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I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

redbarn
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

I need some clarity and help. I think I may have over reacted and got too many Ext HDs. But I also like to keep a couple of EHD in standby. Let me explain my current situation.

I am using a Mac with 1TB Fusion Internal drive. I only use it for the OS. I store all my data on External HDs.

In 2010 I bought 3 WD EHD.
1- 1TB (working but full) replaced with 4TB EHD
2- 2TB –added 1 partition
3- 3TB- added 1 partition

In 2015 EHD #2 stopped being recognized. Later drive #3 showed some signs of low performance.

I ran First Aid – Disk Utility on all 3 drives. Results:
#1 drive was repairable and working but maxed out and unplugged in storage
#2 First Aid report recommended drive not repairable and to stop using it immediately. Discarded
#3 Repairable, but reformatted deleted all content in storage. I don’t trust this drive based what happened to drive #2.
*Interesting both drives with a partition failed.

In 2015 I followed First Aid’s suggestion and replaced 2 drives.
1- 4TB My book
2- 3TB My Book
I currently have a total of 7 copies of my EHD including the original drive.

This is the list of all the EHH:
1- 2010 WD –1TB (full backup copy in off site)
2- 2010 WD - 2TB (formatted/blank in storage) don’t trust it/aged
3- 2013 Passport –1TB (backup copy EHD in storage)
4- 2013 Maxtor 500GB (Specific files in storage)
5- 2015 My Book – 4TB (backup copy)
6- 2015 My Book – 3TB (backup copy)
7- 2020 My Book – 2TB (Time Machine)
8- 2020 Passport - 2TB (new not in use)
9- 2020 Passport - 3TB (backup copy)
10- 2024 WD Black – 5TB (primary) purchased 5/20
11- 2024 My Book – 4TB (backup copy)
12- 2024 Passport- 4TB (new not in use)
Any suggestion what I should do? Thanks

Jun 12, 2024 at 02:32 PM

jeffbuzz
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS923+

https://www.synology.com/en-us/support/RAID_calculator?drives=14%20TB%7C14%20TB%7C14%20TB%7C14%20TB&raid=RAID_5%7CRAID_10

Jun 12, 2024 at 08:47 PM

redbarn
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

I received one response to my posting today. I read it very quickly on my phone. I was planning to login once i get home. However, the response is gone.
I would appreciate the person that took the time to answered my posting to repost it again. Thanks a lot

Jun 12, 2024 at 10:57 PM

ACHILLEAS-V
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

I dont understand your list. Looks too chaotic. How much is your total data? And dont get raid. Waste of money.

Jun 13, 2024 at 01:31 AM

foto16
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

I have been thinking about similar things. How big is your data? Personally I would use 1-3 drives to cover all of the frequently used stuff, otherwise it's easy to lose track.

The rule of thumb for backup is 3 copies of data, with 1 copy offsite. Multiply your total data size by 3 and that's how much total space you need. Ideally you don't want this to span too many small drivers, so you may need to upgrade to larger drives if you have a lot of data and you may want to retire the smallest drives or use them to archive specific things that you don't use often.

Clearly label the drives. Make an updated list of the all drives with their contents. For your 12 drive list, you may want first to separate them into 3 groups: those that are attached to you computer for current data storage, those for backups, and those for archives and their backups. Looking at a flat list of 12 drive sorted by year without a structure is dizzying.

Jun 13, 2024 at 09:07 AM

redbarn
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

Hi
Foto16

Thanks for getting your suggestions. As you can seen I have always try to keep 3 copies but as I indicated on my posting i'm now a bit confused and frustrating trying to decide which EHD I should keep active connected to my computer.

The two drives (2015) are still working fine, but they may be getting a bit old. Should I stop using these drives and putting in my archive group as you mentioned. I am not sure if I should continue using them until they show some signs of decline.

I agree with you. I always keep track the year the EHD.

Achilleas-v

I have about 1 TB of data.

-----
I received a response to my posting (but it has disappeared) suggested not to keep any drive older than 2017.

Jun 13, 2024 at 01:16 PM

foto16
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

redbarn wrote:
Hi
Foto16

Thanks for getting your suggestions. As you can seen I have always try to keep 3 copies but as I indicated on my posting i'm now a bit confused and frustrating trying to decide which EHD I should keep active connected to my computer.

The two drives (2015) are still working fine, but they may be getting a bit old. Should I stop using these drives and putting in my archive group as you mentioned. I am not sure if I should continue using them until they show some signs of decline.

I agree with you. I always keep track the year...Show more →

It seems you have purchased too many hard drives for 1TB of data

I would use one 4TB drive as your main data drive, and another two 4/5TB drives for backup. Use the newest drives. Put the rest aside for archives and their backups, and periodically take them out for a spin to check they are still readable.

Jun 13, 2024 at 01:29 PM

redbarn
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

Indeed I did

This is what I'm thinking doing.

Archive all EHDs prior to 2020

1-5TB - WD Black (as primary) 2020 but connected 2024
2-4TB - WD Newbook - 2024
3-3TB - WD Newbook - 2024

4- 2TB - Passport - 2020 - (backup LR Cat bkup org Int DR+Time Machine bkup 2nd copy)

I already have a dedicated EHD for Time Machine. Also LR Cat bkups in all EHD

Keep 4TB Passport in standby (2024). What do you think?

Jun 13, 2024 at 02:01 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

Insanity. Like, you're a danger to yourself and your files level of insane.

Keep 4-5 years of working files on a 4-5TB drive (you have one). Back that up to an identical drive (you have one).

Archive your old stuff on 2 more drives and throw one of them in a bank box for offsite protection.

Jun 13, 2024 at 02:14 PM

redbarn
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

Scott

I am going to use the 5TB black as primary drive. This drive is very fast. Im very impressed. I have 3.5 archived drives and 2 addtional ones.

In addition, will be running 3 new copies including the original one. Yes I have a drive in a bank box. thanks

Jun 13, 2024 at 02:46 PM

ACHILLEAS-V
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

1 TB is not much. If you want to keep the black drive fine but I would only keep the passports. Smaller size and not external power. Although be careful not to break the usb connector because they dont have a sata to usb adaptor like older models.

Check S.M.A.R.T. and use HD tune or similar. See their lifespan. Do stress tests especially in the new ones 2024. Dont trust them because they havent proven themselves yet. The older drives are more reliable if they still work without clicking noises.

I personaly do the classic 3-2-1 backup method. 3 copies 2 backups 1 off site. So that means the black drive as your local working drive because is fast. Then a passport as your local backup in a different room than the pc in a safe drawer or maybe in a garage. Then a second passport in another house. But do the stress tests first.

Jun 14, 2024 at 12:09 PM

redbarn
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · I may have over reacted got too many EHD backups need help

Achilleas
Yes, now I realized that Passport is the best choice not only less Real Estate on my desk but less clutter with fewer cords. I think I tried to find S.M.A.R.T but couldn't find it. I ran a report on the Mac but to be honest it was way above my head to understand
I now have over 5 backup copies and 3 new one including the original.

I agree I'm very delicate with all the USB male connectors with all of my devices. I have another issue which I posted in a different room.

Jun 15, 2024 at 10:33 PM


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