My Favorite Backup Utility (It's Free!)

Fri May 5, 2006 12:02PM EDT

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I'm on a bit of a backup kick this week, so I want to wrap it up with a testimonial for Cobian Backup, an excellent backup utility that is completely free: No registration, no advertisements, no crippled features, no nagging, no begging for donations (though they are, of course, accepted).

Cobian succeeds where most other backup programs fail because of one key feature: Simplicity. I can't count the number of times I've seen people diligently install backup software on their machines... and then never use it all because it's too complex. I can't blame them. Most backup software seems to be targeted at enterprise IT people instead of average users who simply want to set the program to back up their files and forget about it.

Cobian is named after its developer, Luis Cobian, who proves that a single programmer can succeed where a big company fails miserably. Cobian also promises a new version of the software for release this summer. Called Black Moon, it looks even better than the current one.

But hey, I'm open for other suggestions: Got a backup utility you swear by? Tell everyone about it in the comments!

Comments on My Favorite Backup Utility (It's Free!)

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  • 46 Posted by rnpppl on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    does these utilities (like cobian) even back the registry?

  • 47 Posted by gaurdians2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    isn't a mac just a pc that runs a version of linux ?

  • 48 Posted by tom_381 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Good information and useful too.

  • 49 Posted by markdfhr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    For those of you looking for an easy backup utility, I don't suggest using Microsoft's built in utility (XP, I've not tried Vista's version). If you want to do incremental backups, have fun when you want to restore a single file. I haven't used this Cobian utility yet, but the true test of a backup utility is how easy it is to restore data. Try this with Microsoft's utility after a few incrementals and you'll see what I mean.

  • 50 Posted by k0dpw on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    For those who like online back ups: I was initially impressed with "free 25GB" and other supposed features of MediaMax (Streamload), but my experiences with them has been nothing but negative: 1) They had chronic service problems, uploading and downloading - claimed it was due to "new facilities", even if true, any professional organization would have had backup facilities to guarantee service. 2) Committed files to their fidiciary care that turned out to be non-recoverable from their servers. 3) Their customer support is essentially non-existant, by email, phone, or otherwise. 4) Tried a service upgrade while attempting to use their services, and they couldn't even process the upgrade properly. 5) Have been trying to terminate the account for several months now (never could get all my files back), installed blocks against their billing to my credit card and Paypal account, and sought refunds for funds paid for their defective service, at present, they have only issued "partial" refund of total sought - that had to be forced by my credit card company - and they turned right around and hit my credit card account again with new "billings" after account termination that wiped out any/all refunds; it looks like I will have to terminate the entire credit card account just to get away from Mediamax (Streamload). MediaMax (Streamload) needs to be legally shut down by the attorney general's office of their state ! Check the complaint(s) filed against them with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau for online companies - they have a complaint trail miles long !! Go with a winner like Carbonite ( http://www.carbonite.com ): I have used many online internet computer file back up services over the years, but I believe Carbonite ranks at the top of the list as the best, some reasons why: 1) Unlimited amount of data, for approximately $4.00 / month, plus or minus depending on how you pay. 2) Automatic 3) SUPER !! Data Encryption 4) Ease to restore / recover if necessary 5) Should be used with a high speed broadband internet connection, like cable or DSL. Try it, u'll luv it !!! After the initial system backup (which does take awhile, especially on some systems low on memory - hey, encrypting an entire hard disk on a system with low RAM memory and/or HD space and/or slow CPU speed IS going to take awhile), once past the intial backup you don't even know its running when it only has to handle new/changed file(s) on a continual dynamic basis. If you sign up for Carbonite (you get a free trial), tell them k0dpw@yahoo.com sent you.

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