BackUp solutions, what are you using?

[Remedy]

Hey i'm having a Hardtime deciding on what is a good IDE backup solution, I'm looking at these visions of backup here.

1)Tape Drive, only thing is that there are so many different kinds can't figure out which is a good deal.

2)DVD-RAM backup in IDE format and the disc are pretty cheap.

3)Castlewood ORB...I know they had a bad rep last year sometime but i talk to one of the reps and the QA has supposely stepped up and its at a good price.

 

[PCUser]

We are using a 30gb tape drive at work (small office hehe). They had tried a castlewood orb but so many times have lost data because those things are just so touchy. Have to go with what you find works best for you but I would have a hard time recommending the orb drive even though I thought it was a good idea.

 

[Zenmervolt]

For dedicated backup that you don't have to access often, a tape drive is generally considered to be best. However, the access time for a tape drive is terrible, so you'll want to avoid tape if you need to access the backups frequently. DVD-RAM is quite small compared to a tape drive, but it has mush better access times, so if you need to access the backups frequently, it is a better option. As for the ORB, I have no experience with it, though I am of the opinion that a tape or DVD-RAM drives are better options.

Zenmervolt

 

[4824guy]

You can always bacu up a HD by imaging it onto another HD with software like Drive Image or Ghost.

Or a cd-rw unit is another suggestion.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

I use another HD in another computer + cd-rw + 250M zip to backup my important stuff.

 

[Remedy]

King so your saying you have a storage station(a system just backing stuff up across the room)? if so then thats just another dual system plan for me . Now i have a reason to setup a lil bp6 with a RAID 0+1 profile, droool, time to hit the for sale forums and get some spare parts eh.

 

[Remedy]

DP

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Yes, I use my second system for backup primary system, share internet access and linux.

my backup plan:
personal stuff - second system, cd-rw, zip, floppy
download files/program - second system, cd-rw

If you want to buy tape drive, buy DAT type, don't buy the Colorado (now HP) type.
I used to have a Colorado 250M tape drive 7 years ago, after used it for less than a year, the head is oxdized and the wheel can't turn the tape anymore (this design is so stupid).

MO is also a good backup device, if you can afford go for MO.
I won't consider ORB for serious backup.
I won't consider DVD-RAM, it may become obsolete when DVD-RW or DVD+RW becomes the final mainstream standard.

 

[Remedy]

So basically your running a file Server?

 

[Dan]

Tape drives are fine for extensive back-ups that are primarily archived rather than accessed on a regular basis. For the latter, I back up the critical stuff to CD-ROM.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

nono, don't think i'm running file server.
they're just for internet surfing mainly.