backing up to spare pc

[ronnie69]

ayup,
I have bullguard software for firewall, virus protection, and all that gubbins. It also has a back up manager function, which I've eventually got round to setting up. Part of it is an online backup but I've run out of space.

I've been meaning to buy an external hard drive. Meanwhile, I've got a spare PC which is more or less brand spanking new (got it repaired after a fault and a lot of the gubbins upgraded / replaced in the process), which I could use.

Do I just need a USB to USB (both male) cable and to tell the software that the spare PC is a separate drive ? Seems sensible to me, but also too easy somehow.

Any comments/suggestions (the simpler, the better, please) ?

 

[cookie]

Do I just need a USB to USB (both male) cable and to tell the software that the spare PC is a separate drive ? Seems sensible to me, but also too easy somehow.

you're right, that is too easy

you need a crossover ethernet cable and the relevant LAN port on both PCs.

 

[Fanum]

I was in Staples today trying to buy a 2010 diary (but I'm going to have a rant about that later when I've built up enough steam ) and external hard drives are getting stupidly cheap.....you can get a 1 Terrabyte (that's an awful lot of porn!) USB2 external drive for £70 now .

If you back up your current pc to this new one, you're then limited for space on the new one too....and where are you going to back that one up to?

I honestly reckon the quickest and best solution for you is to order up a new external HD......HERE YA GO, HERE'S ONE postage free and next day delivery...then you can back up BOTH machines to it and live happily ever after

 

[mrsroynie]

Ghost

If you use a router to connect to the Internet, you might consider using it to set up a home network. Then each computer would be able to see the other(s), and you would be able to exchange files easily between machines. The ease (or otherwise) with which you are able to set up a network rather depends on the version of Windows you are using, but XP and versions of Vista other than Home Basic (which doesn't support networking), are quite intuitive.

Also, as far as backing up files goes, have a look at Ghost software. Ghost creates a complete 'image' of all your files and software on any external storage medium, server or spare machine. If it all goes t*ts up, you just restore the Ghost image to a new or reformatted hard drive, and away you go.

Sorry, have made an assumption about you being a Windows user. I am afraid I know nothing about Linux or Mac.

 

[mrsroynie]

... ooh er. I just saw the heading of this thread. Is it only the 'resident IT bods' that are meant to reply? If so, sorry. Unfortunately, both my OH and I used to work in IT, so we tend to be a bit free with our advice. Apologies if I stepped on anyone's toes.

 

[ronnie69]

thanks for the replies, peeps.

It's a standard PC running windows XP, no network, no router.

Fanum, the other PC it not used for anything at all - I got it repaired and it hasn't been used since, so it would be a spare drive ONLY with no need to back that up anywhere else. I reckon you may be right that an external drive is the easist option, though.

Couple of things to think about, though - thanks again

 

[cookie]

... ooh er. I just saw the heading of this thread. Is it only the 'resident IT bods' that are meant to reply?

no problem. anyone is free to pitch in