USB Sticks for Photo Storage

[a1]

Hello Guys,

I have photos om my PC that I want to store on those USB memory stick thingies.

I have lots of them and will need some hefty space to store them all on. perhaps several will be needed.

Have anyone got any recommendations as to which one I should get please?

Many Thanks,

Admin.

 

[exbdc]

Why not try an external hard drive?

 

[Lurch]

A lot of the unbranded ones are basically the same thing with a slightly different case, some are better than others but I have a few free cheap ones from suppliers etc... and they have all worked fine for the last few years or so.

For backups though, I'd use an external drive, simply for the more cost effective spacerice ratio, particularly as pictures can take up a fair amount of space. Amazon have got a Western Digital Elements 1TB for around

 

[a1]

Why not try an external hard drive?

A lot of the unbranded ones are basically the same thing with a slightly different case, some are better than others but I have a few free cheap ones from suppliers etc... and they have all worked fine for the last few years or so. For backups though, I'd use an external drive, simply for the more cost effective spacerice ratio, particularly as pictures can take up a fair amount of space. Amazon have got a Western Digital Elements 1TB for around

 

[ianmacd]

TBH I would use lots of CD's for backup as they are less prone to data loss from scratches than DVD's and are not prone to magnetic fields or moderate vibration.

 

[Lurch]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-Expansions-External-Desktop-Drive/dp/B00238KZPM/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264521514&sr=1-48

Seagate, not WD as I originally mentioned. Just plug it in and copy the documents folders across. This is why I keep everything organised in the My Documents folder, for backups I just copy the whole My Docs to another drive somewhere.

CD's and DVD's work fine as well, fair points on them bein less susceptible to damage as long as they are stored correctly. Depends on how much you're wanting to back up and how often.

 

[spinlondon]

Have used DVDs in the past, and then found them to be corrupted and the data lost.

There are are lots of external hard drives out there, and most come with back up software, that can be set to automatically back up your data.

The initial back up can take a long time, but subsequent back ups will be quite quick, as they will only back up changes to your data.

I use 3 hard drives, one internal for my operating system and programs, another internal to store photos and documents and an external to back up the second internal hard drive.

Some external hard drives can be used as network drives, either wirelessly, or by hard wiring to a router that other computers can connect to.

 

[exbdc]

I've bought all of my external hard drives new off Ebay without any probs.

As Lurch says they're just plug & play & you can drag & drop, or copy files across.

 

[Lurch]

Some external hard drives can be used as network drives, either wirelessly, or by hard wiring to a router that other computers can connect to.

Generally under the heading of NAS drives, or network attached storage.

 

[a1]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-Expansions-External-Desktop-Drive/dp/B00238KZPM/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1264521514&sr=1-48Seagate, not WD as I originally mentioned. Just plug it in and copy the documents folders across. This is why I keep everything organised in the My Documents folder, for backups I just copy the whole My Docs to another drive somewhere.

CD's and DVD's work fine as well, fair points on them bein less susceptible to damage as long as they are stored correctly. Depends on how much you're wanting to back up and how often.

Thanks Guys.

I will order that one now Lurch.

Do YOU actually leave it connected all the time to the PC or do you actually do a backup on there - and then store it away?

If you update it again in the future, does it overwrite the files and folders that you originally stored on there?

 

[Lurch]

Do YOU actually leave it connected all the time to the PC or do you actually do a backup on there - and then store it away?

Well, my backup routine is slightly erratic as I back uip the odd bits when I remember, but my USB drives are not always connected. They are just connected when required and stored away. The main backups are onto a seperate PC set up as a file server, but I think that's a bit beyond what you require.

If you update it again in the future, does it overwrite the files and folders that you originally stored on there?

It depends on how you do it, I just copy the lot across and overwrite the old or into a seperate folder and then once completed delete the old. I have used some free software for backups but it all has its problems and doesn;t always recognise what you've moved or edited and copy it accordingly so this is why I have reverted back to the old manual way. The only decent backup software I've used is enterprise level paid for versions, and that works, but it is way OTT for copying the odd few folders on a couple of PC's at home.

 

[Robojin]

TBH I would use lots of CD's for backup as they are less prone to data loss from scratches than DVD's and are not prone to magnetic fields or moderate vibration.

Yet again I have to agree with Ian, DVD's are almost foolproof, cheap, and if you do this once a month you multiply your chances of recovery as you have many copies

 

[ianmacd]

I love that OSX now comes with Time Machine. And works with a wireless NAS for laptops or a USB/Firewire disk. You can go to a file at any state over time. Backs up every hour that the backup drive is connected.

 

[exbdc]

I just leave my external HD permanently connected & let Norton 360 run automatic backups to it.

I know Norton is not to everybodies taste (posts & threads passim), but it works fine for me.

 

[a1]

Ordered - Thanks.

 

[Robojin]

Have used DVDs in the past, and then found them to be corrupted and the data lost.There are are lots of external hard drives out there, and most come with back up software, that can be set to automatically back up your data.

The initial back up can take a long time, but subsequent back ups will be quite quick, as they will only back up changes to your data.

I use 3 hard drives, one internal for my operating system and programs, another internal to store photos and documents and an external to back up the second internal hard drive.

Some external hard drives can be used as network drives, either wirelessly, or by hard wiring to a router that other computers can connect to.

Although a PITA it's always prudent to set the verify flag on a backup to CD/DVD, yes it will take twice as long, but it will do a bit read check, this will avoid finding out later that the backup was corrupt

Primary causes to corrupt CD/DVD's

1) Not verifying (must be done as a separate read verify pass)

2) Sub grade media, e.g. the really cheap stuff (unstable dye layer)

3) Scratches on either side (the label side is also prone to damage)

4) Leaving the discs in direct sunlight (ok will take some time, but the dye layer will fail in time)

As to backing up to external HDD, fine so long as the s/w does a byte by byte comparison with the original disc file not just the write buffer (check s/w settings), not forgetting that this still a mechanical device and just as prone to failure as your source, arguably you increase the risk because your MTBF halves (although more true of RAID solutions)

Lastly USB stick - no moving parts, but the electronics can fail, however most lost data on these comes from not being able to remember where you put them "now where was that safe place" ; \

 

[Mr Smith]

mr smith

is the proud owner of two memory stick things

which were indeed put away safe

three years ago

and have never been found since

mr smith

 

[Apache]

Admin - do you have a memory stick?

 

[a1]

Admin - do you have a memory stick?

Can't Remember. :^O .

Sorry, No - No I don't. I have ordered that External Hard-drive now.

 

[Apache]

Can't Remember. :^O .Sorry, No - No I don't. I have ordered that External Hard-drive now.

I may have had one in a draw at work.............