Backup HDD - internal or external?

[walterthedog]

It's time to implement some kind of backup plan for the family computer. I've managed to never have a HDD failure, but with so much data existing exclusively on one HDD, it's nervous time. I just want to be able to backup photos and various data files periodically/weekly.

I've looked in to some of the various external options - the various pre-fab types (e.g., Western Digital My Book Premium ES WDG1SU3200N 320GB 7200 RPM USB 2.0 / eSATA External Hard Drive).
Alternatively, I could use an external enclosure plus a drive that I'd put in.

So here are the embarassing questions:
1 - Could I just put a second HDD into the case (CM 690 fwiw), format it, assign it a drive letter and have it be the destination drive for one backup program or another?
2 - Assuming that I won't be taking the backup drive with me, is there any reason to mess with an external drive at all?

Thanks!

 

[bsobel]

If these are items you couldnt replace, I would strongly consider external and storing it (at a minimum) in a different room. I've seen families get robbed and yep, their primary and backup harddrive was in the stolen system. Most data you can get back, photos/movies/etc you just cant.

IMHO.
Bill

 

[walterthedog]

Thanks Bill,
Just as I've never experienced a hard drive failure, I've never been robbed, either. But if the point is to preserve all that stuff, you make a great point about putting the external drive someplace other than inside the PC.
Thanks again!

 

[imported_Irse]

If you're talking about valuable family photos, I would take a copy to work or somewhere in a different site, just in case of a fire. I guess I'm anal, I have about 4 copies of real valuable photos and maybe 2 of those that are not as critical.