WD or Click Free - Any Opinions?

[ssmith]

Going shopping for 2T external backup drive.
Would like any suggestions on which to buy as far as user trial and error
Want to keep it simple (as suggested )
These are the two that are available here on sale within $10.00 of each other.

Backing up two sytems, winxp and win7.
Thanks.
Will check back later.

great forum, lots to read......I'm on overload

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm pretty sure Clickfree uses hard drives from another company in their externals. Without knowing who that is, I would probably avoid them and go with WD, which is a known quantity and a well-regarded manufacturer.

I don't know much about the software that comes with those things, but I'd be prepared to at least investigate some other software to manage the backups. I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to the included software or its magical capabilities.

 

[ssmith]

I am thinking the same thing.
Reading alot and learning about the entire backup situation before I add the drive on.
It seems there are much better software to use and would like to do that.
Format the drive new, and find a good program to use.

 

[rraod]

I recommend the WD 2TB drive with USB 3.0. Very reliable drive.

I am currently using 4 WD external USB drives out of which 3 are WD My book (1TB, 1TB and 2TB) and a WD Portable SE 1TB drive.

WD drive comes with backup software, but I don't use it. I use these drives as just USB drives and copy the files manually through windows explorer.

You can use your favorite backup program on this drive.

 

[ssmith]

hi, wow was just reading about the drives and the sticky posts here on imaging. many pages to go.
Decided on the WD 2t, it is here. now on to the software.

I should have done an image at inital setup of the laptop. But did not know enough about these external drives and imaging.
I did one, saved to dartionion on laptop after setup, office programs installed and windows updates...hope I can copy it over as a copy for now. and all these updates are ok.
Now to set up the drive first.

 

[ssmith]

what I need is a newbie dummy 101 - of using external drives and backup all in one tutorial - but I'm getting there with all the help and infomation here!
thanks so much everyone, and for all posts and sticky posts on each and every thing.
Maybe in a month I will be ready and have it set up.
.

 

[MilesAhead]

Before shelling out for externals, especially if you have USB 3.0 or are considering getting it, with USB 3.0 docking stations, depending on your system's USB 3.0 support, you may be able to plug WD or other internal drives into the dock and use them at full speed. Until the latest hard drive price hikes I was buying WD Caviar Black 1 TB 6 Gb/s 64 MB cache drives for about $100. I use SIIG USB 3.0 docking stations with fan. The docks may cost around $50 each. But now there are many USB 3.0 docks available. You may find some at half that price. I like the SIIG because it has a cooling fan. The drives don't run hot. They pretty much stay blood warm during use.

I added an SIIG USB 3.0 PCI Express card to both my PCs. Both work great. The new image backup programs such as Easus ToDo 3.5 and Macrium Reflect Free 5 have USB 3.0 support in the boot CDs. It's way faster than USB 2.0. The PCI Express cards I used have 2 USB 3.0 ports. But there are other brands out there. I would just suggest talking to people who own one before buying a particular USB 3.0 component. Make sure it will allow the Sata drives to copy at full speed. No sense going USB 3.0 to get slow.

Also if you want 2 TB drives make sure the docks support 2 TB. Some may max out at 1 TB.

edit: Here's a pic of the docks I use:

 

[DeaconFrost]

If you are looking for a no hassle app that handles file backups, SyncToy is great....and free.

 

[pinto]

I just moved to a dock.. I can put 2 drives in it and it's USB 3. Think it cost me about $75. Smart solution these days

 

[MilesAhead]

Also many of those image backup free apps have a file backup mode. I haven't tried that mode because I use FreeCommander or just drag and drop to back up my files. Then use the image backup to back up the whole partition.

But I would research the freeware rather than be concerned about the included software. Most of the time you can find free backup or file management tools that are better than the stuff bundled with hardware.

 

[ssmith]

Thanks. I checked the price here (Canada) on the docks as they look like a great idea. There days everything seems to costs the same to set up. Will watch for it one on sale for the future.
Have 2.0 USB ports.(on laptop)

Would like to ask a question on the 2T WD, but could start a new post if I should.
Am I able to stop the WD software from installing when I first plug it in to W7 format it or am I going to have to let it then uninstall. Could save it off the drive somewhere if I need it for later.
Sorry for all the questions I am searching but did not see an answer to do this.

 

[rraod]

The WD smartware which comes preinstalled with the 2TB HDD can be saved on the laptop's partition and then deleted from WD drive after it is connected.

This software is also available from WD website and can be downloaded anytime.