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computer_stuff:backup [2012/11/12 17:29] Michael Torrie [Cloud Services] |
computer_stuff:backup [2012/11/17 09:56] (current) Michael Torrie [External Disks] |
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| Your first line of defense against losing data is to have a copy of all important files stored on a disk that is external to your computer. Secondary back-up destinations can also include other computers you own, or commercial “cloud” services. Having more than one external backup disk and method (such as the “cloud”) is a good strategy. | Your first line of defense against losing data is to have a copy of all important files stored on a disk that is external to your computer. Secondary back-up destinations can also include other computers you own, or commercial “cloud” services. Having more than one external backup disk and method (such as the “cloud”) is a good strategy. | ||
| ==== External Disks ==== | ==== External Disks ==== | ||
| - | External disks are spinning hard disks in a little plastic case that attach to the computer via a USB cable. They can be purchased in storage capacities equal to or greater than your computer’s internal disk, depending on your needs. There are generally two physical sizes (dimensions), which represent the physical size of the drive within the enclosure: 2.5” and 3.5”. New solid-state drives are becoming available and they are physically smaller, though more expensive. External drives can be purchased at your favorite on-line retailer, a big-box store in Lethbridge, or from smaller computer retailers. | + | External disks are spinning hard disks in a little plastic case that attach to the computer via a USB cable. They can be purchased in storage capacities equal to or greater than your computer’s internal disk, depending on your needs. There are generally two physical sizes (dimensions), which represent the physical size of the drive within the enclosure: 2.5” and 3.5”. Sometimes sites call these |
| + | "Portable" and "Desktop," respectively. New solid-state drives are becoming available and they are physically smaller, though more expensive. | ||
| For larger storage needs, over 1 TB, external drives are often 3.5”. These drives require a power cord to be plugged in, as well as the USB cable to your computer. These drives cost between $100 for 1 TB to $150 for 3 TB (prices in CAD, as of November 10, 2012). Consider that most home computers have between 0.5 TB (500 GB) to 1 TB drives in them usually. | For larger storage needs, over 1 TB, external drives are often 3.5”. These drives require a power cord to be plugged in, as well as the USB cable to your computer. These drives cost between $100 for 1 TB to $150 for 3 TB (prices in CAD, as of November 10, 2012). Consider that most home computers have between 0.5 TB (500 GB) to 1 TB drives in them usually. | ||
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| Other external drives are 2.5” and can be purchased in storage sizes up to 1 TB. These do not require a power cable to be plugged in; they plug in with the USB cable only and get power from your computer through that cable. Some of them have a cable with two USB ends on them. If the drive does not work with only one end plugged in, plug the other one in as well (one cable that plugs into two USB ports). 2.5” hard drives cost between $50 for 0.5 TB to $100 for 1 TB. | Other external drives are 2.5” and can be purchased in storage sizes up to 1 TB. These do not require a power cable to be plugged in; they plug in with the USB cable only and get power from your computer through that cable. Some of them have a cable with two USB ends on them. If the drive does not work with only one end plugged in, plug the other one in as well (one cable that plugs into two USB ports). 2.5” hard drives cost between $50 for 0.5 TB to $100 for 1 TB. | ||
| - | __For simplicity and convenience, I recommend the 2.5” external hard drives__. The storage capacities they offer are sufficient for most people’s needs, they are reasonably priced, and need no extra power cord. | + | __For simplicity and convenience, I recommend the 2.5”, or "Portable" external hard drives__. The storage capacities they offer are sufficient for most people’s needs, they are reasonably priced, and need no extra power cord. |
| When you buy an external hard drive for use with Macintosh computers, do not worry about buying a drive specifically for Mac OS. Any USB external hard drive will work. After purchasing it, you will want to use a program called “**''Disk Manager''**” (in the Utilities folder in your **''Applications''**) to re-initialize the drive to use the Macintosh format, “**Mac OS Extended (Journaled)**,” and give it a useful name. | When you buy an external hard drive for use with Macintosh computers, do not worry about buying a drive specifically for Mac OS. Any USB external hard drive will work. After purchasing it, you will want to use a program called “**''Disk Manager''**” (in the Utilities folder in your **''Applications''**) to re-initialize the drive to use the Macintosh format, “**Mac OS Extended (Journaled)**,” and give it a useful name. | ||
| __Most of the time I recommend that an external disk be unplugged and powered off when not in use__. There are exceptions to this, which I will detail later in the section on backup software and also Time Machine. | __Most of the time I recommend that an external disk be unplugged and powered off when not in use__. There are exceptions to this, which I will detail later in the section on backup software and also Time Machine. | ||
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| + | You can buy external drives at big-box stores, such as Future Shop or Best Buy, and also from Wal-Mart, Costco, and most other stores that have electronics and computers for sale. | ||
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| + | As well, you can buy from an online retailer. Here are a few links: | ||
| + | * [[http://www.newegg.ca/External-Hard-Drives/SubCategory/ID-414|NewEgg.ca]]. Click on 2.5" on the left side of the page to see the portable drives. | ||
| + | * [[http://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_five_bro_1?rh=n%3A667823011%2Cn%3A!677211011%2Cn%3A2404990011%2Cn%3A2409503011%2Cn%3A2409504011%2Cp_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A2419637011&bbn=2409504011&hidden-keywords=external&ie=UTF8&qid=1353170847&rnid=2419635011|Amazon.ca]]. If link does not work, go to [[http://amazon.ca|amazon.ca]], and go to the "Electronics," "Computers & Accessories," "Memory Cards & External Storage," "External Hard Drives," "Portable" category. Or just search for "Portable External Hard Drive." | ||
| + | * [[http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/search.asp?keywords=2.5%22+external+hard+drive|TigerDirect.ca]]. | ||
| + | * [[http://ca.buy.com|Ca.Buy.com]]. Search for 2.5" external hard drive. Buy.com's web site is very hard to search compared to the others. | ||
| External hard disk drives are similar to what is already in your computer. They typically spin, and so they can fail mechanically. Even solid-state disks, which are becoming popular, can physically fail. __For this reason, you may want to consider two external disks and alternate between them when backing up your files. And every couple of years consider replacing the oldest drive with a brand new one__. | External hard disk drives are similar to what is already in your computer. They typically spin, and so they can fail mechanically. Even solid-state disks, which are becoming popular, can physically fail. __For this reason, you may want to consider two external disks and alternate between them when backing up your files. And every couple of years consider replacing the oldest drive with a brand new one__. | ||
| - | You might also want to store one disk at a different location from where your computer is located. For example, at another’s home, or at work in your office drawer. In the case of a fire or another disaster, your photos may be as important to you as your legal and financial documents. | + | __You might also want to store one disk at a different location from where your computer is located. For example, at another’s home, or at work in your office drawer. In the case of a fire, theft, or another disaster, your photos may be as important to you as your legal and financial documents__. |
| But at the very least have one external disk at all times that your important files are on. | But at the very least have one external disk at all times that your important files are on. | ||
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| ==== Another Computer ==== | ==== Another Computer ==== | ||
| If you have two computers in a house, you can copy important files from one computer to the other. This can be done over a network, for example, through your wireless network, or by some other means. There are software packages which will continuously back files up between computers over a network connection (wireless or with a network ethernet wire). I will talk about this software more below. | If you have two computers in a house, you can copy important files from one computer to the other. This can be done over a network, for example, through your wireless network, or by some other means. There are software packages which will continuously back files up between computers over a network connection (wireless or with a network ethernet wire). I will talk about this software more below. | ||
