How do you guys archive your pix?

[marc515]

Not sure what the correct forum is for this, but I'm wondering how you guys archive/save/back up your digital photos?

Right now my computer is old and only has a 20GB HD, so I can't save them on it. I have an external 250GB HD that I use to back all my files up on, to include photos, and also back them up on CD-R's. I would like to back them up on DVD's, but my computer doesn't have a DVD drive.

I've read that CD's & DVD can age, and lose data, so that has me worried, and I know my 250GB external HD can fail too.

So, I'm wondering if I should get another external HD, or just go with what I've got now?

Just wondering how you guys back up your precious digital pix?

Thank you,.....marc

[DavidM]

Pics are stored on PC, also backed up to external NAS drive, also backed up to portable external drive which is kept in Office desk drawer....
PC image is backed up to external NAS drive, image is also copied to portable external drive which is kept in Office desk drawer....
NAS drive is backed up to 2nd NAS drive which is kept in the Garage.
No CDs, no DVDs, most kit "supplied" by EBay.
Does it show I'm an IT Specialist ?
DM

[BobsYourUncle]

I have multiple computers in my home - all with large hard drive space.

On most of them, especially my main computer, I run mirror RAID drives. (if you don't know what that is, it is running 2 or more identical drives so the data gets written to both. If one fails, your data remains intact while you replace the failed drive).

I do frequent backups through my network from one computer to another so I will have 3 copies of my important stuff on 3 different computers. That way if one goes down in flames I still have 2 copies of my data.

In addition to that, I have several 500 gig SATA drives and a docking station where you can hot plug the drives. I will drop a drive into the dock and update my copies of all my pics, music, documents, email etc. to keep them current. These drives can be stored off-site.

Although I have a DVD burner and re-writable discs, I never seem to get around to using them for picture storage. I know I should, because the intention is to store my pics and stuff away from my home in the event the house burns down or something.

This system works very well for me. I have had to use it more than once. I have had several hard drives go south and have had to restore from other drives. I recently had a motherboard go up in smoke and had to pull the HD's out and slave them to another computer to get my data off.

The single biggest reason people panic on the death of a computer or hard drive is that they are lax on backing up.

I learned the HARD way!

[tgara]

I use an iMac and Aperture 2.0. Copies of the photos stay on the iMac's hard drive for easy access, but then I back everything up (called the "Vault" function in Aperture) on a 500 GB external G-Drive.

[sherman111]

I use 2 external HDD's, I do not keep any copies on the laptop HDD. One HDD is run as a master with the other HDD backed up daily. I have had drives fail, one reason for not keeping a copy on the PC/Laptop, this system works for me. I use Lightroom 2.1 and CS4 and they pick up the drives with no problem.

[PicBug]

I keep everything on my PC also on an external hard drive. My best of my photos I also keep on Mac Gallery (web.me.com) and idisk, which very easily brings photos over. I like the idea of a backup at home and an online backup in case of home theft. I used for a while online purchased storage, which is a nifty idea for an affordable fee.

[red hot sheep]

I have a laptop with a 250GB hard drive. Everything on this is backed up onto a 320GB external drive (so 2 copies of the files).

For archive stuff (pictures that have been edited / uploaded to online gallery / printed etc) I have two 500GB external drives - both with exactly the same files on them.

[on da move]

I've researched and know external hard drives are cheap and plentiful but they still can go bad. And you'll be back to square one again.

I've also burned backup copies to dvd's and cd's. This was a pain in the butt and makes it difficult to organize when the images and videos are larger than the disc sizes.

I just added a Buffalo LinkStation Pro Duo NAS to my wireless network. I too have been worried about my digital images and videos. I decided to add this unit as a RAID 1 (2 Mirrored or idential drives) as my backup because my desktop is my main storage and it's almost 5 years old.

This NAS drive works great! I'm able to access this drive from either my laptop or desktop with no problems. The drawbacks of this unit is the bandwith or speed to transfer the data wireless and the cost of the unit. I figure the cost and time to backup will out weigh the loss of invaluable data.

Now I'm able to sleep better and not have to worry about my backups.

[sapearl]

There are still some pretty decent deals out there on internal/external hard drives. Check under the HARD DRIVES heading:

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEPro/C...@sbcglobal.net

[hef]

I know i'm like you... i'm scared something will blow up on those drives as they get older. I just had a 1tb drive go and i lost a bunch of data.

For me I have a pro account on smugmug.com. it's peace of mind!

[MarKap77]

Apple's Time Machine backup (part of Leopard) works wonderfully. I use that to backup to a 320 GB external hard drive at home. The hard drive in my computer died a few months ago, and I replaced the old 160 gig/5400 rpm drive with a 320 gig/7200 rpm drive. When I went to restore from the backup, it took maybe 2 hours and all the files and applications were right there as though it were the original drive.

I also backup my photos to OWC Mercury On-The-Go Pro™ Bus Powered Portable Solutions portable external drives. These things are spectacular. Totally portable and they run off the firewire for power. Click here to see all of the various sizes and connection options. I have an 80 GB and a 160 GB, both Firewire 800. Amazing how fast data moves with Firewire 800.

CDs and DVDs are probably the worst of the solutions you are considering. Buy yourself an external drive and keep it in a dust free place with plenty of air circulation for cooling. If it ever, EVER, shows any sign of a fault, replace it immediately. It should last for several years, and with the price of disks these days, it is a good, cost effective way to archive your stuff.

Cheers

[PicBug]

I've been thinking of this for a few days since the first post, and I just downloaded Mozy online backup for 5 bucks a month for unlimited backups of the entire drive. It's a little more cost-effective that idisk, and I can't really figure that thing out anyways. If something horrible would ever happen at HOME, like theft, fire, flood, there goes the external backup drive too.

[marc515]

I have 1 external 250GBHD now that is plugged into my computer.

I think The best solutions instead of countless CD's is to buy another external HD that I can back up from time to time, and keep it out in my shed, just in case something should happen to our home. There's a SimpleTech SP-U25/250 SimpleDrive 250 GB 2.5-Inch USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive on Amazon for $82, and that seems reasonable; is SimpleTech a decent brand?

Question, would the HD be ok in the shed during the cold winters and hot summers on NJ? Of course I would keep it in a zip lock bag to keep out the dirt.

Thanks again.,...marc

[klynam]

I'm saving up for a Drobo from Data Robotics, that I saw in Rangefinder a few months ago...

http://www.drobo.com/

This is basically a RAID array enclosure, that uses ANY combination of up to 4 SATA-I/II drives. It's (supposed to be) entirely automatic - just stick a drive in and wait for the lights to turn green.

Unit is $500 for Gen-2 (FW800) and $349 for Gen-1 (USB2.0), plus how ever many/type of HD's you want to stick in it. Top o' the line Gen-2 w/ 4x1TB drives is $999.

Anyone have one of these yet?

[sapearl]

No Marc - these are somewhat delicate electronics. I would not subject them to such extremes in temperature.

Metal expands and contracts with heat and cold. You increase the possibility of some sort of warping, or even fracturing of an electrical contact. You really want a stable climate controlled environment.

Do you have friends, relatives or parents at another location that could lend you a little storage space?

Originally Posted by marc515

....buy another external HD that I can back up from time to time, and keep it out in my shed, just in case something should happen to our home. There's a SimpleTech SP-U25/250 SimpleDrive 250 GB 2.5-Inch USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive on Amazon for $82, and that seems reasonable; is SimpleTech a decent brand?

Question, would the HD be ok in the shed during the cold winters and hot summers on NJ? .....