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dhidalgoFlag for United States of America

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Compressing backup files a smart idea?

My backup server is out of space and can no longer perform backups.  Tried to compress the files but each attempt was not successful.  It would just quit after 30 mins.  I believe it is because the backup drive is completely full.  

So my question is; does compressing the backup files effect any server functions such exchange/mail and synchronizing works by each workstation.  

and is there any way to compress the drive now that i am not able to when (right click on drive, properties, and disk clean up
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Hedley Phillips
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our backup server is with an  IOMEGA 400r 2TB.  I dont are there any expansion drive that i could buy for that.  
What is the disadvantage of buying an external drive? what external drive should i look for.
Hi,

sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. I was a little busy 'putting out large fires' here at work.

There are two options: SATA or USB, SATA is faster but would require an external SATA connection on your machine. This could be a simple case of buying one and slotting it into an empty slot. USB is probably already there and would just involve plugging a drive in.

We have got a few Western Digital Elements drives here. 500GB for about £56

I personally wouldn't trust them for system backups myself as I haven't always had 100% luck with USB drives. But other companies I know do use them with good results.

If I were you: I would buy a USB drive, plug it in and get your backups running again. Then buy a bigger Storage device as a permanent solution. It just isn't worth trying to save pennies when it comes to Backups.