What to buy?

[Allenv]

I'm tired of starting over couple years.Meaning re-formatt and reinstall programs for what ever reason.This is what I have,3 computers,2 are win2k and one is xp pro.Networked through a router and to internnet by cable modem.I've acculated alot of stuff that I don't want to lose,like family pictures and so forth.
What I've been looking at is external hard drives mainly for portability.I have norton's system works pro that has Ghost in it.The external drive that I like is a Western digital 250 gig Media center with usb 2.0 and 1394a.It also has a 8 in one media reader.It also Includes Dantz Retrospect® Express backup software which I know nothing about and one button back up.It cost $275 currently at New Egg.They also make a smaller version of it.I could possibly build on my self but don't know problems I would run into or what to look for in the external cases.Any help or ideas will be appreciated,need some recomendations but really like the reader part of western digital.
TIA,Allenv

 

[jpeyton]

Go with the WD; it has the reader while many others dont..

 

[piasabird]

I think if all your pictures are in My documents/my pictures that if you build a new system and both are running the transfer wizard will transfer all of your My Documents.

You may want to backup your pictures on 2 computers. In other words store your pictures on 2 different computers. Might be able to just copy from My Documents to My Documents. Most drives are pretty large and can handle a little extra space.

If you want external storage you may want to consider the price of the external storage drive and the price of a possible backup server with an integrated motherboard. You may see some advantages one way or another. It might also be cheaper to just buy an external Drive Kit and purchase the drive separately from the kit. I think the Kit runs $35.00 or so.

 

[Allenv]

Thanks guys,
I do like the wd media center except for the price.And piasabird have you ever used dantz retrospect or nortons ghost and you're right the external case is $35.
TIA,Allenv