Slightly OT - backup options

[Gordon]

I currently have an external USB CDRW drive attached to my desktop, and am
looking at backup options.
I'm not only looking at backup capacity, but also reliability and long-term
readability.
I have got a couple of options AFAICS.
1. Replace the CDRW drive with an external DVDRW drive
2. Keep the CDRW drive and purchase an external USB HDD

Now obviously the HDD would far exceed the DVDs in terms of storage space
and speed of access, but in terms of reliability and long-term readability,
how would the external HDD fare in comparison to data on DVD disks? If for
example the HDD failed - would it be possible to extract the data or not? Do
DVD disks deteriorate with time?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[Jim Fisher]

"Gordon" > wrote in message ...
>I currently have an external USB CDRW drive attached to my desktop, and am
> looking at backup options.
> I'm not only looking at backup capacity, but also reliability and long-term
> readability.
> I have got a couple of options AFAICS.
> 1. Replace the CDRW drive with an external DVDRW drive
> 2. Keep the CDRW drive and purchase an external USB HDD
>
> Now obviously the HDD would far exceed the DVDs in terms of storage space
> and speed of access, but in terms of reliability and long-term readability,
> how would the external HDD fare in comparison to data on DVD disks? If for
> example the HDD failed - would it be possible to extract the data or not? Do
> DVD disks deteriorate with time?


The amount of data you need to archive/backup is crucial to the answer here.

USB drives are great for a huge amount of data that you need quick access to. They are also very expensive compared to other means.

DVD's only hold about 5GB of data but are very cheap. On the other hand, if you have 100GB of data, then DVD's are extremely time consuming.

YEah, you can extrack data from a HDD but it will run you upwards of $1000 (and prolly closer to 2 grand) to extract.

[Gordon]

"Jim Fisher" > wrote in message
...

>
> The amount of data you need to archive/backup is crucial to the answer
> here.

Less than 4GB....

>
> USB drives are great for a huge amount of data that you need quick access
> to. They are also very expensive compared to other means.
>
> DVD's only hold about 5GB of data but are very cheap.

Do DVDs deteriorate over time, and if so what sort of time scale?

[Jim Fisher]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gordon" >
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 10:17 AM
Subject: Re: Slightly OT - backup options


> "Jim Fisher" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>
>> The amount of data you need to archive/backup is crucial to the answer
>> here.
>
> Less than 4GB....

Then DVD is the answer.

It never hurts to have more than one backup of your stuff so if you have a USB drive, use that, too. 4GB is nothing to store on a multi-gig external drive.

You may also wish to consider some of the free on-line backup services such as www.mozy.com and www.xdrive.com. You get 2GB free with Mozy and 6GB free with Xdrive but Mozy is a lot simpler to setup and use. I suggest these IN ADDITION to whatever hard-backup you do.

I also use the free Foldershare from Microsoft to syncronize my files between my office and home so that if one disapperars, I ahve a copy at the other.

THEN I have a external USB and Acronis for drive imaging.

I ain't losing my stuff again. ;)


>> USB drives are great for a huge amount of data that you need quick access
>> to. They are also very expensive compared to other means.
>>
>> DVD's only hold about 5GB of data but are very cheap.
>
> Do DVDs deteriorate over time, and if so what sort of time scale?


Yes, they do deteriorate ("oxidize" is the more accurate term). Cheap medai will generally last at least a couple of years. Better media will last much longer. There is no set "time scale" but if you Google around, you will find an abundance of data that will help you make a decision.

With the forthcom,ing release of affordable BlueRay/HD media that will up to hundreds of gigabytes, your DVD storage issue may be fairly short-lived.

If you are planning to archive data for years, then I suggest purchasing the best recordable media you can find. Price is a pretty good indicator. You'll generally be safe if you avoid the "cheap" or no-name stuff.

[Gordon]

"Jim Fisher" > wrote in message
...
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gordon" >
> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
> Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2007 10:17 AM
> Subject: Re: Slightly OT - backup options
>
>
>> "Jim Fisher" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>>
>>> The amount of data you need to archive/backup is crucial to the answer
>>> here.
>>
>> Less than 4GB....
>
> Then DVD is the answer.
>
> It never hurts to have more than one backup of your stuff so if you have a
> USB drive, use that, too. 4GB is nothing to store on a multi-gig external
> drive.
>
> You may also wish to consider some of the free on-line backup services
> such as www.mozy.com and www.xdrive.com. You get 2GB free with Mozy and
> 6GB free with Xdrive but Mozy is a lot simpler to setup and use. I
> suggest these IN ADDITION to whatever hard-backup you do.
>
> I also use the free Foldershare from Microsoft to syncronize my files
> between my office and home so that if one disapperars, I ahve a copy at
> the other.
>
> THEN I have a external USB and Acronis for drive imaging.
>
> I ain't losing my stuff again. ;)
>
>
>>> USB drives are great for a huge amount of data that you need quick
>>> access
>>> to. They are also very expensive compared to other means.
>>>
>>> DVD's only hold about 5GB of data but are very cheap.
>>
>> Do DVDs deteriorate over time, and if so what sort of time scale?
>
>
> Yes, they do deteriorate ("oxidize" is the more accurate term). Cheap
> medai will generally last at least a couple of years. Better media will
> last much longer. There is no set "time scale" but if you Google around,
> you will find an abundance of data that will help you make a decision.
>
> With the forthcom,ing release of affordable BlueRay/HD media that will up
> to hundreds of gigabytes, your DVD storage issue may be fairly
> short-lived.
>
> If you are planning to archive data for years, then I suggest purchasing
> the best recordable media you can find. Price is a pretty good indicator.
> You'll generally be safe if you avoid the "cheap" or no-name stuff.
>


Thanks for the info!