Best tools for backing up your PC

Updated November 10, 2005

Although they're often lumped together, the terms backup and storage refer to different tasks. All the storage space in the world won't do you any good if it fails, which is why you need to have a backup plan in place--and use it. There are a number of ways to back up your PC, each with its own pros and cons. Scheduled backups to an external hard drive--using Windows XP's backup utility or a third-party software program such as Acronis True Image--are easy to implement and can be done without your intervention after the initial setup, but backup hard drives can fail. RAID arrays, such as Buffalo's TeraStation, while more expensive than standard hard drives, offer redundancy, which will provide another level of protection. Finally, you can replicate the contents of your system to removable media such as tapes or CD/DVDs using a burner and backup utilities such as the one offered in Nero 7, then move the duplicates offsite for further peace of mind. Whichever route you choose, make sure you use it regularly, because even the best defense system won't work if you don't use it.

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