You should never store important files in a single location.
Here is the strategy that I use, to prevent such a problem:
I purchased two 400GB external hard drives. I got them from Buy.com for $69
each.
I labeled one of the drives as ONE and the other drive as TWO.
On odd numbered months (Jan, Mar, etc) I backup to the drive labeled ONE.
As you already guessed, on even numbered months, I backup to the drive
labeled TWO.
During the month that the drive is not being used, I store it in a fireproof
safe. If I were not so lazy, I would store the drive at the bank safe
deposit box or at least at a friends house. But, I am lazy, so...
Also, when I want to permanently remove files from my computer onto the
external HD, I copy the files onto both drives before deleting the files.
One final point, all computer backups and any archived sensitive data is
encrypted on the external drives. Thus, if a drive is stolen or if the
drive needs to be returned to the manufacturer for repair/replacement, I
don't have to worry about prying eyes.
Hope some of this info might help you.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: "Silly Goose" <sillygoo...@gmail.com>
To: <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 11:18 AM
Subject: Re: [Blind-Computing] What To Do When Your Hard Drive Crashes
I just happen to have a recently dead external hard drive and gave this a
try this morning. The problem with my external drive was that the
computer
would not recognize it even though it was getting power and "spinning"
inside the case. I am planning to return the hard drive since it is only
8
months old but all the books and backups stored on it will be gone for
good.
So I put it in the freezer for 4 hours and then plugged it in and
connected
it to the computer. It was sluggish about starting to "spin" but it did
get
revved up and made the normal noise. But it still was not detectable by
the
computer.
It is not a computer problem since my old external hard drive is
functioning
well on the same computer. The old one is only 150 gb however, which is
barely enough to back up the laptop.
I will say I am frustrated with the Sea Gate one that died. I purchased it
on Black Friday and used it not only to back up but to hold the only
copies
I had of many other files.
now they are gone. I guess I need an external drive to back up the
external
drive.
So, anyway, the freezer thing was a waste of time. I am letting the hard
drive spin for a few hours since taking it out of the freezer caused
condensation on the outside and the inside as well I presume.
Hope this helps,
Sherrie Gosling
----- Original Message -----
From: "Donnie Parrett" <deparr...@prtcnet.org>
To: "Blind-Computing" <blind-computing@jaws-users.com>
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 1:30 AM
Subject: [Blind-Computing] What To Do When Your Hard Drive Crashes
Hey Guys,
I received this message from a group list that I am a part of, and I
wanted
some of you to read it
and see if this really works or not. I don't know what good it would do
to
do what she said she
did, but maybe some of you can shed a little light on the subject. Here
is
the message:
I'm sorry I haven't been able to post anything to this list for a few
days,
but I had a major crash
of an external drive, which had all of my music collection on it, and I've
been working feverishly
to try and recover what I can from that drive the past few days.
Fortunately, I was able to recover
a lot, but the drive, itself, is shot. I wanted to share a tip with you
all
that helped me save
most of my music collection that was on that drive. We put my damaged
drive
in the freezer for a
couple of hours and then immediately took it out and hooked it up and
within
minutes I was able to
copy things from it onto a safer drive. I ended up having to place my
drive
in the freezer a couple
of times, just to be able to copy the data from it, but it did work, so if
you ever have a hard
drive or external drive crash, and you would like to try and get the data
from that drive, try
putting the drive in the freezer for a few hours and then immediately put
it
back into your computer
or hook it up to your computer, and try and get off what you can, before
it
totally goes. I have to
admit that when we first learned of this technique, we were really
skeptical, but this time it did
work for me. My husband works on computers and he learned this trick as
part of his tech training.
Please join us on Skype Monday thru Friday at 8:00 EST for our Morning
Skype
Prayer Time.
Contact Me At:
Donnie Parrett
1956 Asa Flat Road
Annville, Kentucky 40402
Home Phone: 606-364-3321
Church Phone: 606-364-PRAY
Skype Name: Donnie1261
Email: deparr...@prtcnet.org
For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
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For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
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For answers to frequently asked questions about this list visit:
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