I have an external HD but I want to put them on either DVDr or CDr

I have 'read' that DVDr aren't stable as CD's but with the way technology is I have no idea.

Should I just do the DVD's since it holds more or just do the CD's

I am afraid that the external HD will crash. I have plenty of space on my desktop but want backups

I have done some searching here but wanted to post.....thanks!

I use DVDs all the time and find it much faster than CDs. Just make sure when you burn the DVD that you check verify data. Sometimes a new DVD is just bad and it does not burn correctly and it will error if you have the verify data turned on. I usually check the DVD as well just to make sure. I have had no problems with DVDs going bad. If that is a concern burn 2 DVDs of the same so you have 2 backups

Definately the DVDs! I just got a writer this xmas and boy does it make a difference when you have a LOT to back up! And like previously stated, verify the data. Also finalize the DVD, which is an option with R/RWs etc. Also make at least two copies and send one set to a safe place away from your home/external hd/ect. I sent one set to my Mom's house for safe keeping, just in case we ever have a fire or they get lost in a move. I think I actually read the opposite of what you did, anyway, I've heard DVDs are more stable. But I also think it depends on the brand used etc as well.

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I used DVD's as one of my methods; but also back up to a harddrive that is hardly used. I use FileBack PC and love it b/c it has a resume feature in case something causes you to stop backing up, etc it will pick up where it left off and not run a back up all over again.

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DVD's are more stable than CD's. Also, Rs are more stable that RW. That is, use the kind you can just write to only once, whether you are using DVD's or CD's. The re-writeable ones are the least stable.

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I backup my computer to an external hard drive and then I back up that to another computer we have in the house. I would also like to add another external drive to this chain and store it offsite to complete my archive picture. I don't have the time/patience to deal with burning cd/dvd. Also, keep in mind that all media evolves over time and you will probably have to move your cd/dvd or external harddrive collection to new media within 3-5 years. The key is to keep your storage current. No format disappears instantly. As a new format comes on line, the old one is still available. So, just transfer your data to the new format before getting rid of the old disks.

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If you happen to have an old PC sitting around gathering dust you might try what I do. I bought a big 300 gig hard drive for a little over $100 and put it in an old machine which I added to our home network. I use BackUpMyPC to do automatic backups across the network and the beauty of it all is that I don't have to sit there and swap CDs/DVDs in and out every time I want to do a backup. I have to admit that I DO also periodically burn all of my photos to DVDs which I then take off-site to store for safe keeping.

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The the most important part to getting a reliable burn to DVD is using the lowest write speed available - it will take longer but reduces the chances of errors significantly

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