I have 3 SimpleTech 500GB external hard drives which have been my backup strategy up until now. I used one for photos which are also backed up on the web and I think I am covered there. I used one for data which was also on an external USB as I do not have that much and I am always updating most files so I simply save any file I deem important twice (to the computer and to the external USB) and then periodically copy the USB to the hard drive just for good measure. Then I have one that has not been used yet.
So my question is since these hard drives are 8 years old and I just bought a new computer and am setting things up and rethinking my previous strategy should I buy new external hard drives for my back ups? I don't want to send all my data to the cloud so some kind of local back up storage is needed. I plan to continue to use one external hard drive for photos (and the web), and one for an image file of the entire computer (not externals) and my copied files from the external USB. I don't know why I persist in wanting two externals other than in my head they are physically separated too, and I am not confused then when looking at the contents and it all seems mixed and I do not know what is what.
The reason for this question is that I am pretty economical though, I still want to be prudent should I ever need to restore my system. And I do not know how long hard drives are actually good for as a general rule someone could go by. Also I am wondering if the SimpleTech external HD I have not yet used is in any better condition since it has not been used, or do they "age" anyways? Maybe I would use it for photos and then need to buy only one new one for my data?
And finally will an external flash drive outlast a mechanical external HD, or are they just as good longevity wise?
Thank you,
Tom
So my question is since these hard drives are 8 years old and I just bought a new computer and am setting things up and rethinking my previous strategy should I buy new external hard drives for my back ups? I don't want to send all my data to the cloud so some kind of local back up storage is needed. I plan to continue to use one external hard drive for photos (and the web), and one for an image file of the entire computer (not externals) and my copied files from the external USB. I don't know why I persist in wanting two externals other than in my head they are physically separated too, and I am not confused then when looking at the contents and it all seems mixed and I do not know what is what.
The reason for this question is that I am pretty economical though, I still want to be prudent should I ever need to restore my system. And I do not know how long hard drives are actually good for as a general rule someone could go by. Also I am wondering if the SimpleTech external HD I have not yet used is in any better condition since it has not been used, or do they "age" anyways? Maybe I would use it for photos and then need to buy only one new one for my data?
And finally will an external flash drive outlast a mechanical external HD, or are they just as good longevity wise?
Thank you,
Tom