1. I use the old DOS command Xcopy to copy my files to an external hard drive on a daily basis. Xcopy has some advantages:
- It can verify the copy, guaranteeing the copy and the original are identical.
- The copy it makes is native. You don’t need special software (like with Acronis, etc.) to interpret it.
- The commands can be put in a text file with a .bat (batch command) extension. Double click on the file and the commands run.
Xcopy has one big disadvantage: It will keep only the latest version of a file. If you need to keep several versions of a file, Xcopy is not for you.
2. I use these same commands to back up to another USB hard drive I keep in my vehicle. Instant offsite storage.
3. On a weekly basis, I use the free Todo backup program (http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/download.htm) to make an exact clone of my C: drive. When, not if, but when, that drive crashes I can replace it with the clone in a matter of minutes. Saves hours and hours of reinstalling the OS and reloading all the software, assuming you can find the installation file. The clone is also kept off site.
This is just an overview of backup procedures I use.