NTBackup takes 24 hours to backup 68 gigs to external USB hard drive

[amn0270]

I am trying to figure out why it is taking almost 24 hours to backup
68 gigs onto an external USB hard drive using NTBackup. The computer
is running XP Pro with 2 gigs of ram. I even set the external hard
drive to Optimize Performance in Device Manager. What else could be
causing it?

Thanks in advance,
Adam

 

[R. McCarty]

External USB drives can only achieve a ~25 Meg transfer rate. Also
NTBackup isn't an optimal backup utility. For that amount of data you
need a more modern/advanced utility like Acronis True Image. And
for any backup with that much data a faster technology like eSATA
would be preferred. External USB drives are convenient, but not for
speed/efficiency.

 

[Homer J. Simpson]

I am trying to figure out why it is taking almost 24 hours to backup

68 gigs onto an external USB hard drive using NTBackup. The computer
is running XP Pro with 2 gigs of ram. I even set the external hard
drive to Optimize Performance in Device Manager. What else could be
causing it?

USB 1.1?

 

[VanguardLH]

in message

I am trying to figure out why it is taking almost 24 hours to backup
68 gigs onto an external USB hard drive using NTBackup. The computer
is running XP Pro with 2 gigs of ram. I even set the external hard
drive to Optimize Performance in Device Manager. What else could be
causing it?

Same amount of time if you disable your anti-virus or other
anti-malware or security software?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

If the usb connection is 1.1 I can understand the slow speed. Even with 2.0
the time will be significant to back up 68GB using NTBackup (several hours).
I recommend a third party backup program and a usb 2.0 pci card if you do
not have usb 2.0 ports on your computer. The fastest backup method is
imaging (Acronis True Image Home is my favorite).

 

[PD43]

I am trying to figure out why it is taking almost 24 hours to backup
68 gigs onto an external USB hard drive using NTBackup.

NTBackup is the worst choice for making backups.

You might check to see if your USB connection is 1.1... that would
significantly extend the time needed for such a backup.

I do a full 40gig backup (including a verification of the backup file)
in about an hour to mine.

 

[amn0270]

What is a realistic time to backup the 68 gigs staying with this
configuration as is. Is 24 hours about right or is that still way to
long? Oh BTW, to the person who asked. It is USB 2.0. If the 20-24
hour time frame is normal than it looks like we will have to go the
Acronis route. Was hopin that we did not have to spend the money but
oh well.

Thanks guys
Adam

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Ntbackup is slow enough that I don't know if anybody even tries to back up
68GB with it. I wouldn't. You can't restore an entire system with it
anyway. Go with Acronis.

 

[PD43]

What is a realistic time to backup the 68 gigs staying with this
configuration as is. Is 24 hours about right or is that still way to
long? Oh BTW, to the person who asked. It is USB 2.0. If the 20-24
hour time frame is normal than it looks like we will have to go the
Acronis route. Was hopin that we did not have to spend the money but
oh well.

It's only like $28 at Newegg.com