Automatic daily backup software?

[Mini-Me]

Hi all. Is there any software you can get, which will automatically backup certain files or folders to a predetermined location at a certain time of the day?

It would be useful to be able to automate the backup of certain things, then I don't have to remember to do it.

The ability to backup to a network drive would be a bonus, but not essential - a USB drive would suffice.

I will look at anything, but prefer freeware if I can get it.
Failing that, willing to look at shareware solutions.

[123456]

Some options here.
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-backup-program

[Sylvander]

Investigate the FREE snap2 rotating snapshot backups for Puppy (http://www.murga-linux.com/puppy/viewtopic.php?t=50402).
I use this [from Puppy] to MANUALLY make a sequence of snapshots of [internal?] partition contents to a folder on a partition on an external USB HDD. [See screenshot below of Xfe display]
It's REALLY GOOD.

But I believe it is capable of doing much more than I do with it.
e.g.
I believe it can backup to network drives.
"It can also do backup to a remote server."
It also includes an "Automatic Backup Scheduler".
You can specify any group of items [partitions, folders] to backup.
And specify a list of items to be excluded from those.
Subsequent backups only use the time and space needed to backup ADDITIONS to the existing items already included in previous backups.
And yet the later backups list ALL items included in the backup set.
And will restore ALL of those items if chosen [I use Xfe to restore].

snap2 rotating snapshot backups for Linux (http://www.linuxbackups.org/).

[jlreich]

I use Syncback Freeware (http://www.2brightsparks.com/freeware/index.html). It works good and has plenty of options for how you want to do your backups including scheduling and logs if you desire. I use it on my wifes machine to automatically backup her files to my system into a folder that gets backed up by Carbonite. It will allow passwords and everything you need to log in over the network.

I believe some of the other members around here use the free version and some the paid version.

[classicsoftware]

Here is what I do for my clients:

Local Backup:

Second Copy (http://www.centered.com/). Allows you to backup unattended. Keeps up to five copies of a file which is great for big projects. Sends you an e-mail if the backup fails. Totally unattended. I would not use any other program. It does not compress files so you don't need the program to restore.

On-Line Backup:

SOS Online Backup (http://www.sosonlinebackup.com/). This is really a great app. It backs-up on line and sends you an e-mail every day. Set it for 2 AM and catch the daily e-mail. Works great

[jlreich]

Carbonite doesn't send you an email but it does have unlimited space for $55 a year. If you have a ton of data I would consider it. If you have just a couple a gigs then the one Classic suggested would be better.

I have 50-70GB backed up so Carbonite is the better deal for me. The only thing with Carbonite is you have to tell it to backup certain file types that it doesn't by default (like video files), but once you tell it to for that folder you don't have to worry about it again.

[Mini-Me]

WOW - lots of replies. :) Thanks guys, will check out all those links later. :)

[classicsoftware]

Carbonite doesn't send you an email but it does have unlimited space for $55 a year. If you have a ton of data I would consider it. If you have just a couple a gigs then the one Classic suggested would be better.

I have 50-70GB backed up so Carbonite is the better deal for me. The only thing with Carbonite is you have to tell it to backup certain file types that it doesn't by default (like video files), but once you tell it to for that folder you don't have to worry about it again.

Too many of my clients are in the medical field and Carbonite is not HIPAA compliant and SOS is, so I became an SOS reseller....

[Sylvander]

snap2 HOWTO:

Download and Installation (http://www.linuxbackups.org/download).

Backing up using snap2 (http://www.linuxbackups.org/node/29).

[jlreich]

Too many of my clients are in the medical field and Carbonite is not HIPAA compliant and SOS is, so I became an SOS reseller....
Well yeah, if you need to be HIPPA compliant that changes everything. A potential fine of $25,000 per line item is no joke. We have customers that have a ton of systems that fall under HIPPA. When we replace a hard drive it is serious business. If we fail to properly handle and report the details of tracking the old hard drive and it were to fall into the wrong hands it could easily put even a large corporation out of business. ;)

Though I doubt Mini-Me as well as most of us around here needs to be HIPPA compliant. :)

[Jim_geek]

Hi all. Is there any software you can get, which will automatically backup certain files or folders to a predetermined location at a certain time of the day?

It would be useful to be able to automate the backup of certain things, then I don't have to remember to do it.

The ability to backup to a network drive would be a bonus, but not essential - a USB drive would suffice.

I will look at anything, but prefer freeware if I can get it.
Failing that, willing to look at shareware solutions.

Handy Backup (http://www.handybackup.net) can do it well. I have used several backup programs for years, and I recommend Handy Backup, it's easy and reliable automatic backup software.

Hope it will work for you too.

[Mini-Me]

Well yeah, if you need to be HIPPA compliant that changes everything. A potential fine of $25,000 per line item is no joke. We have customers that have a ton of systems that fall under HIPPA. When we replace a hard drive it is serious business. If we fail to properly handle and report the details of tracking the old hard drive and it were to fall into the wrong hands it could easily put even a large corporation out of business. ;)

Though I doubt Mini-Me as well as most of us around here needs to be HIPPA compliant. :)

Wow - big fines, and no, I don't need to be HIPPA compliant - did not even know there was such a thing...

[Mini-Me]

Handy Backup (http://www.handybackup.net) can do it well. I have used several backup programs for years, and I recommend Handy Backup, it's easy and reliable automatic backup software.

Hope it will work for you too.

Welcome to the PC Guide! :)

Thanks for the link - will check it out too. :)

[66miranda]

Welcome to the PC Guide! :)

Thanks for the link - will check it out too. :)

welcome here all!

[Paul Komski]

I second SyncBack - particularly if you want to backup via FTP to another PC. Other software for remote backup has often been hard to configure or just didn't work for me. Another nice feature is that you can specify drives by letter, name, device etc such that a particular pen drive can be recognised on insertion and then respond appropriately. Not sure if that works on the free edition or not.