I regularly copy data from the computer onto a backup hard disk. Some data is important, whereas the rest is less important. In order to ensure the integrity of the important data, should I create two separate drives on the backup disk: one drive for the important data and the other for the rest of the data. Or should there be one big drive on the backup disk to which to copy all the data?

Excellent advice Spildit. Suggest keeping backup systems as uncomplicated as possible. I avoid compressed systems for speed and convenience. I prefer three backups- one must be cloud- all data only. Of the two locals one is not on premises but swapped with other at a rate your willing to fall back to. Drives left connected to the computer are unsafe backups- they usually get taken out with the malware/encryption/or accidentally. Full images of the hard drive make a wonderful backup- its ready to go as the computers drive and all the files are easily accessed for a single file recover.

Thank you for the information. I was asking about two drives on a single hard disk. I had perhaps read somewhere previously that if data is put on a drive which is separate from another drive on the same hard disk, it may be stored there more safely. I do not know whether that is the case. I have decided to create one big drive on a hard disk and to copy all the data there.

Spildit,

I'm curious, why no flash for long term storage? Also, do you mean long term as in one year, ten years?

Spildit,

That's pretty reasonable, thanks.