[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Western Digital/dvd drive backup issue

[Peter Shaw]

It's important not to dilute the very important advice to add offsite
backup from the mention of SSD's mixed in.

I see SSD vs HDD as mostly an economic issue, not so much an efficacy
issue.  A 4T Samsung external SSD is almost $400. The HDD equivalent, about
$100.

And if you need to go beyond 4T, the costs skyrocket for SSD's.

So anyway, get some cloud backup, Carbonite, Backblaze, Dropbox, or one of
their many other friends. And for local backup, get the capacity that's
needed for today and some ways down the road, but replace it occasionally
since none of them last forever.

Of course, SSD's shine when you need very fast read/write speeds, mostly
not an issue with backups which can happen overnight, over lunch, whenever.

On Mon, Jan 8, 2024 at 12:17 PM Umesh via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us> wrote:

> Incidentally, I use multiple cloud backups and multiple SSD drive backups,
> one of which is offsite.
>
> Umesh
>
> On Mon, Jan 8, 2024 at 9:32 AM Peter Albin via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
> wrote:
>
>> Tracy,
>>
>> I tend to agree with Umesh.
>> If you are intent on keeping the WD drive to use on the new computer,
>> check on the internet for a downloadable installation program for the
>> specific WD model (I would check in the WD site first as other sources may
>> not be safe). Also contacting WD to send the installation program to you
>> might be an option.
>>
>> I do have a reservation with local backup strategies. Catastrophic events
>> may render any local backup useless. Some people get multiple backup
>> devices and always keep one off site. In my opinion, that is a lot of work
>> and may become inconvenient. With your new computer, I would look to the
>> many cloud providers for backup. I use Carbonite and I have had no
>> complaints in the years of using the software. I have changed computers a
>> few times and I have not lost any files. You may be able to ask the
>> technical people where you purchase your new machine what they suggest for
>> off-site backup as additional information.
>>
>> Furthermore, upon setup, newer computers may have the ability to transfer
>> all your files from your old machine to your new machine automatically as
>> part of the setup process.
>>
>> I hope this helps and good luck!
>>
>> Peter
>> On 1/8/2024 7:13 AM, Umesh via LCTG wrote:
>>
>> Tracy,
>>
>> I suggest re-thinking the whole process. Consider backing up to a solid
>> state hard drive.
>>
>> Umesh
>>
>> On Sun, Jan 7, 2024 at 6:13 PM Tracy Marks via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello folks -
>>> I'm a very inactive member on this list who is not very tech savvy apart
>>> from spending 20 years using and  teaching Photoshop, and basic Windows
>>> navigation and customization skills. I am however, quite incompetent,
>>> when it comes to hardware, so am not likely to open my computer (an 2016
>>> Lenovo desktop, using Windows 10, soon to be replaced).
>>>
>>> My question following initial explanation:
>>> I have been transferring all my files to my quite old but functional
>>> Western Digital My Book backup drive. No problem with that. However I'm
>>> getting a new computer next week, with Windows 11, and intend to
>>> transfer my files from the backup drive (unless I get help setting up
>>> wifi, and find it easier to do with wi fi) to the new HP Windows 11
>>> computer.
>>>
>>> One way or another, I intend to connect the backup drive to the new
>>> computer.
>>>
>>> The trouble is that the software for the backup drive is on a dvd inside
>>> my dvd drive, where it's been since I first installed it since the dvd
>>> drive became stuck at that point.
>>>
>>> I've tried every method (apart from opening the computer - which I can't
>>> do - and taking out the dvd drive) of trying to unstick it. Almost every
>>> how-to site online speaks of using a paperclip in the hole on the
>>> outside of the drive but there is no such hole on my drive. And when I
>>> open the outside cover, the dvd drive itself is about two inches inside
>>> it with no nubs, holes etc. of any kind for nudging it.
>>>
>>> But -- My main question, however, is:
>>>
>>> Will I need the installation software for my My Book external drive in
>>> order to access that drive on the new computer? And if so, well, I'll
>>> need help unsticking that drive....).
>>>
>>> I'm really not likely to need that drive on the old computer though
>>> unless I need it to get out that installation disc.
>>>
>>> ADDENDUM
>>> Come to think of it, I don't even know if a 6 year old My Book will work
>>> with Windows 11, so all my backups would not be of any use for file
>>> transfer anyway (500 gb, by the way, and having just gone through a
>>> nightmare with OneDrive -- never again will I count on the Clouds for
>>> backup).
>>>
>>> Damn. Should I just do a transfer via wifi?
>>>
>>> Tracy Marks
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