Backup software

[BigDonut]

Hi,

I'm looking for backup software to backup some of my files to HDD and CD/DVD
I was playing with windows backup but don't like it since it uses some ms format to store the backup.
I'd prefer if the files were backup as is or with some compression.

I was thinking about using ghost to do it but wasn't sure if there were better options

[G@vnor]

for a home pc, ghost or powerquest drive image are great options, as they are cheap and effective.

I'm pretty sure MS uses Veritas backupexec formats, which is the killer app in the business world. So I wouldn't let the format put you off. Non-the-less Ghost/Drive Image is the easiest and most efficient way I'd say - as you take the OS out of the equation.

[PlexShaw]

Acronis True Image is superb.

[fabbers]

ghost or powerquest drive image

Ghost and powerquest drive image are one and the same thing these days. If you're not looking to backup the whole drive and just some files then maybe think of something along the lines of winzip/winrar to compress and backup the files.

However don't be put off Windows backup because of the file format, it's very versatile and remember that ANY computer running Windows 2000 or XP will be able to view the backups you've made without installing additional software. Which can be handy.

Edit: also is you're planning to backup to an external hdd then search microsofts site for the excellent synctoy utility which will simply mirror files and folders in multiple locations

[CHEWY56]

Nero has a backup option.

[sideshowbob]

Edit: also is you're planning to backup to an external hdd then search microsofts site for the excellent synctoy utility which will simply mirror files and folders in multiple locations

That is just what I've been looking for. The backup software that came with my Toshiba external HDD is poo.

[Chris Locke]

I simply use ZIP files. The SyncToy is fine, but obviously doesn't use any compression.
I'll have to tidy it up, but I wrote a backup util which used backup 'sets' (eg, text files, HTML files, etc) and is automatic - you tell it how often you want to backup these sets and it just does it. It creates standard .zip files, which you simply store externally, or burn to CD, etc.
http://www.creapsoft.co.uk/files/images/uploaded/thumbs/43cca44e.jpg (http://www.creapsoft.co.uk/showPic?id=43cca44e)

Its a free proggy, so will slap it up on my site.

[sideshowbob]

Sounds great Chris ...