Can anyone recommend an automatic, reliable, solid backup software that I can utilize with an external HDD?

Here's what I've got running on a file server at work...

Two 300 gb drives -- they're mirroring eachother (primary and slave). To get the data out of the office, we utilize a 320 gb external.

I need the master to write to the 320 external on a schedule... any help is appreciated.

Also, any idea how to update BIOS on an old Gateway? I can only get the 300 gb drive to show 127 gb.

 

Running Windows?

The back up software that comes free with Windows will do that.

If you don't want to use the Windows version.......Norton Ghost 9.0 is what I use, daily, in the background, with no intervention needed.

 

I use SyncBack on my home network. Cheap, flexible, powerful.

 

I think Norton would do what you want, you might also try Backup MYPC. I use it at home, but I back up to DVD. Another one you might try, as long as you are not writing to CD/DVD is EMC/Dantz Retrospect. It does have problems with CD/DVD drives.
As far as the old Gateway. No updates at Gateway? When I had mine, all I had to do to check for drivers/updates was put in the serial on the support site and it would list the updates for me. If nothing there, you might try whoever made the BIOS originally. Maybe AMI, if originally theirs.

 

Thanks guys... I totally forgot about XP's built in feature... I'm not an IT guy -- just a geologist that attempts to play this role here at the office...

Long story short, I've discovered that the BIOS on this Gateway board isn't upgradable (or one was never put out there...). So, in short, I'm screwed on trying to get the two 300 gb drives in there and mirroring (as this Bios limits me to 127 gb).

I suppose I could put a few partitions on one 300 gb drive (two 127's and one 46 gb) and span them? Would that work?

The obvious answer is get a new box or mobo and stop utilizing such a dated machine to house the company's work products eh?

I've spent better than 8 hours on this today... with nothing to show for it other than a new case fan and a new power supply (the stock supply crapped out THIS morning -- that should've been an indication of the day that I was going to have).

Steve, have a link to that software?

-RP-

 

Search for Karen's Replicator

 

Hell, I'm having trouble figuring out who put it out... This Gateway doesn't show any text on the boot -- only a Gateway logo.

When I jump into setup, it doesn't list a manufac, only the version (which is specific to this Intel Kittyhawk mobo). I tried to flash it with one update that I found on the web and it failed... I'm a little timid when it comes to upgrading the BIOS with something that I don't know will work -- I don't want the hastle of having to find one that works -- especially considering how hard it's been to find an upgrade.

I looked at Retrospect... May give that a try.

The problem I keep running into is that the company owners are looking to me to keep the budget tight on this 'upgrade' but, by the same token, they want maximum performance/capacity. These features don't go well with those parameters...

Thanks for your help... I appreciate it!

-RP-

 

http://www.2brightsparks.com/syncback/syncback-hub.html

 

You using the freeware Steve?

 

The best backup software I've used is Veritas BackupExec. It has never failed me when I needed it.

That said the Backup in XP is decent.

I don't know the manufacturer of the drives but a lot of vendors will include software to help counteract the bios limits on older systems.

I assume you've checked the gateway site for the BIOS upgrade.

If you use SCSI drives with a SCSI card you can also work around the BIOS IDE limitation and get great performance as well. They are a little more pricey though.

 

Do you use the freeware version or the SE?

I still haven't got one for my home PC's yet either, I've been backing up using XP's backup or manually. This should help, I'll get it and try it later tonight, thanks.

 

As far a the gateway serial, it was a sticker on the outside of the case. If you don't have that, you can also go by model number, etc.

 

You might be able to use the belarc advisor and get it to pull your model number for ya.

Gateway info:

http://support.gateway.com/s/MISC/Cu...rningsu4.shtml

I'm sure you've been here already though.

 

Yeah, I've got the serial and such... I've run it on Gateway's support site ... the only thing it shows is a display driver update... absolutely nothing for BIOS.

 

The external drive is not recognized as 300MB?

How is it connected?

USB2 or Firewire?

That mobo may only be USB1 enabled.