BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Backing Up Images

I know of two ways: DVD and external hard drive.

My fear with backing up to DVD is that I've known where I've made data DVDs for friends where their computer can't read them. So what happens if in a few years when I get another computer that DVD drive can't read all those DVDs I've backed my images up to?

Also don't they have only like a 10 year life span?

If I were to go the external hard drive route, I'd need 2 of them: one for primary storage and another as it's backup. But that's expensive.

Any suggestions? What do ya'll do?

Thanks.

To love this question, log in above
October 31, 2006

To love this comment, log in above
October 31, 2006

To love this comment, log in above
October 31, 2006

To love this comment, log in above
October 31, 2006

After having lost 160 gigs worth of pics (it would cost approximately $2,000 to try to recover the drive which is apparently melted due to the cheap enclosure), I would definitely suggest not relying on just one system and if you do buy an external hard drive - buy a good quality one!

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-10149-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=152618&messageID=1698511

To love this comment, log in above
November 01, 2006

An excellent question, and also one of great debate.

I think we all need to look at this question from a "what do we want?" point of view.

I've seen photographs 50 to 100 yrs old..sure, they look faded, but I can still see them so long as they were developed on good paper and stored safely away from UV etc.

So there's option one; print 'em all on good paper and store them. Expensive? You bet!

Hard drives will fail. This is a fact.
CD's and DVD's will fail, also a fact.
Hard drive life can be determined, so backing up only to a HD is foolish.

CD and DVD manufacturers make some pretty bold claims, such as 100 year archival life. I'm not buying that claim yet, besides, in 100 yrs, I won't be here to care. LOL

Realistically, I would like to see my digital images remain intact and readable for maybe 40 to 50 yrs. The really impoportant stuff I will PRINT and store.

I believe as technology moves forward, we will all be able to transfer our CD's, DVD's and HD storage mediums to whatever new medium comes along; if we don't wait too long to do it.
As far as I know you can still buy a phonograph; difficult to find, but still available.

After reviewing my options, this is what I do.

1) I store on a REID type 1 drive.

2) I burn to archival quality DVD's.

3) I re-burn my DVD's every year to a new DVD. (Fresh copy) Don't forget to validate the new copy if you do this.

4) If it' a valueable photo to me, I print it.

Hope that helps a tad,

Pete

To love this comment, log in above
November 01, 2006