The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    DVD vs External Harddrive

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by FidyYuan, May 30, 2007.

  1. FidyYuan

    FidyYuan Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    263
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Do DVDs last longer than External harddrives in an environment where the temperature ranges from 70-90 degrees farenheit or is it the other way around? I'm not sure what I should use to back up my data.

    Also, please do not suggest me to use both an external harddrive and a DVD.

    Thanks! :)
     
    FidyYuan, May 30, 2007
    #1
  2. slumbermann

    slumbermann Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    305
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    personally... i would say, with 70-90 degree Fahrenheit... it would be around 21-32 degree Celcius... so either one should be okay... eventho i would prefer the external Harddisc for this... cause its easier for me to control the data flow... :)

    but there shouldnt be a problem cause i was living in a country where the temperature are always at 32-36 degree Celsius... which is 90-97 degree Fahrenheit... both of my device... external Harddisc or DVD work like charm... :) so thats why it shouldnt be a problem... only matter... how you want to keep it.. cause DVD take a lot of space too when you have like 10 or 20 discs already... :)
     
    slumbermann, May 31, 2007
    #2
  3. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    11,461
    Messages:
    16,824
    Likes Received:
    76
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Do both :p DVD probably cheaper. especially dual layer DVD's they hold alot of info.

    When we get bluray or hd-dvd burners that will offer alot of space on a disk.

    It depends on the situation I guess.

    With dvd's you can have multiple copies, so if its very imporant data. Make 2 copies and keep one locked away in a firesafe box or somthing. With a hdd, its just about the same but would be more expensive.

    If its not so much a backup but data you will work with on a regular basis, thats when a hdd would be a better choice.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, May 31, 2007
    #3
  4. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    7,197
    Messages:
    28,841
    Likes Received:
    2,166
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Humidity is more dangerous than heat.

    Optical discs don't like sunlight, so don't store them by the Window.

    The problem of a HDD-based backup system is that if it does have a problem (either hardware for Windows messing up the partition table or file allocation table) then you have lost everything. Optical disc backups, if each is separate, offer more safety because a problem with one won't affect the rest.

    However, an HDD is easier to use and search because optical discs will need cataloging if you are to find the right file quickly.

    What sort of backup problem are you trying to solve? Short term or long term.

    I use both. Everything onto external hard discs but also groups of files copied onto DVD from time to time.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, May 31, 2007
    #4