[99RedSi]

I have a simple requirement from a backup program and Apple's Backup app might actually do this, I'm just not at home on my iMac to check.

What I want to do is copy my entire 80GB HD to my bootable, OWC (only the enclosure itself is OWC - the HD is WD) Firewire harddrive on a weekly basis. Basically, I want this to be FULLY bootable, in case my iMac hard drive crashes. I want the backup program to delete the previous backup AUTOMATICALLY every week and replace it with a new one.

Which app can do this?

1) Backup
2) Impression
3) SuperDuper
4) Lacie Silverkeeper (FREE - no Lacie drive needed)


Also, is this the BEST way to backup an OS X hard drive?

[kikkoman]

This can probably accomplished with a simple shell script. Type man asr in the terminal. Use CronniX to run the script weekly. I've wanted to do the same thing but I've been lazy.

[OreoCookie]

I will answer your second question before your first: this is not the best way to backup your Mac. The very idea of deleting before copying does the very opposite you want to do: you destroy your backup before having a new one.

Just imagine a simple scenario: there is an inconsistency in your filesystem or a physical error on your harddrive that will prevent you from copying some data. Then you will not have any sort of backup left, because you have deleted it before making the new backup.

I hope you see why this is really the worst idea for making backups.

Also, merely cloning drives is also not a good backup strategy. It will not protect you against any sort of data loss from corrupted applications or accidental deletion and alteration. Do a search in these forums to find out more about proper backup strategies.

[99RedSi]

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

I will answer your second question before your first: this is not the best way to backup your Mac. The very idea of deleting before copying does the very opposite you want to do: you destroy your backup before having a new one.

Just imagine a simple scenario: there is an inconsistency in your filesystem or a physical error on your harddrive that will prevent you from copying some data. Then you will not have any sort of backup left, because you have deleted it before making the new backup.

I hope you see why this is really the worst idea for making backups.

Also, merely cloning drives is also not a good backup strategy. It will not protect you against any sort of data loss from corrupted applications or accidental deletion and alteration. Do a search in these forums to find out more about proper backup strategies.

Good points, OreoCookie - thanks

[Mike Pither]

you can certainly do this with Superduper or carbon copy cloner

[kcmac]

Use SuperDuper. Instead of deleting your bootable copy, it just changes the things that have changed since your last backup. Usually takes just a few minutes. The free version BTW does not have this feature.