What backup device do you use?

[marknicholls]

I have an Iomega Peerless drive, with a 20gb cartridge but this is no longer big enough for my needs. My MP3 Collection is 16gb alone, and thats without all my photos and software backed up. I dont like the thought of backing up onto CD/DVD as the music will then have to be broken on into different sources.

I know all my music is "backed-up" on my ipod, but i dont count this as a secure backup device, as it is with me all times and can be lost/stolen easily.

What do you guys use for 20gb+ backup?

I was thinking of an external HDD

For people that use an external HDD, do you keep it attatched to the mac/pc at all times? or do you just connect it when you want to backup/restore your data?

Thanks

[Blue Velvet]

At home: A 2nd internal drive with Silverkeeper.

At work: Lacie Big Disk Extreme (320gb) with Dantz Retrospect for network backup

The Lacie -- as mentioned elsewhere on these forums -- is a solid piece of equipment with FW400/800. You can also get ones with USB2...

[kronos2611]

For backups that size I tend to copy to an external HD attached to my Mac - or backup to my Linux box. The external drives are usually powered up all the time but I let Mac OS put them to sleep so they're idle most of the time. No harm in powering the drive off though (so long as you unmount first!)

[glosterseagul]

usb sticks

Filemaker data files and accounts data file.


and a lacie firewire drive for my music....just thought about emails. i don't back them up - how can i do that?

[marknicholls]

The lacie seems cool. just had a look on ebay

The reason i like a cartridge type backup device is so i can hide the cartridges, in case i get burgled (may seem sad but my music and photos are way to important to go missing)

The other reason, is that if it is plugged in to the mac all the time, is there a chance a virus can get onto the drive?

Or am i just talking rubbish!?

Thanks

[marknicholls]

usb sticks

Filemaker data files and accounts data file.


and a lacie firewire drive for my music....just thought about emails. i don't back them up - how can i do that?

To backup your emails, to go home/library/mail

and backup the entire folder, this will also save any rules, and signitues you have created

[Blue Velvet]

The other reason, is that if it is plugged in to the mac all the time, is there a chance a virus can get onto the drive?

Or am i just talking rubbish!?

:)

[Blue Velvet]

The reason i like a cartridge type backup device is so i can hide the cartridges, in case i get burgled (may seem sad but my music and photos are way to important to go missing)

In that case, burn CDs/DVDs (much cheaper by mb) and store them somewhere else... work, school, family, friends...

...that is, unless they're those kind of photos... :)

[marknicholls]

:)


:) say no more!!


I have heard of virus's that can destroy all the data on your HDD....or was i dreaming?!

[marknicholls]

In that case, burn CDs/DVDs (much cheaper by mb) and store them somewhere else... work, school, family, friends...

...that is, unless they're those kind of photos... :)

i dontknow what u mean :)

I cant be bothered with splitting 20gb of data onto 4 DVD's! Id rather shell out for an Iomega REV , or now i have been reading this forum, a Lacie i think

[Blue Velvet]

:) say no more!!

I have heard of virus's that can destroy all the data on your HDD....or was i dreaming?!


Some kind of nasssty Windows strain of virus, probably... if anything like that existed for the Mac, you would have heard about it right here at MR Forums.

Get a Lacie. They're virtually indestructible.
Don't get the Porsche one (plastic case with poor reviews).
Use Silverkeeper (http://www.lacie.com/silverkeeper), it's free.
Or you can use Carbon Copy Cloner (also free) to make a bootable clone...

Back up your entire drive or just the users folder... you know it makes sense.

[neilrobinson]

firewire hd sounds that way to go,

also i am wondering the same kinda thing, i have about 200gig to backup and dont mind having it on 2 tapes etc. i want to really store it off site.

i have has a look at tape drives but they are rather expensive any suggestions? btw, i am limited by budget :mad:

[Blue Velvet]

firewire hd sounds that way to go,

also i am wondering the same kinda thing, i have about 200gig to backup and dont mind having it on 2 tapes etc. i want to really store it off site.

i have has a look at tape drives but they are rather expensive any suggestions? btw, i am limited by budget :mad:

Some people around here suggest buying a firewire enclosure and a conventional ATA HD to put in it yourself for a cost-effective solution...

[cluthz]

The LaCie data banks are very small and easy to hide. They are powered by your computer. They are in sizes 20->40GB
http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10444

[wrldwzrd89]

I use a pair of LaCie d2 drives - 1 160GB drive dedicated to my iTunes music library and 1 250GB drive partitioned into 80GB and 160GB for backup. My iMac's internal drive is 80GB, so this arrangement works perfectly.

[firestarter]

I'm probably a bit of a backup obsessive, but I'm putting together a backup solution for myself at the moment. I'm trying to follow a few points:

- I should have at least 2 backups at one time
- I should never have all backup devices connected to the same computer at once (in case of virus / power surge etc.)
- I should have a backup outside my house
- I need to safeguard confidential backups (not that I have any great state secrets on my Mac, but I'd prefer to keep my data to myself)
- I don't 100% trust firewire (I've seen firewire devices get corrupted when mounted or unmounted - I think firewire is great, but I'd rather not keep plugging an unplugging my main backup into my mac).

I've bought one of these:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Reviews-155-ProdID-NSLU2.php

Which is a very cheap Linux file server (tiny too!). I'm going to get three of these:
http://www.ioraid.com/products.html

Hard disk enclosures with encryption, and add 3 drives to them. I'll then run one off the server as always-on storage, and rotete the other 2 as off-site storage at my office. I'll keep encryption keys at home and another location - not at work, so my data is safe.

[EJBasile]

iPod and I save my important files to a computer i turned into a file server.

[firestarter]

I have an Iomega Peerless drive, with a 20gb cartridge but this is no longer big enough for my needs. My MP3 Collection is 16gb alone, and thats without all my photos and software backed up. I dont like the thought of backing up onto CD/DVD as the music will then have to be broken on into different sources.

So you were the one who bought the Peerless drive? It's a nifty idea, but they're really not cost effective compared to firewire drives or DVD-R.

From what you describe, your data isn't changing very frequently. What I mean is that you're not going to modify your 16G of mp3s are you? And when you add holiday photos, you'll want to archive them, not continually rework them?

Your backups would be a lot easier if you bought something like Retrospect to let you do differential backups, rather than attempting to back everything up every time (and when you do back everything up every time, do you use more than one Peerless cart? or is there a moment when your sole backup gets wiped before you write new data onto the Peerless? not good!).

Using differential backups you can cut 10 DVDs to perform a backup, then another one every now and again for new files. It's not a big deal that everything is on different disks, as retrospect should hold a catalogue. It's also not a big deal, as this is your final backup that you never need to use - so a bit of inconvenience in retreiving isn't too bad. Better still, cut 2 sets of disks on different branded media and keep one set in a different location.

[jaromski]

i have a firewire 200gb backup drive. it works quite well. then i have a cron script that runs every night and syncs all the files from my /home directory to the /backup drive.

but as posted earlier, it isn't the best idea to keep all your backups "online" all the time. you could really get hosed if something nasty happens (read computer starts on fire, virus purges all writeable directories, etc.)

so i also have a script that runs once a week and syncs my backup drive to another server at my friend's house. and he syncs his to mine. so we have effectively colocated our data in case either of our locations burn to the ground. there is a great utility called rsync that does all the heavy lifting for you, and it is free. as in beer.

paranoid? most likely, but it has saved my ass a few times already so it is worth it.

jaromski

[mrgreen4242]

So you were the one who bought the Peerless drive? It's a nifty idea, but they're really not cost effective compared to firewire drives or DVD-R.

From what you describe, your data isn't changing very frequently. What I mean is that you're not going to modify your 16G of mp3s are you? And when you add holiday photos, you'll want to archive them, not continually rework them?

Your backups would be a lot easier if you bought something like Retrospect to let you do differential backups, rather than attempting to back everything up every time (and when you do back everything up every time, do you use more than one Peerless cart? or is there a moment when your sole backup gets wiped before you write new data onto the Peerless? not good!).

Using differential backups you can cut 10 DVDs to perform a backup, then another one every now and again for new files. It's not a big deal that everything is on different disks, as retrospect should hold a catalogue. It's also not a big deal, as this is your final backup that you never need to use - so a bit of inconvenience in retreiving isn't too bad. Better still, cut 2 sets of disks on different branded media and keep one set in a different location.

I've got to agree with this chap. Making 2 sets of complete backups on 10 (or less) DVDs (thats 44gb's!) and storing them in different places, then make a differencial archive every week (or more if you like) onto a DVD-RW, remember to make 2 copies of it of course). When the differencial data set gets to be more than 1 DVD-RW, it's time to do a new complete backup.

This is the most effective solution, in terms of cost/gb, and also not to bad time wise. You can have one set of backup at home, and another at, for example, your office desk, your parents/other relative, or a good friends home. If you have an external backup drive and your house burns down, you've lost it all. With this system you have a good offsite backup.

You're weekly/daily backup will only take a few minutes with an 8x Superdrive, and the whole thing will only cost you about $15 in blank media (~10 DVD-R's, and 4 RW's) assuming you already have a Superdrive. If you don't you can get a dual layer drive cutting your disc needs in half, or have a new G5 PM with a Superdrive you may already have a dual layer drive!

Best wishes,
Rob

[dross]

I use a firewire 800 drive that I put a tray in. I have 2 drives which I rotate keeping one at my office. It is fast and cheep and works great.

[Mertzen]

External 80GB FW drive with silverkeeper ..

[PowerBook User]

I've been considering getting a FW 400/USB 2.0 hard drive for backup at www.macsales.com (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/fw400-USB2-combo-drives/). The drives seem like a good deal and include Dantz Retrospect Express. Has anyone had any experience with these drives?

[Mertzen]

I've been considering getting a FW 400/USB 2.0 hard drive for backup at www.macsales.com (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/fw400-USB2-combo-drives/). The drives seem like a good deal and include Dantz Retrospect Express. Has anyone had any experience with these drives?

The basically are OEM FW enclosures with HDs .. but you get a nice warranty and some software .. so the are a good deal imo ..

[Mechcozmo]

I pray. Everyday.

So far, so good! :D

[solaris]

This is how I back up my system:
500GB LaCie FW800 hdd for all my music, movies etc...
10GB ioRAID (http://www.ioraid.com) encrypted 2.5" Firewire/USB2.0 hdd for important stuff (letters, mails etc...).

Using SilverKeeper to syncronize the data.

[firestarter]

Hi Solaris,

How are you finding those ioRaid drives? I'm planning to buy 3 in the next week for all my online and offline storage (I'll probably get the 3.5 inch 40 bit ones). I might get an extra key cut too - since I'd prefer to use all off the same key.

Are they well made? Fast? I've read some reviews and they seem positive.

[Solafaa]

I have the LaCie 500GB external hard drive, i have it pluged in all the time. If you are worried about it getting taken then get the smaller modles and hide it under the bed.

[solaris]

Hi Solaris,

How are you finding those ioRaid drives? I'm planning to buy 3 in the next week for all my online and offline storage (I'll probably get the 3.5 inch 40 bit ones). I might get an extra key cut too - since I'd prefer to use all off the same key.

Are they well made? Fast? I've read some reviews and they seem positive.I bought mine here: http://www.komplett.no/k/ki.asp?sku=300762
Only had it for ~1 month, but so far I am very pleased with it.
Need a bigger/faster disc though, currently using an old 10GB 4200rpm hdd I had from my previous laptop.

They have description of it in their UK store as well, but no price.
http://komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=300762

3.5" models:
USB 2.0: http://komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=300764
USB 2.0/FW800: http://komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=300766

You might need to contact them, to find price and availability. ;)

[Thomas Veil]

I have an external HD, a Fantom 80GB Firewire drive. There is no way I'm going to waste my time backing up my data to CDs or DVDs. Not for what you can get a good Firewire drive for these days.

[Sweetfeld28]

i have two backups. the first is a external 40 GB FireWire 400 pocket drive (The MacSmith (http://www.themacsmith.com/minidrive.html)). My second drive is an internal 80GB WD drive. For backing up the drives i use Carbon Copy Cloner.

[marknicholls]

Hey

I think i have decided to get an external HDD, i cant be bothered with backing up eveyrthing onto 10 dvd's!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19570&item=5152944592&rd=1

Does this look ok? I have seen the lacie, but wanna save a few quid, ans this one looks cool and is big enough for me for a few years anyway.

Anyone have any experience with this model?

Or should i not be stingy and get a lacie? if so, why?

Thanks

[mrgreen4242]

Hey

I think i have decided to get an external HDD, i cant be bothered with backing up eveyrthing onto 10 dvd's!!

Well, that's the point of using differencial backup systems... you only do a 10 disc (judging by the fact that you are just running out of room with a 20gb tape you would only need 4 or 5 discs anyways) once, then you you just do a single disc update every few days/each week. Most 'professional' backup systems work like this, except that they use a 20gb+ tape for the dailies... each week or twice a month or so they do a full backup onto a set of say 10 tapes, and then do a nightly update to that set. This allows you to restore older versions of documents as well.

Even with RAID disc arrays this is still done for the offsite backup. Offsite backups are important if you are serious about backing up data... anyways, best wishes with whatever you choose, but if you are "looking to save a few quid" then a second external harddrive is hardly the way to go.

Rob

[marknicholls]

Ok, when i said save a few quid, i didnt mean go for a 20p per DVD backup system! im not that tight!!

I am adding to my music collection everyday and my photo collection weekly, and it is far easier, to simply drag and drop my collection onto a external hdd or cartridge than having to muck about copying just what i have amended/added (IMO)

i think external HDD is the way to go, may even get a Lacie yet, depending on what i get for my Iomega Peerless on eBay

[SLCentral]

Truth be told, I've never backed up. In my 14 years of living, and 5 using the computer on a daily basis for multiple hours, I have not once experienced a har d drive crash. And even so, I don't really have anything important :).

Occasionally, I do dump my stuff on a few CD's, though.

[marknicholls]

if your entire music and photo collection was reliant on your PC.....Believe....you would backup!!!!

[SLCentral]

if your entire music and photo collection was reliant on your PC.....Believe....you would backup!!!!

Well, I did dump my Music folder onto my iPod just in case, but all my digital pictures are on the dads comptuer.

[Daveway]

2 external 20gb internal drives with ide-usb 2 connection
1 512mb lexar media thumbdrive

[mrgreen4242]

Ok, when i said save a few quid, i didnt mean go for a 20p per DVD backup system! im not that tight!!

I am adding to my music collection everyday and my photo collection weekly, and it is far easier, to simply drag and drop my collection onto a external hdd or cartridge than having to muck about copying just what i have amended/added (IMO)

i think external HDD is the way to go, may even get a Lacie yet, depending on what i get for my Iomega Peerless on eBay

Just for reference, the incremental backup would be automatic... you run some decent backup software and it will check to see what files in the direcetories you have marked for backup are either new or updated since the last backup. Most of the time it's a completely automated process that you can do by just dropping a blank DVD into your drive before you goto bed.

Anyways, it seems like you mind is made up, and I again wish you the best of luck with your solution. A lot of people do back ups that way, and it works for them.

As an aside, does anyone know of any good backup applications for OSX that can do incremental updates onto optical media?

THanks in advance,
Rob

[marknicholls]

Hey

I think i have decided to get an external HDD, i cant be bothered with backing up eveyrthing onto 10 dvd's!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19570&item=5152944592&rd=1

Does this look ok? I have seen the lacie, but wanna save a few quid, ans this one looks cool and is big enough for me for a few years anyway.

Anyone have any experience with this model?

Or should i not be stingy and get a lacie? if so, why?

Thanks

Is there any views on this one? or is it a case that any external HDD is as good as the rest?


Thanks

[firestarter]

Hey
I think i have decided to get an external HDD, i cant be bothered with backing up eveyrthing onto 10 dvd's!!


That's fair enough - but you should at least consider having 2 sets of backups, one offsite.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19570&item=5152944592&rd=1

Does this look ok? I have seen the lacie, but wanna save a few quid, ans this one looks cool and is big enough for me for a few years anyway.

Anyone have any experience with this model?

Or should i not be stingy and get a lacie? if so, why?

Thanks

Could be OK. Looks like a generic unbranded box with a HDD in it.

Personally, I wouldn't buy Maxtor, as my friends and I have had a series of failures over the years with Maxtor and IBM drives. I'd build my own (it's easy). Get a case from a place like this:

http://www.span.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=29_1302_1323

And add your own drive. The Seagate drives under 200G are known for their reliability and quietness (they only have 1 platter which means lower friction/heat/noise). The current 'sweet spot' for gigabytes per pound is probably a 160 or 200G drive.

[marknicholls]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5151684486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT


i have 7 minutes to bid.

Does this one look ok guys?

[gwuMACaddict]

backup device? huh? thats why i use a mac!

just kidding... usually cd's or flash cards...

[marknicholls]

2 minutes!....pls....someone....

i might just have to do it and hope for the best!

[marknicholls]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5151684486&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT

This is what i bought in the end

What do you think? Good deal? is the model a good one?

Thanks

[dave1234]

I have a 100-G External HD.

[wdlove]

I use a OWC Mercury Elite external firewire hard drive. It was recommended by Bob Levitus, Dr. Mac.

[pubwvj]

I used to use punch cards. Then they came out with those floppy disks. 8" and they stored a lot more data. Faster too... :) Then it was 3.5" floppies in a shell (little harddies?), then CD-R, then DVD-RAM (yes, I got suckered by that one). Now I backup to hard drives. 100Gig, 100Gig and 250Gig Firewire drives. I rotate which is sitting on the server and always accessible with which is offsite.

-Walter
in Vermont
where the paranoid
backedup to the hills...

[Lugonn]

this ioRAID looks intriguing. Any idea where I can get it in the US?

Radtech (their US supplier) does not seem to have it on their web site.

[Nermal]

I back up over the network onto another computer.