Backup hard drive help

[frank1861]

DSP go back and read my post I think are getting are wires crossed. I never said he should setup a stripping RAID as a back up. I said that western digital drive could be setup either way and when it is setup as mirrored if one drive failed the other would drive would be an exact copy. I just didn't designate it RAID 1 or Raid 0 to simplify it.

[bumpster]

My .02

build your own because the warranty is better for an internal drive. 1TB drives are getting pretty inexpensive I get all my computer parts for home and business from www.newegg.com great prices excellent CS and fast shipping

[davepen]

That's correct, Frank; you indicated that the WD drive would support RAID 0 or RAID 1. Which it does.

I recommended against RAID 0.

That's all. No dig against you or the WD setup.

Edited March 9, 2010 by dsp

[frank1861]

That's correct, Frank; you indicated that the WD drive would support RAID 0 or RAID 1. Which it does.

I recommended against RAID 0.

That's all. No dig against you or the WD setup.

You made some good points and explained RAID. That's good stuff

[ScarabChris]

LOL.....You guys are losing me, I'm no computer guru by any means. I need to keep this simple or I'm liable to get frustrated and smash the computer and hard drive with my sledge hammer.

[davepen]

I like these drives. They aren't the largest (capacity-wise), but they are rugged. Most of my work is in the form of source code (text), so it's highly compressable. I carry a drive with me wherever I go, and sometimes things get banged around. As I stated earlier, this is how most drives fail.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315630

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0315636

You don't have microcenter in Florida, but you can order on line or visit a local Best Buy, Staples, Office Max, etc. and see what they have to offer.

[OReely]

Chris, I use a 1TB Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive on my big desktop PC, and a small 500GB Western Digital for my laptop. The 1TB is about the size of a hardback book, cost about $179 @ Costco, and the 500GB ($79) is about the size of an iPod. Both connect via USB. They are easily portable, easy to operate, and quick to connect/disconnect. I've got both PCs set to automatically back up the entire hard drives once a week.

The little one saved my hindquarters (not to mention about ten years worth of pictures) when I had to completely reload the laptop's software and all my data after it got screwed up by a not-so-nice virus.

I'm going to dip my toe into unfamiliar waters here. Like Scarabchris, I'm no computer guy but I have a question. When you use a backup drive such as you've described, would your backup drive also back up the virus? What would be the best method of backing up while at the same time preventing the virus from backing up as well?

Also, I'm running MacAfee Total Protection. Is that enough?

[davepen]

In theory, if you're running an anti-virus, you shouldn't have viruses.

To answer your question: yes, the virus/malware is backed-up along with your other data if that is where its files reside. Excluding the malware's files would mean that you would have to know what and where they are, not an easy task since the name of the game is to avoid detection.

Some malware has been engineered to disable or defeat anti-malware programs. I have no specifics on this, however.

I am not familiar with MTP, but I suspect it works like every other anti-malware application; running in the background and requiring periodic updates from their online service(s) to stay current.

Do you update MTP regularly?

Are you currently infected with something?

What happens when you scan your computer with MTP?

Edited March 10, 2010 by dsp

[Fishinspot]

wow, you guys are some serious backup guru's! If you want to keep it simple get as mentioned in the first couple posts. Grab 1 or 2 large usb backup and do it often. Or get 3 or 4 just to make sure!!

[davepen]

I hope I helped, anyway.