USB Hard Drive for backups

[bumboo]

Folks,

I have some questions regarding the use of an external USB hard drive for backups on my main home machine (Win XP).

1) Is there a preference amongst IBM/Maxtor/WD in terms of reliability?

2) In terms of reliability and longevity, does it help to power-down the external drive when not being used. In other words, is powering it up and down (say a few times a week when I do backups) worse or better than leaving it always connected and powered on. Or does it not really matter either way.

3) Lastly, is there a simple and affordable piece of software that will do incremental backups by comparing folders. I don't need anything fancy.


Thanks for any and all advice in this matter.

 

[DannyBoy]

In my books:

1) IBM = No way (Un-Reliable & slower), Maxtor (Good Reliability / Speed balance), WD (Fast but are showing un-reliability)

2) It doesnt matter how much you power it up or down, provided you un-plug it when its powered down.

3) Microsoft Backup will do fine

 

[bumboo]

DannyBoy,

Thanks, it sounds like Maxtor is the one to go with since I am most interested in reliability.

A question about Microsoft backup -- is it available in XP Home? I can't seem to find it on my machine..?

 

[DannyBoy]

Originally posted by: bumboo
DannyBoy,

Thanks, it sounds like Maxtor is the one to go with since I am most interested in reliability.

A question about Microsoft backup -- is it available in XP Home? I can't seem to find it on my machine..?

Go into Accessories > System Tools > Backup

Its there