Backing Up Mixed PC's and Mac's

Wingnut · Jan 31, 2002

Re: Backing Up Mixed PC\'s and Mac\'s

my suggestion would be the simplest one ... well, to me anyway .... especially since you're talking mostly Mac. Which is where firewire "came from"
Use a firewire harddrive. Switch it back and forth as necessary ....

MossRoad · Jan 31, 2002

Re: Backing Up Mixed PC\'s and Mac\'s

I would purchase a device called a MAU that converts AUI to RJ45. This will allow you to create a network between your Macs.

Then purchase a USB CDRW drive that will plug into your PC or your newer Mac. You can then back up everything to CD. Make sure it comes with Mac and PC software.

Hope this helps.

MikePA · Jan 31, 2002

Re: Backing Up Mixed PC\'s and Mac\'s

OK, let's go over the requirements...

<font color=blue>I want to be able to backup all my client correspondence, time and billing records, research files, legal forms, powerpoint presentantions, etc, a few times a week. Then, if my PowerMac is down or in repair, I want to be able to retrieve the documents from backup storage so I can work with them on the PC and/or the old Mac. The vast majority of these files will be in word processor formats (Wordperfect for old files and Word for new files) for which I have cross-platform translators. </font color=blue>

No requirement for being able to sit down at any computer and work on the documents. The primary computer is the PowerMac. Therefore, no need for a network.

The primary computer is the PowerMac. Only if the PowerMac is down will the other computers be used. This should not be a frequent occurrance.

IMHO, CDR or CDRW is the most cost effective solution.

1. On each computer, install/attach a CDRW drive.
2. Create a backup script that will periodically copy the files/folders to a CD on the PowerMac.
3. Store the CDs in a safe place.

If the PowerMac is down, insert the CD into one of the other computers, update the documents, save to the CD.

When the PowerMac becomes available, insert CD, copy documents back to hard drive.

TerryinMD · Jan 31, 2002

Re: Backing Up Mixed PC\'s and Mac\'s

Glennmac,

If you are primarily going to back up/save Microsoft based file types (.doc, .ppt, .xls, etc), you should be in fairly good shape. MS has the capability to move between OS platforms. You may need to check to see if you need to install any MS Office utilities on both platforms.

I know that you can take a MS Word file created on a PC, put it on a floppy, and then insert the the floppy disk into the MAC. Fire up MS Word on the Mac and then open the file on the floppy. Voila, Word takes care of the rest.

Try it.

Now as far as other applications... it depends upon the vendor.

Terry