Backing Up Computer Data Options???

NY_Yankees_Fan · Aug 7, 2005

Our 8 month old Dell $2K computer hard drive crashed /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, still trying to recover the lost data and get the computer back to normal. After many hours with Dell support I think we are seeing light, what a pain in the butt. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

So my question is what do you do to back up data and stuff you do not want to loose, pictures, video, etc? Do you have an external hard drive, web based storage, or what?

I am thinking of buying a 200 gig external hard drive and backing up to it. Any suggestions? on type, mfg, etc?, or a better way to go, buy two smaller hard drive units??

Thanks for your help.

DannyD · Aug 7, 2005

Seagate harddrives are best, IMHO. They have backup systems that work for your needs. Remmeber even this is a harddrive and subject to crash, etc. Depending on the size of your data files, CD or DVD backup works also. Web based is good too, but you have to have a computer and the web to get it all back.

I have 3 computers in my network, and I have lots of files, email files etc. I use a device that holds a laptop harddrive and plugs into usb 2.0. With windows 2000 or xp, it is there when I plug it in. I have a 60 gig hd in it. I basically have a 60 gig thumb drive, and it requires no electric either. Bought it on ebay.

Bird · Aug 7, 2005

My Dell is a bit older than yours, but there were additional slots in the cabinet. Mine came with a 40 gig hard drive and I added an 80 gig hard drive, made the bigger, new one my primary, system, or whatever you computer geeks call it, and the 40 is used just for backups. Some things I also occasionally put on a CD.

frank_f15 · Aug 7, 2005

For stuff i do not want to lose i usually put on CD or zip disk, but i am thinking of adding another HD and cloning the whole system to that HD , but i am not sure how to do it! /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Casco1 · Aug 7, 2005

NY fan, In twenty years I've never had a hard drive go bad but I've always had a backup drive in case. I prefer an external drive, as I figured if my main should go down I could unplug and go to another computer to access my data. Anything I don't need often I save on CD or DVD.

texbaylea · Aug 7, 2005

It is time for me to build up a new computer. I just bought a Soyo SY-KT880 Dragon 2 motherboard. It has 2 IDE controllers and a SATA controller. I can hang up to 12 drives on it. What I plan to do is use the new 80gig WD drive I just got as the primary drive then take 2 40gig WDs I have and install them as a RAID 1 system. That means the they mirror one another automatically so if one crashes the other has the data. I will put my most critical files on the mirrored pair.

There is a lot of geek talk here so to understand do a Google search for RAID and you will find a full description. I have always prefered to build up my own machine since that way I am using all standard boards and devices.

Vernon

Gatorboy · Aug 7, 2005

I burn all the data I need to save (i.e. photos, documents, source code) onto DVD's. Because I have the installation disks of the software I use -- I don't back that up for I can re-install it if my HD crashes.

NY_Yankees_Fan · Aug 7, 2005

Danny

I found this Seagate 400GB Ultra ATA/100 8MB Buffer ST3400832A-RK - Retail Hard Drive Kit at outpost.com for
$ 214.99 with a rebate to $169.99 plus $8 for shipping. Looks like a great deal what do you think?

Tom

PineRidge · Aug 7, 2005

We use an external tape drive and back up each computer via the network. That way if need be we can do a restore the very same way.

We also keep a set of back-up tapes off-site in a safety deposit box of our local bank in case of a disaster such as a fire.

DannyD · Aug 8, 2005

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4283904?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Good find but that one goes in the computer. It is not an external that you can take with you. Check the above link on the same page, it is what we sell where I work. they are great drives.

you also may want to add a usb 2.0 or firewire card to your computer with this, it works faster. This will work on 1.1 usb though

How to tell the diff.........ATA/100 vs usb. ATA is internal harddrive.

let me know how I can help

NY_Yankees_Fan · Aug 8, 2005

Danny,

Thanks for your help, almost ordered the wrong product /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif!

dmccarty · Aug 8, 2005

Tom,

I just bought a USB external Hard Disk as well as a DVD burner. Part of this decision to buy was based on burning DVDs of the kids from the video camera. I needed more disk space than I had in the system and decided the the exteranl system would be easier to insall and we can use it for other systems as well. I have a Western Digital which I think is a 250 GB. It was about $220.

Its real easy to install. If you can plug in a lamp you can do this. We just bought a smaller one for my dad. The software to back up is so so. I think it could be easier to use but it works. Well it seems to work. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Since none of the systems have crashed I have not tried to restore yet. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Which is a good thing.

So far no problems.

Later,
Dan

SnowRidge · Aug 8, 2005

PineRidge does what really should be done, but it is a bit complex for most home users. Backing up to a second hard drive in the same case is better than nothing, but it doesn't protect against data loss due to fire, lightning strike, or equipment theft, etc.

Probably one of the better solutions is a portable USB drive. Look for one powered off of the USB bus itself. These models are small, usually use laptop drives, which tend to be a bit more rugged than desktop models, and are small enough to carry around in your pocket.

Storing the backup drive in another structure, one that isn't likely to be involved in any "event" that might damage the primary drive, is a good idea.

Jagmandave · Aug 8, 2005

We have a raid array at work, and we back up financial data every day to tape, which we keep in a fireproof safe.
I think backing pictures, video and music to a DVD is a good idea - for now. But as formats change (my newer computer didn't even come with an "A" drive (3" floppy) - you may have to do it again some time in the future, so save that DVD player!

Noodlearm · Aug 8, 2005

For the typical home user, I think the USB external HD's are best. They are relatively inexpensive, super easy for anyone to set up (just plug it in) and can be bought with some pretty high capacities. The downsides are that they are slighter more expensive per gig of capacity and sometimes slower. But they are also extremely portable.

DannyD · Aug 8, 2005

I have one of these, 60 gig drive from a "trashed" laptop...so much for Toshiba support, and I think 15$ from Ebay seller for the case.

works great!

redalrt · Aug 25, 2005

You need four things

XPCGear.com

1. 3.5" hard drive enclosure 39.99
2. USB 2.0 or Firewire PCI card and cable 18.99 and 7.99
3. The biggest hard drive you can afford WD 200GB - 86.99

New Egg.com

4. Backup software (I like Acronis True Image) 29.99

$183.95 less shipping

But the WD backup solution in a box is not bad either.

BillG_in_TX · Aug 25, 2005

I just got a new drive similar to this reconditioned Iomega drive, for $57 after rebate at Fry's.

sneaky_pete · Aug 25, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( 4. Backup software (I like Acronis True Image) 29.99)</font>

Thanks for the recommendation; I just downlaoded the free trial version and am making an image of my C: drive now. I already had a Maxtor USB external hard drive, but the Windows XP backup software was poor and didn't like the FAT32 file system on the Maxtor. Acronis doesn't care, and looks like it will run in a fraction of the time that XP wanted to.