If your computer dies today...

[anxela]

I've been thinking about posting this thread for ages, and I really, really want to point this out to everyone.

Mozy is one of many companies that offer online backup. They had a campaign in England just now,
where they asked people to destroy their computer right there on the spot, in the exchange of a brand new computer.
There were not many that were willing to do it. Are you one of them?

So, just imagine that your computer dies. Right now. What would your reaction be?

1) Oh no! My 40 000 pictures from the birth of my first child and up until today are gone!? What am I supposed to do?
(The bright side of this scenario is that you will, finally, be caught up. )

2) *Shriek* I lost all my configurations! But luckily I had online backup,
so I can use the next month or so to download my photos and digital scrapbooking supplies.

3) No sweat. I have online backup, backup on an extra EHD, and I have used Time Machine to backup my
computer's configurations. I'll be up and running a couple of minutes after I get home from the Apple store
(or insert whichever computer store you would go to).

If your reaction is number 1, please, please, go buy an EHD for backup right now! It will save you buckets of tears one day.
Because EVERYONE is going to face this scenario eventually.
Remember: There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who back up, and those who will.

If your reaction is number 2, you are essentially ok, but really, there are things you can do to save yourself the work that comes from a crash. (See next paragraph.)

If your reaction is number 3, you either use Time Machine, or has set up a mirror of your computer as is was when it was
configured the way you want it. You won't blink of this thread, and probably say "yeah, I know all this stuff. Quit bugging me, you geek."
Oh, and if this is you, lets hook up and share a bottle of wine sometime. We'll have much in common.

[Tesia]

Thanks for posting this. I've been using Mozy for some time now, and when I did my update to Windows 7 I double backed up on my EHD, but I need to re-do that backup and I was just thinking I'd do it this weekend. Do any PC users have a tip for the simplest way to make sure you get *everything* in that EHD backup (like Time Machine)?

[lizj]

There was just a post here a few days ago pointing out that online backup is not necessarily the end all answer to this question. Personally, I tried Mozy, and after weeks and weeks trying to upload the initial backup I gave up and bought a second EHD.

I have had my PC crash twice, so although I don't fit into any of your three options for answers, I do feel like I understand this subject pretty intimately. I found that restoring from the EHD was pretty easy -- the biggest concern for me was the Organizer under PSE. In the first crash I lost all my tags because I didn't understand that you have to back up the Organizer catalog separately from any regular back up being run to the EHD. Once I understood how to generate a back up from PSE, I got in the habit of doing it weekly, right after my EHD back up of everything else. This worked great after the second crash, and I lost nothing. It took a couple of days to re-load all the files from the EHD, but I was satisfied with the result.

At any rate it's a great point, and whichever method people find works for them, just do it. The pain of losing your hard drive is unbelievable, if you haven't backed up. Just do it.

[ValerieP]

I had Mozy, but it really slowed my computer down, so I have an EHD and a smaller laptop that I have everything on, so pretty much I am good to go!

[DonnaNJ]

Great post! We can always use a reminder. One other suggestion I have is if you don't want to use offsite backup try to make sure that at least your photos are backed up somewhere else.. you could put them on a 2nd EHD and store it someplace else or what I do is always upload my photos to Shutterfly. If something disastrous should happen I could get them back from Shutterfly on CD.. granted you have to pay to have them do that BUT at least you always know you can get them from there... I've know a few people who have had house fires and it just breaks my heart when they lose there photos.

[anxela]

Originally Posted by lizj

There was just a post here a few days ago pointing out that online backup is not necessarily the end all answer to this question. Personally, I tried Mozy, and after weeks and weeks trying to upload the initial backup I gave up and bought a second EHD.

I agree. The best is to have both. The online backup in case everything crashes at the same time (unlikely, but think lightening or some other electricity damage to multiple components at once). The EHD in case your computer crashes.

[anke]

Is it possible to use time machine and mozy both? I thought they interfered with each other. I really need to look into this. How about another tut, Heidi?

[Britgirl]

I have carbonite online - its not perfect but hey its cheap and a better 'second' back up than nothing. I have 90% of my photos on disk as jpegs... I have four EXHD - three with photos on, one as time machine. I have my recent {last two years}favourite photos uploaded to Flickr and another photo site, - these are handy little extra places for full resolution saving-
I had a PC HD die on me TWICE as in a year apart lose everything bar a few disks. its why I became MAC. I had a XHD die and take with it things I didnt keep on my mac anymore. I had a mac HD freeze and need replacing... tho that was okay I had time machine it was still heart stopping to realise my computer isnt working...
I dont think I have it all covered and I worry. my mac is filling up FAST {I shoot RAW witha full sized sensor AND digi scrap... LOL} my husband thinks its ridiculous the amount of XHD I have already so he wont fund anymore.... *sigh*
{I'm just starting to think of using flash drives as storage rather than disks.... not sure about that yet}
anybody else ever think WHERE CAN I KEEP EVERYTHING?? LOL

[LauraBean]

I have a Time Machine backup and also use Backblaze for online backup. Time Machine was awesome when my computer died in December; I was up and running as if nothing had happened within a half hour or so of bringing home a new computer.

[anxela]

Originally Posted by anke

Is it possible to use time machine and mozy both? I thought they interfered with each other. I really need to look into this. How about another tut, Heidi?

Yes, I have both Mozy and Time Machine on my mac. I haven't had any problems... I think(!)

What do you want a tutorial on?

[anke]

how to use time machine It is probably really easy huh? I remember Doris mentioning something about having an EHD in her basement for it or something like that.... okay that sounds really dumb... I just didn't want another permanently connected EHD because I already have two, one for supplies, one for pics...

[Aino]

Heidi, this is really well written by the way. And you freak me out!!! In a good way I guess.
I have an EHD that I *occasionally* bother uploading to. I upload some photos to Flickr, but that's it.
AND I should have learned my lesson when most of Aviv's first year photos were lost as the CDs I burned them on went bad.

I presume Time Machine is only for Macs?? Does Mozy offer something similar?

[Mary Rogers]

I am paranoid about my photos and digi supplies!! we have 2 EHD's and also double backup on DVD. I keep a set of the DVD's at my office in our safe. The problem with only having EHD's is in case fires or floods (something nobody wants to think about but do happen) - if they are all kept in the same location they are not safe.

We have been talking about Mozy because carbonite (from what I could figure) will not back up our EHD's....

[anke]

I have Mozy and I do like it! It will back up EHDs as long as they stay connected. That's why I have two I always keep on, then I back everything up to a third one. I have had some issues with Mozy where all my data disappeared from my account (it's still on their server but I had to reupload it to my account, which didn't take as long as the original upload, but is still a pain) Sometimes the EHDs were disconnected while the icons still showed up on the desktop and all the files on Mozy were dumped... it's a great life if you don't weaken (my neighbor used to always say that )
Anyway, that is one of the reasons why I think Time machine would be a great idea in addition to everything else.

[Aino]

OK, so I am uploading to Mozy as I speak !! Bought a home account for about 5 USD a month. Cool. Am I good now Heidi ????

[anxela]

Originally Posted by anke

how to use time machine It is probably really easy huh? I remember Doris mentioning something about having an EHD in her basement for it or something like that.... okay that sounds really dumb... I just didn't want another permanently connected EHD because I already have two, one for supplies, one for pics...

I can write a tutorial on my setup of Time Machine, yes. Give me a couple of days, ok?

About Time Machine - the EHD doesn't have to be permanently connected, although it's best if it is.
That reminds me - I really need a USB hub so that I can connect more stuff. One of my EHDs has a firewire connection, but I also connect a keyboard, so I would like one of these hubs.

In case you wonder what a usb hub is, it's a device that plugs into your computer's usb port, and gives you everything from 2 to 9 extra usb ports.

What Doris was talking about was the Mac Time Capsule, an EHD that connects to your computer via your wireless network. So if you don't want more things connected, that's probably the way to go (if you have wireless network, of course). The downside is that they are rather pricey compared to a regular EHD.

[anke]

hmm that sounds like a cool option, I am going to see how much they are. I am on a laptop, so I hate to have more stuff connected, since I have to move if from the table when we want to eat Imagine that! so wireless sounds like a great plan.
Take whatever time you need, no rush at all, thanks for volunteering

[Jen D]

I tried Mozy for almost three weeks and only 1% of my stuff was showing as completed I got frustrated and quit.

I decided EHD are the way to go for me. I have everything backed up on two separate EHD... one I take off site. Then just to make me more at ease about my pictures I decided to upload every digital picture I have. It took me most of the summer but I finally back to 2003. That is when I converted from film. I have all my personal pictures set with privacy locks so that only I can see them along with a few family members I gave permission. It is just nice to know that they are there just in case my current backup plan doesn't have everything covered

My pictures mean more to me than any other possession so I back up weekly.

I might give Mozy another try down the road I just couldn't believe how slow it was!

[anxela]

Originally Posted by Jen D

I tried Mozy for almost three weeks and only 1% of my stuff was showing as completed I got frustrated and quit.

It does take a while to complete the initial backup. I currently have about 350 GB backed up, and it took 2-3 months with the computer turned on 24/7, if I don't remember wrong. Of course, this depends on your network speed. I clearly remember the part about being frustrated. If you turn it off, it will start from where it quit last time, it doesn't start all over. I only selected my photos at first, to get them covered before I selected all the other stuff for uploading.

It sounds like you have it covered, Jen! Having stuff off site is the way to go if one does not back up online! Where do you upload your photos to? Shutterfly?

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by anxela

It sounds like you have it covered, Jen! Having stuff off site is the way to go if one does not back up online! Where do you upload your photos to? Shutterfly?

I use Flickr to upload. I like the way I can group and tag things. I really like the privacy settings. I upload over 25,000 pictures!!!!!

Hmmmm.... mozy might be a problem for me then. I have over 850 Gigs worth of stuff. Part of that is from music my husband owns a DJ company so we have over 65,000 songs.

We have a library of EHD :P I guess it is a good thing I have a label maker!

[anxela]

Originally Posted by Jen D

I use Flickr to upload. I like the way I can group and tag things. I really like the privacy settings. I upload over 25,000 pictures!!!!!

Hmmmm.... mozy might be a problem for me then. I have over 850 Gigs worth of stuff. Part of that is from music my husband owns a DJ company so we have over 65,000 songs.

We have a library of EHD :P I guess it is a good thing I have a label maker!

Ok, I understand why it would take some time then

I have to check out the privacy settings on flickr. I didn't know you could upload just for yourself. Are there any restrictions on how much you can upload?

[maureenreynolds]

Heidi, I'm almost in cat 4, and ready to buy you that wine.

I am really anxious to see how much backup is done during the 2 weeks my iMac is not in use. I had a mini-fit with dh when I told him I was leaving it on, with surge protectors in place AND turning the room a/c on while we were away. It's odd ...he would gladly buy a new computer but balked at having one a/c on. I suppose we're all like that in our own way, but I put my foot down. (My studio has virtually no wall insulation and gets REALLY hot and really cold. nuff said)

I did have one good use of Time Machine before we left. (Doesn't something strange always go wrong just before a long trip?) I accidently deleted my main calendar on iCal and used the prior pm Time Machine backup to restore it. PHEW!!! It took < a minute or so, and eh voila...there it was again. between the two of us we have 5 calendars we synch with each other so coordination is big with us.

Anke, if I recall actually setting up the time machine was a breeze and I think I did it with just the follow the steps directions. Heidi will be a good guide for you I'm sure.

[Aino]

Originally Posted by anxela

Ok, I understand why it would take some time then

I have to check out the privacy settings on flickr. I didn't know you could upload just for yourself. Are there any restrictions on how much you can upload?

I don't think there is a limit when you pay the 25 USD for a year's pro membership.

[anxela]

Ok, a small tutorial on setting up Time Machine.

Like Maureen says, it's rather straight forward.
(Keep in mind that I am not an expert. Tutorial is used at your own risk. )

[DonnaNJ]

OMG you are wonderful !!!

[Aino]

How did you write that so fast? And how did you upload that as an pdf file? Cool.

[Britgirl]

if you have a mac and dont use time machine - well thats plain silly. Its awesome its easy and it just works, all by itself, and saves your life

[echogirl]

Originally Posted by Britgirl

if you have a mac and dont use time machine - well thats plain silly. Its awesome its easy and it just works, all by itself, and saves your life

LOL Mel That cracks me up.

I do use both the Time Capsule AND two EHDs. I know belts and suspenders but it makes me more comfortable. (Now if only I could get up the nerve to delete things on my harddrive. I'm such a chicken!!)

[anke]

Heidi, you are such a geek and I mean that in a really really good way! Thanks for the tut, that's so sweet of you!

[anxela]

Originally Posted by Aino

How did you write that so fast? And how did you upload that as an pdf file? Cool.

LOL! It wasn't that much to write.

And I upload to another server and just link to the pdf.