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Quoting Neil Winchurst <barnaby@xxxxxxxxxx>: > I have been asking around in the local computer shop about the best way > to create backups. The recommendation is to use an external hard drive, > connected via a USB port. > > I find that there are many available of various makes so I am asking for > any advice and recommendations please. And any comments. Recently my > hard drive died on me and had to be replaced. I had some backups, but > not enough. I am trying to be better prepared next time. I have a pair of Western Digital Passport 160Gb drives, which I find really useful. Since my main drive is also 160Gb, I can just clone the entire disk (which takes about 3 1/2 hours using dd). I switch backup disk every week, so I have this week's backup and last week's backup, and I've therefore lost at most one week's worth of data if things go wrong. I also periodically back up important files to DVD for good measure. One thing I find useful about the WD drives is their low power consumption: they can run entirely off the USB port. Some external drives need additional power, which is just a pain. Also the WD drives are really small: 5in x 3in x 0.5in, so you can fit them in your pocket if you're on the move. Anthony -- Anthony Williams | Just Software Solutions Ltd Custom Software Development | http://www.justsoftwaresolutions.co.uk Registered in England, Company Number 5478976. Registered Office: 15 Carrallack Mews, St Just, Cornwall, TR19 7UL -- The Mailing List for the Devon & Cornwall LUG http://mailman.dclug.org.uk/listinfo/list FAQ: http://www.dcglug.org.uk/linux_adm/list-faq.html