How to Set up a Backup Device?

[ohmystars80]

Hi, I'm trying to get an automated solution going. What I need is some device/drive that copies any and all changes made to your PC onto a backup drive automatically. I don't want it to overwrite anything, I need previous versions of the same file to be available.
If I even need to go back to a previous version of a file I deleted (damn I hate when I do that!!) I would like to use windows directory or maybe my browser to go to the device/drive and fine the file. So, if I make a change to a file I would have all the previous versions if I needed it.
I would want it to be a complete system copy – it would in effect take a complete image of my HDD so I can use it to restore the system to the last working image – I really need this, since I keep getting a viruses from blogs and forums.
I mean, it would be like a normal usb portable drive, maybe 1TB – but it would do all this stuff automatically, and when I need a file or a fresh re-imaging I would go into a simple Windows like interface and do it.
I think 1 TB would be enough, and I don’t know if there is any software that would delete the older files if it needs more space for the newer files.
Does such a device/drive exist?

 

[JrRacinFan]

Maybe RAID 1? As far as software solutions, I will be honest. No clue here!

EDIT:
... in continuation ...

Then again RAID 1, will not keep a "previous" copy of an old file.

 

[95Viper]

More than likely you need to get your own drive (external or internal) of the size you want and use imaging software( I myself, use Acronis True Image, which, I do have on a schedule to run every other day when computer is idle and when disk is full it overwrites the oldest data.)

Or :http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?driveid=355&language=en

http://www.goclickfree.com/

http://www.maxtor.com/en/hard-drive-backup/external-drives/maxtor-onetouch-4-plus.html

Or try one of these:http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?id=3&sort=4

 

[Homeless]

Have you tired the built in windows backup tool?

 

[Deleted member 3]

Maybe RAID 1? As far as software solutions, I will be honest. No clue here!

EDIT:
... in continuation ...

Then again RAID 1, will not keep a "previous" copy of an old file.

RAID is per definition not a backup. RAID 1 is a mirror, ie virus = bye bye data. Editing your word document and figuring you just deleted 6 hours of work = bye bye data.


How much data are you trying to backup? If the TB disk is enough for you (they're dirt cheap nowadays anyway) I'd put one of those in some external box and simply use ntbackup to do an incremental backup. Do make sure you disconnect to drive after a backup and place it somewhere else. If it's connected it'll still be a target of viruses and the likes.

 

[suraswami]

Try Cobian, its free and works well.

 

[ohmystars80]

Thanks for all the help guys - I'll post back if I run into any problems trying to set this up!