Automatic backup software to external drive

[Stu]

Is anybody aware of good software that will allow a user to configure their laptop so that whenever they connect their external hard drive, their laptop data automatically gets backed up?

I am interested in both free and paid software.

I know you manually backup and even set Windows backup, but I need something foolproof and simple for clients.

 

[iptech]

Memeo works very well. It's sometimes included with portable drives.

Edit: Buffalo include it with their drives.

 

[4ycr]

syncback is free for your customers, not sure about commercial use though

 

[Vicenarian]

Check GFI Backup http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm
GFI is what I set up on my customer's computers for home backups. Freeware



I'm not sure if it will do it on connection of an external drive, but I know you can set it so you just click 1-2 buttons or so, and it will do the rest.

Also check out Microsoft SyncToy, also FREE. I use it for syncing the updated files on my USB drive with those on my HDD. Likewise, you can set it up so you just click 1-2 buttons, and it will backup.

 

[iisjman07]

Cobian Backup? Gotta love the open source goodness

 

[iptech]

Good suggestions guys, but none of these will automatically backup upon connection. I'm not aware of any freeware/open source solution that does.

 

[Vicenarian]

Couldn't you just put an autorun.inf file on the ext. drive, and set it to run the backup program? Sorry if this is a stupid suggestion, it's just what came to mind immediately.

 

[RegEdit]

Check GFI Backup http://www.gfi.com/backup-hm
GFI is what I set up on my customer's computers for home backups. Freeware

What does it do that Windows backup doesn't?

 

[MobileTechie]

The best solution I've come up with for residential clients is to sell them a suitable external HDD which comes with this soft of software required. I tend to sell WD Passports. They are USB bus powered. They plug them in and the software takes care of pretty much everything the common user is likely to need done.

There are also the One Touch devices. I can't believe pressing a single button every now and again is beyond the average user.

 

[Jimmyb]

I tested 12 plus back up softwares and finally settled (and now sell) this one.

Oops backup. Will do what you are asking and much more. $37 for full version

 

[mkeathley]

memeo will do it upon connection, sorta.

If there are any changes it will just wait to do the backup until the drive you tell it to backup to, in this case the external sets up on that drive letter. As soon as it does it backs it up.

The catch here is to set the USB drive to always have the same drive letter.