external hard drive
- Thread starter nediaaa
- Start date
There are a number of ways you can backup your files.
1) If you're using Windows 7, you can use the backup software in your operating system. This backs up folders chosen by yourself. These can be either everything on your hard drive, or you can elect to back up files created by you. Usually, these files will be saved to your own personal folder (it lives in the folder or directory bearing your name).
2) An alternative way to backup your files is to use a separate hard disc. If you have a tower machine, you can install one in an empty drive bay (if there isn't one already installed). You also can use an external hard disc connected to your computer by either FireWire (of either the 400 or 800 variety), or by USB2.
3) You can backup these files to an optical disc (CD or DVD) with the disc reader/writer already installed on your machine. If there's no such device fitted, you may be able to buy one and fit it yourself.
If you need to buy a separate hard disc, an internal drive is usually far cheaper than an external one. This is because, although they both use the same internal components, the enclosure for the external can add quite a bit extra to the price. And don't forget to buy the drive with the highest capacity you can find.
The disadvantage of backing up to the 'C-drive' is that if the disc fails or otherwise goes on an extended holiday, you will not be able to access your backup without great expense. The best choice then is to back up to either an optical disc (DVD holds far more data) or to use another hard disc (either internal or external).
If you might be worried about losing valuable data in these backups, either through theft or other such loss, or through media or drive failure, you might need to create several backups, and possibly held in different locations.
1) If you're using Windows 7, you can use the backup software in your operating system. This backs up folders chosen by yourself. These can be either everything on your hard drive, or you can elect to back up files created by you. Usually, these files will be saved to your own personal folder (it lives in the folder or directory bearing your name).
2) An alternative way to backup your files is to use a separate hard disc. If you have a tower machine, you can install one in an empty drive bay (if there isn't one already installed). You also can use an external hard disc connected to your computer by either FireWire (of either the 400 or 800 variety), or by USB2.
3) You can backup these files to an optical disc (CD or DVD) with the disc reader/writer already installed on your machine. If there's no such device fitted, you may be able to buy one and fit it yourself.
If you need to buy a separate hard disc, an internal drive is usually far cheaper than an external one. This is because, although they both use the same internal components, the enclosure for the external can add quite a bit extra to the price. And don't forget to buy the drive with the highest capacity you can find.
The disadvantage of backing up to the 'C-drive' is that if the disc fails or otherwise goes on an extended holiday, you will not be able to access your backup without great expense. The best choice then is to back up to either an optical disc (DVD holds far more data) or to use another hard disc (either internal or external).
If you might be worried about losing valuable data in these backups, either through theft or other such loss, or through media or drive failure, you might need to create several backups, and possibly held in different locations.
Last edited:
DrMoriarty
Moderator
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- 5,173
That'd be a yes, then? 
Depends on how much data, how often, how important etc.
Hard drives fail, but thats not a problem if you've multiple copies. Personally I'd back up to a external hard drive, back that up to a 2nd external drive and every so often make a DVD backup of the most important stuff. The don't keep them all in the same place in case some one comes in and robs the lot, or a fire destroys it.
Hard drives fail, but thats not a problem if you've multiple copies. Personally I'd back up to a external hard drive, back that up to a 2nd external drive and every so often make a DVD backup of the most important stuff. The don't keep them all in the same place in case some one comes in and robs the lot, or a fire destroys it.