

    Does that sound realistic?

    TIA. :)
     
  2. crofttk

    crofttk Registered Member

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    First, I would put "step 0" as test to be sure that you can restore any form of backup reliably.

    (If you're running TI 9, make sure to download the latest build, 2323, if you haven't already)

    Other than that:
    Yes, depending on how often things change on your system AND, particularly, as long as you don't do any defrgramentations until just before the full backup. Elsewise your incrementals may end up just as big as your full backups.
     
  3. billwv

    billwv Registered Member

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    That is essentially what I do.

    But, I always run anti virus and anti spyware checks before backups.

    Bill
     
  4. Kiwi52

    Kiwi52 Registered Member

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    Good point. Haven't done a restore since the previous build. Thanks.

    I haven't downloaded 2323 yet - basically 2302 seems to be working fine for me thus far, and I'll hold off updating until the consensus is that it's stable etc. Doesn't stop me downloading it though, I suppose. :)
     
  5. crofttk

    crofttk Registered Member

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    Hehe.. good thinking: if it ain't broke, don't fix it !;)
     
  6. Kiwi52

    Kiwi52 Registered Member

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    Another good point. I have my system set up to run AV on startup each day so that's not an issue for me personally, but I usually only do spyware searches when something jogs my memory. Thanks for that. :)
     
  7. beckygb

    beckygb Registered Member

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    You may want to look at the thread called "Full or Incremental Backups" on this forum. There are a lot on different backup strategies.

    I would supply a link to it but I don't know how.
     
  8. rustyblue

    rustyblue Registered Member

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    When should you use a "differential backup"?
     
  9. Ozmaniac

    Ozmaniac Registered Member

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    As I have only a limited space in which to store my images, I use differential backup to reduce the number and overall size of backups I need to store. True Image incrementals can be quite large and you must keep all of them plus the full backup to which they 'belong'. With differentials on the other hand, you only need to keep the last one plus the full on which it is based. I keep an eye on the size of my latest differential, and when its size approaches that of a full backup, I do a new full backup and then zap all differentials.:cool:
     
  10. seekforever

    seekforever Registered Member

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    Probably quite realistic for 99+% of the disasters likely to strike your HD. The weakness you have, if I read your post correctly, is totally relying on the backup HD. For my photos, spreadsheets and other non-obtainable files I also write DVDs so if the PC caught fire I would still have these files. Also, if a data file is accidently deleted and you are quickly overwriting backups then it is gone, where a copy on DVD remains.
    Naturally, backup gurus in the corporate world will tell you your DVDs should be stored in a different physical location in case your whole office or house burns down or is robbed.

    Just how far you want to take the ability for complete file recovery is the question.
     
  11. Kiwi52

    Kiwi52 Registered Member

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    My HDD is an external USB2 unit and I only run it for backups. It's only physically attached to the PC when I'm backing up. You're correct that it's my only backup media - I do however archive material both on DVD and also on my online storage with Google and Yahoo.

    The offsite online storage mentioned above stands in for keeping an extra set off site, at least for archived data. But I doubt that it's feasible to store copies of True Image's backup images online - the files would be huge and I have a broadband data cap. :)
     
  12. seekforever

    seekforever Registered Member

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    I think I'll raise my rating on your coverage from 99+% to darn close to 100%:)
     
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