My internal HDD died last week, an IBM (Hitachi) EIDE 80Gb, after 3 years. I replaced it with a Seagate with similar specs but it's definitely quicker.

Anyway, I'm still restoring from the external HDD, a 250Gb WD that came with Retrospect software. I replaced that with Norton Ghost v. 9.0 that was free from Techbargains late last year, and worth every penny. /s It's the last Norton product I'll ever use, free or not.

Ideas? I like Leo D's. suggestion to use G-Mail, but would still like important or sensitive stuff stored locally. Freeware is nice, but wouldn't mind paying for the best, most reliable software (not necessarily latest) out there. TIA...

 

I use Bounceback Pro Bob with my external Seagate hard drive.
That is a paid version, but it did come with a lighter version that I think may be free.

Do a Google for Bounceback, you might get some hits.

Both versions are good, and run automatically.
My whole PC gets backed up on Sundays at 4 PM sharp.
I never have to do anything.

 

Thanks Corey, I'll check it out.

Norton backed up OK, but failed at restoring. It took a couple tries for it to recognize the external HD and then damaged the internal HD on image restore. It took three formats to restore the internal drive.

Whatever I get will need to restore as advertised.

 

Free - Windows Backup.

I've used it for many years and the XP version is complete enough that if your drive does crash, you can use a new HD, install Windows and then restore the old image and you are back in business.

 

you may need to UPDATE ghost.

my ghost 9 uses USB drivers from 2003.

when i ran the liveupdate, and created a new boot floppy, the drivers' date became 2004 and i had no issues with it.

also, once you make a ghost image, you can run ghost again to check the quality of the and consistency of the image file.