Backup strategy

My recent ordeal restoring backups and an SSD that is quickly filling up has led me to make this post.

In all my years of computing (more than 30 years) I never figured out the most logical approach to making backups.

I know the importance of making frequent backups (in case of disk crashes/viruses etc.).

In my case, I have limited space on my internal SSD. It's a 500G Samsung. It has two partitions:

c: 114 G  (system) and d:  374 G (data).

I have been managing my c: drive fairly well as I left a good size buffer as space for future apps.

I have 40 G free on my c: drive.

My d: drive is the 'problem' partition. I have only 68 G left on it now.

I'd like to learn about a logical method/approach to managing my data when the disk fills up to this state.

The basic problem for me is that I would like to:

1. always have all my files easily accessible, somewhere.

2. always have enough space available on my d: drive for more files.

3. not make overly redundant backups, that is have for example  'file a' stored on five or six disks.

4. be able to quickly reduce the number of files on my d: drive.

Some more info.

I liked my 500G Samsung so much I bought 10 of them.    At least 5 are filled with backups at the moment.

I don't want to fall into the 'just buy a bigger SSD' solution. One of the main reasons I bought so many of the 500G size

is that the drive and my head get along well. I am very sensitive to EMF's. It doesn't take much for a drive/device to start hurting my head.

To give you an idea of my sensitivity, if I plug a second Samsung 500G into the front of my computer (first is internal)

I can start to feel some pressure in my head. So working with a second USB drive of that size plugged in all the time is not an option.
I also have to be careful with smaller USB sticks. It's touch and go with them. The faster USB 3.0 drives mess with my head more than the USB 2.0 drives.

I think I've given enough info of where I'm at and what I am trying to accomplish.

I'd like to hear what methods you folks use, and what you could recommend for me given my unique situation.

An unusual complaint indeed, however I think you are going at this the wrong way. If it is the emf that is the problem consider putting these drives, or at least the one you are using, in a metal caddy. This would act as a Faraday cage and keep any emf coming from the drive inside the case or at least greatly attenuate it and use as short a connecting cable as possible. This should enable you to have a much greater choice of drives.

Just as an example, if you search on Amazon for 'rugged' or ruggedised' 2.5" caddies you will find several that state they are made of metal.

Chris Cosgrove

An unusual complaint indeed, however I think you are going at this the wrong way. If it is the emf that is the problem consider putting these drives, or at least the one you are using, in a metal caddy. This would act as a Faraday cage and keep any emf coming from the drive inside the case or at least greatly attenuate it and use as short a connecting cable as possible. This should enable you to have a much greater choice of drives.

 

Just as an example, if you search on Amazon for 'rugged' or ruggedised' 2.5" caddies you will find several that state they are made of metal.

 

Chris Cosgrove

Thanks Chris for helping out.

I will definitely look into the caddies that you recommend.