Topic: Question for you 'puter guys

[Steve F]

I have several computers here at work (9 desktops and 2 laptops), and we are looking to back up each and every hard drive to one or two external HDD's.  I'm not computer savvy, and don't know if you can do multiple computers to one external drive.  I'm also interested in "imaging" the drives, not a simple files and folders back-up  (imaging is a bit-by-bit copy of the entire HDD contents, including program files and personal settings).  The external drive(s) are Western Digital 320GB USB.  Does anyone know of a particular software package that allows multiple computer imaging to ONE external HDD?  How is it done?  A separate folder for each computer? 

[troppo]

G`day steve
havent done this before myself, but a quick google found me this link

http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/backupandimage.shtml

sounds like it will do exctly what you want, and the best part it is free

[BobbyR]

You may want to use the free trial with this company. http://www.carbonite.com/. It is sometimes best to store your backup data offsite for any number of reasons like fires, floods, etc. The fellows I knew who maintained the PCs, they only made and images of the operating system, standard software packages etc. Individual spreadsheets, documents etc were backed up separately. When there was a need to refresh an old machine or give the user a new unit, the image would be placed on first and the documents added as a final step.

[techy5025]

I think Norton Ghost will do that. You didn't say how big the drives were on each of the desktops and laptops. If you are careful how you setup the computers and install programs, it might not be necessary to ghost them and yet still achieve a full backup. Because the hardware can be different on each type of computer, "ghost" restores typically only work on the computers that generated the "ghosts".

Jim

[eldar]

You will most likely need a pay version. Most free versions do not offer much for features that may be desired in a work environment. Norton ghost may be good, there are others too. We use Altiris where I work.

[Steve F]

I've been looking at Norton, and Acronos, but none of them mention anything about what I would like to do.  I tried to contact them direct, but no success yet.  I don't mind spending a few bucks to back up the computers, since I know first hand what it's like to try to get things back to "normal" after a crash...I could pull my hair out sometimes, and things are never really "right" again. 
Keep the suggestions coming, guys.  I appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Steve F

[Hope]

You may want to use the free trial with this company. http://www.carbonite.com/. It is sometimes best to store your backup data offsite for any number of reasons like fires, floods, etc. The fellows I knew who maintained the PCs, they only made and images of the operating system, standard software packages etc. Individual spreadsheets, documents etc were backed up separately. When there was a need to refresh an old machine or give the user a new unit, the image would be placed on first and the documents added as a final step.

I tried the carbonite trial & it slowed down my computer ALOT.  It backs up every file all day long and all night... ohh... and I started getting "no virtual memory" errors!!  It was using up all my memory.

Soooo....  I ended up buying a Maxtor 500GB external drive.  I send all my files to it.  Just plugged in my USB port & vroom ready to go.  No more virtual memory errors after I uninstalled carbonite & plugged in a real external drive.

Hope it helps..

BTW - if it were me, I would subdivide the external HD & then have each desktop send its backed up files to its subdivision... for instance, make folders "computer A", "computer B", "computer C"... (whatever you want to call the folders) then send the backed up files to the appropriate folder.

This is the easiest way I can think of.

BTW - dropped less than $100 on my Maxtor 500GB.  Shop around!

[Steve F]

Thanks, Hope,
I'm about ready to give a try.  I see about dividing the drive into folder like you suggested.