Backing Up Computer Data Options???

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.