Backing up information - which to choose : eBay Guides

Listed below are the choices for backing up your data and although incomplete could give you an insight

Floppy Disk Drives in the past were useful when data did not include pictures, many computer users still use the for storing accounts and payroll information. The drawback is of course that they are able to store limited information but they are a cheap and reliable option. Modern computers generally do not feature floppy disk drives anymore.

CD and DVD drives do usually come with computers nowadays and are capable of storing more than 500 times more information than a floppy disk. For myself I would not recommend this form of backup for really important information but for music and films or data that can be obtained from a third source they are very useful and certainly cost effective.

Iomega Zip Disk Drives are able to store 100mb to 750mb and are also a cheap method of storing accounts information. You need to be careful in the choice of Zip disks in that a 100mb drive will only read and write to a 100mb disk. The 250mb drive will read and write to a 100mb and a 250mb disk but no higher. The 750mb drive will read and write to any zip disk.

Travan Tape Drives are able to store up to 40gb when compressed but the tapes must suit the drive. For example a 4/8gb drive uses TR-4 tapes and no other. The 10/20gb drive uses TR-5 tapes and the 20/40gb drive uses TR7 tapes. The higher number is with compression. Tapes are manufactured or branded by Hewlett Packard, Seagate, Dell, Quantum and Imation.

Dat Drives are one of the most popular and reliable form of backup in business, the cost of the drive would be more expensive than any of the previous backup devices mentioned but the tapes are relativley cheap. Again it is important you match the drive to the tape used. The DDS2 is 4/8gb, the DDS3 is 12/24gb, the DDS4 is 20/40gb, the Dat72 is 36/72gb and the Dat160 is 80/160gb. There are many manufacturers of Dat Tapes they include HP, Sony, TDK, Imation, Maxell, Dell and Maxell

DLT Drives are the corporate choice, but it is important that you match the tape to the drive

 DLT4 drive is capable of storing 40/80gb and is one of the early versions of this type of drive. Recently a drive was manufactured calling itself DLT V4, and whoever decided that was a good name for a drive must be suffering from a mental defect as if letters and numbers abound in the IT industry. So be careful not to buy the wrong tapes. If you have a DLT V4 drive the correct tape would be a VS1 or a VS160 tape.

I will offer further information on AIT Tape Drives ..  DLT Tape Drives .. LTO Tape Drives .. SLR Tape Drives .. USB Backup Devices very shortly but if you require information in the meantime please contact me on 01924 402337 ask for Harry

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