Your Questions and Our Answers About Backups

Ever since we introduced our newest Cloudeight recommended and endorsed software programs – Genie Timeline Home 2014 – we been besieged with questions about backups. From the questions we received, we can now understand why over half of you don’t bother with backups. And we’re beginning to understand why a lot of folks find  computers difficult to learn as if that machine were some king of magical box that transcends reality.

So we’re going to try to address backups and give you all a tip on how to make computers easier. But first let’s talk about backups:

Question #1: If I back up my drives incrementally won’t I be backing up any malware that gets on my computer?

Answer   #1:  While that can be true, it depends on you. if you are computer-wise and you use a good antivirus/anti-malware  you won’t get malware in the first place. Well over have of all malware comes from bundled installers for freeware. While it is true that some of these install malware without your knowledge, most don’t. Most have the bundled software showing right in the installer — and you can uncheck it. If you just keep clicking NEXT when installing software with reading the installation dialog you are going to install malware on your system. That’s why having a good anti-malware and anti-virus is so important. Anti-virus alone could care less if you install Price Gong or Speed Dial — they’re not viruses, but they sure are malware and if they are on your computer you are going to have problems. So keeping malware off your computer in the first place would prevent you from backing up malware.

We suggest you make one image backup  of your entire hard drive — after it’s been checked for malware and any malware found removed. This is your system backup — your disaster recovery base.  After you create the image backup, change the backup to a file and folder backup. Folders like Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music are unlikely destinations for malware. And while viruses can hide in any file, almost any antivirus is going to catch it before it gets on your computer. Incrementally backup your chosen files and folders. With Genie Timeline, just set it up once and it will automatically incrementally backup whatever folders and files you selected. Any time you add a new file or change a file or folder, Genie Timeline backups only the new and changed files so you always have the most current version of the files and folders.

If disaster strikes use the one clean image backup you created to restore you computer to the way it was when the image created. Then use your files and folder backup to restore everything up to date.

If you do those two simple backups you’ll lose very little. The only thing you will lose will be any programs you installed after the image backup was created; most times those programs can be easily re-installed.

Question #2:  I have been using XYZ backup and my external drive has several backups on it I created with XYZ backup. Do I need a new external drive if I switch to Genie Timeline?

Answer  #2: No you don’t  need a new external. All you need is enough space on your external to store the new backups. If you have a bunch of backups, you may need to delete one or more of them to make room for the new backups you will create with Genie Timeline.

Question #3:  You say to leave your External drive plugged in, but that causes problems for me

Answer   #3:  If you have any incremental backup program installed, it will give you an error message if it cannot find the backup drive — which is what will happen if you keep disconnecting your hard drive.  If you’re going to be doing this, you will need to stop Genie Timeline from starting with Windows and remember to turn it back on when your external is connected. Keep in mind, depending on how many new files were created or changed since the last time you did a backup, it could take a long time to create the backup. If you leave  your external plugged in all the time, Genie Timeline will back up your files and folders silently in the background. Remember this: Repeatedly connecting and disconnecting your external hard drive will shorten its lifespan, so keep that in mind.

One reader wrote he doesn’t have enough USB ports to attach an external USB drive. If you’re running short of USB ports a USB hub will add extra USB ports to your computer instantly and cheaply. For most external hard drives you’re going to need a powered USB hub . An standard 4-port USB hub can be purchased for around $10.  Powered hubs cost more. But here’s a trick you can really use. Buy a standard USB hub (unpowered) and plug your keyboard, mouse, and any other peripherals which don’t required a powered USB hub. This frees up a USB port on your computer — which is always a powered hub. Then you can plug your external into that port. You can buy USB hubs at Walmart, Target, BestBuy, Staples and other stores that have decent computer sections.

Question #4:  Can I create a drive image with Genie Timeline?

Answer    #4:  Yes you can and here’s a pictorial tutorial to guide you along.

Genie Timeline Home 2014 is the easiest to use and best backup program we’ve ever seen. It’s easiest for even new computer user to figure out, and has enough advanced features for those who know a way around a computer.