Computer backup questions

I know there are a few folk on this board who can help me out with some backup questions.

So the easy part is backing up your files - music, docs, pics, etc.

What about programs? In particular, what about downloaded software, that you paid for and don't have a CD of? Is it just a matter of backing up the .exe file and other files that were downloaded initially? Is there any ever any problem with this, i.e. DRM? I asked Norton about my Antivirus and they basically told me I couldn't do this and was screwed unless I initially paid for the CD too, or the "download protection"… I kept the files anyway but haven't tested to see, though, seeing as my computer hasn't died yet.

What about mirror type backups that will remember all the programs/associated files/etc. that are already installed? Anyone use 'em or have advice?

Well if you have the .exe used to install a program you can just use that again to re-install provided you have license info if necessary.

Mirroring is basically having 2 hard drives that are identical to one another, connected to each other by something called RAID. If one disk fails then the other just steps in. But to have a RAID configuration you need either a server operating system to do software RAID or a RAID controller to do hardware RAID….neither of which you have I'd say…..

What you are probably thinking of is a utility like Norton Ghost which takes a snapshot of your system and burns it to a CD that can restore your system in the case of some sort of meltdown. I've never used any of these though.

Or you could just get an external hard drive and use the backup software that comes with it to regularly back up the things you just can't live without.

everytime u install something save the installation prog [and cd key].

My next backup scheme is going to be done using this little ditty. Wirelessly too. For my entire network. For around $200. Amazing.


September 22, 2005
If Only the Hall Closet Could Store as Much
By STEPHEN C. MILLER

Of the more than 30 million wireless routers shipped worldwide in the last year and a half, more than 80 percent ended up in homes, where they are mostly used to share Internet access. But they can handle other duties as well, and with the popularity of music and video downloads, storage may be the next frontier.

The new Storage Central from Netgear uses a technique called storage over Internet protocol to share two external hard drives over a wireless network.

The software that comes with the device simplifies tasks that were once the exclusive domain of corporate network administrators, like creating private storage areas, scheduling automatic backups and mirroring (instantly backing up one drive on the other).

The device, which works with computers running Windows 2000 and XP, sells for about $130 in electronics stores and online. It comes with empty slots for two hard drives. An 80-gigabyte drive sells for around $100, so for a little more than $300 you can have 160 gigabytes of extra storage space. For even more room, you can link several Storage Centrals. Anyone for a wireless terabyte?
STEPHEN C. MILLER

<img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/09/22/technology/22storage.jpg" alt=" - " />

Nice. I love me some gadgets.