Advantages: free with windows, easy to use
Disadvantages: No good for full system backups

...Windows Backup from Microsoft is the included back-up facility that comes with windows 95 & 98. As a back up facility it is quite good. It does what it needs to do but is lacking in any real power. I have found it a particularly good means of backing up inportant data on to a CD-Rom. As a basic backup program it serves its purpose but no more. It is not suitable for backing up the windows system as the windows operating system is constantly changing while you are working and if it tries to back up system files that are being used it can cause the machine to freeze up or crash. Not too bad for a backup utility if you just want to store or archive data.... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, easy to install and use, lots of software
Disadvantages: may not have all the features of some of the bigger apps

...BACKUP - The word that everyone in the IT community hates. Whether it be because you 'really should be looking into getting' a backup system, or are cussing because you *haven't* got a backup system, and it's too late! Now I'm hoping that the reason you're reading this is not because of the latter, but rather because you're worried because you haven't got any backup system in place and don't want to loose any work. This opinion is based on my experiences of installing and using NovaBack+ at work. The version of NovaBack+ we use is 6.60 and is installed on a PIII 600 machine with 128mb of RAM and Windows 95. The backup drive was an HP SureStore DLT80. Although it should work with a lot lower spec. NovaBack+ Features * Will work with most backup devices - Tape, Disk, CDR/W, removable disk, and many other types... Read review

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Advantages: Fast, cheap, works
Disadvantages: Small enough to lose

...The backup module is to my mind the one absolute must-have accessory for the Visors. It is an 8Mb flash module that slots in the Springboard slot, and makes a copy of the contents of the memory of the Visor - all the appointments, settings, phone numbers, programs - everything. And it does it within a couple of minutes. Once inserted, the Visor runs the backup software on the module, giving you the option to back up the Visor or restore from the backup module. Select the option, and off it goes. When it is done, pull the module out and the Visor goes back to whatever it was doing beforehand. This was my first introduction to Springboard modules, and I was extremely impressed at the way it just... worked. No fuss, no need to install anything additional, just slot it in and go. I have had to use the module in anger a couple... Read review

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Advantages: Quiet, Compact and Reliable
Disadvantages: Occasional difficulty initialising tapes

...Have only been using this drive for 3-4 weeks but it has proved invaluable. The 12GB native capacity is more than adequate for most data backup needs. I, personally, backup data files rather than system files which uses much less storage. System backups are not the most reliable and inevitably need a re-install anyway. The drive is, generally, very quiet although it does occassionally make a nasty rattling, from the tape itself, when winding/rewinding halts. Speed of backup is acceptable I normally backup about 2GB is less than an hour. I have not had occasion to restore files yet but do not anticipate any problems. The HP SureStore is a well-established and well-respected brand. The 4mm DDS tapes are very compact and easy to store and label, allowing simple library organisation. For larger capacity backups the drive supports compression... Read review

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Advantages: None!
Disadvantages: read this horror story!

...So, we are all told "back up safely, using an internet based drive back up system. In theory it sounds fine - but HEY, there are REAL risks - as some users of Driveway may only find out when it is too late! Driveway was one of the first internet based file backup providers - I used them as they were endorsed by McAfee (the leading virus protection company). First, the good news - driveway did, in those early days, give me "peace of mind" - even if my manual backups to zip disk were destroyed in a fire at my home, I could rest easy knowing that driveway held a copy of my data in their massive file storage network, which was fire proof and hopefully bomb proof too! I thought I was covered! But then, just a couple of weeks or so ago, an email arrived out of the blue; Driveway was shutting down its backup operation, and users had just... Read review

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Advantages: Quick, easy to use, convenient
Disadvantages: None

...Norton ghost allows you to backup you entire hard disk, or even just a single partition, and save it compressed to another disk. I have only ever used the standard partition/disk mirror options, but there are many differen options available specifically for loading the same configuration onto multiple PCs. The biggest advantage of this program is that it not only backs up your files, but also your boot sector and partition table, which is where all the information about your hard disk configuration and how to start up your computer is stored. If you install a program that you think makes your system unstable, simply restore your entire system from backup in a matter of minutes.... Read review

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Advantages: top piece of kit and a massive improvement on the original
Disadvantages: have to import from japan or pay £100 more in the uk

...i bought a psx 2 imported from japan when they came out it works out a lot cheaper to import one than it will if you wait for the uk release on average about £100 difference once i had redieved my psx i was eager to know if it would play backups like the original one did as i have children who like to use the discs as frisbies i searced the internet untill i found a company which supplied a mod chip which will enable the psx2 to play backup cds with the use of a disc swap this has saved me a lot of money in damaged game discs i would advise anyone who is thinking of getting a psx2 to import one and get a mod chip fitted it will save you a lot of money in the long term.... Read review

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Advantages: Supports a wide range of devices and media types
Disadvantages: Limited scheduling

...Backup MyPC used to be sold under the Sonic brand name but after Sonic bought Roxio, a number of their programs have changed hands. Now under the Roxio monicker, Backup MyPC 6.0 is the latest version of the now long established backup and recovery program. The Program can be used standalone but also integrates nicely with the current version of RecordNow! Deluxe. One of Backup MyPC's strengths is the wide range of hardware it supports. As well as tape, CD and DVD, it also works with ZIP and JAZ drives and other removable type media. IDE, SCSI and USB are all supported although there are some caveats. You cannot for instance use USB based floppies to do a disaster recovery from as there are no DOS USB drivers. Backup MyPC starts with 4 simple Wizards. You can choose from Backup, Restore, Automatic Data Protection or Disaster Recovery... Read review

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Advantages: speed reliable
Disadvantages: paying for connection and the helpline

...Freeserve is not my main isp I use it as a backup to may main isp. On the times i have lost connection to my main isp , i have allways found freeserve up running and able to connect to very quickly. The speed is allways pretty good and the site content excellent. The news server is very good and holds a lot of groups. The email is allways delivered promptly and i have never had a problem with spam. If its so good why isnt it my main isp, well im on a free offer so a pay for line charge service cant really compare. But If anything goes wrong im allways back with freeserve!!... Read review

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