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