Most Efficient Backup

[Lincoln]

I need to backup 150+ GB of data. When it gets to that volume, is it more efficient to buy a DVD burner and go that route, or get like 2 extra hard drives, copy over the data, and stick them in anti-static bags somewhere safe?

I remember being able to backup every file that was important to me on floppy disks :rolleyes:

[Shorty]

What are you planning on backing up :eek2:

Frequency of need of access is important in making the right choice :)

[mmonnin]

Yeah do you want to backup everyday, once a week, or once a year?

[Lincoln]

It will probably be once every couple of months that I make backups. Maybe only twice a year. Access will not be very important, because they are "just in case." I haven't had a reason to ever access backups I've made for this machine yet *knocks on wood*

I have a drive for my system and documents, a drive for music and assorted video files (no, not that), a drive for software backups, and a drive for movies / tv shows. :)

[primesuspect]

I would say DVD burner. There's a difference between archiving and backing up, and it sounds like you'll be archiving.. DVD is an archival media, whereas tape or external HDs are backup mediums.

[Lincoln]

Thanks.

Sony DVD+R/RW Recorder Drive Model DW-U10A- Black - OEM
(Very similar to one purchased for the site)

Is this a sufficient choice?

[Spinner]

Yea, I've got that drive. There are better now, but it is a nice drive.

However, I would be inclined to tell you to get another hard drive instead. Simply because of the amount of DVD media required to back up that much data. You may be archiving, but even at only twice yearly intervals, that's a lot of DVD's to buy. I say get yourself a large HD, save yourself some time when you need to backup.

Just my thoughts.

[Tex]

For god sakes..... get a 160gb ide drive. You ever burned 150gb worth of dvd's?

They have a 160gb maxtor on the paper today for $119

Tex

[Lincoln]

IDE drive was my original idea, I just had second thoughts about the reliability of a drive sitting in my room somewhere (static bag or no). That's probably the least costly and most time-efficient method though, thinking about the number of DVDs that would consume.

[Tex]

Unless you drop the drive.... its very reliable sitting on a shelf waiting to be installed again, even if its not in a anti-staic bag etc...

Tex

[Lincoln]

All right, I think I'll go that direction. Thanks for the help guys.