How can I backup my laptop?

Question

I use a docking station (though I think that's irrelevant) at work and connect to the company network. On their server, I have a folder to back-up the documents on my laptop. As of now I just use copy/paste and wait 10 minutes while everything writes over the old stuff. I am only changing a couple docs a day. Is there any way to make backing up faster?

P.S. I run Windows XP.

Answer 1

I'd use the "My Briefcase" feature - it lets you click "synchronize files" and it only re-writes changed files so you save time.  I use this to sync my files from my laptop to a memory stick for college...

Info and directions here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307885

Answer 2

- use synctoy by microsoft, it is free.

- another free is microsoft's mesh.com; it can sync your folders on 2 pc's that are online automatically. it just does not work on a mac - yet.

- there are backup programs like acronis, but you need a big hard drive, for it to constantly sync your folder. and it is not free.

Answer 3

You can try the built-in Briefcase feature of Windows that's been around since at least Windows 98.  It creates a folder in which Windows tracks changes and only updates the changed file(s).  Right click while at the Desktop, select "New" and one of your choices should be "Briefcase".  Other than that, the answers are some sort of fast removable media like an external hard drive.

Answer 4

The fastest way I can think of is to buy an external hard drive to put your files onto and can range from $20+ depending on how much memory it has.