Monday, May 9, 2011

External Hard Drive Info - The Lowdown on Inexpensive PC Backup Solutions

So you think you want an external hard drive? Want to be able to backup your documents and pictures quickly and easily?. Well creating a backup using one of these devices is super simple and so much faster than any other backup system that's ever been created. I know a lot of people use various types of backup devices but a portable drive is by far the fastest and largest backup medium you can get for the money. You will definitely want to back up all of your iTunes music files, pictures, family movies, bookmarks, outlook contacts; I mean you can most definitely create a backup of almost anything you've got on your computer.
Because an external hard drive is easily unplugged from your computer you are able to take it with you anywhere. I always advise clients, home computer users and especially business owners to create a backup on a portable detachable drive. Then take the backup device to a secure location for safekeeping. I mean lots of people use the drives to create backups but then leave them sitting right next to the computer they backed up! What if you had a flood or a fire? Both your computer and the drive itself would be destroyed. You should really consider storing it offsite at a friend's house, in a fireproof and waterproof safe, or even a rented locker. Most people don't realize how important the information on their backup is until it's too late. Don't let that happen to you.
The large data storage volume on the market today is available with external hard drives. What's more, is that the devices are rarely discarded for hardware failure. In fact, they are quite reliable over long stretches of time before needing a replacement. At some point, you'll want to replace them because you don't want to risk losing your data. Most of the time people are buying a new drive long because technology has improved and there's now one that's faster and has a larger capacity. These things are so reliable and so inexpensive it just makes sense to use them. You won't find any other type of backup to be easier, faster or at a better price.
Use some sort of PC backup software to create the most comprehensive protection of your computer. Most windows-based computers come with free backup software built in from the XP operating system forward at least. Look this is free and it will be adequate for most people. Then set reminders for yourself to perform the backup. And afterward don't forget to store your external hard drive in a safe, secure location.
If you have multiple computers, just use a separate device for each one of the computers or create separate backup files for each system on one device. Truly, the devices are so inexpensive nowadays, I have a couple for my different computers. To make life easier, place labels on each one so which drive belongs to which computer. That's how I do it anyway, so that I know which one is a backup of which computer. Does that make sense?
Go with an external hard drive and you won't be disappointed. One of my favorites is the Toshiba Portable 640gb model. However, some folks may need more storage, and in that case one of the most high rated external hard drives is the Western Digital 2 TB USB 2.0 Desktop device. Keep in mind the smaller portable external hard drives only require a USB connection where the larger desktop models need a USB and an AC power adapter which comes with the device.
After working as an IT consultant to small businesses and individuals, I have decided to publish advice that will boil down some practical and easy ways to protect your valuable information. Most people just don't know how easy it is to protect themselves from losing their data. So, I've published information to help them understand how to use an external drives to make life easier. No other device gives you so much bang for the buck!!
Before you purchase an external hard drive, be sure to read about some of the bestelling models on the market today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4546732

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