so...??
how do i mirror a drive with 'failsafe' backup. the data i'm looking to store isn't going to cause satellites to crash, but it will hurt to lose. will that program you suggested (Acronis True Image ) provide me with a safe, convenient means of backing up data. And will it require a seperate, equally sized hdd like RAID 1?
With Acronis you can schedule backups of data on one drive to another and it doesn't have to be the same size, just large enough, or larger even, to hold the data. To be "failsafe" would best be done with an external drive so it can be removed from the PC so there can be no simultaneous damage. Or to confuse you with even more options, to another PC's hard drive over a network if you happen to have one at home, but you'd have to look into Acronis' features to see if that's doable.
originally i was only looking to protect against physical catastrophy of one of the 2 drives. now, you've got me thinking i should look for greater security. but to be honest i was hoping for an easier way then manually duplicating all my files to seperate drives.
Well I almost lost a lot of valuable pictures by not having backups so I can understand their importance. You want it simple, which it will be once you decide a course of action. The research for the best option for you is the hard part.
looked at the website and not sure, but looks like i won't need a 2nd hdd. but what if the drive dies? and can i use this in raid 1 for added measures?
Right, you certainly don't need another hard drive to backup files, but if the drive dies, files all gone. You definately could make a backup of a drive or files on a drive that is in RAID1, but now you need 3 drives instead of 2 to get to that failsafe point.
so, tell me if i got this right?
RAID 1 ... protects against physical damage to 1 drive. if both, then done. data lost
Yep
Acronis True Image ... protest more against software corruption, virus, and outside influences. but if physical damage to hdd, then done. data lost
Yes, if the data and the backup are on one drive. If they are on seperate drives, you either have the backup to restore to a new drive, or if you lose the drive with the backup, you have the original drive still running to make a new backup.
but if the powers combine, do i get voltron? just kidding. because, now i think i should set things up to protect against both problems. seriously dude, you're being a huge help, because i completely missed this when i was reading.
No problem. Voltron, lol. I always liked the 5 lions instead of the one made of those little space ships.
