Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

can u give me your thought's on WD 1tb my book essential hard drive...can upgrade to 2tb for $20 more

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

For two bucks more, I'd go for it!

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Absolutely. Partition the drive for what you want. Like I have mine as E, F, G drives for E=System Backups, F=All photos, G=Downloaded Program Files.

Sarge

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I use a 1TB for computer backup, and 2 640GB portables for photo storage. Good backup is essential for maintaining your files, but don't forget the hard copies (CD) for when the backup drive fails, and it will someday.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

I have a 1tb WB essential and would reccomend the 2tb. It is a well spent $20. Partitioning, as Sarge mentioned, would be a good idea too. Helps keep things organised. if you don't want to partition, just group in folders.

AVarley Loc: Central Valley, California

I have a 1TB external, using folders to organize files. I thought when I bought it that I'd NEVER need more than that ... I was wrong! I've almost maxed out this drive and am looking for a 3TB next.

ephraim Imperio

If and when you upgrade to 2 TB, get the WD Black Caviar. It is very fast and very reliable sata drive a 6 GB per second interface, dual processor and five years warranty.

Yoly C Loc: New York

how do you set the different partitions? :?:

billybob40

For $20. go for it, but don't put all your file in one place. Put your file in 3 or 4 places other then your PC. Do you know how long it would take to fill up 1TB. Say it crashs it gone. It would take over $1000. to get it back. I know I fond out the hard way. I have a 1TB PC, ext HDs 1TB, 2 500B, 200GB, 2 40GB, and 10 or 15 thumb drives. You say over kill, live and learn. GL

DennisK Loc: Pickle City,Illinois

Ok,how would you go about partitioning a external HD? I have a 640gb Seagate.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

Check out this site.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4881911_partition-external-hard-drive.html

DennisK Loc: Pickle City,Illinois

Thanks Don....I had to use that link to find an article that deals with Mac,but it's all good!! I guess you city slickers ain't all bad... :P :P

egj0307 Loc: Out west

But don't forget CDs deteriorate and go bad also.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

CDs can definitely degrade over time, but that degradation is directly related to the care/abuse received by that CD. The aluminum recording layer is basically permanent so long as it remains protected. Proper storage is necessary to assure the long life capability of the product (out of direct sunlight). Also, the protective layering on the label side of the CD is critically important as damage here can also lead to degradation of the aluminum recording layer. The other common cause of reduced lifespan of the CD is overuseage. The most common problem here is in music CDs that are played incessantly over the years, and failures in as little a 2 years have been noted on a regular basis. Thirdly, poor quality CDs (store brands mostly) are also known for their high failure rate due primarily to lower manufacturing standards.
In short, there is still no "permanent" storage medium out there that can assure there will be no failures. As of now, quality CDRs and proper care after recording are still the most effective way to store digital media over the long term. Solid state devices are in production now that claim 1000 year fail-safe storage, but the price is still astronomical for the average consumer and are better suited to government useage where cost to the taxpayer is never a factor.
All of my 15 to 20 year old Zip Disks are still storing that old media without fail, but I have archived all those old images to CD now and have a reasonable expectation of those images outlasting me or my children if properly cared for.

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

OK Dennis,..We "slickers" have our moments! LOL.....If you need any more help with that send me a PM and I'll walk you through it. Regards, Don