In article <20080729113632.625$Hh@newsreader.com>, pm@INVALID.com(Phil) wrote:
> Hi: > > Last week the hard drive in my Tivo (Satellite/DVR ) died and had > to be replaced. So now I am really concerned about the HD in my > computer. > > This is what I have - > > Hardware Overview: > > Machine Model: Power Mac G4 > CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (3.3) > Number Of CPUs: 1 > CPU Speed: 1.25 GHz > L2 Cache (per CPU): 256 KB > L3 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB > Memory: 1.25 GB > Bus Speed: 167 MHz > Boot ROM Version: 4.4.8f2 > > What is the easiest/cheapest method to provide a back up?
I'd start by cautioning that "cheap" is not a great criterion when evaluating backup strategies. Pretty much any real backup strategy that a home user would even consider is inexpensive in comparison to paying someone to retrieve your data from a crashed drive or recreating it completely if the drive is physically destroyed.
Cheapest in terms of initial funds outlay is a USB hard drive and either the included rsync command line tool or a free/donation/shareware GUI duplicator such as Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper!.
The same software with a slightly more expensive FireWire HD will *greatly* shorten backup times.
If you're using Mac OS X 10.5, the included Time Machine facility might be sufficient on the software end.
If you want to get serious about it, the first thing is to look into multiple backups, not all of which are kept in your house. Rotate through them so you've got a couple of generations and while your house may burn down you've got a copy locked in your desk at work (for example). If you must keep it on your property, a good firesafe preferably in a detached structure is well-advised.
There are better media options, but price increases rapidly.
There are also better software options, but again the price goes up.
> Can I put a second HD inside the machine?
You can, but you can't call that action part of a backup solution.
> I've heard of the external HD's, > but I have already maxed out my connection/inputs (USB hub).
Another argument for FireWire. Chaining instead of a star topology. Since almost every FW device other than camcorders has a pass-through port it's very unlikely that you're out of FireWire ports. And since a fixed media backup device (like a HD, unlike a tape drive) shouldn't be permanently connected to the machine the temporary use of a port shouldn't be a real problem.
> Where is a good place to shop for the backup?
Depends on the solution you end up choosing. If you do go the hard drive route, you could go to OtherWorld Computing. Or Buy.com. Or Staples. Or NewEgg. Or ....
You'll often save a few bucks by buying a bare drive and a case, and you get the added bonus of real control over which drive you get. When you buy an assembled drive you're often buying the case plus whatever mechanism the assembler happens to be putting in it this month.
-- "Harry?" Ron's voice was a mere whisper. "Do you smell something ... burning?" - Harry Potter and the Odor of the Phoenix
