Best Ext Hard Drive, 1TB, ethernet connection?

redcard

carrotcruncher wrote: »

Hi,


My laptop is 4 years old and very nearly full and I have no backup if it dies:eek:. Therefore I need to buy an 1 TB external hard drive to store all the valuable docs on as back up.

Why do you 'need' a 1TB drive? Considering your laptop probably only has around 250GB of space.

caleyles

I Have A Buffalo Linkstation hooked up to a BT Home hub and a 1TB hard drive attached to the Linkstation - The Linkstation automatically saves its data to the external drive on a time you schedule yourself therefore having 2 copies of everything.

http://www.buffalo-technology.com/products/network-storage/linkstation/ls-chl-linkstation-live/

gaming_guy

....................

carrotcruncher

redcard wrote: »

Why do you 'need' a 1TB drive? Considering your laptop probably only has around 250GB of space.

I suppose I was thinking to get the largest storage now so it will meet my needs for the longest time (if you see what I mean?).

I've realised I have two problems;

1. My laptop is almost full.
2. I have no form of backup for my photos etc.

I've been going round and round with all the various ways of sorting both problems with one answer: USB sticks? Ext Hd USB? Ex Hd with ethernet? Buying a new laptop and any of the above storage combinations!?

Guess I really need to work out the costs of each answer and way them up against long term suitability and ease of use!

My head hurts:eek:

Thanks for your continued advice :beer:

Carrotcruncher

DCFC79

caleyles wrote: »

I Have A Buffalo Linkstation hooked up to a BT Home hub and a 1TB hard drive attached to the Linkstation - The Linkstation automatically saves its data to the external drive on a time you schedule yourself therefore having 2 copies of everything.

is it easy to set that bit up,

carrotcruncher

Just speaking to my OH....I'm also been thinking of buying a Xbox & Kinnect (for the excersize)!

He's suggested that I buy the 250GB Xbox and store my photos and music on there?!? :T :eek:

Just how many ways are there to skin the proverial cat?

I think I'm going to have a large glass of wine and a bar of chocolate to help me think about this. My brain is full and I need to lie down!:D

Thanks for your help and advice so far:beer:

Carrotcruncher

redcard

I really think an ethernet drive is overkill for your needs.

If your laptop if almost full, then maybe you need to think about upgrading the internal drive (if you intend to keep the laptop a couple more years) as well as getting an external drive.

I am assuming you're going to add more and more media - so eventually it's not all gonna fit on your laptop. So you'll end up with stuff on your external drive that is not backed up.

caleyles

DCFC79 wrote: »

is it easy to set that bit up,

Fairly Easy - The linkstation just plugs into the hub with an ethernet cable and an external hard drive connects to the linkstation with a usb cable, The linkstation software has options for scheduling back up times etc We have loads of photos,music etc stored so any of the kids and ourselves can access them.

rich_jtg

carrotcruncher wrote: »

I've realised I have two problems;

1. My laptop is almost full.
2. I have no form of backup for my photos etc.

Remember that emptying your laptop's hard drive onto an external drive isn't a backup, just transferring!

The most cost effective solution would be to get a USB drive as stated previously.

You do ideally though need some 'off-site' backup which could come in the form of uploading to Flickr or Picasa where your pictures are concerned. Other important documents could also duplicated online with a service such as Sugar Sync (5GB free) or Dropbox.

Many 'wise' people follow the 3-2-1 back-up rule. Others just blame someone else when their hard disk fails.

diable

gaming_guy wrote: »

That deal is only valid for the more expensive 1TB & 2TB variants of the readynas.

I'd recommend having backups stored on another separate hard drive (not within the NAS) as RAID isn't backup.

A Raid 1 system at least will back up the data copied to one drive over to another, I'd be happy with that setup unless I was really worried about flood or fire or theft but then again store the unit where it can't be easily found/removed.

I am over protective as I have a NAS, TimeMachine backup a USB drive for porting and a portable usb drive for my Aperture backup, better safe then sorry but I will be setting up a Raid soon ;o))))


Forgot to add what price can you place on you precious data as a backup system for £300 is not really that bad.