How to backup your computer data at realtime (just in case it crashes)
I have read several posts on the Internet where people keep promising themselves about backing their computers up as soon as possible. I could have been one of those people. Hey, it’s natural tendency for humans to procrastinate… and I am only human. So I keep promising myself about data backups, and then I promptly forget the promises. I’m sure some of you would count yourself in on my team.
But jokes apart, it absolutely important that you keep regular backups of your data. However smart and useful they are, computers are still machines, and 0ne fine morning, your computer may fail to fire up. What then? You have all your blog/website r
elated files, your personal documents, your correspondences, passwords, photographs… everything on that hard drive. How do you get it back?
You resort to your backups. It would be tragic if at that point of time you discover that your backup is not up to date. There are a number of software available that will allow you to backup your data at real time. That’s right. These are the tools that people like you and me should install to avoid sleepless nights because we do not have to remember about the backups anymore. The software will do that for us. Here are a few of them.
Some of them are appropriate for small businesses, while some are meant for individual users like me:
Rank# 3:
Atempo Live Backup: This tool works best on multiple computers within a network. This software is scalable… which means you can apply your backup policy to an entire network of computers if needs be. The vendor claims that:
- the software works like an anti virus program—in the background
- the backup process is fully automated. It does not require your intervention
- the software compresses data, eliminates useless files and technologies, and optimize your computer and bandwidth for better performance
- it has a self-service restore facility, but it can also enable administrators to restore damaged PCs and perform full bare-metal disaster recoveries.
- it operates through a centralized storage unit built around Microsoft SQL Server 2000
Patrolmypc speak: The software has amazing features, but it may not be best for individual users. If you have a small business or operate three or more computers in a network, then you can try this tool out. It has proven track record and will be value for money.
You can download an evaluation version of the software over here.
Rank# 2:
EzBackup: This software could easily have been ranked number one on my list, but I found a software that’s slightly better. Still, EzBackup is a great software if “you find backingup, a chore”. It is apt for individual users like you and me who fawn over our one or two computers.
EzBackup is a drive-to-drive backup software. Which means, this software will transform any internal or external drive on your computer into an automatic backup drive. You can use USB, Firewire, or eSata drive for this purpose.
All you have to do is allow EzBackup to take one snapshot of your system, and then schedule backups as per the time of your choice. You can schedule up to 8 backups per day.
The software will run in the background without interfering in your activities. If you lose or delete a file, finding it will be as easy as 1-2-3 with EzBackup. It allows you to backup individual files, folders, and even MS Outlook data.
Patrolmypc speak: The software maybe just what you need. This is the kind of no-tension, hassle-free maintenance software that all computer owners must have in their arsenal. The vendor claims:
If you corrupt your operating system or lose your boot drive due to a disk crash, you’ll be able to restore your boot drive quickly and easily. No need to start madly searching for application CDs or to search the internet for the latest updates and patches for your programs and hardware. You’ll be up and running again in no time!
Now who can beat that? Apparently one software can. In the meantime, if you would like to try out EzBackup free for 30 days, click here to download the trial version.
EzBackup sells for a very affordable $49.99. Click here to purchase EzBackup.
Rank# 1
AutoSave 2: If you liked what we wrote about EzBackup, we promise you are going to fall in love with AutoSave 2. This software provides you everything that EzBackup does, and a little more.
What’s extra in here?
Well, AutoSave comes with a proprietary AutoBackup™ technology that continuously monitors what files you are working on, and automatically saves a backup when you create or save a file. The amazing part of this technology is that it can save multiple “history” versions of your same file without interrupting your other activities even once.
This feature is great for writers, designers, programmers alike, who would want to go back and take a look at version 1.2 of the file that they are working on at version 7.3
AutoSave starts working from the moment it is installed. It can backup any file—from spreadsheets to emails, regardless of the program. That is the default setting of the program.
It gains more points because of its several in-built wizards that allow you to customize the backup process any which way you want.
There is also automatic backup synchronization for laptop users.
You can back your file to just about any media: Jaz, Zip, local and network drives as well as CD-R(W), DVD-R(W) and USB drives. Its “Media spanning” technology allows large backup archives to be split into multiple volumes.
What takes the cake?
In our book, this is what makes AutoSave the best backup tool available in the market today. NO SCHEDULING REQUIRED.
That’s right. While you need to schedule your backups on EzBackup, no such thing is required for AutoSave.
To top it all: A vista ready version of AutoSave 2 is now available for download.
Patrolmypc speak: GET IT NOW!
A free trial version of AutoSave 2 is available for download and evaluation. You can click here to download it.
AutoSave 2 sells for $49.95. You can click here to purchase you copy now!
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