CD writer to backup Hard Drive?

Hi Guys. I have a Gateway Desktop computer 18 gig hard drive.128 ram,an a flopy drive. This computer has no cdr driver,or what ever u call them. But has a knockout space for one. I want to back up my hard drive, before its to late an i loose everything. Do i need to install a cdr writer. Are they hard to install. About 1/2 of the hard drive is being used. Or should i have a computer place (such as Best Buy) put in the cdr writer in for me? I seen them on the shelf at Best Buy! But they are so many of them. An i don't know if it will work in my computer? An don't know which brand to get if i need one. This computer is about 3 years old. if ya need that info.

Thank's Gary Mc

 

What is the CPU speed of your computer?

Also, what is your spending limit for purchasing a CD burner?

Prices can range from $130 to around $40 dollars. It all depends which speed you want for burning and also how large of a buffer in the burner you also want.

Most CD writers list the recommended supported hardware and software (OS) on the box or on their web site, so be sure to read that info before you buy the CD burner.

 

Gary's note said
Your PC has no CD ROM drive?

If that's true, what ribbon cable would he connect the burner to?

 

Hi Again guys. Sorry i forget about speed! It is 950mhz system. An the money would be no problem. So what i understand so for i will have to have a cdr writer to back up my hard drive!.

Thank's again Gary Mc

 

Your PC has no CD ROM drive?

If that's true, what ribbon cable would he connect the burner to?

Usually the ribbon cable comes with a CD-R/RW unit, as does the drivers. The IDE controller probably supports up to 4 devices.

sparkeycars,
you can use a CD-R to back up your files, or you can also use a tape backup system, or even an Iomega Zip drive. For home systems most people usually go with a cd writer.

 

MsChip, where are you shopping for CD-RW's??? A quick search at www.techbargains.com:
Don't buy from CompUSA, Circuit City, Best Buy, or any other big-name store. Buy online and save some money.

I definitely agree that CD-R/RW is the best choice for backup, but with DVD-R prices getting so low, you might as well wait a few more months and just get a combo drive. BTW, techbargains has one for $250 right now, one for $319 also.

I agree with MsChip about the IDE channels, a 950 will have a dual IDE. Besides, if it doesn't, you could always connect it with the Hard Drive.

 

Thank's guys. i will look into a cdr writer. on those websites. Thank's a lot for the info.

Gary Mc

 

SafeWatch, the price range I listed are those that are available on the web. The latest whiz bang CD-R/RW from Plextor happens to be $129 dollars available at Plextor's web site if you wanted to "pre-order" one of their latest drives.

Incidentally, please be so kind as to not tell people where they should or should not shop. You're going to start giving people a complex! *LOL* Many people simply don't feel comfortable shopping on the web, for a number of reasons, no matter what the price savings may or may not be. Many alsoe like to shop at Best Buy, Circuit City, etc, as a matter of convenince for buying a product that day and also having the option to return that product the same day. In some cases the time savings is more important than saving ten dollars.

 

Was not intended to "tell someone where to shop" and most people would know that. I was only saying that these stores charge too much and that you could save money online.

Read between the lines "Don't buy from CompUSA, Circuit City, Best Buy, or any other big-name store" because they overcharge and will rip you a new one. "Buy online and save some money" because online stores buy direct and in bulk very similar to the way the big-name stores do, and since they don't have the overhead of having huge stores and hundreds of employees, they can mark up their products at a very minimal rate.

BTW, if the big-name stores don't want me mentioning their names, they shouldn't be big-names.

 

I've just installed a CD -R/W on my Dell for the same reasons, to back up my hard drive.

It was pretty simple install.

My question is what software is best to back up only the files that I want? I have all the programs on CD so reinstallation after Nuke and Burn wont be a problem.

I have used IOMEGA back up system for my zip in the past. But that is getting way too expensive to purchase the discs. I liked their software but it doesn't seem to work without the old parallel port zip drive installed. If they have the software to transfer to my new burner that would be good.

Do you have any suggestions on software for backup?

Rob

P.S. Bought on line from Futureshop here in Canada. $30CDN for a 52 32 52 burner.

 

i bought a internal cd-rw ,52x, driver from staples for $30 after
rebate. manufacture is BUSLINK. i have a compaq presario with windows xp. a friend installe dit for me. my computer had all the cables and such inside. cd-rw drive pkg. also had installation hardware. included software was nero 5.5. was not happy with this version and uninstalled it for one that works better.
good luck.

 

I have both an internal plextor and an external plextor (connects via a usb cable). Both work very well.

 

Most people will really not notice the speed difference between a "premium" brand like Plextor or Sony compared to a "economy" brand like Buslink.
Sometimes a brick store (Best Buy, CompUSA, etc) will have better deals than an online store. True, you don't pay taxes online but you do usually pay shipping, and some of those shipping charges are horrendous ($20 to ship a CD drive ground via UPS). UPS charges less than $5 for this.