Backup solutions - hardware/software

[diseases]

im looking for help on trying to pick out a backup solution for my system
((x1 500 gig data drive))
((x1 75 gig OS drive ))
VISTA 64-BIT

i think one 640/750gig external hard drive would be the most suitable, all-in-one option

QUESTIONS:

> i use this system as a image/video/audio work tool so the bulk of data is under constant change/revision
>>What is the most appropriate method of back up (full volume back up?/taking an image of the drive?)
AND
what additional software would i need to have to perform the operation?

>ive looked at seagate/western digital/buffalo external drives and have read different stories talking about incompatability with vista 64bit as well as slow data transfer speeds
>>Can someone help me pick out an external hard drive (ideally with USB2+Firewire connections) that is 100% compatable with my set up
OR
>>>Or an enclosure to house the drive in myself? (im finding it difficult to locate an appropriate enclosure availible to me in the UK)

if anyone could help me with any of this or at least point me in the right direction i would be really grateful,
all the best

[BipolarBill]

The physical drive and enclosure will always be compatible with Vista x64. The problem is only with the included backup software. Instead, use this:

Drive Backup Express - Free Download!

If you like the free version, feel free to buy the full one.

Other brands:

Complete hard disk recovery solution, backup, drive copy, clone and image computer software

Norton Save & Restore: Disk Data Recovery - Computer Backup Software

[Rootstonian]

Does your computer support RAID? If not, here's a suggestion..

Get a RAID card. Get 2 NEW 500 GIG drives. Transfer all your data to one of the new drives. Set them up for MIRRORED RAID in your PC. Get an external case for the "old" 500 gigger and then use Acronis (or whatever) to image copy your OS and backup your data.

Then you basically have your data stored on 3 hard drives which hopefully should not ALL fail at the SAME time! Granted the 2 in the PC could go out at the same time on a power surge or some such thing.

I'm not the most trusting type, but if you are and your data isn't too sensitive, and is mission critical, you could also look to online backup too. For some reason, I just can't get around the fact that someone isn't out there looking at my pictures with one of those online backup services Granted, you could encrypt your stuff before uploading it.

[BipolarBill]

RAID 1 is fine, but it only covers hardware loss. It won't save Windows when it inevitably goes haywire. Only drive imaging will do that.

[electric]

Seagate/Maxtor has a back up for OS or files just need to have one of these drives to use it
also Vista compatible

note..does work

[zepper]

Drive imaging (e.g. Acronis' True Image) is good for q&d rewrites of a whole drive or partition, but what if you only need a file or two? I like to have an image of my boot/OS partition or drive, plus file by file for everything as well. Most of the large drive image files can be totally useless if they become corrupt, while fbf will only lose the individual, corrupted file(s). I don't like to have to reinstall all my software as part of a restore, that's why I do a full backup - if you don't mind reinstalling all your apps then there are simpler backup plans. You can get your favorite separates or Nova Backup from novastor.com now has both methods in one box. File by file is good for incremental backups (just things that have changed since the last backup) too.

Seagate and Maxtor include a free version of Acronis in their drive tools. It may work on any drive in your system as long as you have at least one Seagate or Maxtor drive in there but I haven't tried it. I keep both brands of tools in my software kit
anyway.

For hardware, I use an external hard drive. eSATA connection is fastest in the reasonably-priced category. And backups are no good unless they are actually done - if it's too time consuming, it won't get done... I use an enclosure that offers at least USB 2.0 and eSATA - one that adds FW as well couldn't hurt.

.bh.

[Rootstonian]

Acronis gives you the choice of making an image copy or just backing up your data; I've done both.

In the case of a non disk image situation, I'll just create folders that I want backed up and then schedule them for backup to external drive (or wherever). Now, one thing I haven't tried is getting a file BACK from this; do I need the Acronis disk..I doubt it.

For an image install, you have to boot from the Acronis CD. Now, this is making me paranoid...I'll have to do some checking on this..I may want to keep a backup as a "non image" data set. I think I'll go test that now LOL..I was just backing up my lappy manually as it's not on 24x7. <edit> must be tired...I just went to my file server, pulled the IMAGE copy of the laptop I just did and was able to browse the entire drive in Explorer...copied a file from file server to laptop desktop no problem...so nevermind

The scheduler in Acronis is nice...I let it do all my stuff while I'm sleeping!