Backups & Drive Considerations
I just had a question from one if you regarding bootable backups, so I thought I'd put a quick post together on the subject. Here goes...
Question #1: I'm just trying to get my DAM system all in place and I am wanting to get a bootable back-up drive for my operating system (based on your recommendation from 1st class). I have got the trial of Chronosync in which I noticed they have an option to set up a bootable hard drive, is that all I need in addition to a hard drive?
Answer: Yes, that is all you need! Follow the on-screen setup in Chronosync and you're good to go. Note that I have links to backup software for Mac and Windows on the WAPDAM blog, or the right side of any page. Chronosync is a Mac-only program. Read the chapter in the DAM Book for more info on backups.
Question #2: Is it a particular kind of hard drive I need and how many GB can I get away with?
Answer: If you are on a recent Mac, any USB 2.0, Firewire 400 or Firewire 800 can be used as a bootable drive. Older Macs were unable to boot from USB drives - only Firewire worked. Note that for Macs, Firewire 800 is the fastest connection for external drives and is recommended over other connections whenever possible. Windows users should (generally) stick to USB 2.0.
As to drive size, the bootable backups must be that same size or larger in GB as your laptops internal drive - smaller drives will not work!
Question #3: Which on that topic, is there any brands that you can recommend to go for and those to stay away from?
Answer: As a general rule, I have always found Seagate Drives to be very reliable. Western Digital, and LaCie are also reputable brands, though I have heard of issues with certain models from all the brands I've listed here. I have been extremely happy with my LaCie "Rugged" series external drives. They have a "Triple Interface" - they can connect via USB 2.0, Firewire 400 or Firewire 800, and can be "pigtailed", allowing multiple drives to be connected together to occupy only one port on my laptop, and they are "Bus-Powered", meaning they are powered off the port on my computer and do not require a separate power cord. Note that they aren't the cheapest external drives, but like everything else, you get what you pay for. Avoid cheap drives - you will likely regret buying them when they suddenly die on you...
Questions regarding backups? Post 'em here in the comments.
Cheers, Josh
Copyright © 2010 Josh McCulloch.
Question #1: I'm just trying to get my DAM system all in place and I am wanting to get a bootable back-up drive for my operating system (based on your recommendation from 1st class). I have got the trial of Chronosync in which I noticed they have an option to set up a bootable hard drive, is that all I need in addition to a hard drive?
Answer: Yes, that is all you need! Follow the on-screen setup in Chronosync and you're good to go. Note that I have links to backup software for Mac and Windows on the WAPDAM blog, or the right side of any page. Chronosync is a Mac-only program. Read the chapter in the DAM Book for more info on backups.
Question #2: Is it a particular kind of hard drive I need and how many GB can I get away with?
Answer: If you are on a recent Mac, any USB 2.0, Firewire 400 or Firewire 800 can be used as a bootable drive. Older Macs were unable to boot from USB drives - only Firewire worked. Note that for Macs, Firewire 800 is the fastest connection for external drives and is recommended over other connections whenever possible. Windows users should (generally) stick to USB 2.0.
As to drive size, the bootable backups must be that same size or larger in GB as your laptops internal drive - smaller drives will not work!
Question #3: Which on that topic, is there any brands that you can recommend to go for and those to stay away from?
Answer: As a general rule, I have always found Seagate Drives to be very reliable. Western Digital, and LaCie are also reputable brands, though I have heard of issues with certain models from all the brands I've listed here. I have been extremely happy with my LaCie "Rugged" series external drives. They have a "Triple Interface" - they can connect via USB 2.0, Firewire 400 or Firewire 800, and can be "pigtailed", allowing multiple drives to be connected together to occupy only one port on my laptop, and they are "Bus-Powered", meaning they are powered off the port on my computer and do not require a separate power cord. Note that they aren't the cheapest external drives, but like everything else, you get what you pay for. Avoid cheap drives - you will likely regret buying them when they suddenly die on you...
Questions regarding backups? Post 'em here in the comments.
Cheers, Josh
Copyright © 2010 Josh McCulloch.
posted by Josh McCulloch at
7:12 PM
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