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General discussion

external hard drive or usb flash drive?

Oct 23, 2006 4:06AM PDT

I just bought a new computer and am wondering how to save files, pictures, music etc. on something other than the hard drive. What would we best for me to buy? An external hard drive or maybe a 2 gig usb flash drive. Please help and thank you very much

Discussion is locked

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no one has answered my question yet
Oct 24, 2006 1:46AM PDT

Would someone please answer my question. My husband just bought a 2 gb flash drive for me. Is this what I really should use or should I exchange it for an external hard drive? Thanks for your trouble.

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No clear goal here?
Oct 24, 2006 1:53AM PDT

If it's about backup, both hard disks and flash drives suffer from the same issues we have with the internal hard disks.

While a fine second copy, I never keep my stuff in one place or one copy.

There are long discussions about "what is backup?" but for me it's multiple copies in more than one place and never trusting one thing or another to work.

What do I use.

1. Copy on a secure server.
2. Copy on a set of rotating DVDRWs.
3. Copy on some USB hard disk.
4. Copy of just the crucial files on my USB memory key. (Not complete, but I carry that with me when I travel.)

Hope this helps.

Bob

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to: Robert Profitt
Oct 24, 2006 5:59AM PDT

Thanks very much for your answer Bob. I guess I am a little concerned because my old computer conked out and I had lots of stuff on the hard drive that I wish I had now. I would like to back up the whole hard drive if I can, or is this necessary if I back up files I want to keep on the flash drive? I have a recovery disk and other disks with the drivers and applications on them. I got these with the new computer I just got. If this computer crashed, I guess I could at least get all the programs, Windows XP, Media Centre, Office etc. with these disks right? This way I don't have to worry about losing everything. This new flash drive is 2.0 gb. Isn't this rather too much? Could I get a smaller one that will do the same job? I don't ever have that much to back up. If you could answer these questions for me, I would be so happy and relieved. Thanks a bunch.

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I only copy out what I can't lose.
Oct 24, 2006 6:23AM PDT

The operating system and applications for me are easy to replace. It's all those other things.

As to your old machine, why not find a nice USB Hard Disk Enclosure, put the old drive in that and try?

Bob

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to: Robert Proffitt
Oct 24, 2006 10:37AM PDT

Thanks Bob!!!

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(NT) (NT) Safer , cheaper and easier....put it on a CD or DVD/
Oct 24, 2006 10:56PM PDT
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Re: External hard drive or USB flash drive
Jan 16, 2007 6:42PM PST

well, it depends upon the size of file (Pictures and music) you want to save in any type of storage