best method of external storage

dvd's you can load everything back into whatever and they hold a lot of wavs

Well not backing up files (even on external) is asking for it. I speak as a guilty party who lost a laptop hdd ... and i still I don't back up now (but I will once I get that new computer ) DVD's (with at least one redundant copy) + backup on external or whatever. Should be fine ... also may be put the one set of back ups in another location in case of hurricane and or other act of god or crime.

if you're going the dvd route it would also be worth considering 'Taiyo Yuden'
they have a reputation for low errors during recording. not sure how widely
available they are so you will probably have to mail order them.

keep at least two copies on separate hard drives. i don't know if i really trust those DVDs even if they say 'for archiving purposes'. if you don't store them properly they'll be useless after some time. how long, nobody knows for sure, it's only been simulated. the good thing about hard drives is that when you get a new computer your new hard drive will easily hold the content of the old one and more, same goes for external hard drive when you upgrade to a new one. just drag all the 'old' stuff with you in the process.

still, i recommend keeping the vinyl for long term archiving. two copies of each in seperate airconditioned fall-out shelters

Shed