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

Mon Jan 8 12:45:57 PST 2024

If you’re using the drive as a storage device and not using some
proprietary WD backup software I think the drive should appear as drive F:
or whatever letter is not yet used.  Just plug it in. Problem might already
be solved?

I agree with all the good advice already offered. I particularly like
mega.nz that offers 20g free cloud storage as a “zero knowledge “ service -
only you can decrypt the files (keep your recovery key safe!).
Best of luck and happy new year.

On Mon, Jan 8, 2024 at 1:35 PM Peter Shaw via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
wrote:

> 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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