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fishguy · Apr 29, 2003, 01:47 PM

Ok, I've risked all for some time now by ignoring all dire warnings about not backing up my important files. Before all hell breaks loose, I need some advice on a simple, efficient, and reliable means to do nightly back-ups (are maybe a couple of times a week). Here's what I have.

I recently added a 3rd hard drive. I'm using a 40 GB as my master drive, an 80 GB which I will clear some room, and a 200 GB drive for video. My plan is to back-up files from the master to the 80 GB drive, except for Audio and images, which will be backed up to DVD-R.

What are the essentials to back up? OSX library, documents, and what else?

It would be nice to find a reasonably priced software package to do this in the background.

ANy recommendations?

Westfoto · Apr 29, 2003, 02:11 PM

One word - Retrospect.

This will do it. It can go a another HD or a CD or a DVD or even Tape.

http://www.dantz.com/products/maccompare.html

Go and check it out, there will be one that will work with your system and budget.

West

itai195 · Apr 29, 2003, 03:28 PM

I'll chime in for Retrospect too. The consumer (~$50) version is more full-featured than any other consumer backup program I've seen.

derekn · Apr 29, 2003, 03:38 PM

Also don't forget to follow the main rule of thumb as close as possible. Make two backups, one that is kept on site and if possible, one off site. Be sure to also verify your backup.

Macola · Apr 30, 2003, 09:06 PM

One vote against Retrospect. I had a lot of problems in early versions of Jaguar with it, switched to Deja Vu and couldn't be happier. For basic backups to HDs, as you're doing, it would be perfect and cheaper than Retrospect.

cgc · May 1, 2003, 01:56 PM

I have heard excellent reviews of Retrospect but I have tried out Deja Vu and for $15 it is awesome. Check them both out. I wish Apple would include something like Deja Vu in Panther (it's a preference pane).

dampeoples · May 1, 2003, 02:56 PM

I use retrospect express (complete drive)weekly, and Apple Backup daily on the most important files, such a my Quicken data, etc. I also run Retrospect during the week if I upload a lot of pics, or something like that.

JohnM15141 · May 1, 2003, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by fishguy:

What are the essentials to back up? OSX library, documents, and what else?

I'd like to see a good answer to this one. What are the essentials that need to be backed up?

I don't want to waste time backing things up that are going to be reinstalled by the OS or my Application files(as well as recent updates, etc.)

I want my preferences and data saved. And be able to restore my settings once I've reinstalled the OS and my Applications.

Does "Retrospect" do this for you?

Macola · May 1, 2003, 04:29 PM

Originally posted by JohnM15141:

I want my preferences and data saved. And be able to restore my settings once I've reinstalled the OS and my Applications.

Does "Retrospect" do this for you?

You can set Retrospect to back up whatever you choose. With Deja Vu, my strategy is daily backup of documents (I keep them all on a separate partition), and weekly backup of my users folder. That covers all the critical stuff.

It is somewhat easier to restore files from Deja Vu, as Retrsopect stores all your files in a propietary archive format. With Deja Vu, your files just get copied over "as is". The downside is that there's no compression, but that's not a big problem for me.