My data backup procedure is in shambles. What is the best personal data backup scheme to protect my data? [more inside]
posted by burnfirewalls on Mar 24, 2009 - 21 answers

I have a Macbook and a new external hard drive. I'd like to set up Time Machine, but I don't want to devote my entire new hard drive to back ups. I'm new to this, but I think I want to partition my drive- how do I go about doing that? And how large of a partition do I need for Time Machine? [more inside]
posted by MadamM on Jan 6, 2009 - 13 answers

With Livejournal possibly aiming itself for a demise sometime in the future, I have a techie question that I'm hoping metafilter can answer and save me countless hours of google time. [more inside]
posted by FritoKAL on Jan 6, 2009 - 3 answers

Can I use B: as a drive letter, on a modern windows PC, without messing things up? [more inside]
posted by penciltopper on Sep 29, 2008 - 11 answers

Automating turning folders into disk images in OS X Leopard. I'm starting to use Amazon S3 for backups, and rather than having a single big disk image for my photos, which would equate to 4.3GB, I would prefer to have single multiple folders to upload, and then be able to download/upload disk images as needed. I could then use then use the same process for my work related backups. Is there anyway to automate this process, or any utility which will take a folder and automatically turn it into a disk image of the same size?
posted by spyke23 on Sep 26, 2008 - 1 answer

I'd like to create a bootable backup of my MacBook's hard drive 150GB hard drive. I've got a 500GB drive, but it's in an Ubuntu server on my LAN. Is there a good way to back up a bootable backup to another computer? [more inside]
posted by nasty, brutish, and of average height on Aug 19, 2008 - 5 answers

I have finally completed a overhaul of my home network. There's only one question left - how can I leverage the resources I have to backup my Mac? [more inside]
posted by kbanas on Jun 26, 2008 - 14 answers

Help me figure out the world of computer backups. [more inside]
posted by unexpected on Oct 11, 2007 - 23 answers

I am looking to buy empty LTO Ultrium clamshell cases like this one. I found one place, but the website is very dodgy with popups, etc. Anybody know of a good source for these?
posted by everichon on Oct 11, 2007 - 4 answers

Help me graph the amount of data I'm backing up! [more inside]
posted by drstein on Jun 1, 2007 - 3 answers

My father passed away a few months ago and the question of how to store the data on his office computers for the long term has come up. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by BigSky on Feb 19, 2007 - 8 answers

I'm looking for very easy to use Windows backup software that backs up to a remote (FTP or SFTP) site. Essentially, something as dead-simple and friendly to use as Mozy, but that allows you to specify your own storage. [more inside]
posted by miagaille on Dec 18, 2006 - 7 answers

What's the best way to backup/restore (on a Mac)? [more inside]
posted by Colloquial Collision on Dec 11, 2006 - 13 answers

Is there a reasonably priced Windows backup solution that does SCP, not FTP? [more inside]
posted by phearlez on Jan 19, 2006 - 3 answers

Why do some PC game CDs and DVDs play and install just fine on my machine, but absolutely refuse to be backed up? I'm not entirely sure it's due to actual copy protection schemes. [more inside]
posted by cyrusdogstar on Dec 30, 2005 - 14 answers

Is there a distribution of a linux-like OS which turns hardware into an easy-to-configure rsync appliance? [more inside]
posted by Wild_Eep on Oct 11, 2005 - 13 answers

We have a bunch of unused 4mm data tapes (DDS3), a format we don't use for backup any longer. Any reason we shouldn't use them in a digital video camera?
posted by donpardo on Sep 19, 2005 - 5 answers

Windows Synchronization Catastrophe! Due to office policy, a former colleague was using an office server as the location for the "My Documents" folder of her personal laptop, then using the synchronize folders feature to provide her with a crude backup. It worked too well. The server was decommissioned a year or two ago and no one ever told her. She just continued to work using the offiline cache. Today, not knowing what she was doing, she went into the "synchronize files" menu and unchecked the box. Suddenly her "My Documents" folder is very, very empty. Those files have to be stored somewhere on that machine, don't they? Can they be restored? Easily, even? Thanks in advance.
posted by Sinner on Jun 30, 2005 - 5 answers

I'm looking for an online backup solution for my personal computers. [more inside]
posted by delmoi on Feb 27, 2005 - 14 answers

Wacky Windows question. I recently did some work on my chiefs computer and in the process upgraded his OS from 98 to 2000Pro. The problem is his backups (that he never mentioned existed) are saved without an extension on a Zip disk. Does this naming convention look familiar to anyone: "Backup Job 4, Disk 1, 04-12-14 22.20.05.1-Step" ?
posted by cedar on Feb 3, 2005 - 5 answers

Does anyone have experience with online data storage services -- i.e. backing up important files such as pictures, transaction records, music, etc. on remote storage accessible via the Web? Is there true value in this? Who are the best providers? What should I be paying?
posted by terrier319 on Jan 21, 2005 - 12 answers

I've lost my Microsoft Office install disk. Is it possible to transfer it from one Mac to another? If so, can I run both Macs on the same network without any troubles? (MORE INSIDE) [more inside]
posted by yankeefog on Jan 14, 2005 - 5 answers

Will I ever be able to do scheduled backups again? I'm on XP Home, and Task Scheduler seems hosed. I get the message "Unable to establish existence of the account specified" whenever I try to schedule something. MS tells me this is a known problem, resulting from the account having been renamed, and that if I restore the original name, all will be well. I have no idea what the original name could have been. Suggestions?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders on Aug 5, 2004 - 2 answers

I am looking for a good offsite backup service, I don't really feel comfortable storing important files on a web server. It doesn't really have to be automatic, but that would be nice. If it does have software it needs to be OSX friendly. This data is important, and not replaceable, but not like checking account numbers and things. The data also changes somewhat frequently, so burning a dvd and throwing it in a safety deposit box is not an option. [more inside]
posted by rhyax on Apr 24, 2004 - 4 answers