SJG70  This backup software does all that I want (backing up my harddrive, cloning, maintaining a copy of my PDF library on a Flashdrive). I think their support deserves some praise: they recently very efficiently resolved a problem I was having, quickly providing me with very clear, comprehensive information. In fact it is probably the most professional support experience I've had. They obviously want the software to work for you.  
(Version 3.0.5)

JEFF NAILEN  I've had major problems with Data Backup over two versions: version 2 and the new version 3. I've really wanted to like this app as a highly recommended alternative to Retrospect. But I've had a series of problems over the years including executor problems and 'internal errors' once I finally got past the executor problems. What's worse, when I contacted tech support they just wanted to sell me the upgrade to version 3 rather than help with my problem. I had to be persistent and send more emails before they would actually provide tech support. Bad sign.

Like a fool, I went ahead and upgraded to version 3 anyway (hoping it had been improved with the upgrade) after the executor problem had finally been solved by tech support only to encounter 'internal errors' when making routine, albeit extremely slow performing backups with version 3.0.5 (on a system I keep clean and running smoothly by performing routine weekly and monthly maintenance with the best utilities and no hacks).

When this happens the backup stops. When you resume the backup after having to quit Data Backup and restarting, it doesn't pick up the backup where it left off, but starts over making it extremely slow. But it never finished a single complete backup due to 'internal errors' that are never explained so there's no way to solve the problem.

Needless to say, I no longer use it because it simply doesn't work and tech support is slow and unresponsive. After doing much research including reading Joe Kissell's excellent Take Control eBooks, I now use dedicated apps for dedicated backups: Time Machine + an Apple Time Capsule for automatic hourly archive backups; the excellent SuperDuper for automatic bootable duplicates to an external drive; and CrashPlan Pro and BackJack for automatic offsite backups over the Internet. Once it's all set up as explained in Joe's eBooks it works consistently like a charm with no hassles. That's the way it should be.

Don't buy this product; there are better ones out there with better tech support.  
(Version 3.0.5)

JOHN LOACH  I own three products now from ProSoft Engineering - Drive Genius, Data Rescue, and Data Backup. All three work exactly as described, with a very professional appearance and great attention to getting the job done.

Data Backup is fast. Once you've created the initial backup, the subsequent version backups are fast and accurate. Restoring files from version dates is very easy and quick.

Support is excellent, too. Good customer forum, and updates are always worth the investment.   
(Version 3.0.4)

ZEWS  I just got Data Backup 3.0 with my brand new OWC external fire wire hard drive.

For the first total back up of my Mac, I created a clone of my HD, so I would have a bootable external HD in case of an internal HD failure.

The backup seemed to run just fine. I can open the drive and folders and run apps from there.

However, I cannot boot the external drive. And when I try to, the spinning wheel just spins. After about 15 minutes of this, I gave up. The only way, I was able to stop the process, was by cutting the power to the computer. Always a nice way to deal with a computer.

I thought I swithced to a Mac, because "Everything just works!" What a cruel joke, that turned out to be.

Does anyone have any suggestions for better software than this.  
(Version 3.0)

CLANCEY  Version 3, like version 2, has a tendency to crash when renaming backup sets. It only remembers the default backup sets. Half the time I try to run it manually, I have to re-install. Once the thing is setup, it seems to function properly.  
(Version 3.0)

GRATEFULGARY  For me personally, the instructions did not seem to sufficiently explain some of the features and the trouble thereby that results. It took a while to figure out how to create a bootable clone for example. It wasn't clear that it required it's own partition. And to restore the clone elswhere required that the clone be cloned to it's destination to be bootable, not "restored." I also had a problem with not sufficiently understanding what would happen to the rest of the files/folders on my external HD when I performed versioned backups. They disappeared into a double secret area that required a call to tech support.

However, the customer service/tech support is excellent, and by the way, not out-sourced. I used them yesterday to resolve the versioned backups issue. John couldn't have been more technically proficient, patient responsive, interactive. It took some time and was a little tedious but the issue was completely resolved and I now know more about how the software works.

The functionality of the product is excellent and other than issues directly related to my lack of understanding, Data Backup works as described by Prosoft.  
(Version 3.1)

KERRY DAWSON  I've used Data Backup without trouble for at least two years without incident until Snow Leopard came out. The introduced 3.1 for Snow Leopard compatibility. It still isn't compatible. In fact, I finally realized the backups were doing strange things like running at odd times, more than it should on the schedule and thus I had no confidence in the backups it was creating.

Support has been responsive but they have been telling me this is going to be fixed soon and Snow Leopard came out 3 months ago. The 3.1 still has not been updated with a fix. The last I heard from support is that its going to be fixed soon but I had this odd feeling the developer has gone a missing.

This is not cheap software. I decided to get Get Backup 2 which complements Time Machine nicely and works fine with Time Machine. In fact, everything I have worked with Time Machine shortly after it came out. SuperDuper, another excellent backup and cloning software was Snow Leopard compatible almost from the get go.

I used to be a Retrospect user before Data Backup and switched to Data Backup as I liked its rotational capability. I tried Retrospect v8 which is Snow Leopard compatible but it really is overkill for my needs. If Data Backup worked like it used to, it would be great. However, it doesn't and I am left with little confidence in their ability to deal with this issue of making their software SL compatible. This is backup software and its used for safety. This is appalling that this program is being marketed on here as Snow Leopard compatible. If you buy it, check your logs if you have it doing scheduled backups or even just manually backup. You'll find the time stamps in he logs make no sense. So how can you trust anything that is backed up if it has to be restored.

I'd stay away from this program even if they paid you to take it let alone you paying them.

My ratings are based solely on this does not work with Snow Leopard after 3 months and I had to invest in another Backup program which should never have been the case.  
(Version 3.1)

ERICSACKETT  Data Backup 3 is very good as a backup and archiving program. It fills in that spot that SuperDuper and Time Machine miss. It suffers a bit in its interface and ease of use, but I've never had a problem with it.  
(Version 3.1)

TVALLEAU  I've been using DataBackup for several years now. Contrary to other reviews, I've not had any trouble with it at all. No "internal errors" - nothing. For me (currently on 10.5.8) DataBackup "just works" and I'm delighted with it. I use it in conjunction with Super Duper. I'm a semi-retired Mac programmer, and so I've used it "in both directions" (meaning backup and restore both) and it's been there for m 100% of the time.

Neither have I had trouble with the company; they have been quite responsive the few times I've dealt with them.  
(Version 3.1)

DCH1951  If you ever have any problems or issues with this excellent program, simply delete it in it's entirety;

I recommend either the included Uninstaller, but AppZapper or AppCleaner work fine as well. Reinstall it, run Disk Utility/Repair Permissions, then restart your Mac. Launch it, enter your registration info and everything will work as it should. This fix was provided by ProSoft, the author of the utility.  
(Version 3.0.5)