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Thread ID: 79250	2007-05-14 03:09:00	External Hard drives as backup	garyasta (1151)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
549644	2007-05-14 03:09:00	I have a laptop with 2.0USB ports. At present I am backing up to DVD's. I would like to purchase an external hard drive but am a little confused as to the best backup proposition. I read about the different makes that are available, the different sizes (2.5", or 3.5"), the different speeds (5,400 or 7,200 rpm), whether or not a 'case' is needed, whether a power supply is needed, etc. Is there somewhere where all of this jargon is spelt out in layman's terms so that I am able to compare apples with apples and not make the mistake of looking at a system that is not suitable. Obviously, i would like to spend the least cash on this project, but need to be aware of not purchasing a lemon. I have a 60Gb laptop so should require about 60Gb of storage. Cheers Gary	garyasta (1151)
549645	2007-05-14 03:24:00	2.5" is a laptop harddrive, which is smaller, and requires less power, and does not need to be plugged into the wall. It's good. But, laptop harddrives are more expensive, yet that shouldn't be too much of a problem if you are looking at backing up around 60gb. I have one of these: www.playtech.co.nz It comes with a nice black case, looks very good, and I highly recommend it. And an 80gb laptop hdd will cost you around $90: www.playtech.co.nz I wouldn't bother about the different speeds (5400/7200rpm), as I don't think it will make a difference running off USB.	mejobloggs (264)
549646	2007-05-14 03:25:00	Well there is A_LOT of info around here, just need to use the search function... A 2.5 inch drive is effectively a laptop HDD and is usually 5400rpm (speed the disk spins effects seek times and transfer rate), a 3.5 inch drive is effecticely a Dektop HDD and spins at (most commonly) 7200rpm. A 2.5 inch drive is able to get its power via 2 USB ports but the 3.5 inch drives need an external Power Pack I would get a Seagate drive as they are the most reliable IMO A 3.5 inch drive with Case and Power Pack is most likely going to be cheaper and have larger cappacity than 2.5 inch drive, but in saying that it is also A_LOT larger so portability is reduced a lot and you need an external power source, not the best while 'on the run' It really all comes down to: 1. Portability 2. Transfer speed 3. Are you able to power the 3.5 inch drive where you need it 4. Finally cost Answer these. EDIT: damn Jo, you beat me :p Yes, I have both types of drives and the speed difference is HUGE between the 2.5 inch 5400RPM and 3.5 inch 7200RPM drive (USB2) :2cents:	The_End_Of_Reality (334)
549647	2007-05-14 03:26:00	The cheapest way would be one of these: www.overclockers.co.nz Jus because your laptop has a 60Gb does not mean you need the same size to back up to. I have a 120Gb and back up to a 20Gb. I back up my files. I do have a Ghost Image of C:, but that compresses and only takes up a small amount of space. Don't forget you drive had WIndows on it, various applications as well which you cannot just copy over from one drive to another. So you only want to either make an image and/or back up data. The hard drive brand should be Seagate for reliabilty. As for speed, you laptop would only be 5400rpm, so it really doesn't matter.	pctek (84)
549648	2007-05-14 11:33:00	Don't forget that any good backup routine includes taking the backup off site. External hard drives are good to back up to but they tend to stay on-site and therefore are rather useless if there is a fire for example.	johnd (85)
549649	2007-05-15 00:10:00	Hi, My suggestion - which I have just implemented for my laptop, is purchase a external enclosure and hard dive combo. For example Fight 2.5' enclosure and 120 G drive from digizone. And get some partion cloning software (used to use ghost 2003 and then 10) but now use Acronis True Image 10 - because it imaged hidden partions, which I couldn't get Ghost to do. Image the drive to the external drive (always verify the partion image) and use these as backups. The bootable True Image CD makes restoration of one or more partions a breeze. The external drive gives heaps of room for keeping backups of both my laptop and desktops and using a 2.5' drive means I don't have to worry about additional power supply for external drive. 3.5' external drives require external power supplies. Also if you ensure the drive is the same interface (IDE or SATA) used on your laprop - you can swap drives between external and laptop at a later date to increase the laptop capacity. Cheers HK	hkeyzer (9827)
549650	2007-05-15 20:56:00	Hi Guys Thanks for the feedback. The snippets of info have filled in a lot of the gaps for me and supplied a lot of details in a concise space. Cheers Gary	garyasta (1151)
549651	2007-05-16 08:17:00	Hi, My suggestion - which I have just implemented for my laptop, is purchase a external enclosure and hard dive combo . For example Fight 2 . 5' enclosure and 120 G drive from digizone . And get some partion cloning software (used to use ghost 2003 and then 10) but now use Acronis True Image 10 - because it imaged hidden partions, which I couldn't get Ghost to do . Image the drive to the external drive (always verify the partion image) and use these as backups . The bootable True Image CD makes restoration of one or more partions a breeze Cheers HK Agree, substantially . I use Acronis too, but then have not had to restore yet so a gamble . Nevertheless, buy a aluminium case as it will cool very well . Don't worry about a fan, as aluminium is sufficient . Misty :cool:	Misty (368)
549652	2007-05-16 09:31:00	PBtech have Western Digital "My Book" 250 & 500Gb ext HDDs USB2 (inc ext power supply) on special now. 500Gb is only $249. (They do have Maxtors there as well, USB/Firewire but more $$$) I bought two! - one for file serving and one for archive/backup. A trifle slower than my C: Seagate but not a nuisance. The archive box can simply be unplugged and taken away for safe storage at the end of the day/whenever. Goodbye acres of DVDs in my SOHO....	manu (8770)
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