IBM GoVault Backup/Restore Drive GoVault drive 80 GB

Advantages: Portable, No external power needed, ideal for small backup
Disadvantages: Too slow for larger backups, may not like the software.

...The drive is ideal for a small backup of a couple of gigabytes or if time is not important. I backed up 80gb onto this drive and it took all night, due to being a 5,400 rpm i guess. Must have taken around ten hours. Software side. The software allows backups of folders, so you can backup the whole hard drive as folder C: for example or just my documents. Press the button on the front of the drive and the software pops up. Select your folders to backup and press backup. Wait a while and it will say backup complete. You cannot see your individual files. All you get is the option to restore the backup you did earlier as one big lump. Very restricting. When you do restore it will take as long as the backup took in the first place. For my 80gb backup this means i have to wait about 20 hours to do a backup and then restore it again... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Fast and quiet
Disadvantages: Lack of instructions

...Can you possibly fill in 80 GB worth of data on your computer? I can - all those MP3s, applications and games meant that upgrading from an exisiting 10 GB drive was essential. Costing around £80, the Deskstar 120GXP did not come with any fixtures or fitting, leads or indeed, instructions. If you are au fait with PC upgrades, all very well, if not you may want someone who is to install it for you. After 'cloning' the data from my 10 GB drive to the 80 GB Deskstar 120GXP the first thing I noticed is how very quiet the drive is - only the flashing red LED on the front of the PC gives it away. The drive runs at 7,200 RPM so is considerably faster than old 5,400 RPM drives. You certainly notice the difference - Windows loads faster and games and applications too. Reviews in magazines have questioned the lifespan of this drive... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Quiet, Compact and Reliable
Disadvantages: Occasional difficulty initialising tapes

...Have only been using this drive for 3-4 weeks but it has proved invaluable. The 12GB native capacity is more than adequate for most data backup needs. I, personally, backup data files rather than system files which uses much less storage. System backups are not the most reliable and inevitably need a re-install anyway. The drive is, generally, very quiet although it does occassionally make a nasty rattling, from the tape itself, when winding/rewinding halts. Speed of backup is acceptable I normally backup about 2GB is less than an hour. I have not had occasion to restore files yet but do not anticipate any problems. The HP SureStore is a well-established and well-respected brand. The 4mm DDS tapes are very compact and easy to store and label, allowing simple library organisation. For larger capacity backups the drive supports compression... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful