Backing up

  • Thread starter Thread starter LisaB
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LisaB

What device to you use? External Hard drive? Flashdrive? or CD/DVD?
What do you find to be more reliable.

I will probably only need to back up once a week or month; depending on when
I add new pics. I use it daily for the internet and games. (Home computer. I
only have about 30GB total with OS; otherwise just 10GB of files/pics/music.)

I read many stories of people having to return their External HD while unter
warrenty; so my concern is if you've already downloaded your files; then how
secure is your info when returned.

Thanks
LisaB
 
Also; I forgot to ask; what do you back up aside from files (I'm new at
this). The operating system? the registry? cofused.

Thanks
LisaB
 
First, let's talk a bit about backing up in general.

Backing up is just about the best thing a computer user can do. When you
backup regularly, the chances that you will lose your work and your
memories are substantially reduced. (And once you progress to a
sophisticated type of backup called imaging, the chances that you will
have to reinstall your software are also substantially reduced.)

It goes without saying that you should backup regularly and often.
Depending on how much you use your computer - most people use their
computers just about every day - you should create a backup schedule
that will always leave you with a reasonably current backup. For most
people, daily backup is the best policy.

Therefore, you will want to choose a backup method that is fast and
convenient. For most people, backing up to an external hard disk or a
USB ('flash') drive is the best solution. Between those two, I would
choose an external hard disk, because they have substantially more space
and work faster than a USB drive.

With an external hard disk and backup software, you can schedule backups
to occur automatically -- like the Ronco guy says "just set it and
forget it". You can backup when you're not at the computer; you can even
backup while you're working.

External hard disks are very reliable, though nothing in life is
guaranteed. It's a rare event to have one fail. And given how
inexpensive they are, an external hard disk really is a no-brainer solution.
 
LisaB said:
What device to you use? External Hard drive? Flashdrive? or CD/DVD?
What do you find to be more reliable.

I will probably only need to back up once a week or month; depending on when
I add new pics. I use it daily for the internet and games. (Home computer. I
only have about 30GB total with OS; otherwise just 10GB of files/pics/music.)

I read many stories of people having to return their External HD while unter
warrenty; so my concern is if you've already downloaded your files; then how
secure is your info when returned.
Click to expand...

I have had an external HD fail under warranty but did not worry about my
data on the drive when I returned it. Before I had used the drive I
installed TrueCrypt so all the data on the drive was encrypted. This
way if the drive is stolen or I have to return it for repair the data is
safe. In my case I do this as some of the data is covered by various
federal laws.
It is a little more work when rebooting to start TrueCrypt and enter the
pass phrase but I appreciate the added security. For backing up I just
use the built-in backup program and schedule it to run weekly.
 
So I can back up all my program files? I guess I need a certain software for
that?
I have all original discs for most items; it would be handy to have
everything backedup.

Thanks
LisaB
 
To backup your software, including Windows, you will need an advanced
type of backup software called disk imaging software.

Disk imaging is a good idea, but there's a learning curve to it. What's
most important for you now is to backup your own files, e.g., your
documents, photos, spreadsheets, etc.

If you have the installation media for all your software -- and a record
of the license keys you need to install them -- you can always reinstall
everything, if need be. But you can't reinstall that special picture of
your Mom that will be gone forever if it's not backed up.
 
Ok thanks I have saved all my pics and documents to a CD for now.

Just making sure I do as much research on which device is best for my needs.
Now that I understand more; I want to make sure I purchase a good brand.
BestBuy (canada) recommeded SimpleTech 500 GB $100 sale. I'm still not
convinced I need a hard drive vs flash unless I'm going to use it to back up
all my program files; as currently I only have 10GBs of space; yes it will
increase in time as I'm forever adding pics :)

So I guess no harm either way in what I purchase. Any comments on that
brand? Lots of mixed reivews when I do a google search.

Thanks
LisaB
 
Hard drives long ago advanced to the point where they're essentially
commodities. By that I mean that all the major brands (including
SimpleTech) are equally reliable. 500GB for $100 Canadian is a good
price. It's probably more storage space than you need right now, even
for backing up your software, but you may as well take advantage of the
low price. Funny how you find uses for the space. Have you ever met
someone who complained that their closet was too big?

An external hard drive is a better choice than a USB flash/thumb drive
for backing up. They have more space and they're much faster.
 
Ok so as long as SimpleTech is one of the well known brands then that's what
I'm going with. It's so hard to know via google searches....because there
are just so many mixed reviews it makes your head spin :)

Thanks!
LisaB
 
LisaB said:
What device to you use? External Hard drive? Flashdrive? or CD/DVD?
What do you find to be more reliable.

I will probably only need to back up once a week or month; depending on
when
I add new pics. I use it daily for the internet and games. (Home
computer. I
only have about 30GB total with OS; otherwise just 10GB of
files/pics/music.)

I read many stories of people having to return their External HD while
unter
warrenty; so my concern is if you've already downloaded your files; then
how
secure is your info when returned.

Thanks
LisaB
Click to expand...

I assemble my USB or Firewire enclosures with a new, brand name hard drives.
This, I use for an external drive. I will not buy an pre-assembled external
hard drive.

I learned early of the problematic hard drives placed in pre-assembled hard
drive enclosures. First was made by Acom, with a hard drive with a brand
called Jupiter. The drive itself failed in 2 months. I replaced the hard
dirve itsself with a Western Digital. That was 4 years ago, its still
running.

One oversight that seems quite common in assembling an enclosure and your
own hard drive is the enclosures ability to "see" the entire hard drive. If
not up to snuff, it won't "see" the entire hard drive capacity.. For this
reason, unless I see some documentation supporting the enclosure's capacity
ability (maximum size of hard drive it can "see"), I won't buy it. No
matter the atta-boys I read on that particular enclosure.

I ran into one enclosure's wiring for the power internally is too short.
And, the pin connectors on the molex connectors are relatively fragile. The
second time I carefully opened the enclosure, one wire broke loose from the
molex connector for power.

The only time I use CD/DVD for storage is for archives I instend to move off
the PC at the same time. Containerize them, and keep them in a cool, dark
place.

I use a USB flash drive for anything relatively small may want to transfer
in the near future, and, for anything constantly changing like my finances
saved in password access only. In both instances, its a primary backup
followed by other media backup as well. I like the speed of a flash drive,
I don't trust it for anything but short term storage.

Unless you're doing something personally compromising regarding pictures or
nudity, I don't see a security issue.
 
LisaB said:
What device to you use? External Hard drive? Flashdrive? or CD/DVD?
What do you find to be more reliable.

I will probably only need to back up once a week or month; depending on
when
I add new pics. I use it daily for the internet and games. (Home
computer. I
only have about 30GB total with OS; otherwise just 10GB of
files/pics/music.)

I read many stories of people having to return their External HD while
unter
warrenty; so my concern is if you've already downloaded your files; then
how
secure is your info when returned.

Thanks
LisaB
Click to expand...

I assemble my USB or Firewire enclosures with a new, brand name hard drives.
This, I use for an external drive. I will not buy an pre-assembled external
hard drive.

I learned early of the problematic hard drives placed in pre-assembled hard
drive enclosures. First was made by Acom, with a hard drive with a brand
called Jupiter. The drive itself failed in 2 months. I replaced the hard
dirve itsself with a Western Digital. That was 4 years ago, its still
running.

One oversight that seems quite common in assembling an enclosure and your
own hard drive is the enclosures ability to "see" the entire hard drive. If
not up to snuff, it won't "see" the entire hard drive capacity.. For this
reason, unless I see some documentation supporting the enclosure's capacity
ability (maximum size of hard drive it can "see"), I won't buy it. No
matter the atta-boys I read on that particular enclosure.

I ran into one enclosure's wiring for the power internally is too short.
And, the pin connectors on the molex connectors are relatively fragile. The
second time I carefully opened the enclosure, one wire broke loose from the
molex connector for power.

The only time I use CD/DVD for storage is for archives I instend to move off
the PC at the same time. Containerize them, and keep them in a cool, dark
place.

I use a USB flash drive for anything relatively small may want to transfer
in the near future, and, for anything constantly changing like my finances
saved in password access only. In both instances, its a primary backup
followed by other media backup as well. I like the speed of a flash drive,
I don't trust it for anything but short term storage.

Unless you're doing something personally compromising regarding pictures or
nudity, I don't see a security issue.
 
LisaB said:
Ok so as long as SimpleTech is one of the well known brands then that's what
I'm going with. It's so hard to know via google searches....because there
are just so many mixed reviews it makes your head spin :)

Thanks!
LisaB
Click to expand...

I go to newegg.com to look at hardware. They do seem to have good
prices, but they have the ratings by users. I know everyone gets a
lemon now and then but if 20 people rate it 5 out of 5 then you pretty
much hit on a product. Every person has their preference of
manufacturer.
 
Well I ran my back up. Got the SimpleTech 500GB
Only took 8GB's ha. I'm sure I really didn't need something like this. Oh
well I have it now.

Lisa
 
And how much is an 8GB flashdrive? If you bought that, what about long term
usage?
Is your time worth backing up 8GB to CD or DVD on a regular basis? That
scratched or rotted CD/DVD with some of that 8GB on it is not recoverable
now. Try scratching the internal workings of a hard drive.
For all, your welcome anyway.
 
Hooray Lisa! Welcome to the ranks of the savvy computer users.

Now, as you have time, you can learn more about backing up. You can
setup automatic backup schedules, try out different backup programs,
learn how to backup your email, Favorites, cookies, program settings and
anything else. Then you can try disk imaging, to backup your software.
You'll never need to reinstall Windows.

Now you have the security of knowing that your data is safe. My 3-year
old Western Digital external drive never fails me and I paid more $$ for
fewer GB ;-(

You will plenty of use for all that space.
 
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