Best backup media...

1031982 · 15th Jun 2009, 04:27 AM

Ok, I want to have a designated backup media source. Preferably external, but the size is not too important. I have a 10GB partition I use currently, so something that's 10-50GB would be perfectly fine. I update and use my backup partition about once a month at most. The only exception is that I will most likely set up an automated backup of certain things. Such as a weekly firefox backup, and a monthly desktop files backup. Sometimes I don't update the partition for a few months at a time.
Speed is not a big issue, in fact it's the least of my concerns. After all, the weekly thing is only around 20MB each, and I plan to keep 3 at a time.
My number one concerns are lifetime and realaibality. Just below those is cost.
I was thinking of getting a small SSD drive with an external enclosure.
Any input and other suggestions would be great.

goldfries · 15th Jun 2009, 07:08 AM

SSD would be pricey.

I'll go for stuff like Seagate FreeAgent | Go external drives.

I tried out the 320GB version and I like it very much, will be publishing the review this week.

I plan to get a unit of it, to add on to my existing backup devices such as my 750GB Maxtor Basics, my network of hard disks and the usual DVD-RWs.

1031982 · 15th Jun 2009, 08:26 AM

Let me clarify, spending $100 for a reliable backup is OK.
If I had to get an enclosure for a HDD, up to about $30 is fine in addition to the cost of the drive. That maxes me out at $130 for a drive/media total.
So, from what I have seen a SSD is reliable, and the space requirements would allow a nice little external drive.

Setting up an internal RAID 1 is something I don't want to do.

Falcone · 15th Jun 2009, 03:57 PM

SSD is you best option for now and for the near future, the thing probably will survive cycle in the washing machine for all we know.

Chai · 15th Jun 2009, 06:40 PM

I'm not really sure about SSD's reliability. Yes, it doesn't have any mechanical parts. But electronics will fail too.

I will definitely choose one of those external 2.5" HDD. Cheap, quiet, tons of capacity.

mikegas · 16th Jun 2009, 11:43 AM

Currently, I am using WD MyBookWorld (MBW Home NAS) for backup. I connect it direct to wireless router. Then I ran the memeo backup software comes with the MBW. It is incremental backup, so will backup when see new items instead of scheduling backup. Set it up to backup the desktop and documents of 3 computers at home. Everytime, I go home connected to home wifi, my computer is being backup in the back ground.

I sounds like a advertisement but it is just easy and I don't have to worry about lost of data anymore. Unless my MBW is down and notebook kong at the same time ..then I am screw ..but what are the odd..

Adrian Wong · 16th Jun 2009, 11:27 PM

IMHO, portable hard disk drives are your best bet if you need a lot of backup space, or want something that offers value for money. Something like a 2.5" portable HDD would be perfect. 2.5" HDDs are not only small, portable and work without an external power source, they are also more robust and are really reliable especially if you only connect them to transfer data and do not "abuse" them by keeping them connected and running non-stop.

If you only need 50 GB or less though, it may be worth trying an SSD. The better SSDs offer much faster transfer rates (great for large backups!) and are virtually impervious to vibration and shock. Most SSDs now have a guaranteed data retention lifetime of 10 years, so I think they are pretty reliable... unless you hit them with a massive static charge or EMP!

If you have some money to spare though, buy TWO - one HDD and one SSD!

1031982 · 16th Jun 2009, 11:52 PM

I could make it so I use the external backup once a month. It would cut the stress of anything down a lot.
Then I could get more space and image my main HDD.
I wonder if getting a laptop HDD and an enclosure will cut costs?

Adrian Wong · 17th Jun 2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1031982

I could make it so I use the external backup once a month. It would cut the stress of anything down a lot.
Then I could get more space and image my main HDD.
I wonder if getting a laptop HDD and an enclosure will cut costs?

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you mean changing your current 3.5" HDDs for 2.5" drives? Or buying a 2.5" HDD for backup purposes?

15th Jun 2009, 04:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
1031982 Super Active Join Date: 25 Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,635 Reputation: 285 Rep Power: 11	Best backup media... Ok, I want to have a designated backup media source. Preferably external, but the size is not too important. I have a 10GB partition I use currently, so something that's 10-50GB would be perfectly fine. I update and use my backup partition about once a month at most. The only exception is that I will most likely set up an automated backup of certain things. Such as a weekly firefox backup, and a monthly desktop files backup. Sometimes I don't update the partition for a few months at a time. Speed is not a big issue, in fact it's the least of my concerns. After all, the weekly thing is only around 20MB each, and I plan to keep 3 at a time. My number one concerns are lifetime and realaibality. Just below those is cost. I was thinking of getting a small SSD drive with an external enclosure. Any input and other suggestions would be great. __________________ Running : Gigabyte EP45-DS3R, Intel E7200 C2D, 4GB DDR2 Dual Channel, WD Raptor 74GB, WD 500 GB HDD, ASUS 16X DVD-ROM, LiteOn 16X DVD+/-RW, 1.44 MB Floppy, ATI Radeon HD 4850, Dell 2005FPW, and a SB Audigy2 ZS PRO with Logitech Z5300e speakers.

15th Jun 2009, 07:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
goldfries www.goldfries.com Join Date: 22 Jan 2003 Location: KL/PJ Malaysia Posts: 7,966 Reputation: 539 Rep Power: 20	SSD would be pricey. I'll go for stuff like Seagate FreeAgent \| Go external drives. I tried out the 320GB version and I like it very much, will be publishing the review this week. I plan to get a unit of it, to add on to my existing backup devices such as my 750GB Maxtor Basics, my network of hard disks and the usual DVD-RWs. __________________ no computer specs \| no photography gear list \| no userbars \| no quotes

15th Jun 2009, 08:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
1031982 Super Active Join Date: 25 Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,635 Reputation: 285 Rep Power: 11	Let me clarify, spending $100 for a reliable backup is OK. If I had to get an enclosure for a HDD, up to about $30 is fine in addition to the cost of the drive. That maxes me out at $130 for a drive/media total. So, from what I have seen a SSD is reliable, and the space requirements would allow a nice little external drive. Setting up an internal RAID 1 is something I don't want to do. __________________ Running : Gigabyte EP45-DS3R, Intel E7200 C2D, 4GB DDR2 Dual Channel, WD Raptor 74GB, WD 500 GB HDD, ASUS 16X DVD-ROM, LiteOn 16X DVD+/-RW, 1.44 MB Floppy, ATI Radeon HD 4850, Dell 2005FPW, and a SB Audigy2 ZS PRO with Logitech Z5300e speakers.

15th Jun 2009, 03:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Falcone Official Mascot Creator Join Date: 18 Dec 2002 Location: Shanghai, See En Posts: 3,374 Reputation: 1878 Rep Power: 29	SSD is you best option for now and for the near future, the thing probably will survive cycle in the washing machine for all we know. __________________ I'm a noob, my photos sucks, but if you can live with that... http://www.pumpkinproject.com/ Flickr

15th Jun 2009, 06:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 28,128 Reputation: 4649 Rep Power: 82	I'm not really sure about SSD's reliability. Yes, it doesn't have any mechanical parts. But electronics will fail too. I will definitely choose one of those external 2.5" HDD. Cheap, quiet, tons of capacity. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

16th Jun 2009, 11:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
mikegas Active Join Date: 7 May 2008 Posts: 531 Reputation: 396 Rep Power: 5	Currently, I am using WD MyBookWorld (MBW Home NAS) for backup. I connect it direct to wireless router. Then I ran the memeo backup software comes with the MBW. It is incremental backup, so will backup when see new items instead of scheduling backup. Set it up to backup the desktop and documents of 3 computers at home. Everytime, I go home connected to home wifi, my computer is being backup in the back ground. I sounds like a advertisement but it is just easy and I don't have to worry about lost of data anymore. Unless my MBW is down and notebook kong at the same time ..then I am screw ..but what are the odd..

16th Jun 2009, 11:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 33,150 Reputation: 3730 Rep Power: 78	IMHO, portable hard disk drives are your best bet if you need a lot of backup space, or want something that offers value for money. Something like a 2.5" portable HDD would be perfect. 2.5" HDDs are not only small, portable and work without an external power source, they are also more robust and are really reliable especially if you only connect them to transfer data and do not "abuse" them by keeping them connected and running non-stop. If you only need 50 GB or less though, it may be worth trying an SSD. The better SSDs offer much faster transfer rates (great for large backups!) and are virtually impervious to vibration and shock. Most SSDs now have a guaranteed data retention lifetime of 10 years, so I think they are pretty reliable... unless you hit them with a massive static charge or EMP! If you have some money to spare though, buy TWO - one HDD and one SSD! __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

16th Jun 2009, 11:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
1031982 Super Active Join Date: 25 Feb 2003 Location: USA Posts: 1,635 Reputation: 285 Rep Power: 11	I could make it so I use the external backup once a month. It would cut the stress of anything down a lot. Then I could get more space and image my main HDD. I wonder if getting a laptop HDD and an enclosure will cut costs? __________________ Running : Gigabyte EP45-DS3R, Intel E7200 C2D, 4GB DDR2 Dual Channel, WD Raptor 74GB, WD 500 GB HDD, ASUS 16X DVD-ROM, LiteOn 16X DVD+/-RW, 1.44 MB Floppy, ATI Radeon HD 4850, Dell 2005FPW, and a SB Audigy2 ZS PRO with Logitech Z5300e speakers.

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