I'm considering buying a Laptop, and I was thinking about the backing up options available on a Laptop... Are USB flash drives reliable enough to use as a dependable backup or do they corrupt fairly easily?(I've had no trouble with them but I haven't used them as a constant backup source), also are the USB mini hard drives reliable/shockproof? I worry about using DVD R's because they can easily scratch when constantly being removed from the drive - I suppose a better option is to leave the disk in the drive all the time and remove it only when absolutely necessary? Any thought on backing up Laptops welcome.

Many thanks in advance.

Dave.

DVD-R is the most suitable and most reliable option for backups. There is no reason why they should get scratched if you treat them with care.

USB flash drives a not a good idea for backups. They are only slightly more reliable than floppy disks.

When all is said and done, backing up a laptop is no different than with a desktop.

Stuart

StuartS

I think you need to edit your response above. I am guessing you didn't intend to ues the word "unsuitable".

Dave

I agree with the point I think StuartS was making. IMO optical media is the most reliable backup media. CDR or DVDR are more reliable and compatible than RW media. In your case an external harddrive would be the next choice with flash drives bringing up the rear. If you have more than one computer and use a home network another second backup method is to use space on another computer in addition to the optical media. You can also burn more than one coopy of the optical disks and store off site at a friend or relitives house. That may or may not be appropriate.

OntheHill,

Editted! I had just come in after being out on my motorbike when I wrote that and was still suffering from the efects of the cold.

Stuart

I prefer backing up to an internal drive (secondary) and an external drive.

Life's more painless for the brainless.

DaveB

The main thing is to backup. My rule of thumb is this. Any personal data is backed up. Mission critical data is backed up immediately using CDR and a program called drag to disk. Then that mission critical data still gets backed up periodically. All harddrives can and will fail if run long enough. That said if the data is on two or more harddrives the possibility of data loss goes down exoponentially.

You might be better off with a spare hard drive be in internal/external or nas or even internet storage. I've had more removable storage fail than I've had hard drives.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.

ask a silly question.......do most laptops provide the facility to install a second internal hard drive??

Drag To Disk uses packet writing technology. I personally would never use it to back up critical data.

GerryC

If you read my post carefully I state I backup with Drag to Disk AND normal backup. The purpose of using the packet writer is that it provides a fast and easy method to create an instant backup. I modify CAD files and Word documents frequently. Using Drag to Disk allows me to save twice, on the fly. I didn't suggest the OP do as I do. If multiple burners are not available Drag to Disk is to cumbersome, as the disk takes time to insert and remove. I stand by drag to disk.

Pretty sure any backup would be better than none.

Every laptop that I know of can use either a usb, pcmcia, scsi, parallel, or networked drive if they can't use a spare bay. All the drives can act as an installed drive. I love my solid state pcmcia drives. They do cost some money though.

I read it wrong and answer it wrong too. So get off my case you peanut.