External hard drive

angbrey said:
I'm a photographer and trust me....backup is critical. I've had 2 seagates crash on me and I currently have 2 seagates and 10 WD ext hd's. I buy two at a time so they both have the same files on them - they are always completely identical....when I update one, I update the other. I use stickers to identify them, plus I keep a screenshot of all the folders on them and print them out, and put them in a storage case along with the drive. My husband keeps the backup at his office for me, and when I need him to bring one home so I can update it, it's easily identifiable with an id tag that I made and laminated. I purchased protective cases for them on amazon.

BACKBLAZE....I can't recommend them highly enough!
Unlimited storage!! And for only $60/yr.
I currently have about 20 terabytes or so backed up.
It takes weeks or so when you first connect....don't be surprised that it may feel like taking forever to initially backup....because it does take forever.

***Here's the thing about most cloud storage. You must connect your drive(s) to the internet at least once in a 30 day period to have your drive flagged as an active drive. If you don't connect, that drive gets flagged as inactive and you are at risk of all that info being deleted from your backup. What I love about Backblaze is that now....you can connect at least once a year if you purchase that plan. They will still recommend you connect at least once a month or two...but at least it's an option for those who may need it. They yearly plan is still very reasonable at $84/yr. No matter what service you may use for cloud backup....and you have external hd's on that service, double check the specifications to make sure you don't lose anything if you haven't connected in awhile. It's been an unfortunate and sad reality when I've had a few different photo friends find out the hard way they lost backups because they didn't realize they had to connect to the internet periodically. I was prepared when I purchased backblaze. I've been using them for 4 years now and I have absolutely no complaints.

If you need a data recovery service let me know....I can send you a referral that has done excellent recovery for some photog friends that had computer crashes or viruses. ♥
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Thank you so much for your testimonial! I’m strongly thinking about it and even might have my husband convinced even though I think I told him about something like that before and he shot the idea down. I do rely on him because I don’t earn any money for the family so I take his opinion into account. But losing it all is devastating so YES!

I also got 2 EHD this time around and am planning to do like you. Make a copy of the EHD everytime.


Nat!! Yay! This is good! That way you will never lose your beautiful designs!
 
This just happened to me a few months ago - I've gone through 3 or 4 EHD's over the years. I bought a Samsung SSD.
As for Backblaze, I've used them for years now, and each time my EHD has gone bad, I request an EHD with all of my files - once it arrives, I move everything from their EHD to my own and send theirs back. Well worth the yearly cost!
 
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Just wanted to add another vote for Backblaze - they have saved me a couple of times when I've had EHD failures (I too feel like they will fail, all of them - I have had Seagate and WD and both failed eventually).
I currently have a Seagate EHD that's 4T and is really too close to full for my comfort and am thinking soon I'll be adding another EHD. I think I need to look into SSD - I didn't realize EHD were made with them now. That's good to know.
It does take a bit initially to get everything backed up to Backblaze, but once it's there updates don't seem to take too long. I also have a lot of huge raw files that get backed up (I do delete eventually...boy that was hard to learn to do going from photography business to just my stuff but now after a year almost all my raw files are deleted save a few special events). My pictures are also backed up on Google photos (now it's limited for size of files I know, but as it's really the 4th place for me I figure that's fine) and Amazon Photos (they are full size files and its free with prime), so I have all photos now on an EHD, Amazon Photos, Google Photos, and Backblaze. I bet that most digi files could be put on amazon photos (not templates but png files could be)

I hope you are able to get everything recovered - it's the worst when it happens
 
Well, I installed Backblaze a little while ago due to this thread. I currently have Carbonite but I'm having some issues with them. Could be my ancient laptop is the problem. Or them.

Does Backblaze put any little icon on each file for you to see which ones have been backed up? Carbonite has a yellow dot that turns green when it's backed up. Or do you have to look through the Backblaze files to verify what's backed up?

Anyone know of a dependable place to recover data off of a sad, broken EHD? I already tried some online, do-it-yourself places. And one local computer repair place. They tried but said they didn't have good enough equipment or something. I'm living in denial about several (4?) years worth of pictures being lost forever. I don't mind (not too much) having lost years worth of scrap kits from my previous scrapping years. But...I want those pictures. :(
 
SweetChar said:
Well, I installed Backblaze a little while ago due to this thread. I currently have Carbonite but I'm having some issues with them. Could be my ancient laptop is the problem. Or them.

Does Backblaze put any little icon on each file for you to see which ones have been backed up? Carbonite has a yellow dot that turns green when it's backed up. Or do you have to look through the Backblaze files to verify what's backed up?

Anyone know of a dependable place to recover data off of a sad, broken EHD? I already tried some online, do-it-yourself places. And one local computer repair place. They tried but said they didn't have good enough equipment or something. I'm living in denial about several (4?) years worth of pictures being lost forever. I don't mind (not too much) having lost years worth of scrap kits from my previous scrapping years. But...I want those pictures. :(
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I used Secure Data Recovery after a mechanical failure on my hard drive. It wasn't cheap.
 
SweetChar said:
Did you send your hard drive to them?
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Yes. I shipped it to them with a prepaid label from FedEx. It took three weeks for them to send me back my original drive along with a 2TB external with all (most--not really sure what all was on my computer after nine years) of my stuff. I didn't see my fonts, but I got back all my scrap supplies and pictures.
 
LynnZant said:
Yes. I shipped it to them with a prepaid label from FedEx. It took three weeks for them to send me back my original drive along with a 2TB external with all (most--not really sure what all was on my computer after nine years) of my stuff. I didn't see my fonts, but I got back all my scrap supplies and pictures.
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They called me fairly quickly and we discussed the details. Have my shipping label and EHD in hand now to go drop off at FedEx in a bit.
 
LynnZant said:
I used Secure Data Recovery after a mechanical failure on my hard drive. It wasn't cheap.
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Do you remember how much it cost you?

The guy that's looking at my EHD right now has been able to recover all the folders minus the "scrapbook" folder. He says that's the file system is corrupted, files are corrupt and disk controller is having issues. I don't understand most of that but I hope he's able to recover the stuff :(
 
TraceyM said:
Does Backblaze let you back-up layered photoshop files - aka the kits I design?
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Yes. This page has some great info, and it might be helpful to others looking into the service. I was glad to know what wasn't included AND how to speed up my initial backup (I excluded certain file types, basically forcing BB to focus on photos and my DS folder.) ETA: oops, I meant to say that there isn't a file size limit! Tracey, you probably wouldn't want to limit the file size because of your design files, but some people find it is nice to limit file size in order to limit the backup period--like if your internet is throttled/limited or just plain slow.

https://help.backblaze.com/hc/en-us/articles/217665388-What-does-Backblaze-Backup-?mobile_site=true
 
Leablahblah said:
Do you remember how much it cost you?

The guy that's looking at my EHD right now has been able to recover all the folders minus the "scrapbook" folder. He says that's the file system is corrupted, files are corrupt and disk controller is having issues. I don't understand most of that but I hope he's able to recover the stuff :(
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Mine was over $900. They looks to see what they can recover for a small price first (if I'm remembering correctly), and you give then the go ahead if you agree. There was a cheaper option of around $600 something where you supplied the external. I haven't had much luck with picking externals, so I paid for their 2TB drive. I did pay $300 for a goof at Staples to tell me that it was a mechanical failure and not do anything about it, so I knew that my files were there. . .the drive just wouldn't spin any more. That's why I didn't have a problem paying the money.
 
LynnZant said:
Mine was over $900. They looks to see what they can recover for a small price first (if I'm remembering correctly), and you give then the go ahead if you agree. There was a cheaper option of around $600 something where you supplied the external. I haven't had much luck with picking externals, so I paid for their 2TB drive. I did pay $300 for a goof at Staples to tell me that it was a mechanical failure and not do anything about it, so I knew that my files were there. . .the drive just wouldn't spin any more. That's why I didn't have a problem paying the money.
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Sucks that you had to pay for those $300 at Staples for nothing!
But I'm so glad you were able to recover your data even for such a high price!
 
The guy was able to transfer ALL my files back to the new drive I provided him with. BUT I am missing some kits here and there... I hope I can recover those from past purchases. We will see! But at least I have a list of what isn't working and I can try to find them again! I am so relieved that I didn't lose it all!
 
Yay, Lea!!! So glad you were able to get most of your stuff. At least you'll be prepared for next time. There always seems to be a next time. lol
 
I am just realizing now that I have probably lost a lot more than I thought!! :crying:

There is no way to know for sure what I'm missing because I didn't have a screenshot of what was inside of my folders. But now looking for a specific KCB kit I knew I had and it's not there in my "about me" section. I know I had quite a bit of her series with Studio Basic, that I bought (which I can find through the shop) but also when I guested for Kristin and also when I guested for Rubia... argghhh!

My About Me section which has all the emotions/feelings themed kits only has kits from A-D so I know it's at least missing the KCB kits. I'm so sad!:crying:
 
Leablahblah said:
I am just realizing now that I have probably lost a lot more than I thought!! :crying:

There is no way to know for sure what I'm missing because I didn't have a screenshot of what was inside of my folders. But now looking for a specific KCB kit I knew I had and it's not there in my "about me" section. I know I had quite a bit of her series with Studio Basic, that I bought (which I can find through the shop) but also when I guested for Kristin and also when I guested for Rubia... argghhh!

My About Me section which has all the emotions/feelings themed kits only has kits from A-D so I know it's at least missing the KCB kits. I'm so sad!:crying:
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Oh no!!! Hope your guy can get it back for you!!!
 
StacyLynn said:
Oh no!!! Hope your guy can get it back for you!!!
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I think that you can call and ask about the files on your computer - this is not a crime. In general, of course, it is better to always work on your personal computer and store all information on it. Then there will be no such situations.
 
The tech guy worked his magic again and I recovered the 92 kits I thought I had lost! Pfeww!! Stressful and sad few days but it all worked out in the end.
 
Which ever is the cheapest :D, I'm using a toshiba external harddrive because it is cheaper compared to competitors and I agree that you better back up your backup just in case.
 
Ugh, I'm sorry that happened to you. Clearly I'm late to the party and I didn't read through all of the replies, so I'm probably repeating, but the most important advice is to NEVER rely on just one method. Every HD or EHD will eventually fail. It's not an if, but a when. Whatever combo you have, there has to be more than one, whether it's your HD, EHD or a backup service. When, one fails, transfer your back up to another. I save to two EHDs and Amazon monthly. I've never invested in Blackblaze (or similar services), but I always have everything stored in at least two places.

I'm glad you got everything recovered, such a relief!!!
 
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