Back Up Computer Files Without a Click of the Mouse. (ClickFree 120GB USB Integrated)

Member Name: derek-a

Product:	ClickFree 120GB USB Integrated
Date:	09/12/08 (664 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: plug in and go

Disadvantages: None that I have found

A couple of years ago I experienced a fatal computer crash and lost every single file on my hard drive and what made matters even worse was that I didn't have a back-up, Since then I have been very careful about backing up my files to DVD disks since, but it has been a very slow and laborious task waiting for those disks to burn, and then on some occasions seeing that dreaded message, "back-up failed!". CDs weren't so bad, being smaller they usually backed up OK but then, having that smaller capacity, I needed a lot more of them.

I was watching the QVC shopping channel one Sunday morning and I noticed that they were demonstrating the ClickFree external hard drive, and all you had to do was to plug it in to your USB port and wait. It would search and back-up every file on your hard drive without you having to click or do anything, and then once it had done its job, all you had to do was simply unplug it and put it away. This was something that would suit me down to the ground with its simplicity. I wasted no time, and after doing a search and could find none cheaper than the £87 asking price, placed my order on QVC/s website, although it must be said, that I have since seen this the ClickFree drive for less than £80 when I have Googled for it.

The drive itself holds 160GB and can back up multiple PCs - up to 10 of them. I backed up my own, running Windows XP, and then backed up my laptop and my wife's computer, both running Windows Vista. The files are viewable and usable from each PC, providing of course you have the necessary software to do so. There were one or two problems with my XP setup opening the Vista files, but the Vista computers opened all the files that were backed-up from my XP without a problem,

The drive works this click-free way because it comes with the back-up software already installed. And whilst it is click-free, you can use your mouse to select different options, cancel the operation or to select open to view the files.

The physical size of the drive itself is small and fits easily into my pocket, (about the size of a pack of cards), so I can take it anywhere with me and will be able to use it on most computers, especially viewing photographs and videos, or opening Word documents and spreadsheets and the like.

Using the drive for the first time took about 20 minutes as I had around 50GBs if files in My Documents, it also backed up all my e-mails from Outlook Express and my favorites from Internet Explorer. In fact, everything I would need to access from another computer.

I then decided to copy all the files on the ClickFree drive from my desktop PC on to my laptop and this too was simplicity. When you plug the drive in, it will back-up, as I said without clicking anything. However, should you wish to, you can use your mouse to view your files or to select the restore function. When I did this I was given a choice to select what I wanted backing-up or just back-up everything. On this occasion, I selected everything and around 20 minutes later, every file from my desktop was now on my laptop, ready for me to work with.

The ClickFree drive doesn't require any external power source as it takes it power from your computer's USB port, but there is a socket at the back for plugging in an optional (not supplied) cable, or a second USB should just one USB connection prove inadequate, but I must admit, I didn't have any problems with powering it up. My desktop being my oldest computer is around 5 years old and it works without a problem at all.

I have owned the ClickFree drive now for around 3 months, and I must admit, it has taken the hassle out of backing stuff up, and provided good peace of mind.

Summary: A great little back-up drive that takes the hassle out of backing up your valuable computers files.

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Noise: