Computer Back-up Device

[WhiteOleander]

I have heard that there is some kind of "gadget" I can plug into the front of my CPU and back-up my entire hard drive. That way if my computer were to crash, I would be able to then load what I had put on the gadget to my new hard drive or computer.

Does anyone know what this is? I would really like to do this. I'd hate to lose all my personal stuff and email addresses. ETC.

Also, I would like to order online. So, if you know of a good site, I'd appreciate that too. :hat

Thanks.

[Rebecca]

The only gadget I can think of that would hold a hard drive is an external hard drive that plugs in via USB Cable. There are also smaller gadgets like flash drives (thumb drives, pen drives) You can get 4GB flash drive for less than $50 today. They too have the USB connection. I always check amazon.com for the latest gadgets.

[Kung]

IMHO, Maxtor and Seagate make some external hard drives that do just that - they usually come with backup software as well. :)

[Amos_Moses]

There's also a program called Ghost, that will mirror an image onto another hard drive, I don't have first hand experience with it, but my brother tells me it's very good.

[living4JC]

USB portable HDD....and I 2nd Kung's recommendation of either Maxtor or Seagate...and they're pretty cheap nowadays too. Plus, they're usually backward (USB 1.0) compatible...

[Kung]

There's also a program called Ghost, that will mirror an image onto another hard drive, I don't have first hand experience with it, but my brother tells me it's very good.

Yeah - Ghost is one of the VERY few Norton products I would recommend. You can also use anything from Acronis - just about everyone who's used both says they're about as good as the other.

[Enoch]

Memory stick works great for small files and they make them with plenty of space these days for pretty cheap. Easily fits a whoile CD on them and I carry mine with me at all times, they even make them to fit onto your keyring. Handy devices also if you are looking to back up just select files that may be too sensitive for HDD storage.

[WhiteOleander]

Thanks everyone.

Memory stick is what I was thinking of. I don't think I want to use the Ghost because I don't want to have to put in another HD. And I also don't want to use the external HD's.

But, from what I understand from Enoch, the memory stick will not back up my entire HD? I guess I could just back up some of the files.

[Just A Clay Pot]

If you have a DVD or CD burner, Ghost will burn the image copy to that media. If you ever need to reformat the HD (or replace it), you just feed the DVDs/CDs back in and you are right back where you were.

[rmemdv]

I would recommend the below item!

My Book Pro External 250GB Hard Drive
WD My Book Pro External 250GB Hard Drive
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Description: The 250GB My Book Pro Edition external hard drive with triple interface combines three leading external hard drive interfaces on one drive for maximum performance and universal connectivity. Now you have the perfect storage solution for pr.... Read More

Description: The 250GB My Book Pro Edition external hard drive with triple interface combines three leading external hard drive interfaces on one drive for maximum performance and universal connectivity. Now you have the perfect storage solution for professional audio/video editing, graphic design, and ultra-fast system backup.Th included EMC Retrospect Express backup and system recovery software is easy-to-use and powerful. This software includes features such as full system backup and restore, point-in-time restores, file-by-file backup, easy scheduling, encryption, and backup virus protection.

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v/r
ken