The Urge to purge: Old CDs

[James Burke]

Every once in a while, I get in one of those moods to "clean house" and simplify.

Today's topic of concern is that big box of CDs that's been collecting dust. I want to copy them all onto an external drive and then give them the big heave-ho...everything except OEM software and family photos.

I plan to make a second backup copy on another drive.

So...am I attempting something foolish, or should I be content to put up with another bulky box in the office?

I've only had one or two occasions when a CD failed, but I think the data is better off on a hard disk.

Any and all input welcome.


Thanks,

JB

 

[Techman]

hard cd copies are better than elecronic.

 

[signage]

hard cd copies are better than elecronic.

+1

 

[Alti-Plotter]

A CD can fail, a HDD will fail sooner or later. All the data I really need are stored on a first HDD and a second HDD.

 

[njshorts]

you're storing two copies? rip em to ISO and chuck the CDs... i do the same thing every year or so.

 

[Alti-Plotter]

For really important data 3 copies: 2 in-house and 1 in an other location.

 

[SignBurst PCs]

you're storing two copies? rip em to ISO and chuck the CDs... i do the same thing every year or so.

+1.. rip em to ISO, then if you need them, run them from a virtual CD/DVD drive. No need to burn another copy, ever. Of course, I would always backup my ISO just as I would any digital file.

 

[SignManiac]

Okay Ill bite, so what does ISO stand for?

 

[Techman]

iso is a direct image of a disc in a binary format.

 

[AnotherSignManiac]

I would back them up to an external harddrive and also a remote server space. I haven't had good luck with CDs... my pitbull seems to always find them (non-work related of course)

 

[Colin]

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/


shrug

 

[signage]

Great program as far as I am concerned!

 

[James Burke]

iso is a direct image of a disc in a binary format.

Thank you for the insight. But how is this any better than a file that has been copied to a hard disk?

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...cts/trueimage/http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing...cts/trueimagehttp://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage//

Looks good, and is half price until midnight tonight (Oct. 31st). My new computer (work station) arrives next week. Can I purchase it now, store it on an external drive until my new system gets here?

Jim

 

[signage]

I have CD for my version, I am not sure how they are doing this sale! Contact them I do not see why you can't!