When the backup drive gets full

Rat74136’s external hard drive is full. How does he keep backing up?

Rat74136's external hard drive is full. He asked the Answer Line forum how to keep backing up.

This is why I have lately come to prefer backup programs like Rebit and Mozy, that automatically remove older versions of files, while keeping only the most recent versions. This keeps the backup down to size and is much simpler.

If your backup doesn't do this, it's best to back up to an external drive large enough to fit two full backup sets (defining a set as one full and several incremental backups), or use two external drives. That way, the only backup you have to delete to make room for a new one is already out of date.

Another option is to make the backup set smaller by removing from it large files that you seldom change, such as photos and music. You can back them up separately, perhaps even burning them to DVD.

As far as your immediate problem is concerned, you have two options. You can buy a second external drive and start a new backup set on that--with the intention of deleting what's on your current drive when that one is full. Or you can take a deep breath and delete everything on the current drive, then immediately start over with a full backup.

Read the original forum discussion.

Add your comments to this article below. If you have other tech questions, email them to me at answer@pcworld.com, or post them to a community of helpful folks on the PCW Answer Line forum.

Lincoln Spector

PC World (US online)
Topics: backup, hard drives, storage backup

Comments

1

furjectercoco000
Tue 01/12/2009 - 21:57

pretty

You will surprise to find the high quality <a href="http://www.ustiffanyshop.com">tiffany jewelry</a> in much.Everyone will focus on the shinning of
<a href="http://www.ustiffanyshop.com">tiffany co jewelry</a> without awareness of
rovide 100% sterling silver Tiffany jewelry,you can buy discount Tiffany & Co jewelry here.Tiffany And Co Jewelry is the best jewellry.
<a href="http://www.ustiffanyshop.com">discount tiffany jewelry</a>, Tiffany Jewelry, Tiffany Jewellery, Tiffany Silver, Tiffany, Tiffanys, Tiffany's Jewelry.We Provide a wide range of fashionable
<a href="http://www.ustiffanyshop.com">tiffany co jewelry</a>, including
<a href="http://www.linksgift.co.uk">Links London</a>
In 1950 Tiffany's had its biggest boost in popularity as Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's was published. Tiffany's was shot to worldwide fame in 1961 when the film adaptation staring Audrey Hepburn was released. This film and its star became icons, as did Tiffany's
<a href="http://www.ustiffanyshop.com/shopping-tiffany-bracelets-3.html">Tiffany Bracelets</a>
<a href="http://www.ustiffanyshop.com/shopping-tiffany-rings-2.html">Tiffany Rings</a>
<a href="http://www.ustiffanyshop.com">cheap tiffany </a> with.Discounted Tiffany & Co silver jewelries are provided in our Tiffany’s online outlet store
<a href="http://www.linksstore.co.uk">Links Of London</a>

Be the first to comment

*
*
This will be kept private.
*
*
Users posting comments agree to the Good Gear Guide comments policy.