You might look at using an old PC, maybe not as old as you seem to indicate,
as a Windows Home Server [WHS]. I use an old desktop as one. WHS
automatically backs up my Vista Ultimate laptop and my wife's XP Pro desktop
each night. You can do whole machine recoveries or individual files/folders
from the backups. My WHS also acts as a print server for one of the two
printers (an old HP LaserJet 6L) that we have and as a shared folder/file
archive. We, or anyone else we want to, can access shared files/folders
remotely via a SSL data link. I can, if I wish, also access any PC on my
network via a Remote Desktop proxy built-in to the WHS. Note the Remote
Desktop [RDC] host PC must be running Vista Ultimate/Business or XP Pro/MCE
editions. You can also stream various media from the WHS to users on your
network.
Getting started guide including hardware requirements...
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ingStarted.pdf
More information...
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...r/support.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro.../features.mspx
WHS Team Blog...
http://blogs.technet.com/homeserver/
WHS forums...
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/e...owshomeserver/
One possible source of the WHS software (there may be others)...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116550
--
Al Jarvi (MS-MVP Windows - Desktop User Experience)
Please post *ALL* questions and replies to the news group for the
mutual benefit of all of us...
The MS-MVP Program -
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights...
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375
"ChrisOfTheOT" <NoSpam@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Og0%236bJKJHA.3460@xxxxxx
Quote:
> I'm trying to sort out a backup solution for our two laptops. We don't
> have a network at home, per se, but do use a WiFi router for internet
> access. We have been using a straight forward USB 2.0 drive for backups
> but as picture files get more numerous and huge, we need something
> considerably faster. (And I want to be backing-up more often - ideally,
> daily.)
>
>
>
> I have read bits and pieces about network attached storage and, if I went
> down that route, I'd probably go with the Freecom 1TB Network Drive Pro.
> It seems really good, but pricey.
>
>
>
> But I've also read that many people use an old PC for backup storage. I
> have an old PC - it may even be a 486, not a Pentium! - so wondered if
> that would do, especially if it saved some cash. (I'd need to buy a
> gigabit LAN & USB cards (to access a printer through), plus the hard drive
> but it'd still be so much cheaper.)
>
>
>
> The WiFi router is downstairs and, other than WiFi 'B', can only be
> accessed via a Homeplug AV adapter. (For occasional maintenance I can take
> a laptop downstairs, obviously.) Would it be possible - for me, a PC
> amateur - to use two routers in one network? Could I use a Homeplug AV
> adapter upstairs to link a new gigabit router to one laptop and the backup
> PC or NAS? How naive am I being? (The second laptop would need less
> frequent access to the backup PC/NAS as it has two hard drives.) The first
> laptop would need best-speed gigabit access, so the Homeplug AV/WiFi
> options are no good.
>
>
>
> I've spent many hours looking for these answers but have not got anywhere.
> Usually the website or book does not address my particular situation
> (understandably), or else everything gets way too technical - often
> because the business environment is in view. So any help would be much
> appreciated (especially, 'This is how I did our home NAS/backup PC'
> stories).
>