Easy back up options

[Kriama]

After narrowly avoiding complete loss of 11 years of data, because I received the Blue Screen of Death on my old Lenovo and I had not backed up my laptop…like, never ever, I now understand that I need to start to do this on my new ASUS laptop.

I am non-tech, so I need an easy way to do this.

My OS is Windows 11 (I feel fancy saying that now, considering I was using Windows 8).

This is some other information that I copied from my laptop’s information:

Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core™ i9-13900H (2.60 GHz)
Installed RAM 32.0 GB (31.6 GB usable)

I’ll be honest, that all means absolutely NOTHING to me.

What easy options do I have? I wish to save all work associated files, and updated files, all my music, photos and videos, etc.

I hope that I have posted this in the right category.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Yobbo]

Hi Kriama,
Welcome.
I normally do a System Image Save on an external Hard disc.
Takes considerable time to save and restore the system image.
I just did a search for you about using a SSD.

Yes, you can use a solid-state drive (SSD) connected to a USB port without installing it inside the desktop. Here’s how you can do it:

1.External SSD Enclosure: Purchase an external SSD enclosure. These enclosures typically come with a USB interface and allow you to connect your SSD externally.

2. USB-C or USB-A Connection: Make sure the enclosure supports the type of USB port you have (USB-C or USB-A).

3.Plug and Play: Once you install the SSD into the enclosure, you can connect it to your computer via a USB port. Most operating systems will recognize the drive automatically, and you can access it like any other external storage device.

 

[Diguelo]

II like to use an External Hard drive spinning platter, it just has the true Archival thing going for it. External SSD I had a nasty incident happen to one back a couple of years ago, the internal battery system folded up and died and the contents vanished along with it. Since then all my backups go on platter drives. Ive still got one 500GB drive from 199 god knows, A MAXTOR if you can believe it and it still works. Only the best of programs are stored on that hallowed drive.

 

[DVDR_Dog]

The OP's laptop has some impressive specs, the only thing is Lenovo's aren't noted for their ability to run cool. That in itself is a darn good reason to back it up and to revise that backup with changes. Digeulo has the right idea, keep your backup drive isolated from the system when not in use and keep it off-site if the data is that important. Thefts and fires happen, like it or not.

 

[Diguelo]

FYI, I carry a 1TB ext M.2 with me and my laptop, its more than enough for the basic setup on my C drive and has spare room for image mounted toold ISO files.

The choice of storage is of course up to the owner and their needs so work out what you need and plan accordingly.

 

[DVDR_Dog]

FYI, I carry a 1TB ext M.2 with me and my laptop, its more than enough for the basic setup on my C drive and has spare room for image mounted toold ISO files.

The choice of storage is of course up to the owner and their needs so work out what you need and plan accordingly.

There is the good subject for debate: Old mag spinner drives vs. SSD for long term archival.
Actually then it can become which form of SSD is reliability vs. speed.

 

[Diguelo]

Long term storage has to be a choice of DVD or Spinning platter. M.2 has internal batteries that die even if it takes 4 second to get a full charge

The M.2 is fast as USB 3.0 which is plenty for trolloing about fixing stuff its also small enough for a slip pocket in the computer case

 

[garibaldo'']

Long term storage has to be a choice of DVD or Spinning platter. M.2 has internal batteries that die even if it takes 4 second to get a full charge

The M.2 is fast as USB 3.0 which is plenty for trolloing about fixing stuff its also small enough for a slip pocket in the computer case

internal batteries?

 

[Diguelo]

Yep Internal Batteries.

If memory serves, this goes back to the days of NV RAM Non Volutile Random Access Memory. In other words the power goes off the data in RAM stays intact for a while.

Toshiba and their original Satellite Laptops used this as a wonderous and highly effective security / anti theft gizmo back in the 90's Silicon that can hold its data with no power input due to a lithium or other charge holding material embedded in the chip.

Today we have M.2 and USB sticks that do pretty much the same. Capacitors and such can hold a charge, but there is a limit to how long it will stay charged, SSD devices etc all do the same, but again if they dont have a 5V charge for long times, kiss that data goodbye.

I have had occasion in the past to recover device memory on such devices using various and often self made tools to aid in this. The world hasnt always run on 5V DC

 

[garibaldo'']

Yep Internal Batteries.

If memory serves, this goes back to the days of NV RAM Non Volutile Random Access Memory. In other words the power goes off the data in RAM stays intact for a while.

Toshiba and their original Satellite Laptops used this as a wonderous and highly effective security / anti theft gizmo back in the 90's Silicon that can hold its data with no power input due to a lithium or other charge holding material embedded in the chip.

Today we have M.2 and USB sticks that do pretty much the same. Capacitors and such can hold a charge, but there is a limit to how long it will stay charged, SSD devices etc all do the same, but again if they dont have a 5V charge for long times, kiss that data goodbye.

I have had occasion in the past to recover device memory on such devices using various and often self made tools to aid in this. The world hasnt always run on 5V DC

I asked google about the batteries in 2025 NVME SSDs, here is the answer:
Based on search results for 2025, NVMe SSDs generally do not contain built-in batteries. Instead, they are highly power-efficient, designed to be powered by the host system's battery or power supply.

 

[Diguelo]

Yes they are, So heres the quandry

Its in your system, take it out the data stays put in the device, plug it back in a few days late the device still has its data.

Efficiency is all well and good but the data does not stay there without a trickle supply, usually an imbedded series of Capacitors in the chip.

Feel free toinvestigate this further. Chip design comes in 2 flavours, volatile and non volutile the later retains data the former doesnt.

 

[DVDR_Dog]

Toshiba and their original Satellite Laptops

What a pile of garbage those laptops were. I used to have to repair them. I would cringe when someone brought one in. They were almost built to be used them till they break, then toss 'em out.

 

[Diguelo]

I should have said Trickle Capacitor powering to keep it stable. But hey ho what do I know.

 

[DVDR_Dog]

I should have said Trickle Capacitor powering to keep it stable. But hey ho what do I know.

Remember the days of EPROMs? The company I worked for for decades would erase them with UV light and resell them. They were programable and virtually non-volatile if kept in darker conditions and avoided temp. extremes. I guess they fell out of favor b/c of their limited memory capacity.
This truly is a never ending discussion. Just about any modern digital programmable storage medium is ultimately volatile. Optical medium, re-writable or not, unless carefully stored (room temp, in a light-proof container) will degrade. Non-programmable Blu-ray, DVDs and CDs using "printed foil" technology discs are fairly trustworthy as long as the plastic they are encased in isn't scratched and remains clear and transparent. The others have been discussed in this thread.
It appears as the ages have told us, the only permanent storage medium is to chisel the data into hard volcanic stone.