Computer advice needed-external hard drive

[goody]

Let me start off by saying that I know how to use a computer, but not work on them.

I'm looking for an external hard drive for our desktop. We currently have an older model of WD 250gb, which doesn't automatically back up files.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure there are some external hd out there that back up automatically. I basically want a larger, faster, automatic external hd that I can store my pictures and files on.

Any suggestions on brand, type, etc... is greatly appreciated.

 

[cherokee_dude]

Sounds like you want for it to do two different things... serve as a backup and to serve as a storage device?

If you just want to backup your files on your existing HD using a separate partition, you could use windows to perform that task.
Windows XP Backup Made Easy

If you use a mac, buy a 'Time Machine' and your done ;)

 

[goody]

I do have a pc, and I guess I don't understand the difference between backing up files and storage device. I certainly wouldn't want to lose any word, excel type documents, but I really wouldn't want to lose any of our photos especially since we don't have them any longer on memory card or printed out.

 

[Reef Monkey]

It sounds like you want it to automatically backup your files and act as a storage device. To do this you would have to set it up in a RAID configuration and/or purchase some sort of a program to perform this automatic backup. Obviously acting like a storage device is just that a hard drive that you could copy important files over to manually. I think this is why cherokee dude mentioned it sounded like you wanted it to do two different things: act as an (automatic) back up and a storage device. You could do both but to my knowledge would need more than just another harddrive.

 

[gilmour01]

clickfree external hard drives are nice. just plug it into your usb and it walks you thru the rest. super easy. i think i paid around $70 mine.

 

[ficklefins]

In layman's term:

You can buy a back up an external Harddrive (HD) without a problem, but you'll need some software to do automatic backups.

If you want the easy external HD solution you could always buy something like one below and find some software to put on your PC to perform the auto updates:
Newegg.com - Western Digital Elements 640GB USB 2.0 Midnight Black Portable Hard Drive WDBAAR6400ABK-NESN - External Hard Drives

Western Digital Elements 640GB USB 2.0 Midnight Black Portable Hard Drive
A simple, high quality portable drive that is light and easy to carry. Simply plug it in to any USB port and start saving your photos, music, video, and files. The Western Digital Elements 640GB Hard Drive uses less power and supports quieter, cooler-running desktop PCs. This hard drive is suitable for high-performance home and business computing, as it can handle high-end data-intensive and multimedia applications.

 

[cherokee_dude]

I do have a pc, and I guess I don't understand the difference between backing up files and storage device..

Backup Device:
So, a "Backup" copies the files from your current Hard drive to another hard drive.
It's a one to one relationship, like a mirror image {That's what the reference above to a RAID configuration is talking about}.

To simplify, if your hard drive is 20 gig, you can do a backup of all 20 gig of your pics, files, etc... to an external hard drive as ficklefins mentioned, and THOSE SAME FILES, are copied somewhere else {Will just have another drive reference like G:, H:, etc...} This can be done via the tutorial link that I provided above.


Storage Device:
If however, you ALSO want to be able to save more stuff because you are running out of space... { You need a "Storage Device"} You will need to make another 'Place' to put those files {a.k.a., a separate partition as mentioned in the tutorial}

Keep in mind however that the new 'Place' that you are using to store files will not be backed up, if that new 'place' IS the external hard drive.

The Skinny:
So on your computer, with the external HD plugged in you will have something like this...

PC
C: Hard Drive 20 gb

External Hard Drive
D: Backup 20 gb {Just an copy of C:}
E: Additional storage 500 gb

**Notice how that the new 'Place' that you are using to store files' IS the external hard drive, hence it cannot be backed up to itself without some even more complicated tweaking**

Recommendation:
What really makes the most sense IMO, and I have many PC clients who have found themselves in this situation is this...
1. Purchase and Install a new/larger hard drive ~100.00/30 Minutes
2. Purchase an external hard drive that is AT LEAST the size of your new hard drive ~100
3. Copy all your data onto the newly installed drive ~2 Hours @ 250 gb

** Most places that sell Hard drives will do these first three steps for you if you're hesitant to open up your PC**

4. Configure your PC to do automatic backups to your external drive using this tutorial Windows XP Backup Made Easy


Conclusion:
~200 bucks, you have more space to store stuff and your backups will be done automatically... ;)

 

[goody]

Thanks a lot for the replies. I know understand it better and I actually went out and bought almost the same exact one as ficklefins posted. I just got the 500GB.

 

[Murfman]

I have a Western Digital external hard drive. It comes with the software to do the auto backups. You select what files or drives you want backed up and as long as your computer is on, the auto back up will run. If you have Qwest, they also have a back up, 2GB for free and you can purchase more space. It too can be configured for auto back up.

 

[cherokee_dude]

Glad it helped some Goody... However, as I mentioned, make sure you backup the files on your external hard drive somewhere. It'll cost $$$$ to recover data from a failed hard drive. I see it all the time.

Most software that comes with these devices will give you more storage and only back up your PC files. That's why I made the recommendation above.