[glock918]

Got a small problem in 2000.

Here is the setup:
16 computers, all 2000 OS, on a peer to peer network w/ file sharing and printer sharing. The individual users are HORABLE about backing up. SO, I fooled around with the backup utility in 2000. I was thinking about backing up all computers every night (scheduled task) to one off the newer computers. So far so good in my trials. Now to burn the data off on to some media. I was contemplating buying one of the newer 2 layer DVD burners and installing it in this computer, and making a scheduled task on Thur night to burn the data. The user of this computer will take the DVD home with her (my wife) for a off site copy. This sounds well and good, but the back up utility will not allow her to write directly to DVD/CD. All computers have the newest updates from Microsoft.

Does XP pro have a better utility that allows this? Also, I noticed that I can not drag and drop files onto the CD burner for copying like I can in XP. I am not ruling out buying a third party software that will take these Microsoft backup files made by NT Tape Backup Utility and burn them as one file or multiple files onto the two layer DVD RW. I am interesting in seeing how these 8 GB media formats are used in the future. Feel free to suggest a cost effective one you like that can be automated as described above. (backup utility).

Secondary problem: The newest computer I ordered had 2000 on it but XP pro as the system restore utility. I asked Dell about this and they stated that 2000 will be phased out. Does XP and 2000 “play nicely” together? For example, I had to do some configuring with user accounts between 98 and 2000. I am hoping to avoid that when we add XP pro to the works.

Her firm is growing to the point where I think a server is in our near future. All of these servers are using data tape drives. I really don’t like tape drives, of course, I am basing this on experience of years ago with the old zips. Is the above to complex and wasting my time? Should we just bite the bullet and get a server?

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.
Art in KY

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Hi Art, welcome to GTG!

With 16 users I'd say they're certainly ready for a file server. Instead of backing up files to recordable media, how about an FTP backup solution like this? http://www.tranxactglobal.com/

Here are the details
Backup Service
- FTP access supports FXP
- Storage space available in increments of 10GB
- $0.50 / 1GB / month
- Unlimited bandwidth usage

Maybe cheaper than buying recordable media, and you could make it fully automated (I don't know if 2000 backup has this capability). IMO tape backups are okay, but with hard drives being so cheap a RAID array may be a better choice, and off-site backup is always a good idea.

The newest computer I ordered had 2000 on it but XP pro as the system restore utility

That's strange. 2000 and XP are both based on the NT kernel, so the switch to XP should go pretty smoothly for you.

[admin]

Hi Art, welcome to GTG!

With 16 users I'd say they're certainly ready for a file server. Instead of backing up files to recordable media, how about an FTP backup solution like this? http://www.tranxactglobal.com/

Here are the details
Backup Service
- FTP access supports FXP
- Storage space available in increments of 10GB
- $0.50 / 1GB / month
- Unlimited bandwidth usage

Maybe cheaper than buying recordable media, and you could make it fully automated (I don't know if 2000 backup has this capability). IMO tape backups are okay, but with hard drives being so cheap a RAID array may be a better choice, and off-site backup is always a good idea.

The newest computer I ordered had 2000 on it but XP pro as the system restore utility

That's strange. 2000 and XP are both based on the NT kernel, so the switch to XP should go pretty smoothly for you.