Fireproof storage

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rvangelder

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Topic # 59751 11-Apr-2010 17:45

Hi all.

I wrote a DVD full of family pictures today, and realised just how upset I'd be if they were ever lost.

Off-site backups is one option, which I'm looking at separately. No advise needed here.

I'm also looking for something to store my important stuff in, just in case my house burns down.
So a fireproof box, that could take the heat of a full-on house fire. It wouldn't need to be very big. just enough to hold an album of DVDs, a few envelopes and a couple of USB sticks.
Security is not important, so it need not be a safe.

Any suggestions for a fire proof box?

Cheers

freitasm

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Reply # 317053 11-Apr-2010 17:48

I wouldn't store DVDs anyway. They won't last long - better use a magnetic device. And use an offline backup just in case.

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Dratsab

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Reply # 317058 11-Apr-2010 18:03

There's no such thing as fireproof but there are varying degrees of fire resistance. The best thing to do would be to go to your local security shop (ie Chubb or Armstrongs or whoever) and see what's on offer.

As freitasm says, the electronic media probably wouldn't last long either - this is because the heat in fire resistant cabinets can get quite high. The less you spend, the less the resistance.

freitasm

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Reply # 317060 11-Apr-2010 18:08

Not only that, but DVDs can "break down" quite quickly and become unreadable unless stored in optimal conditions - which no one can do.

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rvangelder

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Reply # 317071 11-Apr-2010 18:38

Thanks guys.

Good advice on the DVDs getting stale. Probably time for me to spend a day reorganising the archives.

Might go browsing for home archiving solutions. That might be another thread :P

I came here asking for magic. Sometimes we get lucky, hey? :)

mentalinc

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Reply # 317075 11-Apr-2010 18:42

Buy a portable hard drive they are very chep now and store it at a relatives, your parents, uncle ir aunty anyone who lives close enough to grab it from to keep it updated.

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nate

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Reply # 317133 11-Apr-2010 21:44

rvangelder: I wrote a DVD full of family pictures today, and realised just how upset I'd be if they were ever lost.

MozyBackup. Set it once and forget it.

rvangelder

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Reply # 317206 12-Apr-2010 08:14

Yes, a portable harddrive sounds like the answer. Cheers guys

Ragnor

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Reply # 317247 12-Apr-2010 10:25

USB hard drive at a relatives if definitely recommended, however there's still the possibility a volcano/earthquake/etc could affect the entire suburb/town and you lose your data.

Anything really important should be backed up in another town/country online in addition to your USB drive backup.

Paranoia is a survival trait!

SepticSceptic

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Reply # 317388 12-Apr-2010 15:48

I keep a copy of my WHS files on a portable USB HDD drive I keep at work.

And yes, DVD's and CD's do loose data cohesion after a few years, unless you get a specific archive quality media - TDK do some "Amoured" ? ( or similar ). Somewhat pricier, perhaps a marketing gimmick. Even then, I'm loath to trust just one disk.

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Nety

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Reply # 317662 13-Apr-2010 10:13

SepticSceptic: I keep a copy of my WHS files on a portable USB HDD drive I keep at work.

I do the same. For me work is a good 30km away from home so hopefully has some isolation.

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SepticSceptic

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Reply # 317670 13-Apr-2010 10:23

Nety:
SepticSceptic: I keep a copy of my WHS files on a portable USB HDD drive I keep at work.

I do the same. For me work is a good 30km away from home so hopefully has some isolation.

Well, if I lose both simultaneously, I'd figure I have a bit more to worry about. Like Zombie Attacks :-)

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