Re: [Hampshire] Lacie Backup Disks
Thanks for everyone's input. I took your advice not to try cleaning the disks but as I was using ext2, befor discarding them I decided to try a journaling file system just in case the errors were due to errors when foolishly switching of the power or similar. I tried ext3, but after unmounting the disk, fsck still stalled. I then tried reiserfs and this time fsck was OK and ran to completion. Read/write speeds through the usb connection were slow so I used the distructive form of badblocks of the first 100 Gb (~8 hours) and then tests of short patches every 100 Gb. These were all OK. Reinstalled reiserfs and copied across about 30 GB of real data - fsck still OK. Tried another 60 Gb but this time fsck failed because it was unable to read one of the blocks. There was a nice message: -- The problem has occurred looks like a hardware problem. If you have bad blocks, we advise you to get a new hard drive, because once you get one bad block that the disk drive internals cannot hide from your sight,the chances of getting more are generally said to become much higher (precise statistics are unknown to us), and this disk drive is probably not expensive enough for you to you to risk your time and data on it. -- I need new archive sytem but what is the best way to do this? One good suggestion was to use disks from different manufacturers, or at least different batches from the same one. However as archiving only takes 10 minutes or so every two weeks (I use rsync) system robustness when heavily used is not as important as lifetime. So, given that I have about 400Gb, and would like to have a 99.9% chance of still holding most of the data in ten years time, 1. Are disks still my best archive storage system? 2. Should I just be buy cheap disks and replace one of the pair each year? 3. Should I be spending as much effort checking the disks as archiving? 4. Is there a better strategy? Regards, David Webb. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] Lacie Backup Disks
On Mon, 12 May 2014 12:49:53 +0100 David Webb d...@soton.ac.uk wrote: Hello David, 1. Are disks still my best archive storage system? Given their cost these days, probably. Although CDs and DVDs can be cheaper, their use requires extra step be taken. This eats into cost/performance benefit ratios. 2. Should I just be buy cheap disks and replace one of the pair each year? Even cheap drives should last longer than that. If you do disk checks, you should get warning in advance of impending doom. 3. Should I be spending as much effort checking the disks as archiving? Probably; What's the point of archiving/backing up if you can't restore? I've come across people that used tar (or equivalent) to archive stuff, and never checked it was possible to unpack the archive. When the worst happened and they had to restore from a backup, guess what happened? 4. Is there a better strategy? Keep at least one of your backups off site: It's no good having the backup drive next to the computer if the computer room goes up in smoke. They used to say at least 200yds away and in a fire proof box. For many of us getting the backup stored that far away can be a problem(1). I settle for at my in-laws which is only 20 yds,but at least it's a separate building. (1) Unless you're on very good terms with the family at the other end of your street. :-) -- Regards _ / ) The blindingly obvious is / _)radnever immediately apparent I hope I live to relive the days gone by Old Before I Die - Robbie Williams signature.asc Description: PGP signature -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] What XBMC Hardware?
Hi Stuart, I think Michael Pavling has the Revo 3600 which does not have the optical out - there is an config change needed to get menu sounds I think. I ended up getting a Revo 3610 - which sounds like what you have. This does have optical out. It was really easy to set-up with OpenElec. Everything just worked - even my RC6 Microsoft Media Center remote all works. Wireless Logitech keyboard just works. Standby/resume just works. The hardest bit was replacing the HDD, Acer really don't want you to open these things. I had to pry it open with a screwdriver and the help of some YouTube videos. It's quick even with a spinning rust HDD so I don't think an SSD will gain me much. Anyway, it's early days with it but just wanted to report that all is well so far. The Acer Revo 36x0 seems like an ideal, HD-capable and relatively cheap XBMC appliance like the old XBox was. By the way, did you choose NFS because it gives better streaming performance than Samba? On 28 April 2014 08:14, Stuart Sears stu...@sjsears.com wrote: On 27/04/14 10:25, Imran Chaudhry wrote: Hi Michael, Replies inline: [snip] At home I've got a couple of XBMC machines set up, both Atom boards. One's an Acer Aspire Revo - it's okay, but was a little fiddly to get all the audio configured. The other was a Zotac Zbox (can't remember exactly which model though) and it was a breeze to set up (I went with XBMCbuntu rather than OpenElec), and it runs the TV in the living room. Pretty much on all the time; we never watch broadcast telly. Good to hear another point that the Acer Revo works fine. I did the research so I know about the sound fiddles but it has been solved. I've bookmarked some blogs/forum posts where they list the config file changes needed. FWIW I have one of these as my XBMC machine, plugged in over HDMI and also using the optical out to my AV amplifier. Audio out on either/both of these just work using the newest openelec build or generic xbmc on top of another distro (although I've stuck with openelec now, it's a single-purpose box) what are these supposed audio problems? I've never had any. [snip] At home I do run a separate file-server for the media (the XBMC boxes has little SSDs to keep them quiet), and a shared SQL server for the app database, ditto, MySQL and NFS on an HP microserver for me, streamed over 300M powerline adapters. Getting the external DB up and running in openelec requires a bit of cmdline-fu but that's not particularly difficult and there are entries on the XBMC wiki on how to achieve it. Works Stuart -- Stuart Sears RHCA etc. It's today! said Piglet. My favourite day, said Pooh. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk -- -- Key fingerprint = EF78 310C C517 9564 9ECA 82F6 68FA E621 17E1 5D16 http://about.me/imranchaudhry -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] What XBMC Hardware?
Hey Imran where is a good place to pick one up? For a good price Sent from my Windows Phone From: Imran Chaudhrymailto:ichaud...@gmail.com Sent: 12/05/2014 06:14 PM To: Hampshire LUG Discussion Listmailto:hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Subject: Re: [Hampshire] What XBMC Hardware? Hi Stuart, I think Michael Pavling has the Revo 3600 which does not have the optical out - there is an config change needed to get menu sounds I think. I ended up getting a Revo 3610 - which sounds like what you have. This does have optical out. It was really easy to set-up with OpenElec. Everything just worked - even my RC6 Microsoft Media Center remote all works. Wireless Logitech keyboard just works. Standby/resume just works. The hardest bit was replacing the HDD, Acer really don't want you to open these things. I had to pry it open with a screwdriver and the help of some YouTube videos. It's quick even with a spinning rust HDD so I don't think an SSD will gain me much. Anyway, it's early days with it but just wanted to report that all is well so far. The Acer Revo 36x0 seems like an ideal, HD-capable and relatively cheap XBMC appliance like the old XBox was. By the way, did you choose NFS because it gives better streaming performance than Samba? On 28 April 2014 08:14, Stuart Sears stu...@sjsears.com wrote: On 27/04/14 10:25, Imran Chaudhry wrote: Hi Michael, Replies inline: [snip] At home I've got a couple of XBMC machines set up, both Atom boards. One's an Acer Aspire Revo - it's okay, but was a little fiddly to get all the audio configured. The other was a Zotac Zbox (can't remember exactly which model though) and it was a breeze to set up (I went with XBMCbuntu rather than OpenElec), and it runs the TV in the living room. Pretty much on all the time; we never watch broadcast telly. Good to hear another point that the Acer Revo works fine. I did the research so I know about the sound fiddles but it has been solved. I've bookmarked some blogs/forum posts where they list the config file changes needed. FWIW I have one of these as my XBMC machine, plugged in over HDMI and also using the optical out to my AV amplifier. Audio out on either/both of these just work using the newest openelec build or generic xbmc on top of another distro (although I've stuck with openelec now, it's a single-purpose box) what are these supposed audio problems? I've never had any. [snip] At home I do run a separate file-server for the media (the XBMC boxes has little SSDs to keep them quiet), and a shared SQL server for the app database, ditto, MySQL and NFS on an HP microserver for me, streamed over 300M powerline adapters. Getting the external DB up and running in openelec requires a bit of cmdline-fu but that's not particularly difficult and there are entries on the XBMC wiki on how to achieve it. Works Stuart -- Stuart Sears RHCA etc. It's today! said Piglet. My favourite day, said Pooh. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk -- -- Key fingerprint = EF78 310C C517 9564 9ECA 82F6 68FA E621 17E1 5D16 http://about.me/imranchaudhry -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk -- -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] Lacie Backup Disks
On 10/05/14 17:03, Brad Rogers wrote: You can just about get away with opening a hard disk in a clean zip-seal freezer bag (making a very small clean room). You got away with it, but I wouldn't fancy my chances TBH. Drive head fly heights are measured in microns, and just one dust particle will wreak havoc because, sooner or later, it'll get dragged under the head and it's goodbye drive. I'd never put any data that I remotely cared about on it! Just did it for fun so I could watch the hard drive in operation. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
[Hampshire] To any one with a failed hard disk.
The failure may be in the magnetic media, in which case perhaps professional forensic recovery may help ( but will cost thousands). The other and more probable cause is electronic failure. I would always say, if you want the data back, go and buy another identical drive to the one that failed. then: 1) Verify the new drive is good. 2) Run the new drive with the old circuit board. If the new drive now fails, this implies the fault was electronic, not magnetic. (good result so far). 3) Put the new circuit board into the failed drive. If the gods are with you, you may now have sight of your data. 4) Create backup copies immediately (if not before!). Robin PS where and when is the next meeting ? -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
Re: [Hampshire] What XBMC Hardware?
I got mine from eBay. I paid ~£120 for an Acer Revo 3610 with 2G RAM and a 320G HDD + Windows 7 license and new Logitech wireless keyboard/touchpad. Obviously a risk buying private but check the seller feedback carefully. They seem to go for between £75 and £120 depending on what is bundled with it. For a bargain try and track one which ends during the working day rather than a Sunday afternoon. On 12 May 2014 18:31, Ally Biggs bluechr...@hotmail.co.uk wrote: Hey Imran where is a good place to pick one up? For a good price Sent from my Windows Phone From: Imran Chaudhry Sent: 12/05/2014 06:14 PM To: Hampshire LUG Discussion List Subject: Re: [Hampshire] What XBMC Hardware? Hi Stuart, I think Michael Pavling has the Revo 3600 which does not have the optical out - there is an config change needed to get menu sounds I think. I ended up getting a Revo 3610 - which sounds like what you have. This does have optical out. It was really easy to set-up with OpenElec. Everything just worked - even my RC6 Microsoft Media Center remote all works. Wireless Logitech keyboard just works. Standby/resume just works. The hardest bit was replacing the HDD, Acer really don't want you to open these things. I had to pry it open with a screwdriver and the help of some YouTube videos. It's quick even with a spinning rust HDD so I don't think an SSD will gain me much. Anyway, it's early days with it but just wanted to report that all is well so far. The Acer Revo 36x0 seems like an ideal, HD-capable and relatively cheap XBMC appliance like the old XBox was. By the way, did you choose NFS because it gives better streaming performance than Samba? On 28 April 2014 08:14, Stuart Sears stu...@sjsears.com wrote: On 27/04/14 10:25, Imran Chaudhry wrote: Hi Michael, Replies inline: [snip] At home I've got a couple of XBMC machines set up, both Atom boards. One's an Acer Aspire Revo - it's okay, but was a little fiddly to get all the audio configured. The other was a Zotac Zbox (can't remember exactly which model though) and it was a breeze to set up (I went with XBMCbuntu rather than OpenElec), and it runs the TV in the living room. Pretty much on all the time; we never watch broadcast telly. Good to hear another point that the Acer Revo works fine. I did the research so I know about the sound fiddles but it has been solved. I've bookmarked some blogs/forum posts where they list the config file changes needed. FWIW I have one of these as my XBMC machine, plugged in over HDMI and also using the optical out to my AV amplifier. Audio out on either/both of these just work using the newest openelec build or generic xbmc on top of another distro (although I've stuck with openelec now, it's a single-purpose box) what are these supposed audio problems? I've never had any. [snip] At home I do run a separate file-server for the media (the XBMC boxes has little SSDs to keep them quiet), and a shared SQL server for the app database, ditto, MySQL and NFS on an HP microserver for me, streamed over 300M powerline adapters. Getting the external DB up and running in openelec requires a bit of cmdline-fu but that's not particularly difficult and there are entries on the XBMC wiki on how to achieve it. Works Stuart -- Stuart Sears RHCA etc. It's today! said Piglet. My favourite day, said Pooh. -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk -- -- Key fingerprint = EF78 310C C517 9564 9ECA 82F6 68FA E621 17E1 5D16 http://about.me/imranchaudhry -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk -- -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk -- -- Key fingerprint = EF78 310C C517 9564 9ECA 82F6 68FA E621 17E1 5D16 http://about.me/imranchaudhry -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --
