Computer newbies: Which type do I need to get?
Which type do I need to get?
by k8samms - 6/3/09 3:59 PMI want to create back-up discs for my computer but I'm not sure which kind to get. I know I want the rewritable ones but what I'm not sure about is whether I should get the 1x-4x or the 1x-52x or any other one with different numbers. Thanks in advance for your help.
Depends On The Type Of Burner and the Type Of Backup
by Grif Thomas
- 6/3/09 7:58 PM
In reply to: Which type do I need to get? by k8samms
First, you'll need to tell us whether you want to use DVD discs or CD discs. Your burner will dictate which type you want.. If you only have a CD burner, you won't be able to use DVD discs.. On the other hand, if you have a DVD burner, then use DVD discs. They store a lot more data.. I tend to use DVD+R's that are 1 - 16X but when creating important backups, I'll slow things down so it burns the disc at 4X or 8X only.. Some folks will burn them at 1X in order to make a quality, long lasting burn.
By the way, good quality DVD discs will burn at a number of speeds and it's more important to find good quality discs than determine the disc based on burn speed. Still, finding a high speed, good quality disc isn't too difficult..
In my case, I actually make TWO sets up backups using the disc types below:
For permanent, long term backups, I'll recommend using DVD +/-R discs which are not rewritable.. Whether you choose DVD+R or DVD-R is somewhat dependent on the preference of your DVD burner but +R discs seem to be a little more universal currently. The DVD+/-R discs will store for long periods of time and should be kept in a safe dry place, probably in a location other than where the computer resides. (Think..What happens if the computer is destroyed in a fire.?.)
For backups where you want to create backups frequently, over and over again, I'll recommend DVD+RW discs which can be written to multiple times.. One note though.. Many folks try to use packet writing software such as Nero InCD or Roxio Drag-to-Disc which formats the RW disc and allow you to copy and paste data directly from the computer to the disc as if it were a hard drive. Although such packet writing software has its place, I would NOT recommend using such for backing up important files.. They have a canny ability to suddenly become unreadable which clearly is not the purpose for backups.. Instead, RW discs can be used as quality backup items if the backup is created using a standard burn where the disc is finalized. The backup is created, finalized and a week from now, if you want to create a new backup on the disc, simply erase the disc and burn it again.
Hope this helps.
Grif
Always use the "+" version if you use DVD
by pepoluan - 6/5/09 10:09 PM In reply to: Depends On The Type Of Burner and the Type Of Backup by Grif Thomas
Technically, the DVD "+" version is far more advanced than the "-" version.
I'd recommend using exclusively DVD+R or DVD+RW.
Make sure that your DVD writer support the "+" version. Most newer writers are 'hybrid' ones that support both "+" and "-" versions.
For technical details:
* http://www.cdfreaks.com/reviews/Why-DVDRW-is-superior-to-DVD-RW/
For somewhat-technical-***-marketing details:
* http://www.dvdplusrw.org/Article.asp?mid=0&sid=3&aid=12
Not Always...
by Grif Thomas - 6/7/09 11:44 AM
In reply to: Always use the "+" version if you use DVD by pepoluan
"More advanced" is only true if it works... Some of the original DVD burners, (I'll admit there aren't a lot of these older burners still functioning), did NOT recognize the DVD+R discs and certainly would not work with RW style discs.. A DVD-R disc was required..
And although I also recommend using DVD+ discs is most cases, I have a couple of customers that continue to use DVD- discs simply because their burners work better with them..
Generally, using the term "always" is stretching it.. Read some of the user comments in the CDFreaks link you provided above...
Hope this helps.
Grif
Comments? Dates are better
by pepoluan - 6/10/09 8:36 PM In reply to: Not Always... by Grif Thomas
Yes, I've read the comments. But they're dated as old as 2005 (and even older!)
Lots of what they've written are no longer valid today, *provided* that one use a hybrid DVD±RW drive.
Since you yourself wrote that "there aren't a lot of these older burners still functioning", why not make a clean break for the past and adopt the better technology?
Or are we still preferring to rent our movies on VHS tapes instead of DVD/Blu-Ray?
Hybrid burners (the ± variants) are now quite inexpensive, and the DVD+ standard gives you additional peace of mind. I believe you agree that data-safety is the #1 priority here.
Discs are just not worth using now a days
by howlin51 - 6/3/09 8:00 PM In reply to: Which type do I need to get? by k8sammsDiscs are just a pain in the butt.I recommend u buy an external harddrive and backup your important stuff there. there is a free full featured backup software called GFI backup Home edition 2009 that u can find here: http://www.gfi.com/downloads/register.aspx?pid=bkuphm&lid=en it is extremely simple to use, and u can choose exactly which folders and even specific files u want to backup. it also supports incremental backups (backs up files that have changed since last backup), diffeential backups (if u erase a file at the source (ur computer) it will automatically erase that file/s on the external harddrive the next time you run the backup.) this features can be turned off if you don't need them as well.
trust me u'll be happy using both an external HD and this software instead of discs and any other backup software.
If You Buy One Such External Drive For Backups..
by Grif Thomas - 6/4/09 10:56 AM
In reply to: Discs are just not worth using now a days by howlin51
...Be sure to buy a second external drive to backup the backup..
Just a little information from experience.. Backups are exactly that.. Something to be used when a hard drive dies.. Unfortunately, we've seen way too many external drives fail at inopportune times.. So...If you store/backup all your personal songs and pictures to an external drive and it dies, what's left..
For most my clients where large amounts of storage are necessary, I recommend purchasing two such drives, making duplicate copies and storing one in a remote location from the computer. A recent story about a DJ friend who used a 1 TB external drive to store all his working songs and videos.. The drive died and panic ensued.. Luckily, most of the data was also on a work collegue's computer and he was able to restore his drives.. The lesson learned... He purchased TWO new 1 TB drives and created duplicate versions on each drive.
Hope this helps.
Grif
Be careful of a batch...
by pepoluan - 6/5/09 10:11 PM In reply to: If You Buy One Such External Drive For Backups.. by Grif Thomas
If you buy 2 Hard Disks, if they're the same brands, make sure that they're from a different batch.
Drives from the same batch tends to fail at roughly the same time.
Not My Experience At All..
by Grif Thomas - 6/7/09 11:33 AM
In reply to: Be careful of a batch... by pepoluan
I've purchased large groups of hard drives, with similar serial numbers, and they last "as long as they last", each one being a little different than the next. Frequently, there will be one or two drives which have immediate problems but generally, they will last years. And since the use of one computer compared to another computer will directly impact the lifespan of the drive, there's no way to know if the drives "tend to fail at roughly the same time".
Hope this helps.
Grif
Ah yes...
by pepoluan - 6/10/09 8:39 PM In reply to: Not My Experience At All.. by Grif Thomas
Ah yes, I forgot...
The suggestion for having drives from different batches applies mostly for RAID situations, as all drives in a RAID array are expected to have the exact same load and usage.
If you're not planning to use them in a RAID array, i.e., you use them individually, then feel free to use drives from the same batches.
Backing-up computer
by k8samms - 6/5/09 2:48 AM In reply to: Which type do I need to get? by k8sammsLooks like there's a lot more to backing-up than I realized. Thank you both for your help.
back it up
by RonS [WINDOWS-TEAM]
- 6/5/09 11:41 AM
In reply to: Which type do I need to get? by k8samms
You’ve got some good info in here. Here’s a link to some backup resources from Microsoft, just in case: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/pc-backup.aspx.
Also, just as some added info. I personally backup to a couple different places:
1) Discs
2) External HD
3) Microsoft SkyDrive (http://skydrive.live.com/)
I figure this covers my bases.
Is software needed to backup data files on ext hard drive?
by black069 - 6/5/09 10:21 PM In reply to: back it up by RonS [WINDOWS-TEAM]
I am running Windows XP Home SP3.
I noticed that one of the posts above suggested a program (http://www.gfi.com/downloads/register.aspx?pid=bkuphm&lid=en) to use when backing up data files.
I have seen on other forums as well where folks suggest using some type of application to help store data files (onto whatever source).
I personally am going to store my data files on an external hard drive (plus an additional backup of some sort as you mentioned).
Do I need an application to do this....or can I simply drag and drop the files (or copy and paste, etc.) into the window that opens when I click on the external hard drive from "My Computer"?
Also, I have noticed that the data files on the external hard drive are stored in the FAT or FAT32 format (I can't recall which), but my system's hard drive is, of course, NTFS formatted. Is this OK...in other words, if my computer died, would I be able to restore these (FAT-formatted) data files back onto my (NTFS-formatted) system after reinstalling OS, etc.?
Thanks so much.
SB
U don't necesarilly (wow I can't spell) need backup software
by howlin51 - 6/7/09 10:06 AM In reply to: Is software needed to backup data files on ext hard drive? by black069U can also just drag/drop, copy/paste when using external drives (make sure the drive is properly formated before using though) the nice thing about backup software is that it does all of the work for you.(after is properly configured of course.) most backup software costs money, but GFI backup is totally free! thats why I like it and recommend it so much.
~chapibol
I use a USB flash drive
by bowacl - 6/5/09 11:37 PM In reply to: Which type do I need to get? by k8sammsI have 2 a 4 gig one and an 8 gig one, the 4 more then holds all my stuff, they were both under $20. I work on computers so having these is handy for me to take my rescue software around on too. I have used SyncBack with out to much problems but there are many free back up programs available to keep the drive in sync with your data. I have had compatibility problems with disks so only use them for mainly backing up my photos ever 6 months, in between everything is on the flash drive and usually one other hard drive in my network.
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