Copying from SSD to an external backup drive

MikeDhu · May 5, 2017

Hi all, I haven't backup up my data in a long time so finally bought an external drive, a seagate 2tb expansion drive. It connects through USB 3 without a separate power supply if that's important.

So copying almost 700 gig of data is going to take 'more than a day' according to windows 10. Transfer rates bounce from around 28 MB/s down to a few 100 Kb/s depending on the size of the files being copied. Is that a normal transfer rate?

I want it to be an external drive so I can store it elsewhere, so is there a better option available?

Relevant specs, if i should post more info let me know:
SSD is an 840 EVO 1Tb on PCIe3
External drive doesn't seem to have a spec other than 'Seagate 2Tb expansion' on USB 3 *although it shows up as SCSI for some reason*
8 GB memory and i5 6600k

Thanks in advance

JackNaylorPE · May 5, 2017

I would recommend an external docking station (i.e BlacX) rather than an external drive.... then you can use as many HDs as ya want. having a external drive for backup won't he;p ya much if it goes up in flames with the PC. With multiple drives, you can rotate off site.

You don't wait for a external drive to copy the files, you do it at night while sleeping using a backup program like FBackup.

Set it up to "mirror" each drive" and do incremental backups. I back up 2 TB daily and the 1st one took far less than I sleep

... subsequent ones take a matter of minutes.... often less ... I have 4 partitions on the drive and it does 1 every hour from 11 pm - 2 am

corroded · May 5, 2017

there are 2 approaches, I do both.

Data Backup and System Imaging.

Data backup (what you are doing) I like to automate it. Either a script running in the Task Scheduler or a program. I currently use GoodSync, not free but works really good. I also prefer a NAS of some flavor for this. It facilitates the automated portion and will not crap out on you like the non-powered externals (Portable Drives)... NAS could be as simple as the WD:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/wd-my-cloud-2tb-external-hard-drive-nas-white/1766059.p?skuId=1766059
to a Synology 2 disk system like the DS216j.

Image based, using the same external device that you use for the Data, write out an image once a quarter as well. I use ToDo Backup, it can also be scheduled....

MikeDhu · May 5, 2017

Cheers Jack, looks like a nice idea but looks like I can only get the single bay option in the UK I think

MikeDhu · May 5, 2017

corroded :

So these drives without external power do 'crap out' a lot? My IT expert said it would be cheaper buying two rather than a more expensive solution. To be fair he is about 90 (seriously). Shame I've started using the external drive already, probably can't return it now. Thanks for advice

corroded · May 5, 2017

They are NOT meant to be left plugged in all the time. IF you use it as designed (ie: "portable") meaning, plug it in, use it, unplug it and store it.... It will last a long time, I have some that are over 5 years old work great. IF you LEAVE it ATTACHED to a computer as a LIVE drive ALWAYS, yes they die a "quick" death.

These are my observation as a small PC repair business owner...

USAFRet · May 5, 2017

MikeDhu :

This is a 2.5" external drive?
It WILL be slow. The USB powered ones are pretty slow.

See this thread for backup routine suggestions:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3383768/backup-situation-home.html

MikeDhu · May 5, 2017

Thanks for all the answers. I think I'll just get this back up done no matter how long it taks but buy a NAS afterwards. And use the portable drive for off-site safety.

Edit: the docks look handy as well, if i can a dual dock one I'll try that

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