Automatic Backup

[Dick H]

If this is in the wrong place, please move or delete it.

I want to buy an external hard drive to store all my photos. Looking at the specs, they all seem to mention some kind of automatic backup. Is this something I can disable? I really dislike all these "automatic" things, especially in WIN 7 where it puts things in Libraries. Yes, I know it's a wonderful new feature - to me that's just so much BS. I want to put things where I want them, not where WIN 7 wants them.
Anyway, what are the ramifications of this "automatic backup" thing?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Dick.


I really dislike Libraries also, they're a PITA to me, I too want things where I want them.


Nothing with HDDs is 'automatic' it has to be setup and if you don't do so it won't.

 

[mjf]

Personal View.
I avoid any HDD that comes with "inbuilt" backup capabilities. They generally cause more trouble than they are worth, they are proprietory, and you pay more.
I stick to "bare bones" drives with only the software/firmware to make it function as a HDD.

 

[Britton30]

I agree, use 3rd party software like Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download or Complete hard disk recovery solution, backup, drive copy, clone and image computer software Macrium is free, Acronis is pay-for.

 

[Dick H]

Personal View.
I avoid any HDD that comes with "inbuilt" backup capabilities. They generally cause more trouble than they are worth, they are proprietory, and you pay more.
I stick to "bare bones" drives with only the software/firmware to make it function as a HDD.

BAREFOOT: Thanks, I hoped that was the case.

MJF: Now I'm worried again. All the ones I've looked at seem to have some kind of auto. backup. How do I find one without it?

 

[mjf]

MJF: Now I'm worried again. All the ones I've looked at seem to have some kind of auto. backup. How do I find one without it?

I wouldn't worry - most of the HDD manufacturers seem to to be going this way to get extra $ out of you.
I stick with WD Elements range or the Seagate equivalent if a special is running.
Otherwise you can buy the basic disk and Case and probably get better cooling.
Another option is a docking station (not really portable!)

 

[seavixen32]

If you don't want to use the auto backup software just remove it and use the drive as a standard external drive.

I've got a 1 TB Hitachi external drive and it's backup software was awful, so I just gave the drive a quick format and I now use Windows 7's backup software.

 

[bru]

I never used the Seagate backup software that came with my HDD. I didn't uninstall it though. I use Windows backup.

 

[SlasherIT]

Well, WD external HDD's such as the My Passport series, what they do is add the WD Smartware backup software (really crappy) not as a regular exe that can be deleted or formatted and gone, but in some kind of virtual disk if I can remember correctly. You have to use the command prompt to remove that stuff, its pretty annoying...