plug-and-auto-backup external hard drive?

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Curious if there is software out there that I am not aware of that'll image backup computers that's end-user friendly?

So I can sell a 1TB+ external hard drive that is setup so when they plug it in, either the program auto-starts or they can click the app in the drive, and they can do a full image backup. That way if their laptop dies, they have a full image I can restore with programs and all?

Would be +1 if they can use one drive for all their computers, space allowing of course.

 

[Porthos]

Jacob, I use Macrium for all my clients with the external. It is not automated but I instruct them on how to use it. I have clients using the same drive with all their computers. The new Macrium Free is licensed for home and business now.

Does take them to remember to do it each month.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

The new Macrium Free is licensed for home and business now.

This might just work. Thank you.

 

[Porthos]

This might just work. Thank you.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yup some residential backup software does this...such as EaseUS
https://www.easeus.com/backup-utility/automatically-backup-usb-drive-when-plugged-in.html

A few others also....

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Yup some residential backup software does this...such as EaseUS
https://www.easeus.com/backup-utility/automatically-backup-usb-drive-when-plugged-in.html

A few others also....

Well this looks even easier.

Just ordered 3 external hard drives.... yeah yeah, I SHOULD keep them in stock, but it's not a big selling item + I make more money when customers don't back up their data... soooo....

 

[Porthos]

but it's not a big selling item + I make more money when customers don't back up their data... soooo....

I show clients how to back up not restore. I charge to do a restore if needed. I might be able to recover some current data since last backup.

 

[SAFCasper]

I use Veeam Endpoint Backup for this. There is an option to begin backup when the target drive is connected and the GUI is very simple. Basically a green bar = good, red bar = bad/failed.

 

[frase]

For a small business I support x3 workstations. I use Macrium and share the one drive over the network, schedule backups once a week Full>Incremental

 

[cyabro]

Another vote for Veeam here.
Backups can run once the drive is connected and can also automatically eject it once done, to help protect from crypto viruses.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

I ended up going with Veeam, easy to setup, REALLY easy for any "dumbo" to understand... I did the first backup, did 47GB in about 30 minutes (shoty laptop).

Customer is happy, and I think it's easy enough that if her computer does die, I can get her back up and running with it.

 

[Porthos]

I ended up going with Veeam, easy to setup, REALLY easy for any "dumbo" to understand... I did the first backup, did 47GB in about 30 minutes (shoty laptop).

Customer is happy, and I think it's easy enough that if her computer does die, I can get her back up and running with it.

Is it just doing just data or is doing images?

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Is it just doing just data or is doing images?

Her Laptop is an "el crappo" dell, I am using her backup drive on my tester laptop to see if I can make her backup work on a "new computer".
Worst case scenario where she lost everything and needs to recover from her backup to a new computer.

restore process just started, gotta leave in 38 minutes... lets see.

 

[Porthos]

restore process just started, gotta leave in 38 minutes... lets see.

Yes we wll, But you did not answer the question. Are these system images it is making or just "data" backups?

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

Yes we wll, But you did not answer the question. Are these system images it is making or just "data" backups?

it's supposed to be entire partition/system/disk... It says backup to restore to new computer. (or something along those lines...)

As I was walking out the door it "failed to compress partition" the OG disk was 750GB and the one I was moving it to was 320GB... So I got a 1TB disk waiting to try again tomorrow.

 

[cyabro]

Veeam does full system images, if that's what you select when you setup the backup.
I've used it to restore systems from failed HDDs, and it worked fine.
Boot off the Veeam created USB drive, point it at the backup images, and let it do its thing.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

So the way I set Veeam up it did a full computer backup. I was able to restore the 750GB drive that was in a dell, to a 1TB drive in an HP. the computer booted and is working.

Not connecting to the internet because I don't want licensing to go crazy. but it does boot and looks like it is working correctly.

I am really happy with Veeam.
super easy for ME to set up. I made it plug-n-play, so my customers life is a little easier.
+1 from me.

Thank you @SAFCasper & @cyabro for telling me about this.

 

[Larry Sabo]

I was going to try Veeam but quit because of all the personal information they wanted during registration, just to get a license to try it. With all the data breaches these days, the less personal info I have to provide just to try a bloody product the better.

 

[timeshifter]

Another vote for Veeam here.
Backups can run once the drive is connected and can also automatically eject it once done, to help protect from crypto viruses.

I've installed Veeam Endpoint Free for lots of customers, but didn't know this. Thanks!

Pro tip: keep a copy of their installer somewhere. Don't download it from their site each time you need it. You have to log in to download. And each time you log in you'll get a call from one of their sleazy backstabbing salespeople.

 

[Mr. Ingram's Computer Repair & Shoppe]

I was going to try Veeam but quit because of all the personal information they wanted during registration, just to get a license to try it. With all the data breaches these days, the less personal info I have to provide just to try a bloody product the better.

I used my "derp" business email address, downloaded the .zip and extracted the .exe

They only wanted an email address from me. the EXE didn't ask for any info when I installed it.

I put the exe into my software folder and there it sits, with FABs, SDIO, MBAM, and many other great software!