I recently read an article about the newest external backup hard drives. They pointed out that there are some very simple to use systems that you leave plugged in to a USB port, and whenever you change or add a new file, the hard drive immediately backs up only that file.

I back up my entire HD once a month, along with a bunch of other PC maintenance. It's a manual process, and I'm backing up 98% of files that haven't changed.

If I had a crash on day 29 after backing up, I'd lose a lot of valuable info.

I have been unable to find this article again, which named and recommended specific brand and models of these new "simple" back up systems. (I thought it was Tech Tips from Geeks.com, but it's not in their archives).

Can anyone recommend a simple ext HD that comes with the software to do this? Inexpensive is good too. 500GB would be plenty.

Thanks...

Windows XP can do this for you - you don't need extra software! See Windows XP Backup Made Easy (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/bott_03july14.). Backups in Vista or 7 are even easier!

BTW: I think you are looking for an "incremental backup" (which, again, Windows can do natively).

Can anyone recommend a simple ext HD that comes with the software to do this?

I can't, but you can add this functionality with additional software. Second Copy (http://www.centered.com/) is popular. Google real-time backup for others.

Also be aware that real-time backup can be problematic if a file gets corrupted. An immediate backup will overwrite the previously backed up good file. Since it may take awhile to notice the corrupt file, the backup will be worthless and the file lost.

HardBackup (http://www.itefix.no/i2/hardbackup) based on rsync and dirvish may also be of interest. It is a little technical to get setup, but once setup, it has these advantages:

Free
Hourly, Daily, ... Time Period of Choice backups can be done.
Multiple backups containing unchanged files only use a single stored copy of the file, significantly reducing backup time and storage requirements.
Backups are a file copy. Restoring consists of simply using Windows Explorer to copy the file back to its original location.
Set and forget


Example: I do manual bare metal recovery drive images with Acronis True Image monthly, and do full daily data backups with HardBackup every night. I keep two weeks of daily backups. If a file gets corrupted I have two weeks of daily versions to pick from to regress to.

Thanks. This is a lot to understand. I shall start reading.

I found an external drive that seems to do what I want, but a bit expensive. Not sure if worth the money.

It's called Rebit: Walmart.com: Rebit 500GB Desktop Back-Up Applianc: Computers (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=11084858)

Thanks again...