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Question

what could be the best way to organize system, data, backup

Apr 13, 2016 8:16AM PDT

My PC has 8 GB RAM and three hard disks:
(a) 160 GB SATA
(b) 1 TB SATA
(c) 500 GB Portable

OS Windows 10 has been installed on 160 GB fixed drive, which has only 56 GB free, and therefore, cannot accommodate 200 GB data. Hence, data has been stored on 500 GB portable drive, and 1 TB fixed drive is empty.

In these three hard drives, I wish to store (a) system files (b) data (c) Windows File History and (d) system images.

What could be the best way to organize these in hard drives?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Remember you know best.
Apr 13, 2016 8:50AM PDT

Here I'd be replacing the too small SSD. For me the lost time means I'm swapping in the 120 buck 500GB SSDs and then for backup my choice of imaging or file syncing.

Portable drives do tend to be the worst place for storage. So that 1TB could be a good spot for the first backup copy. Then you need another place for the other backup copy.

To keep a good backup you need 2 or more copies. Why? Because if something goes wrong during backup you could find yourself without any backups. That's why there's a backup to the backup.

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Multiple backups: Acronis System Image, Windows File History
Apr 13, 2016 7:34PM PDT

Thank you.

I get your point. To have, at least, two backups is a must.

But, would you consider, in this context, following two types of backups:
                    (a) Acronis or Macrium Reflect System Image; and
                    (b) Windows File History?

Or, you were thinking of following two types of backups as better:
                     (a) Same backup two or more copies; or
                     (b) Different modes of backup (System Image and File History)?

I also agree with your saying "Portable drives do tend to be the worst place for storage". My experience over the years were same, except past 2-3 years. Device itself went bad five times in five years warranty period, and every time Seagate replaced it, no hassles, but data saved on it was always lost. Thus, it did not serve the purpose for which I intended to use it. However, sixth replacement that Seagate gave is thankfully working after, possibly, 3 years but I never know when it might backfire. So, the question is what's best use for a portable drive? Any thoughts?

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A clone of a drive
Apr 13, 2016 7:41PM PDT

Would have it all, file history and well, everything from that drive.

My best use for today's portable drives depends on what it is.

Flash memory sticks make for great fast sneakernet transfers and what I can't lose copies.
Big externals make for great places for clone images of system drives.